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Welcome to Hideaway Island: home of the world’s first underwater postbox
You may have noticed a craze for all things mermaid sweeping social media recently, affecting children and adults alike. One, somewhat surprising, early advocate of ‘devoting full time to floating’ was Vanuatu’s postal service! Back in 2003, Vanuatu Post decided to create the world’s first …
BeachesThis amazing tree-covered building in Shanghai is already attracting attention
It’s rare for a building to attract this much attention while still only under construction. But this new complex in the Chinese city of Shanghai is already wooing visitors because of its remarkably green appearance.<p>The enormous development – called 1000 Trees – is being built with hundreds of …
ArchitectureNYC’s newest vegan restaurant donates all of its proceeds to charity
A sustainable meal, with a side of good karma please! Another vegan restaurant opening its doors in Manhattan is hardly earth-shattering news, but PS Kitchen is an eatery with a social conscience.<p>The Hell’s Kitchen spot is the latest venture from restaurateur Craig Cochran and Jeffrey LaPadula, the …
RestaurantsAn epic three-storey high mural of the Black Sea has been revealed in Kiev
Cape Town-based artist Jake Aikman has unveiled a striking three-storey mural on the side of a building in Kiev, Ukraine. It’s in conjunction with Art United Us, an urban art project that collaborates with communities to raise public awareness of issues around war, aggression, and violence. They’re …
Black SeaDon’t forget to extinguish that electronic cigarette if you’re heading to Thailand
Electronic cigarettes are hugely popular among those trying to give up smoking, but travellers may be unaware that they’re banned in Thailand. Visitors are being reminded that vaporisers like e-cigarettes and e-baraku may be confiscated, and those who flout the law could be fined or …
ThailandHere’s what’s unmissable during Dublin’s free Culture Night in September
If you’re heading to Ireland in September, you might just be lucky enough catch Culture Night, the country’s annual free cultural extravaganza. Taking place on the evening of Friday 22 September, it showcases the vibrant arts and creative scene across the country. The Irish capital Dublin is …
IrelandWhich nationalities travel the most? Irish people are the biggest globetrotters in the world
If you’re out exploring the world, don’t be surprised if some of the travellers you meet along the way happen to be Irish – folks from the Emerald Isle are the most-travelled in the world, according to a new report.<p>Hostelworld analysed global booking data from 170 countries and found that – …
TravelHundreds of vintage photographs of New York City have been made available online
A series of vintage images depicting New York City between the early 1960s and 1990s have been archived and made available online in a brand new collection, offering viewers a fascinating glimpse back through time.<p>Taken by Carole Teller, an East Village artist and photographer who has lived in …
Lonely PlanetIreland’s oldest city turns into an open air art gallery this weekend with Waterford Walls
The Waterford Walls festival of street art has kicked off in Ireland’s oldest city in the South East of Ireland, turning it into the country’s biggest open air gallery. Now in its third year, the festival attracts artists from around the world to the medieval city to inject what was seen as some …
Street ArtA chocolate spa is opening in ‘The Sweetest Place on Earth’ at the home of the Hershey bar
A new chocolate spa in Hershey, Pennsylvania – yes, home to that chocolate empire – will be treating visitors to a bit of the sweet stuff in a brand new way.<p>The MeltSpa by Hershey is opening in the heart of “Chocolatetown, USA” at 11 E Chocolate Ave. No stranger to capitalizing on its …
DessertLighting the way for walkers: Singapore tests innovative glow-in-the-dark pathway
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Singapore is experimenting with the appearance of a Rail Corridor running through the city. One of the ideas currently being brought to life is a glow-in-the-dark surface that illuminates the way for walkers.<p>“Feedback in our public consultations for the …
SingaporeHistory unfolds in the Andes: escape to Ecuador
This South American country may be small, but it has a dazzling array of wonders. Explore the colonial capital, Quito, before delving deep into the cloud forest, where hummingbirds flit and pumas stalk. Next, head high into the Andes and meet the indigenous craftspeople of Otavalo, then set out …
South AmericaHipsters in Stone: see marble Greek sculptures wearing the trendiest fashion at select museums
In 2012, artist Leo Caillard introduced the world to Hipsters in Stone, a unique project that saw him outfitting the marbled Greek statues on display at the Louvre in the latest fashion trends. Having attracted worldwide attention and leading to his inclusion in a range of international art fairs, …
Lonely PlanetHunger Games and Twilight are getting their own zones at a theme park in South Korea
While most people probably didn’t watch the Hunger Games and wonder how they could take part in all the fun, the film franchise will be one of the those featured at a new theme park in South Korea, allowing fans to be immersed in some of their favourite films.<p>Lionsgate Movie World is set to be the …
MoviesA giant blue radiator artwork has gone on display in a Gothic monastery in Berlin
A new art project that sees a gigantic, 10-metre high blue radiator standing inside a Gothic monastery in the heart of Berlin has been unveiled, and the unique sight has now been put on on public display.<p>Called, “Radiator,” the project was created by Danish-German artists Anna Borgman and Candy …
EuropeSouth African photographer captures his hometown of Durban in a series of fantastic aerial shots
South African photographer Daniel Theron was recently offered the opportunity to take to the air and view his hometown from a whole new perspective. Of course, he brought his camera, resulting in these fantastic aerial shots of Durban, the country’s third-largest city. “Rohan Myburgh, the drummer …
PhotographySweden sees its first snowfall of the year in August and it's right on schedule
It may seem like it’s unnaturally early but Sweden’s first snowfall of the year arrived earlier this week but in fact, it’s right on schedule.<p>This week’s snowfall wasn’t quite as heavy as this but it won’t be long now. Image by Mats Lindberg/Getty Images<p>The country’s highest station, at the …
SwedenAn interactive heritage centre devoted to the Cornish pasty has just opened in Cornwall
If you’re partial to a Cornish pasty, an interactive heritage centre devoted to what is considered to be Cornwall’s national dish has just opened in St Austell. The centre can be found in Cornucopia, which is Cornwall’s newest multi-million-pound food and drink visitor attraction. It aims to …
LondonHit the Roady: new company creates exhilarating road trips for travellers in New Zealand
If the idea of taking a road trip around stunning New Zealand appeals to you, a new start-up is creating an itinerary of exciting road trip tours for travellers. Roady is a travel company founded by friends Cameron Kennedy and Roscoe Price Moor, and the seeds were sown in 2010 when they enjoyed a …
TravelThe Secret Life of Iceland’s Renaissance man, Hákon Kjalar and his Mongolian yurts
It began with the arrival of Ben Stiller and his film crew, shooting Arctic scenes for <i>The Secret Life of Walter Mitty</i> in rural Iceland. In the spirit of a film driven by bizarre coincidences, one of the props — a large Mongolian yurt — ended some years later in the hands of Hákon Kjalar, a kind of …
IcelandMy City: San Juan
Melissa Alvarado SierraLonely Planet Writer<p>LP Local Melissa Alvarado Sierra was born and raised in Puerto Rico. After traveling to different countries, mostly aboard a sailboat, she decided to settle in <i>Borinquen</i> and write about its wonders. Now you can find her driving through dirt roads that lead …
CaribbeanNew Frida Kahlo museum in Mexico City is showing work inspired by the artist
If you’re as enamoured of Frida Kahlo’s haughty, stern portrait as many of the rest of us, but can’t swing a trip to Mexico City on your beach vacation – you’re in luck. A brand new Frida Kahlo museum has opened its doors in Playa del Carmen and visitors are streaming …
ArtistsBring Your Own Dog to New York City's very first canine cafe in Manhattan
Tell your pals to bring their puppies: Manhattan’s first Department of Health-approved dog café and boutique is set to open this December. While cat cafés-cum-adoption centers sprung up all over the city last year, there has been no indoor space for coffee lovers to relax with their pups thus …
Lonely PlanetThis city has been named the most liveable in the world for the seventh year in a row
If you’ve ever wanted to pack your bags and start a new life someplace wonderful, it may be time to peruse the latest list of the world’s most liveable cities.<p>For the seventh year in a row, Melbourne, Australia has been named the most liveable city in the world, with Canadian and Australian cities …
CitiesCheers to the upcoming super-modern winery in the Croatian peninsula of Istria
As of next year, the Croatian peninsula of Istria is bound to draw in wine enthusiasts with yet another attraction: a super-modern wine-devoted complex set 70% underground. Roxanich winery, known for their decisively natural approach to making wines, is returning to their origins big time.<p>Roxanich …
WineWorld’s fastest knitter and ‘hat architect’ among stars of Scottish festival
The world’s fastest knitter is to lead workshops at a Scottish festival, reports the BBC. Shetland-born Hazel Tindall earned her crown by knitting 255 stitches in three minutes in 2004. She defended her title four years later, knitting 262 stitches in the same time.<p>She is one of the stars of Loch …
Loch NessGrazing Arizona: a food and drink tour
The Grand Canyon might be Arizona’s hotspot, but its food and drink scene sizzles. Tucson, America’s first Unesco ‘world city of gastronomy,’ lives up to the hype, and the melding of Mexican, Native American and Sonoran Desert influences on menus around the state make for an enticing foodie road …
Lonely PlanetFollow these Game of Thrones super-fans to scenes of the hit show
These days, watching your favourite shows is one of the best ways to inspire a little wanderlust from the comfort of your own home. But two TV fans have taken things to the next level, tracking down spots from their favourite shows around the world and documenting them online.<p>Tiia Öhman and Satu …
Game of ThronesTravellers choose their bucket list of UK attractions...and some may surprise you
When you think of bucket lists you probably think of the seven wonders or great feats of adventure. Now travellers are being encouraged to think closer to home with a new survey that asked British people to pick their UK bucket list of attractions.<p>The survey was created by Snaptrip who asked 2000 …
List-WorthySurf and ride – Norwegian couple transforms van into a house on wheels to surf Europe
Meet the adventurous Norwegian couple who packed up their life into a small van so they could travel and surf whenever they liked after one of them had been ill.<p>Incredible images and video footage show the pair relaxing in their converted van and riding the waves on their surfboards. Other striking …
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