Iran opens its first marathon to tourists - but women can't compete

Iran has launched its first marathon open to international runners – but women will be banned from taking part “because of local regulations”.

The “I run Iran” race, on April 9 next year, will finish at the mighty Gate of all Nations at Persepolis, the 2,500-year-old seat of the First Persian Empire. Organisers said the marathon, endorsed by Iranian authorities, will build relationships between Westerners and the Islamic Republic, allowing foreigners to experience “Persian culture, history and food”.

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Iran travel guide

Iran travel guide

Coverage Includes: Planning chapters, Tehran, Persian Gulf, Western Iran, Central Iran, Southeastern Iran,
Northeastern Iran, Understand Iran and Survival chapters.

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

"Chic" Copenhagen the city to visit in 2016 (Lonely Planet Denmark)

Copenhagen (Denmark). Photo by Simon Raven
Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's Copenhagen PDF chapter from the Denmark travel guide

Denmark travel guide - Copenhagen PDF Chapter

Copenhagen is the coolest kid on the Nordic block. Edgier than Stockholm and worldlier than Oslo, the Danish capital gives Scandinavia the X factor. Just ask style bibles Monocle and Wallpaper magazines, which fawn over its industrial-chic bar, design and fashion scenes, and culinary revolution.

Coverage includes: Copenhagen & Around, Ishøj, Charlottenlund, Klampenborg, Lyngby, History, Sights, Activities, Tours, Festivals & Events, Sleeping, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.



Return to Kathmandu in 2016 (Lonely Planet Nepal)

The Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu (Nepal)
Amazing deals on Hotels! Nepal: Hotels


This chapter contains the Nepal Today, History, Religion, The People of Nepal, Arts & Architecture, Environment & Wildlife, Responsible Travel, Directory A-Z, Transport, Health and Language chapters from Lonely Planet’s Nepal guidebook.

Nepal - Understand Nepal & Survival Guide (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

All the info you need on everything from history, religion and culture to flights, public transport, climate, money, the internet...you name it. Get hints on the gay and lesbian scene and tips for women travellers, travelling with children and travellers with disabilities.
the art of temple adornments revealed
Nepal’s ethnic groups explained
details on the flora and fauna of famed mountain ranges
customs and etiquette dos and don’ts

Coverage includes: Nepal Today, History, Religion: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Shamanism, The People of Nepal: Traditional Lifestyle, Himalayan Zone, Middle Hills Zone, Terai Zone and Women In Nepal, Arts & Architecture: Newari Pagoda Temples and Shikhara Temples, Environment & Wildlife: Mammals & Birds, Plants, National Parks & Reserves and Wildlife Poaching, Responsible Travel: Ethical Shopping, Begging, Ways to Help and Cultural Considerations, Directory A-Z, Transport, Health and Language.

Amazing deals on Hotels! Nepal: Hotels

Spain's tourism 65 million visitors in first 11 months

Spain is set for a third consecutive record year for tourism, with nearly 64.6 million visitors registered in the first 11 months of the year.

Tourism Minister Jose Manuel Soria said December's figures are expected to top 3 million, putting the full-year estimate at about 68 million tourists. That compares with the previous record of 64.9 million visitors in 2014.

Planning a trip to Spain? Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Spain travel guide

Spain travel guide

Passionate, sophisticated and devoted to living the good life, Spain is at once a stereotype come to life and a country more diverse than you ever imagined.

Coverage Includes: Planning chapters, Madrid, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Barcelona, Catalonia, Aragón, Basque Country, Navarra, La Rioja, Cantabria, Asturias, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Valencia & Murcia, Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Andalucía, Extremadura, Understand and Survival Guide.

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions for Spain.

Thailand...Did You Know?

"The Monkey Buffet is held in front of the Pra Prang Sam Yot temple in Lopburi province. More than 600 monkeys are invited to feast on over two tonnes of grilled sausage, fresh fruit and ice cream." 

Visiting Thailand? Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Thailand travel guide


Coverage includes: Planning, Bangkok & around, Central Thailand, Ko Chang & East, Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand, Northeastern Thailand, Hua Hin & Southern Gulf, Ko Samui & Lower Gulf, Phuket & Andaman Coast, Understand & Survival

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here for amazing hotel deals in Thailand.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Maybe you are interested in the Bangkok travel guide or the Thailand print version.

Bangkok trave guide

Coverage includes: Plan Your Trip, Ko Ratanakosin & Thonburi, Banglamphu, Thewet & Dusit, Chinatown, Siam, Square, Pratunam, Ploenchit & Ratchathewi, Riverside, Silom & Lumphini, Sukhumvit, Greater Bangkok, Day Trips from Bangkok, Understand Bangkok  and Survival Guide.

Discover Thailand travel guide

Coverage includes: Bangkok, Bangkok Getaways, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai & Northern Thailand, Ko Samui & the Gulf Coast.

Qatar Airways launches new Durban flights

Qatar Airways has launched new services between Doha and Durban, offering passengers the opportunity to experience another idyllic subtropical destination.

The four-times-weekly service to Durban further complements the airline’s existing daily flights to Cape Town and double daily flights to Johannesburg, and is an expansion of the airline’s operations in South Africa. Travellers can now choose from a total of 21 flights a week to South Africa from Qatar Airways’ hub Hamad International Airport.

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland travel guide

South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland travel guide

Lions at waterholes, township art, clouds pouring over Table Mountain, Kalahari dunes, Swazi and Zulu ceremonies: Southern Africa’s famous trio is rich with adventures and experiences, culture and scenery.

Coverage includes: Planning chapters, Cape Town, Western Cape, East-ern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Johannesburg & Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park, Limpopo, North West Province, Northern Cape, Lesotho, Swaziland and Understand and Survival chapters.

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

NEW Lonely Planet eBook Offer! All eBooks £4.99/€5.95

Looking for your next adventure? All Lonely Planet ebooks are £4.99/€5.95! Valid until 31st Dec: 

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for the great ebook offers!

Europe - Norway (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Norway chapter from the Europe guidebook

Europe - Norway (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Norway’s appeal is simple: this is one of the most beautiful countries on earth with impossibly steep-sided fjords, glorious glaciers, and cosmopolitan cities brimming with the famous Scandinavian flair for design. It may be expensive, but it’ll pay you back with never-to-be-forgotten experiences.

Coverage includes: Oslo, Bergen & the Western Fjords, Bergen, Stavanger, Sognefjorden, Geirangerfjorden, Northern Norway, Trondheim, Lofoten, Tromsø, Survival Guide.

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Lonely Planet's top cities for 2016

Top 10 Cities for 2016

Start your brand new year with an amazing adventure. Check out these top cities just waiting for you  to explore.

1. Kotor, Montenegro

2. Quito, Ecuador


3. Dublin, Ireland

4. George Town, Malaysia

5. Rotterdam, Netherlands

6. Mumbai, India

7. Fremantle, Australia

8. Manchester, UK

9. Nashville, Tennessee

10. Rome



You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Kotor named Best City for 2016

The coastal town of Kotor in Montenegro was recently named by Royal Caribbean cruise ship captains as having one of the world's most beautiful harbors.

Now it's been honored by Lonely Planet, which has named it top city for 2016. The historic city is known for its Venetian-style architecture.

Planning a trip to Kotor? Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's Montenegro - Bay of Kotor (PDF Chapter)

Montenegro - Bay of Kotor (Chapter)

Coming from Croatia, the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska, or simply ‘the Boka’) starts simply enough, but as you progress through fold upon fold of the bay and the surrounding mountains get steeper and steeper, the beauty meter gets close to bursting.

Coverage includes: Herceg Novi, Morinj, Risan, Perast, Dobrota, Kotor

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Always room at the inn... (Lonely Planet Israel)

Beresheet Hotel By Isrotel Exclusive Collection (Israel)
Amazing deals on Hotels! Israel: Hotels

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's Understand Israel & the Palestinian Territories & Survival Guide PDF chapter from the Israel & the Palestinian Territories guidebook

Understand Israel & the Palestinian Territories & Survival Guide (PDF Chapter)

All the info you need on everything from history, culture, religion and the environment to flights, public transport, climate, money, the internet... you name it. Get tips for women travellers, travelling with kids and travellers with disabilities, as well as handy language guide and glossary.

Coverage includes: Israel & the Palestinian Territories Today, History: from Ancient Times to the Hamas-Israel War, People of Israel & the Palestinian Territories: Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Samaritans, Hummus & Olives: Regional Food, Daily Life: Israelis, Palestinians, Government & Politics, Religion: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Arts: Literature, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Cinema, Environment, Safe Travel, Directory A–Z, Transport, Health, and Language.

Don’t forget the offer of 3 for 2 books across all formats

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.



Hotels with personality (Lonely Planet New Zealand)

Museum Art Hotel, Wellington (New Zealand)


New Zealand - Plan your trip (PDF Chapter) / Lonely Planet 

Coverage includes: Welcome to New Zealand, New Zealand’s Top 20, Need to Know, What’s New, If You Like…, Month by Month, Itineraries, Hiking in New Zealand, Skiing & Snowboarding in New Zealand, Extreme New Zealand and Regions at a Glance.

Evita's balcony at La Casa Rosada (Buenos Aires)

La Casa Rosada "The Pink House". Buenos Aires (Argentina). Photo by Simon Raven
Take a trip to the beautiful Argentine capital of Buenos Aires and visit La Casa Rosada (The Pink House). The office of the President of Argentina, it is home to the balcony that Evita often used to address workers and Peronists.

This chapter contains the Welcome to Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires' Top 10, What's New, Need to Know, Top Itineraries, If You Like, Month by Month, With Kids and Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Tango, Shopping and Sports & Activities overview chapters from Lonely Planet's Buenos Aires guidebook.

Buenos Aires - Plan your trip (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Your journey to Buenos Aires starts here. You'll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on Buenos Aires’ tango scene.
lists of highlights and best experiences
detailed information and recommendations for eating, drinking and shopping
everything you need to know about eating and drinking around Buenos Aires
an overview of the city's neighbourhoods

Coverage includes: Welcome to Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires' Top 10, What's New, Need to Know, Top Itineraries, If You Like, Month by Month, With Kids, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Tango, Shopping and Sports & Activities overview chapters.

Emirates to bring first A380 aircraft to Birmingham, UK

Airbus A380. Photo by ebooktravelguides.com
Emirates has announced that it will be upgrading its EK39/40 service between Dubai and Birmingham to an Airbus A380 from March 27th, 2016. 

This will be the first time the iconic and much loved A380 will fly from the region, and comes as Emirates celebrates its 15th anniversary at Birmingham Airport. Emirates will be replacing the current Boeing 777 to a two-class Airbus A380 on the lunchtime service into Birmingham, carrying 557 passengers in Economy Class and 58 in Business Class.

Amazing deals on Hotels! Dubai: Hotels

Off to Dubai? Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Dubai & Abu Dhabi city guide

Dubai & Abu Dhabi city guide

Dubai and Abu Dhabi pulse with verve, ambition and the ability to dream up and realise the most extreme of projects: the world’s tallest building, a palm-tree-shaped island and the world’s fastest roller coaster. Visiting these cities feels like a trip to the future.

Coverage Includes: Planning chapters, Deira, Bur Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Jumeirah, New Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Day Trips, Understand and Survival chapters.

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Hotels don't get closer to the sea than this... (Lonely Planet Maldives)

Paradise Island Resort & Spa (Maldives)
Amazing deals on Hotels! Maldives: Hotels

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Understand Maldives and Survival Guide chapter from the Maldives guidebook

Maldives - Understand Maldives and Survival Guide (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

All the info you need on everything from history, marine life and environmental issues to flights, public transport, climate, money, the internet... you name it. Get tips for women travellers, travelling with kids and travellers with disabilities, as well as a handy language guide and glossary.

Coverage includes: Maldives Today, History, Maldivian Way of Life, Marine Life in the Maldives, Environmental Issues & Responsible Travel, Arts, Crafts & Architecture, Taste of the Maldives, Directory A–Z, Transport, Health, and Language.

Lonely Planet eBooks are digital versions of the travel guides. You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like. Almost all of the eBooks come in PDF, ePub and Mobi formats - so they look great on everything from Kindles to Kobos, Androids to iPhones, and more.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Amazing deals on Hotels! Maldives: Hotels

Glass and shadows in Marrakech - Lonely Planet Morocco

Decorative glass window in Marrakech (Morocco). Photo by Simon Raven
This chapter contains the Welcome to Morocco, Morocco’s Top 17 , Need to Know, If You Like…, Month by Month, Itineraries, Morocco Outdoors, Trekking in Morocco, Travel with Children, and Regions at a Glance chapters from Lonely Planet’s Morocco guidebook.

Morocco - Plan your trip (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Your journey to Morocco starts here. You’ll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on outdoor activities.
tailor-made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events
list of highlights and best experiences
everything you need to know about trekking
user-friendly country overview ensures you won’t miss a thing

Coverage includes: Welcome to Morocco, Morocco’s Top 17, Need to Know, If You Like…, Month by Month, Itineraries, Morocco Outdoors, Trekking in Morocco, Travel with Children, and Regions at a Glance.

Adventure in Sri Lanka doesn't have to be uncomfortable...

Heritance Kandalama (Sri lanka)
Amazing deals on Hotels! Sri Lanka: Hotels

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Understand Sri Lanka & Survival Guide chapter from the Sri Lanka guidebook.

Sri Lanka - "Understand Sri Lanka & Survival Guide" (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

All the info you need on everything from history, people, food and tea to flights, public transport, climate, money, the internet... you name it. Get hints on the gay and lesbian scene and tips for women travellers, travelling with kids and travellers with disabilities, as well as handy language guide and glossary.

Coverage includes: Sri Lanka Today, History, Environmental Issues, People of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Tea, Directory A–Z, Transport, Language, and Behind the Scenes.

Check out more eBooks in Sri Lanka




Amazing deals on Hotels! Sri Lanka: Hotels

Amazing deals on Hotels in Latvia (Lonely Planet PDF)

Tallink Hotel Riga (Latvia)
Amazing deals on Hotels! Latvia: Hotels

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Latvia chapter from the Europe guidebook

Europe - Latvia (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Tucked between Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south, Latvia is the meat of the Baltic sandwich. Travelling here is easy and the simple allure of beaches, forests, castles and history-steeped streets holds plenty of appeal.

Coverage includes: Rīga & around, Jūrmala, Sigulda, Cēsis, Western Latvia, Kuldīga, Ventspils, Survival Guide.

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Amazing deals on Hotels! Latvia: Hotels

The best deals on Hotels in South Africa! - Lonely Planet (PDF)

Montagu Springs Resort (South Africa)
Amazing deals on Hotels! South Africa: Hotels

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland PDF travel guide - 10th edition

South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland PDF travel guide - 10th edition

Lions at waterholes, township art, clouds pouring over Table Mountain, Kalahari dunes, Swazi and Zulu ceremonies: Southern Africa’s famous trio is rich with adventures and experiences, culture and scenery.

Coverage includes: Planning chapters, Cape Town, Western Cape, East-ern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Johannesburg & Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Kruger National Park, Limpopo, North West Province, Northern Cape, Lesotho, Swaziland and Understand and Survival chapters.

You can pick and choose from complete guides and individual chapters, and download them to any device you like.

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.

Amazing deals on Hotels! South Africa: Hotels

Movie poster in Kerala - Lonely Planet South India (PDF Chapter)

Movie poster in Fort Cochin, Kerala (India. Photo by Simon Raven
Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's Kerala PDF chapter from the South India & Kerala guidebook.

A sliver of a state in India’s deep south, Kerala is shaped by its landscape – almost 600km of glorious Arabian Sea coast and beaches, a languid network of backwaters and the spice and tea-covered hills of the Western Ghats.

Kerala - South India & Kerala (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Coverage includes: Southern Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) & around, Kovalam & around, Varkala & around, Central Kerala & around, Kochi (Cochin), Kollam (Quilon) & around, Kottayam & around, Northern Kerala, The Western Ghats, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Alappuzha (Allep-pey), Munnar & around, Thrissur (Trichur) & around, Kozhikode (Calicut), Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kannur & around, Bekal & around, Lakshadweep, Kadmat Island and Minicoy Island.

Check out more Lonely Planet guidebooks in India

Click here to visit the Lonely Planet shop for more ebooks and print versions.



Dallas Texas doesn't have to be dull...

NYLO Dallas South Side (Texas, USA)
Amazing deals on Hotels! Dallas: Hotels

Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's Dallas & The Panhandle Plains PDF chapter from the Texas  guidebook

Texas - Dallas & The Panhandle Plains (ebook chapter)  New Lonely Planet

Dallas and Fort Worth have starkly different facades, however, they both share a love of high (and low) culture and old-fashioned Texan fun. While you’ll find that the Panhandle and Central Plains may be the part of Texas that most typifies the state to outsiders.

Coverage includes: Dallas, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Frisco, McKinney, Denton, Decatur, Arlington, Waxahachie, Glen Rose, West, Waco, Permian Basin, Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, San Angelo, Sonora, Junction, Abilene, Buffalo Gap, Albany, Lubbock, Along Texas Hwy 70, Turkey, Quitaque, Caprock Canyons State Park, Palo Duro Canyon, Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Amarillo and Canadian.

Moroccan lamp with French flavour - Lonely Planet Morocco

Moroccan lamp in Marrakesh (Morocco). Photo by Simon Raven
This chapter contains the Welcome to Morocco, Morocco’s Top 17 , Need to Know, If You Like…, Month by Month, Itineraries, Morocco Outdoors, Trekking in Morocco, Travel with Children, and Regions at a Glance chapters from Lonely Planet’s Morocco guidebook.

Morocco - Plan your trip (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Your journey to Morocco starts here. You’ll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on outdoor activities.
tailor-made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events
list of highlights and best experiences
everything you need to know about trekking
user-friendly country overview ensures you won’t miss a thing

Coverage includes: Welcome to Morocco, Morocco’s Top 17, Need to Know, If You Like…, Month by Month, Itineraries, Morocco Outdoors, Trekking in Morocco, Travel with Children, and Regions at a Glance.

Amazing deals on Hotels! Morocco: Hotels

Carnival on Olinda's Cathedral Hill - Lonely Planet Brazil

Celebrating Carnival on Cathedral Hill in Olinda (Brazil). Photo by Simon Raven
This is the Pernambuco, Paraíba & Rio Grande do Norte chapter from Lonely Planet’s Brazil guidebook.

Brazil - Pernambuco, Paraiba & Rio Grande Do Norte (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Brazil’s northeastern coastline is dotted with small towns perfect for chilling out or water activities, and home to appealing cities – historic Recife, artsy Olinda, revived João Pessoa and the holiday playground of Natal. Offshore is the tropical getaway of Fernando de Noronha archipelago.

dance in the streets and experience the unique culture of artsy Olinda during euphoric Carnaval
maps
be stunned by the world-class beaches, scenery, diving and snorkeling at crowd-free Fernando de Noronha
transport
enjoy the stylish but unpretentious international beach scene of beautiful Praia da Pipa
restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Pernambuco, Recife & around, Olinda, Fernando de Noronha, Paraíba, João Pessoa, Jacumã & around, Rio Grande do Norte, Natal & around and Praia da Pipa.

Upper deck view of the Reichstag - Lonely Planet Berlin

View from a bus window of the Reichstag in Berlin (Germany). Photo by Simon Raven
Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Berlin city guide

Berlin city guide - 9th edition / Berlin - Plan your trip (PDF Chapter) Lonely Planet

Your journey to Berlin starts here. You'll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on Berlin's art scene, everything from classical art to street art.
lists of highlights and best experiences

Coverage includes: This chapter contains the Welcome to Berlin, Berlin's Top 10, What's New, Need to Know, First Time Berlin, Top Itineraries, If You Like, Month by Month, With Kids, Like a Local, For Free, The Berlin Wall, Historical Museums & Memorials, The Berlin Art Scene, Neighbourhoods at a Glance and Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Gay & Lesbian Berlin, Entertainment and Shopping overview chapters.

Check out more eBooks in Berlin

Amazing deals on Hotels! Berlin: Hotels