Travel Writer

Quotes about Mark from Kenton Cool, world leading mountaineer, adventurer who has conquered Everest 18 times: 

I love reading about Mark’s adventures now he’s an empty nester. I might not have got him up Everest yet but I reckon he could make it to base camp

I love his tales of cycling, sailing, road trips and hiking…next step Everest?

When I reach his age I hope I’m having as much fun

Mark’s love of travel in his own words

I spent a couple of years in my twenties backpacking around the world and now, thirty years on, I’m at it again. For me it’s all about the thrill of the unknown, the magical moments, the surprises, the tough days and the anticipation. The challenge and reward of trekking never leaves you.

For me, a few days in The Lakes or The Brecon Beacons matches the joy of my experiences in New Zealand, Thailand, Ecuador and our most recent passion, a winter escape to The Canaries. I adore the “free” feeling of starting a road trip ending each day at a different destination. This can be simply driving my campervan in Britain or Europe or my ultimate experience of taking the whole family across America.

I love a bargain and am equally happy in a nice safari lodge in the Serengeti, a basic bothy under The Ribblehead Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales or a flimsy tent in Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory. Places like The Galapágos seem financially unreachable for many but we did it by staying in a cheap hostel in Quito and from there finding a couple of last minutes places on a small, simple yacht. Join me on adventures that I hope will inspire, amuse, educate and give you a few surprising ideas.

Here are some of the topics you can read about:

• Top tips for finding the hidden treasures of Buenos Aires

• How to make the most of West Coast USA road trips from San Francisco to Las Vegas

• 10 places in Barcelona the locals love to go

• Hostel to hostel hiking in the Lake District

• Affordable ways of traversing New Zealand in a “camper car”

• Sailing around the Greek Islands on a budget

• Epic bike rides at home and abroad

• A cosy autumnal break in Jersey

• Tales of camper van dream trips in vintage and modern vehicles

• Recommendations of campsites with great views and no screaming kids.