They’re rarely centre stage but, for anyone who has had the pleasure of being led by a great guide, they are indispensable. They are the backbone of travel, helping us feel, experience and understand cultures and places that we couldn’t hope to fathom on our own.
So, now is your chance to give something back to those who give so much. This year – the 14th Wanderlust World Guide Awards – we received over 3,000 nominations, but we’ve whittled your picks down to just 14; now we need your help.
If you’ve travelled with any of the guides here, send us your comments via post, email, Twitter or Instagram to help our judges decide who should win our special awards. Three guides will be awarded bursaries in a ceremony at London’s Royal Geographical Society on 2 October 2019.
Check out the 2019 Wanderlust World Guide Awards shortlist...