Destinations

It’s been my honor and pleasure to call Brussels home for many years – the Belgian capital is a vibrant European hub that welcomes millions of visitors every year with open arms.  However, there are some insider tips about Belgian culture, and Brussels in particular, that will make your trip go a little more smoothly.

France’s winding cobbled lanes and tree-lined rural roadways offer a straight shot into the heart of the country. Incredible countryside vistas merge into unique and highly wanderable villages, castles and coastlines that will etch your journey into your memories. Grab a set of wheels and hit the road to embrace the best of this magnificent

Scotland often feels bigger than it is. That’s in part because of its impact on the world – think Edinburgh’s cultural clout and or Speyside’s famous whiskies – but it’s also because of the sheer range of things to do here. Two fascinating but very different cities dominate Scotland’s central belt, the expansive Highlands feature

Let’s not beat about the bush: South Africa has a bit of a scary reputation. Much is said about the country’s crime rate, but much more is said about everything that makes this diverse destination so magnificent. It is a country that never stops doling out gifts to the traveler – world-class surf breaks, eclectic local cuisine,

Lonely Planet’s new book Electric Vehicle Road Trips Europe will help expand the horizons of owners of electric vehicles. It’s also for the try-before-you-buy experimenters, who can do so by renting an EV to enjoy a road trip along any of dozens of routes our expert team has mapped out. And it’s for the not-quite-convinced-yet,

With vast swaths of undeveloped land, communities that are only accessible by boat or plane, and plenty of wild characters who’ve chosen to live in one of the most rural and dramatic landscapes in the United States, it’s no surprise that Alaska is called the Last Frontier.  The hardest part of planning a trip to

As soon as you arrive in New Zealand, you’ll notice the greenstone (pounamu in Māori) pendants, often attached to a leather necklace, around the necks of many locals and tourists. They’re among the most popular souvenirs for sale here, and it’s almost de rigueur for visitors to buy one as soon as possible and wear

With an unmatched abundance of Unesco World Heritage sites, diverse scenery ranging from some of Europe’s highest peaks to the turquoise waters of the southern coasts, and an endless list of regional cuisines to taste, planning an Italian adventure can easily get overwhelming. Add a variety of dialects – both spoken and hand-gestured – and

We make our way through a forest on the Galician coast at dawn. “Dad’s here,” I say to my partner Liz, as we stumble over a cobblestone path through a pine grove, the town of Poio and the monastery where we spent the night fading into a memory far below. In the two years since

There isn’t a true low season in Venice. Not really. The Serenissima is so unique and so famous that the desire to see it with one’s own eyes knows no seasonal limit. Every time of the year has its pros and cons – as well as different activities and events to enjoy up and down

Italy, with its awe-inspiring art, architecture and food, is no background actor on the world’s stage. The epicenter of the Roman Empire and the birthplace of the Renaissance, this European virtuoso practically groans under the weight of its cultural cachet. The challenge is not so much where to go – an amazing experience is honestly

In a land of mind-boggling wilderness, rugged roadside pit stops and a Serengeti’s worth of big fauna, Alaska’s epic highways offer unlimited possibilities for adventurous drivers. While road trips in the rest of the US are dotted with regular gas stations and kitschy curbside attractions, Alaskan highways appeal to a more intrepid wilderness connoisseur. Welcome

Anchoring the southwest corner of Europe, Portugal is a relatively easy country to navigate. You’ll find a good train network and buses to get you to places where the rails don’t reach. Speedy toll roads can carry you quickly between major cities, though you can also take the slow, scenic (and free) back roads to

It’s never been a better time to plan a trip to Lake Tahoe. The gorgeous crystalline waters in North America’s largest alpine lake are the clearest they’ve been since the 1980s, according to a new study – but the effect may only last a couple of years.  Scientists with the Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC)

France has endless sun-and-sand potential. In the far north, there are white cliffs and the old-fashioned seaside resorts of the English Channel (Manche in French), and over on the Mediterranean coast, the conditions are perfect for snorkeling, with warm waters and rocky coves. Powerful North Atlantic storms rip apart the rugged coast of Brittany, while surfers

Famed for golden beaches and picturesque cities, Portugal is less known for its hiking paths. This is good news for those looking to discover memorable trails far from the madding crowd.  The Iberian nation is packed with countless scenic routes, from clifftop journeys overlooking the crashing waves to craggy mountain trails in well-preserved parks and

From days at the beach to sunset strolls, Spain has long offered inspiration for the creatively minded. One of the most alluring destinations for music fans looking for a fresh adventure, the country provides an unmatched series of unique festival experiences.  With longstanding mainstays like Primavera Sound as well as more-recent additions, here are all

For a packed calendar of traditional celebrations, decadent food festivals, outdoor concerts and many other events, head to Portugal. Summer is the time to catch the biggest range of activities, but in truth, there’s always something happening here.  Festivals aside, it’s not easy to pin down the best month to visit Portugal. That really depends

With 21% of the world’s fresh water, the longest freshwater coastline in the world and zero sharks, it’s no surprise that Michigan is home to some spectacular and unusual beaches. These beaches reflect the state’s dramatically varied coastlines, from wild and rugged rock-strewn Lake Superior haunts to romantic Lake Michigan sunset vistas to bustling family-friendly

When I moved to Cape Town more than a decade ago, the plan had been to stick around for a year. We quickly realized that 12 months wouldn’t be enough. There is something about this city that just enchants people. A lot of it has to do with the landscape, of course – Table Mountain