Destinations

When Mehmet the Conqueror ordered a warehouse be built in the heart of Istanbul back in 1461, he could never for an instant have imagined that it would one day become the Grand Bazaar. Touristy? At times. Chaotic? You bet. Never mind – this architecturally striking, overwhelmingly vast, endlessly enthralling bazaar is a surefire way to feel

Dipping into the Caribbean Sea, the coastline of Jamaica is as diverse as it is stunning, drawing in everyone from sunseekers looking for a spot to bronze to adventurers looking for a vibrant escape.  Though Jamaica’s culture often takes the spotlight, its beaches hold their own, with crystal-clear surf and some of the finest stretches

A 15-minute ferry ride away from Cancún, you’ll find Isla Mujeres an elongated tropical paradise just five miles long and half a mile wide.  This laid-back Caribbean island owes its name to Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility, love, pregnancy and birth – mujeres meaning women in Spanish. Legend has it that when the Spanish

With a population of over 21 million people, Mexico City is a densely packed metropolis with Indigenous origins dating back to the 1300s, when it was called Tenochtitlan. This beautiful yet chaotic city is my hometown. After a lifetime spent here, CDMX (as it’s often referred to) still surprises me with its sense of community

In the largest country in South America, there’s always something fabulous happening. Yet before you can decide on the when of your Brazil visit, you have to think about the where. Do you see yourself riding a cable car over the beaches of Rio de Janeiro or aboard a boat on the Amazon River? Maybe you’re taking

Whether you prefer wilderness or dense cities, the call of frogs in the rainforest or the beat of samba drums, Brazil has an experience lined up for you. The country’s status as a natural paradise is impossible to deny. While superlatives simply don’t do it justice, this continent-sized nation is home to the largest rainforest,

Beyond mild pad Thai rice noodles – or papaya salad for those who can take the heat – Phuket offers an intriguing mix of cuisines, a product of the island’s tin-mining history. The Chinese-Peranakan love flash-fried Hokkien noodles and dim sum. The Muslim population goes for roti, which is sweet or savory pan-fried bread. Those from

Indigenous art, often full of symbolism and meaning, is an important part of Nevada’s rich cultural tapestry. Spanning a wide array of traditional forms from pottery to painting, basket weaving to beadwork, these expressions tell stories that explore themes of identity and nature, spirituality and history. Nevada artists Adrian Stevens and Sean Snyder are redefining

Nevada’s landscapes are a mosaic of glimmering lakes, rugged mountain ranges, fiery canyons, and towering dunes. This diversity provides an astonishing array of easy, intermediate and challenging activities that you can spend a lifetime enjoying without repeating the same adventure twice. The best part? Nevada is home to more than 60 million acres of public

Considered two of the most emblematic neighborhoods in Mexico City for their historical architectural value, bohemian lifestyle, and diverse gastronomical offerings, Colonia Roma and Colonia Condesa are destinations of their own. Residents here are a mix of white-collar to creative-type chilangos (as Mexico City locals are often called) and mid- to long-term migrants from other

The 400 or so public markets in Mexico City are where the city’s fabled food culture comes to life, where culinary traditions get disseminated and find new expression. Indeed, these crucial social and economic spaces are where millions of people eat, work, shop and network daily – in a manner that has remained relatively unchanged over

Nick Ray is the author of the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap chapters in the 14th edition of Lonely Planet’s Cambodia guidebook scheduled to be released in September 2025. Some Cambodians wryly observe that Cambodia has three seasons – hot, hotter and hottest – but in reality, there are distinct dry and wet seasons that define the harvest

There’s nothing quite like bathing in the blissfully warm, mineral-rich waters of an onsen on a trip to Japan. For generations, both locals and visitors have flocked to these ancient hot springs to rejuvenate mind, body and spirit. And one place in particular stands out for experiencing Japan’s most famous contribution to holistic healing. Wakayama

An Alaskan vacation may bring to mind images of huge salmon, slow-moving glaciers, never-ending mountain ranges, and – for those who’ve visited before – mosquitos the size of eagles. But about 60 miles out of Fairbanks, at the end of a winding road through the wilderness, you will also fine an oasis in the woods.

Who doesn’t want to visit Vietnam? This Southeast Asian powerhouse has it all: beautiful beaches, unparalleled history, diverse cultures…and did we mention the food? The country’s two biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City tend to be most travelers’ first impressions of this singular country. They’re both cosmopolitan, exciting and oh-so-Vietnamese – and yet

Icelandic water is some of the purest and cleanest in the world. And Icelanders have turned enjoying this natural resource into an art and a science. The Blue Lagoon is just the beginning. From sprawling lagoon complexes with multi-step bathing rituals to tiny secluded natural pools, you’ll find a variety of geothermal facilities across the

Nick Ray is the author of the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap chapters in the 14th edition of Lonely Planet’s Cambodia guidebook scheduled to be released in September 2025. Cambodia is considered one of the friendliest countries in Southeast Asia. Thanks to an unbreakable spirit and infectious optimism, the Khmers have prevailed. No visitor comes

Made up of over 7000 islands, the Philippines has some of the most beautiful tropical landscapes and richest marine biodiversity in the world.  Even as a local who has made it a personal mission to visit the 82 provinces of my home country – a staggered, long-term staggered quest that took me over a decade

I wanted to sleep on the 12-hour flight home from Abu Dhabi last month, but my mind was too busy flipping through all the sights and sounds and tastes that populated my brief sojourn there. I had spent five days exploring this emerging metropolis, zigzagging from one site to the next. I was always doing

For some 3000 years, Naples has enchanted visitors. Situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, with Mt Vesuvius towering in the distance, Italy’s third-largest city is home to an incredible wealth of art and architecture. Ancient Greek fortifications, a Roman-era theater and a Norman castle testify to its long and rich history. And around every