Destinations

The fetes, the music, the colors, the oil – every year, Grenada’s biggest celebration draws thousands of revelers to its shores for Spicemas, the Caribbean nation’s very own version of Carnival. During the final days of what is a five-month-long celebration, the population of the Spice Island balloons from 11,000 to around 20,000 people. If

Not everybody knows this, but Portland, Oregon, has a hidden spooky side. The largest city in this Pacific Northwest state is a paradise for horror fans and a top spot for a Halloween weekend getaway. We’re not just talking about ghost tours, although these are definitely on the table. The city’s shops, bars and lounges

Why does everyone want to visit Turks and Caicos? Because the islands have mastered blending opulence with relaxation. With 40 stunning islands and cays, this tropical paradise boasts pristine beaches and some of the clearest turquoise waters in the world. Providenciales, affectionately known as “Provo,” is the islands’ lively hub, featuring luxurious resorts and smart

The birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who the world came to know as the Buddha, Lumbini is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses several monuments of Buddhist and historical significance. Despite being a while away from Nepal’s popular Kathmandu–Pokhara–Chitwan golden triangle, Lumbini draws people – primarily pilgrims – to walk in the footsteps of

You’re probably planning to come to Orlando to join the crowds at the theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. (We don’t blame you; they’re amazing.) But when is the best time to do that? And beyond the rides and costumed characters, is there a preferred time to take in the city of Orlando itself,

Orlando’s major amusement parks are world-famous – and can be famously expensive, too. Yet if you have some time yet not much money left after your time with the Mouse, you might be pleasantly surprised at the many attractions and activities in and around Orlando that don’t cost a dime. There are no long lines,

Electric-green palms stretching above glinting backwaters that empty into rippling lakes. Honey-colored beaches washed by the tropical surf dotted along an almost 600km(370-mile)-long coastline. Fragrant coconut-laced stews mopped up with fluffy appam (rice-flour pancakes).  This is just a taste of what awaits discovery on a trip around India’s magical, laid-back southwesternmost state.  Kerala is defined

A vibrant mashup of styles, Montréal has both Parisian-style bakeries and cutting-edge arts events. You could spend weeks exploring the city’s many layers, with 18th-century architecture, canal-side trails and hilltop overlooks all woven into the urban landscape. Most people think only of summer when planning a trip to Montréal, but there’s really no bad time

There’s much to love about Phuket besides its many powder-puff beaches. Firstly, there’s the old town, frozen in time by candy-colored mansions nodding to the days of tin barons, the proud flagship of Phuket Town. Beyond Sino-colonial homes and palm-fringed bays await markets that are visually Thai, with pop-up stalls and motorcycle grills wherever you

Tipping is an elusive custom that seems to change its rules across the globe – what is deemed a generous token of appreciation in some countries can offend the subtle cultural sensibilities of others. When it comes to the Middle East, tipping is generally customary across the region. How much you tip largely depends on

With over 300 days of sunshine per year, good weather in Barcelona is the norm – but that doesn’t mean this Mediterranean metropolis has no seasons. Winter nights can get quite cold, and summers are hot and muggy, making spring and fall the best seasons to visit. However, the city has a busy calendar of

So, you’re wrapping up your African safari trip and there’s one thing left to do: tip. But what’s the appropriate amount? While you’re not obligated to tip, tipping is customary in most African countries. Amounts vary depending on where you are and what service you’re tipping for, from safari guides to hotel staff. Most tips

Lonely Planet Destination Editor Melissa Yeager just returned from sailing the fjords of the coastal route of Norway. Here, she shares an alternative, ecofriendly option for experiencing the wonder of the Norwegian landscape from the sea. When I travel, I personally crave the flexibility to decide my itinerary and timeline. The freedom to spend more

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as some still call it, is the largest city in Vietnam and the country’s economic capital. Though it does not boast literal millennia of history and culture like the capital Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City is still unquestionably the metropolis of the South. This no-less-historied city offers a captivating

Located in northeastern Vietnam, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay is home to over 1900 towering limestone islands and islets rising from deep emerald waters. Spread across 1500 sq km (589 sq miles) in the Gulf of Tonkin, from above, the islands resemble the undulating bodies of dragons – “Halong” means “descending dragon”

The late, great Anthony Bourdain once said he’d rather eat in Melbourne than Paris. Who can blame him? Australia’s cultural and sporting capital is also one of the world’s most dynamic epicurean destinations, one shaped by superlative local produce, rockstar chefs, and the multicultural traditions of its 5.3 million denizens. Much of my professional and

The Southern Pacific nation of New Zealand is made up of more than 600 islands. The two main landmasses – the North Island and the South Island – inevitably face comparison, with tourists and locals debating which is best. Many visitors will plan to visit both on their travels, but should you be limited to

The Balinese people treat the ocean with enormous respect. Though their coastline is dotted with some of the world’s most stunning (and popular) beaches, living so close to the water means recognizing the power and risk that exists alongside that beauty. It’s not unusual for locals to meditate and pray at beaches to encourage positive

When Positano bit John Steinbeck deep, it was a sleepy fishing village painted in pastels that playfully masked a forbidding cliffside. Turkeys might fly into the sea and dandies could mingle with carpenters, all driven to the same near delirium that can only come from too many days in too beautiful a place. In Steinbeck’s

Bustling Ho Chi Minh City is one of Southeast Asia’s top value destinations, where you can gobble down a street-side bowl of pho for a couple of bucks. For those traveling on an even tighter budget, there are plenty of free things to do too. From lively street performers to a family-friendly mini waterpark, these