Washington’s nickname, the Evergreen State, fits it well. This is a place rich in alpine meadows and old-growth forests, lakes and rivers, waterfalls and wildflowers. And what makes all this green beauty possible? Rain – lots of it. This corner of the Pacific Northwest (and its largest city, Seattle) have a well-earned reputation for wet,
Destinations
The isthmus of Panama is compact enough to be crossed in an hour but varied enough to keep you traveling for weeks. It’s one of the most biologically diverse places on earth, yet small enough to fit inside South Carolina. This fascinating Central American country is both tame and fierce, settled and remote, modest and
Oregon has no dearth of mindblowing outdoor adventure, from dramatic coasts with vertigo-inducing cliffs to rushing rivers through national forests to high desert. And while the northeast corner of the state gets a lot of the love, southwest Oregon offers an away-from-it-all experience that features the many natural beauties of this state. And the best
I have known Guadalajara my whole life, traveling here to visit extended family since the year I was born. As a little girl, it was a place of orange-flavored sodas and chile-covered lollipops, mariachi-serenades for my twenty-something tías (balcony swooning included) and hours spent making tortillas. The historic center was a place to run and
Crowned with an impressive royal castle and dotted with church spires and world-class museums, Kraków combines the historic with the cosmopolitan. The streets of former Jewish quarter Kazimierz and nearby Auschwitz are sobering reminders of 20th-century tragedy, while the crowds thronging Kraków’s main square and the restaurants lining photogenic Old Town lanes buzz with 21st-century
For a small state, Massachusetts punches far above its weight for its place in American history and culture. Given the state’s outsize contributions to the arts, science, technology, sports and politics, it’s jam-packed with memorable sites, top-tier educational institutions and world-class museums. It’s also beautiful, from the wave-pounded Atlantic coast to the forest-covered Berkshires to vibrant cities
Not many countries have the sights-to-size ratio of South Korea. You can get from one corner of the country to the other in just two and a half hours, and in between you’ll find mountain trails leading to Buddhist hermitages, super-spectacle K-Pop concerts, back-alley pubs serving craft rice wines, enchanting bamboo forests and much more.
France’s top spot on the list of the world’s most visited countries doesn’t surprise me – its exhilarating cities, photogenic villages, surf beaches and snow-topped mountains, along with incredible gastronomy and wine are irresistible for French citizens like me with a lifetime of travel here, as well as international visitors. Of course, the flipside of
Every summer, caravans of visitors clog Cape Cod’s single highway for a season of Wellfleet oysters, swimmable coastline and the vibrant LGBTIQ+ scene in Provincetown. If you’re curious to learn how to best navigate Cape Cod and avoid the throngs of traffic, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best ways to get around the
In the face of soaring fuel prices all across Europe, Spain announced a historical measure: from September 1 to December 31, multi-journey train tickets are to be free. This brand-new policy is aimed at encouraging the use of trains, and it’s valid for journeys operated by Cercanías, Rodalies and Media Distancia, train lines that travel
Whether you want to delve into the local history, embrace the thriving arts scene, swill Guinness with merry locals, or admire its fusion of architectural styles, the capital of Northern Ireland has a welcoming neighborhood to suit your style. Though Belfast was not the safest place to visit (or live) in the latter half of
For book lovers, one of the nicest things to do is to take time to browse a bookstore. Even better if it’s an unexpected find on your travels, and better still if you leave with purchases that make you happy. To mark Book Lovers Day (August 9), we asked Lonely Planet staff about bookshops they
Rain, bog and midges be damned: Scotland is insanely lovely no matter what hand the weather and wilderness deals you. Its munros don’t seem too intimidating on paper, but up close they are gnarly monsters that leap directly from the sea. Any list of Scotland’s best hikes is bound to cause outrage at the ones
The East End of Puerto Rico is home to the verdant beauty, catamaran day trips and kayaking in bioluminescent bays. It’s the perfect alternative destination to the ever-popular San Juan. Here are the best places to eat, play and stay in the East End. The East End of Puerto Rico has beaches, rainforests and fantastic places
On a 335-mile journey along the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath, editor-at-large Sebastian Modak found there was much to learn by hitting the brakes. I rolled into Cumberland, Maryland, with the distinct impression that I should be celebrating, but also the creeping feeling that I was about to give up. For the past
South Carolina is a Southern charm-infused orchestra of landscapes that plays to perfection year-round. Creating this harmony are world-class white sand beaches and mega golf destinations along its Atlantic edge, Blue Ridge mountain vistas inland, large cities that never overwhelm and Lowcountry towns that leave you in the highest of spirits. Immerse yourself in the
Copenhagen is known for its food scene, from Michelin-starred restaurants to street food stalls. Its selection of markets right in the centre of the city offers an affordable range of cuisines in a casual setting, each with its own vibe and personality. Here’s your guide to the best food markets in Copenhagen that also give
The last Wednesday in August marks Spain’s messiest festival. Held in Buñol, 40km (25 miles) west of Valencia, La Tomatina is a tomato-throwing spectacle that draws 20,000 revelers each year. If you’re planning on becoming part of the human passata, here’s all the information you need to squeeze the most out of this chaotic celebration. Following a
Panama isn’t always expensive to visit. Traveling here is somewhat cheaper than traveling in Europe, Canada or the United States but somewhat pricier than Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador. It’s not the most expensive country in Central America – that prize goes to Costa Rica, closely followed by Belize – but thrifty travelers will need to
Indianapolis is a budget-friendly place to visit, and its cost of living is 2% lower than the national average. Although it can be expensive to fly into Indianapolis because few airlines are based here, once you’re here, it’s cheap to get around on foot or by bike. Making your trip to Indy affordable and fun