The annual Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited Travel Awards offer a unique and fascinating insight into the tastes and preferences of a discerning group of travellers.

Once again readers of the Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited have demonstrated their passion for travel by completing nearly 27,000 coupons.

The details of the top three winners in each category are shown below.

Best travel agent

1. Trailfinders
2. STA Travel
3. Flight Centre

Best online booking service

1. exodus.co.uk
2. jet2.com
3. portland-direct.co.uk

Best tour operator

1. Rainbow Tours
2. Vintage Travel
3. Laskarina Holidays

Best cruise line

1. Celebrity Cruises
2. Swan Hellenic Discovery Cruising
3. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Best long-haul airline

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Emirates
3. Japan Airlines

Best short-haul airline

1. Air Berlin
2. Finnair
3. Jet2.com

Best car hire

1. Auto Europe
2. Arnold Clark
3. Carjet

Best UK hotel

1. Hotel Du Vin & Bistro
2. 42 The Calls
3. The Balmoral, Rocco Forte Hotels

Best overseas hotel

1. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
2. Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
3. Paradors of Spain

Favourite long-haul country

1. Ecuador
2. Namibia
3. New Zealand

Best guide book

1. Dorling Kindersley
2. Bradt Travel Guides
3. Footprint Travel Guides

Best short break company

1. Inntravel
2. VFB Holidays
3. STA Travel

Best ski company

1. Inntravel
2. Waymark Holidays
3. Neilson

Best spa break

1. Ragdale Hall Health Hydro
2. Seaham Hall Hotel & Serenity Spa
3. Hoar Cross Hall

Best business airline

1. Emirates
2. Virgin
3. Lufthansa

Best ferry company

1. Superfast Ferries
2. Swansea Cork Ferries
3. Stena Line

Best train company

1. Hull Trains
2. Eurotunnel
3. SNCF

Favourite UK city

1. Edinburgh
2. Belfast
3. Newcastle Upon Tyne

Favourite overseas city

1. Perth
2. Sydney
3. Hong Kong

Favourite European country

1. Iceland
2. Slovenia
3. Finland

Best brochure of the year

Winner: Original Travel
Runner up: Classic Cottages

Best tour operator website of the year

Winner: inntravel.co.uk
Runner up: originaltravel.co.uk

For more information about the Travel Awards

London 020 7239 9551
Manchester 0161 908 3823
Edinburgh 0131 272 2751