Destinations

All around the world, ephemeral blooms add a magical new layer to our favorite travel destinations. Japan’s spring cherry blossoms ⁠draw in travelers keen to experience the destination at its most ethereal. Provence’s summer lavender fields are flocked by visitors who want to breathe in the signature scent of the south of France. People seek

While Florida destinations like Miami and Palm Beach get most of the hype these days, don’t overlook Tampa on the state’s Gulf Coast. The growing mid-sized city exudes a polished ease that makes it a relaxed and inviting vacation spot. I grew up in Tampa, and it has a freshness and gravity that always pulls

Few countries pack as much into one small space as Portugal. Neolithic carvings, Roman ruins and Moorish castles sit side-by-side with breathtaking mountain ranges, blue-flag beaches, canal-lined cities and enchanting villages. Summer festivals pop up in otherwise quiet countryside towns and adventure sports alight on the coast and in the mountains, while artisan producers and

Miami’s been given a wild culinary glow-up over the past few decades, the titterings of which began when Gianni Versace, in all his fashionable prescience, chose to hang his hat in South Beach, with celebrities like Madonna, Sly Stallone and Lenny Kravitz following suit — indulgent palates in tow.  As a born and raised Miami

It’s time to spread out. Avoiding over-touristed destinations isn’t just about steering clear of crowds  –  it’s also about ensuring that we’re not contributing to the problem and instead helping to support the livelihoods of people in less-trafficked regions.  Truly getting off the beaten path, though? It can feel harder than ever, with phrases like

Winter, spring, summer or fall – it’s never a bad time to visit the Caribbean.  While summer ushers in the Caribbean’s hurricane season, the increase in rainfall usually yields deals on everything from flights to hotel rooms. Wet weather doesn’t dampen the spirit of the region or its resilient people. And many islands, such as St

Long before Edmonton was Alberta’s capital city (and the fifth largest city in Canada), it was a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples: Edmonton lies in the traditional territory of the Nehiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dene), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Nakota Sioux (Stoney), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and Métis Peoples. While the Hudson’s Bay Company may have dubbed their trading post

Lonely Planet associate editor Ann Douglas Lott recently traveled to Newport Beach, California, for a sunny coastal getaway. Here, she shares some tips and insights for anyone planning a similar trip. With a hankering for a West Coast getaway and a head start on my summer tan, landing in Newport Beach felt like the biggest

Lonely Planet Destination Editor Amy Lynch traveled to Tampere, Finland – the sauna capital of the world – to discover what lies behind the Finnish passion for saunas. Here, she shares some tips and insights for anyone planning a similar trip. I thought I knew what saunas were all about. Small, electric affairs at the local swimming

Ross Clarke recently returned from Fuerteventura where he was researching for the upcoming Canary Islands guidebook (publishing November 2024). This is his ultimate guide to planning your holiday to Fuerteventura. When people think of the Canary Islands, sunshine and seaside fun usually spring to mind. And rightly so, as the archipelago is awash with both

Ross Clarke has recently returned from Gran Canaria where he was researching for the upcoming Canary Islands guidebook (publishing November 2024). Here he creates the ultimate guide to help you start planning your vacation to the Canaries’ third-largest island. When you fly into Gran Canaria or traverse its coastline by boat to dock at one

Inexpensive lodging and affordable street food mean Oaxaca delivers plenty of bang for your buck – add a plethora of free attractions to the mix and the colorful city is about as budget-friendly as they come. Cultural activities abound in Oaxaca, many of which won’t set you back a single peso. Scores of free museums, galleries

It’s been 30 years since the Eurostar first connected London to mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. As an Australian living in London, I cannot tell you how excited I was the first time I arrived at St Pancras “International” to board a Paris-bound train.  A few trips later, including a recent long weekend in

Alberta is home to some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on the planet: rugged snow-capped mountains, massive glaciers, thick forests, impossibly blue lakes, vast prairies and other-worldly badlands filled with dinosaur bones. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, but that’s only one side of this remarkable destination. First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples have lived on

Some girlfriends and I found ourselves in the north of Barbados, suddenly in desperate need of some painkillers. We’d been enjoying some girl talk and an afternoon island drive, with no destination in particular, when I was assaulted by a headache. Now, something to know about Barbados is the further north you venture, modern conveniences

For grand castles and gritty industrial architecture, half-timbered taverns and edgy techno nightclubs, head to Germany. Explore culture-rich cities like Berlin or Hamburg; dive into the great outdoors by visiting epic mountains and national parks; or examine to modern history and reminders of a divided past. Here are some of the top things to do across

Edmonton does things big: it’s home to Canada’s largest sports and entertainment district, the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America, the oldest and largest fringe theater festival in North America and one of the largest shopping malls on the planet. But underneath that big, bold surface is a vibrant capital city with an

Since time immemorial, Mother Nature has been hard at work in Arches National Park, famous for its namesake rock formations that splash soaring arcs of red-orange sandstone against the bright blue sky of Utah. True to its name, Arches has the highest concentration of natural stone arches of anywhere on Earth, from the graceful 306ft-long

While there aren’t many bargains in Munich, there are a surprising number of one-of-a-kind activities and sights that are completely free. Whether you’re a music lover, a car enthusiast or a fan of world-class soccer, gardens, history or architecture, Munich has a free experience for you. Here’s our guide to the very best of them. 1.

A mind-boggling glimpse into layers upon layers of Earth’s planetary past, Canyonlands National Park is Utah’s largest – and least visited – national park, even though part of it sits a short distance away from Arches National Park, a 40-minute drive from the town of Moab. Canyonlands’ meandering cliffsides are stacked with thousands of feet