We’re renaming Black Friday to Book Friday this year to celebrate all our talented BGTW authors. Their compelling stories, informative guides, and inspiring knowledge have accompanied and taken countless people around the world, and any of these anthologies, memoirs, or guidebooks will make an excellent travel book gift idea for any traveller in your life.
Help your loved ones plan their next trip, or travel from their armchair by the festive fireplace, with these perfect travel book gifts written by award-winning BGTW members.
Around the World in 65 Years
With 101 stories and experiences from the road less travelled, the BGTW’s latest travel anthology spans time – pieces from every decade help illustrate how travel has changed since 1960 – and space. Along the way, meet fortune-tellers, Azerbaijani fire-worshippers, baboon hunters, Paddington Bear’s less amenable relatives and passionate expedition naturalists.
Santa says: “This anthology is a timeless and inspiring collection of stories, experiences and imagery by the BGTW’s award-winning writers and photographers. It’s the perfect gift for any traveller looking to be inspired for that next trip, or reflect on their previous journeys.”
Order Online (or email charlotte.copeman@bgtw.org to order one of our limited on-hand copies to pay no postage and packaging)
Small Earthquakes: A Journey Through Lost British History in South America
The British Guild of Travel Writers’ Travel Narrative Book of the Year 2025, Small Earthquakes, by Shafik Meghji, uncovers the fascinating story of Britain’s forgotten connections with South America, from the Atacama Desert to Tierra del Fuego, Easter Island to South Georgia.
Santa says: “The book is an ideal Christmas gift for anyone interested in remarkable tales of footballers and pirates, nitrate kings and wool barons, polar explorers and cowboys, missionaries and radical MPs in some of the world’s most dramatic landscapes.”
My Family and Other Enemies
Mary Novakovich’s award-winning travelogue/memoir, dives into the hinterland of Croatia where her parents were born and reveals a riveting family history over her decades of travel to the region.
Santa says: “As more visitors discover Croatia and its popularity continues to soar, My Family and Other Enemies goes beyond the usual tourist’s perception of this complex country.”
Lonely Planet’s Pocket Algarve
The British Guild of Travel Writers’ Travel Guide Book of the Year 2025, Pocket Algarve, by Daniel James Clarke, takes you beyond the craggy coves and well-known spots, to local festivals, inland trails, and secluded shorelines.
Santa says: “Whether you’ve been to the Algarve before, or you’re a first-time visitor, this incredibly detailed and engaging guide will help readers who seek more meaningful experiences.”
The Science Lover’s Guide to London
The first full colour guidebook to scientific-themed landmarks and attractions in London, by Rachael Rowe.
Santa says: “Ideal for families, home schoolers, students and aspiring scientists, science and engineering fans, people who enjoy unusual museums, science and engineering professionals, and lovers of all things scientific.”
Fiesta
Fiesta, by Daniel Stables, is a non-fiction travel book about the festivals of the world, with a series of first-person narratives, set at some of the world’s most remarkable festivals, serving as a launchpad for anthropological explorations of why we gather together to celebrate in all the wild and wonderful ways that we do.
Santa says: “It’s the perfect Christmas gift, what with Christmas being the most prominent festival in most of our lives – and is ideal for anyone interested in vibrant cultural behaviour across the world, and those interested in taking a deeper look at why human beings act in the extreme and often baffling ways we do when expressing our cultures.”
The Fodor’s Guide to Provence and The French Riviera
Whether you want to explore the charming villages of Provence, mingle with the rich and famous in Cannes, or lounge on the beach in Nice, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Provence & the French Riviera are here to help; by Rebecca McVeigh (and Jennifer Ladonne).
Santa says: “Forget la vie en rose, this is la vie en rosé, experience the South of France with locals who know, live and love the region. Perfect for banishing those winter blues and plotting your next trip with your favourite Francophile.”
Intrepid Japan
Intrepid Japan, by David McElhinney, is a cultural exploration of and love letter to Japan, covering everything from the Tokyo chefs pushing the boundaries of innovative cuisine to the rural regions lost in time that view tourism as the panacea to their economic-depopulation woes.
Santa says: “As a coffee table book and inspiration guide, it’s a perfect Christmas gift for people who are dreaming of visiting Japan and want their journey to go beyond the surface-level experiences of package tour groups.”
Secret Bath
This is an unusual guide to the city of Bath, written by Karen Warren, featuring 150 hidden, quirky or lesser-known places in and around the city.
Santa says: “A perfect Christmas gift for anyone who likes to explore beyond the well-worn tourist sights.”
Happy Land – finding my inner Finn
Tim Bird’s new travel memoir is described by Guild member Shafik Meghji as ‘an entertaining sideways look at Finnish history, culture and identity
Santa says: “Happy Land’ is an absorbing, affectionate and well-informed journey through four decades of life in the country regularly awarded the accolade of ‘World’s Happiest Country’.”
Goodbye Hoop Skirts – Hello World! – The Travels, Triumphs and Tumbles of a Runaway Southern Bell
Mary Moore Mason’s colourful first-person account of her sometimes amusingly chaotic life as the only woman journalist in a Southern USA newsroom, fledgling travel writer based in Athens and then London, UK-USA transatlantic tourism promoter, founding editor of the first UK travel magazine exclusively covering the USA and first – and so far only – American chairman of the British Guild of Travel Writers.
Santa says: “In these chaotic times, this book offers a different and more amusing insight into travel to – and the life within – the USA.”
Order Online (or email marymooremason@phoenixip.com, with Goodbye Hoop Skirts in the subject line, for an author’s discount)
Sister Agatha: The World’s Oldest Serial Killer
An Irish nun will do anything to become the world’s oldest person – even commit murder. Domhnall O’Donoghue draws on his travel experiences in this comedy spanning multiple continents and countries.
Santa says: “Ideal for fans of Irish humour and globetrotting adventures.”
Vietnam (Bradt Guides)
Written by a long-term resident, Joshua Zukas, with contributions from local academics, journalists and travel specialists, this is the most in-depth Vietnam guidebook on the market.
Santa says: “This guidebook is the perfect Christmas gift — packed with inspiration, insider tips, and enough Vietnamese warmth to melt even the frostiest post-holiday blues.”
Order Online (or subscribe via the author’s site for an author’s discount)
Paddling France (Bradt Guides)
The best kayaking, paddling and canoeing routes in France, adapted to all levels, written and researched by France expert and resident, Anna Richards.
Santa says: “Perfect for the water baby or adventurer in your life.”
Why We Travel: 12 Reasons to Travel – and What They Can Teach You About Life
Why We Travel, by Ash Bhardwaj, threads together reflective memoir, evocative travelogue, research, conversation, advice and big ideas. Some of the travels are epic adventures; others are closer to home; and some are journeys of internal exploration.
Santa says: “Why We Travel will give you a fascinating insight into where your motivations come from and inspire you to think about travel from a new and exciting perspective.”
South America: An Anthology of Travel Writing (Bradt Guides)
Bradt’s new South America Travel Writing Anthology is an enchanting scrapbook of personal narratives from travellers in arguably the world’s most exciting and varied continent, including accounts by BGTW Members such as Hilary Bradt, Adrian Phillips and Abigail King.
Santa says: “This anthology is perfect for fireside, armchair travellers, with cities and wilderness, wildlife and eco-tourism, exploration and exploitation, food and drink, backpacking and hiking, books and art, gauchos and their horses, adventure and misadventure.”
A Ride Across America: A 4,000 mile adventure through the small towns and big issues of the USA
On the eve of the 2024 election, a fascinating – and frequently funny – tale of one man (Simon Parker) cycling the breadth of America.
Santa says: “Simon cycled 4,373 miles through eleven states and numerous extreme weather events, via mountains and prairie lands, forests and freeways – the answers to his questions along the way are fascinating.”
Lenny
Laura McVeigh’s magical, moving story told in parallel timelines — one of a pilot falling from the sky in war-torn Libya, the other of a lonely 10-year-old boy in Louisiana — that explores loss, belonging, and the healing power of imagination.
Santa says: “Perfect for thoughtful readers who love literary fiction with heart — anyone who appreciates warmth, emotional depth, and a quietly hopeful tale of human connection.”
Solvenia (Bradt Guides)
Slovenia (Bradt Guides)
Rudolf Abraham’s guide will inspire and inform. Ski in the Alps in the morning, eat a late lunch with world-class chefs in the hilly hinterland then savour an Adriatic sunset with a glass of locally produced fine wine.
Santa says: “This updated Bradt Slovenia Guidebook serves as the perfect travelling companion to a compelling European destination.”
Slow Travel The Cotswolds (including Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford and Bath)
One of Bradt Guides’ award-winning Slow Travel series of local, characterful guides to Britain’s special places, by Caroline Mills.
Santa says: “This guide offers armchair travel to those living in or loving the Cotswolds in addition to an invitation for visitors looking to slow down and enjoy the region’s beauty.”
Mammals of Iberia
Written by BGTW Member James Lowen (and Carlos Bocos), this title combines identification pointers to the mammals of Spain, Portugal and the Balearic Islands with a detailed summary of the region’s finest very best mammal-watching destinations.
Santa says: “ This book will inspire and inform anyone toying with exploring the
wild side of these much-loved Mediterranean countries.”
D-Day Landings (Bradt Guides)
A detailed and practical guide to the D-Day battlefield sites, museums, memorials and cemeteries of Normandy by Mary Anne Evans and Alastair McKenzie.
Santa Says: The perfect gift for history fans who may or may not be planning a visit to Normandy… that is, as long as you don’t mind losing them to this book on Christmas day!
Camping Road Trips UK: 30 adventures with your campervan, motorhome or tent
BGTW Travel Guide Book of the Year 2023, by Caroline Mills.
Santa says: “The perfect gift for anyone that likes to go camping, or has recently purchased a new campervan or camping gear and is looking for inspiration to tour the UK slowly and with purpose.”
Pantanal wildlife: a visitor’s guide to South America’s great wetland
The most user-friendly travel and nature guidebook (by James Lowen) for ecotourists visiting South America’s great wetland – according to Time magazine, ‘one of the world’s greatest places’.
Santa says: “Essential travel information for anyone wanting to experience the best ecotourism experience in South America.”
