Lonely Planet Guides are my Favourite!
In my Lonely Planet Review I talked about why the Lonely Planet guides made a big difference while we walked the Great Wall of China, and why the small things made a big impact in Turkey.
Of course, I also looked at why Lonely Planet guides are green (many reasons, but one I particularly like is the ability to download individual chapters of their guides – no wasted printing or paper, I like that!). (And you save money too).
What’s Different About Lonely Planet Guides?
Like most guide books, Lonely Planet Guides are full of information, but I like them because I trust their honesty – they tell you what they find (no paid commentaries).
I bought my Lonely Planet Guide to China a few years ago, but recently it was re-launched with an even easier-to-use layout, redesigned maps and a new planning section covering time, season, interest and region. That’s really useful, because China is so huge, it can be difficult to know where to start.
They really do work out what people want and need from a guide book.
What Else, Besides Guides?
Lonely Planet has a great website which also offers
- Videos and photos of interesting travel experiences from around the world
- Travel Information – updated daily
- A great Forum (Thorn Tree) which answers readers’ questions
- Articles on featured destinations (e.g. US National Parks)
- Books that you’ll love. For example, I adore travel experiences where the journey is as much a part of the pleasure as the destination itself. So I have my eye on this gorgeous hardback book Great Journeys. Who wouldn’t want this as a gift? (If my hints don’t work, I’ll be buying it as a gift to myself!). I also like their book “The World’s Best Street Food: Where to Find It and How To Make It. In here I learnt that the world’s best sandwich is apparently from Vietnam (I hadn’t expected that!). I worked up an appetite reading about some of the street food – and I remember having really, really good street food in China.
Just For You?
I love their books, but I also use Lonely Planet for gift ideas
Mother’s Day- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- “I love you” gifts
- “Let’s plan this trip next year” gifts
- “I know you love travel so you’ll love this” gifts
and even:
- “This is a great idea because you’re really difficult to buy for” gifts!
Photo Credit: Microsoft / Corbis
I love the idea of giving a Lonely Planet guide as a gift, then planning a trip with that person. I will remember that tip!
Sabrina Peterson, NASM CPT, CES
It’s a great idea – and it WORKS too ! Thanks Sabrina!
Clare,
I love the site. Just signed up. looking forward to receiving my 20% discount coupon. Our planet is alone like each one of us. Not lonely but alone … Planet Earth is our real mother.
That’s wonderful Margarita!
The trust factor in a business (or even a travel guide) goes up for me enormously when I know that there are no paid commentaries. Thank you for bringing Lonely Planet Guides to my attention.
Yours In Health!
G.E. Moon II
Agreed, for me it’s also huge.
Hi Green Goddess,
The Lonely Planet Guides sound like a simply marvelous addition for when folks are traveling. The Great Wall of China! Wow, how exciting! When did you and your husband go there and visit it?
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
What great gift ideas! I have friends who travel but who are otherwise difficult to buy for…this is the perfect gift.
Sonya Lenzo
I had never heard of these before. It seems like a great gift and a no brainer when it comes to getting these when you travel.
Is it possible to purchase the Lonely Planet Guides at my local Barnes & Noble?
Yours In Health!
Dr. Wendy
Absolutely Dr. Wendy – not all branches will have the full ranges, but B & N certainly stock Lonely Planet.
Lonely Planet Guides are the only travel guides to use if you are really serious about having a decent holiday.
Yep this is the first I have heard of them as well. Thanks for bringing these Lonely World Guides to my attention!
I can think of several friends who’d love a Lonely Planet Guide as a gift. Thanks for the idea!
Michael
That street food book sounds really interesting. We were warned away from street food while we were in China…though we didn’t know exactly why.
Be Well.
Jc
Thanks for the heads up on the contest. The Lonely Planet Guide to Hawaii saved us from being injured! We went to this beach on the eastern side of Maui that the guidebook had warned us was difficult passage and suggested a safer route to the beach which we did. On our return visit, we saw that a woman had fallen and broken her leg by walking on the bad trail. I emailed them and thanked them for that!
Gosh Mil, that’s amazing. (I’m really glad you mailed them about it too!). Thanks for further confirmation that Lonely Planet really do have an excellent product!
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