Laura Bloom is a writer who dreamed of travel since she first traced her finger across the pages of the family atlas.  The author of The Wedding Diaries: How to get married without breaking the bank and three novels, she started out as a Human Resources Manager before one of her own psychometric tests suggested she should write instead. 

Winning a round the world flight fulfilled a lifetime ambition that inspired The Grown-up Gap Year Diaries and offered the chance to travel to Africa, Asia and the Pacific.  Charmed by local tribes and long lost royal relatives, confronted by wildlife and hitting an emotional low after a robbery, she also gathered the experiences of a fascinating bunch of grown-up gappers aged from 30 to 70. 

Indonesia is her favourite country, Venice her favourite city and France holds the crown for the finest food.  Laura lives in Cheshire with her photographer husband and has one son.