Postcards

This month...

…we’re plotting every possible excuse to extend your summer. As

BEHIND THE SCENES

What Team Lonely Planet has been up to this month

Globetrotter

A WORLD OF TRAVEL NEWS AND DISCOVERIES

Easy Trips

THIS MONTH... enjoy an al fresco feast in Cornwall, toast the grape harvest in Porto, take in an art show at Blenheim Palace, peek into strangers’ houses at London’s Open House, and more

Calling in to port

One of the world’s oldest wine regions, the Douro Valley

A feast with a view

Porthcurnick Beach is a barely touched sandy nook on Cornwall’s

Eastern promises

With the throngs of summer fading from its time-worn streets

In a new light

Few buildings in England spell out their power and grandeur

Whisky a go-go

For the amateur distiller, making your own whisky has associations

Knock, knock

London’s Open House weekend is celebrating a quarter century, and

La Bobadilla

Quote ‘Lonely Planet Traveller’ when booking a stay at La

Great Escape

Begin your Mexican adventure in the winelands of Valle de Guadalupe, before venturing into cowboy country. Next, head to Bahía de los Ángeles to witness ‘the world’s aquarium’, then drive on to explore colonial towns. Finally, take to the azure waters of La Paz, in the south of the peninsula

ALL ABOARD THE REUNIFICATION EXPRESS

A vital lifeline in war and peace, Vietnam’s 1,000-mile long North-South Railway provides an all-in encounter with the country’s incredible beauty, people and history

Tat Tor Italia

Tat Tor Italia Emilia-Romagna has been known for its immense agricultural abundance since ancient times. The Roman Empire might have been forged through the sword, but its armies were fed off the felds in this region of northern Italy. The road the Romans built through here, the Via Emilia, still connects a string of places today – Parma, Modena, Bologna – whose very names have come to represent some of the world’s most sought-after foods

SECRET MARVELS OF THE WORLD

Our planet holds a lifetime’s worth of surprises, whether wrought by nature’s hand, or the wayward imagination of humans – read on for a sampler from our new book celebrating lesser-known marvels

Holy Smoke

Follow a photographic journey to see how big a part incense plays in the everyday life of Bhutan – its prized fragrance aids meditation, devotion and healing in this smal but characterfu Himalayan kingdom

Berlin after dark

Once the sun sinks to the west of the German capital, the real fun starts (very often in the former East). Use this guide to zero in on the best of Berlin’s ever-varied night-time venues, as well as a selection of dinner spots and late-opening attractions. Finish with a bar hop focused on one exciting neighbourhood

Rural life in Alentejo

A sun-baked stretch of southern Portugal between busy Lisbon and the beaches of the Algarve, the Alentejo is an ideal match for a slower-paced style of tourism. Read on for top sights and activities that highlight the region’s nature and traditions, plus hotels and restaurants for all budgets

Eating in San Francisco

The City by the Bay draws on California’s ample farmland, the waters of the Pacifc and food traditions from all compass points. We’ve picked the best and most up-to-date places to eat out, from casual pit-stops to destination dining, with a special section on fab restaurants you can reach by cable-car

Autumn in Kyoto

Japan’s love of passing seasons is most striking in its former capital: while many visitors want to see cherry blossoms here, autumn leaves last longer and bring deeper colour to Kyoto’s hills and temple gardens. In this guide you’ll fnd traditional activities and places to eat, to round out a tour of the city’s best spots for leaf peeping