Have you ever wished you’d travelled at a different time of year because your holiday was ruined by crowds, mosquitos or endless rain? Or wondered what to do with your two weeks off in June? Or are you just seeking inspiration for your next trip? If so, then Where to Go When, the new book from Lonely Planet, could be just what you need.
The Ultimate Trip Planner
Where to Go When is described as “the ultimate trip planner”. This beautifully illustrated book has a flow chart for each month of the year to help you make your holiday choices. Do you want beach or culture, relaxation or adventure? Are you looking for special events or the best time to spot wildlife? And are you going for three weeks or just a weekend? Each month has thirty different suggestions, each fully described with practical information and pictures guaranteed to get your feet itching.
All types of traveller are catered for. You might want to relax on a beach and do a bit of shopping. Or you might prefer hiking in the Alps or snorkelling in Thailand. And if you’re a foodie, you’ll need to know when the truffle season starts or where to get the ultimate Christmas dinner (or cocktails). Of course, you might like to challenge yourself with something completely new, like language classes or wine tasting.
How to Use Where to Go When
There are several ways to use this book. If you know that you will be travelling at a particular time you can use the flow charts as a guide, or just leaf through the suggestions for the month. Or if you want to go to a specific destination this book will help you to decide when to go: apart from the “best” month, each entry gives a brief summary of what you can expect at other times of the year. (I found this helpful when I was planning to go to Fiji in February but discovered that this was cyclone season!)
You could also use it in a “negative” way. If you’re looking for a peaceful holiday you don’t want to go when there’s a festival in full swing. And the best time for lying on a beach may not be ideal for city sightseeing.
A Source of Inspiration
But for many readers, this book will be about inspiration. Had you ever thought about visiting Uzbekistan? Or did you know that you can watch centuries old sports in Mongolia? All the familiar places are here, but so are several destinations and activities you might not have considered.
Where to Go When is available in hard copy (perfect for browsing) or as an ebook (easy to consult when you’re on the move). I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys travelling, or as a gift for the traveller in your life.
3 thoughts on “Book Review: Lonely Planet’s Where to Go When”
I have an earlier edition of this book and LOVLE it and keep referring to it for ideas. I think it’s one of the best books out there to find out the best time to visit and to open one’s mind to alternative destinations.
This sounds like a great gift to give to someone who is retiring. I’ve never heard of it but am going to check it out since I do have a friend who is retiring soon. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. This will be a perfect present for my other half. He always thinks about the ‘when’ when we travel. I just think about the ‘where’. If it wasn’t for him I would visit Queensland in the monsoon season, Texas in the heart of summer and Canada when it is under a million feet of snow and ice.