The Kindness of Strangers
A selection of entries to the 2026 Bradt Guides New Travel Writer of the Year competition
The Kindness of Strangers is a selection of uplifting stories from Bradt’s 2026 New Travel Writer of the Year competition.
Number of pages: 128
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The Kindness of Strangers
The Kindness of Strangers is a selection of uplifting stories from Bradt’s 2026 New Travel Writer of the Year competition. This collection of tales – showcasing entries to the competition by a whole range of previously unpublished writers – reminds us that the kindness and generosity of those we meet on the road are part and parcel of what makes travel such a rewarding experience.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
Hilary Bradt
BEYOND WORDS
Middle of Nowhere Joel Chevaillier
Unspoken Kindness Andi Utter
ON (AND OFF) THE ROAD
On the Shoulder Scott Monaco
The Farmer’s Way Will Kriegshauser
Roadside Support Jenna Nienhuis
La Noche de los Pescadores Kit Cubitt
KINDNESS ON THE TRAIL
The Lightness of a Stone Danielle V Schoon
The Hunt for Gerald Tansy Hepton
‘Kane o Narasu’ – Ring the Bell Eben Rautenbach
Extract from Trail Magic Katie Grayson
THE SERENDIPITY OF HITCHHIKING
Yes b’y – the Newfoundland Diaries Eve LaPalme
Desert Man Abby Celentano
I Found Salvation in Uganda Clara Ritger
CULTURAL EXCHANGES
The Girl from Bamyan Jasmine Heinen
My Tehran: Beyond the Headlines James Merriman
Souvenirs from Petra Myrthe Felten
KINDNESS TO STRANGERS
Twenty-third and Seventh Chris Small
The House that Stayed Maria Kane
TROUBLED LANDS
Travels in a Troubled Land Daisy Wilkins
“Welcome to Gaza” Trude Strand
The Boy, the Woman and the Paper Coffee Cup Rosie Edwards
A Thread Woven Layla Osama Zaki
AT THE MERCY OF THE WEATHER
Thunder, Hail and ‘Happy Birthday’ above Lake Garda
Edyta Tardowska Janusz
The Weight of the High Water Scott Antcliffe
The Many Threads of Singapore Nammie Matthews
INCIDENTS IN THE STANS (AND GEORGIA)
An Evening in Bishkek Lucy Evanson
Bargain Jessica Peng
Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth Harry Kuril
THE UNEXPECTED REWARD
Robbery that Returned Me Violetta Zsofia Safar
Across Borders: A Bus Hijacking in Central America
Sian Carter-Jones
Figure-Eights in Khiva Paola Mendez de la Vega
ACTS OF KINDNESS
Water from Empty Hands Simon Gibbs
The Omoiyari Road Victoria Riccalton
Snow Angel Carolyn Willshire
Many Strangers, Many Kindnesses Alfie McCaffrey
Big Shadows in Mostar Allison Savage Bates
Borrowing Fire Gordon Thompson
The Night the Lights Went Out in Shanghai Jenny Becker
Strangers on a Train – Bejart and Bolero Jackie Fishman
The Man at the Border Shelly Peterson
Italian Tourist Dies of Trust Tommaso Turri
An Extra-Large Bowl of Ramen Jessica Crisp
In The Teeth of the Devil Chris Baker
Extract from World Map Evangelia-Evmorfia (Eve) Giourouki
Extract from Flying on Water Aditi Ahuja
Compiled by Hilary Bradt
Hilary Bradt is the founder of Bradt Guides and the head judge for Bradt’s New Travel Writer of the Year competition.