Stories - Lonely Planet (2025)

activities

21 of the best things to do in Costa Rica

Oct 24, 2024 • 13 min read

From water sports and mountain hikes to rainforest wildlife watching and cloud-forest birding, these are the best things to do in Costa Rica.

tips and advice

Here’s the best time to visit San Diego (plus a guide for what you’ll see in every season)

Oct 24, 2024 • 6 min read

San Diego is perfect at almost every time of year. Beaches call in summer but fall is prime hiking and surfing season. Read on for the best times to visit.

activities

The 14 best things to do in Miami

Oct 24, 2024 • 11 min read

Visitors to Miami will find beautiful beaches, art deco delights, tropical gardens and a lively arts scene.

art and culture

France itineraries: 5 routes to see the best of the country

Oct 24, 2024 • 13 min read

This roundup of fabulous itineraries will take you through both France’s most beloved places and its lesser-explored corners.

destination practicalities

9 things to know before visiting Tuscany

Oct 24, 2024 • 6 min read

Plan your trip to Tuscany with these top tips from a local writer.

public transport

6 of the best day trips from Valencia

Oct 23, 2024 • 5 min read

From the hot springs at Montanejos to the seafood in Dénia, here are the best day trips from Valencia.

art

America's best Thanksgiving parades in 2024

Oct 23, 2024 • 5 min read

On the American holiday of Thanksgiving, peopleline the streets of major US cities to inaugurate the festive holiday season leading up to Christmas.

road trips

From Halifax to Louisbourg: The ultimate road trip through Nova Scotia, Canada

Oct 23, 2024 • 9 min read

Explore the best of Nova Scotia's remarkable history and scenery with this road trip from Halifax to Fortress of Louisbourg.

public transport

5 day trips that will bring you beyond Buenos Aires

Oct 23, 2024 • 5 min read

A short distance from Buenos Aires, you can discover gaucho culture, carnival celebrations, an island-filled river delta and more.

budget travel

Everything you need to know about visiting Barcelona on a budget

Oct 23, 2024 • 6 min read

Packed with attractions, a visit to Barcelona can quickly smash even the most generous of budgets. Here's how to stretch your cents and have a great time.

Where to go in 2025: when to visit our Best in Travel winners

Oct 23, 2024 • 15 min read

Our Best in Travel 2025 list has arrived. Here’s a month-by-month guide on the best time to visit each of these 30 fantastic winners.

public transport

6 delightful day trips from Montréal

Oct 22, 2024 • 5 min read

Montréal is an incredible city but plenty of delights lie beyond the city limits. Go exploring on one (or all!) of our six favorite road trips.

books

Great reads from Lonely Planet: "A ticket to Vienna" by Ann Patchett

Oct 22, 2024 • 8 min read

Ann Patchett's travel essay about how a missed flight to Vienna became a trip of a lifetime.

activities

Why Pittsburgh is primed to surprise

Oct 22, 2024 • 9 min read

Pittsburgh is on the cutting edge, and a new generation of young professionals have helped redefine the area

tips and advice

The 11 best places to visit in Portugal

Oct 22, 2024 • 7 min read

Plan your time in Portugal with our guide to the country's unmissable places.

beaches

The top 6 beaches in South Carolina offer a slice of the good life

Oct 22, 2024 • 7 min read

Hemmed by barrier islands, South Carolina is a dream for seekers of sun, sea, sand, and, yes, even solitude. Here are the state's best beaches.

budget travel

Montréal on a budget: 18 ways to save money on your trip

Oct 22, 2024 • 7 min read

Montréal has long been known as Canada’s most affordable big city, but prices are creeping upwards. Here's how to enjoy Montréal on a budget.

destination practicalities

A first-time guide to Loreto, Mexico

Oct 22, 2024 • 6 min read

One of Mexico's most charming, welcoming and beautiful towns, Loreto has long been a beloved secret of travelers. Here's how to plan your first trip.

destination practicalities

The best times to visit Portugal

Oct 22, 2024 • 4 min read

Form the Douro Valley to the Algarve, plan your visit to Portugal with our seasonal guide.

food and drink

The top 5 places to aprés ski in Colorado

Oct 21, 2024 • 6 min read

Some people ski for the fresh air, the mountain views, or the sheer physical challenge. But some ski so they can aprés, join us for the afterparty.

beaches

Ultimate Weekend in the Bahamas: Nassau and Cat Island Itinerary

Oct 21, 2024 • 11 min read

Few places conjure up images in the mind’s eye quite like the Bahamas. Here's how to plan the ultimate weekend break to these sand-circled islands.

food and drink

Our staff's favorite local food markets in the US

Oct 21, 2024 • 8 min read

If you really want to get to know a place, track down a local grocery store or market.