If you happen to received bitten by the journey bug earlier than the digital period, likelihood is you’ve relied on Lonely Planet on your explorations.
For the previous 5 a long time, globetrotters have thought of Lonely Planet’s traditional guidebooks a “traveler’s bible” to assist plan in-depth nation journeys and choose the most effective issues to do, the place to remain and the place to eat in every nation.
Earlier than journey blogs, web sites, vlogs and social media even grew to become a factor, I relied on these guidebooks for journey inspiration, suggestions and itinerary planning.
As locals, we regularly take our points of interest or tradition without any consideration. Typically, it takes an outsider’s perspective to appreciate how particular issues are for first-time guests. Leafing by pages of textual content that relied purely on descriptions to liven up locations and actions made me wish to discover my residence nation extra.
After touring across the 82 provinces of the Philippines, I’m proud and pleased to share that I had an opportunity to contribute to the most recent Lonely Planet guidebook, which now has a brand new format, with full-color journey pictures and maps. The fifteenth version of Lonely Planet Philippines revealed in July 2024 is now in bookstores and their on-line store worldwide.
The guidebook itself was researched extensively, written and edited by a wonderful workforce of worldwide writers and journey specialists, specifically Greg Bloom, Ray Barlett, Michael Grosberg, Regis St. Louis and Iain Stewart. They know greatest what worldwide vacationers search for in a international vacation spot and write about totally different locations within the nation in a approach that makes you wish to pack up your luggage instantly.
As somebody born and raised within the Philippines, I used to be requested to jot down a bit on “What makes you a Filipino.” Every nation guidebook has a piece introducing the folks that includes an area journey skilled presently residing within the nation. I admit, I’ve by no means needed to describe “our folks” this manner earlier than.
I used to be additionally requested to jot down a few essays for the Storybook part, which options totally different points of the nation’s fashionable tradition. I wrote about how heritage buildings in Manila will be preserved for tourism, with examples of adaptive reuse in cafes and accommodations that vacationers can go to. I additionally wrote about how indigenous textiles from across the nation are modernized in sustainable style and souvenirs. Different essays concentrate on the nation’s love of basketball and galvanizing Filipina ladies like former Vice President Leni Robredo.
If you happen to plan to journey across the Philippines and wish to maintain an precise ebook to flick thru pages throughout downtime and have simple reference materials on the fly as an alternative of scrolling by your telephone, please look out for this newest guidebook.
The primary version of the Philippines guidebook was revealed in Feb 1981 whereas the final version got here out in 2022 earlier than this one. There have been a number of modifications for the reason that pandemic resulting from lodge and restaurant closures and a few high websites are not accessible resulting from pure disasters, so frequent updates are vital.
I hope this can encourage new vacationers simply beginning to embark on backpacking journeys round Southeast Asia and seasoned vacationers making up for misplaced time after the pandemic to contemplate visiting the Philippines.
Right here’s the hyperlink to purchase the Lonely Planet Philippines 2024 print version. E-book variations are additionally obtainable for many who wish to journey mild and like to maintain books on a pill or e-reader.
Apart from being a part of the traditional guidebook, I’m pleased to share that I’ve additionally began contributing to Lonely Planet’s web site.
The web site incorporates up to date info, “better of” record articles, and sensible journey suggestions from journey specialists world wide. The web site incorporates extra visible and interactive components like pictures, movies and embedded maps. Some writers are pitted in a pleasant competitors to make a case of their residence nations for many who might have hassle deciding the place to go subsequent.
One among my first articles was for the “Native Strolls” sequence, the place writers reveal their favourite walks or biking routes of their hometowns. Fairly than being a proper information or record article, every route is meant to supply “a snapshot of city life, guiding readers to lesser-known points of interest and cherished native spots.” You may learn it right here.
Observe Lonely Planet’s social media channels right here for extra journey inspiration:
Associated