✨ Welcome to our brand-new series, TravMedia's Travel Writer of the Week! ✨
Each week, we'll be shining a spotlight on one of the incredibly talented, passionate, and inspiring Journalists or Editors from our amazing community.
This week, we'd like to shine the spotlight on Yvonne Reddin - a Dublin-based travel writer who specialises in family-friendly holidays and river cruises.
We hope you enjoy - happy reading !!
Where are you based?
I am based in Dublin, Ireland.
What outlets do you write for? Who is your audience? What are your travel specialties?
I freelance and I have written for the Irish Times, the Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, The Echo Live, the Irish Daily Mail and their glossy weekend magazine, Business Plus magazine and numerous online platforms.
My audience is anyone who loves human interest and real life stories. I incorporate my passion for travel with my own back story as a solo parent and I write about travelling solo with my young twins, in Ireland and abroad.
My travel specialities are mainly about solo parent travel and family resorts that have everything onsite so you don't need to go anywhere (but I do like an excursion or two) l also like to find unique adult places to write about too. I have a fascination with river cruises at the moment, I love that immersive vibe from them and how you can get in closer to towns and lesser known countries along the rivers.
Are you in-house or freelance (or both)?
I am freelance.
What are your professional pet peeves?
That we are not paid enough for the work that goes into researching and writing an article.
In your past professional life you were …
A hairdresser.
Where would you like to return to?
Australia, I lived in Sydney for 9 years many moons ago.
What's on your bucket list?
I got to a bucket list destination this year – the Maldives. But I have many more like the Philippines, St Lucia, Barbados, anywhere that has gorgeous beaches.
Where do you travel for fun?
I go to Donegal a lot as the beaches there are amazing and you can find hidden ones each time you go. No matter what time of year you go, you can be swimming in the sun, snow and rain 😊My favourite place to visit in Donegal is Dunfanaghy. I highly recommend flying into Donegal, most recently Donegal Airport was voted the second most scenic landing in the world in a poll by a panel of travel experts out of 122 airports worldwide.
Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is …
While someone was getting their cabin bags from the overhead area, the strap off one passenger's bag got caught around my neck and nearly gave me whiplash. Such is the speed that people want to get off flights! My friend that was travelling with me, thought my facial expressions were hilarious. I didn't see the funny side until a while later!
What advice would you give your younger professional self?
Find your USP which in travel terms could be your UWA (Unique Writing Angle) and get out and meet the lovely travel PR people. Better opportunities happen when you meet people in person.
What nugget would you like to add that we haven't touched on?
The power of connecting stories with people you meet on your travels, not just the places you visit. I have met some lovely people from all over the world after press trips. The back stories to why people love to travel are incredible and so inspiring.
How best should people contact you?
You can find me on Instagram, Facebook and my most preferred platform, LinkedIn. Reach out to me or email me at yvonne@yvonnereddin.com. I like my teabag left in my tea when we meet for a cuppa and a chat😊
