by Daniel Abrahams
At MyTravelMoney.co.uk, we are constantly on the lookout for travel sites that are engaging, delightful to the user and most importantly, solve a big problem. Enter 101 Short Breaks
Our verdict 5/5: Annabelle and her team are solving the problem of travel choice pretty darn well. From weekly travel supplements to the raft of daily deal sites (some good, some not so good), picking the next travel destination can often be a complicated headache. The genius of 101 Short Holidays is it’s ability to pick out great holidays from trusted experts, in such a clean and crisp format.
Below is some of the best bits of our interview with Annabelle Thorpe – editor of 101 Short Breaks and author of 52 Great British Weekends.
Hi Annabelle, firstly tell us a bit about the 52 Great British Weekends and your background in the travel industry?
I’ve been a travel writer for almost fifteen years, and after a decade working on travel desks for various newspapers, including the Times and the Observer, I’m now a freelance editor and writer. I’ve grown increasingly interested in UK travel – I think we all have a tendency to overlook how many beautiful and extraordinary places we have in Britain. 52 Weekends was a celebration of that, as well as a seasonal guide – what to do and where to go at particular times of the year.
What motivated you to start writing?
I’ve always written since I was a child so it wasn’t something I chose; it chose me. To be able to experience something and then set it down in words is a real joy. The great thing about travel writing is that you then get to share it with other people.
Tell us a funny travel anecdote?
I was in Basilicata in Southern Italy, slightly lost, trying to negotiate myself through the winding streets of a hilltop town. The streets got slimmer and slimmer until I reached a dead end. There was nowhere to turn round and I knew if I tried reversing I’d scrape the car. Fortunately an Italian family came out of their house, and while the women fell about laughing, the husband got into the car, and reversed back up the street at high speed, whilst chatting up my friend in the passenger seat.
Can we expect any more books in the future?
Absolutely. I love travelling in the Middle East and North Africa and there are so many misconceptions about those places; I’d love to write a book that shows how accessible and friendly they are.
You are the editor of 101 Short Breaks – could you describe it to our visitors one sentence?
It’s basically my years of research and experience distilled down into a personal selection of some of the best destinations and accommodation for short break hols.
What problem does it solve in the travel search space?
The problem of choice. There are infinite suggestions for where to go for a short-break on the internet; the beauty of 101 is we’ve done the sifting for you and come up with the best.
It’s so simple to use 101ShortBreaks. How important is user experience to your site?
Organising a holiday should be fun but it can often be quite stressful. We want it to be as straightforward and easy for our users as possible; with the reassurance that every company on the site is personally recommended.
Favourite place overseas and why?
Turkey. I’ve been going there for almost twenty years and it’s like my second home. Beautiful scenery, fabulous people, wonderful food.
Worst place overseas and why?
Anywhere that’s been overdeveloped and blighted by the excesses of tourism.
How do you buy your travel money?
Sadly, often last minute at the airport. But when I’m organised, which is rare, I get it from the Post Office.
Whilst we don’t agree with Annabelle’s method of buying travel money, we certainly love the site she has helped create and wish all the best to the team at 101 Short Breaks. A fabulous site solving the big problem of travel choice!
