Heide Brandes Title: Travel Writer Education: University of Central Oklahoma Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Expertise: Travel, Oklahoma Heide Brandes is an award-winning journalist and travel writer with more than 20 years of published work. She covers mostly travel but has also worked as an investigative reporter covering politics, business, criminal justice, the environment, and more. She writes for numerous national and international publications and was the Oklahoma correspondent for Reuters New Service.In addition to writing and traveling, Heide is a hiking fanatic, a medieval reenactor, a professional award-winning bellydancer, and kind of a quirky gal living in Oklahoma City.Highlights: President of the Society of Professional Journalists Oklahoma Pro ChapterMember of North American Travel Journalists AssociationMember of Society of American Travel WritersWinner of two Society of American Travel Writers Lowell Thomas AwardsWinner of 8 North American Travel Journalists Association travel writing awardsWinner of Solas Award for Travel Writing Education Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing - University of Central Oklahoma About Southern Living Southern Living, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, celebrates the food, homes, places, and culture of the South. We reach 7.2 million readers a month. Our content is written by experienced journalists and fact checked for accuracy. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.