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Welcome to the Best of Britain

Discover Secret London

The Best of England

Best of the Lake District

"Best of the Lake District" is a meticulously curated guide showcasing essential destinations for dining, drinking, and sightseeing. Spanning over 250 pages, this pocket-sized travel companion is filled with glossy, full-colour photographs. Each location is personally visited and authentically presented by our team. Ideal for trip planning, it blends well-known and hidden gems, and its captivating imagery encourages exploration. This ad-free guide offers clear, concise details and a variety of attractions, earning high recommendations.

Best of the Peak District

Our "Best of the Peak District" travel guide, freshly published for 2024, serves as an indispensable companion for exploring one of England's most stunning regions. This guide, ideal for both seasoned travellers and first-time visitors, enriches your journey with in-depth knowledge and visually captivating content. Discover the enchanting beauty of the Peak District, England's first National Park, known for its local lore, ancient forests, and expansive moorlands. Explore picturesque medieval market towns and dramatic geological formations that define the landscape.

With over thousands of miles of footpaths, including a section of the renowned Pennine Way, this guide ensures a memorable experience with a warm northern welcome. "Best of the Peak District" is a carefully crafted guide, spanning 250 pages of essential destinations for dining, drinking, and sightseeing. This pocket-sized guide is packed with glossy, full-colour photographs, showcasing each location authentically visited and presented by our team. It's perfect for trip planning, blending famous and hidden gems with engaging imagery to inspire exploration. This ad-free guide provides clear, concise details and a variety of attractions, garnering high recommendations for anyone wishing to uncover the beauty of this picturesque region.

The Best of Yorkshire

Whether you are crossing an ocean to visit the UK or coming down from the North for a weekend break in Cornwall, these are the best travel guides. No UK vacationer should leave home without at least one of these top travel books.

Most are the latest editions of classic series, some are newer but equally reliable travel guides. Whichever you choose, their tried and tested, practical advice will ensure that you eat well, stay in charming accommodations, visit fun places and never get lost on British roads. And the good news is, most of these guides are now available as apps as well as books.

The AA Bed and Breakfast Guide

More than 4,000 B&Bs, guest houses, farmhouses and inns are inspected and rated by the the Automobile Association's inspectors to produce this full-colour, regularly updated guide. Symbols highlight the best breakfasts and other features. The guide is available directly through the British Automobile Association.

The Good Food Guide

The Good Food Guide  has been rating restaurants and dining experiences since 1951. Their annual Good Food Guide, based on reviews submitted by members and subscribers from all over the UK, has become a classic and is absolutely reliable. Organised geographically, with a special section for London, and an appendix for late entries, it describes food, decor, prices, ambiance, even who's cooking behind the scenes, with thoroughness and authority. A great book to have on the road if you want to sit down to nice food with regularity. No longer affiliated with Which?, a group of consumer magazines, it is now available through the Good Food Guide website . And you can buy it as an app for smart phones and tablets.

The Good Pub Guide

The British public has relied on this informative guide to more than 5,000 pubs for years. Independent and comprehensive, it includes yearly updates and loads of reader reports. This guide points you in the direction of good country pints, friendly neighborhood boozers, and smart urban bars with big wine lists. Information about facilities, atmosphere, quality, and cost provides real insight into a British institution.

The CAMRA Good Beer Guide

Ever since the Real Ale Movement began, several decades ago, the number of small local breweries, pubs with microbreweries and pubs that regularly feature a guest selection of cask-conditioned ales has expanded dramatically. And every year the 110,000 members of CAMRA (The Campaign for Real Ale) update their guide with pub reviews and information on more than 600 breweries that produce real ale. A trained team of tasters provides tasting notes on many of the beers and there are pub reviews and feature stories about beer, pubs, and brewing. This one is the top British beer-lovers' guidebook to the UK. It's also available for most e-readers with special, digital-only features.

AA Road Atlas Britain

The Automobile Association (AA) is practically the last word in roadmaps of the UK. This clear, easy-to-read, and very accurate map book labels pages with their geographic location so they are easy to find. There's a huge index that includes airports and tourists sights as well as towns and villages and, in 2007, the 21st edition included information on where to find speed cameras. There are 103 town, city and port plans, locations of hospitals and emergency rooms, "Jam Busting" maps and guidance to the best, wide secondary routes. A real drivers' map book. It's available through most travel book sellers but the most up-to-date edition (along with apps and ebooks) is always available directly from the Automobile Association website.

Suggested Itinerary: Three to Six Days in the East of England

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England Travel Guide

Welcome to my England Travel Guide – on this page you will find links to all my travel-related posts about England. This includes where to visit, what to see, tours and tickets to buy, books to read, and lots of resources and inspiration for your trip.

England is the largest country in the UK and if you are flying into London will be the first country you arrive in. Although I love London there is so much more to England than just its capital city though choosing where to visit can be overwhelming.

This guide will help you decide which destinations in England to visit so you can plan your trip and itinerary and include the places that most appeal to you.

• England is made up of 9 regions. These regions are further divided into 48 counties .
• The largest county in England is Yorkshire and the smallest is Rutland.
• The largest cities in England (after London) are Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool , Leeds and Bristol .
• With a population of approximately 56 million, England has more than 84% of the total UK population living within its borders.

Popular destinations in England

24 Famous Landmarks to Visit in England

12 Best Cities to Visit in England

12 Pretty towns and villages in England

Regional guide to England

Best staycations destinations for 2023 and beyond

10 Best UK theme parks

England Area Guides

South east england.

• 5 Historical Treasures in South East England
• Podcast Episode #6 Discovering historic South East England with John England Tours
• Brighton Travel Guide
• Canterbury Travel Guide
• Winchester Travel Guide
• How to visit Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)
• Guide to visiting Blenheim Palace
• 12 easy day trips from London by train
• How to plan a day trip to Dover from London

South West England

• Top 10 things to do in England’s South West
• Things to do in Bath
• One day itinerary for Bath
• Best places to stay in Bath
• How to travel to Bath from London
• 12 Best Day Trips from Bath
• 7 Best Day Trips to Bath from London
• Best places to visit in Salisbury
• Best places to visit in Bristol
• 7 best Cotswolds day tours from London
• 10 Pretty Towns and Villages in the Cotswolds
• 17 Things to do in the Cotswolds
• Best places to stay in the Cotswolds
• How to travel from London to the Cotswolds
• Episode #20 Exploring the Cotswolds with Victoria of Cotswold Teacup Tours
• Episode #27 Delving into the Cotswolds with Victoria of Cotswold Teacup Tours
• Best places to visit in Cornwall
• Best places to stay in Cornwall
• 10 Best things to do in St Ives
• Best places to stay in Devon
• Best places to visit in Devon
• Best places to stay in Dorset
• Podcast Episode #34 An Introduction to Cornwall with Meneage Tours

East of England (East Anglia)

• Top 10 things to do in the East of England
• Best places to stay in Cambridge
• Norfolk Travel Guide
• Suffolk Travel Guide

North West England

• Top 10 places to visit in North West England
• Lake District Itinerary
• 24 Pretty Towns and Villages to visit in the Lake District
• Best places to stay in the Lake District
• Things to do in Lake Windermere
• Best places to stay in Lake Windermere
• Things to do in Liverpool
• Beatles fans’ itinerary for Liverpool
• Complete Guide to the Beatles in Liverpool
• Best places to stay in Liverpool – area and accommodation guide
• How to visit Liverpool on a day trip from London
• Podcast Episode #29 Talking with Ken Lambert about owning George Harrison’s former home in Liverpool
• Where to stay in Chester
• Where to stay in Manchester
• Carlisle Travel Guide
• Blackpool Travel Guide

North East England

• Top 10 things to do and see in North East England
• Best places to stay in Northumberland ( location and accommodation guide)
• Best Northumberland coastal cottages
• Things to do in Alnwick
• Guide to visiting the Holy Island of Lindisfarne
• Where to stay in Durham
• Where to stay in Newcastle
• Podcast Episode #39 Explore Northumberland with Marc of Northumberland Tours
• The village of Saltaire – UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Best day trips and tours to do in Yorkshire
• Things to do in York
• I nsider guide to York (podcast)
• Best places to stay in York
• Best day trips from York (Podcast)
• Things to do in Whitby
• Best places to stay in Whitby
• Episode #3 – Insider’s guide to visiting York
• Episode #17 Best day trips from York

West Midlands

• Top 10 places to visit in the West Midlands
• Birmingham Travel Guide
• Stratford-upon Avon Travel Guide

East Midlands

• Top 10 places to visit in the East Midlands
• Guide to visiting Chatsworth House
• Best places to stay in the Peak District
• Lincoln Travel Guide

London is the capital of England and the UK. It is one of the most visited cities in the world and therefore has an entire section devoted to it. Pop over to my London Travel Guide for all the information you need to plan your visit to this historic and fascinating city.

Guides to places of historical interest in England

If you are particularly interested in history you will discover many places of historical significance in England. This includes castles, palaces, ancient ruins and monuments and more.

In this section, you will find my articles dedicated to places of historical interest in England.

• 7 Magnificent English Castles to visit near London
• English fairytale castle hotels
• Guide to Tudor Sites in England
• Guide to Roman ruins in England
• Literary Lovers Guide to England
• 12 historical places in England you simply can’t miss
• Essential guide to visiting Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey)

BEST ENGLISH CASTLES

FAQ’S Practical information for visiting England

You can find everything you need to know from budget tips to packing lists to transport guides in my step-by-step UK trip planning guide .

Here are some quick links to everything you may want to know before travelling to the UK

• 14 things you need to know before you visit England for the first time
• How much does it cost to visit the UK?
• What do I need to pack and wear in the UK?
• How to buy English Premier League football tickets
• Guide to traditional English foods
• Afternoon Tea in a Box
• Guide to 15 traditional English drinks
• Episode #38 UK Travel Planning Podcast – UK Food and Drink

When is the best time of year to visit England?

If you are wondering when is the best time of year to plan your visit to England it may depend on a number of factors. The weather in England varies with the seasons and the number of hours of daylight also changes throughout the year.

England experiences its warmest and lightest days in the summer months of June, July and August and the colder, darker days during December, January and February.

The temperatures also vary as you move further north in England with London generally a few degrees warmer than the North East for example.

For more information to help choose the best time of year to plan your visit to England read my in-depth article – ‘When is the best time of year to visit the UK?’ which examines each season as well as detailing popular events on a month by month basis.

England Itinerary Suggestions

On this website, you will find suggested itineraries to help you plan your trip to numerous destinations around England and the UK.

These include multi-destination and city itineraries:

• See the Best of Britain by Train (14 day itinerary)
• One day itinerary for Bath – how to see the best of Bath if you only have one day to spend (can also be extended to 2 days)
• Liverpool itinerary for Beatles fans
• Cornwall Road Trip Itinerary

Best day tours and tickets for popular attractions and landmarks in England

There are so many tours to choose from we have created some guides to our pick of the best. You will also find various day tours recommended in each of the destination travel guides for England.

• Best escorted tours of the UK 2023/4

Below are just a selection of some of the tours offered by Get Your Guide (an online marketplace where tour operators list available tours for destinations worldwide) and one of the tour companies we use when we travel.

Accommodation options in England

There is a vast range of accommodation to choose from in England. In order to help you find the best accommodation, I have created detailed guides based on personal experience, customer reviews, location, facilities and price.

Whether you are looking for the best-priced quality hotels in England, budget accommodation, boutique hotels, luxury accommodation, a cosy cottage, or even a castle to stay in you will be able to find the very best option for your trip, travel style, group size and budget in my accommodation guide for England .

⭐️ Click here for a range of accommodation options in England

How can I get around England?

There are a variety of transport options you can choose to get around England including using public transport such as trains or buses.

Hiring a car and embarking on a road trip around England and the UK is a popular choice or if you are pushed for time there are regional flights available.

If you are planning to rent a car we recommend the Discover Cars website where you can compare different providers and find the best deal for your trip.

You can find out more about the different transport options in my transport guide to the UK.

✅ 15 tips for UK train travel

✅ Renting a car in the UK – everything you need to know

Travel Insurance

It is important to ensure you are covered when you travel and taking out good travel insurance is essential.

✅ Read our guide to why you need travel insurance for your trip.

Travel books about England

There are a wide variety of travel guidebooks available for England and the UK. Below is a selection of travel books for England.

For a complete selection read my article about the best UK travel guide books available for 2021 and beyond. If fiction is more to your taste you will enjoy my selection of the best books set in England .

Other UK destinations to visit

You may also wish to explore other nations of the UK and you can find more information to help you plan in the relevant travel guides below

⭐️ Scotland Travel Guide

⭐️ Wales Travel Guide

⭐️ Northern Ireland Travel Guide

• Great Britain

DK Eyewitness Great Britain

get a closer look

Published by DK Eyewitness Travel

Rrp:  £17.99.

"The <i>DK Eyewitness Travel Great Britain</i> is your perfect guide to this sceptred isle, crammed with illustrations, maps, guides and facts to impress GB Masterminds and newcomers to the colour-coded regions alike." Saga

About DK Eyewitness Great Britain

The ideal travel companion, full of insider advice on what to see and do, plus detailed itineraries and comprehensive maps for exploring Great Britain.

Visit Stonehenge's mysterious monoliths, take the sea air in buzzing Brighton or come face to face with the Vikings in York: everything you need to know is clearly laid out within colour-coded chapters. Discover the best of Great Britain with this indispensable travel guide.

Inside DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Great Britain: - Over 60 colour maps help you navigate with ease - Simple layout makes it easy to find the information you need - Comprehensive tours and itineraries of Great Britain , designed for every interest and budget - Illustrations and floorplans show in detail Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, as well as Brighton's Royal Pavilion, Canterbury Cathedral, Blenheim Palace, the Eden Project, Castle Howard, the Royal Mile and much more - Colour photographs of Great Britain's stunning landscape - bucolic countryside, spectacular coastline, rugged moorland and more - as well as architectural highlights, peaceful villages and vibrant cities - Detailed chapters, with area maps, cover London - West End and Westminster; South Kensington and Hyde Park; Regent's Park and Bloomsbury; the City and Southwark; and sights beyond the city - the Downs and Channel Coast; East Anglia; Thames Valley; Wessex; Devon and Cornwall; the Midlands; Lancashire and the Lakes; Yorkshire and the Humber Region; Northumbria; Wales; and Scotland - Historical and cultural context gives you a richer travel experience: learn about Great Britain's long history, society and politics; heraldry and aristocracy; rural architecture and stately homes; sporting highlights; and festivals and events - Experience the culture with features on the gardens of England; John Nash's Regency London; the castles of Wales; the Industrial Revolution; and more - Essential travel tips: our expert choices of where to stay, eat, shop and sightsee, plus transport, visa and health information

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Great Britain is a detailed, easy-to-use guide designed to help you get the most from your visit to Great Britain.

DK Eyewitness: winner of the Top Guidebook Series in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2017.

"No other guide whets your appetite quite like this one" - The Independent

Want to see more of Great Britain? Try our DK Eyewitness Travel Guide England's South Coast .

About DK Eyewitness Travel: DK's highly visual Eyewitness guides show you what others only tell you, with easy-to-read maps, tips, and tours to inform and enrich your holiday. DK is the world's leading illustrated reference publisher, producing beautifully designed books for adults and children in over 120 countries.

Our UK guidebooks

Given Bradt’s reputation for covering exotic or off-beat destinations, people are sometimes surprised to learn just how many UK guidebooks we have.

• Post author By Simon Willmore
• Post date 4th May 2021

Our range of UK guidebooks covers these fair isles from head to toe, reaching as far north as Scotland’s breathtaking Hebrides and Orkney, all the way down to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. In between, sample the magnificent Peak District, the quaint joy of The Cotswolds, picturesque Northumberland and the rugged beauty of The Jurassic Coast.

Of course, our UK guidebooks come with a Bradt twist – we try to delve into hidden corners, to find the colourful and unfamiliar. Our first British Isles title was Eccentric Britain , a book that the Daily Telegraph called ‘wonderfully barmy’, and which includes such highlights as a toe-wrestling competition in Derbyshire, the Patwalloping Festival in Devon, the Giant Yorkshire Pudding Race in Yorkshire and details of the country’s quirkiest people and places.

“When we received a proposal for Eccentric Britain , our first reaction was to dismiss it – it was way outside our usual subject matter. Then I read some extracts and didn’t see how we could not publish it, it made me laugh so much. So we did it, and found we’d published a best-seller. The press loved it, so did the readers. Risk-taking can be fun.” Hilary Bradt

UK guidebooks about ‘Slow Travel’

When developing our UK guidebooks, we wanted to get away from the usual ‘top sights’ formula and encourage our authors to bring out the nuances and local differences that make up a sense of place – food, history, nature, geology, or local people. So without our realising it at the time, we had defined ‘Slow Travel.

The ‘Slow Travel’ series of our UK guidebooks is unique: personal and engaging in a way that you won’t find in any other mainstream series. Written only by local authors who know their regions intimately, these books encourage visitors to ditch their ‘must see ticklists’, ease their pace and take time to enjoy some of Britain’s most distinctive and special corners.

“Bradt’s ‘Slow Travel’ guides take time to point the way.” Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

The books include all the practical information you’ll need, of course, but they also feature interviews with interesting residents, uncover local traditions and folk tales, and reveal the authors’ favourite places to eat, drink and walk.

Bradt Guides on British wildlife

But our range doesn’t just cover travel. True to form, we also offer a comprehensive range of titles that feature the wildlife of this rich and pleasant land, including literary tales The Country of Larks and Wild About Britain , all the way through to more guide-focused A Summer of British Wildlife and 52 Wildlife Weekends: A Year of British Wildlife-Watching Breaks – all of which provide inspiration for you to get back to nature around the British Isles.

“Red deer rutting. Puffins strutting. Salmon leaping. Bottle-nosed dolphins jumping. Beachcomber beetles burrowing. Natterjack toads churring. Otters cavorting. Bluebells carpeting. White-tailed eagles fishing. Purple emperors gliding. Adders writhing. Starlings swirling. Yews towering. Water voles munching. Grey seals pupping. And basking sharks cruising.” James Lowen lists a few of Britain’s highlights in 52 Wildlife Weekends

Transport and tipples

Nowadays, our range extends even into transport, food – and booze. Bus-Pass Britain , Britain from the Rails and Scotland from the Rails have gathered together the nation’s most cherished bus and train journeys, while Britain in a Bottle celebrates the fine drinks that originate in the UK.

Get active, get outdoors

One extra element of our range of UK guidebooks embraces nature and all the ways to enjoy it: hiking, yoga, biking, cooking outdoors and even stand-up paddleboarding. Take a deep breath with Unlikely Positions (in Unlikely Places) , or get active with Paddling Britain , or wander out into the wilderness with one of Phoebe Smith’s books:

See all of our UK guidebooks

Even this doesn’t cover the entire breadth and depth of our UK titles. To see the complete Bradt Guides collection of UK guidebooks and literature, go to our UK product category page .

Top 10 England travel guide books to help plan your trip

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: October 8, 2021

This post may contain compensated links meaning if you buy through them we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read our  disclosure  for additional information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you are heading to the UK for a trip you may be looking for the best England travel guide books to help plan your trip. Or perhaps you are looking for the perfect gift for someone planning to explore more of the country ?

To help you with this I have put together this article where you will find the 10 best England travel guides available.

I have included a selection of England travel guide books which also focus on various themes such as shopping, history and gardens to provide you with lots of inspiration and useful information for your visit. 

What will you find in this article?

• Best travel guides for London 
• The best England travel guide for gardeners
• Best England travel guide for history lovers
• The best England travel guide for literary lovers
• Best travel guide to the English
• The best travel guides about England for children

What are the best England travel guide books available?

Best uk travel guide books.

Rick Steves Great Britain

No list of the best travel guide books for England would be complete without an appearance (or two) by Rick Steves, I really like his books and recommend them to travelers. He loves Europe and has traveled extensively across the continent including in the UK.

Click to buy in Australia

Rick Steves London 2020 (Rick Steves Travel Guide)

And yes I am recommending another great book from Rick Steves. If you are looking for a travel guide to help you plan your visit to London then this is a great place to start with up-to-date tips, information and recommendations.

Lonely Planet Best of London 2020 (Travel Guide)

Lonely Planet fans will find this guide a perfect way to plan your trip to the UK capital especially if you are looking for more budget focussed options. 

London's Afternoon Teas: A Guide to the Most Exquisite Tea Venues in London

Do you love afternoon teas? Me too! And where better to experience the ultimate in afternoon teas but in London. And boy oh boy are there lots to choose from!

For those serious about choosing the best check out this guide to London's afternoon teas. With lots of photographs to inspire you as well as lots of information about the culture, heritage, and history surrounding each venue this is a perfect gift for anyone who loves afternoon tea.

A Foodie's Guide to London: Over 100 of the Capital's Finest Food Shops and Experiences 

If you love food and have an interest in everything culinary this is the book for you!

Covering over 100 food shops why not take a gastronomic tour around London to the best the capital offers in bakers, butchers, cheesemongers, chocolatiers, delicatessens, fishmongers, food halls, farmers' markets, grocers, wine merchants, and world food stores. 

Insider London: A Curated Guide to the Most Stylish Shops, Restaurants, and Cultural Experiences

An insider's tour of London's best-kept secrets including must-visit restaurants, hotels, boutiques and shops. With stunning photographs, links to websites and maps to help you locate each place this is a great book for style minded visitors as well as locals!

The Gardener's Travel Companion to England: What to See and Where to Stay

This garden-lover's guide to England is both a wonderful travel resource as well as an inspiring coffee-table book for those who adore exploring and strolling through charming garden destinations and horticulturally inspired hideaways.

If you love gardens and want to see the best England has to offer this beautiful book will provide both inspiration and valuable information to help plan your visit.

The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century

If you enjoy history and would like to learn more about life in England in times one by this is a perfect book to read. A great way to find out about life in England during the Middle Ages.

Read this then visit some of the many castles England is famous for. 

Jane Austen's England: A Travel Guide

Find out how the middle and upper classes lived from 1775, the year of Austen’s birth, to the coronation of George IV in 1820. The author details all aspects of daily life during the lifetime of Jane Austen .

She draws on contemporary diaries, illustrations, letters, novels, travel literature, and archives to produce this wonderful guide to life in England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Understanding The British: A hilarious guide from Apologising to Wimbledon 

Want to learn about the English and what makes us tick? This book will provide you with lots of insight and even more laughs! This books will help you understand  just what it is that makes the English so different from our American cousins.

Best travel and guide books about London

If you are visiting London this list covers all the best travel and guide books about the capital.

BEST ENGLAND TRAVEL GUIDES FOR CHILDREN

Kids' Travel Guide - London: The fun way to discover London - especially for kids

Taking the kids or grandkids? Keep them occupied (and learning) at the same time with these great books.

Mission London: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure

A fun and educational way to ensure the kids make the most of their UK vacation.

Best kids books about London for all ages

A great selection of kids books all about London - a fantastic way to prepare them for a visit (or to simply learn about the history of the city)

I hope my choices of best travel guide books for London and England have inspired you. Please let me know which ones you have found the most useful!

UK Travel Planning Facebook Group

Check out my UK Travel Planning Facebook group – come and join us! It is a great resource to help plan your UK trip (or for inspiration for those wanting to explore more of the UK) – come and chat, ask questions and find out more about the UK.

→ CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE FREE UK TRAVEL PLANNING GROUP ON FACEBOOK

Happy travel planning!

If you are planning a trip to the UK you will find lots of articles to help you on this website as well as on my dedicated UK Travel Planning site. Pop over and take a look!

If you enjoy travel reading do also check out my guide to the best books which has links to numerous recommendations for a number of countries around the world.

• UK planning guide

Everything you need to know to plan your trip to the UK is included in this post. A perfect place to start!

• 15 essential tips every visitor to the UK should know

Visiting the UK for the first time? Check out my top 10 tips to help you have the best time!

• UK packing guide

An essential packing guide for the UK for every season. If you are visiting in winter check out my London and UK winter packing list too.

• Best books to read before you visit England

For book lovers and those who enjoy learning about their destination this list of the top 9 books to read before you visit is a good starting point.

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Inspiring independent travellers since 1982, Rough Guides is synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and its trademark blend of honesty, humour and expertise.

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Team Wanderlust | 02 December 2022

The best travel books of 2022.

From the latest tales of a TV legend to inspiring fictional adventures, these are the top travel books to come out of 2022, and the perfect Christmas gift for the travel lover in your life...

Readers get 10% off all books marked with * by using the code ‘Wandering’ on the Stanfords website .

Wanderlust members can get 25% off all books marked with * on the  Stanfords website  - or 15% off any other items on their website; click here  to get the code.

Distant Melodies: Music in Search of Home *

By Edward Dusinberre

Combining travel writing with insights into the working lives of string-quartet musicians, Dusinberre illuminates the relationship between music and home by discovering ways in which the former tweaks our longing for a place of one’s own. And when travel is forbidden, he finds the ability of music to affirm home and transcend distance takes on extra significance.

Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects

By Jean De Pomereu and Daniella McCahey

This book retraces the history of Antarctica through fascinating objects drawn from collections across the world. It has been published to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the first crossing into the Antarctic Circle by James Cook aboard the ship Resolution, on 17 January 1773. As such, it presents a gloriously visual history of the White Continent, from Terra Incognita to the expeditions of Shackleton and Scott, to its emergence as the frontline of climate change.

brother. do. you. love. me. *

By Mani Coe & Reuben Coe

Reuben is living in a home, struggling to accept that he has Down’s syndrome, when he sends the titular text message to his brother, Mani, who lives in Spain. Mani returns to England and moves the pair into a farm cottage, rebuilding their relationship through walks in the area in what is a moving paean to brotherhood.

Everything the Light Touches *

By Janice Pariat

A wonderful example of fiction with a strong sense of place. This book journeys across continents as the centuries intertwine in a multi-layered saga that unfolds through the lives of four unique characters, taking us to Italy, India’s north-east and the forests of the lower Himalaya on journeys that change the lives of its protagonists forever.

Parsi: From Persia to Bombay – Recipes & Tales from the Ancient Culture *

By Farokh Talati

Farokh Talati, head chef of London’s acclaimed Spitalfields eatery St John Bread and Wine, gathers recipes from his travels through India and time spent in the kitchen with family. Blending Persian and Indian cooking from west London all the way to Gujarat and beyond, his life is told through recipes, stories and photographs in what becomes something of a love letter to the Parsi culture and people.

Atlas of Geographical Curiosities *

By Vitali Vitaliev

This compendium of curious, interesting, unexpected and downright bizarre geographical anomalies is filled with fun tidbits to reel off to friends. The world is full of little-known corners that have often been the result of diplomatic horse-trading or overly ambitious armies. Discover countries that do not really exist, the world’s only town that lies entirely underground, a hotel room whose bedroom is in France and whose bathroom is in Switzerland, and lots more.

36 Islands: In Search of the Hidden Wonders of the Lake District *

By Robert Twigger

Armed only with an inflatable canoe, Twigger – a man resolutely fascinated by uninhabited isles – journeys beyond the tourists and busy roads to explore Cumbria’s finest. In doing so, he visits both real and remembered islands, drawing inspiration from the Lakeland poets, Alfred Wainwright and others, to redraw his own map of the Lakes and visit a place very different to the one we know.

The Last Overland *

By Alex Bescoby Crossing 23 countries on the mother of all road trips, filmmaker Alex Bescoby recreates a journey originally documented in the mid-1950s, when a group of students drove for the first time from London to Singapore in a pair of Land Rovers. The aim here is to do it all in reverse (not literally), as the author seeks to return one of the original vehicles home, bookending one of the great overland adventures of the last century in buccaneering fashion.

Landlines *

By Raynor Winn Raynor Winn knows the health of her husband is declining, so they set off on another healing walk in what is a sequel of sorts to her last book, The Salt Path. Together, they embark on a 1,600km journey from Scotland to the familiar shores of the South West Coast Path, through Northumberland, the North York Moors and Wales. Each step is recorded in luminous prose as she greets strangers and friends, wildlife and wilderness along the way.

The Writer’s Journey *

By Travis Elborough When writers step outside of their familiar surroundings, special things can often happen, as this collection charting the 35 routes that changed the lives and legacies of some literary giants, from Charles Dickens to Herman Melville, adroitly shows.

By Sarah Malik Safar is the Urdu and Arabic word for ‘journey’. Through a series of interviews with Muslim women from different backgrounds, Sarah Malik delves into the emotional and spiritual aspects of travel with often moving results.

Into Iraq *

By Michael Palin In the literary companion to his latest TV series, Palin tracks the River Tigris through Iraq to get a sense of what life is like now in a region that was once the cradle of civilisation but has suffered greatly. There are plenty of patches of light amid the gloom, as the author’s warmth and humour shines through in a vivid portrait of a complex country. 

Read next Wanderlust's exclusive interview with Michael Palin on Iraq

Britain’s Best Bike Ride *

By Hannah Reynolds & John Walsh

There are multiple ways to cycle from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, and the route created for this book takes inspiration from just how many there are, highlighting the myriad quiet roads, quaint villages and wild landscapes along the way that are worth detouring for. The result is a wonderfully illustrated guide that puts the choice in your hands. 

Endurance *

By Levison Wood

In this engaging anthology, explorer and Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award-winner Levison Wood gathers 100 accounts of human endurance throughout history. Packed full of you-couldn’t-make-it-up stories and adventures, he finds plenty of meat in the enduring nature of the human spirit and the physical determination that it sometimes takes to achieve one’s goals. 

Bridges of the World *

By Giancarlo Ascari & Pia Valentinis

Throughout history, bridges have been used as a way to link people, places and cultures. This collection of stories uses its subject matter as a jumping-off point to explore legends, anecdotes and the inspirational lives of those who designed, built and crossed some of the greatest bridges of the world.

Tourists: How the British Went Abroad to Find Themselves

By Lucy Lethbridge A fascinating study of the emergence of the UK’s travel industry, from the end of the Napoleonic Wars through to the package holiday boom and on to the Instagram era, taking in tour guides and guide books along the way. Lethbridge casts a canny, sharp eye on the British traveller’s often-misguided perceptions of both themselves and their hosts.

My Family and Other Enemies

By Mary Novakovich

Part-travelogue, part-memoir, Mary Novakovich focuses on the relatively little-known Lika region in central Croatia as the battleground for exploring her own complicated relationship with the country and her family’s roots. As she visits and revisits her relatives over the years, she crafts a moving, living portrait of the landscape, the people who inhabit it and the culture and history surrounding them.

By Erika Fatland

Having established herself as one of travel writing’s rising stars with Sovietstan and Border, Erika Fatland ascends to new heights with her fascinating journey among the isolated villages spanning the fractious borders that divide up the Himalaya region. Expect a collision of religion, history, tradition and politics at the roof of the world.

The Draw of the Sea

By Wyl Menmuir What is it about the water that calls us back to it? Using Cornwall and its communities as his muse, author Wyl Menmuir poetically explores our fascination with and dependence on the sea. He talks to fishermen, beachcombers, surfers and other locals about living their lives by the tides, and explores his own personal emotional connection to the water.

Island to Island: From Somerset to Seychelles

By Sally Mills

Isolated, with neither electricity nor running water yet teeming with rare species, Aride Island in the Seychelles is the stuff of Robinson Crusoe-esque dreams. It was certainly enticing enough to lure conservationist Sally Mills and her husband to take a job there. This account of their 20-month experience managing the Aride Island Nature Reserve is a blend of wondrous wildlife and hard decisions, as they try to bridge the vast culture gap with the local rangers.

Taverna by the Sea: One Greek Island Summer

By Jennifer Barclay

More than one traveller has dreamt of spending the summer working at a bar overlooking the Aegean. For her latest intimate insight into Greek island life and culture, Jennifer Barclay does just that, finding herself serving customers and fending off vicious competition at the titular taverna in the old village of Olympos on the Dodecanese island of Karpathos.

The Raven’s Nest

By Sarah Thomas

The otherworldly scenery of Iceland seems to capture most visitors’ imaginations, but Sarah Thomas fell hard for its rugged charms – and a local, too – and quickly decamped to the island. While her marriage plays out in the background, the book details Thomas’ growing connection to and understanding of that extraordinary landscape and the people and wildlife that call it home.

Read next Wanderlust: Off the Page - the brand new travel podcast

Zero Altitude: How I Learned to Fly Less and Travel More

By Helen Coffey It’s no secret that travel has a flying issue, but can we really avoid it and the environmental harm it does? Yes, reckons Helen Coffey, whose book explores flight-free science and thinking with her on-the-road attempts to put it into practice. The opportunities that open up for adventure are encouraging.

Along the Amber Route

By CJ Schüler Now out in paperback, CJ Schüler’s acclaimed – and timely – account of following the millennia-old trade route of those supplying amber to high-end customers takes him from St Petersburg down to Venice, tracing a history of Central European progress and suffering along the way.

Wild Places

By Sarah Baxter

The draw of the wild – the remote, the untamed, the inhospitable, the bizarre – has long spurred travellers forward. Here long-standing Wanderlust contributor Sarah Baxter collects 25 raw areas to visit, from UK spots like Ennerdale, St Kilda and Strumble Head to Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest and New Zealand’s Te Wāhipounamu, all colourfully illustrated by Amy Grimes.

By Leonie Charlton

A paperback release for those who missed Leonie Charlton’s beautifully written memoir about pony trekking in the Outer Hebrides first time around. The journey serves as a cathartic expedition for the grieving writer – but also a great sketch of one of the UK’s wildernesses.

Shape of a Boy

By Kate Wickers

Becoming a parent has put paid to many a traveller’s ambitions. Not Kate Wickers, who relays her family’s misadventures in the likes of Japan, Cuba and Borneo and what she found out on her journeys – usually learned the hard way, and often the funniest way too.

A Trip of One’s Own

By Kate Wills

After her marriage falls apart within a year, journalist Kate Wills takes inspiration from a litany of female travellers and writers throughout history – from Emily Hahn to Gertrude Bell, to Virginia Woolf – to experience the world on her own terms. This memoir recounts her solo journeys and collects plenty of tips for travellers. Now out in paperback.

From the Cliffs of Cornwall to Kilimanjaro

By Eric Marks

Eric Marks, a sprightly 75-year-old, has an ambition to join his nephew and climb Africa’s highest peak. But before he can get to Tanzania, Marks needs to get into trekking shape. This is how he finds himself tackling large northern sections of the South East Coast Path – from Minehead to St Just – where he picks up a taste for walking and meets plenty of characters along the way.

Lost Lanes Central

By Jack Thurston

With many post-pandemic cyclists continuing to enjoy the delights of home, you can avoid the crush of the pack with this guide to 36 routes of varying ability in the under-appreciated Midlands and beyond, taking in the likes of Lincolnshire, Shropshire, the Peaks and the Lakes.

The Slow Road to Tehran

By Rebecca Lowe

Figuring that the best way to discover the truth about a place is to experience it yourself, Rebecca Lowe grabbed her bicycle to wind 11,000km through the Middle East. Taking her from Europe to Iran via Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and the Gulf, the novice cyclist’s oft-punctured journey allows her to see the human faces behind the headlines. Illuminating, gripping and often funny.

The Green Traveller

By Richard Hammond

It’s something of an understatement to say that green considerations are a major concern for travellers and tour operators alike these days. It’s certainly a reality that the founder of greentraveller.co.uk, Richard Hammond (not the guy from Top Gear), takes very seriously. Here he provides handy tips on helping you plan an eco-conscious trip, including ways to see through “greenwashing” and how to be a more thoughtful visitor, as well as lists for destination inspiration.

The Saviour Fish: Life and Death on Africa’s Greatest Lake

By Mark Weston

Once one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, Lake Victoria and the communities that rely on it are grappling with the devastating results of climate change. Mark Weston goes to live on an island on the Tanzanian side of the lake, and paints a vivid picture of a way of life under man-made threat.

Wanderlust Himalaya

Edited by Cam Honan

Get a widescreen dose of trekking inspiration with this glossy guide that’s part coffee-table read, part practical advice. Taking you through Nepal, Bhutan, India, Tibet and Pakistan via maps, alternative itineraries and tips from those who have done it, this book will still look sharp on your shelf while you’re out wandering the roof of the world.  

Walking with Nomads

By Alice Morrison

Adventurer Alice Morrison’s passion for her adopted homeland of Morocco takes her on three expeditions across it, centred on the Draa River, the Sahara and the Atlas mountains. But she doesn’t just shine a fascinating, intimate light on the life and culture outside of the cities – as well as on the sex lives of camels – but also the threat that climate change poses to this already challenging landscape.  

By Simon Parker

People travel for all sorts of reasons. In Simon Parker’s case, it’s to heal. With a close friend dying and COVID-19 looming large – sparking a suppressed anxiety disorder – he sets off on a 5,500km journey around Britain on a bicycle. Along the way he discovers a new sense of hope and optimism, not just in himself but in a country blearily emerging from lockdown.  

Galapagos Crusoes: A Year Alone with the Birds

By Bryan & June Nelson

Imagine spending a whole year on the Galápagos Islands. The late zoologist Bryan Nelson’s 1968 ornithological classic gets updated with the input of his wife, June. Having undertaken the isolated, wild study with him, she further fleshes out the experience of living alone (and often roughly) in this wildlife paradise.

The Architectural Guides

A good way to truly understand a country is through its architecture, revealing the true history of culture, politics and economics than underpin it. DOM publishers’ The Architectural Guides don’t just provide an excellently curated list of the most intriguing buildings in a destination for visitors to seek out, but also the context behind their construction and ideas they represent. Successfully combining DOM publishers’ joint passion for architecture and high-quality books, the 150-strong series is not only one of the best on-to-go travel guides to appreciate some more off-the-beaten track destinations – including Bishkek, Iran, Kabul, Kazakhstan, Minsk, Sofia, Tunis and the UAE – but beautifully constructed enough to simply inspire armchair travellers at home. You can find the full catalogue at dom-publishers.com .

The Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century Edited by Jessica Vincent

The Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century

Edited by Jessica Vincent

The best travel writing inspires and educates at the same time. Collecting together 30 of the best travel stories of the last two decades, this book doesn’t just send us around the world, but brings it a little closer to us too. And obviously Wanderlust is featured in it!

Crossed off the Map By Shafik Meghji

Crossed off the Map

By Shafik Meghji

Wanderlust contributor and South America expert Shafik’s new title uses a mix of travel writing, history and reportage to tell the story of Bolivia – how its impressive influence helped shape the world, and how its people are responding to the modern world. 

Great Escapes: Alps

Europe’s big mountains are gaining travellers’ attention, especially out of ski season. This coffee table book reveals the most picturesque places to stay – historic inns, monasteries, mountain huts, palazzi, even a youth hostel – balancing the accommodation imagery with the widescreen scenery.

How to Become a Professional Travel Writer By Mark Eveleigh & Narina Exelby

How to Become a Professional Travel Writer

By Mark Eveleigh & Narina Exelby

Fancy becoming the next Paul Theroux? This handy title breaks down the practical realities of becoming a proper ‘getting paid’ travel journalist – how to pitch, how to get on press trips, how to balance the books and, of course, tips on actually writing the pieces. 

Black Lion By Sicelo Mbatha

By Sicelo Mbatha

The moving, inspirational tale of how Sicelo Mbatha was irresistibly drawn to becoming a guide in South Africa’s Imfolozi Nature Reserve, shaking off a childhood trauma and instead forging an astonishing spiritual connection to the wilderness.

Shadowlands: A Journey Through Lost Britain By Matthew Green

Shadowlands: A Journey Through Lost Britain

By Matthew Green

Historian Green goes on a moving journey across Britain to find the ghosts of places that found themselves lost – whether through disaster or mis-deed – telling the disappeared occupants’ long unheard stories.

Epic Train Journeys By Monisha Rajesh

Epic Train Journeys

By Monisha Rajesh

Mixing the spectacular with a good selection of the niche and little-known, the 40 journeys is this well-presented photobook take you from the Andean Explorer in Peru through to The Ghan in Australia.  

Life Lessons From the Amazon by Pip Stewart

Life Lessons From the Amazon

By Pip Stewart

Following her gruelling world’s-first 1,014km journey following Guyana’s Essequibo River from source to sea, Pip Stewart bring home with her a lot of life lessons and a flesh-eating disease. In this absorbing read, she shares the story of her encounters with caiman, jaguars and the indigenous Waî Waî community – and the life-changing perspectives that the experience gave her.

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The experts: travel agents on 20 ways to book a sustainable and sensational summer holiday

Keen to get away? Here is how to find a great deal, pick the perfect destination and support the local community

A holiday should be relaxing, but booking one can be a fraught experience, with days lost to endless scrolling, comparing reviews and prices. How can you be sure you are getting a good deal? Travel agents share their tips for the most affordable, sustainable and memorable trips.

1. Book like an agent

“Everybody views themselves as a travel agent and they can be up to a point,” says Paul Sharp from Newcastle upon Tyne, who operates as part of the Travel Counsellors network and has 30 years’ experience in the industry. He says the rise of budget airlines and online booking have led to people feeling confident about organising trips themselves. What is the one thing we should know when doing so? “It is a false economy to book things separately because you have no protection,” Sharp says. He gives the example of someone planning a trip to South Africa to watch rugby, who booked flights with the airline and hotels directly and rugby tickets elsewhere. The game was cancelled but the flights and hotel were non-refundable. If they had been booked together, the trip would have been covered under package travel regulations. “Book with a company you trust and know – there are a lot of sites that crop up and you don’t really know their provenance,” he says.

2. Be an early bird

“Planning in advance is always going to be better value,” says Helen Youngman , an independent travel agent and partner at 360 Private Travel , based near Norwich. “Late deals do exist, but a lot of hotels use ‘dynamic pricing’, which means prices increase as availability goes down. Flights are only going to increase in price the closer you get to the departure date because the fuller the flight gets, the more expensive it will be.” Sharp adds: “Don’t hang on for a last-minute deal because you could end up disappointed. Scheduled flights tend to be available about 11 months in advance, so that is the best time to book. Also, at that stage, a lot of hotels and accommodation providers will have early-bird specials.”

3. If you do book late, be flexible

Jessica Bollinger, who works in the Bristol branch of Danish travel agent Kilroy , which specialises in youth and adventure holidays, agrees that late deals are now something of a myth. “They are not unheard of, but with a last-minute deal there are certain things you’re not going to get. So you have to be really open-minded as to where you’re going to go,” she says.

4. Avoid peak season

The cheapest time to travel is always outside the school holidays, says Youngman, with Christmas and new year the most expensive times. Can you get a good deal if you fly on Christmas or New Year’s Day itself? Sometimes, she says, “but a lot of people are catching on to that trick”. If you have to go in the school holidays, be open to going somewhere off the beaten track. “Being clever about destinations is a good plan,” says Youngman. “In Europe, look farther east at places such as Montenegro, Albania and Georgia. And Morocco is a good summer destination for families.”

5. Midweek can be more affordable

“Midweek can be cheaper, it just depends on availability,” says Youngman. “A Thursday to Monday trip is going to be slightly more expensive than Monday to Friday, but all travel fares are based on availability, so the further in advance you can book, the better.”

6. Take out travel insurance when you book

A lot of people sort out their insurance at the airport, says Sharp, but it is best to do it as soon as you have booked your trip. He says: “Travel insurance doesn’t just cover you if you lose a bag or are poorly while you are away. It also covers you should you need to cancel for an insurable reason before you travel.” This includes illness or a bereavement.

7. On solo trips, consider a group tour

If you are travelling alone, “pretty much anywhere is possible”, says Youngman. “Embarking on your first solo trip can be daunting, which is why small group tours are an amazing way to travel with like-minded people. Some companies I work with are doing specialist female-only tours with visits to female entrepreneurs, co-operatives, makers and bakers. Small group tours are great because they handle all the logistics, include really immersive experiences and are safe. They pick you up from the airport, and from that point onwards, you’re travelling with other people and you’ve got an expert guide.”

8. Have a daily budget

“We advise setting a daily limit for yourself while travelling and then multiplying that number by the days you are away to get the amount to save for your spending money,” says Bollinger. “When you work it out like this, it makes a lot more sense in people’s minds, especially young people who don’t have much budgeting experience. It also keeps you accountable to yourself, so you don’t blow everything right at the beginning and then have nothing left for the end.” To stick to a tight budget, she says: “Cook food as you go along and use public transport instead of tourist buses – this will really help you save money.”

9. Consider all-inclusive options

“If you are going to spend a lot of time eating and drinking in the hotel, I recommend upgrading to an all-inclusive option if possible,” says Youngman, “especially if you’d like a cocktail or two and you’re grazing throughout the day. Otherwise it can all add up and when you check out it costs a fortune.” With active holidays such as skiing or safaris, she adds: “If you have the option to choose an all-inclusive package that includes the activities, food and drink, that is usually a more cost-effective way of travelling. Because sometimes they will really sting you on the extras and it will be more expensive.”

10. Work your way around the world

“A working holiday is a great way to fund your trip,” says Bollinger, who helps people book travel to Australia, New Zealand and Canada by organising working holidays so they can extend their stay. “A lot of jobs will be hospitality-related, but if you go to a more rural spot you can do farm work, and if you have qualifications already, sometimes those can be used. Working holidays in Canada are often at ski resorts near Vancouver, so you get the added benefit of being in a beautiful place to take advantage of the winter sports.”

11. Travel as sustainably as possible

“You can get to most places in Europe by train , so if you are open to slowing down and having a more relaxed itinerary, not only are you travelling more sustainably, but you have more time to absorb the culture surrounding you,” says Youngman. “Be good to the environment you are travelling to see.” She stresses the importance of limiting flights as much as possible, especially internally, and avoiding indirect long-haul options. “We highly recommend ‘open-jaw flights’, which means you fly into one destination and out of another, to limit the number of flights,” says Bollinger. “We also promote travelling for longer in one destination as opposed to trying to go to many in a short time, and travelling overland when possible, instead of taking multiple flights.”

12. Offset carbon emissions with a reputable company

When considering carbon from flights, says Thomas Power of Pura Aventura , a B Corp sustainable travel company in Brighton: “Don’t believe the airline schemes, or anyone else who promises you absolution for a few quid. While 85% of offset schemes may be worthless, there are high-quality carbon credits starting at about £20 a tonne.” These can be bought to compensate for CO 2 emissions. Companies such as “ C Level ​ ​help you at least take positive action to balance your impact”, says Power.

13. Think of responsible travel as a ‘fair exchange’

When travelling, says Power, consider: “What are we giving and what are we receiving? Is it a fair exchange? Is somebody getting something in return for what I am receiving in this transaction?” This applies to everything from “taking a cruise to Venice and not giving anything to the city, to going camping in Sussex and getting a supermarket delivery to your tent instead of going to the village shop or buying eggs from the house down the road”. This concept of “fair exchange” can be beneficial for everyone, he says, by giving you access to unique experiences. “In terms of the economy, the less money that leaves the village, town or city, the better,” he says.

14. Embrace the great outdoors

If you camp out “you are closer to nature than any other accommodation option”, says Brodie Farrow, of the online camping and touring travel agent Pitchup . There are many benefits to this, she says: “It is really good for mental health. It is also a much more sustainable option: the carbon footprints of outdoor holidays tend to be much lower than hotel stays, as people travel by car rather than flying and it promotes local produce and low-impact activities such as hiking in the surrounding area. The accommodation or pitches are much less carbon intensive than hotels, too. And you have a positive impact on the community that you are visiting: camping attracts a higher number of customers at a lower cost than hotels do, which can help to underpin the viability of local facilities such as the shop, the bar and takeaway, and that benefits the wider community.”

15. If you are camping-phobic, glamp

“There really is something for everyone,” says Farrow. “You can get glamping accommodation with four-poster beds if you prefer camping in luxury, or you can go really wild and remote, with no facilities, out on your own and back to nature. I think you would be hard-pressed to say that there is nothing that appeals.” Although glamping has become a fairly pricey option, she says: “Some types are much cheaper than others. You can get some ‘pod-only’ camping accommodation, where you bring your own bedding, starting from £15 a night.”

16. If the weather is terrible …

… And you are under canvas, “try to keep your bedroom a wet-gear-free zone”, says Farrow. “Store and dry wet stuff in your porch area rather than in your bedroom compartment. Protect your equipment by putting it in plastic bags or dry bags. Don’t let anything touch your tent walls or you will have soggy socks.” For activities, she suggests, “swimming in the sea, because you are wet already, or going to the pub”. If you are disappointed by the weather on a non-camping holiday, “as annoying as it is, try to embrace it”, says Sharp. Many people come back from their holidays exhausted because they try to see and do everything when they’re away. Instead, he says: “Have a lie-in, ask local people which is the best restaurant for a long, lazy lunch and, most of all, relax and recharge your batteries – it’s a holiday after all.”

17. For best value destinations, try …

“Go for Belgrade over Berlin,” says Youngman. “It has an underground culture scene very similar to Berlin 20 years ago.” For backpackers, Bollinger suggests: “Some places in Central America can be really affordable. Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala are good options for someone wanting to think outside the box.” Sharp says there are more affordable options in “Cyprus, Bulgaria, Turkey and Egypt, compared with Spain and the Balearics, which are becoming increasingly expensive due to cost of living increases”. If you are looking for a staycation, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Cornwall are some of the most popular UK locations on Pitchup, says Farrow, which can inflate the price. Locations such as Pembrokeshire and the Isle of Wight are cheaper.

18. For a trip of a lifetime that doesn’t cost the earth …

“North Macedonia is just amazing,” says Youngman. “Ohrid has beautiful cobbled streets, Ottoman architecture , fantastic food and wine and you can visit the most biodiverse lake in Europe.” Farrow says: “I camped at the foot of Ben Nevis last year before hiking up it. The weather was terrible but it was worth it for the unreal views.” While Bollinger’s most memorable trip was “Interrailing in Europe and finding a way to do things on my own. It was before smartphones, so it was a very interesting experience and built up my confidence in travelling.”

19. If in doubt, follow local people

“Live like a local person by taking local buses and eating in local spots,” says Bollinger. “It is going to save you money, and will also let you experience life in a different way.” Power adds: “People want to go to Peru but they never come back talking about Machu Picchu, they come back talking about the people they met. Buy local and connections will happen for you. In the absence of interaction with your host community, the things you see are just wallpaper.”

20. And remember: you get what you pay for

“If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is,” says Sharp.

• The experts

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