Discover Authentic Travel Experiences
Real Travel Guides: Explore the World Independently and Responsibly
Explore Deeper, Travel Smarter, Live the Journey
Real Travel Guides: For travelers who crave freedom, authenticity, and meaningful connection, without the price tag or rigidity of organized tours.
Independent self-guided travel
We offer clear, step-by-step itineraries that travelers can customise or combine to suit their interests. Each guide provides practical booking advice for trains, ferries, buses, and unique local accommodations. With easy-to-follow maps, estimated journey times, and a wealth of money-saving tips, these guides ensure that every trip is both smooth and affordable.
Local Insights & Insider Expertise
Each Real Travel Guide draws on local insights and insider expertise, written with on-the-ground contributors who live and breathe the culture every day. Readers can expect honest advice on food, customs, safety, and sustainable choices, along with hidden-gem suggestions and language basics that help transform an ordinary trip into a truly authentic experience.
Slow, Responsible Exploration
Focusing on slow, responsible exploration, Real Travel Guides emphasise travel by rail and other low-impact transportation methods. They offer inspiring ideas for visiting lesser-known towns, countryside escapes, and picturesque coastal getaways, while also providing helpful guidance on respecting local communities and travelling lightly.
Our Guides
Dreaming of France or Italy
but dreading pricey escorted tours or stressful car rentals?
Our guides show you how to plan a flexible, self-guided adventure using some of Europe’s most efficient and easy-to-navigate rail networks.
The guides are your essential companion for exploring unforgettable cities, hidden gems, and idyllic landscapes with confidence and ease.
Designed for first-time visitors and those seeking a more relaxed, authentic travel experience in Europe.
Real Travel Guides
About Us
Real Travel Guides is a small independent publisher dedicated to helping travelers explore the
world independently and responsibly.
Our books are meticulously researched to support
authentic, self-guided travel—no organized tours, no rigid schedules—just practical advice, recommended itineraries, and cultural insights.
We work closely with local experts to share insider knowledge and unique perspectives that bring each destination to life.
Our focus is on slow, sustainable travel that connects you with local people, places, and traditions—giving you the confidence to explore independently and the opportunity to experience each destination in a
more meaningful and memorable way.