In Europe, the Early Bird Gets Rewarded

Having the right gear on an international trip is the key to staying organized. For a backpacking trip around Europe, compact and condensed is the goal. Here is the ultimate gear guide for backpacking in Europe to keep you moving efficiently and with less stress. Each of these items can be purchased through Amazon Prime via the links here, saving you both time and shipping costs.

The French Riviera is the strip of the Mediterranean coast that stretches from the town of Hyères to Menton, and the jewel in the crown that is the Azure Coast is the city of Nice. Famous for its sunshine, lively markets, colorful buildings, lovely beaches, and for being a celebrity magnet, Nice is also a good base for visiting the region. From there, you can take a quick train to Monaco, Cannes, or a longer trip to very chic St. Tropez. To make your trip to the Mediterranean a vacation to remember, book one of the best hotels in Nice, France, some of which have views and decors that will blow your socks off.

Nice is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the French Riviera. The Côte d’Azur city lies on the Baie des Anges, 20 miles from the Italian border. This means not only can you cross the border for a day trip, but Nice also has a distinct hybrid culture of French and Italian influence. It has a pleasant year-round climate and is the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast. It is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and a charming Old Town with quaint streets lined with colorful buildings, shops, and galleries. The gritty, yet opulent city has attracted many famous artists over the years and is a haven for foodies.

Germany’s “Gateway to the World” sits astride one of Europe’s largest ports, a network of canals, and two picturesque lakes. The Elbe connects Hamburg to the North Sea while neighborhoods fan out on either side of the riverside. Neustadt (New Town), Altstadt (Old Town), and St. Georg mark the downtown core. In terms of where to stay in Hamburg, you can cast the net far and wide thanks to the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and ferry services. These top-rated Airbnbs in Hamburg give you the choice of harborfront or suburban living in this underrated German city.

Philadelphia is the sixth-largest city in the US (and the biggest in Pennsylvania), home to the Phillies and Eagles sports teams, delicious Philly cheesesteaks, museums, music venues and tons of American history. So what's the best way to get around and experience it all?

The Nordic region has so much to offer the culinary traveler, from wild-caught salmon and reindeer stews to cardamom pastries and Scandinavia’s distinctly savory spirit, aquavit. One culinary treat lesser-known outside the region is the cloudberry.

Hot on the heels of releasing its new domestic schedule—which includes connections to a slew of cities known for their access to the outdoors—Delta Air Lines has announced its updated lineup of transatlantic flights for summer 2024, complete with routes not flown in years.

A new COVID variant has sparked a rise in hospitalisations and prompted governments to bring forward booster vaccines.

A recent report ten years in the making recently boldly selected The World’s 50 Best Hotels. So what makes a great hotel?

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tapped into the quiet pleasures of staying put in one place—especially when it comes to hotels. Because while I’ve done more than my fair share of jam-packed travel itineraries, lately I’m happy to hunker down and make the most of my temporary home away from home.

In this series, Lonely Planet’s team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. Marco Ferrarese, a Penang-based expert in offbeat travel, has the answers to this Thailand-related query.

As the home of Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were debated and signed by the country’s forefathers, Philadelphia is a top destination for history buffs.