Thomas Cook’s comprehensive portfolio of independently authored travel guides is being given a makeover to reflect the changing needs of today’s holidaymakers. Re-launching from 22nd October, the current range of guides will be drawn together under a new contemporary design and streamlined into five separate series, making it easier for customers to choose the best guide for their trip.

The company’s well-known ‘Hotspot’ and ‘Cityspot’ ranges are being combined into a vibrant new range of pocket guides. Covering over 150 destinations worldwide, these compact and practical guides are perfect for sun-seekers and city-breakers alike.

The current ‘Drive Around’ series will become driving guides. Combining a guidebook and route maps, this range of 23 titles offers inspiration on and off the beaten track for independent travellers touring a destination by car.

Thomas Cook Travellers will now be known as traveller guides and will continue to offer the perfect blend of culture, history, practical information and mapping for a range of almost 120 cities, regions and countries across the globe.

rail guides will be the new series title for Thomas Cook specialist rail focused publications. The well-established rail timetables, maps and ever-popular Europe by Rail are packed with rail, ferry and bus schedules, the essential companion for many, including gap-year travellers and inter-railers.

Thomas Cook Phrase Guides and Phrase Books will be brought together to create a new language guides series, making the languages of well-known holiday destinations available to all.

Chris Young, Director of Publishing for Thomas Cook UK & Ireland said: “Thomas Cook has been publishing guide books and rail timetables since 1873 so this gives us unequalled publishing experience combined with an expert knowledge of destinations around the world. Whether it’s a city break, beach holiday or round the world tour, we can provide our customers with the benefit of our unrivalled expertise built up over many years. Our new guides aim to make it easier for holidaymakers to find the right guide to suit their trip, whether it’s a quick-reference, compact pocket guide or the more comprehensive traveller guide offering that extra something off the beaten tourist track”.

The first re-branded guides will be a selection of city destinations from the new pocket guide series, followed by a further 18 publications in November and December from the traveller, driving and pocket ranges. Titles will include Caribbean Cruising, New Zealand, Amsterdam and the Maldives. Thomas Cook guides are available from www.thomascookpublising.com, telephone 01733 416477 or from good bookstores.