Life's a beach in California, and so much more. When the coastal fog lifts, the state's 840 miles of shoreline truly give its “golden” moniker justice. Find family fun in La Jolla, gaze upon world-class surfers in Huntington Beach, mingle with eccentrics in Venice Beach, cuddle at sunset in a Big Sur cove or find…
Buenos Aires is officially divided into 48 barrios (neighborhoods), each with a distinct atmosphere and personality. Spending time in these different areas offers a big payoff, as the city’s true character is slowly revealed. This guide to the best neighborhoods to stay, where to head for daytime sightseeing, and where to experience Buenos Aires’ legendary…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…