world reviewer
James Dunford Wood
Member statistics
- Member since
- 29th June 2007
Founder and former MD of Travelintelligence.com, James teamed up with online publisher James Blackwell to launch Worldreviewer in the summer of 2007.
James has spent much of his life travelling: from early voyages across the sands of the Sahara and up the Niger to Timbuktou, to one of the last of the 'Magic Buses' to run the route from the Charing Cross Road to Delhi, from jail in Morocco to the snows of Kilamanjaro. In between his own travels he worked in the film business, but his yearning for travel eventually took him back on the road permanently, working as a guide for a number of major tour companies throughout the 1990s. He led groups of tourists through the remoter regions of Central Asia, up the Yangste and along the more well trodden paths of Western Europe. More recently he was director and managing editor of 'London This Week' magazine, before founding Travel Intelligence with AA Gill in April 2000, and World Reviewer with James Blackwell in 2007.
Writing on Travel Intelligence
James Dunford Wood's activity
- 18 Sep 2009
- 07 Sep 2009
- 05 Sep 2009
- 04 Sep 2009
- 26 Aug 2009
- 23 Aug 2009
- 06 Aug 2009
James Dunford Wood commented on The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia
"Fabulous hotel in a great location, not ideal for kids (mostly for romantic honeymoon couples), but there are some activities and great jungle walks for kids if you bring them."
- 20 Jul 2009
James Dunford Wood reviewed Vimy Ridge in North East France, France
There is no more powerful experience than a visit to the cemetaries of the First World War in Northern France and Flanders - both to remind us of the horror of that war, but also the lost lives of those promising young men in the mud and the gore. The …"
- 11 Jul 2009
James Dunford Wood reviewed Quinta do Barranco da Estrada in The Alentejo, Portugal
Rural hideaway of ten rooms in off-the-beaten-track Alentejo. One and a half hours from Faro, Frank McClintock's idyll is perfect for people who want to escape the pressures of big city life, and do absolutely nothing. On the edge of a magnificent lake, …"
- 08 Jul 2009
James Dunford Wood commented on Mount Kilimanjaro-How Hard is it to Climb?
I remember doing this climb when I was 22. I guess it depends on the route you take - we took 3 days up and 2 days down, the standard route, and it was tough at the end, when we got up at 3am to reach the summit by sunrise, but by no means undoable by a …"
- 03 Jul 2009
James Dunford Wood reviewed Florence
No travel guide to Florence fails to wax lyrical over this holiday destination - a spectacular example of a well preserved medieval Italian town, where modern urban planning has succeeded in preserving the spirit and historical fabric of the downtown are…"
- 30 Jun 2009
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post ‘Act of Kindness’ Travel Writing Competition
writers launch GlobalGiving.co.uk’s travel competition with the chance to win a trip for two to visit a GlobalGiving.co.uk project."
- 28 Jun 2009
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Travellers to Thailand Beware
Disturbing stories have been emerging recently of travellers being scammed at Bangkok airport."
- 27 Jun 2009
James Dunford Wood reviewed Hadrian's Wall in North East England, United Kingdom
Named after the Emperor Hadrian, during whose reign it was begun in 122 AD, Hadrian's Wall marks the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire. One more northerly wall was built, the Antonine Wall in Scotland, but this was of earth and turf, and temporar…"
James Dunford Wood commented on Site of Palmyra in Palmyra, Syria
One of the most impressive of ancient cities, much of it still being dug up. Highly recommended."
- 19 Jun 2009
- 18 Jun 2009
- 17 Jun 2009
James Dunford Wood reviewed Rome
Rome is my favourite city in the world. It's not an easy city to appreciate at first try, being noisy, dusty, and often hot and crowded. But in every trip I have made - over 20 years there must have been 100 - I have found something new to see or appreci…"
- 10 Jun 2009
- 02 Jun 2009
James Dunford Wood reviewed Amberley Castle in South East England, United Kingdom
You can't beat staying in a real 12th century castle (1103 AD). Or can you? This one certainly has the history and the romanticism, if you ignore the distant roar of the trains, the over-elaborate cooking and the rather strange cuddly toys in the four po…"
- 21 Apr 2009
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Travolution Summit 2009 - Stuff I Learned Today
Initial thoughts and lessons from Travolution Summit 2009"
- 19 Apr 2009
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Birds Everywhere
I'm staying deep in the remote Alentejo in Portugal, one of the last unspoiled wildernesses of southern Europe - and birds are everywhere, even on the wine bottles."
- 01 Apr 2009
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Taj Mahal to be Moved '800 metres to the South East'?
Official: the Taj Mahal is sinking. Cracks which first appeared in 1652 have finally forced the Government of India to act."
- 26 Mar 2009
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Jersey Hotels Saudi Bonanza
Two Jersey hotels were facing a tough credit crunch - until some wealthy Saudis turned litigious..."
- 20 Mar 2009
James Dunford Wood reviewed The Hottest Place on Earth in Ethiopia
Home of the Afar people, the Danakil desert, or Danakil Depression, in north east Ethiopia has the hottest recorded average temperature on earth, trumping Death Valley in the US. Temperatures regularly hit the mid 40s. A mining company mined huge quantit…"
- 16 Mar 2009
James Dunford Wood commented on Monet's Gardens in North East France, France
Fantastic day out from Paris - best to take one of the organised tours, with a guide, to get the full benefit. However, if you want to spend longer here, rent a car and take a picnic."
- 27 Jan 2009
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Peggy Guggenheim
A must see gallery (excuse the cliche) when you are in Venice. Built by a woman with a fascinating past."
- 06 Jan 2009
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post A Tale of Two Beaches
Having just returned from Barbados, I am now an expert in what makes the perfect beach."
- 05 Jan 2009
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Hotels Hurting
Reports from hotels over the Christmas and New Year period suggest that while occupancy levels are beginning to dip, what is of more immediate concern is that those who are still booking, are not spending so much..."
- 15 Dec 2008
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Travel Trends for 2009
What sort of holidays are we all going to be taking in 2009? Here at World Reviewer we have consulted our experts and gazed into our crystal ball..."
- 12 Dec 2008
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post The Bourgeois Burghers of Bern
I know this is an old story, as the survey is over a year old, but it's still quite revealing - it measured how long, on average, people is different cities of the world take to walk 60 feet."
- 05 Dec 2008
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Where's Cheap for Us Brits
Practically nowhere! We've done a review of countries where the pound buys you more than a year ago, and guess who comes up as the best value, one of the only destinations we can get a deal in?"
- 27 Nov 2008
James Dunford Wood wrote a blog post Florence in Winter
I've just returned from a short trip to Florence. What a great time of year to visit..."
- 25 Nov 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed Cestello Annunciation (Botticello) in Florence, Italy
Botticello's Cestello Annunciation of 1489 is a spectacular painting in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence - in the same room as the larger, more well known Botticellos, but along with the Simone Martini painting a few rooms away, a masterpiece of this genre…"
- 24 Oct 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed The Chedi Hotel in Muscat, Oman
Great service, small hotel, with a good selection of activities: try the Dhow private charter, or a guided safari to Wahiba Sands, with dinner with the Bedouin."
- 23 Sep 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed Rizong monastery in Kashmir, India
A stunning monastery 70km out of Leh in Ladakh, high in the Himalaya. Isolated and magnificent, well worth the 3 hr bus journey from Leh through beautiful scenery. A working monastery, founded in 1829, with a school for children."
- 06 Sep 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Cruz, United States
Spectacular route - best driven north-south so you have the coast on your driving side. First stop Monterey, for the world famous aquarium, and in season (spring and late autumn), a trip out to see the whale migration. A visit to Carmel is also well wort…"
- 01 Aug 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados
I first went to this hotel in the early 90s, when it was a luxurious (but not too luxurious) Caribbean hang-out with a fairly relaxed vibe. Even then it was a favourite choice for many UK-based corporate business leaders, as is the west coast of Barbados…"
James Dunford Wood reviewed Coral Reef Club in Barbados
The Coral Reef Club bills itself as 'elegantly casual', and judging by the clientele, at least in season, they have succeeded in attracting this standard. Family run by the delightful O'Hara family, the to-ings and fro-ings are watched over by the formid…"
- 30 Jul 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy
Piazza San Marco - St Mark's Square - is one of the grandest urban spaces in the world. The time to come is early evening - as the heat of the day is cooling, find a seat outside at the Caffe Quadri or Lavena and listen to the orchestra while sipping you…"
- 14 Jul 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed Biarritz in South West, France
Interesting belle epoque town on the Atlantic coast in the lee of the Pyrennees, with a grand hotel, a glitzy casino, some great food and windy, romantic beaches. Great base for exploration of the Basque region - can get busy with French tourists in summ…"
- 09 Jul 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed Lyme Regis in West Country, United Kingdom
Charming seaside town on the south coast with a thriving arts community, great local shops, a picture perfect crescent beach (though packed in summer) and a harbour Cobb made famous from the French Lieutenant's Woman. Many of the rental houses and hotels…"
James Dunford Wood reviewed Hive Beach Café in West Country, United Kingdom
Wonderful beachside cafe in Burton Bradstock, selling a mix of local fare from the sea and seaside favourites. Gets packed in summer - so get here early. They hold regular beach parties, including samba-on-the-beach and pirate parties for kids. Ideal fos…"
James Dunford Wood reviewed Sussex Safari in South East England, United Kingdom
Not necessarily a unique concept, but another welcome addition to a growing trend towards experiential camping in the UK. Based on the South Downs, and moving location every month to avoid planning laws (a permanent camp needs all sorts of permissions), …"
- 07 Jul 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed Sinai Desert in Egypt
The Sinai Desert is a mountainous and historically significant desert that provides great opportunities for holidays. Invaded and ruled over centuries by outside powers (including the Egyptians, the Israelis and the British in recent years), the Sinai Pe…"
- 02 Jul 2008
James Dunford Wood reviewed Champs-Elysees in Paris, France
The Champs-Elysees, or 'Elysian Fields' as translated into English, is perhaps the most famous thoroughfare in the world, more famous than Picadilly or Park Avenue. This wide 2km long tree lined street is spectacular for the fact that it links a view of …"
