Rough Guides

Rough Guides
Name	Rough Guides
Founder	Mark Ellingham, Martin Dunford
Country	United Kingdom

Rough Guides is a prominent travel guide book publisher known for its comprehensive and detailed guides to various destinations around the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Founded by Mark Ellingham and Martin Dunford in 1982, the company has become a leading authority on travel guides, with a wide range of titles that cater to different types of travelers, from backpackers to luxury travelers, visiting places like Paris, New York City, Tokyo, and Sydney. Rough Guides has also collaborated with notable travel writers, such as Bill Bryson, Paul Theroux, and Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler, to create unique and informative guides to destinations like Australia, India, and South America. The company's guides often feature detailed information on London's British Museum, Rome's Colosseum, and Beijing's Great Wall of China, among other famous landmarks.

History of Rough Guides

The history of Rough Guides dates back to 1982, when Mark Ellingham and Martin Dunford published the first Rough Guide to Greece, which quickly gained popularity among travelers to Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos. The success of this initial guide led to the publication of more titles, including guides to Europe, North America, and South America, with contributions from experienced travel writers like Pico Iyer and Jan Morris. Rough Guides' early success was also influenced by the work of other travel guide publishers, such as Lonely Planet and Frommer's, which had already established themselves in the market with guides to destinations like California, Florida, and Hawaii. As the company grew, it expanded its range of titles to include guides to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, with a focus on destinations like Cairo, Marrakech, and Bangkok. Rough Guides has also been recognized for its contributions to travel writing, with awards from organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the British Guild of Travel Writers, which have also honored writers like Eric Newby and Dervla Murphy.

Rough Guides Travel Series

The Rough Guides travel series is known for its comprehensive and detailed guides to various destinations around the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The series features guides to popular destinations like New York City, London, Paris, and Tokyo, as well as more off-the-beaten-path locations like Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Ethiopia. Each guide is written by experienced travel writers who have a deep knowledge of the destination, and features detailed information on attractions, accommodations, and restaurants, as well as practical advice on transportation and safety. The series has been praised for its accuracy and attention to detail, with many guides featuring contributions from notable travel writers like Colin Thubron and William Dalrymple, who have written about destinations like China, India, and Russia. Rough Guides has also partnered with other travel companies, such as Expedia and TripAdvisor, to provide travelers with a wide range of resources and tools to plan their trips to destinations like Australia, Canada, and South Africa.

Notable Titles and Authors

Rough Guides has published a wide range of notable titles over the years, including guides to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some of the most popular titles include the Rough Guide to Spain, the Rough Guide to Italy, and the Rough Guide to India, which have been written by experienced travel writers like Jason Webster and Samanth Subramanian. The company has also published guides to more off-the-beaten-path destinations, such as the Rough Guide to Mongolia and the Rough Guide to Papua New Guinea, which have been written by writers like Roy Chapman Andrews and Kira Salak. In addition to its travel guides, Rough Guides has also published a range of other titles, including phrasebooks, maps, and photography books, which have featured the work of photographers like Steve McCurry and Annie Leibovitz. The company has also collaborated with notable authors, such as Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux, to create unique and informative guides to destinations like Australia and South America.

Impact on Travel Writing

Rough Guides has had a significant impact on the travel writing industry, with its comprehensive and detailed guides to various destinations around the world. The company's guides have been praised for their accuracy and attention to detail, and have become a trusted resource for travelers planning trips to destinations like Paris, Rome, and Tokyo. Rough Guides has also influenced the work of other travel guide publishers, such as Lonely Planet and Frommer's, which have followed in its footsteps with guides to destinations like California, Florida, and Hawaii. The company's guides have also been recognized for their contributions to travel writing, with awards from organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the British Guild of Travel Writers, which have also honored writers like Eric Newby and Dervla Murphy. Rough Guides has also partnered with other travel companies, such as Expedia and TripAdvisor, to provide travelers with a wide range of resources and tools to plan their trips to destinations like Australia, Canada, and South Africa.

Rough Guides Publishing Company

The Rough Guides publishing company is based in London and has a team of experienced editors, writers, and designers who work together to create the company's range of travel guides and other titles. The company is owned by Penguin Random House, which has also published guides to destinations like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Rough Guides has a strong commitment to quality and accuracy, and uses a rigorous research and editing process to ensure that its guides are the best they can be. The company has also been recognized for its contributions to travel writing, with awards from organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the British Guild of Travel Writers, which have also honored writers like Colin Thubron and William Dalrymple. Rough Guides has also partnered with other travel companies, such as Expedia and TripAdvisor, to provide travelers with a wide range of resources and tools to plan their trips to destinations like Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Series and Spin-Offs

Rough Guides has published a range of series and spin-offs over the years, including the Rough Guide to Europe, the Rough Guide to Asia, and the Rough Guide to Africa. The company has also published guides to more off-the-beaten-path destinations, such as the Rough Guide to Mongolia and the Rough Guide to Papua New Guinea. In addition to its travel guides, Rough Guides has also published a range of other titles, including phrasebooks, maps, and photography books, which have featured the work of photographers like Steve McCurry and Annie Leibovitz. The company has also collaborated with notable authors, such as Bill Bryson and Paul Theroux, to create unique and informative guides to destinations like Australia and South America. Rough Guides has also partnered with other travel companies, such as Expedia and TripAdvisor, to provide travelers with a wide range of resources and tools to plan their trips to destinations like Paris, Rome, and Tokyo. The company's guides have been recognized for their contributions to travel writing, with awards from organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the British Guild of Travel Writers, which have also honored writers like Eric Newby and Dervla Murphy.

Category:Travel guide books