Nearly 400 years ago, the town of Oberammergau made a promise to host a Passion Play every 10 years to fend off the plague. After a different pandemic delayed the latest production, this year’s show is extra special. When I arrived in Oberammergau on a balmy Saturday evening in May, the town of 5400 in
Destinations
There’s something about a world-class city after dark, when the night brings out different feelings and experiences that the day never could. We reached out to Lonely Planet travel writers who live in Los Angeles, Bangkok, Delhi, Paris and London, asked them their favorite places in their home city to experience after dark, and got
No place says summer in New England like Cape Cod – that iconic arm that reaches out into the Atlantic, yielding 560 miles of sun-drenched, windswept coastline. Cape Cod is the quintessential summertime destination, with sand dunes covered with wild beach roses, happy kids frolicking in the surf and seals bobbing in the water. The varied
Utah is world famous for its red-rock arches and deep canyons – and as with many things in life, the journey across the Beehive State adds up to much more than any singular landmark. Since you’ll be driving through one of America’s most beautiful states, you can expect jaw-dropping views. Thankfully, many of these vistas
With five fabulous national parks, roads that encircle mountains and navigate red-rock deserts, and miles of slopes for skiing and hiking, Utah is an outdoor playground. For families, it’s one of the best destinations for exploring only-in-Utah natural wonders that are sure to dazzle visitors of all ages. Whether you’re looking to dip your toe
The world’s greatest tennis tournament may be known for elite athletes, celebrity spectators and strawberries and cream, but for many Wimbledon is also about queues, tents and takeaways. It’s one of the few sporting events that holds premium tickets to be sold on the day of play. But with COVID-19 meaning social distancing is central to everything
Despite having a coastline of beautiful beaches perfect for lazing, Kenya rarely inspires visitors to sit still – the country simply has too many exciting things to do. Stirring landscapes ranging from equatorial glaciers and jagged peaks to wildlife-laden plains and tropical reefs provide an epic natural playground for all who venture here, while the
Surfing walks out of the home team locker room into the glorious wave arena that is Hawaii. Whispers of daring Polynesian kings and nobles attempting to harness the ocean here go back some 800 years, back to an age when great 10-foot boards carved of Acacia koa trees were forged and high Polynesian priests appealed
The origins of cacao can be traced back to Latin America when the plant was used to make fermented chocolate beverages dating back to 450 BCE. Thousands of years of chocolate consumption make Latin America and the Caribbean the ideal region for chocolate tours. In celebration of World Chocolate Day on July 7, 2022, we’ve got the best
Austin’s progressive and artsy vibe make the city perfect for LGBTIQ+ travelers and is both welcoming and filled with tons of great food, events, and nightlife. Austin is a weird and wonderful place. It’s a college town and a hippie outpost, but it’s also a booming metropolis and the capital of Texas. It’s a city
When Alicia and Esther Tambe lost their sister to breast cancer, they started an organization to celebrate one of her great loves: travel. One of the last trips Alicia and Esther Tambe took with their older sister Maria was to Colombia in the summer of 2018. They went to the city of Cartagena to celebrate
While the Hoosier state capital is perhaps best known as the home of the Indy 500, Indianapolis is more than just a city for racing enthusiasts. It’s a place where public art, professional sports, bikeways, universities, museums and parks meld together in one dynamic city. Plan to explore Indianapolis on wheels – biking or scootering are
Exploring Qatar’s fascinating history rewards travelers with a glimpse of rich traditions and cultural heritage passed down through generations. The sense of individuality has become embedded in Qatar’s progression, development, and contemporary vision, leading to places where the past and future collide in incredible ways. Since the 1970s, developments in art, architecture and cultural projects
Québec City rejoices in summer. This is the season when animated crowds of tourists discover Old Québec for the first time, and restaurant patios fill up. Outdoor hang-out spaces pop up throughout the city, parks are shady oases and the cool waters of rivers and pools offer tantalizing escapes. Some spaces will allow you to exchange
Golden beaches, historic lighthouses and edge-of-the-earth cliffs: the Algarve has some of Portugal’s most enchanting coastline. It also has unmatched summertime highs – both when it comes to temperatures and to lodging prices. There are plenty of ways you can save, however, even when traveling during peak season. In fact, some of the best experiences in
One thing you won’t find in Wyoming are bustling metropolises – the largest city, Cheyenne, has just 65,000 residents. But if you’re searching for a touch of the West – wide-open spaces, tall peaks, Native American history, wildlife, geysers, hot springs, hiking, skiing, horseback riding, fly-fishing and staged “gunslinger duels” – you’ll find it, along
North Carolina is one of the most geographically diverse states in the country. With three main regions – the Appalachian Mountains, the Piedmont and the Coastal Plain – the Tar Heel state offers a range of activities for anyone planning a visit. Whether you’re a foodie, a nature lover or simply looking for a new beach
Anchoring the south of Portugal, the Algarve is famous for its cliff-backed beaches, mouthwatering seafood and picturesque villages. It’s also a remarkably easy-going region, with a welcoming vibe for every kind of traveler. While it’s easy to hop on a plane and jet down for a spontaneous week (or weekend), you can make more out
Beautiful Colorado Springs sits at the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and retains many of its small-town charms. Natural attractions in the shape of the dramatic Pikes Peak and the vertical sandstone towers of the Garden of the Gods are the main draw here – but Colorado Springs’ delightful neighborhoods make it feel like the
With 2876 miles of tidal coastline, South Carolina is a beach-goers dream, whether you’re looking for solitude, family fun, or a spring break vibe. South Carolina beaches entice visitors, not just with the cool, sparkling Atlantic and broad, sandy beaches that hide dazzling seashells. You can see wildlife, dive deep into history, enjoy water sports,