The Oldie Travel Awards 2012

in association with onestop4: travel insurance

The Sixth Oldie Travel awards were held at the East India Club on Monday 12th November. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate the independent and unusual in the world of travel.

The Oldie Travel Writer Award: Katherine Boo for Behind The Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Slum

 Not your usual 'travel writer', Katherine Boo is an investigative journalist focusing on matters of poverty and opportunity. A staff writer at the New Yorker magazine since 2001, she was previously a writer and editor at the Washington Post and has won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Behind the Beautiful Forevers is her first book.

Keeping Tradition Alive Award: The 400th Cotswold Olimpicks

Started in 1612 in Chipping Campden and celebrated by Ben Johnson, these lycra-free games indulge in less noble sports like shin-kicking

 The Man Friday Award: Tristan Gooley, The Natural Navigator

Tristan Gooley is a writer, navigator and explorer who can help people to find their way using not just the stars, but plants and trees as well.

Muddy Boots and Hooves Award: Catriona Cook of Burgate Farm

Catriona Cook runs a B&B on a working farm in the North Yorkshire Moors which welcomes horses. She is also a campaigner who has opened up one hundred miles of bridleways.

Best Railway Awards: Chiltern Railways

Chiltern Railways are reducing journey times by twenty percent: you can now travel from Birmingham to London in ninety minutes. And you end up in glorious Marylebone.

Pets Win Prizes Award for most dog-friendly hotel: Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, Llanwddyn, Wales

Next to the most stunning resevoir complete with tower - a setting which Ludwig of Bavaria would have died for - the hotel offers complimentary kennels or for £10 a night you can have your dog in your room.

Best Foreign Country Award: Belgium

The judges are aware that our awards tend to celebrate the best of Blighty. It's time to give serious thought to: ABROAD. The judges recognised three things about Belgium: 1) its proximity; 2:) its beautiful cities; and 3) it has French food in German portions.

Judges: Sam Taylor, Oliver Bennett, Carla McKay, Adrian Philips of Bradt Travel Guides, James Pembroke, and Sonali Chapman