Richard Collett
Award-Winning Travel Writer.
Welcome to Travel Tramp
Hello there, I’m Richard, the Travel Tramp. Award-winning blogger, professional travel journalist and published author.
I’m on a quest to explore the world through its borders and boundaries.
Borders have shaped the world around us. Migration is the defining topic of the 21st century, and I’m here to answer the deeper questions about politics, history and identity we’re confronted with when we travel. Why is Cyprus divided? Why are there so many breakaway territories in the Caucasus? And why is Muslim-Chinese food so popular in Kyrgyzstan?
You’ll find stories of guerrilla fighters, micronations and refugees, as I build a database of cartographic curiosities and geopolitical oddities. All the things that make travel so fascinating.
Richard Collett, January 2025.
My latest book
Along the Borders: In search of what divides and unites the British Isles chronicles my multi-year journey along Britain’s ancient and modern boundaries.
From the Welsh Marches and the Irish land border to Kent’s coast and the most northerly isles of Shetland; join me as I explore Britain’s history and modern identity through its borders, boundaries and frontiers.
Published by Penguin Random House and available now.
richard@travel-tramp.com
Richard is an award-winning travel journalist. Richard’s travel stories, guides and photography have been published by BBC Travel, Atlas Obscura, Lonely Planet, Culture Trip, The Independent, and many more publications. Richard’s debut book, Along the Borders, was published by Penguin Random House in April 2026.
Latest Features
The Zapatistas of Chiapas, Mexico: How to Visit the Zapatista Movement
In the mountains of Chiapas, Mexico, the Zapatista Army of National Liberation has waged a guerilla war against the Mexican state since 1994. I journeyed to San Cristobal de las Casas in search of the elusive Zapatista movement. Here’s how I visited the Zapatista...
Atauro Island: The Tropical Paradise You’ve Never Heard Of
With white sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs and a burgeoning community-based tourism scene, Atauro Island is the tropical you've probably never heard of. This guide to East Timor's Atauro Island was updated 20th May 2022. By Richard Collett "Atauro Island has some of...
Smuggling, Sailing and Sustainability: A Tall Ship Journey Along the Cornish Coast with VentureSail Holidays
Along Britain’s dramatic southwest coast, historic tall ship sailing journeys offer a sustainable way to uncover Cornwall’s smuggling past and maritime heritage. This trip was provided courtesy of VentureSail Holidays. All opinions expressed are those of the author...
Award Winning Travel Writing
The Best of Travel Tramp
Travel Stories
Long form narratives, character driven stories, photographic journeys and deep dives into the world’s curious destinations.
Unusual Destinations
Breakaway territories, micronations, remote islands, abandoned places, dark tourism, emerging destinations and second cities. Learn how to travel off the beaten track with Travel Tramp.
Borderlines
Geography, politics and history shape the borders around us. Why do borders exist where they do? What makes a country a country? How many nations are in the UK? Learn how geopolitics and history define how and where we can travel.
richard@travel-tramp.com