David and Jenny Bewes have paid tribute to their son Diccon Bewes, who passed away last month in Switzerland, aged 57.

Diccon was born on July 27, 1967 and christened at St Mary’s, Sheet.

He attended Churcher’s College in Petersfield, and excelled academically, both at school and later at the London School of Economics, gaining a ‘starred first’ in International Relations. A post-university 18-month world trip whet his appetite for a career in travel-writing. He travelled from the Far East, through China and across Mongolia, and through the USSR just as it was disintegrating.

His love of literature saw him join Waterstones on his return. He then spent 10 years as a travel writer for Lonely Planet and then Holiday Which? Magazine. During that time, he contributed to sections of Pears Cyclopaedia and, together with Chris Cook, he co-wrote a cyclopaedia of places and events in 20th Century World History -What Happened Where published by UCL in 1997.

In 2001, Diccon met Gregor Scheibelhofer, from Liechtenstein, but living and working in Berne, Switzerland. Four years later, Diccon left England to join Gregor, a decision which not only shaped his very happy personal life, but also his writing career. Diccon loved Switzerland, particularly the mountains, in which he and Gregor hiked extensively.

Diccon’s love of world-wide travel, writing and his experience of moving to Switzerland and getting to know and understand the Swiss, led directly to his book Swiss Watching: Inside the Land of Milk and Money which not only won recognition as a Financial Times Book of the Year but quickly became recommended reading for anyone considering travelling or moving to Switzerland.

He published six further books over the ensuing years, and his final non-fiction book: The Best Swiss Train Rides, will be launched in Berne on April 24, followed by two novels later this year. Over the last 10 years Diccon became well-known in Switzerland as a public speaker and resident expert on the UK, appearing on the radio, screen and in the print media many times. He also worked closely with the British Embassy in Berne.

Fluent in Italian, French and German, Diccon followed Gregor to become a Swiss national, but he always retained a close link with Petersfield, where his parents still live, and with his wide circle of UK-based friends and family. With Gregor by his side, he fought cancer for the last three years, and in the final three weeks of his life, Diccon organised and attended a goodbye party in Portsmouth for 90 friends, from all over the world. Two weeks later he left his hospital bed and held a similar event for 75 local friends and colleagues in Berne.

His body finally gave up the battle just two days later. He died peacefully with Gregor by his side, having achieved his remarkable goal of giving everyone he loved the opportunity to say a personal goodbye and to share many happy memories.

Diccon was a devoted husband, son, brother, uncle and friend and will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched.