Destinations

Ringed by UNESCO-listed city walls, Dubrovnik’s spectacular old town is a huge draw for over a million visitors each year. Come summer, the narrow lanes of the compact old town can get cramped with the tourist crush, especially when cruise ships are in port. If the city gets all too much, escape on a day

It’s not all ancient temple ruins, baroque hill towns and drop-dead-gorgeous beaches. Such is the epicurean clout, nous and diversity of this Mediterranean heavyweight that it’s perfectly feasible to simply eat your way around Sicily and its ocean-fueled archipelagos. Spaghetti ai ricci in sea-urchin sauce, swordfish carpaccio on a seafront terrace, veg-spiked arancini and primeval

I’ve never been to Colombia. Such a failure, I know. But for months now, Colombia has been on my mind. Last fall I read this New York Times article about Morat, a band from Bogotá. It was one of those stories that made my antennae go up. Suddenly everything was Colombia. I had this feeling,

Many of South America’s greatest hits can be found in Ecuador – from Andean peaks and the Amazon to tropical beaches, Inca ruins and the wonders of the Galápagos Islands. Pretty impressive for a country that’s a fraction of the size of its neighbors! The hardest part is deciding which part to visit first. To

Ecuador offers some of the most incredible outdoor experiences on earth, from surfing on beautiful beaches to treks through the Amazon jungle. The fourth-smallest country in South America offers experiences to rival anything in Brazil, Argentina or Chile, all packed into a small space that’s easy to explore by bus, boat or plane. With top-flight natural wonders such

San Antonio attracts visitors for many reasons. There’s the history of the Alamo and the Spanish Missions, a great selection of Tex-Mex cuisine, lovely strolls along the River Walk or shopping in the Mexican marketplace at Market Square. But what if you’re traveling with your family, and how do you keep the kids amused? Immerse yourself

From the surf beaches of the Pacific coast and the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the Galapagos Islands and the humid Amazon Basin, Ecuador serves up epic travel experiences in every season, all in an area only slightly larger than Colorado. Compared to its enormous neighbors, Ecuador offers a taste of South America on

The drive along Italy‘s Amalfi Coast, preferably in a vintage Alfa Romeo Spider, is the stuff of travel legend. And it’s just one of dozens of epic road trip routes in this fascinating, richly layered country. Don’t be put off by stories of impatient local drivers – the countryside here was made for exploring by

Regularly cited as one of the best-value countries to visit in South America, Colombia is a place where your cash is destined to go further.  With fixed-price lunch menus and inexpensive pola (beer), you can dine like a king, and hostels are plentiful and cheap. A network of affordable interregional buses and low-cost airlines means you

Barcelona is Spain’s most visited city, and it’s not hard to see why – the historic capital of Catalonia is packed with galleries, museums, attractions and thriving restaurants. Set between the mountains and sea, the city is celebrated for its unique architecture, famous artists and urban beaches. Here are the best things to do in Barcelona

The eighth largest country on Earth, Argentina encompasses everything from pancake-flat grasslands to sky-high mountains, humid wetlands to frigid ice fields, emerald forests to rugged coastlines. In the south, Patagonia provides dramatic scenery and endless horizons, while the dynamic capital Buenos Aires pulses to the rhythms of fútbol (soccer) and tango. Travelers can visit Argentina

San Francisco is an easy place to visit. Dress codes are nearly nonexistent, and its self-aware laid-back culture keeps formalities to a minimum. But there are a few things a savvy traveler can do ahead of a trip to make the most of their time in the Bay Area, such as reserve restaurant tables. Once

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. The train in Spain? That’s one for Barcelona-based, Andalucía-raised travel expert Isabella Noble. Question: I want to visit a city, an off-the-beaten-track destination and a beach in Spain by train,

Barcelona has enough to keep the most voracious of culture vultures and self-indulgent of gourmets happy for weeks, but all those entry fees and tapas bills can mount up. Luckily, with this list of free things to do in Barcelona, you can enjoy the best of this wonderful city without spending a fortune. Make the most

A visit to Singapore is a glimpse into the future. From its modern and almost surreal airport to its eye-catching and ever-changing skyline, it is continuously innovative. Even though the tourist-entry requirements for most nationalities are quite straightforward, Singapore is famously known for being a state that is committed to the rulebook. What are the dos

India is a place that overwhelms your senses in the best possible way – nowhere else delivers quite the same barrage of sights, sounds, sensations – and yes, even smells – as this continent-sized country at the heart of Asia.  It would take a lifetime to see all of India, let alone understand every nuance

Yosemite National Park is one of those dazzling, large-than-life destinations with a beauty that must be seen firsthand to truly appreciate it. Renowned landscape photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams did a good job introducing the public to this iconic park in the 1930s, when he began documenting its magic in black and white. Close to

Over the last decade or so, Lisbon emerged as one of Europe’s top tourist destinations. With its cobbled alleys, soft color palette, Unesco-listed heritage sites and white-domed cathedrals, it has also drawn a flux of new residents, all seduced by its beauty and balmy weather. Hipster cafes may be replacing the timeless mom-and-pop corner stores in

From the snow-dusted, ski-worthy Pyrenees to the glinting golden beaches of the south, Spain unfolds in a series of ever-changing landscapes, traditions, attractions, cuisines and even languages. Its vast natural spaces are a dream for those who love the great outdoors, while the cities, towns and villages fizz with energy, cultural jewels and mouth-watering gastronomy.

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. When an Amtrak question came across the transom, we turned to Lonely Planet contributor (and major train) fan Lauren Keith. Question: My trip around Europe with the Eurail Pass