- 2 July 2009
- 4:22pm
- Filed under
Other
Backpack or suitcase?
VivekW Lonely Planet author
It’s a longstanding debate: which form of luggage is best?
Without access to a distinguished steamer trunk that comes with a team of porters, most folks have to choose between two options: suitcases and backpacks.
Both sides have their evangelists and detractors. Often, suitcase-wielders label pack-carriers as uncouth hippies, while backpackers see ‘the other kind’ as inexperienced,…
- 12 June 2009
- 1:19pm
- Filed under
Other
Swine flu now a 'pandemic'. Should you travel?
AdamN Lonely Planet author
Yesterday the World Health Organisation declared a global flu pandemic. Sounds pretty scary - what does it actually mean?
WHO chief Dr Margaret Chan explained that ‘moving to pandemic phase six does not imply we will see increases in deaths or serious cases.’ The announcement was triggered by the presence of the virus in two regions…
- 8 June 2009
- 11:28pm
- Filed under
Other
Less guidebook choice at the airport?
VivekW Lonely Planet author
Several airport bookstores in the UK have recently changed the way they’re doing business. The statement below, from our team in London, summarises our point of view.
Last week, we learned that WH Smiths travel stores will stop stocking Lonely Planet guides - as well as Bradt, Frommers and Time Out books. (The travel shops are…
- 3 June 2009
- 12:58pm
- Filed under
Other
Are you American? Now you *really* need a passport!
VivekW Lonely Planet author
Thinking of a quick jump across the border? You may need to do a bit more homework.
The US government has changed its rules on passports for land travel. Our man on the ground, US Travel Editor Robert Reid, did the legwork. Here’s his take on the situation:
Anyone remember the infamous WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative)? Don’t worry.…
- 1 June 2009
- 3:46pm
- Filed under
Other
Mapplications: a sneak peek into the future
VivekW Lonely Planet author
Maps – we love ‘em. As a traveller, I’m often tempted to visit new destinations armed only with a torn-out copy of a map with some scribbled notes. If I know which way’s north, everything else falls into place.
These days, technology can let us enjoy maps in ways we never dreamed of a few years…
- 6 May 2009
- 10:05am
- Filed under
Other
We won the Webby - and you did it!
VivekW Lonely Planet author
What a fantastic surprise. We woke up this morning to learn that we had won the Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Travel Website.
This is exciting for the lonelyplanet.com team. The New York Times has called the Webby ‘the Internet’s highest honor’. And we’re particularly proud of taking home the People’s Voice Award, because that comes…
- 30 April 2009
- 11:28am
- Filed under
Other
Swine flu: the traveller's view
VivekW Lonely Planet author
UPDATE 5 (12 June 2009): The WHO has now declared swine flu a ‘pandemic’. What does this mean? My colleague Adam explains it all in this post.
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UPDATE 4 (29 May 2009): The initial panic over swine flu has now subsided. While the flu will continue spreading, its effects are limited. An Australian who contracted the…
- 21 April 2009
- 3:57pm
- Filed under
Other
Lonely Planet guidebook maps are online
hoetmerk Lonely Planet author
Hi - I’m Ken, the guy in charge of digital maps at Lonely Planet.
If you’ve ever used Google maps to research a far-flung travel destination, you will have discovered, to your dismay, that they often look rather sparse. Perhaps they look like this. If you’re extremely unlucky, you will even have encountered the dreaded “no…
- 16 April 2009
- 5:29pm
- Filed under
Other
Help us Webby it up!
VivekW Lonely Planet author
We’ve been nominated for a Webby! And we need your help.
What’s a Webby? Well, it’s kind of like the Oscars for the web. Webbies have been handed out for 13 years now. They started out when there was barely an Internet, and they’ve grown to be pretty prestigious - well, at least for web geeks…
- 15 April 2009
- 11:29am
- Filed under
Other
Things we're proud of
VivekW Lonely Planet author
We’ve been up to a lot in the last few months. And some folks have begun to take notice.
In the UK, the New Media Age gave us a great writeup (subscription required) – the best review they’ve ever had for a website! The Australian Gourmet Traveller has nominated us for a Best Travel Website award. We’ve won an…
