Destinations

As one of the world’s favorite budget travel playgrounds, Bangkok has freebies galore. From golden temples, captivating monasteries and vast open-air markets to meditation sessions, puppet shows and people-watching on the most famous backpacker strip in the world, the Thai capital can keep you entertained for months, even on the tightest of budgets. Some of

From the most leisurely of oceanside strolls to vigorous treks through the Blue Ridge Mountains, an entire spectrum of hikes awaits in the Palmetto State.  Its northern neighbor may receive plenty of well-deserved love from the outdoor enthusiast crowd, but South Carolina – home to 47 state parks, seven national parks and geographic wonders in between

Aruba is a playground for adventurous travelers thanks to a perfect combination of climate and culture that keeps this desert island feeling fresh and exciting – even for seasoned travelers to the Caribbean. Sure, you can bask on blissful beaches and swim in crystal-clear waters, but you can also explore rocky desert landscapes and mangroves,

With rugged trails and blazingly colorful neotropical life, Panama’s national parks are some of the best in the world. Its highlands are steeped in rambling coffee fincas, thunderous rivers and waterfalls. Its coastline boasts kaleidoscopic coral reefs and epic swells that have drawn daring wave-seekers since the 1970s.  And if all that sounds exhausting, there are

You don’t have to travel far to find water in New York City, whose five boroughs are ringed by an astonishing 520 miles of coastline. A famously maritime city populated by immigrants who sailed in through its iconic harbor, New York is itself a series of islands, with only one of its five boroughs actually

When you think of luxury safaris, Australia may not immediately spring to mind. But with vast landscapes, incredible wildlife and accommodation spots so remote you can only access them by plane, Australia has a host of once-in-a-lifetime wilderness experiences you need to experience when you head Down Under. Here’s our pick of the best. Scout

With great food and nightlife, an emerging arts scene, world-class sports facilities and big-name music events such as South by Southwest and Austin City Limits, Austin is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in the United States.  Even better, you don’t need a supersized budget to get the best out of this big

Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city and the capital of the state of Jalisco, is blessed with sunny skies and spring-like weather year-round. This means there is no bad time to visit, but if you particularly like dry weather and a busy cultural program, you’ll want to head there in fall. Listen out for mariachi, drink

Seattle can be an expensive city to visit, but if you know where to look and how to entertain yourself, you can save a lot of money.  Between exploring lively markets and heading out on outdoor excursions, the Emerald City has a variety of activities that will leave your wallet in your pocket and your

One of my most memorable Sunday daytime raves in Berlin was the Sunday when Germany won the World Cup. I watched it in the garden of Berghain, the world’s most famous techno club. Between plays, I slipped into the darkness of the ex-power plant to a sweaty, stomping sea of leather, latex, and jockstraps, and

Striking the perfect balance between tradition and modernity, China is where antiquity and heritage meet 21st-century innovation and lighting-fast development. This is a country packed with highlights. Discover what makes China tick by immersing yourself in one of its gigantic, sprawling urban municipalities. They may be vast and frenetic, but they hide pockets of pure

Thailand is hailed worldwide as the land of smiles and golden temple spires. A country where the beaches are so brilliantly white you have to wear shades, and where the curries are so scorchingly hot they make your toes tremble. All of this is true, and more, which leaves travelers facing a tricky question: with

Want a charming destination that weaves together Texas’ legendary past with a modern, hip vibe? Look no further than Brenham, Texas, conveniently located halfway between Houston and Austin. It’s the perfect hub for a region full of callbacks to history and a forward-looking energy. © Jacob Rhoades / Lonely Planet Brenham’s downtown is listed on

The old maxim that the journey is the destination rings true in Switzerland. It’s a country of scenic hairpin-bend road trips, train lines that hole out the Alps like Swiss cheese and dreamy boat journeys across crystalline lakes. Travel in Switzerland isn’t only beautiful – it’s also environmentally sound. The eco-minded Swiss have nailed rail

Switzerland might look tiny on paper, but with most of its land gobbled up by the Alps, this little European nation packs in a lot of vertical. Wherever you go, you’re in for one hell of a drive: roads unfurl along the shores of great lakes and glaciers, mountain passes corkscrew up to fairy-tale medieval

The only major city that wasn’t reduced to rubble during WWII, Kraków is Poland’s most charming urban destination.  The millennia-old seat of kings, it’s home to a fairytale castle steeped in legends of dragons, a Unesco-listed, picture-perfect, church spire- and monument-studded Old Town that’s a match for any European city, as well as one of

From next-level nightlife in the capital that never sleeps to mountain trekking, forest bathing and flower viewing in the great outdoors, South Korea is a country that contains multitudes. No matter what type of traveler you are, this small peninsula has something to delight everyone. Here are our recommendations for the best things to do in

South Carolina is a place where you can easily splurge or save depending on the direction your itinerary takes. At the lavish end of the spectrum, you can enjoy five-star boutique hotels and fine dining with authentic Southern flair in the capital, Columbia, and the cobblestone-clad port city of Charleston. World-class golf courses and beach

Getting around West Africa’s most populous city can be an adventure in itself. Residents of Lagos rely heavily on road transportation to get to the office, worship centers, markets, parties, beaches – you name it. Imagine at least 10 million residents crisscrossing the city daily and you’ll get a sense of how rowdy things could

Among the 20 largest cities in the United States, Indianapolis tends to fly under many travelers’ radars. While sports fans know the Hoosier State’s capital for basketball, football and the Indianapolis 500, the professional race car event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, residents appreciate Indiana’s capital city for its cultural attractions too. The Indianapolis Cultural