Destinations

From the Caribbean to the Pacific Northwest and beyond, Lonely Planet editors have picked the 28 best beaches in the US. From Clearwater Beach in Florida to Venice Beach in California, the best beaches in the US can be found throughout the country. Whether you relish the calm waters of a small town’s public beach

As the largest country in Southern Europe, Spain is a destination with distinctive cultures, landscapes, and languages – and its extensive bus network can help you explore it all. High-speed trains connect the country fairly well, converging on its central capital, Madrid, but they can’t get you everywhere. For everywhere wild and rural in between, having

With the close of the Paris Olympics, a running joke on social media is that many viewers have been at a loss of how to fill their days. After all, for two weeks, the French capital became the center of the world, hosting what has been lauded as one of the most successful and innovative

Paris may have birthed the concept of haute gastronomy, but over the last decade or so, the local dining scene has loosened up considerably. The influence of social media, globalization and the evolution of dining habits have brought out more irreverent, playful and accessible dining spots. They’ve also carved out space for international cuisines where

From admiring Silk Road architecture to wine-tasting, from heli-skiing in Amirsoy to exploring a graveyard of ships in the Aral Sea, Uzbekistan has something to offer for every type of explorer. To help you plan a trip to this fascinating Central Asian nation, here are our favorite things to do. 1. Step back in time

The twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago is more than just an idyllic tropical paradise. The pleasures of the crisp sea air, postcard-worthy beaches and natural beauty here are undeniable, it’s true. Yet the heart of Trinbagonian living is the beautiful blend of people, places and spaces of diverse origins and ethnic backgrounds. If you’re

Traditional Costa Rican fare, for the most part, is comfort food consisting largely of beans and rice, fried plantains, and the occasional slab of chicken, fish or beef. Recently, locals have started to experiment more with the country’s fresh and plentiful produce. The results have been inspiring and delicious. Considering the extent of the coastline,

With its grand castle and famous festival, Edinburgh is a tourist magnet. But Scotland’s capital isn’t just a collection of big-ticket sights. Set on a series of extinct volcanoes and blessed with chasm-like medieval alleys and grand civic squares, Edinburgh is a stunner with substance. There’s history around every sandstone-hewn corner, of course, but you’ll

Many people use Genoa as an entry point to explore the Italian Riviera, including the famous (and often crammed) Portofino and Cinque Terre. But missing out on the charms of the city by rushing beyond it too soon would be a mistake. Home to one of the largest medieval town centers in the world, crisscrossed

With only 24 hours in Los Angeles, you’ll still have time to stroll the beach, take a surf lesson, explore the Santa Monica Mountains by horseback and have something of a spiritual experience slurping up handmade pasta. The trick to making it happen: you’ll have to stick to the city’s Westside.  Some LA locals will

Set at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, Uzbekistan is famed for its stunning historical architecture and beautiful mosques and medressas, alongside Soviet modernism, a flourishing arts and crafts scene, a rich traditional culture, and the genuine hospitality of local people.  The continental climate brings four distinct seasons, and escaping into nature and visiting

There’s a profusion of exciting things to see in the city of Stockholm. And once you expand your radius from Gamla Stan, you can add country palaces, windswept islets, dynamic towns and Viking culture to the mix, via easy day trips. The Stockholm region is easy to drive around and even easier to explore on public transport.

At the midpoint between party-central Cancún and boho-chic Tulum, Playa del Carmen is a dynamic beach town offering everything from wellness retreats to raving parties to gourmet restaurants. It’s a favorite among digital nomads and sun-seeking families thanks to its walkable streets, easily accessible beaches, and proximity to Mayan ruins, coral reefs and cenotes (natural swimming

Edinburgh is the crown jewel of the British Isles. It brings to life the daydreams of anyone seeking the medieval, the regal and the outright fantastic. At its heart is the Royal Mile, a cobblestone artery spanning the centuries, running beneath a rock-topped castle to a baroque palace. Edinburgh is pure Gothic romance meets House

One of the world’s most revered cuisines, Italy‘s wealth of revered regional dishes mirrors the nation’s extraordinary geographic and cultural diversity. The common thread is an indelible link between food and the locals’ sense of identity. From the quality of Italy’s produce to the reverence for tradition, eating here is all about passion, pride and

Lonely Planet’s Senior Director of Content recently returned from an 11-day cruise through the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas. Here she shares some highlights from the trip, and some advice for traveling with an older parent. For as long as I can remember, my 83 year-old mom has wanted to see Positano, Italy. She’s not alone,

Stockholm’s pleasures are legion, from abundant waterways and elegant green spaces to neighborhoods that brim with character to fascinating museums that showcase art, explore the past and celebrate Sweden’s culture. Even if you only have a few days here, you can see and do plenty. Whether you’re looking for history, culture or nature (or all

With its hip reputation, cosmopolitan cafe culture and rich history, Copenhagen attracts travelers all year round. Summer sees more sightseers than winter, but there’s really no bad time to visit this effortlessly cool capital. In November and December, Danes go all out for Christmas, making this a magical time to visit Copenhagen. Over the warmer

A fusion of Indian, Southeast Asian, and Arabic flavors as well as colonial influences, Sri Lankan cooking is a feast for the senses, drawing on incredibly fresh herbs and spices and the bounty of the land and sea. Eating out in Sri Lanka is a delight, whether you tuck into authentic rice and curry at

As a food writer and restaurant critic, I often find myself eating alone in restaurants. It might be because quite by chance I happen upon somewhere that looks interesting  and make a spur of the moment decision to nip in and see if they have room for me. On other occasions it’s because I have