Career

Their first book was Backpacking along Ancient Ways in Peru and Bolivia. The Bradt guides began by covering exotic or off-beat destinations, such as Rwanda and Albania, and have continued to target this niche, frequently publishing guides to countries not yet covered by any other travel publisher. The company is based in Chalfont Street Peter, England.

After running the company for 35 years, Bradt announced her retirement in 2007, but retains an involvement as a director of the company.

She also continues to write after her retirement, authoring a guide book to Devon and contributing articles to national newspapers and magazines, as well as in a collection of travellers tales. Bradt has also worked extensively as a tour leader.

Her area of special expertise is Madagascar and she has written several books on this African island nation. Amongst other charity work, Bradt is patron of the British charity Money for Madagascar, which has been raising funds for projects in the country since 1986.

Achievements

• The Bradt books have won a number of awards. Bradt is a long-standing member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, from which she received a Lifetime Achievement Award in November 2009.

Membership

She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to the tourist industry and to charity.