About Me…

Hi, I’m Neil, pleased to meet you.

I’m newly 60, newly retired and a travel addict (49 51 countries visited so far). Of course, I’m too old now for anything other than cruises and nice, safe, organised tours, right? Hell no! I love to get to the underbelly of a place. When I visit somewhere, I want to experience its culture, to listen to its music, to try its food and, definitely, to see what the locals are drinking.

This is why the Do Not Go Gently travel blog was born. There are thousands of travel blogs out there written by, and for, kids, but why should they have all the fun?
So, if you’ve got a few more miles on the clock, but you’re not ready for the pipe and slippers just yet, this is the blog for you. 

About - Neil is a professional level concert photographer
Concert Photographer – Me before photographing Welsh metal band Skindred at the OVO Wembley Arena in London
About Me - Neil Hughes Do Not Go Gently Travel
Me, after a dunking getting off a small boat on Sao Tome.

So, who am I? I was born and brought up in Wales in the heart of Dylan Thomas country whose poem inspired the blog’s name. I’ve worked in IT for all of my 35 year career, and 2025 is the year I jacked it all in to become a full-time traveller.

I’m also a semi professional photographer, specialising in wildlife and concert photography. My wildlife (mainly birds) photographs have been featured in half a dozen magazines.

I’m a massive sports fan, especially rugby, and have travelled the world watching Wales and the British and Irish Lions on every continent where the game’s played.

Join me as I explore this wonderful planet of ours and share my adventures.

About Me - Neil drinking Coca tea to combat altitude sickness in Cusco, Peru
Me drinking Coca tea to combat altitude sickness in Cusco, Peru

About Me – All photographs and text on the Do Not Go Gently Travel blog taken by Neil Hughes, unless specifically credited and are fully copyrighted.

If you would like to purchase or use any photographs featured on this site, please contact me here.
Need someone to review your product? Want a guest contributor to your blog or magazine? Drop me a line here.
This site contains product affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, which goes towards keeping this blog going.

About Me – Affiliates

These are organisations I use myself when planning and booking my trips. (Clicking on these links opens a new tab).

Accomodation

Booking.com – Hotels

VRBO – Apartments and House Stays

Tours, Trips and Activities

Get Your Guide – Trips and Excursions

Viator – Trips, Excursions and More

Tripadvisor – Ditto

Travel

Auto Europe – Car Rentals

Avia Sales – Cheap Flights

Rail Europe – Train Bookings (Europe)

Busbud – Bus bookings (worldwide)

Technology

Yesim – Esim

Airport Lounges

Priority Pass – Airport Lounge Passes

Products

Amazon – Virtually Everything