art and culture
Is Spain's late-night dining culture about to change?
Mar 22, 2024 • 5 min read
Late-night dining has recently been criticized by a government minister in Spain. So could things be about to change?
wildlife and nature
California is set for an impressive super bloom season - here's where to see the wildflowers
Mar 13, 2024 • 3 min read
Weather conditions this year may be just right to bring wildflower super blooms to life in parts of California.
tips and advice
"Hands off Molly Malone" and other tips for visitors to Ireland
Mar 5, 2024 • 3 min read
Irish people are famouslyvery friendly and easygoing, yet certain behaviors are sure to rankle.
train travel
Book your tickets... Europe's newest night train will link these grandiose cities
Feb 29, 2024 • 2 min read
Passengers can travel from Brussels to Prague (and even link up with London) on a cross-border night train service.
attraction
Yet another potential tourist fee - this time for Seville
Feb 28, 2024 • 3 min read
Plaza de España is one of the most-visited attractions in Spain.
sustainable travel
Planning a trip to Hawaii? You might have to pay a tourism tax
Feb 21, 2024 • 2 min read
Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, proposed a $25 climate fee on tourists joining other nations struggling with the heavy burden of over-tourism.
destination practicalities
Everything we know about Japan’s new six-month digital nomad visa
Feb 16, 2024 • 4 min read
Digital nomads rejoice! Japan's new six-month visa means you could soon be working from Tokyo. Our Japan expert John Walton has the latest details.
books
Paris's beloved booksellers secure victory to stay put during this summer's Olympics
Feb 15, 2024 • 4 min read
The beloved bouquinistes of the Seine quays have been selling books for over 450 years.
sustainable travel
Traveling to Bali? Prepare to pay a new tourist fee from today
Feb 13, 2024 • 4 min read
Bali is introducing a new tourist tax starting February 14.
architecture
İstanbul’s iconic Hagia Sophia has new rules for visitors: here's what you need to know
Feb 2, 2024 • 5 min read
The Hagia Sophia in İstanbul has reopened its upper gallery for the first time since 2020 – but with new rules and a fee.
wildlife and nature
The best places to see northern lights in 2024
Jan 31, 2024 • 6 min read
See Also::Seasons of Delhi ::Always dreamed of seeing the aurora borealis? Here’s our guide on how and where to see the northern lights.
wildlife and nature
Discover when Japan’s cherry blossoms are expected to bloom in 2024
Jan 24, 2024 • 2 min read
The Japan Meteorological Corporation has released its latest predictions for when blooms will start to appear around Japan.
archaeology
History fans will want to put this new Roman museum on their itinerary
Jan 15, 2024 • 3 min read
Beside the imposing Colosseum, a new archaeological park and museum have recently unveiled their treasures to eager visitors.
air travel
Boeing MAX planes are grounded for safety checks - here's what that means for your next flight
Jan 11, 2024 • 4 min read
Lonely Planet’s resident aviation journalist John Walton on why they're grounded, what happens next, and what it might mean for your flight.
camping
New Zealand’s camping laws have changed - what to know if you want to travel by campervan
Jan 9, 2024 • 6 min read
If you’re planning on renting or buying a van or motorhome to travel through New Zealand, here’s how the new legislation may affect your travel plans.
sustainable travel
Venice introduces new tourist rules for 2024, including an entry fee and limits on tour groups
Jan 9, 2024 • 5 min read
In an effort to regulate the number of tourists within the city, Venice is introducing a new booking system for visitors.
hiking
Why you should think twice before dipping your toe in a Yellowstone hot spring
Jan 3, 2024 • 6 min read
Wander around Yellowstone National Park’s geothermal features, and you might notice that fire-engine-red warning signs are as ubiquitous as bison.
sports
6 (big) reasons to visit France in 2024
Jan 3, 2024 • 5 min read
Here are all the noteworthy events, anniversaries and openings worth keeping in mind if you have France on your travel radar for 2024
national parks
Here's when you can enter US national parks for free in 2024
Jan 2, 2024 • 2 min read
The USA’s national parks are where you’ll find some of the country’s best adventures — and for six days all of them will be free to enter.
art and culture
10 exhibitions in the US worth traveling for in 2024
Jan 2, 2024 • 7 min read
Visit these shows at museums around the country to get fresh takes on old masters, see exciting new work, learn about history and more.
entertainment
10 concerts and live shows in 2024 that you won’t forget
Jan 2, 2024 • 5 min read
Nicki Minaj, Drake, Bad Bunny, the Rolling Stones... Major acts are taking to the road in the US in 2024. Here are ten you’ll want to buy tickets for ASAP.
destination practicalities
Tourist taxes will make these destinations more expensive in 2024
Jan 2, 2024 • 8 min read
A growing number of destinations worldwide are collecting a tax on tourists. Here are the places where you’ll have to pay up to visit in 2024.
FAQs
What is the controversy with the Lonely Planet? ›
In March 2019, Lonely Planet posted a video on Facebook falsely claiming that the Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines were created by the Chinese, leading to criticism.
Do people still read Lonely Planet? ›Are traditional travel guides, like Lonely Planet, still useful? Absolutely, they're wonderfully written guides with well-written background & history information. For people interested mostly in visiting the tourist highlights they're also great, as tourist highlights don't tend to change too much.
Are Lonely Planet guidebooks good? ›Yes, Lonely Planet still makes some of the best guide books around. A guidebook works best when you are going to spend a lot of time in one country (especially one with sporadic wi-fi), and want to have ready access to explanations, maps, suggestions for hotels and restaurants, and general knowledge.
What happened to Lonely Planet app? ›As users, we want you to be among the first to know. At the end of February 2022 Guides by Lonely Planet will no longer be supported or updated. You'll still be able to use the app and related content on your device, but there won't be further development of this app.
Which is better rough guide or Lonely Planet? ›As Mikhael Belanger suggests, it really does depend on the author. For some regions, the Lonely Planet is better than the Rough Guide. In others, it's the reverse. If you spend a few minutes skimming each, you'll get a sense of which author has put more love into their book.
Which is better Fodor's or Lonely Planet? ›Travel Style: Think about your travel style and preferences. If you are a backpacker looking for budget-friendly recommendations—you will likely want to read Lonely Planet. Or are you more interested in luxury and upscale experiences? Then, a DK Eyewitness Guide or a Fodor's might be more to your taste.
What is the most popular travel guide? ›Lonely Planet: The worldwide standard for a solid guidebook, Lonely Planet covers most countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The Lonely Planet series offers comprehensive, no-nonsense facts, low- and mid-budget listings, and helpful on-the-ground travel tips.
What is the Lonely Planet you rule? ›It is 96 pages, including glossary and index, chock full of brightly illustrated facts and scenarios. Everything you need to know about starting your own country, from picking the just the right spot to settle to creating a constitution right up to issues of national security.
Who owns Lonely Planet now? ›CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Red Ventures, a platform of digital businesses, has acquired Lonely Planet, a leading global travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand from NC2 Media for an undisclosed amount.
What is the alternative to Lonely Planet guide? ›The other five competitors in the top 10 list are planetware.com (931.6K visits in February 2024), frommers.com (1.4M visits in February 2024), theculturetrip.com (3.7M visits in February 2024), ricksteves.com (3.7M visits in February 2024), and worldtravelguide.net (123.7K visits in February 2024).
What happened to Lonely Planet magazine? ›
The Lonely Planet magazine published in the English language has ceased to operate. We do still publish in a few other languages. The challenges of publishing a magazine in today's media market are numerous, but we remain forever grateful to our loyal readers.
When did Lonely Planet change its format? ›From May 2023 Lonely Planet's traditional “bluespine” guidebooks will feature a new internal structure.
Do people still use guidebooks? ›Are traditional travel guides, like Lonely Planet, still useful? Absolutely, they're wonderfully written guides with well-written background & history information. For people interested mostly in visiting the tourist highlights they're also great, as tourist highlights don't tend to change too much.
How does Lonely Planet make money? ›Lonely Planet has always been focused on word-of-mouth marketing. In the early days, the company gave away free guidebooks to backpackers and travellers. The backpackers would then tell their friends about the company and its products.
How often does Lonely Planet update their books? ›As you know, here at Lonely Planet we are constantly trawling the globe to make sure you get the up-to-date information you need. We try to bring out an updated guide every two to three years, with a few unavoidable exceptions. The 'Next edition due' date is listed in the Book Details area on the title's page.
What is the purpose of the Lonely Planet brand? ›Our goal is to help more people from more backgrounds experience the joy of exploration. Because we believe this builds a kinder, more inclusive, more open-minded world. Like you, travel is in our DNA. At Lonely Planet, we believe travel opens the door to the greatest, most unforgettable experiences life can offer.
Who bought out Lonely Planet? ›CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Red Ventures, a platform of digital businesses, has acquired Lonely Planet, a leading global travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand from NC2 Media for an undisclosed amount.