Europe’s best beach holidays: Pesaro, Italy

The best Venice advice: spend as much time as possible on the Grand Canal. Most restaurants on this famed stretch of water aren’t going to offer you the culinary highs that the surroundings deserve. And - if you manage to grab a table near the water - the chances are that you’ll be hurried through your meal.

There is no doubting the charm of Italy .

The dollar is strong right now, and its value has risen steadily against many foreign currencies throughout the end of 2023 and up to today. On May 1, the New York Times listed ten major foreign countries that had lost significant ground against our currency since the first of the year, making them less expensive to visit. By significant I mean as much as 10% (Japan)—and that’s just the past five months. Many of these currencies had already dropped last year, making the travel savings for travelers even more dramatic.

I often recall the deep cherry lip tint I wore on my first night in Paris. My dear Parisian friend complimented me, borrowed it, and planted a kiss on my cheek. Plenty of smiles came my way on the Métro, thanks to her lipstick stain on my face. On a cloudy day in Berlin, I applied a tinted suede shade of pink, kissed a cozy café’s free postcard, and sent it to my friend back home in NYC. In Manhattan's West Village, one friendly (and perhaps tipsy) stranger asked if she could borrow my NARS Hot Kiss lipstick to use as her blush. She was visiting from Italy—it was her first night, and tragically, she had forgotten to pack her entire makeup bag.

I haven’t ever gone through border control dressed in beachwear, but one day last June I found myself doing just that, as I crossed from France into Italy, ready for a day at the Spiaggetta dei Balzi Rossi, one of Italy’s legendary beach clubs.

Tokyo is a foodie city—and making a plan to eat your way through town can be overwhelming, to say the least. It’s pretty easy to find good food—there’s a reason even the convenience stores in Tokyo are well-loved for their food and snacks—but having a plan will help ensure you really get to sample everything you want to try while in town.

I've been on 18 cruises and I absolutely love them.

Richard Branson has added a new safari experience to his Virgin Limited Edition portfolio—the award-winning Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp in Kenya. Located in Africa's only Shetani lava flow, Finch Hattons features 17 tented suites and offers stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. The camp joins other African destinations in Virgin Limited Edition's collection, including Mahali Mzuri (also in Kenya), South Africa’s Ulusaba Private Game Reserve and Mont Rochelle hotel and vineyard, and Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco.

On my twenty-plus trips to Seoul, I generally steered clear of Gangnam, the district south of the Han River immortalized by the South Korean rapper PSY’s 2012 smash hit “Gangnam Style.” Something, however, shifted in me while planning my recent spring jaunt. Gangbuk, the district north of the Han River—where I’d typically plant myself—started feeling a touch too familiar. Plus: how could I judge a place I hadn’t actually spent quality time in?

Seeking the perfect gift this Father’s Day? Lonely Planet has released its top travel and lifestyle inspiration titles for Dads, from cycling adventures close to home to journeys exploring the offbeat side of North America to incredible train journeys around the world and inspiration for gardening enthusiasts. The global travel expert has the perfect book for every interest.

Some people go to Vegas to gamble; I go to eat.

Whether it is the outstanding Renaissance monuments or authentic, regional cuisine, Italy’s appeal has long been far-reaching. As a country, it has never had to ‘hard sell’ itself to tourists, with the country being a perennial favourite destination for travellers. As well as having more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other country (59 in total), its rich culture, architecture, art and beloved gastronomy is a source of inspiration for tourists across the world.