Cave tips

From the dramatic western highlands to the jungle-laden ruins of Tikal, Guatemala has no shortage of incredible things to see, and having access to a vehicle makes it a lot easier to see more of the country at your own pace.

For many, the concept of Hell exists in another dimension. But in Belize, the entrance to the underworld is right below your feet. The small Central American nation is home to hundreds of caves, many of which visitors can explore. But they are more than just a place to go cave diving. These caves are said to be the pathway to Xibalba, or the Maya underworld. 

Belgrade’s foundations stand above a network of prehistoric caves — some of the scattered shells found within them date back up to eight million years. These cavernous spaces have housed a Roman aqueduct system and  military tunnels; more recently, they served as Second World War bunkers for Nazi occupiers. Enter the network from Tasmajdan Park and explore a section used by German soldiers escaping Belgrade’s liberation in 1944.

Anchored by the city of Bilbao, the Basque province of Biscay in northern Spain encompasses some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes and one of Spain’s most distinctive cultures. Forest-covered mountains hide alpine cabins and religious sanctuaries where Christianity rubs shoulders with pagan Basque mythology, while the coastline is peppered with coves, caves and islands. The region is also spared the blistering heat of southern Spain and there’s just enough rain to keep the countryside a glittering emerald green. And those who prefer not to fly can reach Biscay easily via the twice-weekly ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao. 

Uber will enable users to book hot air balloon rides in popular Turkish tourist destination Cappadocia as part of its strategy to make further inroads in the tourism industry.

It’s one thing to love a hotel room with a balcony, quite another to stay in one that’s built into the side of a mountain. But for longtime Forbes travel writer Jim Dobson—who first slept in a cave hotel many years ago in Santorini, Greece—the experience provides a neo-ancient twist on a room with a view. From Mallorca and Puglia to Turkey and Texas, here are some of the most amazing hotel suites built into caves.

UNESCO has added 42 World Heritage Sites to its list of the planet’s natural and cultural sights worth special protection — the biggest group of new entries in more than two decades. The European listings alone span the mighty and the minute, from a gorge-carved landscape in Greece to a charmingly vintage planetarium in the Netherlands.

Fondly referred to as 'The Rock', the limestone monolith that dominates Gibraltar is a fascinating geological feature marking the entrance to the Mediterranean, but its cultural significance is just as intriguing. A British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar is a slice of Britain bathed in the warmth of Southern Europe.

Blessed with 240 days of sunshine a year, Cancún is a very popular vacation spot.

My first experience sleeping in a cave hotel was many years ago in Santorini, in one of those typical whitewashed hotels dug into the volcanic rock. Once used as inexpensive dwellings, the island's volcanic terrain allowed the inhabitants to carve rooms into the earth without foundations, with vaulted ceilings and narrow entries enforced with limestone. They were also warm in the winter and cool in the summer and provided high resistance to earthquakes.

Gold-mining history, island and coastal escapes, and outdoor (and underground!) adventures all combine for the best ways to enjoy a day trip from Auckland, New Zealand’s biggest city. And everywhere you go, there’s almost always the promise of good food, wine and beer.

Connected by a 30-minute boat ride across the Gulf of Thailand, the sister islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan are the grandaddies of Thailand’s travel party scene. But while Koh Samui may have a reputation for raucous nightclubs and Koh Phangan’s popularity was founded on glow-stick-lit full-moon parties, they both now have another side to them. Whether you want to spend your days doing yoga overlooking the sea, explore a tropical detox programme or seek spiritual balance meditating in a cave — these islands can cater for all.

While Thai islands such as Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui may be popular for their fly-and-flop beach scenes, there are dozens of others that cater to travellers seeking a more adventurous getaway. Scattered between the Gulf of Thailand to the east of the mainland and the Andaman Sea to the west, these jungle- and palm-cloaked islands are framed by deep bays, coral-rich waters and limestone karst cliffs riddled with caves ripe for exploration by water or on foot.

“Basilicata has always been poor – even the mafia didn’t bother us,” my guide, Nicola, smiled. It’s a Iine I heard a lot in this improbable region. Paradoxically, it has enough oil to make a Texan envious – yet for decades it was known only as ‘Italy’s shame’.

The new Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines is officially open for reservations and will begin welcoming guests as of March of 2024. The stunning rainforest property marks Sandals Resorts’ ninth Caribbean destination and 18th Sandals Resort for Sandals Resorts International.

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.

In the middle of a field in a lesser known part of Ireland is a large mound where sheep wander and graze freely. Had they been in that same location centuries ago, these animals might have been stiff with terror, held aloft by chanting, costumed celebrants while being sacrificed to demonic spirits that were said to inhabit nearby Oweynagat cave.

Burgundy (“Bourgogne” in French) is home to world-famous vineyards, chateaux and abbeys, and many strong cheeses – the kinds of things that generally appeal to adults more than kids.

With large swathes of rainforest waiting to be explored, Malaysia’s beautiful island region of Sarawak is fast becoming a prime destination for travellers seeking adventure.

Ibiza is for partying.

They’d always dreamed of owning a home in Italy, but opening a restaurant there was never part of the plan.