Destinations

It wasn’t that long ago that people could – and did – travel the world with only a guidebook and a camera. But now, not being able to use your cell phone while traveling internationally is likely a dealbreaker. Here, we’ll bring you up to speed on how eSIMs work, what the benefits are, how

People often say that to truly know Thailand, you must eat like the locals, not just on the streets but also by shopping for ingredients the way they do – in bustling markets, supermarkets and specialty stores. Each shopping experience offers a unique insight into Thai culture and cuisine, particularly local wet and floating markets,

Every winter, travelers from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond make their way into the Cascade Mountains of Washington to visit Leavenworth, a remote alpine community that’s known for its civic enthusiasm for all things Christmas – and German.  Here you’ll find a large central square flanked with Fachwerk-style structures, beer gardens adorned with blue-and-white

Being surrounded by the ocean on three sides, San Francisco has a bounty of seafood, from sweet Dungeness crab to fresh oysters from Tomales Bay. In addition to ocean treasures and the famous sourdough bread, SF cuisine is inflected with international influences, especially from Asia and the rest of the Pacific Rim, combined with super

Auckland-based Māori writer Tommy de Silva shares his tips for Māori tourism in New Zealand. Visitors to New Zealand often don’t know much about the Māori, the Indigenous population of these islands, beyond having seen the haka (war dance) performed by the All Blacks rugby team. But we are an entrepreneurial people, who have shared

Off Africa’s west coast, the archipelagic nation of São Tomé and Príncipe is one of the continent’s most special secrets. Made up of two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe offers the best of tropical paradise: long and deserted beaches fringed with palms and a plethora of activities to help you access all this beauty.

Campervanning has always been a popular way to get around New Zealand, especially for travelers on a budget. This is in part thanks to the popularity of “freedom camping” (a system that allows parking overnight in designated areas at no cost across the country). Having traveled the considerable length of Aotearoa (New Zealand’s Māori language

Home to one of the world’s most accessible live volcanos, the tiny island of Tanna in Vanuatu’s south is ready-made for unforgettable adventures. Vanuatu is an archipelagic country of 83 islands in the South Pacific. The sixth largest, Tanna is just 40km (25 miles) long and 19km (12 miles) wide – but visitors will find plenty to see

With its pristine forests, panoramic peaks, world-renowned bridges and historic ruins, the Hudson Valley is a hiker’s heaven. There are trails to suit all experience levels, all just a stone’s throw from New York City. If you thought New York State was all about city sprawl, prepare to be surprised. There’s a reason Thomas Cole and

This article is adapted from the most recent Pocket Washington, DC guidebook written by Karla Zimmerman. Folks often call Washington, DC’s National Mall “America’s Front Yard.” It is indeed a lawn, unfurling 2 miles of scrubby green grass from the Capitol west to the Lincoln Memorial. It’s also where citizens come to protest their government

Set along the Balkans’ spine, in between tourism heavyweights Croatia and Greece, landlocked Serbia isn’t exactly known for bucket-list appearances. Yet the lack of crowds and globally recognizable Instagram-bragging snaps makes the experience of traveling here all the more authentic. What you will find – and perhaps be surprised by – is diversity, both in

When Prince died in April 2016, we lost an icon and music lost one of its most creative and dynamic talents. Prince Rogers Nelson was utterly unique and his death at the (way too young) age of 57 left a void in the lives of his legions of fans and fellow musicians.  Though he will

Anna is a Lyon local who covered the city for our France guidebook. Here she shares the best time to pay a visit to Lyon. A rare and special thing; Lyon is great at any time of year, like a flannel shirt that works equally well thrown on for a summer evening or layered up

Lonely Planet’s senior social media manager, Rachel Lewis, recently returned from a weekend with her wife in Portland, Maine. Here she shares her trip highlights and what to prepare for before you go. I’ve always had a clear picture in my head of what visiting Portland, Maine would be like, and, honestly, it was pretty stereotypical:

Colorful, chaotic, crowded – all the cliches about India are true, as are the tropes of culture shock, sensory overload and land of contrasts. It is a huge country with different cultures and customs across its length and breadth. A bewildering array of sights, sounds and smells greet you as you navigate the fast-paced cities

Anchored by the Appalachians, West Virginia holds a trove of wild rivers, deep gorges and thick forests perfect for outdoor adventures. Charming small towns and fascinating historic sites throughout the state also beg to be explored. Journey through the mountains and along the rivers to discover everything from coal mining history to famous family feuds

When you think of the best food cities in the US, the usual cities come to mind – New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami and Chicago. But if you’re traveling in search of great eats this year, consider thinking outside the box and heading to these great but underrated culinary destinations instead.  From

While deserts may be more closely associated with barren, dry characteristics, Palm Springs and the broader Coachella Valley are flush with things to do. In recent years, the region has attracted far more than retirees and Coachella fans. Whether you’re wanting to slow down and unplug with a rejuvenating sound bath or race something fast,

Switzerland might appear small on paper, but it’s a hell of a lot bigger when you look up. Welcome to one of Europe’s most mountainous countries, where the Alps ripple across 60% of its territory. With a whole lot of vertical, it’s all about peak performance here – the Swiss are practically born on skis

Washington, DC is a nexus of culture. Its geographic location brings together the northern and southern US, and its role as a major entry point for immigration has led to the creation of hundreds of international communities.  The beautiful collaboration and harmony of the city’s residents comes across in the thriving dining scene – according