Destinations

Queen Charlotte lives in another universe. A never-ending whirl of razor-precision etiquette, high society balls and lavish entertainment. Days and nights are spent well away from the humdrum outside world within the walls of vast country piles or stuccoed, high-society city townhouses. It all looks a bit of a blast, and highlights the charms of

In this series, Lonely Planet’s team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. Editorial director Fin McCarthy took on this query from a female traveling alone. Question: I’m traveling through Europe this summer staying in hostels. Some places only have mixed dorms

When I booked a flight to Buenos Aires a few years ago, I hadn’t done much research and didn’t know what to expect. In fact, I was just planning to use Buenos Aires as a stopping point on my way to Montevideo, Uruguay, where I was meeting some friends. But after arriving in balmy Buenos

Lonely Planet social media editor Deepa Lakshmin recently returned from a visit to Ireland, where she took a bus tour of some of the country’s most dramatic coastal scenery. Here, she shares some insights and tips for anyone planning a similar trip. I landed in Ireland as I typically do whenever I’m visiting a country for

Boston is certainly up there on the list of US cities with a high cost of living, which – unfortunately – can also mean a high cost of traveling. The biggest challenge is affordable accommodations, as hotels are pricey in this city of expensive real estate and packed event calendars. Fortunately, there are ways to

Here’s the scene: I’m visiting my future husband’s family in Boston for the first time. His mother asks if I want a tonic. It seems like an odd offer, but it sounds refreshing so I accept. Then she brings me an orange soda. What?  You’ve probably guessed that tonic is the word for soda in

Our slow travel series explores how you can take more mindful journeys by train, boat, bus, or bike – with tips on how to reach your no-fly destination and what to see and do along the way. We asked Lonely Planet editor Amy Lynch to share her experience taking the ferry from Ireland to Bilbao,

Spread across 7000 islands and dotted with megacities, mountain ranges, and mighty national parks, Japan can appear a little intimidating to explore at first glance. But look a little closer, and you’ll find this Asian powerhouse is a delight to travel around, whether by train, ferry or using a hired set of wheels. Here’s our guide to

Maintaining its trend for revolution and transformation, Boston is still one of the most forward-thinking and barrier-breaking destinations in the US. It might be an expensive place to visit, but follow these tips and you could be doing some of Beantown’s top activities without spending a dime at all. Here’s the scoop on the best things to

Think of travel in Greece, and your mind may wander to images of ferries cruising across the turquoise Aegean Sea. Taking to the water is essential if you plan to hop between the Greek islands, but there are plenty of other ways to traverse Greece’s amazing landscapes, including planes, trains, buses and – if you

There’s much more to Prague than its medieval cobblestone center (yes, really!). In fact, time spent discovering the Czech capital’s interconnected neighborhoods can reveal the city’s freewheeling spirit, as well as some of its best restaurants, museums, beer gardens and parks.  Prague’s excellent public transportation system makes zipping around a handful of districts doable in

Many years ago, as a young backpacker, I made plenty of mistakes when traveling around Portugal – from trying to see everything on one trip to indulging in free appetizers that weren’t really free.  Since becoming both an honorary Lisboeta (Lisbon resident) and Tripeiro (Porto dweller), I have learned some essentials about the country. From

Want an adrenaline-fueled adventure? Would you prefer to relax by the sea? Or maybe you’re keen to absorb some culture at a festival? August is prime time for an epic escape, and whatever you’re after. So check out some of our recommendations for where to travel this August and start planning your next adventure.  Where

With a well-deserved reputation for being costly, San Francisco and the entire Bay Area regularly top the charts of the USA’s most expensive places to live. While it’s possible to spend unlimited sums on a visit to SF, there are ways to make your trip more affordable. Discounted flights aren’t hard to find, thanks to plenty

In Lonely Plan-it, we take you step by step through how we put together some of the most complicated travel adventures. We asked Juan Martinez to explain how he planned an overland trip across West Africa.  West Africa can often test your patience in unexpected ways. And it also rewards you with an unmatched adventure.

When your taxi to the nightclub is a 2.5-hour journey on a 5500-ton CalMac ferry, you know you’re in for an interesting time. Some 40 miles west of the Scottish town of Oban in the dreamy archipelago of the Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Coll is a place for relaxation and exploration, for dodging the crowds and daydreaming

Let’s be honest, Alaska isn’t the US’s most economical destination. But with some creative planning and an ability to trade luxury for a grittier experience, a trip up north doesn’t have to destroy your credit card. The good news is that an entry ticket to Alaska’s abundant wilderness is refreshingly gratis: hiking and backcountry camping are invariably

Boston is an incredible outdoor interactive museum, perfect for people of all ages to explore. From wandering the historic sites where patriots fought for US independence to studying Boston’s art collections, both indoors and out, with elements that are quirky, creepy, funny and funky, there is plenty to appeal to children’s creative little minds. There

Zürich ticks all the family-travel boxes when it comes to order, cleanliness and safety. It has efficient, reliable transport systems and ubiquitous amenities such as baby-changing facilities and parks with play areas. Many hotels have dedicated family or interconnecting rooms, and it’s usually no problem squeezing in a cot or an extra bed at guesthouses

For all its lavish castles, ornamented palaces and hunting estates for the well-to-do, Scotland is a nation of shrewd spenders. Small wonder locals are said to have short arms and deep pockets, meaning theirs is a culture often driven by the need to save money, spend wisely and maximize fun. Virtue is always found in