Freelance travel writer, blogger, copywriter
Welcome to Breathedreamgo! My name is Mariellen Ward and I’m an award-winning professional travel writer based in Rishikesh, India. I started travel blogging in 2005 and launched Breathedreamgo in August 2009 — inspired by my extensive travels in India (and South Asia). Click here for more about this site, Breathedreamgo, or for my company India for Beginners.
I have a BA in Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto (1986) and write for leading international newspapers, magazines and online sites (see portfolio below). I am also a seasoned communications professional, copywriter, and editor. You can find out more about my corporate communications work on my Linkedin profile.
India travel blog
My passion is travel in India, the underlying theme of my writing is the power of travel to connect and transform, and I am an advocate of women’s solo travel and responsible travel / sustainable tourism practices.
In 2019, I won the National Tourism Award for Best Foreign Travel Journalist / Blogger from Incredible India Tourism (2019), and I have been short-listed several times for responsible tourism awards — most recently for the Outlook Indian Responsible Tourism Award (2020) for Best Communicator.
To find out “why India” please read How I quit my job to travel or My Story. In 2010 I published my first book, Song of India: Tales of Travel and Transformation. You can get a free PDF copy of this book by signing up for my inspiring newsletter Dispatches.
Responsible travel
Responsible travel principles have always been important to me, since the start of my career. I carry a reusable bottle when I travel and refill it with filtered water. I take great care to show cultural respect while travelling and in my writing. I try and promote fair trade artisans and organizations, responsible tourism companies, and well-managed wildlife tourism. I speak out against irresponsible practices and animal cruelty, such as elephant riding. In 2020, I trained as a naturalist at a tiger reserve in India.
Please scroll down to see a select portfolio of my travel-related writing.
For profile / travel pictures please visit this Flickr set.
Travel Writing Portfolio
Magazine and newspaper articles
WOMANKIND MAGAZINE
- Cover: Yogis in India 2019
- Cover: My Life in an Ashram May 2019
VOGUE India
OUTPOST Magazine
- Just Breathe, Dream, Go (16-page feature on my travels in India)
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER India
- Cover: A Place in the sun – Summer Trips 2018
- Cover: Beyond Capital Limits 2018
ENSEMBLE Magazine
- Solo in Ireland
- Taking a tea pilgrimage to Darjeeling
DREAMSCAPES Magazine
- Yoga in India PDF
Zoomer Magazine
Toronto Star
- Aging Gracefully: Delhi at 100
- Mumbai Mesmerizes
- Life in an ashram in India
- India: Journey to the other side
Canadian Living Magazine
Homemakers Magazine
Zoomer Magazine
Discover India
- Bengaluru: Impressions of a city (PDF)
Acura Style magazine
Dreamscapes Magazine
Online travel and yoga magazines / sites
BBC Travel
Atlas Obscura
- Barasingha of Kanha National Park
- Meera Mahal in Merta City
- The curse of the Chambal River
- The India Gate Cupola Mystery
- The Pushkar Brahma Temple
- The Triveni Sangam
- Adalaj Ni Vav stepwell
- Rani Ki Vav stepwell
- Raniji Ki Baori stepwell
- Fontainhas Goa
- The Golden Temple
- Bhimetka Rock Shelters
Gastro Obscura
- Langar at the Golden Temple
CN Traveller India
- When you write a travel book, you need to have terrible things happen to you
- Tips and advice from a solo woman traveller
World Nomads
UnearthWomen
- An afternoon with Dervla Murphy
Inside Himalayas
Horizon Guides
Traveling Mitch
International Expeditions
- Understanding the rhythms of India
- Survey of India’s Wildlife
Zeghram Expeditions
- How to prepare for your trip to the subcontinent
- 9 Reasons every traveller should visit the Himalayas
- A guide to Dharamsala for nature lovers and spiritual seekers
- Exploring the Bay of Bengal
Better Places Travel blog
- Responsible travel as a way of life
- Immersion in the local culture of Nepal
- Trekking in the Kathamndu Valley
- Unique accommodation in Nepal
- Women on Wheels: Empowerment through tourism
G Adventures
- The women of Ladakh are soaring
- Four seasons in India: Best places to visit
- The lifeblood of India: The Ganges River
- Delhi’s Literary Life
- Insider’s Guide to Pushkar Camel Fair
Mantra Wild
WomensWeb.in
Following in the footsteps of Mira
Toronto Tourism: My Toronto
Nostalgia, Toronto Style
Vacay.ca
- India masala in Toronto
- On Titanic 100th, Halifax remembers
- Halifax respectfully honours the Titanic
- Titanic memorabilia in Halifax
- Titanic feast proves Halifax seafood supremacy is unsinkable
- Riding the rails into Group of Seven Country
- Chasing Justin Trudeau in Ottawa
SoloTravelBlog
- Recovering from loss by following a dream
Transitions Abroad
- Yoga as a window into Indian culture
Journeywoman
Bootsnall India
- A Healing Journey
TravelersUniverse.com
Hotelscheap.org
- Expert Interview with Mariellen Ward
Canadian Living Magazine
Killing Batteries
- Vomiting anthology
Travelblog
Mariellen’s India Travel blog
~ between December 2005 – April 2009 I spent 11 months living, traveling, studying and volunteering in India. Please visit if you want to share my adventures on the subcontinent.
All material on this weblog is copyright Mariellen Ward 2022