Inspiring Travel Writing from Helen Ochyra
Born and raised in a small Wiltshire town, Helen was itching to get out and see the world from a young age. First only escaping as far as Canterbury to go to university, she later made it as far as San Diego, California where she spent a year theoretically studying theatre, literature and culture, but in practice studying mostly the American people.
On graduating in 2004, Helen left the UK and spent a very happy year on the backpacker trail through southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand before feeling the pull of home and landing a “proper job” at the Guardian.
After a three-year stint at the Guardian working on guides to camping, walking, the seaside, adventure sports and, perhaps most enjoyably, wine, Helen joined Rough Guides as a travel editor where she edited guides to Poland, Nepal and South Africa among other destinations, and spent many an hour turning beautifully loquacious books into user-friendly web content.
Now freelance, Helen rests her battered suitcase in north London and regularly writes content for the Guardian, the Observer and Time Out, as well as editing for Rough Guides and contributing to books such as 1001 Escapes to Make Before You Die.
Find out more at www.helenochyra.com
Articles by Helen Ochyra
-
Maastricht
|
Helen Ochyra
|
The Netherlands
|
Limburg
|
Maastricht
My culinary exploration begins at the Bisschopsmolen bakery, a 12th-century water mill complete with functioning water wheel. I select a delicious apple-filled pastry from the spread of local Limburg pies on offer, washing it down with a...
-
Manchester's Northern Quarter
|
Helen Ochyra
|
United Kingdom
|
North Western England
|
Manchester
Housed in the former warehouses of the 19th-century’s booming textile industry, the northern quarter is more up-and-come than up-and-coming. I start my first day in the area at the riotously girly Bread and Butter cafe. The garden furniture, kitsch...
-
Travel Writing in Paris
|
Helen Ochyra
|
France
|
Ile-de-France
|
Paris
There is really only one place qualified to host a writing course in Paris. The Shakespeare and Company bookshop on the left bank has played host to a promenade of penniless writers who have laid their heads, and their notebooks, on its ancient...
-
An Insider's Guide to Seville
|
Helen Ochyra
|
Spain
|
Andalucia (Seville)
|
Seville
Sultry, sweaty and oh-so-Spanish, Seville is one hot destination. This is a city that swelters year-round, never needing to tuck itself away in jumpers and indoors, instead preferring to let it all hang out in polka-dot dresses, on the streets and...
Reviews by Helen Ochyra
The Clarence | Helen OchyraThere are no sweeping entranceways or trumpeting towers greet you on arrival at Dublin’s Clarence hotel; instead you’ll encounter an understated elegance that gently whispers true luxury. The calm and collected reception belies this boutique hotel’s...