Explore the terraced rice fields of Sapa, or trek through lush jungles in Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng. The country’s natural beauty will leave you in awe and make every journey feel like an adventure. Spiking of drinks is known to occur in party towns and very touristy places. Always be aware of your glass and consider purchasing a drink cover to protect yourself at larger parties like the Full Moon in Koh Pha Ngan. Travelers who want to vacation in Thailand, the Land of Smiles in Southeast Asia, should take the necessary precautions to enjoy a safe trip.
Ready to travel and discoverGreece?
If you’ve had your fill of Berliner currywurst and döner kebap and you’re looking for more variety, this huge food hall is a cool place to hang out during the day as it carries fresh produce, deli items, and handmade bread, pasta, and more. On Thursdays, they have special street food where you can get Tibetan momos, British pies, tacos, Kässpatzen (dumplings with cheese), and more. They even have a selection of craft beer, wines, coffee, and other items to drink. As soon as you enter the Palace of Knossos through the West Court, the ancient ceremonial entrance, it is clear how the legends of the labyrinth grew up around it. Even with a detailed plan, it’s almost impossible to find your way around the complex with any success, although a series of timber walkways channels visitors around the site, severely restricting the scope for independent exploration.
Great experiences
A shorter version is also available for TL10, departing from the same ferry terminal and covering the same distance with no stops (other than to pick up more passengers at Üsküdar). The tour takes around two hours, departing Eminönü at 2.30pm (April–Oct daily; Nov–March Sun & public holidays). In summer, especially at weekends, the queues to buy tickets can be very long, so allow at least half an hour, or, preferably, buy your ticket a day or two in advance. There are also often long queues to board, so late-comers end up sitting in the worst seats. The ferries are rather antiquated but comfortable enough, and you can buy snacks, sandwiches and drinks on board.
- The other peak season to be aware of is Idul Fitry (Eid al-Fitri, usually May–June).
- Bergen, Norway’s second city, clocks up about 250,000 residents, while around 40,000 indigenous Sámi (Lapps) live mostly in the north of the country.
- For budget travelers, a weekly average budget can range from $150 to $300, including accommodation, meals, transportation, and some sightseeing.
- But plan on staying in Istanbul a week, or even two, if you want to fully explore the backstreets of the old city and the outlying suburbs and islands.
- You can print them off or keep them on your phone and there’s a link to an online map so you can map out your days.
- The rolling green hills, sheer cliffs, and horseshoe bays of Spain’s northern Atlantic coast are totally different from the turquoise Mediterranean blues and honey-sand shores of the south.
West and southwest of Athens is The Peloponnese, a vast peninsula peppered with romantic harbor towns, olive groves, and archaeological ruins. Northwest of Athens are the ancient ruins of Delphi and the incredible clifftop monasteries at Meteora. In Greece’s far north is the three-legged peninsula of Halkidiki, famous for its excellent beaches and mountain monastic republic.
- In 2008, while digging the Yenikapı metro station, archeologists uncovered a Neolithic settlement dating back to circa 6500 BC.
- It simplifies the process of booking a car, ensuring you have a hassle-free and cost-effective journey.
- Populated by a small fishing community, the island was originally known as Gherapura, the “city of Ghara priests”.
- While the city is famous for its Michelin-starred establishments like Noma, Alchemist, and Geranium ($$$$ book months in advance!), there’s so much more to explore.
- They combine great information with also some off-the-beaten-track activities.
- Two major train networks operate throughout Italy – Italo and Trenitalia.
- As the name suggests, shophouses were originally a combination of shop and home, with the former occupying the ground floor of a two- or three-storey building; eventually many came to be built purely as townhouses, but the original name stuck.
Best places in Costa Rica to visit
Expect to pay $45–100 per day (depending on the quality and popularity of the resort) for lift tickets, plus another $30 or more per day to rent equipment. It’s essential to carry – and drink – large quantities of water in the desert. In particular, hiking in typical summer temperatures requires drinking a phenomenal amount.
Take a day trip to Ilha Grande
Greece is part of the European Union, and the currency used is the Euro (€). Most major shops and restaurants across Greece accept credit cards, but there may be a minimum purchase required to use them. It is a good idea to have some cash on hand for bus trips and small purchases like bottled water and snacks. ATMs are plentiful in Athens and generally easy to find in most villages and beach towns across Greece.
Unlike Budongo Forest to its north, Kibale wasn’t logged commercially until the 1950s, when it became an important source of timber for the Kilembe Copper Mine near Kasese, and logging was discontinued during the civil war. As a result, areas of mature forest are still liberally endowed with large-buttressed mahoganies, tall fruiting figs, and other hardwood trees whose canopy is up to 60m above the ground. It also supports a dense tangle of lianas and epiphytes, while the thick undergrowth includes wild Robusta coffee. The most useful airline to travellers is Aerolink, which runs a daily return flight from Entebbe west to Semliki, Kasese, Mweya (Queen Elizabeth), Kihihi (for Ishasha and Buhoma), Kisoro, and north to Bugungu, Chobe, Pakuba and Kidepo.
- • Mauritius is around the world’s seventeenth most densely populated country, with just over 1.3 million inhabitants and a density of 644 people per square kilometre.
- The best way to enter is down the ramp from the west so that you get the full effect of the stupendously large turbine hall.
- Mac-heads are catered for here, including authorized resellers, and there are dozens of repair and secondhand booths, especially towards the back of the shopping centre and on the upper floors.
- With charming riverside towns and villages, majestic forests and sparkling waterways, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is slow-travel perfection.
- Most of them are adventure trips to less-traveled places, so there’s no doubt that travelers are in a for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- The building is a massive and futuristic-looking structure located beside an old industrial power plant (which you can also tour).
- Many years since the break up of the Soviet Union, the economy has improved, and the modern era has brought upon a wide variety of construction projects, modern architecture and newer transport systems.
- Day tours and attractions also sell out months in advance at peak times.
Every street, square, and hidden alleyway bears traces of Venice’s glorious past, where medieval relics lie in plain sight. More than a phrase, “Pura Vida” is Costa Rica’s way of life—simple, joyful, and deeply connected to nature. Join locals for coffee on a sunny veranda, practice yoga by the ocean, or just embrace the slow pace. From surfing Pacific waves at Tamarindo to spotting baby turtles on Caribbean shores, there’s a beach for everyone.
- At the start of this period (known as hanami) flurries of falling cherry blossom give the city a soft pink hue and by the end the temperatures are pleasant.
- The slightly taller Mount Lutoke (2,797m), which lies on the opposite side of a 50km border shared with South Sudan, is also visible from several points in the park.
- There was a huge New Year’s celebration after the city was reunited, and there’s still a massive party here every New Year’s Eve.
- Montjuïc’s highlight for many is the Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona’s most adventurous art museum, opened in 1975 and set among gardens overlooking the city.
- For hikers, packet soups and noodles are about the only dehydrated meals that are available throughout Uganda.
- Ideally, hang both food and garbage from a high but slender branch some distance from your camp.
- We’ve concentrated on fishing, hiking, skiing and canoeing – four of Canada’s most popular activities – and on the national parks, which have been established to preserve and make accessible the best of the Canadian landscape.
- Among them are mythical beasts, monkeys, plants and medallions of important personages.
If you’re going to buy, do some browsing first, as the flagship fruit and veg stalls by the entrance tend to have higher prices than those farther inside. There are some excellent stand-up snack bars in here, open from dawn onwards for the traders – Pinotxo near the Ramblas entrance is the most famous. The Ramblas splits the old-town areas of Barcelona in half, with the Barri Gòtic on the east flank of the avenue and El Raval on the west. It also actually comprises five separate sections strung head to tail – from north to south, Rambla Canaletes, Estudis, Sant Josep, Caputxins and Santa Mònica – though you’ll rarely hear them referred to as such. Here, under the plane trees, you’ll find pet canaries, tropical fish, flowers, plants, postcards and books. You can buy jewellery, have your palm read and your portrait painted, play cards with a man on an upturned cardboard box (not a good idea), or while away time with the buskers and human statues.
Hotels
in France
The other routes of the Trans-Siberian Railway, between Moscow and China, are more popular among tourists. There are two weekly trains to/from Beijing, the Trans-Mongolian (Train #4) via Ulaanbaatar and the Trans-Manchurian (Vostok/Train #20) via Manchuria. Both journeys take six nights but the ride via Mongolia offers more scenery.
Our sections on accommodation, currency exchange, and even a list of what not to do, equip you with all the practical information you’ll ever need. Our ‘Explore’ section brings to you the glittering array of top sights, picturesque neighborhoods, and atmospheric districts. Whether it’s the iconic thermal baths that promise relaxation or the lush parks and gardens offering a slice of tranquility, we guide you through it all. And for those seeking a cultural immersion, Budapest’s churches, synagogues, museums, galleries, and landmarks are sure to mesmerize. Don’t forget to delve into our detailed segments on the city’s stunning palaces and historic buildings – a testament to Budapest’s architectural grandeur. Mai Chau, nestled in the peaceful valley of Hoa Binh Province, offers a serene escape from bustling cities.
Visit Seville (Spain)
If you’re on a budget, I’ve written about 51 free things to do in London. If you’re here on your own, you can use my blog posts about planning a solo trip to London and the best things to do in London alone for ideas. Nashville remains synonymous with country and western; outside the cities, rural Appalachia brims with backwoods fiddlers and Louisiana’s sleepy bayous are alive with Cajun and zydeco. Ice https://softfootprints.com/ hockey, usually referred to simply as hockey, was long the preserve of Canada and cities in the far north of the USA, but now penetrates the rest of the country, with a concentration around the East Coast and Great Lakes. Tickets, particularly for successful teams, are hard to get and not cheap. The eastern resorts of Vermont and New York State, however, pale by comparison with those of the Rockies, such as Vail and Aspen in Colorado, and the Sierra Nevada in California.
The Best Walking Tours in Lisbon
Just beyond its bustling streets, you’ll find destinations that offer serene beauty, historical depth, and unforgettable experiences. Tokyo, the Japanese capital, is a prime example of a city that efficiently meets the needs of its millions of people. You hardly need to worry about crime, and you can find convenience stores and vending machines open all day and night, offering everything you might need (and even things you didn’t know you needed).
Tips to start planning your trip
East of Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Chinatown and Covent Garden are also easy to walk around and form the heart of the West End entertainment district, where you’ll find the largest concentration of theatres, cinemas, shops, cafés and restaurants. Exploring, discovering, and experiencing cultures and lifestyles around the Globe is a great gift that has been given to humankind. All is there at our disposal, and we can touch it with almost making an effortless effort.
Subscribe to Lonely Planet’s newsletter
Tour lush plantations, sip world-famous brews, and learn the art of coffee-making from passionate farmers. Explore the verdant Cocora Valley, where wax palms tower over rolling hills. It’s not just coffee—it’s an immersive journey into Colombia’s rich agricultural heritage and stunning landscapes. From San Andrés to Providencia, snorkel vibrant coral reefs, relax on powdery white beaches, or kayak through turquoise lagoons.
- Check out our reviews of the best hotels to ensure you bed down in style, browse our deals to bag a bargain, or select a destination and start daydreaming, whether it’s in the UK, Europe, USA, Asia, South America, Africa or Australasia.
- By 668, Silla forces held control of the whole peninsula, but having chosen Gyeongju as their capital, Seoul faded into the background.
- This catches silt and driftwood and the beaver then reinforces the barrier with sticks and stones plus grass and mud, which is laboriously smoothed-in as a binding element.
- Together, the 98,000-seat stadium and museum – billed as the “Camp Nou Experience” – provide a magnificent celebration of Spain’s national sport.
The police may demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within 7 business days of your arrival into Moscow. Always remember that if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper at a time of check-in, so don’t worry in this case. The police are usually looking for migrants from Central Asia and unless you fit this profile, you are unlikely to be questioned.
From fresh food to quirky antiques, there’s a market for pretty much every interest here. From farmers’ markets to fun souvenirs, shopping streets to bookstores, it covers everything you need to know to find what you want to buy in London. This part of my London travel guide covers the best places to eat and drink in the city. From restaurants and afternoon teas to bars and pubs, it has you covered.
Before you can lose yourself in its winding waterways and historic charm, you’ll need to figure out the best way to get there. Whether you’re flying in from across the globe or making your way from a nearby European city, various options are available to suit every budget and travel style. Also, a must-see in these neighbourhoods are the Rialto Bridge, the lively Rialto Market and the historic church of San Giacomo di Rialto. Accommodation options, from cosy guesthouses to charming boutique hotels, provide an authentic Venetian experience. Dorsoduro is a neighbourhood worth staying in Venice for its artistic heritage and lively cultural life.
Above all, do bear in mind that gorillas are still wild animals, despite the ‘gentle giant’ reputation that has superseded the old King Kong image. An adult gorilla is much stronger than a person and will act in accordance with its own social codes when provoked or surprised. Accidents are rare, but still it is important to listen to your guide at all times regarding the correct protocol in the presence of gorillas.
There are 51 great events to experience in London during the year, and I’ve included some of the highlights below. Watch dancers in Bali weave ancient stories through hypnotic movements, shop markets brimming with spices, or join a Gamelan orchestra for hauntingly beautiful melodies. From smoky satay cooked over open flames to festivals bursting with color, the culture here isn’t just seen—it’s felt in every fiber of your being. Jazz took root in the Creole culture of New Orleans, blending African traditions with western techniques to create a distinctly American art form. Jazz is still dance music in New Orleans; cooler urban stylings can be enjoyed in clubs in New York.
Andalusia Road Trip: The Ultimate 2-Week Itinerary
Lined with cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops, flower stalls and newspaper kiosks, it’s at the heart of Barcelona’s life and self-image. At the bottom of the Ramblas is the waterfront, whose spruced-up harbour area is known as Port Vell (Old Port). Walking east from here takes you past the aquarium and marina, through the old fishing and restaurant quarter of Barceloneta, past the Parc de la Ciutadella and out along the promenade to the cafés and restaurants of the Port Olímpic.
This time capsule in Sector 17 features their signature red uniforms, basic tables, and a menu that hasn’t changed in decades (try their South Indian breakfast with coffee) — it’s nostalgic, affordable, and still packed at lunchtime. A plethora of new-age cafes, however, have opened their doors in the city in case you are looking for modern aesthetics, speciality brews, weekend brunches, and a laidback vibe — drop by Hedgehog Cafe, Cafe JC’s, and The Willow Cafe. For anyone wanting golden sunsets, fantastic Italian dishes or sights from ancient times, Lake Como appears surreal rather than real. Whether you want a trip for two or fun with friends or family, you can expect a memorable time in this region of Italy.