Lonely Planet Lonely Planet's Beautiful World 2023 Calendar

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Instead, she explains, Lonely Planet reaches out to its wide network of contributors around the world and asks them to nominate destinations they believe should be on the list. Fall is hot, tropical and quiet – a calm breathing space before sun-seekers flood in for the busy winter season. For most fall visitors, the risk of tropical storms is trumped by the peace and quiet on the beaches. A Mexico visit in January or February means dry and relatively cooler days, providing some relief in humid coastal destinations. It’s also whale-watching season along the Pacific Coast. In Mazatlán, February is carnival time: the 2024 festival is the 126th edition. Kangaroo Island, Australia South Africa will defend its title, Portugal will play its first match on this stage in 16 years and Chile will join the fray for the first time ever when the Rugby World Cup comes to France. The pool matches will be played at stadiums across the country, from Paris to Marseille and Lyon to Lille – on the off chance you need an excuse for a road trip.

It’s almost impossible to move through the narrow streets of Croatia’s historic cities and old towns at the height of summer without jostling elbows with fellow tourists. Go in early June instead, when you’re almost guaranteed sun-kissed weather and you’ve a better chance of snagging a spot at a popular attraction or restaurant without agonizing queues. Now that Croatia is officially in the eurozone, you can easily enter from most other EU countries without changing currency. Basque Country, Spain Whether your dream trip has you following the Great Migration in Kenya or Botswana, Zambia or Namibia, there’s a safari experience that’s right for you. Deciding on a destination is half the battle; once you’ve worked that out, it’ll be much easier to determine the best time to go.

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This year’s Burning Man theme will celebrate the animal world and our place in it – animals real and imagined, mythic and remembered – and explore the curious mental constructs that allow us to believe that imagined animals are real, real animals are imagined, and that somehow, despite all evidence to the contrary, mankind is somehow not part of the animal kingdom,” writes Stuart Mangrum for the blog Burning Man Journal. Only 500 people are allowed on the Inca Trail per day, and only 4000 or so can enter Machu Picchu, so get your trip on the books as soon as possible to get your first choice of dates (and to have time to train for the challenging climb). This small Pacific nation offers uninhabited tropical beaches where you can live out your scuba-diving dreams. Visiting in April guarantees warm and sunny weather for diving, snorkelling and swimming – although it is possible to go to Palau throughout the year, as the country does not experience typhoons. Ikaria, Greece If visitors to France fancy something other than the Olympics, the region of Normandy is hosting the Normandy Impressionist Festival from March to September next year to celebrate 150 years of Impressionism. The event will bring visitors into the heart of a 19th-century movement that turned art on its head with its radical, soulful focus on outdoor scenes and the effects of light. The program includes open-air theater performances and dance cafes, art exhibitions and workshops, plus forest walks, stargazing, sound- and-light shows and romantic picnics straight out of a Renoir. Spain

When you're out on the open ocean and feel the salty air and wind in your hair, you sense a special kind of freedom, and if you're paying attention, you might see seabirds catch fish or even a blowing whale. Húsavík is the best place to go whale watching in Iceland, with many tours on offer and a high sighting ratio – even blue whales are occasionally seen here. Tours also go from Hauganes and Reykjavík. Seal-watching tours depart from Hvammstangi. Watching these curious creatures sunbathe in their natural habitat is delightful. Operators in Dalvík and Akureyri also take hopeful whale spotters out on daily excursions. In 2024, Saalfelden Leogang, an Austrian mountain resort, is embracing a sustainable future with a new solar-powered chairlift and an array of guided outdoor activities. Visit in winter for skiing or snowboarding – or in summer, when you can hike, bike and swim in the lake at this family-friendly mountain playground. Mongolia Key dates: Mas Domnik, February 20 to 21; Jazz ‘N Creole, April 30; World Creole Music Festival, October 27 to 29. There are other things to observe in the winter sky above Iceland, too. The Hotel Rangá observatory in South Iceland has a roll-off roof and two high-quality telescopes, bringing you closer to the stars in the sky. Travelers will love Chile in November. After the hush of winter months, Patagonia awakens to the vibrant hues of spring, while the northern regions gradually shed their chill, offering a respite from the dampness of previous seasons. This also marks the ideal time to explore the picturesque coastal towns and desert landscapes of the north, a month before the busy tourist season swings into action. Swahili Coast, TanzaniaWhy it’s exciting: Switzerland’s scenic trains, designed to offer panoramic views of some of the world’s finest mountain views, are an essential part of any visit. This technological wonder extends one of the best of these routes, linking the adventure capital of Interlaken with an easy connection to Geneva.