From the tastiest coffee to the ultimate beaches

We all have different holiday objectives, but the wealth of choice can make decision-making overwhelming.

Fortunately, the travel experts at Lonely Planet have created a literary road map that details the best places to work through your bucket list in the form of a beautiful coffee table book called The Cities Book – A Journey Through The Best Cities In The World.

So, whether you’re looking for clubbing, culture or child-friendly travel, the book pin-points precisely where you’ll find it. Here’s a sneak preview of what the stunning compendium reveals.

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Best for History

Istanbul ‘stands at a crossroads of cultures, Eastern and Western’ and is packed full of age-old sites, says Lonely Planet

According to this new tome, Charleston in South Carolina is perfect for history buffs. It was founded in 1670 and many of its historic quarters ‘retain their colonial elegance’. Those keen on war history might be interested to learn that it’s where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired in 1861.

Istanbul is no less worthy-a trip. Formerly the capital of the Ottoman Empire, it ‘stands at a crossroads of cultures, Eastern and Western’ and is packed full of age-old sites.

Hiroshima, meanwhile, offers a particularly sobering and thought-provoking experience in the form of the Peace Memorial Park. The city was the target of the world’s first atomic bomb during WWII and the park is where visitors can ‘witness the devastating lessons of history’, Lonely Planet’s book explains.

Best for Architecture

Aesthetically pleasing: Barcelona is well-known for its impressive architecture, including the Palau de la Musica Catalana

There’s no shortage of places to enjoy impressive architecture, but this over-abundance can often leave travellers feeling spoiled for choice.

Fortunately, the new Lonely Planet book whittles it down to five favourites – the top being Barcelona.

‘There’s more to it than the wonderful, wonky buildings of Antoni Gaudi,’ it states. ‘Take Jean Nouvel’s priapic Agbar Tower or the fabulously flamboyant interior of the Palau de la Musica Catalana.’

It also cites Chicago, Rome, Istanbul and Mumbai as essential places to visit for beautiful builds.

Best for Families

Family ties: Thanks to several child-friendly museums, Chicago is the perfect destination for a family holiday

If there’s an entire clan embarking on your next foreign jaunt, Chicago is a top tip – thanks to ‘child-friendly museums and plenty of parks. Plus, it’s famous for baseball and deep-dish pizza – American childhood favourites’.

In Asia, rovers should head to Singapore, where ‘pram-friendly pavements, kid-friendly hospitality staff and world-class attractions’ dazzle youngsters.

Venice is also on the shortlist thanks to its complete lack of cars.

Best for Coffee

The perfect place for a caffeine hit: Ethiopia’s sprawling capital, Addis Abada, tops the Lonely Planet list for coffee fans

Given that its the birthplace of coffee, it’s perhaps not surprising that Ethiopia’s sprawling capital, Addis Abada, tops the Lonely Planet list for those seeking the ultimate caffeine hit.

Melbourne isn’t far behind though, and has extra kudos because many global coffee chains have failed there.

The book also hails Rome as the ‘godfather of the stand-up espresso’, where most baristas have a decade of experience and serve their creations in style.

Best for Adventure

Those seeking adventure should head straight to Alaska’s Anchorage, pictured, which ‘mixes city streets with hiking trails’

The great outdoors is a big place, but those seeking adventure should head straight to Alaska’s Anchorage, which ‘mixes city streets with hiking trails’.

Of particular note is Flattop Mountain, which ‘features a heart-pumping scramble to the summit’, while Chugach State Park offers ‘mountain-studded, immersive wilderness’.

Other open-air playgrounds include Kathmandu, Hobart, Rwanda’s Kigali and Bolivia’s La Paz.

Best for Nightlife

Party time: Belgrade ‘parties like the sun won’t ever rise with floating nightclubs, jazz acts in Brutalist tower blocks and clinking cocktail glasses set against faded, Neoclassical grandeur’

There are, of course, nightclubs all over the world.

But this book insists nocturnal party-goers should make a beeline for Belgrade, which ‘parties like the sun won’t ever rise with floating nightclubs, jazz acts in Brutalist tower blocks and clinking cocktail glasses set against faded, Neoclassical grandeur.’

If you’ve already done Serbia’s capital, then they also recommend visits to Berlin, New Orleans, Dublin and Rio de Janeiro.

Best for LGBT-friendly

Different strokes: A brightly-coloured Tel Aviv has long been a popular, comfortable place for LGBT tourists to visit

For people navigating the western world, its never been a better time to be a gay tourist.

The experts at Lonely Planet credit Toronto with hosting one of the globe’s biggest LGBT Pride festivals, which is well-deserved after being the first city in North America to legalise same-sex marriage.

That said, it has some fabulous competition in the form of Berlin, which has been Europe’s flourishing gay capital since the 1920s, New York, Tel Aviv and, of course, sexy Sao Paulo.

Best for Music

Rock on: For music fans, Lonely Planet highlights Austin, Texas, for its ‘scores of venues and a palpable energy’

There are some obvious destination points for music-lovers, ranging from Liverpool (the city that’s spawned the most UK Number 1s) to the birthplace of grunge: Seattle.

But Lonely Planet highlights Austin, Texas, for its ‘scores of venues and a palpable energy’, while specifically name-checking SXSW and Austin City Limits as festival highlights.

After the success of chart-topper Gangnam Style, it also recommends Seoul for its ‘K-pop hologram concerts’ and revived indie scene.

Best for Wine

Cheers to that! The capital of Georgia is hailed by Lonely Planet as the highlight of a country ‘with wine-making at its heart’

Enjoy sipping on a good glass of Malbec? Then you can thank the Argentinian region of Mendoza for that.

However, while that’s often a good geographical starting point, there are plenty of other places worth travelling for cork-popping, including Tbilisi. The famed capital of Georgia is hailed by Lonely Planet as the highlight of a country ‘with wine-making at its heart’.

Beyond that, there are several world-class wine-touring regions around Melbourne, including the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley. Bordeaux and Cape Town also offer top-quality quaffing experiences.

Best for Skylines

Now that’s a view: Hong Kong offers mind-blowing vistas – especially at Victoria Peak, where guests can see for miles

There’s no denying that New York wins the battle of the global skylines.

So, if you’ve already conquered Manhattan’s majestic view, then this book suggests a trip to Hong Kong for equally mind-blowing vistas. Specifically, try Victoria Peak, reached by taking the Peak Tram to the top.

If you’re in the UK, Edinburgh also makes the list thanks to its ‘dark and brooding skyline’. Shanghai and Seattle make the shortlist, too.

Best for Cycling

Get in lane: According to Lonely Planet, you can’t find a better place for your next bicycle adventure than Copenhagen

There’s an old adage that says: have wheels, will travel.

And, according to Lonely Planet’s expert writers, you can’t find a better place for your bicycle adventure than Copenhagen, which they bill as the ‘poster child for cycle-friendly urban design’.

Stateside, Portland has long cultivated America’s biggest bike culture, which thrives despite the extreme weather.

Meanwhile, Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, ‘has laid miles of bike paths and introduced a bike-share scheme so many neighbourhoods are pleasant places to pedal’.

Best for Museums

Culture: Beijing has an ‘incredible range of museums, from the bizarre to the Forbidden City’s brilliant Palace Museum’

If you’re familiar with London, you’ll already know that it’s well-known for boasting some of Europe’s best free museums, including the Natural History Museum and the V&A.

Elsewhere, this book recommends Beijing, due to its ‘incredible range of museums, from the bizarre watermelon museum to the Forbidden City’s brilliant Palace Museum, where China’s complex history is explored’.

Meanwhile, in Berlin, the best museums go one better and ‘have an island on the Spree river to themselves’.

Best for Festivals

Sounds good: Over in Colombia, each new year begins with the Cartagena International Music Festival

With more choice than ever, holidaymakers can truly feast on festival options.

Lonely Planet suggests Austin‘s South By Southwest, which started in 1987 but has ‘evolved from an alt-rock get-together into a celebration of film, music, technology and general forward-looking fun’.

Over in Colombia, each new year begins with the Cartagena International Music Festival, which hosts classical musicians from across the globe. Edinburgh‘s annual summer festival, each August, is also a must-see.

Best for Food

Eat your heart out: Spain’s San Sebastian scores major points for its pintxo bars, which can be found all over the old town

‘It may not have the most Michelin stars, but few cities have as strong a mid-range dining scene as Melbourne,’ the book asserts. ‘There’s great creativity at work among the global cuisines here.’

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Japan’s Tokyo also makes the grade. ‘From the most humble backstreet izakaya to the most artfully-presented sushi, it takes your tastebuds on a magical tour.’

Back in Europe, Spain’s San Sebastian scores major points for its pintxo bars, which can be found all over the old town.

Best for Beaches

Life’s a beach: Cape Town is world-renowned for its golden sands, plus the iconic Table Mountain (pictured)

If you’re wanting surf and sands, head to Cape Town, which is world-renowned for its golden beaches. In particular, the wilder shores of Platboom are recommended.

The book also urges people to try Rio de Janeiro‘s ‘beach neighbourhoods of Ipanema and Copacabana, which are so well-known that songs have been written about them’.

Miami‘s beach is similarly suggested, in part for the art deco backdrop.

Best for Art Galleries

Art-lover’s paradise: The Palazzo Vecchio and the Medici Chapels are essential sights to visit in Florence, pictured

Few places, if any, do art as well as Italy – which is why Florence is an absolute must for any art-lover’s itinerary.

The Palazzo Vecchio and the Medici Chapels are essential sights to visit, while the Uffizi Gallery serves-up Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael and da Vinci.

George Town in Malaysia, meanwhile, has ‘opened its walls to street artists, making this one of several cities with a strong, open-air art scene’. 

Best for Cool Neighbourhoods 

The place to be for hipsters: Berlin neighbourhoods Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are trendy hangouts for cool kids

‘For 20 years or more Berlin has attracted creative types with its low rents,’ the book says. ‘That’s changing, but neighbourhoods such as Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain are still hip hangouts.’

Similarly, Lisbon is also a destination point for hipsters, especially in Alfama or Bairro Alto.

And, of course, New York‘s East Village is also a place to see – and, crucially, be seen.

Best for Wildlife

By the bay: San Francisco’s guests will know that wild coyotes have returned to the city, while sea lions are regularly at Pier 39

With the Nairobi National Park stretching out for more than 100 square kilometres, it’s the perfect place to spot wild animals such as lions, tigers and rhinos.

Rio de Janeiro also boasts some impressive wildlife, with hundreds of bird species flying overhead.

If you’re travelling in September and October, head to Cape Town, which Humpback whales migrate past. ‘Jackass penguins, Cape fur seals chacma baboons and rock hyraxes happily live there all year round,’ the book says.

In America, those in San Francisco will notice that wild coyotes have returned to the city, while sea lions are regularly at Pier 39.

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The Cities Book: A Journey Through The Best Cities In The World is out now. Published by Lonely Planet. 

 

“Where To Go When”: Lonely Planet reveals the best places to visit every month of the year

This handy book provides expert advice, activity ideas and inspiring photos on the best places to holiday every month.  Experts present trip ideas for everyone, whether you’re a fan of adventure, culture, history, nature, sightseeing and wildlife; and the 12-month calendar of suggestions helps travellers to avoid the crowds and get the most out of their chosen destination.

Lonely Planet’s Where to go When, the ultimate trip planner for every month of  the year, is a beautifully illustrated book that is both practical and inspiring. For every month of the year it presents 30 recommendations of destinations that are at their best during each month, whether due to their climate, or value, or simply because there’s a lot going on.

The suggestions feature every flavour of travel experience, from culture-rich city breaks and tropical beach holidays to adventurous road trips and wildlife-watching expeditions. Every corner of the planet is covered so you’ll find out when the best time to see mountain gorillas is or to go shopping in Paris.

The book is organised by month. At the start of each chapter a flowchart guides you through the options so readers can filter the recommendations according to their interests. Whether you’re into beaches, trying the local specialities or backpacking off the beaten path, there will suggestions for you. Diagrams also depict the climate, value for money and family friendliness of each suggestion in the month.

Read on for some of the monthly highlights.  (Photos courtesy of Mail Online)

January

What a way to start the year: Visit Dove Lake, which was formed by glaciation in Tasmania. Behind it sits Cradle Mountain

The destinations that Lonely Planet recommends travellers head to in January include Uganda, Florida, Lanzarote, Switzerland, Sydney, Slovenia, Kerala in India, Grenada, Honshu in Japan, Guatemala and the Arctic Peninsula.

This month is also the time for nature fans to visit the southern Serengeti in Tanzania to watch thousands of grazing wildebeest or to explore the empty beaches and nature trails in full bloom in Australia’s Tasmania.

Other highlights this month include the Hay literary festival in Colombia, cruising through Myanmar under a balmy sun and taking in Vienna’s glamorous winter balls.

February

Follow in Santa’s sleigh trails: A visit to Finnish lapland in February is the perfect time to see the spectacular aurora borealis

For February, Ibiza, the Gambia, Michoacan in Mexico, the Indian Ocean, Cambodia, Singapore, Haiti, Venice and Quebec are among the top picks.

Lonely Planet also encourages travellers to embrace the chill in Iceland, Lapland and Andorra this month as conditions are ideal for hiking, skiing and to see the Northern Lights.

The weather, meanwhile, is glorious in Honduras, which offers affordable diving. And it’s carnival season in Rio de Janeiro – and the bodegas of Mendoza, Argentina, are open with enticing wine tours and tastings.

March

First splash of spring: Unwind in Tobago at the dreamy Pigeon Point Beach where even the palm trees are laid back

Sicily, Cyprus, South Africa, Tyrol in Austria, the Maldives, Chile, Costa Rica, Banff in Canada, Savannah in the US, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Trinidad and Tobago are among the most desirable destinations for March travellers.

Other picks include watching grey whales migrating off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, spotting Shere Khan big cats in Madhya Pradesh, India, or encountering Sichuan pandas in China during this month.

Creative event South by South West (SXSW), meanwhile, will add a crackling energy to Austin, US, in March and Iguazu Falls straddling Brazil and Argentina will be even more jaw-dropping than usual as the waterfall is in full flow at this time of year.

April

A spicy spring escape: Sun, sand and sea await discovery at Thailand’s tropical beaches overlooking the Andaman Sea

For April escapes, the travel experts suggest Panama, the Phillippines, Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, the Alps, the Lake District, Belize, Melbourne, Brussels, Nepal, St Lucia and Andalusia in Spain.

Cultured travellers can explore Jordan’s ancient attractions while camping in the desert at this mild time of year. It’s also an inspiring time to see the colourful flowers of sakura (cherry blossom) season in Japan.

Spring is also ideal for driving along California’s breath-taking, traffic-free coastal roads and to feel the heat on a thrilling beach break in Thailand during the nation’s new year celebrations, Lonely Planet says.

May

A nature lover’s paradise, Montenegro has rivers, seas and slopes, ripe for exploration in mild May

May is an idyllic month for shoulder season travel with the Lonely Planet experts selecting Bermuda, Samoa, Morocco, Peru, Cornwall, North Island in New Zealand, Loire Valley in France, Israel, Prague, Cuba, Southern Namibia and the Amalfi coast in Italy as top picks.

The guide book has other picks for this month, too. A nature lover’s paradise, Montenegro has rivers, seas and slopes, ripe for exploration in mild May, while it’s also a good time to take advantage of the deserted beaches in Spain’s Galicia region before the other tourists arrive.

Other highlights of the month include hiking Ihlara Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey, sailing the fjords on the west coast of Norway and hitting the roads of northern Queensland for a picturesque tour.

June

Shutterbugs can make the most of the long summer days in Orkney, Scotland, and spend the summer solstice on the island

Trip suggestions for June include Greenland, Jamaica, Iran, Sardinia, Cape Cod, Lisbon, Yosemite National Park, Bora Bora, the Canadian Rockies, South Luangwa National Park in Zambia and Rwanda.

And this month’s family friendly options include riding horses at Montana’s ranches, snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef in Australia and watching the turtles hatch in Borneo.

Shutterbugs, meanwhile, can make the most of the long summer days in Orkney and spend the summer solstice among the Scottish island’s historic attractions, while cultured holidaymakers can take in the Opera Festival in Verona this month.

July

Brazil’s Pantanal wetland experiences its dry season during this month making it an ideal time to see an array of colourful animals, from toucans and macaws to elusive jaguars

Ever fancied visiting Mongolia, the Baltic, Alaska, Japan, Zanzibar, the Himalayas, the Azores, Antigua or the Black Forest in Germany? Then July is the month to pencil it in.

And Brazil’s Pantanal wetland experiences its dry season during this month, making it an ideal time to see an array of colourful animals, from toucans and macaws to elusive jaguars.

It’s also a delightful month to explore the mountains of the Dolomites and during Australia’s winter you can take a cosy, wine-filled trip to Hunter Valley, travel the wild Atlantic way in Ireland or head for the beaches of the Ionian islands.

August

August is a gorgeous time to discover Umbria in Italy’s rolling landscapes, medieval walled towns and rural retreats

Mid-summer options recommended by the Lonely Planet experts include Iceland, Zambia, Malawi, Sofia in Bulgaria, Ko Samui in Thailand, Berlin, Nova Scotia in Canada, Sweden, Ecuador, Champagne in France, Turkey and Papua New Guinea.

August is also a gorgeous time to discover the rolling landscapes, medieval walled towns and rural retreats of Umbria in Italy. Buenos Aires, meanwhile, is hosting its arts festival and the Cook Islands are looking their dreamy best this month.

And adventurous families should head to Pembrokeshire in Wales for surfing, cycling and mountaineering or go on a road trip around the Kimberly in Australia.

September

You can avoid the crowds by travelling in shoulder season where you’ll find deserted beaches in a sun-drenched Corsica

The Silk Road in central Asia, Costa Brava, Tibet, Georgia, South Korea, the Cotswolds, South Africa, Provence, Arizona, Vermont and Sumatra and Java in Indonesia are all best enjoyed in September.

There are other great options, too. You’ll find deserted beaches in a sun-drenched Corsica and can take a moment to appreciate the autumn foliage brightening up Beijing and the Great Wall of China. There’s also often an Indian Summer to make the most of in hazy San Francisco.

And it’s a thrilling month to go rafting in New Zealand, hiking in Mont Blanc, on safari in northern Kenya, or cruising around the Moselle Valley in Germany.

October

With Vietnam experiencing monsoon seasons in both the winter and the summer, October has the perfect conditions for a stunning escape to highlights such as Halong Bay (pictured)

Top picks for October travel itineraries include Fiji, the Seychelles, Slovakia, Lyon, Bolivia, Costa Verde in Brazil, New Mexico, the Scottish Highlands, New York and Taiwan.

And with Vietnam experiencing monsoon seasons in both the winter and the summer, October has the perfect conditions for a stunning escape to highlights such as Halong Bay.

There’s more.

During this month ‘clear mountain views’ can be enjoyed on visits to Darjeeling in India and Bhutan and Lonely Planet also recommends Oman as it is blessed with ‘mellow weather’ and ‘a taste of old Arabia’.

November

Sun-seekers should make a break for Barbados (pictured), Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands in the tail end of the year before the crowds arrive

Nicaragua, the Cayman Islands, the Simien mountains in Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Tokyo and Honshu, South Africa, Oregon, Nepal, Dunedin in New Zealand, Ruka in Finland and Hong Kong are attractive vacation destinations for November.

Sun-seekers, meanwhile, should make a break for Barbados, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands in the tail end of the year before the other beach bums arrive.

And November is a temperate time to explore Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle and it’s cool enough to climb the Mayan ruins at Ruta May in Guatemala. Abu Dhabi might also be an option if you’re into Formula One or want to explore the new crop of museums opening there, which include the Louvre and the Guggenheim.

December

If you want to start the new year on a natural high head for Southern Patagonia, Chile, at the ends of the Earth where the vast landscapes are a hiking paradise

Why not spend Christmas overseas? Lonely Planet recommends St Vincent and the Grenadines, Australia’s Sapphire coast, the Andaman Islands, Laos, Senegal, San Sebastian, Micronesia and Tenerife in December.

And this month need not be dreary as there are winter wonderlands to discover in Arctic Sweden, Jasper in Canada, Breckenridge in the US or on the Glacier Express in Switzerland.

Fans of winter markets will be enthralled with Tallin in Estonia’s offerings, and Scotland and New Orleans are top destinations for a lively New Years’ Eve. Or if you want to start the new year on a natural high head for Morocco’s stunning Sahara desert or Southern Patagonia, Chile, at the ends of the Earth. These vast landscapes are a hiking paradise.

Book details:

ISBN: 9781786571939 Language: English
Authors: Sarah Baxter, Paul Bloomfeild
320 pages, 320 pp colour | Dimensions: 230mm x 270mm
Next edition due: Dec 2020

Read more: http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/world/where-to-go-when-1/#ixzz4Wlgx3b2M

Introducing Europe

There simply is no way to tour Europe and not be awestruck by its scenic beauty, epic history and dazzling artistic and culinary diversity.

Here’s a brief intro for all you Euro-virgins courtesy of Lonely Planet – with lots of links to help you get started.

Beautiful Bruges (Belgium) by night

Cultural Heritage

Europe’s almost unmanageable wealth of attractions is its biggest single draw: the birthplace of democracy in Athens, the Renaissance art of Florence, the graceful canals of Venice, the Napoleonic splendour of Paris, and the multilayered historical and cultural canvas of London. Less obvious, but no less impressive attractions include Moorish palaces in Andalucía, the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Turkey, the majesty of meticulously restored Imperial palaces in Russia‘s former capital St Petersburg and the ongoing project of Gaudí’s La Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

Magnificent Menus

Once you’ve ticked off the great museums, panoramic vistas and energetic nightlife, what’s left? A chance to indulge in a culinary adventure to beat all others, that’s what! Who wouldn’t want to snack on pizza in Naples, souvlaki in Santorini or even haggis in Scotland? But did you also know that Britain has some of the best Indian restaurants in the world; that Turkey‘s doner kebab is a key part of contemporary German food culture; and that in the Netherlands you can gorge on an Indonesian rijsttafel (rice table)? Once again Europe’s diversity and global reach is its trump card.

Why I Love Europe

By Simon Richmond, Writer

You’re likely to feel a little overwhelmed, but once you dive into Europe, these fears will be replaced by wonder and fascination – plus something, perhaps, unexpected: a sense of connection. Very few, if any places in the world, remain untouched by European history, culture and influence. As continents go, Europe’s broad variety and excellent transport infrastructure – be it air or roads, or the old standby of the Grand Tour, rail – is hard to beat and is sure to push you on to new experiences and unexpected discoveries.

Glorious Scenery

There’s breathtaking natural scenery: rugged Scottish Highlands with glens and lochs; Norway‘s fabulous fjords, seemingly chipped to jagged perfection by giants; the vine-raked valleys of the Loire; and Cappadocia’s fairy-tale landscape. If you’re looking for beaches, a circuit of the Mediterranean’s northern coast reveals one gem after another. Or strike out to lesser known, yet beautiful coastal regions such as the Baltic and Black Seas. Mountain lovers should head to the Alps: they march across central Europe taking in France, Switzerland, Austria, northern Italy and tiny Liechtenstein.

Raise a Glass

Europe has some of the best nightlife in the world. Globally famous DJs keep the party going in London, Berlin and Paris, all of which also offer top-class entertainment, especially theatre and live music. Other key locations for high-energy nightlife include Moscow, Belgrade, Budapest and Madrid, while those hankering for something more cosy can add Dublin‘s pubs or Vienna’s cafes to their itinerary. Continue to party on the continent’s streets at a multiplicity of festivals and celebrations, from city parades attended by hundreds of thousands to intimate concerts in an ancient ampitheatre…

Ned’s tip: Don’t forget Lilliputian but lovely Luxembourg, not-so-boring Belgium and of course the general joys of Germany.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/europe/introduction#ixzz4HbJbFz2k

Thrills and skills: 13 off-the-wall activities for adrenaline junkies

You’ve thrown yourself off a platform suspended 200m in the air with what amounts to a giant elastic band around your ankles; you’ve paddled down swirling rapids and maybe even jumped out of a helicopter to ski some of the world’s best powder – so what’s next?

You can always trust adrenaline junkies to keep pushing boundaries and testing the limits of the human heart rate (and maybe even the strength of your bowels) – so the guys at Lonely Planet have rounded up 13 brilliant and bizarre adventure activities to inspire your next blood-pumping escapade.

Go on, take the leap…

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Do you dare try this extreme water sport? © Justin Lewis / Getty Images

Flyboarding

The latest craze in water sports, flyboarding was brought into being by Frenchman Franky Zapata in 2012. It involves strapping your feet into a kind of skateboard jetski hybrid that fires out powerful jets of water, propelling you up into the air. There is also a jetpack version for sci-fi fans and adrenaline junkies alike. Popular destinations for flyboarding include Australia, Dubai and the USA.

‘It is strange to think that as I propel myself 40ft to 50ft up on two jets of water, I feel more in control in that moment than any other time. It’s an incredible experience.’ – Ben Merrell, pro hydroflight athlete

Take the leap – just don’t drop your selfie stick © Wild5Adventures

Gorge swings

Bungee jumping’s crazier cousin, gorge swinging will make you feel like Tarzan on some serious steroids. You can get your swing on over some awesome landscapes, from the Zambezi river (thezambeziswing.com) to South Africa’s Oribi Gorge (wild5adventures.co.za). Amid such stunning scenery you’ll soon forget about the imminent 160ft free fall… right?

You can muni almost anywhere – if you can master the art of staying upright © Barcroft / Getty Images

Mountain unicycling

Take the usual equation of bike plus mountain, minus one wheel and you’ve got muni: mountain unicycling. From the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the lush landscapes of the Alps, anywhere you can mountain bike, you can muni – but it’s best to give this one a good deal of practice before hitting the harder runs. The International Unicycling Federation (unicycling.org) has lots of useful info for both newbies and pros.

‘Because there’s just something about a unicycle that makes people smile, I’ve never found a better way to connect with local people when I can’t speak their language.’ – Kris Holm (krisholm.com), the world’s leading mountain unicyclist

Iceland’s Thrihnukagigur is your gateway to another world © Vilhelm Gunnarsson

Go inside a volcano

The Thrihnukagigur volcano in Iceland may be dormant but this journey to the centre of the earth is still pretty thrilling. After a 3km hike to the crater, to get to the ‘good bit’ you’ll still have to descend 120m into the opening via an open cable lift. Inside the Volcano (insidethevolcano.com) offer exclusive tours that’ll take you beneath the earth’s crust where you can admire the kaleidoscopic colours and unique rock formations of the volcano’s crater.

The rush of surfing dunes is worth all the sand in strange places © Thomas Dressler / Getty Images

Sandboarding

Surfers and snowboarders – and all you other thrill seekers – ditch the waves and runs and head to the desert for an alternative boarding experience. Namibia’s Namib Desert offers the ultimate adventure playground, boasting some of the highest dunes in the world. Be sure to soak up the views of your epic surrounds at the summit, because once you’re whooshing down the dunes at speeds of up to 80mph, you may be a wee bit distracted.

‘Definitely worth all the sand in strange places, although unless you’re quite good you don’t get much speed standing up – you just fall down!’ – Lauren McInerney, Finance Manager at Lonely Planet

The Rattlesnake’s twists and turns are thrilling © Marjie Lambert / Miami Herald / Getty Images

Zip line roller coasters

Whizz along tracks that weave through rainforest and jungle scenery, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is a gentle ride. You’ll be whipped around twists, slaloms and 360° loops, all whilst dangling at a dizzying height of up to 60m. The aptly named Treetop Crazy Rider (treetops.com.au) in Australia and the Rattlesnake (foreverflorida.com) in Florida, USA, beckon the brave with over 1600m of track between them.

You need more than a strong core to brave rapids on a SUP board © Trevor Clark / Getty Images

Whitewater SUP

If you’ve managed to successfully stand up paddleboard (SUP), well done! But why not take it a step further and test your skills pelting down some whitewater rapids? There’s also whitewater tubing and creeking (whitewater rafting in a kayak) for those who prefer to sit or recline whilst being jostled by river rapids. Yet to take off as a global phenomenon, whitewater SUP is still largely the domain of rivers in the USA.

‘It’s challenging; you’re standing up, your centre of gravity is raised, you’re having to use all your muscles and you also have to read the water. It’s about finding stillness in the chaos.’ – Nikki Gregg (nikkigregg.com), whitewater paddler and fitness guru

Could you muster up the courage to take a dip in the Devil’s Pool? © Yvette Cardozo / Getty Images

Swim the Devil’s Pool

As the name suggests, this ultimate infinity pool – situated on the edge of Victoria Falls – is anything but a relaxing dip. The trend is to launch yourself into the pool and let the current whisk you off to the edge of the falls where the lip of rock will catch you. The Devil’s Pool is only safe to swim in the dry season (mid-August to mid-January) and it’s recommended to go with a certified tour company. Tongabezi (tongabezi.com) offer five tours per day which include a tour of the pool’s access point, Livingstone Island, as well as a daring dip.

Some travellers will do anything to get the best city views © skywalk.co.nz

High-altitude urban experiences

Adventure activities are often thought to be the remit of the great outdoors, but thrill seekers can get all their kicks without venturing to the sticks. Many cities offer high-altitude, adrenaline-pumping tours, from abseiling off famous buildings to walking around the outer edges of iconic skyscrapers attached to a safety wire.

New Zealand’s Auckland Sky Tower (skywalk.co.nz) and Toronto’s CN Tower (edgewalkcntower.ca) both offer tours around their heady heights. Alternatively, try abseiling 100m down Rotterdam’s Euromast (euromast.nl).

‘I cried real tears on the CN Tower EdgeWalk. But honestly, it was life changing and there’s not really much I’m scared of anymore.’ – Lauren Finney, US Magazine Editor at Lonely Planet

The Caminito del Rey has had a much-needed facelift © David Ramos / Getty Images

Cliff walking

Dubbed the world’s deadliest hike, the Huashan mountain trail in China is not for the faint hearted. Tethered to a safety line on the rock face, hikers make their way across wooden planks and sheer cliff edge to reach one of the world’s most remote tea houses, over 2000m high. There are plenty of other (slightly) less pant-wetting paths around the world, like the Caminito del Rey in Spain, which underwent a hefty restoration in 2015.

Head into the unknown on a two-week adventure across India © Mila Kiratzova

Rickshaw run

Think the Gumball rally, but on glorified go-karts. The Rickshaw Run is an epic pan-Indian adventure spanning 3500km. All you need is to get your hands on a rickshaw and book two weeks off work and you’re good to go… kind of. The Adventurists (theadventurists.com) can help with all the know-how you need to hit the road, including visa requirements, budgeting and tips for pimping your rickshaw.

‘The Rickshaw Run is a real old-school adventure. It’s two weeks of boredom-obliterating mayhem.’ – Mr Matt, Event Manager at The Adventurists

Australia’s Lady Elliot Island is one of the best spots to try blowhole diving © Len Zell / Lonely Planet

Blowhole diving

Blowholes are naturally occurring sea caves that also have an opening at the surface of the ocean. Freedivers and scuba divers are drawn to these unusual geological formations not just for the epic ride – the current combined with the structure of the caves creates a surge that propels you through the cavern – but also for the unique wildlife that inhabits these environments. The best blowholes to dive can be found at Lady Elliot Island, Australia and The Corridor in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Are you wild enough to want to witness the perfect storm? © Barcroft Media / Getty Images

Storm chasing

Most people would run from a swirling vortex of doom, but not you. You head right into the middle of the action. Specialist tours can take groups safely into storm zones to see some immense weather such as tornadoes and supercell thunderstorms. Extreme weather-watchers flock to Tornado Alley in the American midwest for some of the most epic skyscapes.

‘The thrill of seeing large supercell structures, hundreds of bolts of lightning and possible tornadoes out in the open fields… there is nothing else like that feeling in the world!’ – Roger Hill, Silver LIning Tornado and Storm Chasing Tours (silverliningtours.com)

 

 

 

The best FREE tourist attractions around the world

It’s an old adage – the best things in life are free, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to some of the world’s most intriguing travel sights.

While most of the obvious tourist landmarks – the Statue of Liberty, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Taj Mahal – charge entry fees, many of the lesser-known hidden gems around the corner don’t.

Did you know, for example, that you can visit an uninhabited island in the Bahamas where you can swim with wild pigs, and not be charged a penny?

Or take free yoga classes in Dubai, and sample the best tea in China at a cost of… zero?

Lonely Planet has released a veritable travel bible of spots around the world where you can have great experiences on a shoestring, titled The Best Things in Life are Free. MailOnline Travel rounds up 15 of the most intriguing suggestions… 

The Bahamas: Pig Island

On a small uninhabited island in the Exuma region of the Bahamas, wild pigs paddle freely around, and they don’t charge you for joining them – although edible gifts are welcome

This is the only place in the Caribbean where you can splash around with celebrities and not have to pay a dime, because these stars have no idea they’re famous. An overnight Instagram sensation, the pigs of this island in Exuma live in the wild and love a spot of swimming.

According to legend they were left there by sailors who had plans to return for a pork roast, but never did, leaving the pigs to turn feral.

Thailand: The Bangkokian Museum

This quaint folk museum in Bangkok consists of two old homes with rooms full of perfectly preserved personal belongings that date back a century

The tiny Bangkokian is a hidden jewel in a city where most of its treasures are proudly on display.

This quaint folk museum consists of two old homes with rooms full of perfectly preserved personal belongings that date back a century.

It looks as if the owners stepped through the front door to pick up some noodles in 1935 and never came back.

China: The Măliándào Tea Market

Măliándào, where virtually all the tea in China can be seen, sniffed and sampled for free

If you’re someone who knows your pu-erh from your oolong, then you’ll get a kick from a trip to Măliándào, where virtually all the tea in China can be seen, sniffed and sampled.

It’s mainly aimed at wholesalers, but most vendors will give you a complimentary taste, and then you can sip plenty more brews in teashops.

You can get your hands on tea sets here as well, at potentially bargain prices.

Berlin: Badeschiff Swimming Barge

Badeschiff, an urban beach club built around a barge-turned-swimming pool in the Spree River

Summers in Berlin wouldn’t be the same without the Badeschiff, an urban beach club built around a river barge-turned-swimming pool and moored in the Spree River. 

Splash around in the daytime and stay to sip sunset cocktails with a great view of the fairy-tale-like bridge, Oberbaumbrücke. In winter, Badeschiff is all covered up and turned into a toasty sauna-cum-bar.

Singapore: Gardens by the Bay

Time your visit to the Gardens by the Bay for 7.45pm or 8.45pm to see the Supertrees twinkle and glow for the spectacular Garden Rhapsody light-and-sound show.

This eco-fantasy land of space age bio-domes, hi-tech trees and whimsical sculptures really has to be seen to be believed.

Although the indoor conservatories and Supertree-top skyway are chargeable, arguably the coolest thing to see here is free: time your visit for 7.45pm or 8.45pm to see the Supertrees twinkle and glow for the spectacular Garden Rhapsody light-and-sound show.

Dubai: Free yoga

The voluntary Friends of Yoga organisation runs free yoga classes every day at 13 locations around the UAE

The augmented reality of life in Dubai’s air-conditioned cityscape may just leave you in need of some mental readjustment.

If so, consider stretching out to the voluntary Friends of Yoga organisation, which runs free yoga classes every day at 5.30am and 7.30pm at 13 locations around the UAE, including Deira Creek, Bur Dubai Creek, Zabeel Park, JLT Park and Internet City.

Dublin: The National Museum of Ireland

The National Museum of Ireland is home for four million objects of archaeology, decorative arts and natural history

This mighty museum explores Ireland’s heritage via four million objects spread across four sites, three of which are in Dublin.

Archaeology is where you’ll explore prehistoric and Viking-era Ireland, Decorative Arts & History houses ancient weaponry, furniture, and silver, and Natural History has an Irish elk skeleton.

London: The More London Free Festival

This annual series of free events at the South Bank of the River Thames comprises of everything from live music and fringe theatre to movie showings and kid’s entertainment

This annual series of free events hijacks the South Bank of the River Thames for four months of summer action.

It comprises everything from live music and fringe theatre performances to children’s entertainment and screenings of flicks in the Scoop – a 1000-seat concrete amphitheatre near Tower Bridge.

The big screen on site broadcasts major sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Tour de France.

Marrakesh: Djemaa el-Fna square

The Djemaa el-Fna square, where you’ll find street theatre, snake charming and music, all in a plaza that used to be the site of public executions

Think of it as live-action channel-surfing: everywhere you look in the Djemaa el-Fna – Marrakesh’s main square and open-air theatre – you’ll discover drama already in progress.

Think street theatre, snake charming, and music, all in a plaza that used to be the site of public executions around AD 1050 – hence its name, which means ‘assembly of the dead’.

Sydney: The Sydney Harbour National Park

Most attractions at this 392-hectare national park that overlooks the Sydney Harbour will cost you nothing

This 392-hectare park protects sections of Sydney’s foreshore and several islands within the harbour.

Most attractions are free, including the Bradleys Head amphitheatre, a popular lookout and a great picnic spot, and  the Grotto Point Aboriginal engraving site, where you can see old rock art.

New York: The Brooklyn Flea Market

At the Brooklyn Flea Market, you’ll find everything from records and 1930s posters to vintage clothing and antique collectables – and wandering round is free

When the weekend arrives, head to Brooklyn to experience one of the best markets in the whole city. More than 100 vendors ply their wares here, with plenty of treasures to ogle from the past and the present.

You’ll find everything from records to 1930s posters, vintage clothing, jewellery, homewares, artwork, antique collectables and craft items. Wandering round is free.

Check the website for locations, which change seasonally. Visit brooklynflea.com.

Paris: Château de Versailles’ Gardens

These spectacular gardens are divine, not as packed as the château itself, and free for half the year

While the château at Versailles is truly extraordinary, the crush of people inside can be hard to bear.

But the landscaped gardens – meticulously manicured, dotted with elegant statuary and exuberant fountains, and criss-crossed with paths (bikes can be rented) – are divine and free for half the year between November and March. Pack a picnic and distance those madding crowds.

Rio de Janeiro: Ipanema Beach

Ipanema Beach, where you can frolic in the waves, go surfing, take long walks or simply sit back and engage in the discreet art of people-watching

One of the best places to spend a sun-drenched day in Rio is out on Ipanema Beach. You can frolic in the waves, go surfing, take long walks or simply sit back and engage in the discreet art of people-watching.

You also needn’t leave the sands when hunger strikes, but you will need to open your wallet.

Barracas (beach stalls) sell everything from super cheap sandwiches to caipirinhas, and wandering vendors bring by cold drinks and snacks.

Tokyo: Yoyogi Park

On sunny weekends, all sorts gather to Tokyo’s Yoyogi Park for picnics, Frisbee, drumming, dancing and free festivals

Of all Tokyo’s parks, this is arguably the most lively. The landscaping is haphazard, wild along the fringes, and there are no ‘keep off the grass’ signs here.

On sunny weekends, all sorts gather for picnics, Frisbee, drumming and dancing.

The plaza across the street hosts free festivals on weekends during summer, including many hosted by the city’s ethnic communities.

You can read more at http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

You booked a crappy hotel. Now what?

Just had to copy and paste this: Leif’s one of my favourite fellow travel writers and regularly makes me laugh my little airline socks off… 

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by Leif Pettersen · Jul 14 2014

Traveling can be a lot like strip poker: no matter how brilliantly you’ve played and how many extra undergarments you layered on before the game, sometimes you end up as the sole naked person at the table.

The disappointment of arriving to a hotel room that does not meet your expectations feels much like finding oneself pants-free two hands into a game of strip poker (I’m told). The following are some common scenarios and potential solutions that I’ve experienced, researched or invented during idle daydreaming.

Instead of two single beds, there’s one double – or worse, one single

These digs? Not ideal for the first night of a honeymoon. Image by Jose A. Bernat Bacete / Moment Open / Getty Images.

For some reason, this happens frequently when I’m traveling with platonic friends – one time it happened with my mom. Switching rooms is clearly the solution, but what if the hotel is booked solid? In this era of instant public shaming on social media, reputable hotels look for quick solutions, which in this case could include hauling an extra bed into the room or – don’t be afraid to ask – even booking you at a different hotel.

But what if all the other hotels in the area are also full? The last time this happened we reluctantly checked in, accosted a kindly member of the housekeeping staff and raided a room full of comforters and those plush, middle-weight blankets. We then folded and stacked them into a lasagna to make a respectable ‘bed’ on the floor. It was surprisingly comfortable.

The hotel was due for a renovation 25 years ago

Some hotels turns out to be a bit different from their description on a website. Image by Jared McMillen / Aurora / Getty Images.

Photos on the internet can be deceptive, can’t they? What looks just fine on the hotel website can sometimes turn out to be a musty, mildewy, creaky, leaky, thin-walled 1980s hotel museum. (I’m looking at you, London.) Changing rooms does no good, because in places like this all the rooms are of this caliber. If you’ve already paid and can survive a night in that dump, cancel the remainder of the stay immediately (usually, you can get a full refund with 24 hours’ notice) and switch hotels the next day. Then it’s just a matter of drinking enough that night so the worst of your room problems is keeping your take-home cider cold.

The bed is harder than a domestic airplane seat

In some parts of the world, like the Asia-Pacific region, hotels have sadistically firm beds that cater to the preferences of travelers in that region. (Aka, masochists.) If I didn’t know better, I’d say my bed at an opulent five-star business hotel on Guam was inspired by the rock slab found in a 13th-century monk’s cell. A quick in-room solution is employing the spare comforter in the closet as a mattress cover, folded over for doubled thickness. If that doesn’t do the trick, again, acquire additional comforters from housekeeping to fortify the bed.

The hotel is fine, but the neighborhood is sketchy

Favelas might be atmospheric, but you wouldn’t necessarily want to stay in one…check out the surrounding area before you book a hotel. Image by Michael Heffeman / The Image Bank / Getty Images.

This is can be a particular problem in bigger cities with mass tourism appeal (eg, San Francisco, Paris, Bangkok). Avoid staggering back to the room late and drunk, even if you’re part of a group. If you must carouse till late, take a taxi home. Leave behind (or conceal) nice jewelry, accessories and mobile devices. For added in-room security, one of my favorite hacks is carrying and using a rubber doorstop to defeat unwanted visitors.

Angry-baby levels of extraneous noise permeating the room

A bar or discothèque across the street, a party on the floor, an HVAC unit mounted just outside the window, an insomniac neighbor watching Transformers with the volume cranked up to the max… Noise is frequently a factor at budget hotels. Again, changing rooms is your first move, but failing that, occasionally the ‘if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em’ approach can be employed. (Excepting the insomniac neighbor.) If it’s an automated or otherwise unavoidable noise, and one can stand sleeping while wearing headphones, any number of white noise apps/MP3s or noise-cancelling headphones can diminish or eliminate the commotion.

Run-for-your-life scenarios

Arriving to find a building site where your hotel should be is an unfortunate way to start a trip. Image by Kelvin Murray / Stone / Getty Images.

Frightening building code violations, overt personal safety concerns, bed bugs, blood-stained linens and other nightmares are going to crop up. As much as it stings to lose the money, in these instances don’t hesitate to march right back out the door. In all likelihood the room wasn’t very expensive anyway, so listen to your instincts and retreat to someplace where you’ll feel more comfortable.

The staff are jerks

Again, with the terrible power a single person with a Twitter stream or a TripAdvisor account can wield these days, hotel staff are usually on their best behavior, even when guests are unforgivably horrible. But on those occasions when the staff seem determined to harsh your mellow, here are a few retaliatory options you may consider.*

• Stand in the automatic front door’s sensor’s range, so it never closes. Best done at the hottest or coldest time of year.
• Discard unwanted items, such as chicken bones, in the elevator.
• Sell your band’s merch out the front.
• Arrange the towels, toiletries, mini-bar items and what have you on the bed to spell out the word ‘DISAPPOINTED’.
• Use the room’s furniture to build a pyramid, preferably booby-trapped to collapse in underwear-soiling fashion when the door is opened.
• Have a sexy construction worker-themed singing telegram delivered to the manager at peak check-in time.

Finally, if the problems persist or resolution seems doubtful, just tell them you’re me! This should result in swift and decisive action. Not necessarily to your benefit, but swift and decisive nonetheless.

* Leif Pettersen and Lonely Planet do not actually endorse these activities. You will get in moderate to enormous trouble if you try these. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

 

Leif Pettersen is a Lonely Planet author, freelance travel writer and polyglot. He’s visited 52 countries (so far) and can be found @leifpettersen.

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/budget-travel#ixzz3pyCmtCru