Destinations

According to its tourism slogan, the Dominican Republic “has it all.” And that’s no exaggeration. The island nation is home to eight different terrestrial ecosystems and hundreds of kilometers of enviable coastline that include both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. That’s a lot of beaches to explore.  Thanks to all of that biodiversity,

Splashed with brick towers, soaring green trees, and the Andes Mountains along its outer edges, Medellín’s skyline is a visual spectacle. The many constants throughout the “City of the Eternal Spring” include the scent of buñuelos (fried dough fritters) wafting from hole-in-the-wall restaurants and street stands, thumping reggaeton blasting from cars zooming by, and the

Is the daily grind getting you down? Take the edge off and recharge with a nourishing yoga retreat in Europe. Whether you want to salute the sun surrounded by a rugged mountain range or feel the warmth of the sand between your toes as you strike a warrior pose, there’s a retreat for everyone. It

Bathing in an onsen gives you a glimpse into a millennium-old Japanese tradition and ritual. Locals of all ages come to relax the mind and body with friends or for peaceful solitude. Literally meaning “hot spring”, an onsen visit is a vital experience in Japan.  An “onsen” refers to the hot spring and its attached

The coastal city of Savannah, GA, is beloved for its historic charm and incredible food. But it’s also an easy launching point for a beach day, whether it’s a 30-minute jaunt to Tybee Island or a ferry ride to one of the remote barrier islands for nearly private beach access.  So catch some waves, twist

Hikers are drawn to Poland by its rich variety of landscapes – dune-backed Baltic beaches, peaks climbing above 2000m (6561ft) in the Tatra Mountains, meandering rivers, dense forests, towering limestone cliffs and thousands of lakes. The southern Carpathian Mountain range is where much of the hiking action takes place, but the Tatra Mountains, the Baltic

A trip to one of the USA’s picturesque wine regions can mean hopping from one winery to the next, stopping to taste different varietals and maybe grazing a selection of cheese and charcuterie while you’re at it. But a vacation in wine country is about so much more than, well, wine. It’s like taking a

Known as the “City of the Eternal Spring,” there is a reliable warmth to Medellín. This pleasantness extends beyond its year-round temperatures – that seldom go above the low-80s (26°C) during the day or below the low-60s (15°C) at night – and embodies the amiable spirit of its people, too. With these constants, there are

Dubrovnik has withstood earthquakes and sieges. Its marble flagstones and rugged walls give this lovely city – Croatia’s most popular – a timeless feel. Advertisement But the seasons have a major impact on a trip to this Balkan gem. Choosing the best time to visit depends on your attitude to the weather and big crowds.

The number of visitors to small, ravishingly beautiful Iceland is soaring. But this tiny country wasn’t always so packed with tourists, and there are many important things to be aware of ahead of your visit. Sensible travelers will want to minimize their impact on the pristine environment and be considerate of local etiquette. In these

The crackle of the grill, the rich scent of pimento-wood smoke, the bold spice of the marinade: all Jamaicans know these sensory pleasures well. Jerk chicken is as much a part of our island life as the sea breeze. Jerk chicken is more than just a dish. It’s a cultural emblem, a legacy handed down

You can’t just say you’ve surfed Indonesia – it’s like saying you’ve hiked the Himalayas. Clocking up to 99,082km (61,567 miles) of coastline across an archipelago of 17,508 islands, much of this land is kissed by the consistent swell channels of the Indian Ocean and fringed by volcanic reefs that help raise barrels, tubes and

England’s rail network crisscrosses the country like a well-worn jumper. In just a day, you could be sipping tea by the Thames in London, wandering the medieval streets of York, and still make it to Edinburgh in time for a dram of whisky. But it’s not just about getting from A to B in record

Whenever I indulged in travel daydreams about Italy, I pictured a land of glorious Roman ruins, cliff-face villages, Aperol spritzes in the sun and incredible pasta. That all changed when I visited the Alpe di Siusi region in the Italian Dolomites during the depths of winter and discovered a different world and culture, with decidedly

Of all the countries I’ve been to (more than 60), the stereotypes I hear about Albania are some of the most outrageous. Some say not to go because it’s unsafe. Others – such as a tourist I overheard on my latest visit while researching the Lonely Planet Western Balkans guidebook – say they pointed to a map

Glinting with glass, steel and concrete skyscrapers, Frankfurt (technically Frankfurt am Main) is unlike any other German city. At its heart, Frankfurt is an unexpectedly traditional and charming city, with half-timbered buildings huddled in its quaint medieval Altstadt (Old Town), cozy apfelwein (apple wine) taverns serving hearty regional food, village-like neighborhoods filled with outdoor cafes,

There’s more to Grand Cayman than beautiful beaches, five-star resorts and financial services. The largest of the three Cayman Islands, this Caribbean idyll sets the bar high when it comes to captivating cultural, culinary and natural attractions. Untamed hiking trails, handsome heritage sites and otherworldly marine encounters number among many memorable experiences in Grand Cayman. Prepare to go

Venice is a constant conundrum: how do I see the best of it? How do I avoid destroying it? Is it possible to have a local experience? What do I need to know before traveling to Venice? I’ve lived in Venice since 2020, and these are questions I still ask myself. This is a fiercely

You don’t have to look too hard to find a beach in Mexico. In fact, Mexico has 5,800 miles of coastline, so finding a beach is one of the easiest challenges to accept when traveling the country. But often what you find comes with the hordes of other surfers, snorkelers and sun worshipers who are

Camping in Colorado means falling asleep under inky-black skies dotted with stars, waking up to birdsong and wildflowers and spending the day adventuring on trails and waterways. Sure, you could book a hotel or vacation rental during your next trip to the Centennial State, but then you’d miss out on the total immersion in nature