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World Travel Guide

Editorial Foreword

The World Travel Guide (WTG) is the flagship digital consumer brand within the Columbus Travel Media portfolio . Available in English, German, and Spanish versions, the WTG provides detailed and accurate travel content designed to inspire global travellers. It covers all aspects, from cities to airports, cruise ports to ski and beach resorts, attractions to events, and it also includes offbeat travel news, stories, quizzes and guides for adventurous travellers.

Travel Features

Saudi Arabia – redefining a nation through tourism

Saudi Arabia is on a mission to transform itself into one of the world's top tourist destinations by 2030

Indonesian island hopping: 11 of the best islands

Indonesia's accessible island chains allow travellers in search of blissful beach scenes and tropical adventure to island-hop to their heart's content

Bike-friendly cities around the world

Cycling is kind to your health, your wallet and the environment; it is also an excellent way to take in the city

16 lesser-known but Instagram-worthy European cities

Forget big cities like Amsterdam and London, we find 16 smaller but stunning cities in Europe that can light up your Instagram and rack up likes

Experience Croatia on the water

Sun-kissed Croatia is most magical when seen from its turquoise waters, says CroatiaLuxuryGulet.com

Holiday on a budget: 21 great travel tips

If you’re craving a break but feeling the squeeze, don’t panic. It’s possible to travel on a budget without compromising on quality

Getting high: 13 of the best adrenaline activities

From death-defying heights to nail-biting adventures, these adrenaline activities will definitely get your heart pumping

Seven days in Marrakech

Make the most of a week in Marrakech, including day trips to Ourika and the Atlas Mountains, with our seven-day guide and travel tips

My secret London

London has a curious air of quirkiness enhanced by a string of lesser-known nooks that locals have kept close to their chests, writes Thomas Clarke

Food and Drink

Los Angeles food & drink guide: 10 things to try in Los Angeles, California

From celebrity chefs to timeless burger joints, lively Los Angeles has a wide range of dishes to impress you; here are the top 10 things to try

London food & drink guide: 10 things to try in London

As one of the most diverse cities in the world, London’s culinary scene offers an eclectic mixture of British classics and modern, multicultural cuisine

Are eggs good or bad for you?

Chicken eggs are nutritious and versatile, but are they good or bad for you?

Italian wine for major occasions

Great wine can amp up your mood and enhance your experience, and this guide can help you choose fantastic Italian wine for major foodie and special occasions

The complete guide to Bulgarian wine

Bulgaria is not yet a well-known wine country, but that is about to change as Bulgarian wineries are carving an admirable niche

Thai Wine – A remarkable success story

A feat to be admired, we take you through Thai wine’s remarkable journey to success

City Guides

Bustling and energetic, Osaka is a thriving metropolis with a distinct commercial culture and with a regional identity that sets it apart from elsewhere in Japan.

Paris rarely disappoints. Home to beautiful architecture, arresting art and the world’s finest restaurants, only the hard–hearted will leave the City of Light without falling in love.

Sandwiched between the Red Sea and the mighty Negev desert, Eilat is a water sport and desert adventure paradise. The southernmost city of Israel has all the hallmarks of a fantastic sun and fun holiday.

Country/ State/ Region Guides

A flavourful melting pot of sparkling nightspots, fresh seafood, sizzling Mediterranean passion and mythical legend, Greece is a fascinating and enchanting destination.

The eyes of the world are on Qatar right now. Following the discovery of oil in the 1940s, this small Gulf state has been catapulted from a small fishing and trading hub to one of the richest (per capita) countries in the world.

The Islands of Tahiti

The Islands of Tahiti are known for their laid-back vibes. Expect romantic sunsets and giant curls of turquoise breaking over reefs. Remote and pristine, the islands give you a glimpse of paradise on Earth.

Mongolia is far-flung and little visited yet has much to offer, from the stunning scenery and wildlife of mountains and deserts to the emerging luxury hotels and restaurants of capital Ulaanbaatar.

Much like the varying conditions of classic cars, Havana appears to be in a constant state of restoration. A mishmash of beautifully restored colonial buildings rubs shoulders with dilapidated tenements of regular Cubans.

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11 BEST Travel Guides for 2024 [Websites & Guidebooks]

* This article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you.

TL;DR: The two best travel guides are Rick Steves for first time travelers—especially anyone going to Europe—and Bradt Guides for off-the-beaten-path destinations and “Slow Travel.” Both are reliable, will give you ideas for what to do, and help you plan the best trip.

The way we travel has changed drastically in my lifetime. Information is more readily available in the digital age, a massive plus for traveling. 

Everyone, including myself, wants to make the most of every trip abroad. That’s why I love reading travel guide books or online guides. 

Some of these guide books help you get off the beaten path. Others give information on tours you can take on your own to learn the history of a certain destination you’re visiting. 

But which are the best?

After years of reading and doing research, I have found the best travel guides for you to use when planning your next trip abroad!

Note: this article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free travel advice and tips.

Here’s a quick look at our recommendations

• DK Eyewitness
• Bradt Guides
• Rick Steves
• Lonely Planet
• Blue Guides
• Footprint Guides
• Frommer Guides
• Tripadvisor
• Rough Guides
• Moon Travel Guides
• Insight Guides

Table of Contents

#1 DK Eyewitness

DK Eyewitness is one of the best travel guide books on the market today. But they offer more than just travel information. 

After publishing books for over 45 years, DK Eyewitness Books cover everything from travel, science, history, pop culture, and children’s topics.

Their travel guides give the information you desperately need for travel– such as maps, itineraries, accommodations, where to eat, and more! 

I also love how easy their visuals are to look at. I sometimes get lost in their maps and start imagining myself there (I’m a big daydreamer if you can’t tell!).

DK Eyewitness Travel guide books might not be the most in-depth on a particular location, but they help with travel inspiration. 

If you want more information, DK Eyewitness has a podcast called ‘Where to Go,’ which is another excellent way to get your travel information on the go!

• 100+ destinations
• Heavy on history
• It has both outdoor and city guides
• Amazing visuals
• Not as in-depth as other guides

#2 Bradt Guides

A Bradt travel guide is perfect if you’re interested in visiting countries that are less traveled to— written by experienced travelers with fantastic insider tips. 

Bradt travel guide books has a reputation as the “World’s leading independent travel publisher.” They are also the best India travel guide company.

Some unique destinations include Iraq, Sri Lanka, Galapagos Islands, and Grenada. But don’t worry. Bradt Guides also has a British series for those interested! 

Lately, I’ve been striving to travel like a local. Bradt has a ‘Slow Travel’ guidebook series, which I love using these days because it helps me travel like a local. 

The trip ideas are great in detail but might not be for your preferred country to visit. 

Bradt Guides prides itself on being the most comprehensive on the market. Their authors give cultural insights and expressions of interest and knowledge.

You can support Bradt’s Guides even further by subscribing to their Patreon! Here you can pay monthly for a specific tier and earn different things like one free e-book a month.

• More off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Slow travel series
• Has a Patreon page
• Unique style of travel not for everyone

#3 Rick Steves

Rick Steves books are the guide books your mom hands you when traveling to your dream destination in Europe. And that’s a good thing! They’re trusted by many for a reason.

These travel guide books are always up-to-date, thanks to Rick Steves’ research partners. 

Rick’s books will have you feeling like you’re on guided tours! He ensures you’ll have some fantastic cultural experiences. 

I love Europe, but there are many other cultures throughout the world that I’m even more interested in. So, since Rick Steves’ guidebooks are primarily Europe-focused, I’m not as drawn to them.

Also, traveling in Europe long-term can get expensive. His books cater to a more wealthy crowd. 

Pick any European country, and you will have high-quality content on that destination. Rick has visited Europe countless times, and other travel websites can’t compete. 

Rick’s bestseller is his Italy guide, which isn’t surprising. In that guide, he goes over the best places to eat and sleep and how to beat the crowds. 

It’s a good idea to grab a Rick Steves’ book simply for the detailed maps.

• Best guides for Europe
• It gives in-depth information for solo tours
• Perfect for a beginner traveler.
• Catered to upper and middle-class travelers

#4 Lonely Planet

I’m sure you’ve heard of Lonely Planet , as they’ve been a dominant force in the travel scene for quite some time now. Their goal is to make travel planning easy, and they’ve succeeded!  

I loved using Lonely Planet books when I first started traveling. These books helped me up my game as a budget traveler. 

Lonely Planet dominates the internet with a wealth of online resources. While the information they offer online is easy to access, it can be vague. 

You can subscribe to Lonely Planet on their website for free. I’ve done this, but I’ve found that there tends to be some destinations/articles that are low in detail. 

Considering Lonely Planet’s sheer amount of content, it’s not too surprising that they sometimes gloss over details. 

Their claim to fame is their numerous experts located worldwide. These experts cover adventure travel, family holidays, food and drink, and much more. 

Plus, a Lonely Planet magazine is an amazing coffee table piece, am I right?

• Backpacker friendly
• An extensive collection of guides for the entire world
• Free information is available
• Some of their content is outdated or not detailed

#5 Blue Guides

If you love the art and history of Italy, then Blue Guides is for you! People often plagiarize Blue Guide books due to the amount of accurate information each book has. 

With over 14 books on Italy alone, you won’t find more detailed information on a particular destination than with Blue Guides– they deliver it all! 

Italy was the first country that I visited outside of the United States, and I’m so glad that I had a Blue Guide book with me. 

Their award-winning maps and exceptional attention to detail made it feel like I was on a private tour! 

Be aware: there aren’t a lot of online articles from Blue Guides or many countries to choose from, which could be an issue if you like to visit more unusual locations.

Blue Guides’ first publication date was in the early 1900s, so it’s undoubtedly a top guidebook for a travel junkie!

• Helps travelers understand art and history
• Multiple guides on Italy
• Extremely thorough in their research
• Not a lot of destinations

#6 Footprint Guides

Footprint Guides is the go-to source for Latin American travel tips for all budgets! My love for this region of the world has only grown since I started using their books.

Even if Latin America isn’t one of your top destinations, they do offer other print books. All Footprint Guides are written by experts who have lived in that destination. 

Unfortunately, for North American travelers looking to plan a dream road trip, you won’t find much helpful information here, as their focus is decidedly on the south. 

Alongside their practical information, Footprint adds a layer of imagination to their guidebooks, giving them an edge that makes them one of the best travel guide series available today!

• Wide range of budgets
• Specializes in Latin America
• Practical information
• Not much content on the United States

#7 Frommer Guides

Does traveling on $5 per day sound appealing to you? Arthur Frommer thought so when he set out to create his Frommer travel guides . 

Alongside some of the best guidebooks, Frommer also offers other forms of information, including podcasts, online articles, and hotel deals!

I love using Frommer guides on road trips because they help me in many different situations. 

I usually like to have a podcast for when I’m driving , a guidebook on specific destinations while I’m in a hotel room, and online sources when on the go. 

Having Frommer guides in all their varied forms is essential since each one typically doesn’t go into heavy detail. 

If purchasing travel guide books doesn’t interest you, then keeping up to date with Frommer’s online travel guides is the way to go.

• Many styles of information are available
• Updates information frequently
• Offer hotel deals
• It covers only the main details

#8 Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor is an online source that most travelers have heard about. It’s unique on this list of travel guides because you interact with other travelers!

If you’re looking for help with trip planning, look no further than the Tripadvisor forum . Here you can talk with fellow travelers about your upcoming trip! 

When I have a specific question that needs answering, I always check Tripadvisor first. They have information on most countries, but some info on the forums can be outdated. 

Tripadvisor is great because it’s free! But they’re more than just a review and forum-based platform; you can also book different travel deals and tours through their website.

Sometimes the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming to click through.  If that sounds relatable, you might want to purchase some guidebooks instead. 

Tripadvisor started the wave of online travel planning. They’re worth browsing, even if you just want to write down a few travel tips!

• Multiple reviews from other travelers
• Travel deals available
• Forum can be out of date
• The massive amount of information can be overwhelming

#9 Rough Guides

Rough Guides has grown into a leader in the travel industry with its amazing travel guidebooks and online travel guides. 

What I love about these books is their authenticity. Their recommendations from locals helped to grow them into who they are today.

It all started with their Greece travel guide, and it quickly blew up. Demand increased for more and more Rough Guide content; they released a guidebook series for people who were eager for more. In 2017, Rough Guides expanded even further.

Today Rough Guides are more than just a travel guide company that sells books. They offer tours, custom-made itineraries, and more! I love using their website when planning my next trip. 

These custom-made itineraries and tours are expensive but for a reason. Rough Guides’ experts are located worldwide to give you the best travel experience ever. 

Rough Guides best selling guides offer a ton of background information and local tips, making them worth the high price!

• Detailed itineraries
• Personal recommendations from locals
• An extensive list of countries
• High prices for tours and custom itineraries

#10 Moon Travel Guides

Moon Guides are my favorite guidebooks for traveling around the United States. Planning that perfect road trip is challenging but Moon Guides makes it easier.

Moon’s travel guidebooks are all about traveling sustainably. I’ve used them countless times in the Americas and have found them super helpful.

But Moon Guides don’t focus on the Americas only– they also offer some of the best travel guides for Japan in particular.

I’ve learned to use these books more for research instead of bringing them on my travels– they don’t always hold up with how rugged traveling can get for me.

Moon’s detailed maps are so good in their guidebooks that I fill my phone library with them. They are easy to read and use, which is what I think makes a good map. 

The best travel tips are from locals, and that’s what Moon’s travel guidebooks bring. They don’t have a fancy touring app or anything, but they don’t need it. 

If you want one of the best travel guides for families, then there’s no better choice than making Moon Guides your tour guide when traveling. 

Find your dream destination, get travel inspiration from their maps, and book that plane ticket.

• Emphasis on the Americas and the Pacific
• Easy-to-understand maps
• Many pages of information solely for hotels/accommodations
• Guidebooks aren’t durable

#11 Insight Guides

Insight is one of the best travel guidebooks on the market for a reason. The beautiful photographs in these travel guidebooks will have you daydreaming for days.

Insight guides are perfect for those history buffs out there like me. They combine great information with also some off-the-beaten-track activities. 

Insight has produced over 200 guidebooks and language books. Their books provide information on nearly any country you can think of (besides Mexico).

I love their books because they also have a mini-series.

During the Covid years, I was in the mood to read a lot. I picked a different destination each week and bought a new e-book. 

I could do this because they only cost five to ten dollars! Most of the best travel guidebooks are double this.   

Besides its guidebook series, Insight offers a handmade trip planned by experts to the destination of your choice. What more could you ask for?!

• Multiple countries in each continent
• Has language guides
• Sells hand-picked vacation packages put together by locals
• Offers mini versions of guides to sell for cheap
• No Mexico guide

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Travel Guide

What to Look for in Travel Guides

Is the information up to date.

Picking the best travel guidebooks can be an overwhelming process. But the most important thing to watch out for is making sure the information is up-to-date.

Compared to online sources, guidebook information tends not to get updated as quickly for obvious reasons. 

You don’t want a travel guide taking you to a restaurant that doesn’t exist anymore, do you? No. You want to get off the beaten track but not THAT off that it gets you lost.

Pick Locally-Based Travel Guides

My ideal travel style is meeting locals, living, and eating like a local. I have the best travel experiences when I dive deep into the culture.

The best information about a destination comes from locals. When you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, wouldn’t you want to consult someone who has lived there for many years?

When you rely on locals’ recommendations, you’ll truly have an experience of a lifetime. 

Know What Type of Traveler You Are

This next tip can be difficult for some, and it can change from year to year. I have gone from being a true budget traveler to somewhere in the middle. 

I used to love history (I still do) and would base my travels around that. Now I seek adventure activities. 

Different types of guides will focus on different things, such as budget travel, adventure, expensive tours, food, or history. 

Finding the travel guide that fits your style will be more beneficial in the long run.

Know Which Destination You Want to Visit the Most

The best world travel guidebooks are often better for certain locations than others. For example, Rick Steves has a reputation for being the best travel guide for Europe and, specifically, the best travel guide for Italy. 

So, choose your travel guide based on which one specializes in the area you’re curious about.

Other Helpful Travel Guides

Travel is a huge industry which means there are more guides than you could ever possibly use. 

If you prefer your travel content in video form, one of the best travel guide Youtube channels is Ryan Shirley . 

His videos showcase the top places to visit in different countries with some of the best drone shots you’ll ever see. 

FAQs About Travel Guides

Should You Even Buy a Travel Guide?

A travel guide has its place. It may seem outdated to use one, but you can find some of the best information in them. 

Some guides take years to make and are very specific in the details they write for certain locations. The maps tend to be better and easier to read in these types of guides as well.  

Which is better: Lonely Planet or Rough Guide?

It depends on the style of travel you prefer. I prefer budget travel and tend to take fewer tours, so I like Lonely Planet. Rough Guide also has amazing tours if you’re interested in those.

What is the difference between Fodor’s and Frommer’s travel guides?

Frommer travel guides are excellent for those who want an easy read. Fodor is typically the better choice if you want more details about your activities. 

Fodor also has one of the best travel guides for Ireland, so check out Fodor if that’s your destination.

Is it better to travel with a tour guide or alone with a travel guide?

The answer differs from person to person! If you want your trip planned, then a tour guide is perfect. Going alone with a travel guide is nice because you can go at your own pace. 

Do people still buy travel guides?

Absolutely! There’s something different about having a travel guidebook to look at rather than scrolling through a website. 

Rick Steves and Bradt are my favorite travel guides.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Phillip Anderson

Phillip Anderson is a freelance travel writer, personal trainer, and adventure enthusiast. With years of travel experience under his belt, Phillip is an expert in finding the best deals through travel apps and websites. He knows how to find cheap domestic and international flights, like a flight to Peru for as low as $350.

When looking for cheap accommodations, Phillip combines his knowledge of websites like Airbnb, Booking.com & Hostelworld with more unique sites like TrustedHousesitters, for even more savings. Whether it’s flights, accommodations, or local experiences, he teaches travelers to make informed decisions, ensuring their adventures are both memorable and economical. For more from Phillip, check out his website, JaywalkTheWorld.com.

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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Ron - June 16, 2024

"Local Insider Guide and Driver were superb"

Excellent planning and conduct of the trip from pre-t thru entire trip Our Local Guide, German (pronounced Herman) was so knowledgeable and in tune with every aspect of the trip, from human culture and social challenges to all the challenges and successes for Costa Rican environments. The concept of sustainability was so evident in the coffee and cocoa plantations and the representatives of both of those were so personable in sharing every aspect of their production. Beyond that, or insider, German, was expert in bird identification and ecology which added so much to the experience. The hotels were all excellent although we did not favor the highly processed and bland food except that the fruit every morning was the best ever, so fresh and flavorful, and the coffee was superb. The food at the off-hotel places that our guide took us was wonderful, genuine and so enjoyable. All the people were so friendly and respectful and informative Our driver, Geraldo, was a gem! Very little English but we all had some Spanish and he had such a friendly, respectful and fun attitude and great driving skills. And with our small group, if we exclaimed "there's a sloth!! or "Monkeys!!" He immediately found a safe place to pull over and joined us with German to view and enjoy. German had a spotting scope and with that we could really see the monkeys, sloth, and many birds. We think the trip was carefully planned and a good value. It was our first guided trip and we do expect to enjoy more with Culture Trip

Alana - June 26, 2024

"Greece Odyssey Experience, recommend this trip"

I have been on two culture trips, Portugal and Greek odyssey. Both have been great. I traveled with my 3 adult daughters. We returned from Greece a month ago., June 3rd. Our accommodations were perfect, had a new guide upon arriving at each destination, which we enjoyed, all friendly and very knowledgeable and eager to converse. Our ferry trips to Naxos and Santorini were comfortable, with reserved seating inside. We were met promptly and easily at the pier upon arrival by our guide and driver. We visited the busy , tourist side of Santorini and the next day was taken to an organic farm on the quiet side of Santorini , enjoyed a tasty picnic dinner and stayed for a beautiful sunset. Our favorite was a three night stay in Naxos. We could easily walk to beach, town , shops, restaurants, A very relaxing experience. Culture trip provides excellent travel opportunities for a fair price.

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Had a wonderful trip. Culture Trip responded quickly when I had an issue with a prebooked hotel and they made things right. Everything was well planned and ran smoothly. Our local guide (Francesco) was absolutely amazing. The places we went to were beautiful and not too crowded. We had guided tours along with plenty of time on our own, which made the trip enjoyable without feeling rushed, The group on this trip were also amazing and I had a great time getting to know them. A group number of 10 was perfect, not too few people but not too many. Having never been to Italy before, this trip was a perfect introduction and I will definitely use Culture Trip again for future adventures.

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"Soulful Korea"

I highly recommend the Soulful South Korea trip. It was a busy trip but an excellent way to see a variety of cities and other areas of South Korea and to take part in a variety of activities - some perhaps once in a lifetime - all wonderfully organised by our Local Insider Yong. As someone who is not particularly fit I was initially concerned about the amount of activity involved in the trip but I found this to be manageable and Yong, who went above and beyond to support our group and also to give us as authentic an experience of Korea as possible, was able to be flexible regarding the activities when necessary. It was a brilliant introduction to a beautiful and interesting country, shared with a wonderful group of people. I will definitely be returning to South Korea.

Meilin - June 15, 2024

"Best 1st trip overseas - Soulful South Korea"

This Soulful South Korea trip has been AMAZING! We loved everything about it, all thanks to Yong! (our tour guide) He was very informed, wise, knowledgeable, and being able to offer various choices to choose from. He was personal but also professional! He does what he does BEST! Thank you for making our trip the most memorable one ever! One thing we would like to alter, would probably be, if for people who love pamper sessions like we do, is the Visit to Centum Spa Land Jjimjilbang. We would do a whole day of it! Or maybe start in morning side of the day to get more out of the day. But other than that, we are really thankful for having the opportunity to visit a place with so much wonder and magic! Thank you, we have loved every moment of it! And we will definitely visit South Korea again!

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It's said that there are no great adventures anymore. The spotlight of information and far reaching connectivity has left us with no strange places to discover. Or so the popular opinion goes. Travel guides and travel websites have brought some wondrous places close to us; either with their enticing photographs or with first hand traveler accounts. Today's online international travel guides are also proving handy for the budget traveler who can plan for each dollar.

In the years before the web spun the world around, travel tips came through word of mouth. Now, you can just log on and be a voyeur as travelers carry you along each step of their journey. Which are these websites that allow you to be your own traveling guide?

Let's pack our bags and take a free trip with the ten free international travel guides mentioned below.

Frommer's Travel Guide

The word this top travel website throws about is 'candid'. That describes the travel tips they have collected over the years. If you can't buy one of their travel guides, then this website is just as good a resource for getting to know any destination on the map. By the way, there is a large red map that you can navigate on the site. The articles on each location cover everything that you would care to know, from nightlife information to side trips. You can jump to the Frommer's forums too and engage in a discussion with travelers. Short of travel ideas? Explore their inviting slideshows. Also look into the Trip Ideas section.

Trip Advisor

Trip Advisor is all about reviews and advice on hotels, resorts, flights, vacation rentals, vacation packages, travel guides etc. On each destination's page you can check out information like top rated hotels, things to do, vacation rentals, restaurants etc along with videos and images. As it is a popular website, expect to read a lot of reviews on each aspect of your planned travel. Subscribe to the free newsletter which sends you the latest information on your chosen location. Traipse over to Advice from real travelers section for valuable tips. You can also download a free PDF city guide for the destinations.

Virtual Tourist

We covered this cool travel guide website which covers nearly 60,000 worldwide destinations just at the turn of last year, so I won't go into too much detail here as Bakari has shown How To Use Virtual Tourist For Planning Your Next Trip .

If there's a domain name which eggs you on to catch the next flight out, this is it. The tips on the site are about traveling on a budget. The company has been known for its budget travel guides over the last 50 years. If you are searching for bargains on your sojourns, this site is worth a visit. The stories on destinations around the world make interesting reading and just might make you change a plan or two for the better.

The "˜indie' in their catchphrase is meant for the independent traveler. The site has a complete guide listing where you can browse to the destination of your choice. Also check out the Adventure Destination guides featured on the site. The site also has a pretty active forum for travel chit-chat.

World Travel Guide

Gets lots of free international travel guides to destinations around the world. The guide is available in English, German, French and Spanish. The site has a nice "˜Holiday Ideas' section for some inspirational travel ideas. The homepage features a neat globe browser for pinpointing places worldwide. Catch the best deals and the latest events too on the dedicated pages for each location.

Rough Guides

The neatest feature on the site (apart from all the travel content) is the Rough Guide to The World picture mosaic map. There's a movable "˜World Lens' which you can hover on any location and check out the experiences as pictures. Also subscribe to the free Rough Guides Podcasts every month. Another useful audio download is the free phrasebook available for select languages. Or you can forget about all that and play the Rough Roads Game !

ViaMichelin

For international travelers coming to Europe, this site is a handy one-stop place for mapping, route plans, on-line hotel booking, Michelin Guide hotel, restaurant, tourist recommendations and weather and traffic reports. The site is brought to you by the renowned tire brand - Michelin. The route guides provided are the most informative you can find anywhere.

If you frequent the web, then you will be familiar with the names of their network websites (Wired.com. Ars Technica, Epicurious, Reddit etc). The site has a large list of international travel guides covering all the hotspots around the world. You can browse them by name or click on the interactive map to start exploring with articles, pictures, and videos. Then there's an established community too for sharing travel tips.

Atlas Obscura

Sometimes places off the beaten track make for great adventures. You could discover one on this site which according to the site's own words is a collaborative project with the goal of cataloging all of the singular, eccentric, bizarre, fantastical, and strange out-of-the-way places that get left out of traditional travel guidebooks and are ignored by the average tourist. Exploring places by category is the way to go here.

If you are wondering why we left out a site like Lonely Planet, then worry not. The so well known international backpackers' site as well as a few others has been covered in a previous article on The Best Free Online International Travel Guides .

If you want more suggestions, have a look at our free travel planning apps or list of apps for infrequent and casual travelers .

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6 Secret Gardens in Paris for a Quiet Break From the City

Paris has a leafy little secret: Tucked into grand boulevards, behind museums and churches, and inside hotels are secret gardens in Paris designed as back-to-nature reprieves. Secluded square? Woodsy park? Lush courtyards that look (and smell) more countryside than French capital? If you know where to look, the City of Light brims with verdant escape hatches from city life.

Why all of the greenery? In 1850, when Napoleon III reconfigured Vieux Paris into the elegant city we know today, he tapped George-Eugène Haussmann to construct statement-making boulevards and stone edifices as well as public parks to act as “lungs” for the city. Centuries-old woodlands and royal hunting grounds were transformed into rambling green spaces at the four points bordering the city, and dozens of smaller squares and gardens were built within the 20 arrondissements. Over the decades, French leaders have added more green space . Paris now boasts more than 400 gardens and parks, woods, and squares—and has plans to become Europe’s greenest city by 2030. Here are a few secret gardens in Paris and foliage-forward hideaways in the city.

A version of this article originally appeared in Architectural Digest .

Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, 18th arrondissement

In Montmartre, off of Avenue Junot near the Sacré Cœur, the former home of the Hermès family has been recast into a five-suite hotel with old-world charm. A highlight of Hôtel Particulier is the massive wraparound garden designed by Louis Benech , the architect of the Jardin des Tuileries . During the summer, the Grand Salon restaurant moves outside to wrought-iron tables under the shade of magnolia and ivy-kissed sycamore maple trees. Surrounded by hot pink Daphne odora, golden St. John’s Wort, and a crew of roving chickens (plus the clank of pétanque balls; Club Lepic Abbesses Pétanque is next door), diners enjoy classic house-made dishes (using only French products), and a scene that channels the 19th century. Lunch, dinner, and a classic tea are served daily.

Lunch, dinner, and a classic tea are served daily in the gardens of Montmartre’s Hôtel Particulier.

La Vallée Suisse, 8th arrondissement

Sitting quietly off the Champs-Élysées on Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, within one of the most trafficked parts of Paris, is a 1.7-acre idyll of twisted vines and stone archways set off by lemon trees, evergreens, maples, bamboo, lilacs, overgrown ivy, and a Seine -fed pond with a waterfall. Constructed by Haussmann-era engineer Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand, the garden is a 19th-century time capsule. It has perfect benches to read, nap, or daydream on.

Garden at Hôtel-Dieu, 4th arrondissement

Hospitals are not likely locations for wowza gardens. But, on Île de la Cité, the ancient hospital Hôtel-Dieu (established in 651 CE) has a formal garden of symmetrically sculpted boxwoods flecked with pink geraniums, impatiens, and Indian roses concealed within a Romanesque arched courtyard. The wow factor is twofold—the garden itself, and the fact that this serene, lost-in-time spot is next to the tourist-filled Notre-Dame Cathedral .

The ancient hospital Hôtel-Dieu, established in 651 CE, has a formal garden concealed within a courtyard.

La Réserve Paris, 8th arrondissement

Wrought-iron balconies. Mansard roofs. Cream stone façades. Haussmann’s hôtels particuliers, or aristocratic mansions, are what gives Paris its sophisticated patina. On Avenue Gabriel, steps from Élysée Palace (the President’s residence), one such mansion turned hotel— La Réserve Paris —offers travelers a glimpse of la belle vie (the manse was originally built for Napoléon III’s half-brother, the Duc de Morny) via a visit to the lush interior courtyard. As you sip your rosé (try the Château La Mascaronne; it’s produced by the owner in Provence ) or tuck into an à la carte meal, you’ll be surrounded by palm trees, Japanese maple, Fatsia Japonica, and Portugal laurel (dripping in white racemes) plus flowering privet and camellias. That decidedly non-city scent? It’s fresh jasmine, which is stippled throughout the garden.

That decidedly non-city scent in the gardens of La Réserve Paris? It’s fresh jasmine, which is stippled throughout the garden.

Le Chalet des Îles, 16th arrondissement

Picture this: a chalet in the middle of the verdant, wildlife-filled Bois de Boulogne reachable only by boat. In 1857, Empress Eugénie de Montijo transported the chalet from Switzerland (as her husband Napoleon III was remaking the city) and plopped it on an island in the park’s Lac Inférieur for Parisians to enjoy. That chalet was destroyed by fire in 1920, rebuilt, and relaunched as the eco-friendly, timber-infused bolthole Le Chalet des Îles , masterminded by architect Nicolas Laisné. Chef Pierre Chomet oversees an indoor bistro-nomic restaurant and a five-course tasting experience outdoors, where guests dine against a backdrop of oak, plane, and cherry trees, various conifers, herbs, and hydrangeas. There is also a bar with a large terrace overlooking the water.

In the Bois de Boulogne, Le Chalet des Îles is an eco-friendly, timber-infused bolthole with a restaurant and bar.

Diners can experience a tasting menu in the lush garden at Le Chalet des Îles.

Square Roger-Stephane, 7th arrondissement

Visiting Le Bon Marché , Paris’s fabled department store, is essential sightseeing. For a post-shopping pick-me-up, buy a snack at the store’s adjacent La Grande Epicerie , walk to the far end of Rue Récamier, and step into a naturalistic setting that seems plucked from a Balzac novel. Amble past dense foliage dominated by a weeping beech tree and settle on a bench to admire the locale: Japanese pagoda trees, rhododendrons, Japanese lilac, magnolia, and sweet-smelling honeysuckle. Though smack in the middle of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, all you’ll hear is the trill of birds and trickle of a cascading waterfall.

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• At Rosewood Mayakoba, Room #317 Lives Up To Its $5,000 Price Tag

One of the most expensive suites in Mexico's Riviera Maya comes with three plunge pools — at a resort with an on-site hawk to scare off begging seagulls.

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In the Playa del Carmen area of Mexico, on the Riviera Maya between Cancun and Tulum, the Rosewood Mayakoba  (recently awarded Two Keys by MICHELIN Inspectors) makes its home on a 620-acre, gated oceanfront resort. In its 16th year, it’s one of the most established players in an ever-growing sea of haute hotel brands in one of the world’s most fabulous beach destinations. Welcome to our Signature Space series, where our editorial team delves deeper into the most iconic spaces at MICHELIN Guide hotels. Find our Inspectors' official take on the Rosewood Mayakoba hotel, here . We're at Riviera Mayakoba. What's the signature space here?   Without a doubt, it's the Lagoon Presidential Suites. There are two of them, and today we’re looking at one in particular: room #317. Who stays here? The grounds in general are home to newlyweds, Manhattan’s well-heeled jetsetters, and celebrities — and for good reason. This is one of the most prized and pricey accommodations along the Yucatan Peninsula. Expect the Lagoon Presidential Suite to cost around $5,000 per night, depending on the season. In winter, we’ve seen it in the $8,000 range.

So it has a lot to live up to. How do you feel stepping inside #317? After a private electric boat ride through lush, monkey-inhabited mangroves to reach the resort, you find the Lagoon Presidential Suite nestled beside a calm lagoon. You traverse a short bridge before a massive, stacked white stone entrance rises in front of you. Depending on the time of day, you’ll enter squinting through a bright, tropical, sun-drenched living room, behind which is a fully equipped kitchen and three bedrooms. First impressions? That living room alone is staggering: a glass-enclosed space that seems to float over the lagoon, encapsulated in 360-degree water views. Not to mention, each of the three bedrooms has its own private plunge pool. You mentioned a fully equipped kitchen. One of the perks of being Presidential. Guests of #317 can book private dining experiences, where the Bar Zapote team drops by to serve some of the continent’s best cocktails and a grilled rib eye, all under a wooden gazebo on the suite’s impressive patio (4,750 square feet with its own lengthy pool).

It seems possible you might never leave the suite. Even so, what’s the feeling at the rest of the hotel? The prices at Rosewood match its pedigree — but there’s no pretension about it. Guests throughout the resort sport flip-flops and wind-swept hair, while they sip on hemp seed and spirulina-spiked smoothies after a morning yoga class. Anything to know about sustainability? As mentioned, any and all guests arrive at their suites via private electric boat, and subsequent trips around the large property include electric golf carts and bicycles. Not only is the transport distinct and memorable, but it speaks to the property’s efforts to protect the surrounding natural environment, and the wildlife that inhabits it. Go on. You’ll find cornstarch and paper wax straws in use, while all water at the resort comes from a natural well filtered with inverse osmosis. Gray water is recycled for landscape irrigation and ultrasound tech is used to find underground leaks — a push for efficiency. That, and daily eco-tours introduce guests to local wildlife and inform on the protection of the area’s local sea turtles. What else you got? We’d be remiss not to mention that all rooms come with 24/7 on demand butlers. That, and a detail we’ve certainly never seen before: the resort’s on-site hawk fends off pesky birds looking to swoop down for a snack. Wow. Any special instructions on how to book #317? Head over to the hotel page and find “Lagoon Presidential Suite.”

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24 hours at fairmont olympic seattle.

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The lobby of Fairmont Olympic Hotel Seattle

Whether you’re passing through Seattle or looking for a staycation, a stop at Fairmont Olympic Hotel downtown is a fantastic respite from the city with a charming touch of local history.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the property opened in 1924 and is celebrating its 100 years of hospitality throughout 2024.

And while “old” and “hotel” can sometimes feel at odds, a recent $25 million historic renovation maintained the property’s timeless architecture, improved with a few modern touches.

The resort-style property is a nice home base for a Seattle visit, however long. Just have a day? Soak in all the glitz and glamour of the historic site in 24 hours.

The second floor pool at Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle

3 p.m.: Check into the Fairmont Olympic Seattle

Enter the opulent, 100-year-old lobby and take in the surroundings during a swift process at the front desk, located temptingly close to the vibey bar.

If it’s Friday, Saturday or Sunday treat yourself to an Afternoon Centennial Tea at Olympic Bar, the art deco bar infusing life into the lobby. A limited-edition tea blend made with locally grown Washington Peppermint, vanilla, and spices is harkens back to the bars offerings in the 1920s.

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Need to unwind? Head to the spa for a SALT + C Facial at Penelope and The Beauty Ba. The 100-minute treatment starts with a sea-salt exfoliation from La Fervance, followed by Gua Sha techniques and micro-current technology, plus a soothing head and neck massage to release all that travel tension.

6 p.m.: Happy Hour at Olympic Bar

The heart of the hotel, Olympic Bar brings an energy to the entire first floor, with travelers looping around the round bar or groups chatting and snacking on sofas and loungers throughout the jewel toned space. Sip on Washington state wines or the signature Olympic Mule (made with honey vodka) and dip house-made potato chips into dungeness crab and artichoke dip with Beecher’s local cheese curds.

Afternoon tea service at Fairmont Olympic Hotel

7:30 p.m. Dinner at Shuckers

Still hungry? Settle in. This lively downtown oyster bar just below the lobby is one of the oldest seafood spots in the city, housed in a 1930s era haberdashery. Start with West Coast oysters, on the half shell or baked in a variety of decadent styles, and then look to the fish board for the day’s catch, served with decadent whipped potatoes and veggies. A side of rich lobster mac and cheese is encouraged, and you can chase it all down with classic cocktails.

10:30 p.m. Nightcap at Founders Club

Head back through the likely rowdy lobby and don’t get distracted - a speakeasy awaits (make a reservation via OpenTable to ensure you can snag a seat). Hidden behind a bookcase door, Founders Club is a dim lit lounge inspired by the property during the Prohibition era. Find both classic and unique craft cocktails here, along with splurge-worthy reserve drinks, like the $45 Founders Manhattan stirred witj Coalition Rye Whiskey, Vermouth, Luxardo Maraschino Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, and Lot 35 Creamy Earl Grey Tincture. Low alc and no alc drinks are available as well, plus an extensive library of spirits and wines.

Inside the Founders Club Bar at Fairmont Olympic in Seattle

9:00 a.m.: Latte at 4th Ave Espresso Bar

Skip the in-room coffee maker and head downstairs to the lobby level espresso bar, where you can grab a hot latte for a quick boost and explore the neighborhood, if you want some fresh air. Nearby sites include the Pike Place Market, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, Space Needle and the Great Wheel on the waterfront, and the earlier you visit, the better to avoid crowds.

11: a.m. Breakfast at The George

Fuel up with one more meal at the Fairmont, this time at The George , an elegant 1924-era dining room lush with art deco decor and design details. A weekend brunch offers luxe takes on American classics like lox Benedict wuth Pimenton hollandaise and buttered potatoes or buttermilk fried chicken with waffles and cognac butter. A daily breakfast includes dungeness crab on toast or in an omelette, plus more continental classics.

The George at Fairmont Olympic Seattle

12 p.m. Checkout

Checkout is at noon, but that doesn’t mean you have to pack up immediately. Before heading out, visit the second floor for a swim in the solarium-covered heated indoor pool, a soak in the hot tub and a steam in the sauna. On-site locker rooms offer easy access to shower and change before venturing off to your next destination.

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