Destinations

It’s hard to imagine that a mere five decades ago, Cancún was just a tiny fishing village. But when developers arrived on the scene in the late 1960s, they took a long look at the coastal region’s mesmerizing jungles, wildlife-rich wetlands and impossibly turquoise waters, and the rest is history.  Today, the megaresort is Mexico’s

As the birthplace of American democracy — where the Founding Fathers debated and signed the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution — Philadelphia is best known for its rich history. Well, that and cheesesteaks, and that movie about that boxer. You can and should spend weeks soaking up the City of Brotherly Love and

If my frequent travels to Cancún have taught me anything, it’s that paradise will throw you a curveball from time to time, just to keep things real. Among the setbacks, I’ve experienced a costly car break-in, brazen price gouging and a debilitating bout of sickness with dengue fever, an ordeal that still makes my joints

With 15,000km (9320 miles) of coastline, New Zealand is heaven for beach lovers. Its diverse shores dish up everything from lazy days and blazing sunsets, to active adventures such as swimming, kayaking and surfing. Finding a great strip of sand in New Zealand is easy, but you can narrow down your coastal hit list with

One of Mexico’s tourism megastars, Cancún is a city with two very different faces. There’s the Zona Hotelera, the long, thin island curving along the edge of the Nichupté lagoon, with its glorious Caribbean beaches and high-rise hotels. Then there’s Cancún Centro, the city’s somewhat gritty downtown, packed with shops and offices and broken up by

Piling onto a tractor-trailer, an assortment of Luxor youngsters leaned into a conversation with a pair of retirees from Europe. “We’re learning English,” the youngest said, unabashed by any lack of formal introduction. A tumble of questions followed: “Where you from? You like Luxor? How many kids you have?” Unphased by the fact that the

Pristine white sand beaches, aquamarine waters, and a lush volcanic landscape – arriving in Fiji truly feels like you’ve discovered paradise. This far-flung archipelago, made up of more than 300 islands, has a rich culture with delicious food and a joie de vivre attitude at its heart. Start planning your trip now with our shortlist

Türkiye’s appeal lies in so many places, from Istanbul’s iconic attractions like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque to the sun-soaked beaches of Izmir and the otherworldly Cappadocia, with its cave hotels and hot air balloon rides. With such diverse choices, deciding where to start your Turkish adventure can be tricky. But where should you head if you’re seeking to

As one of the world’s dreamiest destinations, Paris never disappoints. Summer sees the Seine lined with people soaking up the city at its sunniest, while the cooler winter temperatures make it the perfect time to explore museums, galleries and cozy cafes.  When planning a visit, it’s also worth checking out Paris’ extensive festival and events

Los Angeles may be home to all the Hollywood glitz and glam, but there are still many exciting activities and experiences that don’t cost a dime. From iconic landmarks like Griffith Observatory and the Getty Center to hidden gems like The Last Bookstore, these and other free experiences are guaranteed to reveal a side of LA

Covering an area nearly twice the size of Texas, Colombia is a huge country. And with a backbone formed by the Andes Mountains and vast swathes of forest covering more than 70% of its land area, this isn’t the easiest place to navigate overground. Luckily, getting around in Colombia is made easier by a solid

While there are plenty of museums, restaurants, and historical sites to keep you busy in Mexico City, the central region of Mexico is filled with pueblo mágicos (magical towns) and beautiful areas that are well worth your time for a weekend getaway. Mexico City is conveniently located so day trips are easy and numerous, not

Rio de Janeiro has embraced a serious lust for life with which the city’s inhabitants celebrate their days, making it a dynamic place to visit, no matter how you like to spend your time.  While large-scale festivities such as Carnaval make Rio famous, there are countless occasions for revelry: Saturdays at Ipanema Beach, festas (parties) in

Colombia’s magic is not just a tale to be heard, but a reality to be experienced. From the beaches of the captivating Caribbean coastline to sweeping Andean vistas to awe-inspiring emerald jungles, South America’s northernmost country offers unexpected surprises for families. Significant improvements in security and tourism infrastructure have rendered travel safe in the majority

The undulating landscape that surrounds Rio de Janeiro is studded with wilderness-backed beaches, ancient sites and fascinating smaller-scale urban hubs. But the fact of the matter is that public transport outside the city lacks efficiency. Trips to destinations that, on paper, appear potentially close – such as the cobbled streets of Paraty or the island

One of the best things about the Swiss city of Lausanne is its brilliant location. Located in the heart of Europe, on the shore of beautiful Lake Geneva, and within spitting distance of both the Alps and the Jura, it’s the ideal base for numerous day trips, whether cultural, physical or simply peaceful. Exploring Charlie

Alexis recently finished working on Lonely Planet’s new Paris guidebook, due to be published in April 2024. Here she shares her expert opinion on how to save money in Paris. Paris might be home to haute couture, haute cuisine and some legendary luxury hotels, but if you’re still waiting for your lottery numbers to come

Despite my love of travel – and travel-planning – organizing a stellar family vacation is a quagmire for me. Our brood includes Bella, an 18-year-old rising first-year college athlete (go Wisconsin Badgers!); Sophie, a 16-year-old almost high school junior whose bent for art and style runs deep; and Anderson (his first name is my last

Imagine bouncing over rolling grasslands in a 4WD, with nothing but rolling green steppe extending in every direction. Mongolia is proof that roads (of the asphalt variety) are by no means essential for a road trip. Such is the boundless landscape of Mongolia that awesome road trip adventures can be found just about anywhere you

Singapore is often ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. While prices in Singapore are akin to most other major international cities, most travelers feel the pinch when doing a Southeast Asian jaunt where neighboring countries are generally much cheaper to visit in comparison. But don’t worry, there