October 2014: Small group tour specialist Back-Roads Touring is celebrating after guide Charlie Jaques was awarded a silver award in the annual World Guide Awards from adventure travel magazine, Wanderlust. The ceremony took place last night (October 21) at the Royal Geographical Society in London. 

Charlie Jaques, or 'CJ,' has spent the last 15 years travelling the world as an expedition leader and is currently working with Back-Roads Touring as a guide for two tours in France; La Belle France, which takes in Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley, and Champagne, Burgundy and the Rhone Valley. CJ was nominated by previous guests on his tours, who called him 'a born entertainer' and 'really knowledgeable, a great leader, a great mechanic, heaps of fun and seriously reliable.”

Now in their ninth year, the World Guide Awards recognise the tour leaders who bring passion, energy and enthusiasm to their role. CJ was one of four finalists at the awards who were carefully selected by the judging panel, which included Wanderlusts's editor-in-chief Lyn Hughes, best-selling travel author Bill Bryson and writer and TV presenter Mark Carwadine.  As well as the accolade of being the one of the best tour guides in the world, CJ also won a bursary to give to his the charity of choice, which he has chosen as Freedom from Torture and Circus Kathmandu, both in Nepal.

Speaking of his win, CJ commented: “Travelling is my passion and being able to guide for a living is a real honour. I am absolutely thrilled to have been recognised in the World Guide Awards and look forward to guiding many more people with Back-Roads Touring in the near future.”

Steve Reynolds, general manager at Back-Roads Touring added: “We always get wonderful feedback from our clients whenever CJ is leading a trip, so we are absolutely delighted that his efforts have been recognised by the judges at the World Guide Awards.

“We really believe that the Back-Roads difference is all about making sure our clients get the chance to really immerse themselves in the destinations that they visit and CJ always ensures this happens. We are really proud to have an award winning guide working within the team.”

For more information, please visit www.backroadstouring.com or call 0208 9870 990.

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About Back-Roads Touring

With over 25 years' experience in small group and tailor-made tours across the UK and Europe, Back-Roads Touring is truly the original small group touring company. Currently operating over 35 tours, the company's focus is on providing a friendly, relaxed, and flexible form of touring with a maximum group size of 18 passengers. From exploring the heart of medieval towns and villages, to enjoying the scenery along narrow, hedge-lined Cornish lanes, Back-Roads Touring ensures that its guests experience the best local cuisine, accommodation and scenery – all taken at a leisurely pace and in the company of a knowledgeable guide.

Media Enquiries:

For images, further information or press trip enquiries, please contact Jenny Groutage / Verity Ramsay at Brighter Group: back-roads@brightergroup.com or call 0207 326 9880.