Lonely Planet staffers try out a lot of different gear on our travels, but there are just certain items we think truly make a difference in the life of an avid traveler. Whether it's a camera that makes our travels a little more whimsical, or something to help get that bottle of wine or olive oil back home without breaking, these items have helped us on the road.
If you're looking for the perfect gift for the on-the-go traveler in your life, look no further than our list of favorites.
Recommended by Becca Hunt, Lonely Planet publisher: illustrated and gift $99
The Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack is the perfect super light, durable, stuffable tote/backpack for travel of all kinds – day hikes, city walks, or as a carry-on. Pack it in your suitcase for every trip.
Recommended by Alexander Howard, Lonely Planet managing editor $48
For the traveler who can’t turn off email, the iClever BK05 Folding Bluetooth Keyboard lightweight, foldable keyboard gets the job done (but seriously, set your OOO).
Recommended by Fionnuala McCarthy, Lonely Planet editorial director $135
You won’t have any trouble identifying your bag on the luggage carousel. This soft North Face Bright Yellow Base Camp Duffel can be carried as a backpack or by the handles, which is way preferable to a hard case in my opinion.
Recommended by Melissa Yeager, Lonely Planet senior editor $29
I recently learned that Apple sells this World Travel Adapter Kit that gives you all their worldwide plugs. I love that this saves you from needing a converter so you can plug in your Apple devices directly — without fear of damaging them.
Recommended by Sarah Stocking, Lonely Planet digital editor From $100
This is certainly an extra item for a traveler's bag, but it's pure and simple fun. Snap photos of travelers you meet a long the way and share the print with them, or add the print to your journal, incorporating art and words to have a unique keepsake of your trip.
Recommended by Melissa Yeager, Lonely Planet senior editor $20
If you’re looking to bring home wine, spirits, olive oil or other liquids in glass from your travels, you need this. Pack the bottle inside and zip it closed. It’s now cushioned for the flight and if it happens to break, it won’t leak on the contents of your luggage.
Recommended by Sasha Brady, Lonely Planet digital editor $179
Take your tunes on the go with this portable speaker from Sonos. It’s incredibly lightweight at a teeny 1 pound and was designed to be suitable for adventures in all sorts of landscapes — from the beach to the campsite and snow — with a solid dust and water-resistant IP67 rating. It has WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, sounds great and comes with a decent 10-hour battery life.
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In 2020, after reading too many restaurant obituaries, I set out to write annual restaurant love letters instead. Now that the food world is roaring back, getting stronger—and more creative—than ever, it has become even easier to fall in love. And so, I have a new round of love letters.
Whether you plan on spending the last few days of the year relaxing in front of the screen for some well-deserved rest, or plotting out your next travel adventure for 2024, there’s nothing like some armchair traveling to get you inspired.
Al Horford is a professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics. He is married to 2003 Miss Universe Amelia Vega, and they have five children together (one boy and four girls). He is close with both of his parents - Alfredo “Tito” Horford and Arelis Reynoso. His dad, Tito, also played in the NBA for four years. Outside of his professional life, Al is very involved in the community, taking on a variety of philanthropic positions, winning the NBA’s Community Assist Award twice. In his free time, he loves to spend time with his family. And he loves to travel – especially on The Boston Celtics’ private jet.
The cruise industry is seeing a surge in demand for expeditions that bring us closer to the diversity of wildlife inhabiting some of the most pristine parts of our natural world. From journeys through Arctic waters, expeditions in the Amazon rainforest and island-hopping in the volcanic Galápagos archipelago, we round up 11 of our favourites for the year ahead.
If, somehow, you’re still looking for a spot to spend Christmas or the final week of 2023, the personal-finance website WalletHub’s latest report has some important insights for you. It reviewed data on the nation’s 100 largest cities to find out which are simultaneously the most festive and affordable for celebratory getaways this Christmas season.
Traditionally nomadic, Sámi people have been herding reindeer across Sápmi (Lapland) for 7,000 years, long before the region was divided into Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Reindeer are integral to the Sámi way of life, yet the Indigenous people’s lifestyle is under threat from climate change, mines and cultural appropriation. Sweden is home to 20,000 Sámi, a fifth of whom roam with their herd around Laponia — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches across Sweden’s Artic North. The others keep their customs alive by continuing age-old traditions and sharing stories about their heritage. Here are some exciting ways to explore their culture.
South Florida’s Gold Coast is renowned for its blue skies, pristine beaches, and ritzy lifestyle. Anchored by Miami to the south and Palm Beach to the north, this stretch of Atlantic coastline has long been a playground for the rich and famous. Smack dab in the middle of the Gold Coast is Fort Lauderdale. The tropical metropolis is sometimes overlooked for its glitzier neighbors when it comes to vacation locales — the city was once best known as the capital of spring break pilgrimages and, in more recent years, as a popular cruise ship port — but thanks to recent development, a thriving arts and culture community, an evolving culinary scene, and its laid-back vibe, Fort Lauderdale is now one of the state’s must-visit destinations.
I recently put caviar on an extra-toasty Cheez-It, and I’m obsessed. I took my inspiration from Alexis Cervasio, proprietor at hip Boston market EBO & Co. and proponent of putting caviar on everything,
Every day at 11:11am there is a ritual: we make a wish. And every day at 11:11am, we have been wishing for this year’s most over-the-top, extraordinary and extra-plus travel experiences (and luggage).
For fans of Christmas festivities, London has some of the best activities and events in the world. The iconic landmarks and streets are lit up with dazzling displays, there’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, traditional Christmas markets offering unique gifts and seasonal treats and ice skating at beautiful venues like historic Somerset House. Here are a few suggestions if you’re visiting London this month.