Destinations

Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world with very different regions and climates. Deciding where to go – and how to get there – requires some major planning. At first glance flying and train fares in Australia look expensive (and a lack of competition does mean there are few bargains), but when you compare

Japan offers up a real feast for travelers, with mountainside onsen (hot spring) villages, sleepy beach-lined islands and buzzing megacities all on the menu. You could arguably spend a lifetime sampling the country’s delights, but some towns and sights are staples, core ingredients to any great Japan trip. Here’s our pick of the 10 best

Argentina is the eighth-largest country on Earth and, as a result, distances between destinations can be huge. For example, the drive between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego is more than 3000km (1864 miles) – significantly further than the trip from New York to Los Angeles. Fortunately, you’ll find a wide range of

A striking tableau of ancient, undulating mountains topped with dollops of wispy clouds, Shenandoah National Park is a dreamscape for those who love sweeping Appalachian views and pristine, thriving forests. This park clocks in at 200,000 acres with over 500 miles of trail, offering plenty of room to spread out and enjoy any type of

If there’s one flower that defines France, it’s lavender, thanks to the vast carpets of purple flowers that cover the countryside of Provence. The beauty of the lavender fields lives up to the hype – get out among the purple haze, sniff the heady summer breezes and navigate picturesque hilltop towns, ancient churches and pretty

One of the oldest and largest cities in Mexico, Guadalajara is a dynamic metropolis made up of dozens of neighborhoods, each with their own vibe and appeal, and all connected by a robust public transportation system. Most neighborhoods are centered around a bustling church plaza, ringed with colonial-era buildings, yet with modern skyscrapers almost always

Let’s be honest, you’re in Kraków to see the breathtaking market square, probably Europe’s largest and certainly its prettiest. This 16th-century canvas of churches, palaces and aristocratic mansions is best admired while sipping a Tyskie beer on the ancient cobblestones. Yet Kraków is more than this famous fairytale view. Few cities better tell the drama

Named for the French mainland’s hexagonal shape, l’Hexagone contains an astonishing diversity of natural and urban landscapes packed with exhilarating activities. Glittering monuments, medieval villages, rolling vineyards, soaring peaks, pounding surf… France has it all, and so much more it’s hard to know where to start. Find out how to get the most out of your visit with

Scotland’s turbulent history of battles in the glens has bequeathed the country a magnificent selection of castles, with the added bonus of its rugged landscape. Whether you roam the fortresses overlooking Edinburgh and Stirling or seek out a romantic ruin amid the vast lochs and brooding mountains of the Scottish Highlands, inspiring historical adventures await.  Get

Chugging through vineyard-striped hills, clipping through spectacular mountainous backcountry, or zipping along the Mediterranean Sea: there’s no better way to experience France than from the window seat of a train.  And France’s superb train network makes it easy to explore the far corners of this rich, varied country. We’ve highlighted the following journeys because they

Mesmerizing waterfalls, active volcanoes, stunning coasts: Australia and New Zealand are an adventurer’s playground.  Lonely Planet’s new book, Epic Hikes of Australia and New Zealand, celebrates the region as one of the world’s best hiking destinations. The new guidebook features the vast variety of terrain, climate and landscape that can be found in both countries. Here are

The Gaelic term for whisky − uisge beatha, or “water of life” − illustrates how intrinsically linked the drink is to Scottish culture. Scotland’s whisky is a unique fusion of geography and history developed over time, in conditions that mean no other whiskies can compete in terms of pedigree, character and diversity of spirits produced.

I’m a year into my second stretch of calling Doha home. So I’ve learned a thing or two about living in the desert state of Qatar. When I first lived here 20 years ago, nobody had even heard of this remarkable little country. Today, cruise ships hug the shoreline, and visitors flock here from around

It’s summertime. The relentless sun is baking the narrow streets of Kraków’s Old Town, where the heat seems to radiate from the very buildings. You’ve done what you can to stay cool: consumed epic quantities of ice cream, haunted various museums to keep out of the sunlight, and hid out in your hotel room. None

To say goodbye to New York, writer Chris Dong takes an overnight vacation to the beach and finds there’s much to learn in a part of the city he had long only considered for day trips. Behind a layer of patchy fog, the sun casts a milky glow. It’s just after dawn on a brisk,

A 24/7 city with something to do every hour of the day, Seoul can be surprisingly expensive. Visiting famous observation decks, enjoying premium cuts on the Korean barbecue and partying until dawn can definitely do some damage to your credit card. But veer away from the typical to-do list and you’ll find that the best

How do you formulate words adequate enough to describe the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen? It’s a challenge not unique to me, and is one that frequent travelers know well. It’s a feeling I haven’t had for the past few years, after spending countless hours stuck at home. However, I was recently invited to

Copenhagen’s flourishing food scene, world-renowned architecture and furniture design, and rich history make the Danish capital a popular city to explore even on a budget. To help you get the best from Copenhagen, here is our guide to the best experiences in this surprisingly compact and easy-to-navigate capital city. Make the most out of every

You can swoon over postcard-perfect views of lavender fields billowing in summer breezes, or vistas of soaring Alpine peaks and wild, Atlantic-bashed coastlines, but you will never feel the true magic of France and the poetry of its landscapes until you sling on your hiking boots and hit the dusty trails. And what wonders await

Everyone raves about France for its cuisine and culture, but the country also enthralls with its natural wonders – from the highest peaks in Europe to colossal canyons, lyrical rivers, crash-bang waterfalls, and fields of purple lavender and pink-granite coastlines ripe for an impressionist painting.  Venture beyond the usual tourist trail of cities and towns