Roses are red, violets are blue, we love good books and we hope you do too.
I'm not sure how your week has been but it's been go, go, go at Bradt.
First, get ready to rub your travel-reading eyes because the longlist to our New Travel Writer of the Year has arrived. You can find the details here.
Second, you've until 25th Feb to answer our survey for the chance to win a holiday of pure sunshine. Or, you can just answer the survey and forgo the chance of sunshine. We'd love to hear from you all the same. Find the details for that here.
We have a romantic gift for you in the way of a discount code on our books. Until 29th February, you can get 30% off all Bradt Guides (code DESTINATIONS30) and get your hands on every Footprint guide for just £5 each (code FPFIVER). Happy shopping!
And finally, I'm off to Estonia next week. Now, that's not as exciting for the rest of you but I'm looking forward to it for sure. UNESCO World Heritage, perhaps a light dusting of snow and a cosy sauna to warm up in afterwards.
I'll let you know how it goes.
See you next week,
Cheers, Abi
New Travel Writer of the Year 2024 The Longlist
The 13 pieces longlisted in the 2024 Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year competition are...
Our top pick for a UK break in 2024 combines comfort with genuine sustainable credentials – proof that going green needn’t be a compromise.
The newly opened Mole Resort has 58 stylish lodges set in 125 acres. The surrounding North Devon countryside offers slow-travel heaven: hiking and riding trails, walks along the River Mole (home to kingfishers and otters), ancient churches and atmospheric pubs.
There’s plenty to keep you entertained at the resort too. More than 40 on-site activities include not only golf, swimming and archery but rather less-conventional options like axe-throwing, den-building and wood-whittling. The Cellars Restaurant – set in a 19th-century manor house – has sweeping valley views, while the Library Bar serves a mean cocktail and you’ll find good-value burgers at the bistro. The lodges themselves are equipped with terraces, BBQ facilities and even outdoor hot-tubs. Dogs are actively welcomed – and receive their own doggy bag of goodies on arrival.
What we like best of all, though, is the determined commitment to sustainable tourism. Food is locally sourced, lodges have turf roofs or solar panels, there are charging points for electric cars, staff uniforms are made from recycled plastics, used cooking oil is converted into biofuel, storage ponds irrigate the grounds; there’s even the UK’s first energy-positive lodge. As a result, the resort has received Green Key accreditation, a kitemark of environmental responsibility in the tourism industry.
Which means – whether you’re booking an active family break or a romantic getaway for two – you’ll be doing so with an eco-friendly eye.
Complete our survey and be in with a chance of winning a 7-night stay in Corfu or Kefalonia.
To find out more about our plans for our 50th anniversary, head to our hub page and be the first to hear about our upcoming events, read our exclusive content and participate in the festivities!
It's always a good time to join our Travel Club for exclusive material from authors, behind the scenes access and big discounts on our books.
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