Travel in county Pine

December may mean the year is coming to an end – but that doesn’t mean your travel plans have to. If you’re looking for the best place to visit in December, here are some of Lonely Planet’s top picks, whether you want stunning northern lights, epic beach adventures or cozy Christmas markets. 

San Diego may be known for its 70 miles of golden coastline, but California’s second largest city after Los Angeles isn’t just about sand and surf (though that doesn’t hurt). Throughout town, visitors find local treasures, such as rare plants, multicultural celebrations, and a vibrant arts scene. To maximize your time, we consulted San Diegans ranging from a chef to a nature expert and a scientist for their favorite spots. Here’s what to see and do.

Seventy miles of sun-kissed coastline. The San Diego Museum of Art and the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. Pop-culture fest Comic-Con. California’s first Catholic mission.

Some of the coolest outdoor spaces in the American West are now open for business as part of a new concept from Open Venues—think Airbnb, but for rare and unique venues. An ochre-hued sandstone cave in Moab might be the ideal setting for your rehearsal dinner or maybe opt for a lavender meadow near the Mogollon Rim in northern Arizona. The platform—which is the first of its kind—connects users with unique historic properties and outdoor landscape settings for hosting everything from a corporate event to a private wedding. The current collection of 25 venues is concentrated in the American West, but plans are in the works to take the offerings nationwide. Below are some of the coolest options in their portfolio:

A tourist was killed after a glass panel broke on a suspension bridge in Indonesia on October 25, the The Jakarta Post reported, citing local police. 

We recently visited Maui in the aftermath of the devastating August wildfires in nearby Lahaina town, which was destroyed. The Ritz-Carlton, in the posh resort area of Kapalua, was untouched, thankfully, and had just re-opened on our visit in mid-October. You very well may want to put the resort on your radar screen, especially with the holiday season fast approaching. For sure, it will welcome you with the famous aloha spirit that the AAA Five-Diamond Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua is famous for. And wouldn’t you love to see Santa on his surfboard?

The road trip is synonymous with American travel culture, and there’s no better place to explore the natural beauty of the United States by car than in the beautiful state of Maine.

Like the slow twirl of a winged seed falling from a maple tree, autumn camping can be a remarkable thing: sharp, bright mornings around the embers of the campfire and crisp nights spent stargazing. Autumn is a time to notice the plump berries that grow on the bushes and the swallows that swoop overhead before making their way to warmer climes. As more campsites stay open past summer — legislation passed in July 2023 allows landowners to operate pop-up campsites for 60 days, rather than the previous 28  — autumn presents ample opportunity to immerse yourself in the golds, coppers and bronzes of the new season. Here's all you need to know to plan a prime UK autumn camping trip.

There are stories of “software eating the world” and leaving a dust trail of fallen companies behind. This is not that story.

For the 1 percenters, whose dining-out budgets are boundless, choosing a restaurant often entails a perusal of one of the established price-is-no-object restaurant review guides. You know the ones: the Michelin Guide, Zagat, Gayot, La Liste.

The Crystal Coast, a beautiful 85-mile stretch of beaches on the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina, is a treasure trove of attractions and activities. This region includes several distinct communities such as Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Pine Knoll Shores, Emerald Isle, Morehead City, and Cape Lookout, each offering its own charm and appeal. A trip to North Carolina’s central stretch of coastline gives you easy access to pristine beaches, top diving destinations, wildlife (including wild horses, sea turtles, dolphins, and more), and plenty of areas perfect for when you want to do nothing more than kick back and relax with a drink and a good meal.

Tasmania has shaken off its reputation as a sleepy backwater. Australia’s smallest state is buzzing with art, nurturing an exciting foodie scene and cutting the ribbon on new hiking trails – all against a backdrop of rich history and remarkable wildlife. Here, Anita Isalska gives ten reasons why you should give in to the island's lure.

Pine forests, wild mushrooms and a sunrise above clouds: not what you might associate with Mexico, better known for beaches, colonial cities and Aztec ruins. The mountains of the Sierra Norte, two hours’ bus journey north of Oaxaca, are home to a cluster of villages, a semi-autonomous community known as “Pueblos Mancomunados” (meaning “united villages”), where you can stay in simple adobe cabañas called “tourist yu’u” (pronounced “you”). This tourist accommodation is a community business venture that has provided an alternative to logging and helped develop schools, roads and health posts in the region.