Lydia Swinscoe
Lydia is a travel writer and solo travel expert, based mostly in London. Her work has been published in print and online for the likes of Condé Nast Traveler, The Guardian, BBC Travel, Harper's Bazaar, ELLE, Marie Claire, Oh magazine, The Evening Standard, and woman&home.
A solo trip to Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico aged 19 kickstarted her travel addiction and she's since gone on to explore parts of 60 countries, returning to many often. Solo travel is her speciality, and she's happiest when hunting out great food while wearing flip-flops, preferably somewhere hot. Her award-nominated blog Lydia Travels documents artistic intimate hotels and brilliant restaurants across the globe.
She began her career compiling fashion and beauty pages for teen magazines at the BBC where she interviewed and styled some of the world's biggest pop acts, from Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato to One Direction, before joining celebrity magazine Now, as Fashion and Beauty Director, and later Woman magazine as Lifestyle Director, overseeing all fashion, beauty, food and travel content. But it's travel that has been a constant passion throughout her 14-year career.
At 23, she quit her job and travelled out of a backpack for a year, living on just $26 (£20) a day. Of the 15 countries she visited, 13 were explored by land in a bid to cut her carbon footprint. Highlights from the trip include completing Nepal’s Annapurna Base Camp trek, a teaching by the Dalai Lama in the foothills of the Himalayas, sleeping on the world's largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, and being completely overwhelmed by the magnificent Iguazu Falls on the Argentina-Brazil border.
Latest articles by Lydia Swinscoe
-
Aldi’s new soothing Himalayan salt lamp will bring some much-needed tranquility to your home, and it’s under £10!
Time to relax...
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
A special M&S ‘Dine in meal for two' is launching just in time for New Years Eve and we’re excited
This is not just any New Year's Eve feast...
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
This pretty Italian village is selling houses for just one euro each and we’re seriously tempted
Early retirement? Yes please
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
Aldi is selling the sweetest DIY gingerbread house and it’s less than £5!
Is this the best Aldi buy ever?
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
This creative Christmas nails trend has been influenced by Covid-19
Will you be trying these Christmas nails designs?
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
PETA honours The Queen with Most Iconic Moment award for this fashion choice last year
The Queen has been awarded for her major style decision
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
The Undoing’s Nicole Kidman reveals her tongue in cheek nickname for on-screen husband Hugh Grant
Did the couple get along while filming their latest show The Undoing?
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher’s blue power suits in The Crown are exactly like the real life versions
Can you spot the difference?
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
Marks and Spencers x Ghost fashion collection is available now and the Duchess of Cambridge inspired dresses are selling fast
This is not just any Marks and Spencers fashion collection, this is the M&S collaboration we've been waiting for all year...
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
The Duchess of Cambridge adds some festive cheer to her look with these gorgeous gold mistletoe earrings
Perfect for Christmas, the Duchess of Cambridge knows how to pick jewellery
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
Aldi premium wine collection is back and includes a £19.99 vintage Champagne that is sure to sell out
Now that's a reason to celebrate
By Lydia Swinscoe Published
-
Talking openly about her cancer diagnosis, Tracey Emin says she feels ‘luckier’ than coronavirus patients
The artist reveals more about her battle with cancer
By Lydia Swinscoe Published