The Rough Guide to Scotland

From the fairy tale capital of Edinburgh to the remote glens of the Highlands, Scotland has something for everyone.

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The outdoors activities are simply unbeatable; Skye’s Cuillin ridge offers staggeringly good hiking routes, while the mountain biking trails across the country are some of the best in Europe. The Rough Guide to Scotland covers the country’s rich cultural heritage, from the legendary live music venues in Glasgow to the countless enlightening folk centres in the Highlands.

The Rough Guide to Scotland contains more information than ever on where to eat and drink in Scotland, with detailed coverage of whisky distillery tours and advice on the best restaurants and pubs in the country.

Whether you spend your time searching for ruined hilltop castles, hunting down mythical beasts in deep lochs or island-hopping around the Hebrides, The Rough Guide to Scotland has it covered.

Click here for family-friendly, luxury & budget hotels in Scotland >>

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Hong Kong - Macau (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

While many visitors automatically equate Macau with gambling, the peninsula is far more about history than blackjack. This is the city’s busy core, with dense working neighbourhoods, charming colonial buildings (and yes, some casinos too).

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

- explore the statues, portals and engravings of the ruins of the Church of St Paul

- sample Portuguese fare in distinguished colonial surroundings at the Clube Militar de Macau

- try your luck at the casinos of Cotai – or marvel at the architecture

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

Paris - Louvre & Les Halles (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Set aside at least half a day each for the Musée du Louvre and the Centre Pompidou. Avoid museum fatigue by combining them with a long lunch or a picnic and invigorating mooch around the gardens of Jardin du Palais Royal.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Paris - Louvre & Les Halles (PDF Chapter)

- get lost in the mother of all museums, Musée du Louvre, with timeless masterpieces every which way you turn

- contemplate Europe’s largest collection of modern art at Centre Pompidou and admire the view from the top of one of the city’s most whimsical buildings

- meet Monet’s waterlilies, have a picnic in the park and revelling in Paris at its symmetrical best at the Jardin des Tuileries

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

Spain - Barcelona (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

From Gothic to Gaudí, Barcelona bursts with art and architecture; Catalan cooking is among the country’s best; summer sun seekers fill the beaches in and beyond the city; and the bars and clubs heave year-round.

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- marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s still unfolding Modernista masterpiece: La Sagrada Família

- stroll the narrow medieval lanes of Barcelona’s enchanting old Barri Gòtic quarter

- see a concert in Palau de la Música Catalana, one of Europe’s most extravagant concert halls

Coverage includes: History, Sights, Activities, Tours, Festivals & Events, Sleeping, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping.

Brazil - Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso Do Sul (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Mato Grosso was once Brazil’s wild west, a land known only to indigenous hunters, poach-ers, gold seekers and naturalists. Today, some of Brazil’s most photogenic wildlife and incredible scenery make it a prime destination for ecotourists and anglers.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Brazil - Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso Do Sul (PDF Chapter)

- gawk at incredible wildlife along Transpantaneira, the 145km Pantanal ‘highway’

- see this magnificent jaguar on boat trips from Porto Jofre

- journey to the center of the earth at Abismo Anhumas near Bonito

Coverage includes: Cuiabá, Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, Bom Jardim, Poconé, Alta Floresta, The Pantanal, Campo Grande, Corumbá, Bonito & Around, Ponta Porã.

Bolivia - Southern Altiplano (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Stretching southwards from La Paz, this high-plains wilderness is framed by majestic volcanic peaks, endless kilometers of treeless stubble and the white emptiness of the salt deserts. At night the stargazing is spectacular, but it’s as cold as you could ever imagine.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Bolivia - Southern Altiplano (PDF Chapter)

- strap on some sunglasses and pose for photos with a plastic dinosaur on the salty expanse of Salar de Uyuni

- traverse Los Lípez’s Dalí-esque landscapes and gaze out at colorful lakes populated with flamingos in the country’s far southwest

- whistle the theme from your favorite Western as you guide your horse up the narrow gullies around Tupiza

Coverage includes: Oruro & the North, Oruro & Around, Curahuara de Carangas, Parque Nacional Sajama, Uyuni & the Southwest Circuit, Uyuni, Salar de Uyuni, Los Lípez, Tupiza & Around.

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The Netherlands - Rotterdam & South Holland (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

It’s the contrasts that make South Holland and Zeeland so compelling: from Rotterdam’s ever-growing portfolio of cutting-edge buildings, to Delft’s historic town centre, so well-preserved that you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back to Holland’s 17th-century Golden Age.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet The Netherlands - Rotterdam & South Holland (PDF Chapter)

- explore cutting-edge architecture, art and the vibrant cafe culture on offer in Rotterdam, ‘the city that’s never finished’

- tiptoe through flowering tulips at the sensational Keukenhof Gardens

- be bewitched by Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring at Mauritshuis in Den Haag

Coverage includes: South Holland, Rotterdam, Delfshaven & Schiedam, Dordrecht, Gouda, Den Haag (The Hague), Delft, Leiden, Lisse, Zeeland, Middelburg, Veere, Domburg, Waterland Neeltje Jans, Schouwen-Duiveland.

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Peru - Amazon Basin (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

This is the best-protected tract of the world’s most biodiverse forest, Peru’s strange, sweltering, seductive Amazon Basin. Tribes exist here that have never had contact with outside civilization, and more flora and fauna flourish in one rainforest hectare than in any European country.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Peru - Amazon Basin (PDF Chapter)

- spot birds and animals on a trip on the Río Tambopata

- travel overland through a smorgasbord of Peruvian scenery via mountains, cloud forest and jungle in the Parque Nacional Manu

- discover the Central Amazon’s German heritage from the sweet treats to the Tyrolean ar-chitecture in Oxapampa

Coverage includes: Southern Amazon, Puerto Maldonado & Around, Río Tambopata, Río Madre de Dios, Lago Sandoval, Lago Valencia, Río Heath, Manu Area, Parque Nacional Manu, Central Amazon, San Ramón & La Merced, Oxapampa, Pucallpa, Yarinacocha, Northern Amazon, Yurimaguas, Lagunas, Iquitos & Around.

Hong Kong - Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Wan Chai is Hong Kong distilled: a towering, tireless showcase of the old and new, arts and folk traditions, people upon people, and a god of cookery. To its west, Admiralty is home to mind-blowing hill and sea views.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Hong Kong - Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island (PDF Chapter)

- uncover heritage architecture in the Blue House Cluster around Queen’s Rd East, along-side hipster bars, temples, wet markets and open-air bazaars.

- feel your adrenalin soar at Happy Valley Racecourse on a Wednesday night, beer in hand

- trawl through Fashion Walk for designer fashion among the hordes of teeny-boppers in Causeway Bay

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

Iceland's Ring Road Trips - The Golden Circle & the Southwest (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

From black-sand Atlantic beaches, spouting geysers and glacier-fed waterfalls to brooding volcanoes and glittering ice caps, this remarkable region is waiting to awe you.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Iceland's Ring Road Trips - The Golden Circle & the Southwest (PDF Chapter)

- marvel at black basalt columns, sea stacks and rocky buttes of Reynisfjara

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

- ooh and aah as water shoots skywards from the earth at Geysir

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

- pose for photos at Sólheimajökull’s sparkling glacier tongue

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

Coverage includes: Þingvellir, Laugarvatn, Geysir, Gullfoss, Flúðir, Hvolsvöllur, Þjórsárdalur, Skógar, Vestmannaeyjar islands, Vík, Reynisfjara and Sólheimajökull.

Great Britain - Canterbury & Southeast England (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Rolling chalk hills, venerable Victorian resorts, fields of hops and grapes sweetening in the sun: welcome to England’s southeast, four soothing counties’ worth of country houses, fairy-tale castles and the finest food and drink.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Great Britain - Canterbury & Southeast England (PDF Chapter)

- shop, tan and party in Brighton & Hove, the hedonist capital of the southeast

- make a pilgrimage to one of England’s most important religious sites in Canterbury

- explore the atmospheric WWII tunnels beneath sprawling Dover Castle

Coverage includes: Kent, Canterbury, Whitstable, Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Dover, East Sussex, Rye, Hastings, Eastbourne, South Downs National Park, Lewes, Brighton & Hove, West Sussex, Arundel, Chichester.

Rio de Janeiro - Botafogo, Humaita & Urca (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

The traditional, middle-class neighborhood of Botafogo, and neighboring Humaitá, may not have the beaches of their southern neighbors, but they don’t lack for much else, with intriguing museums, movie theaters, quaint bookshops, a shopping center, and festive, open-air bars on tree-lined backstreets.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Rio de Janeiro - Botafogo, Humaita & Urca (PDF Chapter)

- glide up to the top of Pão de Açúcar by cable car for the awe-inspiring view of Rio at your feet

- bask on the sands at one of Rio’s prettiest little beaches, Praia Vermelha, taking in great vistas of the rocky coastline

- walk between forest and sea on the peaceful, winding Pista Cláudio Coutinho

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

Bolivia - Santa Cruz & Gran Chiquitania (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

The Bolivian Oriente is not what you generally see in Bolivian tourist brochures. This tropical region, the country’s most prosperous, has a palpable desire to differentiate itself from Bolivia’s traditional highland image.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Bolivia - Santa Cruz & Gran Chiquitania (PDF Chapter)

- traverse dusty roads and explore beautifully restored churches on the Jesuit Mission Cir-cuit

- follow in the footsteps of a legendary revolutionary on the Che Trail around Valle-grande

- savor the international cuisine in Santa Cruz, a modern city with a small-town feel

Coverage includes: Santa Cruz & Around, Buena Vista, Parque Nacional & Área de Uso Múltiple Amboró, Samaipata, Vallegrande, La Higuera, Gran Chiquitania, Jesuit Mission Circuit.

Hong Kong - Day Trips from Hong Kong (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Want to escape the city? This chapter includes the very best excursions from Hong Kong and they can each be completed in a day. Must-sees include the monasteries of Tsuen Wan, the live-ly markets of Tai Po, Lamma and the unmissable Big Buddha on Lantau.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Hong Kong - Day Trips from Hong Kong (PDF Chapter)

- explore volcanic rock formations on a boat tour in Hong Kong Global Geopark

- escape from the crowds of downtown Hong Kong to laid-back, bohemian Lamma

- hop across the border to mainland China to the skyscraping metropolis of Sh?nzhèn, with its thriving shopping, arts and nightlife scene

Coverage includes: New Territories, Outlying Islands, Shenzhen.

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Washington, DC - Dupont Circle & Kalorama (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Dupont is city life at its best. Here you’ll find flash restaurants, hip bars and nifty bookstores. A combination of diplomatic scene and strong gay and lesbian community sets the social rhythm for young professionals of all stripes and persuasions.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Washington, DC - Dupont Circle & Kalorama (PDF Chapter)

- search for Tunisia, Chile, Turkmenistan, Togo or Haiti on Embassy Row – flags flutter above heavy doors and mark the nations inside, while dark-windowed sedans ease out of driveways ferrying diplomats to and fro

- stand face to face with Renoirs, Gauguins and Picassos at the Phillips Collection, in the intimate rooms of a restored mansion

- browse the stacks in big, sunny Kramerbooks, then head into its cafe to sip cocktails and stuff your face

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

Barcelona - La Sagrada Familia & L’Eixample (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

The elegant, if traffic-filled, district of L’Eixample is a showcase for Modernista architecture, including Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. L’Eixample also has a celebrated dining scene, along with high-end boutiques and wildly diverse nightlife.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Barcelona - La Sagrada Familia & L’Eixample (PDF Chapter)

- see history being made at Spain’s most visited monument and Gaudí’s greatest legacy, la Sagrada Família

- wander through the superbly preserved early 20th-century apartment inside the wavy Gau-dí edifice of la Pedrera

- marvel at the swirling, almost-alive facade of the Gaudí-designed Casa Batlló, with its wave-shaped window frames and balconies

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

Spain - Basque Country, Navarra & La Rioja (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

This land of exceptional beauty and diversity is home to mountains that are watched over by almost forgotten gods, cultural museums and art galleries, street parties a million people strong and, arguably, the best food in Spain.

Click HERE to buy Lonely Planet Spain - Basque Country, Navarra & La Rioja (PDF Chapter)

- play on a perfect beach, gorge on fabulous cuisine and explore the cobblestone lanes at stylish San Sebastián

- find artistic inspiration at the Guggenheim, one of Europe’s great architectural treasures, in Bilbao

- stroll at low tide out to a scenic island just offshore of picture-perfect Lekeitio

Coverage includes: Basque Country, Bilbao & Around, Central Basque Coast, San Sebastián & Around, Oñati, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Navarra, Pamplona, Navarran Pyrenees, Southern Navarra, La Rioja, Logroño, San Millán de Cogolla, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, La Rioja Wine Region.

Paris - Le Marais, Menilmontant & Belleville (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Sublime place des Vosges is a perfect starting point – the city square is a triumph of architec-tural symmetry and of that understated bon goût Paris does so well. Meander west along rue de Rivoli or rue du Roi de Sicile.

Click HERE to buy the Paris - Le Marais, Menilmontant & Belleville (PDF Chapter)

- admire incredible sculptures and tomb art while paying your respects to the rich, famous and infamous buried in the world’s most visited cemetery, Cimetière du Père Lachaise

- visit Victor Hugo’s former home overlooking beautiful place des Vosges

- immerse yourself in the life and art of one of the world’s most eccentric modern artists, Pablo Picasso, and admire the Musée National Picasso’s exquisitely grand, 17th-century home

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

Cape Town & the Garden Route - Cape Town (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Download the Lonely Planet Cape Town & the Garden Route - Cape Town (PDF Chapter)

Cape Town & the Garden Route - Cape Town (PDF Chapter)

Known as the ‘Mother City’ for its historical role in modern South Africa, Cape Town is dominated by Table Mountain. This magnificent rock is often draped with cascading clouds, while at its base are sun-kissed beaches.

- ride the cableway to the top of magnificent Table Mountain and look down on the city

- sail out to infamous Robben Island and ponder the country’s past and present

- saunter through historic Company’s Garden in the city centre and admire the surrounding architecture

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

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Review: The Rough Guide to Ireland

Review: The Rough Guide to Ireland

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The emerald isle's riches just keep on coming. Perhaps that's why driving routes such as the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and the Ring of Kerry have proved such hits. But Ireland demands you take your foot off the gas, too - Belfast and Dublin's cultural heritage are to be savoured, while landscapes such as Connemara, the Arans and the Mourne Mountains will stop you in your tracks. Wherever the road takes you, this expertly revised twelfth edition is the perfect travelling companion.

Over the past three decades, Ireland has transformed itself with quiet determination. Gone - or certainly on its way out - is the image of a conservative, introspective, dourly rural nation, while infamous unrest and violence have, mercifully, faded away. It's not called the Emerald Isle for nothing and Ireland's physical appeal endures clear and true as a jewel. Discover this evergreen destination with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan to ride the length of the wonderful Wild Atlantic Way, take a foodie tour of the southwest or discover a city reborn in Belfast, The Rough Guide to Ireland will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way.

Wild Atlantic Way is #1 on the Rough Guide list of things to see and do.

Inside the Rough Guide to Ireland

– Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides’ trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit, with options to suit every budget.

– Full-colour maps throughout – navigate the backstreets of Dublin’s Temple Bar or Derry’s famous city walls without needing to get online.

– Stunning images – a rich collection of inspiring colour photography.

– Things not to miss – Rough Guides’ rundown of Ireland’s best sights and experiences.

– Itineraries – carefully planned routes to help you organize your trip.

– Detailed regional coverage – whether off the beaten track or in more mainstream tourist destinations, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered (all Ireland’s counties) include: Dublin; the Midlands; Cavan; Mayo; Galway; Clare; Limerick; Kerry; Cork; Kilkenny; Kildare; Meath; Belfast; Antrim and Derry. Attractions include: The Giant’s Causeway; Dublin’s Trinity College; Titanic Belfast; the Wild Atlantic Way; Brúna Bóinne; Skellig Michael; Kylemore Abbey; Bantry House; the Burren and Croagh Patrick.

– Basics – essential pre-departure practical information including getting there, local transport, accommodation, food and drink, health, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, the media and more.

– Background information – a Contexts chapter devoted to history, traditional music and literature,plus a handy language section and glossary.

Authors: Paul Clements, Paul Gray, Ciara Kenny, Norm Longley, Ally Thompson

Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to Ireland.

Review: NEW Lonely Planet Southern Africa travel guide

Review: NEW Lonely Planet Southern Africa travel guide

Click HERE to buy the book & visit the Lonely Planet shop.

An astonishingly diverse region fused by its prolific wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and remnants of ancient culture, Southern Africa is Africa at its most memorable.

Writer Anthony Ham tells us why he loves Southern Africa "Southern Africa ticks all my Africa boxes at once. This is one of the greatest wildlife shows on earth. I love the sight of lions on a kill or black rhinos communicating in secret at an Etosha watering hole. Or the possibility of seeing desert elephants and tracking rhinos on foot amid the stirring beauty of Damaraland. Or the chance to learn the wisdom of the ancients in a San community in the Kalahari. And I love the search for Lady Liuwa as hyenas stream across the plain at Liuwa Plain in Zambia. What's not to love?"

Lonely Planet Southern Africa has the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Clamber up the world’s oldest sand dunes in Sossusvlei, step back in time on Mozambique Island, or enjoy world-class wildlife-watching in Etosha National Park.

Victoria Falls is #1 on Lonely Planet's Top 17 list.

Inside Lonely Planet Southern Africa Travel Guide:

- Special features include: Colour wildlife guide, Safari planning feature, Music & culture, Victoria Falls coverage

- 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

- Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, art, cuisine, environment, wildlife, music, religion, literature, visual arts

- Over 115 maps

Coverage Includes: Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland and more

Curator: Anthony Ham

Writers: James Bainbridge, Lucy Corne, Mary Fitzpatrick, Trent Holden, Brendan Sainsbury

Lonely Planet will get you to the heart of Southern Africa, with amazing travel experiences and the best planning advice, all with your trusted travel companion. Begin your journey now!

The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei

The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei

Click HERE to buy the book on Amazon

Tropical jungles, shiny megamalls, traditional longhouses and some of the best dive sites in the world: few places can beat Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei for sheer variety. Populated by a blend of Malays, Chinese, Indians and indigenous groups, there is a rich cultural heritage, from a huge variety of annual festivals and wonderful cuisines, to traditional architecture and rural crafts.

While some make a beeline for the colonial mansions of George Town or Kuala Lumpur's fashionable bars, others head off in search of orang-utans or take in the sunrise from Mount Kinabalu. Whatever yougo for, this fully revised Rough Guide will help you make the most of your trip, with in-depth travel advice, detailed maps and helpful insider reviews.

Discover these exciting destinations with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan to trek through the Taman Negara rainforest, kick-back on the idyllic Perhentian Islands or explore Singapore’s dynamic art scene, The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way.

It's not possible to see everything in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, so inside there are the top 22 things not to miss. Rough Guide have picked Niah National Park as their #1 on the list.

Inside the travel guide

– Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides’ trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit, with options to suit every budget.

– Full-colour maps throughout – navigate the backstreets of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown or Singapore’s downtown shopping streets without needing to get online.

– Stunning images – a rich collection of inspiring colour photography.

– Things not to miss – Rough Guides’ rundown of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei’s best sights and experiences.

– Itineraries – carefully planned routes to help you organise your trip.

– Detailed regional coverage – whether off the beaten track or in more mainstream tourist destinations, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include: Kuala Lumpur; Penang; George Town; Cameron Highlands; Langkawi; Perhentian Islands; Taman Negara; Sarawak; Sabah; Kota Kinabalu. Attractions include: Petronas Towers; Batu Caves; Gunung Mulu National Park; Ulu Temburong National Park; Mount Kinabalu; Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre; Little India; The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

– Basics – essential pre-departure practical information including getting there, local transport, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more.

-Background information – a Contexts chapter devoted to history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary.

Authors: Marco Ferrarese, Richard Lim, Simon Willmore, Charles Young.

Make the Most of Your Time on Earth with The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

London - The South Bank (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Download the Lonely Planet London - The South Bank

London - The South Bank

The drawcard sights on the South Bank stretch west–east in a manageable riverside melange, so exploring on foot is best. Allocate a day to walk from the London Eye to London Bridge, with sightseeing stops along the way.

- find out what all the fuss is about by exploring magnificent, and now extended, Tate Modern

- revolve in leisurely fashion above London’s panoramic cityscape in the iconic London Eye

- stimulate your taste buds on a gastronomic tour of discovery at gourmet Borough Mar-ket

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

Coastal Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef - Brisbane & Around (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Download the Lonely Planet Coastal Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef - Brisbane & Around (PDF Chapter)

Coastal Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef - Brisbane & Around (PDF Chapter)

Sophisticated city galleries and rooftop bars, desolate subtropical beaches, cool-climate vineyards: the greater Brisbane region deals in Queensland’s most gasp-inducing contrasts. Star of the show is Brisbane itself, a lush, sultry metropolis with flourishing restaurant, bar and cultural scenes.

- find your modern muse at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art, one of Australia’s hottest galleries of contemporary art

- picnic, stroll or simply soak up the sun by an inner-city beach at South Bank Parklands, Brisbane’s best-loved riverside hangout

- roam bookshops, microbreweries and band venues in West End, Brisbane’s boho heart-land

Coverage includes: Brisbane & Around, North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Island.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Bangkok - Chinatown by Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet Bangkok - Chinatown

Bangkok - Chinatown. Click here to buy on Amazon

Chinatown embodies everything that’s hectic, noisy and polluted about Bangkok, but that’s what makes it such a fascinating area to explore. Hit the area’s big sights – Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) and the street markets – but be sure to do some map-free wandering as well.

- dine alfresco at Nay Hong and the dozens of other decades-old street-food stalls that define this neighbourhood

- feast your eyes on 5.5 tonnes of solid gold Buddha at Wat Traimit, one of the country’s grandest and most famous temples

- watch chaos and commerce battle it out in Chinatown’s frenetic, photogenic fresh-food market, Talat Mai

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

New Zealand - Christchuch & Canterbury by Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet New Zealand - Christchuch & Canterbury

New Zealand - Christchuch & Canterbury

Nowhere in New Zealand is changing and developing as fast as post-quake Christchurch. The scaffolding is coming down, the hospitality scene is flourishing and the central city is once again drawing visitors to its pedestrian-friendly streets.

- experience the dynamic rebuilding and re-emergence of post-earthquake Christchurch

- meander through Christchurch’s beautiful green heart, the Botanic Gardens

- marvel at the otherworldly views of Mackenzie Country and the surreal azure blue of Lake Tekapo from the top of Mt John

Coverage includes: Christchurch & Around, Lyttelton, Banks Peninsula, North Canterbury, Lewis Pass, Hanmer Springs, Waipara Valley, Central Canterbury, Selwyn District, Arthur’s Pass, Methven, Mt Somers, South Canterbury, Timaru, Inland & Mackenzie Country, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.

Costa Rica - Northwestern Costa Rica (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Download the Lonely Planet Costa Rica - Northwestern Costa Rica (PDF Chapter)

Costa Rica - Northwestern Costa Rica (PDF Chapter)

Why come to Costa Rica? To lounge on pristine beaches and ride glorious waves? To hike up volcanoes and soak in geothermal springs? To spy on birds and monkeys and get lost among ancient trees? The northwest has all this and more.

- spot the resplendent quetzal through the mist near Monteverde

- zip and swing through the canopy on a Cloud Forest canopy tours

- check off your bird list at Costa Rica’s largest wetland sanctuary, Parque Nacional Palo Verde

Coverage includes: Monteverde & Around, Monteverde & Santa Elena, Bosque Nuboso Monteverde, InterAmericana Norte, Montes de Oro, Volcán Tenorio Area, Volcán Miravalles Area, Parque Nacional Palo Verde, Liberia, Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja, Sec-tor Santa Rosa, Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal, La Cruz, Bahía Salin-as.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Southeast Asia on a Shoestring - Singapore by Lonely Planet

Download the Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring - Singapore

Southeast Asia on a Shoestring - Singapore

Beyond the airport transit lounges and shopping malls, Singapore’s multicultural pedigree, Chinese, Malay, Indian and Peranakan, provides travellers with a rich milieu in which to explore, experience and savour all the flavours of Southeast Asia.

- get lost in the futuristic green oasis, Gardens by the Bay, where nature and design col-lide

- navigate Little India, a jumble of gold, textiles, temples and cheap eats

- experience the animal magnetism of Singapore Zoo, one of three outstanding open-concept zoos

Coverage includes: Understand Singapore, Singapore Today, History, People & Culture, Survival Guide.

Mexico - Copper Canyon & Northern Mexico by Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet Mexico - Copper Canyon & Northern Mexico

Mexico - Copper Canyon & Northern Mexico

Northern Mexico is the ultimate frontier land: vast cactus-strewn deserts, craggy mountains and breathtaking canyons define this most iconic of regions, which is familiar to almost anyone from its role in countless Wild West movies.

- ride Mexico’s last passenger train through canyon scenery on the Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico

- experience the lunar landscapes of the spectacular El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve

- explore the oasis reserve of Cuatro Ciénegas, one of the most biodiverse places in the world

Coverage includes: The Copper Canyon & Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífi-co, El Fuerte, Cerocahui, Urique, Areponápuchi, Divisadero, Creel, Batopilas, Cusárare, San Ignacio de Arareko, Northwest Mexico, Sonora, Los Mochis, Chihuahua & Central North Mexico, Chihuahua, Nuevo Casas Grandes & Casas Grandes, Durango, Northeast Mexico, Saltillo, Par-ras, Cuatro Ciénegas, Monterrey.

REVIEW: Southeast Asia on a Shoestring by Lonely Planet

Review: New Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring travel guide

Click HERE to buy the travel book & visit the Lonely Planet shop.

Packed full of trustworthy and up-to-date advice, check out the new Lonely Planet Southeast Asia on a Shoestring travel guide. Watch the sun rise over Cambodia’s temples of Angkor; hang out, hit the beach and learn to cook in Vietnam’s cosmopolitan, buzzing Hoi An; and kayak around the turquoise waters of Laos’ Si Phan Don.

Lonely Planet writer Joe Bindloss explains why he loves Southeast Asia. "Part of being a traveller is working out which places get your juices flowing. I first encountered Southeast Asia on a round-the-world trip in the early 1990s, and something clicked. It might've been the waft of incense, the gleam of gold leaf, lotus blossoms floating in a temple pool, or the roots of jungle trees thrusting through Angkor Wat's ruins. I've never stopped being amazed at how every country in Southeast Asia offers its own unique version of the East, but all drawn from the same narrative of faith, lost empires and the ebb and flow of the monsoon rains."

TOP 10

1. Temples of Angkor (Cambodia).

2. Hoi An (Vietnam).
3. Bangkok (Thailand).
4. Bail (Indonesia).
5. Komodo & Flores (Indonesia).
6. Bagan (Myanmar).
7. Halong Bay (Vietnam).
8. Penang (Malaysia).
9. Chiang Mai (Thailand).
10. Palawan (Philippines).

Inside Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia on a Shoestring:

- Budget-oriented recommendations with honest reviews - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

- Extensive planning tools and budget calculators

- 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

- Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - covering history, art, literature, cinema, landscapes

- Colour maps and images throughout

- Useful features: First Time Southeast Asia, Big Adventures Small Budget, Off the Beaten Track, Border Crossing, Splurge, and Responsible Travel

Coverage Includes: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Singapore, Vietnam.

Curator: Brett Atkinson

Writers: Tim Bewer, Joe Bindloss, Greg Bloom, Celeste Brash, Lindsay Brown, Austin Bush, Jayne D'Arcy, David Eimer, Michael Grosberg, Paul Harding, Damian Harper, Ashley Harrell, Trent Holden, Anita Isalska, Mark Johanson, Hugh McNaughtan, Rebecca Milner, Nick Ray, Simon Richmond, Iain Stewart, Andy Symington, Phillip Tang, Ria de Jong

Discover this fascinating country with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Southeast Asia, and begin your journey now!

Review: New Orleans city guide by Lonely Planet

Review: New Lonely Planet New Orleans city guide

Click HERE to buy the travel book & visit the Lonely Planet shop.

Packed full of trustworthy and up-to-date advice, check out the new Lonely Planet New Orleans city guide. The things that make life worth living - eating, drinking and merrymaking - are the air that New Orleans breathes. Take the St Charles streetcar past grand homes and enormous oaks, catch some jazz on Frenchmen St and search out po’boy perfection - all with your trusted travel companion.

Lonely Planet writer Adam Karlin explains why he loves New Orleans. "On those days when I can relax, New Orleans is there to ease me into the experience. I can have a few day drinks at a favorite bar, eat a meal at a corner restaurant, watch a parade or theater or music unfold in the street itself, and all the while be ensconced in an architectural pastiche that is simply heart-rending. Down here there's beauty, for all the senses, all the time - but it's a lived-in beauty, and it sets my heart right."

TOP 10

1. Loving Live Music.

2. Creole Architecture.
3. Madi Gras.
4. Eating a Po'boy..
5. Drinking Classic Cocktails.
6. Second Lines.
7. Crescent Park.
8. St Charles Avenue Streetcar.
9. Shopping on Magazine Street.
10. Bayou St John.

Inside Lonely Planet’s New Orleans city guide:

- 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, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

- Cultural insights provide a richer, more rewarding travel experience - covering history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politicsCovers French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny & Bywater, CBD & Warehouse District, Garden, Lower Garden & Central City, Uptown & Riverbend, Mid-City, the Tremé, and more

Coverage Includes: French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny & Bywater, CBD & Warehouse District, Garden, Lower Garden & Central City, Uptown & Riverbend, Mid-City, the Tremé, and more

Curator: Adam Karlin

Writers: Ray Bartlett

Discover this fascinating city with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of New Orleans, and begin your journey now!

Guatemala - Central & Eastern Guatemala (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Stretching from the steamy lowland forests of El Petén to the dry tropics of the Río Motagua valley, and from the edge of the Western Highlands to the Caribbean Sea, this is Guatemala’s most diverse region.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Guatemala - Central & Eastern Guatemala (PDF Chapter)

- splash around the turquoise waters of a series of limestone swimming pools at Semuc Champey

- get down with the Garifuna culture in the unique Caribbean town of Lívingston, or check out the manatees on the Río Dulce nearby

- delve deep underground in breathtaking Grutas de Lanquín
restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Alta & Baja Verapaz, Salamá, Biotopo del Quetzal, Cobán, Lanquín, Semuc Champey & Around, Chisec, Raxruhá, Parque Nacional Cuevas de Can-delaria, Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas, El Oriente, Río Hondo, Chiquimula, Ipala, Volcán de Quet-zaltepeque, Jalapa, Esquipulas, Quiriguá, Copán (Honduras), Copán Ruinas, Copán Site, Carib-bean Coast, Lago de Izabal, Puerto Barrios, Lívingston.

Indonesia travel guide - by Lonely Planet

This beguiling nation of over 17, 000 islands has massive potential for adventures. It’s hard to beat Indonesia for the sheer range of experiences on offer.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Indonesia travel guide on Amazon

Search for dragons in Komodo National Park, linger on the Gili Islands’ sugar-white beach-es, tackle rapids and rainforests on the epic Cross-Borneo Trek; all with your trusted travel companion.

Coverage includes: Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and more

Get to the heart of Indonesia and begin your journey now!

Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara Lonely Planet travel guide

Blessed with rich cultures, magnificent landscapes and some of the world’s best beaches, this string of tropical islands is as seductive as it is paradisiacal. Watch colourful passing temple processions, hit the white-sand beaches of the Bukit Peninsula, or look after your body and mind with a massage or yoga class.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Bali, Lombok & Nusa Tenggara ebook

Coverage includes: Kuta & Southwest Beaches, South Bali & the Islands, Ubud Region, East Bali, Central Mountains, North Bali, West Bali, Lombok, Gili Islands, Nusa Tenggara and more

16 Fun Things to do in Great Britain

The clue’s in the name. Great Britain packs so much greatness into its pint-sized shores: crumbling castles, soaring cathedrals, quaint villages, timeless landscapes and history galore. Check out these

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Great Britain travel guide

Great Britain's Top 16

1. Watch the world pass by in Regent’s Park, one of London’s loveliest parks

2. Shop, tan and party in Brighton & Hove, the hedonist capital of the southeast

3. Follow in the inspirational footsteps of literary greats as you explore Oxford’s magical colleges

4. Secure a space on a magical dawn walk inside Stonehenge’s ring

5. Canoe your way through the tranquil waterways of the Norfolk Broads

6. Survey the buzzing city of Birmingham from its library’s rooftop ‘secret garden’


7. Explore the medieval streets of York and its awe-inspiring cathedral


8. Explore Chester’s Tudor-era shopping district, the Rows

9. Trace a collision of rock and sea along the county’s coast on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path


10. Climb to the summit of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain


11. Visit Hay-on-Wye, the Welsh town that’s besotted with books


12. Explore Victoria Tunnel, a coal-wagon tunnel and WWII air-raid shelter beneath Newcastle’s streets


13. Climb Snowdonia’s second-most-famous peak, Cader Idris


14. Hike up an extinct volcano for an unparalleled Edinburgh panorama from Arthur’s Seat


15. Admire the 18th-century architectural genius of Culzean Castle, perched on wild sea cliffs


16. Strut with the peacocks at elegant Scone Palace, near where Scottish kings were once crowned

USA's National Parks - Great Lakes & Great Plains (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

With howling wolves, shaggy bison and sweeping prairies, the Great Lakes and Great Plains are truly wild. The lakes, carved out by glaciers and filled with melting snow and ice, seem like boundless inland seas.

Click HERE to buy the USA's National Parks - Great Lakes & Great Plains (PDF Chapter)

- spot wildlife along trails in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

- cycle Cuyahoga Valley’s Scenic Railroad

- marvel at Badlands’ vivid colours and stark shapes

Coverage includes: Badlands National Park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Gateway Arch National Park, Isle Royale National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Voyageurs National Park and Wind Cave National Park.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for ebooks and print versions. Get 10% OFF with code EBOOKGUIDE10 at checkout.

Madrid city guide - 9th edition by Lonely Planet

Download the Lonely Planet Madrid city guide

Madrid city guide

No city on earth is more alive than Madrid, a beguiling place whose sheer energy carries a simple message: this city really knows how to live.

View the marvellous frescoes at Plaza Mayor, enjoy tapas in La Latina and take a stroll with the locals in the Parque del Buen Retiro.

Coverage Includes: Salamanca, Plaza Mayor, Royal Madrid, La Latina, Lavapiés, Malasaña, Chueca, Parque del Oeste, Sol, Santa Ana, Huertas, El Retiro, and more

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

The Riviera Maya, a tourist corridor of white-sand beaches, scenic ruins and fun-filled cenotes, was made for road-tripping. Despite the development, you can still find that small fishing town or head inland to catch a glimpse of the Mexico that tourism forgot.

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

- splash around in Parque Dos Ojos’ cenotes, or cave-dive in one of the world’s largest underwater systems

- rent a bike to beat the hordes and then climb Cobá’s tallest pyramid, before having a dip in nearby swimming holes

- dive into the waters off the coast of Puerto Morelos, a quiet town that has managed to spare itself from the development boom

Coverage includes: Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Tulum & Around, Punta Allen.

Belize - Cayo District (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Cayo District is Belize’s premier adventure and eco-activity region. The lush environs of the Wild West are covered with jungle, woven with rivers, waterfalls and azure pools, riddled with caves and dotted with Maya ruins, from small, tree-covered hills to magnificent temples.

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

- hang out in traveler-friendly San Ignacio, especially for market day on Saturday

- bridge the gap between Cayo and coastal Southern Belize along the Hummingbird Highway, the region’s most scenic drive

- explor the remote and ancient Maya ruins of Caracol

Coverage includes: Belmopan & Around, Hummingbird Highway, Spanish Lookout, San Ignacio & Around, Mountain Pine Ridge Area, Caracol, Bullet Tree Falls, San José Succotz & Around, Benque Viejo del Carmen.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions. Get 10% OFF with code EBOOKGUIDE10 at checkout.

The NEW Lonely Planet Bolivia travel Guide

Superlative in its natural beauty, rugged, vexing, complex and slightly nerve-racking, Bolivia is one of South America’s most diverse and intriguing nations.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Bolivia travel guide

Tour the epic salt flats of Salar de Uyuni, wake to the sounds of the rainforest in the Parque Nacional Madidi, or walk in the path of the Incas in the Cordillera Real; all with your trusted travel companion.

Lonely Planet writer Isabel Albiston describes why she loves Bolivia. "My first impressions of la paz are imprinted on my mind: steep narrow streets, piercing blue skies, colourful textiles, popcorn vendors in pigeon-filled squares. what I took to be a parade (people in traditional Andean dress with drums) turned out to be a political protest. i was hooked! In Bolivia, traditional life is interspersed with 21st-century modernity like a mixed-up pack of photographs. It's a country of sublime landscapes, where true adventures are possible in a way that often eludes travelers. The swaths of wildlife-filled forests and the immensity of the mountains always draw me back."

Bolivia Top 10

1. Salar de Uyuni

2. Parque Nacional Madidi

3. Trekking in the Cordillera Real

4. Isla del Sol, Lake Titicaca

5. La Paz Markets

6. Sucre

7. Samaipata

8. Tupiza

9. Wine Tasting near Tarija

10. Tiwanaku

Inside Lonely Planet’s Bolivia Travel Guide:

- 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

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

- Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - politics, history, Indigenous culture, music, wildlife, cuisine

Coverage includes: La Paz, Lake Titicaca, The Cordilleras & Yungas, Southern Altiplano, Central Highlands, South Central Bolivia & the Chaco, Santa Cruz & Gran Chiquitania, Amazon Basin and more

Get to the heart of Bolivia and begin your journey now!

The NEW Lonely Planet Rio de Janeiro city guide is out now!

Golden beaches and lush mountains, samba-fueled nightlife and spectacular football matches: welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City). Lonely Planet is your passport to Rio de Janeiro, with amazing travel experiences and the best planning advice.

Click HERE to buy the Lonely Planet Rio de Janeiro city guide

Parade amid pounding drums at Carnaval, people-watch on Ipanema Beach, watch the sun set from Sugarloaf Mountain; all with your trusted travel companion.

Lonely Planet writer Regis St Louis describes why he loves Rio de Janiro. "There's no other place like Rio. It's a combination of many things that I find so captivating, walking through parks inside the city and seeing monkeys and toucans: spending the evening catching music jams around Lapa; joining a few friends amid the roaring crowds at Maracana; or greeting the sunrise (after an early morning or late night) from Copacabana beach. In moments like there you realize you're hooked. I also love the carioca spirit; spontaneous and good-natured, with the urge to live life to the fullest."

Rio de Janeiro Top 10

1. Carnaval

2. Copacabana Beach

3. Pão de Açúcar

4. Cristo Redentor

5. Ipanema Beach

6. Nightlife in Lapa

7. Santa Teresa

8. Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

9. Floresta da Tijuca

10. Maracanã Football Stadium

Inside Lonely Planet’s Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide:

- 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

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

- Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience – food, drink, samba, carnaval, music, history, football, architecture, arts

- Free, convenient pull-out city map (included in print version), plus over 26 colour maps

Coverage includes: Ipanema, Leblon, Gávea, Jardim Botânico, Lagoa, Copacabana, Leme, Botafogo, Humaitá, Urca, Flamengo, Centro, Praça Mauá, Santa Teresa, Lapa, Zona Norte, Barra da Tijuca, Western Rio, and more

Curator: Regis St Louis

Get to the heart of Rio de Janeiro and begin your journey now!

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