Regular outlets include Metro and The Times, usually covering travel. My most recent book was Foodie Breaks (shorturl.at/dlxDH).
I also regularly give copywriting, consulting or PR training masterclasses.
Please feel welcome to write to me about possible opportunities: ricardo.mellor@gmail.com.
I love to write about Naples, one of my favourite cities on earth
The tiny unspoilt island of Rodrigues is just like its neighbour Mauritius was 30 years ago
The French Riviera has year-round appeal - here's how to soak up its arty side, glitzy coastline and boutique hotels without breaking the bank
Brunches, bars and cool B&Bs make Aalborg the ideal city for a late-summer getaway - where it can still hit 28C in September
Fancy a challenge? Find your way out of these magnificent puzzles and celebrate your escape with a relaxing stay nearby after
Turunc, on the country's Turquoise Coast, stays in the mid-twenties in early autumn - and has a tiny price tag too
The digital version of the regular in-print column
These are the best boat trips to try if you've never been on a cruise before, from budget and luxury and family-friendly sails.
Another contribution, this time focusing on trendy Albania
My contribution to this weekly article in the Sunday Times print and online
These alternative options are budget-friendly even at peak times
The arrival of clever CT scanners at some airport security areas means the days of mini-toiletries are numbered...
The eerie history and geography of corpse roads, plus a first-person account of one across Dartmoor
Super local food, fascinating history and a new resort-style, upscale Brown hotel makes Chania in Crete a perfect off-season trip - without the usual summer hordes
From countries that have surpassed pre-pandemic visitor numbers to those in the ascendant, I pinpoint where to visit in each one next year
Do you want to visit a less well-known spot while you're in Italy?
In a regular column, I outline how to book a seven-night escape to Malta for less than £400pp
I pick otheer top sites in the French capital that show off the great engineer's genius.
There's much more to the affordable, compact city of Pisa than its leaning tower. You'll find a huge old town to explore - with hardly any tourists
Including a Utah hiking trip, an underrated Florida beach resort and a new stay in Washington DC
Big Ben, Beckham-designed suites, black cabs and even the Queen await at the new Londoner hotel — 4,000 miles away in Macau
'Citizen science' cruises enable holidaymakers to aid scientists with important research and make memories of their own.
As UK temperatures fall with the rain, these destinations offer an affordable dose of Vitamin D..
The four teams in the hit BBC1 show have almost finished their dash from Africa to the Arctic Circle - here's how to visit key stops
Enjoy seclusion and comfort deep in woodland as Britain's leaves turn red and gold
Making the fantasy of a global odyssey an achievable reality is not as impossible as it might seem...
Where to go when UK temperatures finally start to drop
Winnie-the-Pooh had it right. "It's the first day of autumn!" the honey-loving bear cheerfully exclaims in Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher R
Not everyone is ready for autumn, but its arrival leaves walkers like me weak at the pole-supported knees...
September can be a lovely month in the UK, with golden light and only a whisper of autumn. The perfect time then to embrace the great outdoors...
We've entered a new phase of the rewilding revolution. Now nature lovers can spend the night in stylish stays amid areas where wildlife is positively thriving...
Been there, done that? Here are 7 cruise stops that are guaranteed to be something special.
Two summer blockbusters were shot on the heritage line that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year
I wrote the intro and first four entries
A guide to cruising for beginners
Surrealist statues and psychedelic pools await with my picks of the best British alfresco art
Eat your way around Europe with visits to these foodie hotspots — plus what to eat and where to stay
Not all urban parks are the same. Grassy lawns, path-side benches and multiple playgrounds may be a staple, but many have history and other award-winning attractions to recommend them too.
The pyramids and the Nile might steal Egypt's spotlight, but there's so much more to see here...
As the cult film turns 50, Richard Mellor ‘set jets’ to Dumfries & Galloway to find the idyllic spots that looked so fatally alluring on screen
The stark, beautiful Rhins of Galloway is the setting for a cycle trip that celebrates the peninsula’s beacons, and their heritage
Psychedelic visions of cows are common, but rarer sightings of pine martens and even wildcats are a possibility
With festivals attempting to clean up their shocking environmental record, I pick the best planet-friendly events, all accessible without flying
‘A beauty parlour at the end of the universe.’ That’s how Emily Mortimer once described Los Angeles, and it’s as apt a summary as any...
Sky-high hotel rates and rising consumer prices are fuelling intrigue in alternative destinations where the cost of living is lower
Sir David Attenborough guides viewers around Britain and Ireland’s diverse landscapes in his new series – and it’s easy to experience many of them yourself
This 18th-century coaching inn combines Cotswolds country-house tradition with boutique hotel touches
My currently-weekly column of late travel deals
Cities such as Kotor and Ljubljana can be as romantic as Paris, and prices are low, making the region ideal for a short trip
My list of the best destinations to discover in 2023
An introduction to and analysis of price-alert services related to planes and trains
Empire of Light, starring Olivia Colman and Colin Firth, shines a spotlight on arty Margate
2022
Richard Mellor discovers the joys of Tiree, the most westerly island of Scotland's Inner Hebrides
City folk love escaping to the High Coast’s peaks, food and arty islands. You will too, says Richard Mellor
Spike Milligan would have loved The Bell. The comedian once lived in Ticehurst, and his wacky but ever-charming humour is echoed in its exuberant pub.
Despite low temperatures across much of the Northern Hemisphere, January is the ideal time for a city break to get the year off to a promising start...
From Guyana and Jordan to regenerative travel, Richard Mellor rounds up next year's top travel trends and destinations.
I wrote the Poznan and Plovdiv entries
The exhilaration of observing a windswept coastline from the safety of a warm and cosy spot indoors. Illustration by Amy Leonard (amyleonard.com); thanks to breathemagazine.com
Until that moment, my sheltered, 31-year-old life had never endured such a setback. This sort of stuff only happened to other people. Or so I’d thought.
Richard Mellor escapes the crowds on a two-wheeled tour of the lesser-known isles, villages and beaches surrounding the city’s lagoon
Overlooked by snow-capped Alps, Lake Constance's 170-mile shoreline sees scenic, hilly vineyards divide medieval towns.
UPDATE Dec 2022: ABTA Mag has been discontinued and all features taken offline. I can send a Doc version of this one to anyone interested
I didn’t have high hopes for my last-minute sunshine escape. But with a sea-view suite and cool beach club vibe, I was pleasantly surprised...
10 of the best in the south-east of England — advertorial for Thameslink
After the security guard liberates a biometric lock, myself and 12 others in protective gowns enter a vast white room lined with countless supple storage units...
2021
England’s least densely populated country also ranks among its lesser-visited, despite a bonanza of beautiful beaches, waterfalls and castles, plus Hadrian’s Wall.
The island averages 22C in October and beach clubs and ruins are still relatively crowd‑free
I predict 2022's travel trends and hottest destinations (Image credit: flickr.com/jpellgen)
Camps are investing in electric cars — and not just for the planet. With no engine noise, they can get you closer to wildlife than ever before,
We all know about big baggage fees and currency exchange rates but what other sneaky travel expenses should you be wary of?
Sip sherry in Jerez, pig out on pasta in Bologna or try tapas in Barcelona on one of these mouthwatering breaks
The spotlight is on Glasgow this month as the world's leaders gather for the COP26.
2020
From foraged delicacies and unique cocktails to a salmon-and-chocolate cake, Richard Mellor has fun savouring Finland’s treats
Spot otters in Skye, red squirrels on Tresco and bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay
Park beside the Serengeti National Park's Mara River in September or October and you'd usually join dozens of other safari jeeps
It's perversely fitting that The Mitre reopened in September, amid a pandemic. For this hotel, on the Thames beside Hampton Court Palace, dates to the year of another health disaster: 1665’s Great Plague of London.
Fans laud it as funky, dynamic and unbelievably flexible. Critics scoff, however, depicting an overpriced cider that’s little more than an ill-conceived Instagram fad
Hooked on Ammonite's release, a guide to the UK's best spots for finding fossils
All this time at home could lead to a baby boom next year. And that could create a rush for holidays early this autumn, before the little one arrives.
Move over, Niagara! They may not have the power of the Canadian attraction but these British waterfalls can’t be matched for beauty - and offer wonderful walks
I reconnect with nature among the stars and sights of a night-time walk on the North York Moors
The Dorset seaside beach town of Lyme Regis is now a Hollywood A lister - thanks to Kate Winslet's portrayal of 19th-century fossil hunter and local legend Mary Anning in Ammonite.
These UK activity breaks offer ways to get fit while enjoying the countryside
The UK’s culinary reputation has soared recently – but you don’t have to head to London to enjoy it. Here are six areas that have managed to stay below the radar, but are just perfect for foodie breaks.
2019
A network of old footpaths, mapped by a local vicar to form a new long-distance trail, is dotted with reminders of a spiritual past
Some of the most memorable nights of our lives take place during trips away-and here's how to up your chances of quality coitus
A saunter through the lovely countryside of Kent and East Sussex
Tucked away from the tourist trail, the home of Persephone has a mythical past, making Elefsina an ideal day trip from Athens
Contemporary vending machines can help to grow brand profiles, increase sustainability, delight guests and boost revenue
Whether you’re a lone wolf, lovebirds or a multi-generational flock, here's the perfect wildlife tour to try
Replete with Mediterranean charm, the French island of Corsica is a force to be reckoned with, finds Richard Mellor.
Be it South Devon or Sri Lanka, we have picked out some of the world's best hot tubs with a view
Bulgaria’s second city is a well deserved co-European Capital of Culture
During a walking holiday, the Dordogne River plays so hard to get that I ended up humming a Janet Jackson song
The Italian's capital's best ice-cream shops – and where to get really, really fat on holiday this year. Photo credit: flickr.com/inju
My guide to where to stay and eat for less
A Cornish cottage, a barn in Cumbria, or a designer pad by the sea — Richard Mellor has the top places to book now for summer
Dark tourism isn’t just about the thrill of the macabre. Visitors also wish to deepen their understanding of past troubles, and consider the human element.
Richard Mellor enjoys a whirlwind long weekend in three of Uzbekistan’s ancient trading cities
2018
The sound of silence isn't easy to find, but city-dweller Richard Mellor heads to England's supposed most tranquil spot for a dose of wilderness. Is it really as quiet as they say?
Scoring a strike in a Transnistrian bowling alley at 2am is not something one does very often... (image credit: flickr.com/marcofieber)
There are now direct flights from the UK to Ukraine's westernmost city, a cultural confection where bargain prices await.
Comparing flavours on the slopes of a lush Malawian tea estate
Under the tourist radar and just the right size to explore, Poznań is full of surprises, from cafes in hidden courtyards to riverbank summer pop-ups.
A substantial spa, a pool and glorious bay views are the headline acts at this classy residence perched on St Ives' hillside above Porthminster Beach and near the railway station.
Bridge-controllers’ houses on the city’s canals are being turned into quirky hotel suites
Combining style needs with your stay is the new vogue
The opening of historic Coal Drops Yard brings a glut of food and drink producers, from welcoming wine bars to coffee roasters helping to rehabilitate young offenders.
Travel journalist Richard Mellor visited Tresco for the first time in May 2017, attending the Low Tide Event for The Guardian...
Disposable cameras, postcards and a bulging carry-on bag: all were key elements of travel back in 1993, a year that also saw the release of our first ever DK Eyewitness Travel Guide.To mark our 25th anniversary, and to coincide with the relaunch of our DK Eyewitness series, let's step back in time...
River cruises are for old people, right? Not any longer, it seems...
For all its greenery and white-sand shores, the Greek island of Zakynthos had suffered from a dearth of luxurious design-led resorts...
Few places offer more serenity than Oualidia, a soulful small town on Morocco's Atlantic coast, three hours northwest but a million metaphorical miles from Marrakesh.
Visiting the top European cities doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s where to eat, drink and sleep on a budget
2017
"After all," says Diana from Devon, "it's not everyday you get to walk on water."
The Galician coast is perilous to ships, but makes a stunning week-long trek
Richard Mellor goes horse-riding through Italian vineyards, enjoying a glass or three along the way
Thrillingly unique, Morocco’s most authentic city boasts a rabbit-warren, memory-clogging medina and fine, fruit-happy cuisine
You've seen them, right? Those smooth-talking operators who charm the front-desk receptionist into giving them a much-better room courtesy of some select vocal voodoo.
With record sales soaring, 45s and 33s have re-entered the cultural vogue. In turn, that has spawned the return of vinyl bars
From hiking by day to stargazing by night, low-key La Palma has more to offer than winter sun, writes Richard Mellor.
Pimlico is London’s great enigma. Despite being primely located in Zone 1, between Victoria station and the River Thames, it has always flown under the radar. Despite its Tate gallery and tube station, this is an area which most Londoners miss: funnily-named and easily-neglected.
Thanks to the presence of some of Africa 's biggest and best national parks, Tanzania is a safari tour de force. It's also a dauntingly large place, though, so a trip here requires much advance decision-making. Here's everything you need to plan a trip.
On the Canary Island of La Palma, the owner of the small, sustainably run El Cafe de Don Manuel makes espressos and barraquitos that buzz with life
From a treehouse in Lapland to a riverside retreat in Portugal, we’ve got the best places to get away from it all
2016
Safecity has been crowdsourcing and documenting cases of sexual harassment for years. As news breaks of another fatal gang rape in India, its co-founder talks about the site's increasingly urgent mission.
He lived in the south-east London suburb of Chislehurst. He was a builder. He was of average wealth. His name was William Willett and without him Britain - and a quarter of the world, including the US - might never have adopted daylight saving time (DST).
Richard Mellor revels in the slow pace of life along the river banks of the Peruvian Amazon
Pop-ups are two-a-penny these days but in Antwerp, Plein Publiek, a new venture that combines a restaurant, gallery, work-out space and rave-y nightclub, is luring party-goers, yogis, art lovers and more - and it's going to be around until at least next May.
A budget hotel overlooking Heathrow. This aviation-themed ibis Styles outpost offers character, comfy beds and decent food to those who need to stay overnight near the airport.
Think of Peruvian cuisine and chances are ceviche and pisco sours are at the top of that list. Well, your list is about to get a whole lot longer thanks to one man...
Fancy giving D’Artagnan a run for his money? Richard Mellor finds out how from the experts
Out-and-back loop via Sandwood Bay, with excellent views of Am Buachaille sea stack.
Mention Monte-Carlo and a world of glamour springs to mind: luxurious superyachts, exclusive penthouses and A-List hotels. But, while the city-state is as jet-set as ever, it has reinvented itself
Down in France’s south-west, Bordeaux’s thrillingly nouveau culinary options are finally on a par with its wine offerings
Not many mosques open onto a Christian chapel. But then not many cities are like Toledo. Three past empires have left their marks in this central Spanish hilltown - and nowhere more so than at the Cristo de la Luz Mosque.
This classic Parisian snack has had a mouthwatering makeover
Richard Mellor explores Šibenik , a city tipped as Croatia 's next best tourist hotspot thanks to a new luxury hotel.
Richard Mellor visits Roald Dahl’s home, Great Missenden – and imagines how the BFG himself would describe it to his friend, ten-year-old Sophie...
2015
Who wants to do nothing in the middle of nowhere? That's what the locals asked Jemma Markham when she and her late husband, Piers, opened the Torre del Visco hotel in the Spanish region of Matarraña, in Aragon, in 1995. "They thought we were bloody mad," she says.
Budget stays are hard to find in New York, but from £23 a night you can have a killer view of Manhattan… if you don’t mind sleeping in the back of a car
"Sorry sir, but it's fully booked". Whether it refers to a restaurant, sports event, festival or hotel, don't you just hate hearing those words? That sinking, shameful feeling of being too late? Yes? In which case, consider yourself warned: because, when it comes to 2016's , the time for action is now.
Classic Paris will always have its charms. But lately, in the know Parisians are venturing further afield