02 Sep 2023
London, 1 September 2023: Viking, the world's leading exploration company, and Stanfords, the world-renowned retailer of maps and travel books which was established in 1853, announce a new partnership - Viking is now the presenting sponsor of the 2024 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards. Nominations will be open for the 2024 awards from 1 September to early November. The shortlists will be announced in early December with the winners being revealed in March 2024. A new category has been introduced for 2024 – the inaugural 'Viking Award for Fiction with a Sense of Place'. Viking guests, who are known for their explorer spirits, will have the opportunity to nominate their favourite books which have been published in the past 12 months.
Named after the founder of Stanfords, The Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards were created in 2015 to celebrate excellence in travel writing. Other categories for 2024 include The Edward Stanford Travel Book of the Year, the Children's Travel Book of the Year, the Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year and the Edward Stanford Outstanding Contribution to Travel Writing Award, which was first presented to the legendary author Bill Bryson in 2015.
Wendy Atkin-Smith, Managing Director of Viking UK, said: 'The Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards are known for celebrating the very best travel writers from across the world – many of whom are modern day explorers. Our culturally curious guests share our passion for reading and learning about the literary heritage of the destinations we visit so we are very proud to partner with Stanfords and to be the presenting sponsor of the awards this year.'
Vivien Godfrey, Chairman and CEO of the Edward Stanford Group, said: 'We are delighted that Viking and their culturally curious guests will be a part of our 2024 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards. We have felt for some time that involving readers in our Awards is important. By partnering with Viking, we can hear from Viking guests who love travel and travel writing as they nominate their favourite works of fiction written with a true sense of place.'
Viking, which is known for offering culturally enriching experiences both on shore and on board, provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes across all seven continents. Closer to home, Viking's other cultural partners in the UK include the British Library, Heywood Hill and the Wimbledon BookFest as well as the British Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts.
Travellers can also discover more about the local culture and literary history of the destinations they visit with Viking on shore excursions or on board via Viking's resident historians and lecture programme as well as the carefully curated onboard libraries which can be found across Viking's fleet.
On Viking's fully guided three-night extension on its European Sojourn itinerary, guests are able to experience the history, myth and intrigue of Transylvania's Bran Castle in Romania which is widely considered to be the inspiration behind the home of Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's classic novel. Prague, a UNESCO City of Literature and the setting for many famous novels, including Prague Tales and The Unbearable Lightness of Being, enjoys a rich literary heritage and is featured on Viking's Elegant Elbe itinerary. At the Franz Kafka Museum visitors can explore the relationship between the writer, who spent most of his life in Prague, and the city that shaped him through original letters, photographs, publications and films. In Paris guests can visit the bookshop Shakespeare and Company which was founded in 1919 and was a popular hangout for writers including Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein. On the Mississippi guests can visit Mark Twain's childhood home in the town where grew up and where he drew inspiration for his most famous novels, as well as the Museum Gallery which features 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings which depict scenes from Twain's novels. Go to https://vikingtop10.co.uk/literary-locations/ for more inspiration.
Explorer Society Members, who have travelled with Viking at least once, are invited to join the Viking Book Club. Every month a member, a well-known author, or one of the Viking team select a book and copies are then sent out to a selection of members for them to review. Recent reviews can be found at: https://www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk/why-viking/community/book-club.html
Stanfords' stores are located in Covent Garden, Bristol and inside the Royal Geographical Society. Stanfords offers an unparalleled selection of maps and travel books and has knowledgeable and experienced staff to help travellers choose the best items for their journey. The London and Bristol shops host frequent author talks to inspire Stanfords customers.
To make a booking or for more information about Viking call 0800 458 69 00 or go to www.viking.com To browse Stanfords' extensive collection go to https://www.stanfords.co.uk/ To make a nomination for the 2024 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards presented by Viking go to: https://www.stanfords.co.uk/edward-stanford-travel-writing-awards
ENDS
Viking media contacts:
Viking UK Press Office: ukpressoffice@viking.com
Bryony Gammon: bryony.gammon@viking.com
Carys Bedford: carys.bedford@viking.com
Emma Lepley: emma.lepley@viking.com
Telephone: +44 208 780 7945
About Viking
Viking offers culturally enriching, destination-focused river and ocean cruises for travellers curious about the world, its rich culture and varied history.
Viking takes its guests on curated, elegant voyages to some of the most iconic rivers in Europe, Africa and the Far East, allowing a unique window on inspiring destinations and rewarding experiences. Viking revolutionised river cruising with the introduction of its state-of-the-art Viking Longships which, since their introduction in 2012, now make up 80 percent of its river fleet.
In 2015 Viking debuted its maiden season of ocean cruising and in April 2023 Viking took delivery of its newest ocean ship, Viking Saturn, making it the largest small ship travel company. The sophisticated state-of-the-art Viking ocean ships can accommodate 930 guests on itineraries all across the world.
Viking has expanded its destination-focused travel experiences with the launch of new expedition voyages. Viking Expeditions began sailing in January 2022 with its first vessel, Viking Octantis, embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America's Great Lakes. A second expedition vessel, Viking Polaris, launched in September 2022. Viking's custom-built vessel, Viking Mississippi, debuted offering voyages on the Lower and Upper Mississippi, between New Orleans and St. Paul.
Join Viking online at:
https://www.facebook.com/VikingCruisesUK/
https://twitter.com/VikingCruises
https://www.instagram.com/vikingcruises
Stanfords Media contacts:
Telephone +44 207 836 1321
About Stanfords
Stanfords is the UK's leading specialist retailer of maps, travel books and travel accessories, having been established in 1853 by Edward Stanford. Their flagship store in Covent Garden, London can justly claim to offer the world's largest stock of maps and travel books under one roof. It has been an essential first port of call for adventure and armchair travelers alike. Their rollcall of customers past and present includes such famous names as Amy Johnson, David Livingstone, Scott of the Antarctic, Ernest Shackleton, Florence Nightingale, Ranulph Fiennes, Michael Palin and even Sherlock Holmes.
Join Stanfords online at:
https://www.facebook.com/stanfordstravel
https://twitter.com/stanfordstravel
https://www.instagram.com/stanfordstravel
