Destinations

Whether you’re cruising in a chrome-plated RV or sputtering along in a vintage VW, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of hitting the road in a camper van, where you’re beholden to no timetable and limited only by your ambitions. Most travelers set their satnavs for the smooth highways of the old dependables – North

San José has changed a lot since 1821, when it was dubbed the new capital of Costa Rica. That sleepy town grew steadily through the decades, swallowing up pueblos (villages) and turning them into barrios (neighborhoods). Yet each fragment of San José remains small and distinct; you may not realize you’re leaving one neighborhood and

Japan has a reputation as an expensive place to travel to, but it’s an image that doesn’t hold up on the ground. With a little strategy, a visit can be very reasonable – budget-friendly, even. Many of the country’s major sights, for example, cost nothing, and free festivals take place year-round. With these top tips

In this series, Lonely Planet’s team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. All-around travel expert and native Aussie Tasmin Waby helps a reader with the Sydney-related question below. Question: There are so many ferry services in Sydney. Which boat offers the

Havana is a complex city with many different layers. It seduces you slowly, getting under your skin with its street energy, historical heirlooms and charismatic people. The range of attractions on offer in Havana is impressive and many things are free. Like culture? You can explore a meticulously renovated Unesco World Heritage Site with more

With more than 8 million people crammed into five boroughs spanning a mere 300 sq miles, New York City is a boisterous metropolis that famously refuses to sleep. Its riot of sights and sounds vary so much from one block to the next – let alone from borough to borough – that you could take

With stunning beaches, rich culture and vibrant cities, plus a stable democracy and tourism-friendly infrastructure, the West African country of Ghana is one of the most interesting and accessible destinations on the continent – it’s even been called “Africa for beginners.”  Situated between Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, this hot spot has a colorful traditional

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States. And, with layers of rolling hardwood landscapes, 2100 trickling waterways and a mysterious fog that looms at seemingly all hours, it isn’t hard to see why. With so much going right for it, there are still opportunities for things to

While there are a few cities in the country, what makes New Zealand special is its natural beauty. Think white (or black) sandy beaches, thermal springs, towering mountains and colorful lakes… for an outdoor experience, New Zealand is the place to go. Visitors will no doubt spend at least some of their trip in at least

There’s no better way to explore Hawaii than by hitting one of the dozens of hiking trails that weave across the state. Trekking here can mean an escape into a native rainforest or cutting along secluded coastal trails. Indeed, the diverse range of trails in Hawaii can give visitors a true appreciation of the islands’

The Pyrenees are renowned for their spectacular sunsets, ample hiking opportunities, and unique landscapes – truly a vast, beautiful playground for lovers of the outdoors. But don’t sleep on the picturesque little towns nestled between the peaks, they’re full of cherished traditions, cultural delights and eccentric festivals. With so much on offer, it’s hard to

Best moment of my (quasi-) sporting life? Squaring up to take a point at Dublin’s Croke Park with hurling legend Ollie Canning just a few paces away, urging me to take the shot. It didn’t matter that the stands were empty, and this was just a bit of media day fun: I was about to

The rich history and heritage of the Southwest is ripe for exploration – whether it’s visiting fascinating ruins, vibrant museums, and art galleries, or simply soaking up the sun in the Sonoran Desert. Here, warm people and unique traditions are nestled within some of the most varied and captivating landscapes in the United States. Starting

Ahhh, Sicily – this Italian isle makes one feel so lucky to be alive. I can’t recall a more invigorating and inspiring experience than the week-long road trip I took with friends a few years back (and it’s easy driving, by Italian standards).  We motored from Palermo to Etna, Taormina to Ragusa and back to

Small and land-locked Malawi is loaded with diverse game parks, lively cities, varied topography, and a stunning lake that packs a punch no matter what time of year you visit. The country has two distinct seasons: wet and hot (November to April), plus cool and dry (May to October). The best time to is dependent on what

Tokyo is known as a city of juxtapositions, but never is this more true than when you’re standing before an elaborate mural of colors, shapes and history that just so happens to be gracing the outer walls of the German Embassy. In a hyper-developed metropolitan, there is art institutionalized and gatekept behind museum entrance fees,

Bigger than Rhode Island and large enough to influence the weather, Grand Canyon National Park can be overwhelming for first-time visitors.  Millions make a special effort to visit the park each year but some don’t account for the blistering desert heat, sporadic monsoons, trail safety along a whopping 595 miles of hiking routes, or the

Most middle or upper class Brazilians will warn you off from visiting favelas. They’re too dangerous, they’ll tell you. It’s too risky. Then the question will inevitably follow: why would you want to go to one anyway?  Slum tourism is a tricky subject. Visiting neighborhoods just to gape at residents is akin to visiting a

When our colleague Brekke Fletcher, Lonely Planet’s Director of Content, got an invitation to visit Costa Careyes in Mexico, she jumped on it. Here’s how her dreamy getaway went.   It had been on my radar for years. Still, I had no idea what to expect from Costa Careyes. Casa Nautilus, one of the villas you

The best time to visit New Orleans is whenever you’re feeling like you need to add some fun and random beautiful chaos to your life, because this city manufactures good times in overdrive. Good times aside, you probably want to arrive at the fun factory when the weather is pleasant.  When it comes to New