Jo Fitzsimons

Freelance Travel & Lifestyle Writer

Meet Montsoreau: A Petite Loire Village

Let your sights linger on the Loire River a few seconds too long and the little French village of Montsoreau will pass you by. Located in the Loire region where … Continue reading

April 13, 2017 · Leave a comment

Online Spanish Radio: The Relaxed Immersion Option

Wish you could take to Spanish like a duck to water? Good news! If Spanish fluency is your goal, Spanish radio can guide you there. Thanks to its repetitive and … Continue reading

June 30, 2015 · Leave a comment

7 Delightfully Fun Ways to Learn Spanish with Pictures

Wouldn’t we live in a magical world if there were a way you could learn Spanish just by looking at pictures? Hang on…wait…what? You can? Yes, you absolutely can! It’s a … Continue reading

May 1, 2015 · Leave a comment

The 8 Best Spanish Immersion Software Programs to Learn Like a Native

How is it that some people can switch from one language to another so easily? Did their parents force them to learn another language when they were kids? We’ve all … Continue reading

April 30, 2015 · Leave a comment

Jump for Joy: 6 Fantastic Free Spanish Lessons for Newbies

Janet Jackson wasn’t wrong when she sang “The Best Things in Life Are Free.” And although she might have been singing about romance with the lovely Luther Vandros, the same … Continue reading

February 28, 2015 · Leave a comment

Urbino: Sample an Authentic Slice of Italian Life

Urbino is not on the radar of most tourists, which is what makes this magical city one of Italy’s best treasures. When you tire of the crowds in Rome and … Continue reading

June 19, 2014 · Leave a comment

St Albans: Where Roman Ruins Meet 21st Century Britain

“There’s an ancient Roman city just 20 minutes outside of London?” Although Britain is well known for its vast history, many people are surprised to learn that over 2,000 years … Continue reading

May 6, 2014 · Leave a comment

Paradise Found: Hawaii’s Big Island (Press & Journal)

You can read the full article in Elegance (Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, The Press & Journal)

April 29, 2014 · Leave a comment

How to communicate with people who don’t understand your language (Wanderlust Magazine)

I have a missing brain cell…actually, there’s discussion between my family and friends that I might be missing more than one, but there’s a particular brain cell I’d like to … Continue reading

March 31, 2014 · Leave a comment

Liverpool – The Birthplace of the Beatles

A vibrant city by any measure, Liverpool is a place where the phenomenon of The Beatles continues to serve as one of the city’s biggest tourist draws. From the locations … Continue reading

February 13, 2014 · Leave a comment

China: The Changing Face of Travel

When it transpired that a schoolboy engaged in a spot of graffiti declaring ‘Ding Minhao was here,’ it sparked a public uproar that quickly made it into the media and … Continue reading

September 10, 2013 · Leave a comment

Guide to InterRailing in Europe

What is InterRail? InterRail is a pre-paid pass that entitles you to flexible train travel throughout Europe on its national rail networks. The system was set up in the 1970s … Continue reading

September 1, 2013 · Leave a comment

Have You Travelled on Any of The World’s 10 Fastest Trains?

Whether you’re in a hurry or just get a buzz from watching the world pass by in a blur, the modern generation of fast trains is a travel pleasure. Here … Continue reading

August 30, 2013 · Leave a comment

How NOT to Get Sick on Holiday

Whether it’s your annual summer break or a weekend away, your holiday time is precious and the last thing you want is to do is get sick. Here are 7 … Continue reading

August 21, 2013 · Leave a comment

Slow Travel in the Loire Valley

Contrary to popular belief, indie travel isn’t one long vacation. Figuring out routes, finding places to sleep, keeping an eye on your budget, and trying to do all the things … Continue reading

August 16, 2013 · Leave a comment

Travel Beauty Basics: Keep Packing Light, Beauty High

Packing light doesn’t mean you need to leave the promise of beauty at home. If you’re on a long term or adventure trip, a small, well-packed beauty bag means you … Continue reading

June 27, 2013 · Leave a comment

Family Fun Ideas for Easter

Easter is a magical time of year when spring is in the air and the children are bursting with anticipation of the arrival of the Easter bunny. Whether you celebrate … Continue reading

March 30, 2013 · Leave a comment

The Most Luxurious Ski Resorts: USA

The USA offers customer service like no other place in the world and the ski-resorts are no different exuding luxury at every turn. A place where boot warming and ski … Continue reading

March 11, 2013 · Leave a comment

Staying Safe: The First 24 Hours in Foreign Lands

It is thought that the first 24-hours in any news place is the riskiest from a safety perspective. When everything is as new as it can be, you might find … Continue reading

February 18, 2013 · Leave a comment