Lonely Planet
36 Magazines | 622.4k Followers | @LonelyPlanet | Inspiring, enabling, and flipping the best in travel.
Tracing history across Nicosia's Green Line
Unlike Europe’s other fortified cities, Nicosia isn’t defined by its surrounding walls. A much newer barrier holds sway. The Green Line scythes through the middle of town, slicing it in two. This is Europe’s last divided capital, but its entwined history straddles both sides.<p>Attempt to fully …
EuropeTop 10 Instagram hotspots in Wales
Wales is blessed with the best of both worlds: areas of breathtaking natural beauty mix with cities and towns packed with Welsh charm. Keen photographers can scale high mountains for panoramic shots, cross waters to capture wide-angled beach landscapes or get right down amongst the flora and fauna …
Lonely PlanetResponsible trekking: tips for minimising your footprint in Nepal
Ever since Nepal first opened its borders to outsiders in the 1950s, this mystical mountain nation has proved irresistible to travellers, adventurers and mountaineers. Today, legions of trekkers are drawn to the Himalaya’s most iconic and accessible hiking, following ancient caravan routes and the …
Adventure TravelHow to pack for a New Zealand adventure
There are few places on Earth as diverse as New Zealand, both in its landscapes and in the possibilities of what to do in those landscapes. It's quite feasible to be kayaking in translucent ocean one day, standing atop alpine summits the next, and bouncing on the end of a bungee cord somewhere in …
CampingA local's view of a hopeful San Juan
Anyone who has ever visited San Juan knows the city has a certain magic that is eternal – the cobblestone streets evoke its almost five-hundred-year-old history, the ocean air perfumes every neighborhood and welcoming locals imbue the city with hope and joy.<p>This enduring magic conquers any setback, …
TravelFinding your center on O’ahu
A well-deserved Hawaiian vacation is on many dreamers bucket lists. A respite from the everyday, with toes in the sand and a gentle breeze blowing through shady palms, Hawaii promises rest and relaxation like few other places can.<p>But the islands offer far more to revive your soul than waves and …
HawaiiPick your peak: discovering Nepal's best treks
With front-row seats for the world’s highest mountains, Nepal is a country-sized adventure playground for lovers of the great outdoors. In the Nepal Himalaya, trekkers can clamber over creaking glaciers and tie prayer flags atop knife-edge mountain passes, before stopping for the night in ancient …
Adventure TravelCaribbean travel after Irma and Maria: essential information
As one of the most active and impactful hurricane seasons in recent memory slowly subsides, much of the northern Caribbean is picking up the pieces left by hurricanes Irma and Maria. But this region is no stranger to such events, and many communities are already beginning to rebuild.<p>In a part of …
CaribbeanOslo’s standout coffee shops
When it comes to coffee, Norway is a nation that knows its joe. According to a recent poll by Euromonitor, every Norwegian person consumes an average of 7.2kg of coffee per year, placing it second in terms of per capita coffee consumption (only the caffeine-crazy Finns drink more). In a country …
CoffeeCool Xisi: Beijing's up-and-coming neighbourhood
Xisi (literally ‘West Four’) is a neighbourhood in western Beijing, so called for its four richly carved <i>paifang</i> (sign gates) that once straddled the crossroads at Xisi Dajie and Fuchengmennei Dajie. Sadly, the gates are gone (an ersatz version stands above the Xisi subway entrance), but the ‘hood …
Lonely PlanetThe best Barcelona barrios for escaping the crowds
Barcelona's popularity as a tourist destination has surged in recent years, but there are still many local barrios to explore away from the crowds. In the centre you’ll be jostling for space amongst tour groups, bicycles and selfie sticks; visit these neighbourhoods, though, and you might be the …
SpainHipster Oslo: exploring Norway’s up-and-coming capital
When it comes to Europe’s coolest neighbourhoods, there are a few candidates that spring to mind: Hoxton and Shoreditch in London, Nørrebro in Copenhagen, Sødermalm in Stockholm, Kreuzberg in Berlin. But Oslo?<p>Norway’s capital has long been dismissed as Scandinavia’s sober sister, but there’s been a …
EuropeBeyond the Giant's Causeway: exploring Northern Ireland's dramatic Causeway Coast
The epic rocks at the Giant’s Causeway are arguably the star attraction along the Causeway Coastal Route – there’s a clue in the name – but there’s plenty more to see and do beyond this vast expanse of closely packed, hexagonal stone columns fabled to be the handiwork of giants. Beyond the grandeur …
IrelandYour weekend in Greenville, a small-town Southern delight
A small town of just under 70,000 people, tucked into the Appalachian foothills, Greenville might not be the most obvious choice for a weekend getaway. But over the last few years, it's become a word-of-mouth favorite among travelers in the know.<p>The city takes great advantage of its natural charms: …
TravelTokyo in autumn: the best things to do and see
From seasonal sights and arts events to traditional festivals and tech expos, there is a lot happening in Tokyo from late September through to December – making the autumn months a great time to visit.<p><b>See the leaves change</b><p>Tokyo’s parks and gardens are a treat any time of year but especially when …
JapanMeet a traveller: Art Wolfe, photographer & conservationist
Renowned photographer Art Wolfe has travelled to the edge of the world more times than he can remember. From the restless dunes of Namibia to the frozen majesty of Alaska, he has captured the natural beauty of our planet on camera in a career spanning five decades.<p>We talked to Art about his …
PhotographySpooky cities: haunted hotels, horrible histories and terrifying attractions...
Our urban centres are known for being vibrant concentrations of life, from their buzzing bars and restaurants to the modern skyscrapers packed with busy business people. But beneath their lively exteriors, every city has a dark side. Think morbid history. Creepy architecture. Unsettled …
Lonely PlanetDon’t overlook Auckland, embrace it
Can you think of another city built on dormant volcanoes, with pristine beaches close to the city centre and neighbourhoods rich with restaurants and art? New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland is more than a stopover city for the Pacific, it offers travellers the perfect intersection of urbanity and …
New ZealandFollow your appetite down Virginia's Oyster Trail - travel road trip ideas
Oysters have been a way of life in Virginia’s Chesapeake region ever since Native Americans first hand-collected them. And we’re not just talking about eating – these favorite bivalves have worked their way into the very fabric of the realm, in its aqua-art, architecture, viticulture and more.<p>The …
Travel300 miles of beer, brats and cheese: A Wisconsin culinary tour - road trip
A Great Lakes paradise, Wisconsin has a penchant for cheese as strong as its affinity for beer and bratwurst – the three pillars of the state diet. It’s hard to go anywhere in the Badger State without being a stone’s throw from one of these delicacies, and a road trip is the perfect way to sample …
Road Trips11 free things to do in Thailand's capital Bangkok
One reason for the Thai capital's popularity, besides its gorgeous religious buildings and proximity to pristine beaches, is how budget friendly it is – if you eat like a local and avoid túk-túks you can save major baht.<p>And if you're really counting the pennies, Bangkok has a whole host of sights …
ThailandWhere to get a drink with a view in Beirut
It’s almost as though Beirut was designed in a lab as an ideal urban setting for drinking <i>en plein air</i>. The weather is nice nearly year-round, Beirutis are a jolly lot who mix a great cocktail, and the high mountains outside the city turn gold, pink and purple at dusk. Sure, it might be smoggy, but …
TravelJerusalem with kids: top tips for visiting the Holy City
Intensely vibrant Jerusalem is a feast for the senses, a world centre of religion and culture, and a great destination when travelling with children. Jerusalemites love kids, and if your family is up for some adventurous travel, the city has a lot to offer for all ages.<p>When travelling in Jerusalem, …
Lonely PlanetBodegas, bars and beyond: where to drink wine in Madrid
After decades of waning wine consumption, Spaniards are starting to rediscover the beverage they are famous for exporting. This renewed interest in <i>vino</i> has expanded offerings around Madrid, a city serving up both veteran bodegas and stylish wine bars.<p>To try more varieties than the smattering of …
SpainAll aboard Vietnam’s Reunification Express
A vital lifeline in war and peace, Vietnam’s 1000-mile long North-South Railway provides an all-in encounter with the country’s incredible beauty, people and history.<p>Just before noon each day, the southbound train from Hai Phong to Hanoi rumbles past Mrs Bay’s front room, missing her porch by no …
VietnamHiking the Jordan Trail, the Middle East's newest trek
There is no surer way of getting to know a country than by slowly walking its byways and letting its landscapes unfold in front of you. Pilgrims have known for centuries that the longer you walk, the closer your relationship to the land, but it's only in recent years that the vogue for hikes of …
List-WorthyDorm dilemmas: packing tips for hostel hoppers
Creaky bunk beds, busy showers and an impressive variety of noises at 3am – no one said hostel living would easy. Fortunately there are many simple hacks to make life easier, and having a well-organised bag is a great place to start, especially when limited space and shared facilities are thrown …
HackingTravel gear reviews: kit for eco-friendly travel
We believe that responsible travel is a force for good – and taking responsibility as a traveller begins right at the start of the planning process, when you're choosing where to go and what equipment to take. In our latest gear reviews, we look at products designed to have less impact on the …
Lonely PlanetMeet a traveller: Benedict Allen, ultimate explorer
Few travellers have pushed the boundaries of exploration like Benedict Allen. From the age of 22 he struck out alone to explore some of the most remote and hostile environments on Earth – from the windswept wilds of the Gobi Desert to the Central Mountain Range of Papua New Guinea and the jungle …
TravelDinner with a view: where to dine alfresco in Tunis
Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, the northeastern reaches of Tunis are the place to soak up reliable sunshine and the cosmopolitan culture of the capital. Make like a local and head to one of the many seafront restaurants for freshly caught fish and stunning views, sipping …
Restaurants