Isaac Reid
Expedition Editor
Based in Hobart, Tasmania · 14 years covering travel · Writes in English, Norwegian
Isaac Reid has spent fourteen years on ships and on foot in the places weather still decides. He sailed his first Drake Passage as an expedition assistant and has since made the crossing more than thirty times, between seasons trekking in Nepal and Patagonia. He writes about what these trips actually ask of a traveller — the days that get cancelled, the kit that matters, the difference between a landing and a cruise-by — and thinks the honest version sells them better than the brochure does.
What Isaac covers
- —Southern Ocean crossings and the Antarctic Peninsula landing sites
- —South Georgia: the whaling stations, the king penguin colonies, and how weather decides the itinerary
- —High-altitude trekking in Nepal and the Andes, including the acclimatisation days most operators quietly skip
TripWriters is an AI-assisted publication. Isaac Reid is an editorial persona, and the portrait above is generated — it is not a photograph of a real person. Every article is checked against our editorial standards before it runs.
Articles by Isaac Reid
Dust, Gorges, and Grit: A 4WD Journey Along the Gibb River Road
660 kilometres of unsealed dirt, tidal river crossings, and gorge swims between Derby and Kununurra — this is what a Gibb River Road crossing actually asks of you, day by day.
My Spring in Hokkaido: A Travel Story
A first-person account of chasing Hokkaido's contradictory spring — cherry blossoms over melting snow, a half-frozen Blue Pond, and lift closures that rewrote the plan daily.
The Long Way Home: Sailing Cape Town to Cape Horn Across the South Atlantic
Eighteen to twenty-three nights across the emptiest stretch of the South Atlantic, from Cape Town to Ushuaia via St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, and the Falklands — a crossing for expedition cruisers who've done the easier trips first.
Paddling Among Giants: A Kayaker's First Encounter with Antarctic Icebergs in Wilhelmina Bay
Cold hands, humpback whales at arm's length, and a leopard seal on the ice: one paddler's first kayak trip into Wilhelmina Bay, Antarctic Peninsula.
48 Hours on the Drake Shake: Surviving and Savoring the Crossing to Antarctica
Two days of open ocean stand between Ushuaia and Antarctica. Here's what the Drake Passage actually demands, from seasickness patches to the hour the sea suddenly goes flat.
Amalfi Coast Quick Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Winter brings rain, closures, and rough seas to Italy's famous coast—but also crowds that vanish and rates that fall 30–50 percent. Here's what actually works in the off-season.
My Winter in Annapurna Circuit: A Travel Story
A first-person winter trek up the Annapurna Circuit to Manang and Khangsar, where fresh snow on Thorong La forced a turnaround — and left villages, and dal bhat, all to myself.
The Best Things to Do in The Dolomites
From a sunrise cable car ride out of Ortisei to a two-Michelin-star table in Alta Badia, here are the seven Dolomites experiences worth building an itinerary around.
A Week in Iceland's Ring Road
Seven days, 1,300 kilometers, and a rental car around Iceland's Ring Road, from Reynisfjara's black sand to the geothermal fields of Mývatn and back.
A Week in The Faroe Islands
A first-person week across the Faroe Islands, from Tinganes and Vestmanna's bird cliffs to puffins on Mykines and dinner at Michelin-starred KOKS.
The Best Things to Do in Cape Town
From the cableway to Table Mountain's summit to the penguins at Boulders Beach, here is a ranked guide to Cape Town's best experiences, with real prices and drive times.
The Best Things to Do in The Scottish Highlands
From the Old Man of Storr to the Bealach na Ba's hairpin bends, here's a ranked, honest guide to the Scottish Highlands' best drives, hikes, castles and pubs worth the single-track roads.
The Complete Guide to Bergen
Bergen pairs a UNESCO wharf, mountain funiculars, and Norway's best fjord access into a city you can walk end to end. Here's when to go, where to stay, and how to plan it.
The Complete Guide to Ljubljana
Slovenia's riverside capital pairs a walkable, car-free Old Town with easy day trips to Lake Bled and Postojna Cave — here's how to spend two or three unhurried days there.
The Annapurna Circuit: A Trekker's Guide to Nepal's Ultimate Himalayan Adventure
From subtropical rice terraces to the 5,416m Thorong La pass, the Annapurna Circuit delivers Nepal's most varied teahouse trek. Here's how to plan the crossing right, season by season.
Eye to Eye with Giants: A First-Timer's Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
A first-timer's guide to trekking through Bwindi's misty rainforest for a face-to-face encounter with mountain gorillas, plus how to pick your sector and plan permits, packing, and pairing with Lake Bunyonyi.
Beyond the Swiss Postcard: Hiking Slovenia's Julian Alps
Slovenia's Julian Alps deliver Matterhorn-grade drama — glacial lakes, via ferrata summits, and hut-to-hut trails — at a fraction of the Swiss Alps' price and crowds.
Istanbul Quick Guide: Markets, Mosques & Mezze
Discover Istanbul's enchanting blend of ancient mosques, vibrant bazaars, and incredible cuisine. Your essential guide to markets, mezze, and must-see monuments.
Why Spring in Japan Is the Trip of a Lifetime
Experience Tokyo's magical cherry blossom season with insider access to the best hanami spots, seasonal dining, and exclusive spring experiences in Japan's captivating capital.
Four Seasons Maldives Review: Paradise Worth the Splurge?
Swimming with manta rays, private beach dinners, and overwater villas with glass floors—my Four Seasons Maldives experience redefined luxury travel.
15 Essential Packing Tips for Southeast Asia
Master Bangkok's unique packing challenges with 15 essential tips that cover tropical weather, temple dress codes, and urban exploration needs.
The Complete Guide to Kyoto: Temples, Gardens & Hidden Gems
Discover Kyoto's 2,000 temples, bamboo groves, and geisha districts in Japan's former imperial capital. From golden Kinkaku-ji to Fushimi Inari's torii gates.