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Barcelona - Plan your trip (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Your journey to Barcelona starts here. You’ll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on travelling with kids and free sights and activities.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Barcelona - Plan your trip (PDF Chapter)

- tailor-made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events

- list of highlights and best experiences

- a comprehensive guide to Gaudí and Modernisme

- user-friendly country overview ensures you won’t miss a thing

Coverage includes: Welcome to Barcelona, Barcelona’s Top 10, What’s New, Need to Know, First Time Barcelona, Top Itineraries, If You Like: Markets, Parks & Gardens, Museums, Art & Design, Contemporary Architecture, Panoramic Views, Staying Out Late, Fashion, Month By Month, With Kids, Like a Local, For Free, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, and LGBTI Barcelona.

Hotels in Barcelona >>

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Finnair to launch new connections to Daxing International, Beijing

Finnair passengers will have even better connections to Beijing this winter with the launch of flights to the city’s new Daxing International Airport.

Sprawling multi-billion-dollar Daxing airport, which was designed by the late British architect Zaha Hadid, has been built in just five years.

When it opens its doors for business in September, it will feature the largest single airport terminal in the world, with the starfish-shaped building stretching across 7.5 million square feet.

Finnair’s flights will operate three times a week to Beijing Daxing from November 3rd, in addition to its existing daily flights to Beijing Capital Airport.

The new frequencies mean Finnair will offer up to ten flights every week to the Chinese capital.

Passengers can fly to Daxing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays on Finnair’s Airbus A330 aircraft, which features spacious cabin interiors in every class.

Ole Orvér, Finnair chief commercial officer, said: “With the new flights, we are proud to offer even better connections between Beijing and our 100 destinations in Europe.

“Our aim is to grow sustainably in China, which is among our top global markets.

“The new Beijing Daxing International Airport is a key hub for international travel to and from China and will serve our customers well.

“We are grateful for the support and collaboration from both authorities and our partners in opening the new Daxing flights.”

Explore the Americas by Lonely Planet

Ice trekking in Argentina. Salsa dancing in Cuba. Road-tripping the USA. We present 60 of the most exciting travel experiences across North, Central and South America, from adrenaline-pumping thrills and breathtaking natural wonders to cultural icons, wildlife watching and romantic getaways.

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With Lonely Planet’s Explore the Americas, you’ll discover great escapes, thrilling adventures, voyages of discovery and man-made and natural wonders stretching all the way from Canada to Argentina. Let Lonely Planet be your guide for exploring this beautiful and vibrant part of the world – and be inspired to plan your next or first adventure to the Americas.

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Paris - Eiffel Tower & Western Paris (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

The viewing platforms of the Eiffel Tower will offer you a panorama over the whole of Paris, with Passy stretching along the far banks of the Seine to the west. This prestigious neighbourhood is home to some fabulous museums.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Paris - Eiffel Tower & Western Paris (PDF Chapter)

- ascend the Eiffel Tower at dusk to watch its sparkling lights blink across Paris

- find inspiration in traditional art and craftmanship from around the world at the Musée du Quai Branly

- wander past cathedral portals, gargoyles and intricate scale models in the standout Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine museum dedicated to French architecture

Coverage includes: Neighbourhood Top Five, Local Life, Getting There & Away, Sights, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment,

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Washington, DC - National Mall (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

With so many monuments and museums to see (for free!), you could spend your entire trip on the National Mall. Be prepared to walk: the main row of sights, from the Smithsonian museums west to the Lincoln Memorial, is about 2 miles tip to tip.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Washington, DC - National Mall (PDF Chapter)

- climb the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, staring into Abe’s stony eyes, reading his Gettysburg Address chiseled in the wall and then standing where Martin Luther King Jr gave his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech

- learn about the diverse African American experience and how it has helped shape the nation at the National Museum of African American History and Culture

- marvel at the graceful design and technological innovation apparent in the craft that have transported humans into the sky and space at the National Air and Space Museum

Coverage includes: Neighbourhood Top Five, Local Life, Getting There & Away, Sights, Eating, Entertainment, Sports & Activities.

Hotels in Washington DC >>

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Madrid - Sol, Santa Ana & Huertas (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Madrid - Sol, Santa Ana & Huertas (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

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Sol, Santa Ana and Huertas make up the city’s most clamorous corner. Explorations begin in the Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, the pulsing heart of downtown Madrid, then move on to Plaza de Santa Ana and the laneways down the hillside to the east.

- discover the little-known artistic riches of Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Spain’s most underrated art gallery

- spend a lazy afternoon nursing a Rioja on one of Plaza de Santa Ana’s outdoor tables and watch the world go by

- step back in time at La Venencia, an old-style sherry bar that captures the spirit of a Spain that long ago disappeared elsewhere

Coverage includes: Sights, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, and Sports & Activities.

NEW Spain travel guide by Lonely Planet

Download the new Lonely Planet Spain travel guide

Spain travel guide

Marvel at Modernista masterpieces in Barcelona, enjoy beachside Basque cuisine in San Sebastian, and taste sherry and flamenco in Andalucia – all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Spain and begin your journey now!

Coverage Includes: Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Toledo, Santiago de Compostela, Castilla y Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Aragon, Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, Extremadura, Andalucia, Murcia and more.

Curator: Gregor Clark

Writers: Sally Davies, Duncan Garwood, Anthony Ham, Catherine Le Nevez, Isabella Noble, John Noble, Josephine Quintero, Brendan Sainsbury, Regis St Louis, Andy Symington.

Rio de Janeiro - Copacabana & Leme (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Today’s Copa is a chaotic mix of discount stores and noisy traffic-filled avenues, with a humming red light district and slightly edgy streets. While paradise it clearly is not, the beach – framed by mountains and deep blue sea – remains beautiful.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Rio de Janeiro - Copacabana & Leme (PDF Chapter)

- soak up the sunshine on Copacabana Beach, followed by some snacks and drinks at an oceanfront kiosk.

- learn about Brazil’s colonial history at the Forte de Copacabana and take in the view across the beach.

- walk to mountaintop heights along a forested trail in Forte Duque de Caxias

Coverage includes: Sights, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, Sports & Activities.

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Brazil - Brasilia Goias (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Brasília was conceived as a workable, utopian answer to modern urban chaos. As Brazil’s seat of government, bureaucrats rule, but a thriving city is there, the first in the world constructed in the 20th century to achieve Unesco World Cultural Heritage designation.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Brazil - Brasilia Goias (PDF Chapter)

- admire the series of Niemeyer’s architectural marvels down Brasília’s principal axis, the Eixo Monumental

- wander the picturesque cobblestone streets of historic Cidade de Goiás and investigate its restored 18th-century buildings

- beat the heat amid Pirenópolis’s barrage of waterfalls and enjoying the hip cafes and boutiques of the center

Coverage includes: Brasília, Goiás, Goiãia, Cidade de Goiás, Pirenópolis, Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros, Alto Paraíso de Goiás, São Jorge.

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Bolivia - Central Highlands (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Geographically – and some would say metaphorically – the heart and soul of the country, the Central Highlands are a mix of lively urban centers and vast pastoral and mountainous regions dotted with remote villages.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Bolivia - Central Highlands (PDF Chapter)

- view the whitewashed, red-roofed colonial panorama of Sucre from high above in La Recoleta

- spelunk and climb where the dinosaurs once were in the Parque Nacional Torotoro

- trek the mountainous Cordillera de los Frailes, with its one-of-a-kind geology and intriguing Jal’qa communities

Coverage includes: Cochabamba & Around, Parque Nacional Tunari, Eastern Cochabamba Valley, Tarata & Huayculli, Incallajta, Totora, Mizque, Parque Nacional Torotoro, Sucre & Around, Tarabuco, Cordillera de los Frailes, Potosí.

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Peru - Lake Titicaca (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

In Andean belief, Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun. Bright days contrast with bitterly cold nights. Enthralling, deep-blue Lake Titicaca is the unifying, longtime home of highland cultures steeped in the old ways.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Peru - Lake Titicaca (PDF Chapter)

- boat the serene blue expanse to the mystical Islas Uros made entirely of reeds

- drift along the hills of the Isla Taquile, where the men have a talent for knitting and the women for weaving

- celebrate festivals with blaring brass bands and crazy costumes in Peru’s capital folklórico, Puno.

Coverage includes: Juliaca, Lampa, Pucará, Puno & Around, Lake Titicaca’s Islands, Capachica Peninsula & Around, South-Shore Towns, Bolivian Shore.

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Hong Kong - Aberdeen & South Hong Kong Island (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Hong Kong - Aberdeen & South Hong Kong Island (PDF Chapter)

The southern district is not only a showcase of history – Pok Fu Lam has the island’s last surviving village – but Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau are also the homes of Hong Kong’s boat-dwelling fisherfolk and offer wonderful seafood and boat rides.

- watch the goings-on on moored boats along Aberdeen Promenade, then hop on a sampan to cross the typhoon shelter the way it was done decades ago

- gallery-hop, tour a brewery and chill at the latest industrial-chic café in Wong Chuk Hang

- revisit a time in Hong Kong history when French missionaries crossed paths with dairy cowboys and a fire dragon at Béthanie in Pok Fu Lam.

Coverage includes: Sights, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Shopping, Sports & Activities.

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Pocket Phuket - 5th edition by Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet Pocket Phuket is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Find your perfect white beach, rock-climb at Railay Beach or dive in the aquamarine waters of the Similan Island.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Pocket Phuket - 5th edition

Inside Lonely Planet Pocket Phuket:

- Full-colour maps and images throughout

- Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

- Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

- Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices

- Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

- User-friendly layout with helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time

Coverage Includes: Phuket Town, Hat Patong, Hat Karon, Hat Kata, Rawai, Hat Kamala, Hat Surin, Ao Bang Thao, Thalang, Northern Beaches and more

Get to the heart of the best of Phuket and begin your journey now!

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Nicaragua - Managua (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Aside from diving into the spirited whirl of sprawling markets, improbable electric trees, remarkable street art and impressive monuments, Managua also gives you easy access to nearby lagoons, the nature reserve of Chocoyero-El Brujo, plus a smattering of fun beaches like Pochomil.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Nicaragua - Managua (PDF Chapter)

- take in views over the city while standing in Sandino’s shadow on a volcano’s rim in Parque Histórico Nacional Loma de Tiscapa

- explore the newly revamped waterfront, Paseo Salvador Allende, and eat, drink and dance with the locals at sunset

- marvel at the crumbling colonial grandeur of Plaza de la Revolución and enjoy the sight of promenading Managuans, particularly on weekends

Coverage includes: Sights, Activities, Courses, Tours, Festivals & Events, Sleeping, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, Around Managuaï, Masachapa & Pochomil, Reserva Natural Chocoyero-El Brujo, San Diego.

Belize - Tikal & Flores, Guatemala (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

The glory and splendors of the ancient Maya world await you, just over the border in the lush rainforests of Eastern Guatemala. The most fabled and accessible site is Tikal, larger and more completely restored than any of the Maya sites in Belize.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Belize - Tikal & Flores, Guatemala (PDF Chapter)

- watch at sunset, sunrise, or any time in between – nothing beats the ancient city of Tikal

- trek through the jungle to the huge, though still scarcely excavated, Maya ruin of El Mira-dor

- lounge lakeside over evening cocktails on the malecón of picturesque Flores


Coverage includes: Tikal, Yaxhá, El Remate, Flores & Santa Elena.

Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara - Kuta & Southwest Beaches by Lonely Planet

In Seminyak and Kerobokan there is a bounty of restaurants, cafes, designer boutiques, spas and the like that rivals anywhere in the world, while Kuta and Legian are the choice for rollicking clubs, cheap singlets and carefree family holidays.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara - Kuta & Southwest Beaches

- loll around on Kuta Beach, Bali’s original tourist magnet

- rave through the night in the manic clubs and legendary nightlife scene of Kuta

- ignore your resolve while shopping in Seminyak’s myriad boutiques and designer out-lets
restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Kuta & Legian, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Canggu Re-gion, Umalas, Canggu, Echo Beach, Pererenan Beach.

Provence & Southeast France Road Trips - Lavender Route Trip (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Luberon and Vaucluse may be well-trodden destinations, but they retain their rustic charm. This trip takes you to exquisitely beautiful sights and also gets you exploring back roads, sleepy villages, and fields of glorious purple blooms.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Provence & Southeast France Road Trips - Lavender Route Trip (PDF Chapter)

- see the dreamy 12th-century Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque framed by rows of lavender

- pick the right route with inspirational images and key trip highlights

- stop off for wonderful sweets and nougat at confectioner André Boyer in Sault

- get around easily with colour maps and route directions in easy stages

- breathe in the scent of a re-created medieval herb garden, Prieuré de Salagon

- discover even more with detours and ways to link your trips

Coverage includes: Coustellet, Gordes, Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, Sault, Banon, Forcalquier, Prieuré de Salagon, Manosque, Plateau de Valensole and France travel guide.

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20 Fun Things to do in Brazil

Tropical islands, lush rainforests and rhythm-filled cities set the scene for the great Brazilian adventure. Check out these fun things to do in Brazil.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Brazil travel guide

Brazil's Top 20

1. Wander among the picturesque cobblestone streets and baroque architectural treasures of Minas’ one-time capital, Ouro Preto

2. Climb Brazil’s third-tallest mountain, the 2892m Pico da Bandeira, in the Parque Nacional de Caparaó

3. Experience Mother Nature’s heart-stopping, thunderous roar at Garganta do Diablo, Iguaçu Falls’ most tumultuously glorious moment

4. Laze about the wild beaches and sandy trails in Ilha do Mel, Paraná’s car-free paradise

5. Sun, surf and beach-hop around the wild sands of beautiful Florianópolis, on the Ilha de Santa Catarina

6. Bask in the sunshine on Copacabana Beach followed by drinks at an oceanfront kiosk

7. Admire the Cidade Maravilhosa from the craggy heights of Pão de Açúcar

8. Taste your way through the gorgeous emerging wine region of Vale dos Vinhedos

9. Wander the picturesque cobblestone streets of historic Cidade de Goiás and investigate its restored 18th-century buildings

Hotels in Brazil >>

10. Gawk at incredible wildlife along Transpantaneira, the 145km Pantanal ‘highway’

11. Journey to the center of the earth at Abismo Anhumas near Bonito

12. Follow the sounds of the famous Olodum drum corps in Latin America’s inspiring Af-ro-Brazilian capital, Salvador

13. Snorkel, swim, hike to remote coastal villages, or learn to cook gourmet Brazilian food in the beautifully preserved historic coastal town of Paraty

14. Overwhelm yourself with cuisine, culture, coffee and chaos in São Paulo City, one of the world’s largest

15. Seek out Ubatuba’s deserted beaches, where mountains meet the sea along the lush and lovely Litoral Norte

16. Beach-hop the stunning – and gloriously empty – beaches of Fernando de Noronha

17. Pedal a bike along Maceió’s friendly beach paths, or take a jangada (boat) into the ocean to explore natural pools created by offshore reefs

18. Surf, chill, party and stare at spectacular sunsets in the magical village of Jericoacoara

19. Get your party on to the beat of Afro-Brazilian drums in São Luís

20. Explore the Amazon as it once was, with endless forests, waterways and wildlife, in Reserva Extrativista Baixo Rio Branco-Jauaperi

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10 Amazing things to do in Tanzania

Wildlife, beaches, ruins, Mt Kilimanjaro, friendly people, fascinating cultures – Tanzania has all these and more wrapped up in one adventurous, welcoming package. Check out these amazing things to do in Tanzania.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Tanzania travel guide

Tanzania Top 10

1. Marvel at the House of Wonders, the most famous building in Stone Town, Zanzibar Town’s historic quarter

2. Head out to Mbudya and Bongoyo for snorkelling and picnics on pristine offshore islands

3. Witness one of the most epic wildlife shows ever in the Serengeti National Park

4. Experience stunning views of Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano at Lake Natron

5. Get to know the Barabaig, Sandawe and other traditional tribes of Central Tanzania on a cultural tour out of Babati or Kondoa

6. Soak up the sights, sounds and smells as you stroll Temple St and Makoroboi in Mwanza

7. Ponder the strange forces of nature that balanced the boulders at Jiwe Kuu

8. Venture into the forests to mingle with the chimps made famous by Jane Goodall’s studies at Gombe National Park

9. Relax on the tranquil shores of Lake Nyasa, where verdant mountains cascade down to quiet coves

10. Explore traces of bygone days at the old Swahili trading town of Mikindani

Saudi Arabian Airlines expands Airbus A320neo order

Saudi Arabian Airlines has expanded its existing A320neo order from 35 to as many as 100 neo aircraft, including 35 options.

The additional firm order takes Saudi’s order of A320neo family aircraft to 65, of which 15 are A321XLRs.

Passenger demand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing strong growth on domestic, regional and international routes.

The additional aircraft will be deployed to support the national carrier’s plan to boost capacity.

Airbus and Saudia have also agreed to further expand their partnership with the development of technical training, maintenance and other services.

Saudia is the biggest Airbus operator in the country and currently operates a portfolio of 100 Airbus aircraft comprising A320ceo family and A330ceo.

This latest purchase is in line with the group’s transformation program, which includes the establishment and growth of a dual-brand strategy of operating airlines catering to the different customer segments in the kingdom, the region and beyond.

The A320neo and its derivative aircraft family members are the world’s best-selling single aisle aircraft with over 6,500 orders from more than 100 customers.

Belize - Northern Belize (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

This chilled-out stretch of Belize, entirely void of crowds, with unbeaten paths, abundant wild-life, fine Maya ruins and deserted beaches, is well worth a look if you’re seeking to get away from the scene further south.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Belize - Northern Belize (PDF Chapter)

- take a riverboat tour along the New River to the magnificent Maya ruins of Lamanai

- spot crocs and other lagoon inhabitants in Shipstern Conservation & Management Area

- tuck into the best street food in the north in Orange Walk Town

Coverage includes: Orange Walk District, Orange Walk Town, Lamanai, Río Bravo Conservation & Management Area, Corozal District, Corozal Town, Cerro Maya & Copper Bank, Sarteneja.

Hotels in Belize >>

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Hong Kong - Plan your trip (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Your journey to Hong Kong starts here. You’ll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on finding the locals’ Hong Kong.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Hong Kong - Plan your trip (PDF Chapter)

- tailor-made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events
- list of highlights and best experiences
- everything you need to know about travelling with kids
- user-friendly country overview ensures you won’t miss a thing

Coverage includes: Welcome to Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s Top 16, What’s New, Need to Know, First Time Hong Kong, Top Itineraries, If You Like: Views, Modern Architec-ture, Parks & Gardens, Unusual Eats, Hiking, Colonial & Fusion Architecture, Markets, Traditional Culture, Chinese Architecture, Month By Month, Travel with Kids, Like a Local, For Free, Guided Tours, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, and Sports & Activities.

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Hong Kong - Central District (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

The minted heart of Asia’s financial hub is crammed with corporate citadels, colonial relics and massive monuments to consumerism. Dynamic day and night, Central and its raucous bed-fellows, Lan Kwai Fong and Soho, are where well-heeled Hong Kongers come to work and play.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Hong Kong - Central District (PDF Chapter)

- cruise on the iconic green-and-white Star ferries, the midcentury vessels that cross Victoria Harbour all day and into the night

- admire how art and heritage are cleverly celebrated in Tai Kwun, the long-awaited reinven-tion of the old Central Police Station

- get up close and personal with skyscrapers made famous by the big screen, checking out stacks like the Bank of China Tower and HSBC Building.

Coverage includes: Sights, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, Sports & Activities.

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Brazil - Minas Gerais & Espirito Santo (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Minas’ natural wonders are alluring. The Serra do Espinhaço, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve running the length of the state, is just one of many refuges providing critical habitat for endan-gered species as well as exhilarating outdoor-recreation opportunities.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Brazil - Minas Gerais & Espirito Santo (PDF Chapter)

- Explore two dozen galleries of contemporary art spread out in exquisite tropical gardens at the Instituto de Arte Contemporânea Inhotim

- wander among the picturesque cobblestone streets and baroque architectural treasures of Minas’ one-time capital, Ouro Preto

- climb Brazil’s third-tallest mountain, the 2892m Pico da Bandeira, in the Parque Nacional de Caparaó

Coverage includes: Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, Mariana, Lavras Novas, Congonhas, São João del Rei, Tiradentes, Caxambu, Aiuruoca & the Vale do Matutu, Diamantina, Serro & Around, Parque Nacional da Serra Do Cipó, Tabuleiro, Parque Natural do Caraça, Parque Nacional de Caparaó, Espírito Santo, Vitória, Itaúnas, Guarapari & Around, Domingos Martins, Pedra Azul.

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14 fun things to do in Croatia

If your Mediterranean fantasies feature balmy days by sapphire waters in the shade of ancient walled towns, Croatia is the place to turn them into reality. Check out the top 14 things to do in Croatia.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Croatia travel guide

Croatia's Top 14 

1. Soak up the red-roof views from Katarinin Trg before strolling the Upper Town lanes to explore Zagreb’s most ancient section

2. Marvel at Mirogoj’s grand architecture and highly idiosyncratic tombs and crypts

3. Soak up fine architecture and the lively cafe scene in Slavonia’s main city, Osijek

4. Stroll Varaždin’s compact centre, rimmed by stately baroque buildings and topped with a turreted castle

5. Be wowed by the verdant views and lost-in-time charms of Motovun, Istria’s most atmospheric hill town, then delve deep into the forest on a truffle hunt

6. Watch the sun set over the coast’s prettiest old town, Rovinj

7. Marvel at the other-worldly turquoise lakes and dramatic waterfalls of Croatia’s top natural attraction, Plitvice Lakes National Park

8. Explore Roman ruins, intriguing museums, local eateries and hip bars within the marbled streets of Zadar’s old town

9. Discover Split’s ancient heart in Diocletian’s Palace, a quarter that buzzes day and night

10. Stretch out on Zlatni Rat, Croatia’s most photogenic beach, in the pretty town of Bol

11. Soak up Kor?ula Town’s medieval atmosphere amid the marble streets of the walled town

12. Circle historic Dubrovnik’s mighty walls and then catch the cable car up Mt Sr? for breathtak-ing views from above

13. Wander the cobbled streets of ancient Rab Town

14. Sample Croatian specialities in Volosko

Airbnb launches new Adventures product

Airbnb has launched Adventures, an expansion of Airbnb Experiences that includes the opportunity for guests to channel their inner Phileas Fogg and travel around the world in 80 days.

This voyage across six continents joins other adventures now available to book through hosts on Airbnb ranging from tracking lions on foot with Sabache Warriors in Kenya to hunting for UFOs with Nate in Arizona.

Airbnb Adventures is a new collection of bucket list worthy multi-day experiences hosted by local experts that take intimate groups to epic, off-the-beaten-path locations and immerses them in unique cultures and communities.

Guests can now enjoy a six-day Galapagos Slow Food Safari, experience the wonders of Oman or camp on a cliff in Colorado - all you have to do is show up.

“Getting access to epic and transformational travel has never been easier than through Airbnb Adventures,” said Joe Zadeh, vice president, experiences, Airbnb.

“Like Airbnb Experiences, people can escape their day-to-day and put their screens and devices away but now instead of just a few hours, they have the option to be fully immersed off-the-beaten-path, to push themselves out of their comfort zones and have experiences that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”

Central America - Honduras (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Reef-fringed white beaches, jungle-covered mountains, exquisite Maya ruins, colonial, cobble-stone villages, fresh seafood grilled on the beach…Yes, all this is found in Honduras, a country of-ten hurried through or avoided entirely due to its dangerous image.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Central America - Honduras (PDF Chapter)

- bliss out in dive-bum heaven in Utila, with beautiful marine life and wild nightlife

- gaze at Copán’s extraordinary Maya stone carvings and epic ancient structures near a charming, cobblestone village

- be dazzled by the bluest waters and finest beaches of Cayos Cochinos

Coverage includes: Tegucigalpa, Western Honduras, Comayagua, La Es-peranza, Marcala, Lago de Yojoa & Around, San Pedro Sula, Copán Ruinas & Around, Copán Ar-chaeological Site, Gracias & Around, Northern Honduras, Omoa, Puerto Cortés, Tela & Around, La Ceiba & Around, Trujillo, Bay Islands, Roatán, Utila, The Moskitia, Laguna de Ibans, Reserva de la Biósfera del Río Plátano, Palacios, Brus Laguna, Puerto Lempira, Southern Honduras & Isla del Tigre, Understand Honduras, Honduras Today, History, Culture, Landscape & Wildlife, Survival Guide.

British Airways prepares to take off for Ljubljana

British Airways will launch a new flight between London Heathrow and Slovenian’s capital city, Ljubljana, on July 15th.

The route will run until September 2nd, with a flight time of two hours and 20 minutes.

The British flag-carrier has launched the new flight as a result of a continued increase in the number of UK-based travellers looking to explore the destination.

Last year Slovenia welcomed over 160,000 visitors from the UK, compared to around 130,000 in 2017 and less than 110,000 in 2016.

Slovenia’s relatively small size means that visitors can easily use Ljubljana, a European Green Capital, as a base for exploring the country’s beautiful and varied natural landscapes, from the snow-capped Julian Alps in the north to the Mediterranean coast in the south.

American Airlines adds new routes to Dominican Republic

American Airlines has expanded its network footprint in the Dominican Republic, launching two new weekly connections to Santo Domingo from its hubs at Dallas/Fort Worth and Charlotte Douglas in the United States.

As a result, the oneworld carrier will double its direct flights to Santo Domingo Las Américas International Airport from two destinations to four.

The new route duo started on June 8th, and both will be flown on a weekly basis.

Operated year-round, American will fly Saturdays with its 150-seat A320s on its route from Charlotte Douglas.

Hotels in Dominican Republic >>

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SAS to launch Newquay-Copenhagen connection this summer

Scandinavian Airlines will launch direct flights this summer from Newquay to Copenhagen.

Taking off twice a week in each direction on a Monday and Friday between June 21st-August 19th, flights will operate on a 90-seat regional jet.

Ideal for south-west England residents looking for an easy Scandinavian city summer escape, the new route brings Denmark’s capital within under a two-hour flight from Cornwall.

The route additionally offers travellers connections across the SAS network to over 125 worldwide destinations including Beijing, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok.

The new service follows on from the airline’s successful route launch between London Stansted and Copenhagen in April and brings direct SAS routes to the Danish capital from seven UK airports, also including from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

Hotels in Copenhagen >>

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Southwest USA's Best Trips by Lonely Planet

Download the Lonely Planet Southwest USA's Best Trips

Southwest USA's Best Trips

Discover the freedom of the open road with Southwest USA’s Best Trips. We’ve selected 32 amazing road trips through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada, from one-day escapes to ten day adventures, and packed them full of expert advice and inspirational suggestions.

Whether exploring your own backyard or somewhere new, discover the freedom of the open road with Lonely Planet’s Southwest USA’s Best Trips. Featuring 32 amazing road trips, from 2-day escapes to 2-week adventures, you can ‘get your kitsch’ on the iconic Mother Road, Route 66, or wind your way through the fantastic Canyon Voyage, all with your trusted travel companion. Jump in the car, turn up the tunes, and hit the road!

Coverage Includes: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Colorado, Nevada and more

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Florence & Tuscany travel guide by Lonely Planet

Download the Lonely Planet Florence & Tuscany travel guide

Florence & Tuscany travel guide by Lonely Planet

With its lyrical landscapes, world-class art and a superb cucina Contadina (farmer’s kitchen), the Tuscan experience is perfectly in symbiosis with the land.

Experience art-lover heaven at the world-class Uffizi Gallery in Florence, tempt your taste buds on a food tour around Tuscany, or climb San Gimignano’s medieval towers.

Coverage Includes: Florence, Siena, Central Coast, Elba, Apuane Alps, Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, San Minato, Chianti, Arezzo, Garfagnana, and more

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Final stages of Jewel Changi Airport open in Singapore

The final phases of Jewel Changi Airport, its Canopy Park and the Changi Experience Studio, have opened to the public.

The eagerly awaited Canopy Park attractions on the top level of Jewel include two mazes designed by British designer Adrian Fisher, the Mirror Maze and Hedge Maze, which cover 500 square metres combined, and contain look-out platforms.

The park also contains the 250 metre-long, three storey-high, suspended Manulife Sky Nets which allow visitors to bounce their way through Jewel’s Canopy level.

Other key attractions include the Discovery Slides, which is an art sculpture, playscape and a viewing gallery simultaneously, and the Canopy Bridge, which – with its a glass panel flooring suspended 23 metres above ground – provides visitors with a breath-taking view of the HSBC Rain Vortex and Shiseido Forest Valley that opened last month.

These attractions are interspersed between interactive garden spaces like the Foggy Bowls, a playing area enveloped in cloud, Topiary Walk, where visitors can come face to face with a herd of topiary animals, and Petal Garden, a 220 square metre seasonal floral display.

Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company signs F1 Mercedes partnership

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has announced a multi-year agreement with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport to be the first official hotel partner of the team.

Kicking off at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Montreal this weekend, the partnership brings together two likeminded brands committed to excellence and promises exclusive access and special experiences for members of Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s newly renamed travel program, which includes The Ritz-Carlton.

At various races throughout the season, Marriott Bonvoy Members will have an opportunity to interact with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, experience races from the paddock, and enjoy exclusive at-track VIP hospitality.

For the first event in Montreal, a Ritz-Carlton concierge desk will be available in the Silver Arrows Lounge where attendees can receive insider tips for exploring the city.

As part of the collaboration, the Ritz-Carlton logo will also appear on the racing suits of drivers Hamilton and Bottas.

4 Quirky art and cultural festivals in the USA

The USA loves its festivals. Every type of music, food, art, craft, fashion, sport and niche hobby seems to have a celebration somewhere in the US, some running along predictable lines, others straying into decidedly quirky territory. Plaid-wearing festival? Check. French festivals? Mais oui, bien sûr. Pirate festivals? Aye, those too.

1. Burning of Zozobra – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Yes, there’s that other festival in the West that ends in the spectacle of a burning man, but it has a much older forbear in Santa Fe’s annual Burning of Zozobra, a fiery event that marks the beginning of the Fiestas de Santa Fe.

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2. Hemingway Days – Key West, Florida

It’s hot. There are men with beards milling about. Mature men who seem to enjoy a drink. They bear a striking resemblance to each other.

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3. Washboard Music Festival – Logan, Ohio

Logan, Ohio, in the Hocking Hills southeast of Columbus, is the home of the Columbus Washboard Company, the only washboard manufacturing company in the US still in business. Almost no one uses a washboard for doing laundry anymore, but the tradition of using them as percussion instruments is alive and well, a tradition celebrated each Father’s Day weekend at the Washboard Music Festival.

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4. Calaveras Jumping Frog Jubilee – Angels Camp, California

In 1928, the town of Angels Camp held their first official frog-jumping contest as part of a celebration of the newly paved Main Street. This idea didn’t just leap out of nowhere: Mark Twain had earlier written a short story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” so the town decided to bring their literary claim to fame to life. The tradition continues today as part of the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee.

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Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81 opens in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81 in Ho Chi Minh City has begun operations in Vietnam.

Located in the new central business district, the property is the tallest hotel in south-east Asia, and 14th tallest in the world.

The design of the skyscraper is infused with elements of Vietnamese culture and draws inspiration from bamboo, a traditional symbol of solidarity, affluence and prosperity.

The hotel is part of an integrated complex, which includes the Vincom Centre Landmark 81, a high-end shopping centre and Vinhomes Landmark 81 Residences.

The hotel offers guests a choice of 223 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites with unmatched, breath-taking views of the city.

Starting from the 47th floor onwards, Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81 hotel brings a whole new concept of Vietnamese hospitality to guests, brought to life with the bespoke design, contemporary decor, discreet yet warm service, and signature Vietnamese cuisine, created to offer guests the finest in luxury.

The hotel also features a spectacular 1,145 sqm Grand Ballroom, seven contemporary meeting spaces, an infinity pool and ‘above-the-clouds’ gym on the 47th floor, along with a globally renowned spa, bars and restaurants that serve international and local flavours, while offering panoramic views of the Saigon river and the city skyline.

Located 30 minutes from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the hotel is a short ride away from famous attractions such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, the City Hall and the Opera House.

The hotel also plays hosts to the Landmark 81 SkyView observation deck.

With the height of nearly 400 metres, the opening of this spectacular observation deck has been much awaited by thousands of people in Ho Chi Minh City and visitors.

Qatar Airways touches down in Malta for first time

Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight from Doha to Malta has landed at Malta International Airport, marking the launch of the airline’s newest gateway to Europe.

Operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft, flight QR383 was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at the historic Mediterranean island’s international airport.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to launch direct services to Malta, the latest addition to Qatar Airways’ rapidly expanding European network.

“Set against the incredible backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta, with its stunning natural attractions and breath-taking architecture, is one of Europe’s most historic and culturally significant destinations.

“With the flexibility of seasonal daily flights in summer, and four-times-weekly services in winter, we look forward to welcoming business and leisure travellers alike on board so that they may experience this charming destination for themselves.” 

Cancun, Cozumel & the Yucatan - Isla Cozumel (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Fascinating for its dual personality, Cozumel offers an odd mix – quietly authentic neighbor-hoods existing alongside tourist-friendly playgrounds. You’ll find a spirited Caribbean energy in the air and, of course, some of the best reefs in the world.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Cancun, Cozumel & the Yucatan - Isla Cozumel (PDF Chapter)

- plunge into the deep blue and exploring some of the world’s best sites with one of the island’s top dive shops

- escape to Parque Punta Sur, a quiet beach park with lagoon boat tours, fine snorkeling and wildlife-watching opportunities

- drink in a San Miguel de Cozumel sunset over drinks and music alongside a resident pig with a hearty appetite at Turquoise Beach Bar

Coverage includes: Sights, Activities, Festivals & Events, Sleeping, Drinking & Nightlife, Shopping.

Rough Guides Recommends: 5 Unusual Festivals in June

Rough Guides has announced its list of recommended places to visit in June

The 5 Festivals in June Worth Travelling For list compiled by Rough Guides comprises five of the most interesting and unusual festivals and events happening around the world this month.

●      Rough Guides hopes to inspire people to travel to places they wouldn’t have thought of before

●      The travel brand wants to encourage travellers to be open to new experiences

●      It’s the second of a monthly recommendations list from Rough Guides

●      Watch this space for the ‘Reasons to Travel in July’ list coming out next month

This month’s reasons to travel are:

Fiestas Sanjuaneras, Trinidad, Cuba: a flamboyant carnival held in the last week of June. Visitors will be treated to Cuban music, colourful floats, and even horses riding  through the streets.

 Dragon boat festival, Fenghuang Ancient Town, Hunan, China: an annual festival in which local teams race along the river in spectacular dragon boats, all set against a backdrop of steep forested hills and traditional, wooden houses hanging over the water.

 Batalla del Vino, La Rioja, Spain: a wine fight. The rules are simple – douse as many people as you can with as much wine as possible. And… that’s it really.

 Luminara of San Ranieri, Pisa, Italy: the town is turned into a glittering spectacle as huge numbers of candles are lit after sunset with the evening culminating in a huge fireworks display. Visitors can then enjoy a feast and a regatta on the river the next day.

 Spock Days, Vulcan, Alberta Canada: what’s a town named Vulcan going to do? Hold a festival celebrating Star Trek of course! A proper summer fair with street food and costume parades, but with a sci-fi twist.

To read more about the Rough Guides recommendations about where to travel in June, visit https://www.roughguides.com/article/5-june-festivals-worth-travelling-for/. Each festival has a unique history and origin story, which is explained in the article.