Official Destination Guides and Travel Stories

Even so, a wander through the surviving nineteenth-century streets still unearths musty and atmospheric temples and clan associations, and you might hear the rattle of a game of mahjong being played. Clerkenwell, to the west, is the most thoroughly gentrified, whereas Hoxton (to the north of Old Street), and to a lesser extent Shoreditch (to the south), have a grittier side to them. There are few conventional sights as such in all three areas, though Hoxton and Shoreditch are stuffed full of art galleries (most famously the White Cube on Hoxton Square), but their hip nightlife and shopping scenes keep them lively.

Travelers come to Ninh Binh to take boat rides through the Trang An Complex, explore the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, and enjoy the tranquility of the rural scenery. Our first hotel provided hot dog buns as the breakfast bread option. Step into Greece’s living history, where ancient ruins whisper stories of philosophers and gods. Walk through the iconic Parthenon or discover hidden theaters where myths were born and legends lived. Don’t just visit history; immerse yourself in the echoes of the past and experience it firsthand.

Fiji Luxury Itinerary: 7 Days / 1 Week (Sand & Sea)

If you want maximum flexibility and comfort, consider a private driving tour. From the moment you land to when you depart, you’ll have a personal driver with local knowledge making sure your trip is exactly what you imagined. This will depend on your expectations, interests and travel style. You can travel very cheaply in Italy if you visit lesser-known regional areas and avoid the big cities. Even in the big cities, it is possible to find free attractions and budget accommodation if you know where to look.

We will be contacting her again when we are ready to return for a future trip. Imagine standing in the shadow of the Colosseum, where gladiators once fought, or wandering Pompeii’s hauntingly preserved streets. These aren’t just ruins; they’re chapters of a story that shaped the modern world. This isn’t history—it’s a living legacy you’ll relive with every step and story you share.

Travelling to Ireland

Most visitors experience West London en route to or from Heathrow Airport, either from the confines of the train or tube (which runs overground at this point), or the motorway. The city and its satellites seem to continue unabated, with only fleeting glimpses of the countryside. However, in the five-mile stretch from Chiswick to Osterley there are several former country retreats, now surrounded by suburbia. Regent Street and Oxford Street, meanwhile, are home to the flagship branches of the country’s most popular chain stores.

Tour to Khao Sok National Park: Thailand’s Ultimate Hidden Gem

You can also take the Alternative Berlin tour, which showcases the artsy side of Berlin. For more accommodation suggestions, check out this post about the best hostels in Berlin or this one with the best hotels in the city. The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations.

What’s new from National Geographic Traveller (UK)

So it’s important to plan well and know what kind of trip you want to make. You can also travel by train for most of the trip and only rent a car for a few days when you really need it. Mumbai’s local trains carry an estimated 7.5 million commuters each day between downtown and the sprawling suburbs in the north. Carriages are packed for most of the day, with passengers dangling precariously out of open doors to escape the crush.

Costa Rica Travel Guide

The Waterloo Barracks, to the north of the White Tower, hold the Crown Jewels; queues can be painfully long, however, and you only get to view the rocks from moving walkways.
If you’re looking for a good breakfast, these 7 restaurants are worth a trip.
Both Copacabana and Ipanema beaches are hubs for the city, with residents heading there after finishing work to catch the last rays and maybe even grab dinner.
Edinburgh hosts one of the worlds’ landmark New Year’s Eve street parties, with around 100,000 people on the streets of the city seeing out the old year.
Well researched and structured, they’ll give you in-depth information on destinations and sights to see as well as practical tips to help you plan.
A yellow flag means caution, meaning you can walk in the water but not swim.
Technophiles have two main choices – one is Yongsan Electronics Mart, a multilevel giant rising up alongside the train and subway station of the same name, and the other Techno Mart, near Gangbyeon subway station on line 2.
The capital’s great historical landmarks – Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and so on – draw in millions of tourists every year.

When the newly crowned Rama I decided to move his capital across to the east bank of the river in 1782, the Chinese community living on the proposed site of his palace was obliged to relocate downriver, to the Sampeng area. However, petty theft can occur, especially in bigger cities where organized crime is more common, like Barcelona. Exercise caution by keeping valuables secure and leaving any important belongings at home.

Even today in the backstreets around c/de Sant Pau and c/Nou de la Rambla are found pockets of sleaze, while a handful of old bars trade on their former reputations as bohemian hangouts.
No matter if you’re visiting with someone special, loved ones or alone, this blog will help you plan your Lake Como adventure.
Tickets to the Royal Apartments cover entry to the rest of the sites in the grounds.
Our passionate team of writers and local travel specialists provide in-depth insights into destinations worldwide, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems.
Download our digital guide to Berlin history onto your mobile and experience the most exciting stories about the Reichstag and many other interesting locations in Berlin with the visitBerlin app About Berlin.
When you are mapping out distances to travel between destinations, use Google maps or Rome2Rio.
Dive into our guides, stories, and more to find Lonely Planet’s favorite (and sometimes unexpected) summer destinations.
By all means use bodas, but do try to identify a relatively sensible-looking operator, ideally of mature years.

A delightful spot, Flowerpot takes its name from two pink-and-grey rock pillars that have been eroded away from its eastern shore – and these are readily seen on the islet’s hiking trails. To explain their history and faith, the MCC runs a small but intriguing interpretation centre, The Mennonite Story, at 1406 King St North in the village of St Jacobs, just north of Waterloo via Hwy-85. Also in St Jacobs, along the short main street, are several Mennonite stores selling home-made farm produce – the maple syrup is simply magnificent.

Tips for getting a Bali visa

The old-town area west of the Ramblas is known as El Raval (from the Arabic word for “suburb”). In medieval times, it was the site of hospitals, churches and monasteries, but by the twentieth century, it had acquired a reputation as the city’s main red-light district, known to all as the Barri Xinès – China Town. Even today in the backstreets around c/de Sant Pau and c/Nou de la Rambla are found pockets of sleaze, while a handful of old bars trade on their former reputations as bohemian hangouts. Over the last two decades, however, El Raval has changed markedly, particularly in the “upper Raval” around Barcelona’s contemporary art museum, MACBA. Cutting-edge galleries, designer restaurants and fashionable bars are all part of the scene these days, although you’d hesitate to call El Raval gentrified, as it clearly still has its rough edges. If you want to visit Seville Spain with a city break, it is advisable to take at least two full days to visit the city in Spain.

Travel and Tourism

In south-west France the Aquitaine region is famous for its Atlantic beaches, 19th century resorts such as Biarritz, and the countryside and villages of the Dordogne department. There are lots of good restaurants in the centro storico, and it’s surprisingly easy to find places that are not tourist traps – prices in all but the really swanky restaurants remain pretty uniform throughout the city. Located on the west bank of the Tiber River, Trastevere is away from the busy tourist areas but still within walking distance. The winding cobblestone streets, colourful buildings and flower-filled balconies make it one of Rome’s prettiest neighbourhoods. It can be noisy at night, particularly in summer, so look for the quieter streets. Escape the captivating chaos of Rome for a day and uncover the hidden treasures that surround the city.

Travel guides: Africa

The park boasts a diverse range of ecosystems, including dense forests, savannahs, and pristine beaches. Inland Ubud and its surrounding area form Bali’s cultural heartland, home to a huge number of temples, museums and art galleries. The town hosts Balinese dance shows nightly and has a wealth of craft studios that provide absorbing shopping, too. Only devotees are allowed to climb the stairway carved from the rock face and enter the compounds – everyone else is confined to the grey beach beneath the rock (which gets submerged at high tide).

The southernmost city of Israel has all the hallmarks of a fantastic sun and fun holiday. Explore Italy’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems with expert insights in Lonely Planet’s latest Italy guide. Durable and waterproof, with a handy slipcase and an easy-fold format, Lonely Planet’s country maps are designed to let you explore with ease.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Travel Guide

The main obstacle for many foreigners will be a mandatory Russian language exam required to obtain a work permit. Make sure you visit a Russian bathhouse (banya) while in Moscow, as it’s an important Russian tradition and some Russians, especially aged 40+, go at least once a week. Have a hot steam, followed by a good Best Towns in Provence France whipping with birch branches.

You can learn more about how to become a tourist guide from the Institute of Tourist Guiding. Rather than a percentage of the bill, a restaurant tip in Greece can be a few Euros left on the table as a recognition of good service, or simply rounding up the tab to the nearest convenient amount. The more touristy (and expensive) a restaurant is, the more a tip is expected. With its pink sand and calm turquoise water, Elafonisi Beach in southwest Crete is my all-time favorite Greek beach.

The music first appeared in the 19th century and was popular with the working class (especially sailors). The word “fado” likely stems from the Latin word for fate, which is why many of the songs focus on the inevitability of misfortune and suffering. To enjoy some traditional fado music, head to Clube de Fado, Tasca do Chico, Parreirinha de Alfama, or Senhor Vinho. Thanks to their design, gondolas can navigate Venice’s narrow and shallow canals effortlessly, a testament to the gondoliers’ skill. Previously a hereditary job, now anyone can become a gondolier after completing 400 hours of rigorous training, which covers manual skills, canal navigation, and the history of the profession.

Best Day Trips

You can also book a Thai cooking class that includes a trip to Bangkok’s largest market, Khlong Toei, to choose and buy your own ingredients before cooking them up. Get swept up in a world of ancient myths and modern-day legends, from the Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones to the vibrant buzz of Belfast. A dynamic port city with a colourful past, Belfast is a vibrant cultural hub on Northern Ireland’s eastern coast. From palaces to cobbled alleys and even a castle on a dormant volcano, this city is a real show-stopper.

The following information helps visitors get the most out of their journey. In Thailand, people speak Thai, a tonal language with a distinct alphabet. Because it is very different from most Western languages, it can be hard to pronounce, but it’s worth learning a few phrases to connect with the warm local people as you travel. Although drinking tap water in Bangkok is considered safe, it is not recommended for other destinations in Thailand.

The Muskoka Lakes may be relatively domesticated, but neighbouring Algonquin Provincial Park is certainly not, comprising a wilderness tract with abundant wildlife and a mind-bogglingly large network of canoe routes. The Rio de Janeiro Metro is the quickest way to get around the city. The metro runs on three lines and has 41 stations, with stops at the most popular tourist attractions. It’s easy to use, and tickets can be purchased from the station vending machines. From traditional Brazilian cuisine to international dishes, you can find a variety of restaurants that suit every taste.

The Festa della Madonna della Salute is still a major event in the Venetian calendar, with thousands of people making their way here to pray for or give thanks for good health.
The hilly promontory, commanding the Bosphorus and easily defensible on its landward side, was a superb choice.
Picture truffle hunting in Piedmont, crafting perfect ravioli in Emilia-Romagna, or sampling creamy burrata fresh from Puglia’s farms.
Hopping to a new island every day can wear you out and inflate transport costs.
Four hundred years on, Londoners are heading to the area once more, thanks to a wealth of top attractions – led by the mighty Tate Modern – that pepper the traffic-free riverside path between Blackfriars Bridge and Tower Bridge.

Whether you’re chasing the northern lights, exploring vibrant cities, or soaking in a lakeside sauna, you’ll find the latest ideas to make your trip unforgettable. Kingston also holds the first-rate Agnes Etherington Art Centre gallery and Bellevue House, once the home of prime minister Sir John A. Macdonald. Add to this several superb B&Bs, a cluster of good restaurants and scenic boat trips round the Thousand Islands just offshore, and you have a city that is well worth a couple of days. Finally, if you’re traveling within Brazil, you can take an overnight bus to Rio de Janeiro. Overnight buses depart from various cities in Brazil and arrive in Rio early in the morning.

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and bustling street life. Visitors come to explore its charming Old Quarter, taste delicious street food, and visit iconic attractions like Hoan Kiem Lake and the Temple of Literature. Whatever you’re looking for from a night out, you’ll find it somewhere in Barcelona – bohemian boozer, underground club, cocktail bar, summer dance palace, techno temple, Irish pub or designer bar, you name it. Best known of the city’s nightlife haunts are its hip designer bars, while there’s a stylish club and music scene that goes from strength to strength fuelled by a potent mix of resident and guest DJs, local bands and visiting superstars.

Often not easily placed when heard elsewhere, in Portugal, they speak Portuguese. Listen to the romantic rhythms as you journey through the diverse regions. However, English is also widely spoken, especially in more metropolitan areas like Lisbon.

How many days to spend in Greece?

It has an immigrant history as rich as that of the East End and a louche nightlife that has attracted writers and revellers of every sexual persuasion since the eighteenth century. Today it’s a very upfront gay enclave, especially around Old Compton Street. Conventional sights in Soho are few, yet there’s probably more street life here than anywhere in the city centre, whatever the hour. Most folk head to Soho to go the cinema or theatre, and to have a drink or a bite to eat in the innumerable bars, cafés and restaurants that pepper the area, which includes Chinatown in the south.

In addition to essential Barcelona tourism information, you will also find dozens of time and money-saving tips from local people – information hard to find anywhere else. All the essential Barcelona travel information to arrange your trip is on this one website. We have focused on answering your most important questions on transport, activities, attractions, and accommodation. Summers (April-June) can be unforgiving, with temps going up to 44 degrees Celsius.

sanssouci+: Day Ticket for Palaces & Gardens

Above 2,500m, closed canopy forest starts to give way to dense bamboo stands. The diverse fauna of the Rwenzori includes 70 mammal and 177 bird species, several of the latter being Albertine Rift Endemics. It is the only national park in Uganda where the Angola colobus has been recorded, though identification of this localised monkey will require careful examination as the similar and more widespread black-and-white colobus also occurs on the mountain. The only other mammal you’re likely to see in the forest is the blue monkey, but elephant, buffalo, golden cat, servaline genet, chimpanzee, yellow-backed duiker and giant forest hog are all present. At night, the forest resounds with the distinctive and eerie call of the southern tree hyrax.

About Highland Folk Museum is a museum and open-air attraction located in the Scottish Highlands. It is designed to showcase the domestic and working lives of the early highland people. See the murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road & Nationalist Falls Road.

When planning your visit also check the city’s calendar of festivals and special events for any that may interest you. Note also that many attractions shut for several days around New Year when Tokyo becomes oddly calm, as many people return to their family homes elsewhere in the country. Another specialty of Atlas Obscura is their guided tours to amazing places described by them.

Enjoy 50% off books, get free tickets to events, access exclusive content and go behind the scenes when you join our Travel Club. The history and culture of France are closely linked – see France culture which looks at artists, language, architecture, French film directors… You can also use our index of places in France to find any place you are looking for when planning your trip.

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