Inside the Travel Lab is a multi-award winning online magazine for those who care about the people, places and cultures that they visit. It was founded in 2008 by the award-winning writer Abigail King, who swapped a career as a doctor for a life on the road.
From the ICU to the Globe…
Hello! Today, I’m a writer and broadcaster who has worked with the BBC, UNESCO, the EU, NASA and more.
I’ve travelled to over 70 countries and broadcast live for Lonely Planet on more than 50 occasions, from the chambers of Marie Antoinette in the Palace of Versailles, to the highest mountain on the Arabian Peninsula, the darkness of the Arctic Circle and the twilight of the Book of Kells in Dublin.
But before that, I spent a decade as an Intensive Care and ER doctor before trading the hospital wards for the world’s most remote corners.
My medical background and degree in neuroscience taught me to look for the ‘why’ behind the ‘where,’ to value precision where it matters (and not when it doesn’t) and to understand that travel, at its best, is a force for good.
Credentials At a Glance
Neuroscience MA (Hons) at Cambridge: Where the analytical journey began.
Medical Degree – MBBS (Hons): A decade of clinical experience in high-pressure environments.
Professional Journalist: Worked with National Geographic, BBC, UNESCO, and NASA.
Speaker: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, to talk about sustainable tourism.
Accolades: The Lab described by National Geographic Traveler as “essential reading” and Lonely Planet as “one of the best travel blogs in the world.”
Why a Lab?
I love labs. They’re places for exploration, experimentation, deep thought and great ideas.
In an era of AI-generated itineraries and ‘viral’ snapshots, the Lab remains committed to:
- The Deep Dive: Investigating the history, science, and culture that shape a destination.
- Human Connection: Prioritising stories from real people – from bomb survivors in Nagasaki to local artisans in Seville.
- Quality: In what you eat, where you stay and what you do!
Twenty Years of Excellence
Consistently ranked as the #1 Luxury Travel Blog in the UK (Vuelio) 2018-2026
2025: Winner, Sustainable Blog of the Year (Inspire Global Media Awards)
2025: Ambassador Award for Sustainable Content (Spain Talk Awards)
2024: AITO Travel Writing Award (Silver)
2024: Content Creator of the Year Finalist (TravMedia).
Who We Write For
We’re here for people who may have swapped their backpack for a boutique hotel but they haven’t lost their curiosity. The educated professionals with big dreams but little time off. The empty nesters and those contemplating micro – or macro – retirement.
We’ll take you behind the scenes, share the stories we find, and give you tips on where you can find the best places to stay, eat and explore, as well as getting to know the different traditions across the globe.
And we’re here for you whatever stage of life you’re in: juggling young kids, dealing with an empty nest, rebuilding after divorce, travelling solo or with three generations of your family.
It’s what matters that matters, not what your life currently looks like. So if you care about the people, places and cultures you visit then you’ve come to the right place.
Ready to start exploring?
After nearly twenty years, we have a lot of information here. Here’s a system to help you find your way.
