Gatherings tips

An earthen circle large enough to contain the Empire State Building on its side. An octagonal earthwork capable of holding four Roman Coliseums. A vast hilltop enclosure overlooking a dramatic river gorge.

Travel leaders from across the globe are gathering in Dubai next month on December 12-14 to look at the larger context of travel while focusing on staying ahead of global trends. 

Amid the sandstone cliffs of Petra, a group of Bedouin gathers under a starlit sky to share stories passed down through generations. It's a scene that has been replayed in this ancient Nabatean city for centuries, but today a new medium is weaving its way into the narrative. As TikTok and Instagram gain traction across Jordan, Petra's Bedouin are using them to connect with global audiences, casting their tales across vast distances and cultural divides.

The Charleston Place, one of the south’s most iconic hotels and a downtown landmark in Charleston, South Carolina, will be transforming into an enchanted Nutcracker-inspired wonderland for the upcoming holiday season. The hotel has something to make this season magical for everyone including a specialty Dream Concierge and nightly "snowfall" in the hotel’s Market Street Circle. From Nov. 24 through New Year’s Eve, The Charleston Place will transform into the magical world of The Nutcracker. The hotel will be draped in shimmering silver and golds, and will feature oversized Nutcrackers, glistening sugarplums and special appearances by ballerinas from the Dance Conservatory of Charleston. With decor designed by The Drifter, more than 140 decorated trees will adorn the hallways and courtyards along with a 40-foot tree in the center of Market Street Circle.

Ever wondered who first decided to bring trees inside to celebrate Christmas? Or where advent calendars first originated from? Keep reading...

Marbella is one of those destinations whose very name evokes a certain sort of jet-set glamour. Once a sleepy fishing village in southern Spain, it became, almost overnight, the sort of place that Slim Aarons would immortalize in photos. Legend has it that the transformation began in the 1950s, when Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg got stuck there when his Rolls-Royce broke down. He made the most of it and invited some friends, and soon enough, movie stars, aristocrats and captains of industry made it their playground. Aarons turned up with his camera.

It feels like every guide to the best gifts for men these days is just whiskey glasses and beard oil—because that’s what all men like, right? Wrong. To make your holiday shopping a little easier, we’ve gathered 55 of what we think are this year’s best gifts. We’re not trying to say that every inclusion on this list is going to be a perfect choice for everyone on your Nice List this year, but we do feel strongly that we’ve rounded up some of the smartest, coolest, and perhaps most surprising gifts for the guy in your life this holiday season. Here, you’ll find buzzworthy international favorites and social media darlings, as well as undiscovered gems from small businesses you may have never heard of—no whiskey glasses or beard oil in sight.

Nestled in the southeast corner of France near the Swiss border, the Savoy region has a cuisine that befits its alpine location. Visitors should expect hearty dishes, such as its famous tartiflette, a creamy baked gratin of potatoes, onions, lardons and reblochon cheese; and farcement, a sweet and savoury potato cake that contains both bacon rashers and fruit such a prunes or pears. 

With rugged mountains, untouched beaches and fertile soil that grows coconuts, tea and spices, Sri Lanka offers travelers a wondrous mix of experiences unmatched for an island of its size.

Skift Global Forum East is just around the corner, and it promises to be an event where the travel industry’s brightest minds gather to discuss and shape the future of travel. As you navigate the bustling halls and engaging sessions, you’ll encounter a diverse array of attendees. 

I moved to Ireland when I was 15 due to my father's temporary assignment abroad with an insurance company. It was my mom, my dad, and me.

Guatemala may be called the Land of Eternal Spring, but that doesn’t mean the weather is spring-like all year round.

Visitors at any Paradisus by Meliá resort in Mexico and the Dominican Republic now have the opportunity to savor a unique and exclusive menu crafted by the renowned Chef Antonia Lofaso. Chef Lofaso has artfully created this limited-edition menu using locally sourced ingredients from the distinct regions of these resorts. This menu not only embraces local flavors but also celebrates her Italian-American heritage.

I picked Mimi up from school on a Friday afternoon in June. In the pitch-dark dortoir, or nap room, I located my four-year-old among the tiny bodies curled up on miniature bunk beds. She opened her eyes and smiled. It was time for our adventure.

“‘Nam mô A Di Đà Phật’” (Homage to Amitabha Buddha) is a greeting you hear at Chua Huong Lam temple in Pearland, a suburb of Houston. A dozen Buddha statues and a large figure of Quan Am Tathagata, the bodhisattva (one who seeks awakening) of compassion in an open courtyard are the only indications that this is a religious institution. A series of steps leads to the entrance where the sweet smell of incense and the melodious prayer chants can be heard.

The Faroe Islands feature one of lushest, most dramatic landscapes on the planet.

"Most people float, but I fly." Tim Taylor, the pilot of the colorful hot air balloon my wife and I are in, shouts this at us as we ascend higher and higher, his words punctuated by bursts of burning propane propelling us skyward over the Nevada highlands. I find myself alternating between gazing at the balloons above and below us and taking in the breathtaking view of the Reno mountains and skyline on either side.

As the war between Hamas and Israel intensifies in the Middle East, tensions are spilling over into Europe, where demonstrations and terrorist attacks are causing disruptions for locals and visitors alike.

If you're relatively new to the points and miles world, you might feel overwhelmed or confused as you strive to learn more. We 100% understand, and it's why TPG has created a free, beginner-friendly email series, Points 101, to help you learn the basics and gain the tools you need to make your first points and miles redemption.

Crouched on a salt marsh, I knock back schnapps as the tide creeps towards me. My hand hovers over sea wormwood, a botanical I’m collecting on a tour of the coastline. Klaus and Jan, my guides, pull bottles of homemade firewater from their basket and we sample the spirits as we nibble the very plants and berries that infuse them. Wormwood has an intriguing, medicinal taste, so I add it to my bag.

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.