Now in its fifth year, the prestigious Edward Stanford
Travel Writing Awards (ESTWA) exists to champion the
very best travel writing in the world. The nominations
include both multi-award winning titles and debut
authors with books that will both stimulate thought and
inspire travel, while bringing lesser known parts of the
world sharply into focus.
The shortlist of 57 books, divided into ten awards
categories, will take the reader on a fascinating, and
sometimes challenging, voyage into our planet’s past
and future, across the seven continents and into hidden
corners and unexplored cultures.
Matias Corea's, Two Wheels South, has been shortlist-
ed in the "Photography Travel Book Of The Year". Corea
shares his insights on how to prepare, choose the right
motorcycle, what to pack, how to plan the route, where
to camp and last last but not least; how to prepare your
mind.
The ‘Travel Cookery Book of the Year’ category un-
locks the secrets of cuisine with Priya Basil’s thought
provoking mediation on food Be My Guest looking
further into family, identity, immigration and hospitality
at the table. Indulge in The Forest Feast Mediterranean
by Erin Gleeson for vegetarian inspiration and enjoy the
vibrant collection of recipes from Indonesian in Fire
Islands by Eleanor Ford.
In the ‘Adventure Travel Book of the Year’, readers can
delight in Lara Prior-Palmer’s highly evocative depic-
tion of her journey to become the youngest ever female
competitor to win the Mongol Derby. Mark Synnott’s
nail-biting read depicts Alex Honnold’s attempt to sum-
mit the notorious rock formation El Capitan “free solo” –
N
E W S
no equipment, no rope, no climbing partner - where one
single mistake would mean certain death. While Gavin
Thurston gives us a down-to-earth and often humorous
glimpse behind the camera lens, with Journeys in the
Wild: The Secret Life of a Cameraman.
Vivien Godfrey, Chairman and Chief Executive of
Stanfords, says, “We’re delighted to announce this year’s
shortlist; a sensational line up of immensely talented
writers across the full spectrum of the travel writing
genre.
“The calibre and diversity of the books on the short-
list make the judging process extremely difficult! But I’m
incredibly proud of Stanfords’ long history in supporting
the world’s greatest adventurers and travel enthusiasts,
and these awards champion our extraordinary authors”
The winner of the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the
Year Award, in association with The Authors Club, will
receive £2,500 at the awards ceremony which takes place
at The London Transport Museum on 26th February
2020. The event will be compered by former Country-
file and Wish You Were Here presenter and author Julia
Bradbury.
Each winner will be presented with a hand-made
globe featuring a design produced exclusively for the
ESTWAs.
The final award is the Edward Stanford Outstanding
Contribution to Travel Writing. The previous winners
were Colin Thubron, Bill Bryson, Michael Palin and Jan
Morris.
TRAVERSE 127