Here at GTC towers we're delighted to introduce Hilary Bradt MBE, creator of Bradt Travel guides and experienced traveller! She has written or co-written thirteen travel books, and is off to Cambodia next week, so we managed to catch her for a few minutes in between polishing her new MBE and packing for her next trip....

You're famous for creating the Bradt range of travel guides. What first inspired you to travel, and then actually sit down and write about it?

It was probably an advantage that I didn't go abroad until I was 16, and did my first overseas trip without my parents when I was 18. By that time I was mature enough to indulge my interests - art and natural history - and relish the adventure. So I wrote long letters home. The desire to share my experiences in this way led naturally to the first guidebook and numerous articles.

What do you think makes your style of guide so different from the mass market of other guides available (not mentioning any names!).

There are various factors: an emphasis on history, culture and wildlife, as well as the unusual destinations that we specialise in. Most of all, though, it is the freedom we give our authors to induldge their enthusiasms. Our books are not formulaic, which we believe leads to better writing and so a more enjoyable read (check them out at http://www.bradtguides.com/).

Where in the world has inspired you most, and what did you gain from it?

The easy answer would be Madagascar because that's the part of the world I now write about most. But on reflection I think I'd say Chile. My (then) husband and I went there in 1973, just after the coup which replaced President Allende. Nothing that we had read prior to entering the country prepared us for the response of the local people: several people came up to us in the street to tell us how delighted they were that Allende had gone. This relief was reinforced by drivers who picked us up as we hitchhiked south. I'm not saying that I became a right-wing supporter of Pinochet, but I realised that the media, by its nature, does not report both sides of a story. I learned that to get the feeling for a country you must meet, and talk to, the people. Since then I have mostly retained a neutral position on political happenings in countries I don't know, and the Bradt policy is publish guides to any country of interest and natural beauty, whatever government is in power.

Meeting people from different cultures is always one of the highlights of any trip; who have you enjoyed meeting the most?

I think the most exhilarating cultural experience was when we walked across the little African country of Lesotho in 1976. We were well away from the road, and the people we met were hugely hospitable. One family put on a dance in our honour, and an entire school helped us across a flooded river. Moments like that remain in your memory for a lifetime. [You might like to visit www.hilarybradt.com/ which has my published articles on this and other people experiences]

If you could travel anywhere tomorrow, where would you go, and most importantly, where would you eat?



Well, in a week's time I'm heading for Cambodia, to Angkor, which has been on my Wishlist for as long as I can remember. Next is Borneo, though I don't know when I'll get there. No idea where I'd eat in either place! But I would choose local food in a locally-run restaurant or 'street food' which is often safer and tastier than food served in international hotels.

Do you have a few must have essentials that you take on every trip?

I always take a couple of novels to tide me over airport waits and transport breakdowns. Likewise Codewords. Otherwise a notebook and pencil are the only other essentials..

Any tips for would-be travellers out there?



There's only one tip: Embrace the experience of travel and stop worrying about what might happen. It probably won't!



Lastly, we couldn't let you go without finding out what it was like to meet the Queen!



Quite a few people dream that they meet The Queen – indeed a book on the subject was published a few years ago. So how does one feel when it actually happens? I found out when I was invited to Windsor Castle to receive my MBE on December 12.


The waiting period between hearing the news in May and the actual investiture in December was nerve-wracking. When would it be? And what should I wear? The Palace was quite vague on the subject: morning dress or lounge suits for men (easy for them) but nothing specific for women. In the first flush of excitement in June I’d bought a lovely summery outfit from a charity shop, but as the months passed without notification, and the weather got colder, I realised that I would need to rethink. In the end I borrowed a red velvet jacket and black trousers from friends, and Hotter kindly gave me a pair of smart Iris shoes. And I hired a huge red hat. And practised my curtsy.


From the moment my friends and I arrived at the special entrance in Windsor Castle we were made to feel really special. Up the broad staircase lined with motionless guards from the Household Calvary in full uniform, and into a splendid room with a huge ornate fireplace and many paintings to have a drink and mingle with the other recipients. Then an equerry, wearing red and gold military uniform, including spurs, gave us a demonstration of exactly what we had to do – including the curtsy or bow. It seemed very complicated and I’m sure we all experienced the same feeling of panic that we wouldn’t remember everything.


In no time at all I found myself at the head of the queue and there, in the Waterloo Chamber, was a tiny woman, dressed in blue, standing on a dais. The Queen! I was rooted to the spot. “Go on” said the equerry and gave me a little push. The trouble was I couldn’t remember what legs are supposed to do to create a forward movement. I wobbled to the centre of the room, managed my curtsy, and walked to meet Her Majesty. She hooked the MBE over a pre-positioned pin, asked me about the charity aspect of the award, held out her hand, and that was it. Another curtsy and I left the room, remembering to my shame that despite the careful training I had forgotten to address her as “Your Majesty” or even “Ma’am”.


I think most of us would have liked another go in order to get it right but the Queen must have seen it all. Why else would the equerry have said, rather urgently, “And don’t forget to let go of The Queen’s hand!"



Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, and congratulations on the MBE!