If you happen to acquired bitten by the journey bug earlier than the digital period, likelihood is you’ve relied on Lonely Planet in your explorations.
For the previous 5 many years, globetrotters have thought of Lonely Planet’s traditional guidebooks a “traveler’s bible” to assist plan in-depth nation journeys and decide the perfect 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 turned a factor, I relied on these guidebooks for journey inspiration, suggestions and itinerary planning.
As locals, we regularly take our sights or tradition as a right. Generally, it takes an outsider’s perspective to comprehend how particular issues are for first-time guests. Leafing by way of 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 blissful 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 images and maps. The fifteenth version of Lonely Planet Philippines printed 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 crew of worldwide writers and journey consultants, particularly 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 manner that makes you wish to pack up your luggage instantly.
As somebody born and raised within the Philippines, I used to be requested to put in writing a bit on “What makes you a Filipino.” Every nation guidebook has a bit introducing the folks that includes a neighborhood journey knowledgeable at present residing within the nation. I admit, I’ve by no means needed to describe “our folks” this fashion earlier than.
I used to be additionally requested to put in writing a few essays for the Storybook part, which options totally different features of the nation’s fashionable tradition. I wrote about how heritage constructions in Manila could be preserved for tourism, with examples of adaptive reuse in cafes and motels 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 provoking Filipina girls like former Vice President Leni Robredo.
If you happen to plan to journey across the Philippines and wish to maintain an precise e book to flick through pages throughout downtime and have simple reference materials on the fly as a substitute of scrolling by way of your telephone, please look out for this newest guidebook.
The primary version of the Philippines guidebook was printed in Feb 1981 whereas the final version got here out in 2022 earlier than this one. There have been a number of modifications because the pandemic as a result of lodge and restaurant closures and a few high websites are now not accessible as a result of pure disasters, so frequent updates are vital.
I hope this may 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 out there for many who wish to journey mild and like to maintain books on a pill or e-reader.
Other than being a part of the traditional guidebook, I’m blissful to share that I’ve additionally began contributing to Lonely Planet’s web site.
The web site accommodates up to date info, “better of” checklist articles, and sensible journey suggestions from journey consultants around the globe. The web site accommodates 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 international locations 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. Somewhat than being a proper information or checklist article, every route is meant to supply “a snapshot of city life, guiding readers to lesser-known sights and cherished native spots.” You possibly can learn it right here.
Observe Lonely Planet’s social media channels right here for extra journey inspiration:
