Rough Guides

Rough Guides Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Rough Guides, Publisher, 7 Bell Yard, London.

🌎 Tailor-made trips, trusted worldwide
✈️ 50+ years of expert travel
🤝200+ verified local experts
📚 Guides that inspire millions
👇 Your perfect trip starts here

The year is nearly done, but we're not! The elves in the Rough Guides workshop have been busy all year crafting beautifu...
17/12/2025

The year is nearly done, but we're not! The elves in the Rough Guides workshop have been busy all year crafting beautiful travel guidebooks – and now, there's a final end-of-year offer for you! From now until 28th December, you can bag 40% off everything in our bookshop with the code: FESTIVEDAYS2025. Head to https://shop.roughguides.com/ and give the gift of travel 🌍

12/12/2025

At the far northeastern edge of Hokkaido, the Shiretoko Peninsula feels like Japan at its most untamed. This is where mountains drop straight into the Sea of Okhotsk, where brown bears fish for salmon in clear rivers, and waterfalls spill from cliffs into the sea.

In winter, drift ice rolls in from Russia, transforming the coast into something absolutely unreal.

This month, we’re highlighting all five of Japan’s natural heritage sites. What stands out about Shiretoko is its dramatic coastal cliffs, rich wildlife, and that rare chance to witness the drift ice phenomenon up close.

The name "Shiretoko" comes from the Ainu language and translates to "the end of the earth." It makes sense once you’ve been.

Curious? Check the link in our bio to learn more about Japan’s UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites.

10/12/2025

This month we’re highlighting Japan’s five UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites.

And today we’re heading north to the ancient beech forests of Shirakami-Sanchi.

This remote region of northern Honshu is one of the few places in Japan where you can still walk through untouched primeval forest. The wider forest area stretches across 130,000 hectares, with the core UNESCO zone protecting some of the oldest and most undisturbed sections.

It’s a great place to see the seasons shift from fresh green in spring to bright colors in autumn.

Want to learn more? Check the link in our bio for our guide to outdoor experiences across Japan’s World Natural Heritage Sites.

04/12/2025

Nearly 620 miles (1,000 km) from central Tokyo, the Ogasawara Islands feel like a different world. This remote chain is known for its clear water, coral reefs, and species you won’t find anywhere else.

It’s one of the most untouched marine environments in Japan.
Did you know Japan has five UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites?

Each one protects a different landscape, from dense forests to remote islands.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting a few of our favourites.

Head to the link in our bio for more on these rare ecosystems.

03/12/2025

Beyond Tokyo’s neon and Kyoto’s temples, there’s a wilder side of Japan worth exploring.

The country is home to five UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites, stretching from northern forests to southern islands. Each one protects a distinct landscape and ecosystem found nowhere else.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting a few of our favorites. You might just find one that makes it onto your list.

Today's pick: Amami & Okinawa, home to thick mangrove forests, bright coastlines, and a surprising cast of wildlife, like the endangered Amami rabbit. This subtropical island is known for species found nowhere else on the planet.

Check the link in bio to see our favorite new tailor-made itinerary through the region.

Costa Rica’s jungles cover more than half the country, protecting some of the world’s richest biodiversity. In parks lik...
02/12/2025

Costa Rica’s jungles cover more than half the country, protecting some of the world’s richest biodiversity. In parks like Corcovado and Tortuguero, you can spot sloths, scarlet macaws, and sea turtles in their natural habitats, often just steps from your lodge.

Horace used our Tailor-Made Travel service to explore the country’s rainforests with a local expert who arranged guided hikes, riverboat tours, and eco-lodges deep in the jungle.

"To be honest, I was very nervous about this trip to Costa Rica. I knew very little about the country before I booked my flight. As I began researching my trip to this amazing country I realized how little I really knew. I became concerned about how I would get from one place to another.

Where would I have my meals. What attractions would I see and visit and how would I get there. Along came Rough Guide to the rescue. They took care of everything. Roberto, our travel agent took care of everything. He arranged all of private transportation from the airport to each of our 3 hotels.

He also arranged our excursions from hiking trips through the rainforest to paddling down the river viewing all sorts of wildlife. These tours included very experienced naturalist who guided through the jungle where we were able to see some amazing wildlife.

They also made meal and dining recommendations to the local restaurants. Rough Guide takes the worry out of international travel. I wouldn't hesitate recommending them to friends nor would hesitate using them again."

Plan your own trip through Costa Rica’s rainforests with a local expert today.
https://www.roughguides.com/tailor-made-travel/

28/11/2025

Don't miss out! Our Black Friday sale is only on until 30th November - this is your chance to bag a massive 50% off EVERYTHING in our bookshop. Stock up on our legendary guidebooks for your upcoming travels and snap up some gifts from our inspirational range. From Egypt to Panama, Albania to Corsica, all of our newest books are included! Visit https://shop.roughguides.com/ and enter BlackFriday2025 at checkout to claim your discount 🖤 📚

High in Kerala’s Western Ghats, Munnar is one of India’s main tea-producing regions, known for its cool climate and vast...
27/11/2025

High in Kerala’s Western Ghats, Munnar is one of India’s main tea-producing regions, known for its cool climate and vast estates that still operate much as they have for generations.

Ready to take the trip of your dreams? Our tailor made trips makes traveling easy by taking care of the planning and booking. You work directly with a local travel expert from the area you are traveling to, and together create a customized itinerary.

"I can't praise or recommend the Rough Guides strongly enough for the arrangements for our month in Peru with our two young children. When planning the trip, RGs were attentive, responsive, cheerful, sympathetic and constructive.

The trip we ended up with was amazing: we achieved exactly what we dreamed of - and more. The travel partner RG partnered with in Peru were absolutely first class: everything happened like clockwork with local guides who were professional, informative, kind and always went the extra mile. "

Plan your own trip with a local expert today. https://www.roughguides.com/tailor-made-travel/

25/11/2025

On Yakushima, the forest floor is thick with roots and moss, and some of the cedar trees have been growing here for thousands of years.

The air feels heavy with rain and quiet, and it’s easy to understand why this island is said to have inspired Princess Mononoke.

Located south of Kyushu, Yakushima is one of Japan’s five UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites. Hikers come for the ancient forests and misty trails that climb from subtropical beaches up to cool mountain ridges.

It’s also home to the famous Jōmon Sugi, a cedar estimated to be anywhere from 2,000 to over 7,000 years old.

Want to see it for yourself? Take a look at our featured tailor-made trip through Japan’s World Natural Heritage sites (link is in our bio).

24/11/2025

IT'S BLACK FRIDAY WEEK!
This week, order from our bookshop and you'll get 50% off EVERYTHING with the code: BlackFriday2025 🖤
Stock up on gifts for Christmas or start planning your 2026 getaway with our incredible range of new travel guides. Just visit https://shop.roughguides.com/ and don't forget the code!

20/11/2025

📢 Sound the Black Friday klaxon!
There is 50% off across ALL titles in our bookshop until the end of the month with the code: BlackFriday2025. Whatever trip you are dreaming of, whichever your favourite series, and wherever you want to go, don't miss this opportunity to snap up some of our beautiful travel guides! Head to https://shop.roughguides.com/ now!

Carved deep into the Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge is England’s largest limestone canyon. Here you'll find winding stretch...
19/11/2025

Carved deep into the Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge is England’s largest limestone canyon. Here you'll find winding stretch of cliffs, caves, and walking trails that feels worlds away from city life.

Kevin used our Tailor-Made Travel service to explore rural England with a local expert who built a route complete with quiet stays and scenic hikes.

"Rough Guides does an amazing job with developing the itinerary because they ask what your interests are, what are you interested in learning, seeing and experiencing. From there they develop an itinerary based on your travel desires. Our trip to England was to relive great memories from when we lived there in 1998-2001.

And they put together a perfect itinerary for us. Jane, our travel consultant, stayed in touch with us regularly to ensure our needs were met and we had all the entrance tickets, train tickets and pick up times before we left on our trip.

The trip was great and met all our expectations. And this happened on all other Rough Guides trips we have booked as well. So this was not a one off, lucky break for us. Thank you"

Plan your own trip through England’s countryside with a local expert today.
https://www.roughguides.com/tailor-made-travel/

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