About us

Who we are

Rough Guides is a pioneering global travel brand that’s provided trusted travel advice since 1982, when founder Mark Ellingham published the Rough Guide to Greece. Combining a journalistic approach with an understanding of what travellers really need to know, the book’s instant success spawned a series that quickly covered dozens of destinations, attracting a loyal readership hungry for Rough Guides’ trademark “tell-it-like-it-is” ethos.

In November 2017, Rough Guides became part of Apa Publications, joining Insight Guides and Berlitz Publishing, and expanding to become a full service travel platform, offering tailor-made trips alongside our ground-breaking guidebooks.

What we do

Today Rough Guides is a world-renowned, world-respected hub for everything a traveller needs, from finding inspiration in the features on our award-winning website and podcast series, to our tailor-made trips. Our travel booking platform provides independent-minded travellers with access to the insider insights of local experts around the globe – that tailor-made trip-of-a-lifetime you’ve always dreamed of is but a click away.

And our travel-book roots are as strong as ever too. We publish almost 200 books, from country and pocket guidebooks, to inspirational travel specials and targeted series, including First-Time guides, On a Budget and phrasebooks. Like we said, we’re a one-stop hub for everything a traveller needs.

Our tailor-made trips

Booking a tailor-made trip through Rough Guides is the key to stress-free travel: each trip is organized by a local expert who has been carefully selected and vetted. With heaps of on-the-ground knowledge, our experts will make sure your travels are extraordinary, as well as taking care of all the finer details. And once you’ve booked your trip, the good news is that everything is backed up with a money-back guarantee. All itineraries are totally customizable to your preferences, so why not jump right in and plan that bucket-list trip you’ve been dreaming of? Or, if you haven’t got a destination in mind, search our travel ideas and inspiration to fuel your wanderlust.

Our books

Rough Guides – well known for its “tell-it-like-it-is” ethos – has been publishing authoritative guide books since 1982. Our travel titles cover more than 120 destinations, reaching every corner of the globe. From Rough Guides’ flagship series to handy pocket guides, complimentary eBooks and full-colour inspirational titles – including the 100 Best Places on Earth – our books inform and inspire in equal measure. Well, what are you waiting for? Browse our travel guides today.

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