Many thanks to the hundreds of writers who entered our 2023 PureTravel Writing Competition.
The subject this year was to write about your most breath-taking travel moment and the judges have really enjoyed reading all about them. We’ve read about climbing mountains, walking to lost cities deep in jungles, swimming with dolphins, watching amazing sunrises and sunsets in stunning locations and heart-warming interactions with strangers on buses and trains. We’ve also read about robberies and misunderstandings brought wonderfully to life.
It’s been a tough job narrowing the entries to just ten for our head judge Jeremy Lazell to choose from. Our only general feedback is to ensure you follow the brief when entering. Some excellent entries could not be considered as they was not relevant to the brief. Also, go easy on the adjectives.
Entries have come from all over the world and our shortlist reflects this.
Congratulations to the ten shortlisted writers, listed below in alphabetical order.
The final results and announcement of the winner will be posted here on Friday 1st December at 1400 GMT:
Kashi- The abode of Lord Shiva by Dwijendranath De
Spirits of Ladakh: A Tale of Beauty, Mystery, and Connection by Ishrat Jahan
An Ethiopian Epiphany by Joanna Griffin
Trials and Trails in Patagonia by Julie B.Trippin
One Moment in Time by Moira Smart
Another Day at the Garage by Oladimeji Oluwakemisola
Glancing over my shoulder on the Alta Via 1 by Ottoline Spearman
Staccato on Staffa by Penelope Drastik
Whales & Ashes by Rebecca Malkewicz
Bioluminescent by Rostislav Makovichuk
The Judge: Jeremy Lazell
Jeremy Lazell worked for eight years as a trekking guide before turning to writing, a decision he’s had plenty of time to regret while sleeping in a hammock 200ft up in the Borneo rainforest for the Sunday Times, all but drowning in Scotland while rafting for GQ, and hooking nothing but his own cheek while fishing in Belize for Food & Travel. Based at the foot of the Scottish Highlands, where he lives with his wife and three boys, Jeremy writes about 90% of his material for the Sunday Times Travel Section, specialising in adventure travel, family holidays, and whatever round-ups help pay the bills. He has also worked for Conde Nast Traveller and Esquire magazines.
Terms and Conditions.
1. The competition is open to entrants worldwide aged 18 and over, with the exception of employees of PureTravel, their immediate families, agents, or anyone else associated with administration of this competition.
2. Closing date for receipt of all entries is midnight GMT on 30th September 2023.
3. There is one prize consisting of US$ 500.
4. To enter, send your article of 350+ words, to competition@puretravel.com with your name, email address and telephone number. Please paste your text in to the email body. Do not send attachments.
5. The initial short list of 10 will be selected on merit by a panel of judges appointed by PureTravel. The winner will then be selected by one independent judge.
7. The winner will be announced on Friday 1st December 2023 on the PureTravel website.
8. PureTravel will have the right to publish all entries on its website. Articles will be removed from the PureTravel website on request. The writer retains all rights to their entry beyond its publication on the PureTravel web site.
9. Entries limited to two per person.
10. E-mail addresses will be only be used by PureTravel for their own newsletter which can be opted out of. They will not be disclosed to any other parties.
11. There is no alternative to the prize offered and the prize is non–transferable.
12. If for any reason a winner is unable to take the prize as offered, the Promoter reserves the right to award the prize to the next best entry.
13. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
14. The winner agrees to participate in any reasonable publicity required by the Promoter.
Promoter:
PureTravel Ltd, Registered Address: Happisburgh, Norwich, Norfolk, NR12 0QQ
