A postcard from Phuket Town

Lonely Planet correspondent Austin Bush skipped the beaches and discovered the charms of Phuket’s capital. Here’s his report from Phuket Town, highlighting the best things to see and do For more than 20 years, I was based in Thailand, from where I contributed to more than 30 guidebooks for Lonely Planet. These days I’m mostly based…

Continue ReadingA postcard from Phuket Town

Inside Paris’ opulent new reading room

A stunning new public library and high temple to reading has opened in Paris for both local and traveling bibliophiles. It goes by a nickname that couldn’t be more apt: the Oval Paradise. After a painstaking 12-year restoration that carried a price tag of €261 million, the Bibliothèque Nationale de France’s historic Richelieu site in…

Continue ReadingInside Paris’ opulent new reading room

Sweden’s Icehotel 33 has opened for the winter season

Looking for a great reason to start planning your next adventure? In this series, we share the most compelling events, attractions and experiences that will have you booking a trip to the world’s most exciting destinations.  Every November, as temperatures drop and the aurora borealis dances overhead, a new Icehotel takes shape in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden,…

Continue ReadingSweden’s Icehotel 33 has opened for the winter season

Escape the cold at Prague’s 12 best cozy cafes and bars

With fewer tourists and a frosted skyline of Baroque domes and soaring Gothic spires, Prague in winter can be the stuff of snow-filled fairytales. But even the most resilient travelers will need a few breaks to relax and defrost frozen fingers and toes, ideally with a tasty drink or warm meal to enjoy. With the average…

Continue ReadingEscape the cold at Prague’s 12 best cozy cafes and bars

How to plan a trip to see the northern lights in Scandinavia and Iceland

In Lonely Plan-it, we take you step-by-step through how we planned some of the most complicated travel adventures, so you can recreate them yourself with ease. Here, Icelandic writer Egill Bjarnason explains how to plan a trip to see the northern lights.  In the eyes of my international friends, the northern lights always make me…

Continue ReadingHow to plan a trip to see the northern lights in Scandinavia and Iceland

Top 14 free things to do in Zürich

Regularly named one of the most expensive cities in the world, Zürich isn’t the first place you’d think of for a bargain city break. With its classy designer shops, once-in-a-lifetime restaurants and eye-watering entry fees, it’s easy to empty your wallet in Zürich without much effort. Fortunately, the financial powerhouse has plenty to do for…

Continue ReadingTop 14 free things to do in Zürich

The 10 best cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve

Shake up your New Year’s Eve revelry by seeking out a new perspective on – and location for – this internationally celebrated milestone. Major cities around the world each put their own spin on the festivities, going all out in their own way. Join the celebrations on Copacabana Beach, the party at Sydney Harbour or…

Continue ReadingThe 10 best cities to celebrate New Year’s Eve

ZBiotics Review: Can it Prevent a Hangover?

Heads up: some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click and make a booking or purchase, I’ll make a commission (at no extra cost to you). I partner with companies I personally use and the $$ goes towards creating more awesome, free travel content.  I get terrible, godawful hangovers. They’ve…

Continue ReadingZBiotics Review: Can it Prevent a Hangover?

Why you should go to Austin in winter (and other times to visit)

Long known for its music scene, its "Keep Austin Weird" aesthetic and its inventive culinary talents, Austin is a crowd-pleaser. But when's the best time to go? As we head into winter, Austin's sweltering summer has been replaced by cool days and long nights, so if you've been considering a visit, now's the time. Explore…

Continue ReadingWhy you should go to Austin in winter (and other times to visit)