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A Flight Was Diverted Because of a Wi-Fi Network Named 'Bomb on Board'

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A Flight Was Diverted Because of a Wi-Fi Network Named 'Bomb on Board'

A Turkish Airlines flight made an emergency diversion on Thursday when flight crew detected a mobile Wi-Fi network named “Bomb on Board.”

The flight from Nairobi to Istanbul diverted to Khartoum, Sudan, when flight staff noticed the suspiciously named Wi-Fi network. After the emergency landing, all 100 passengers had to leave the aircraft for inspection.

  “Experts said the Wi-Fi network in question was created on board,” Turkish Airlines said in a statement, according to Reuters. “No irregularities were seen after security procedures were carried out, and passengers were brought back on the plane once boarding restarted.”

Related: The Best Travel Accessories to Solve All Your Problems on the Go

The airline did not reveal if security was able to determine which passenger created the Wi-Fi network.

This wasn’t the first time a suspiciously named hotspot caused problems on a flight. Last year, a Qantas flight out of Melbourne was delayed from taking off for two hours after a passenger noticed a network called “Mobile Detonation Device.”

Pro tip: Avoid any mention of bombs, firearms or terrorist organizations while naming your Wi-Fi on a plane flying across international borders.

Those who feel the need to make an in-flight joke should instead opt for something like “Pretty Fly For a Wi-Fi” or “Hide Yo Kids Hide Yo Wi-Fi” to avoid making your flight late.

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This Cruise Guarantees You'll See the Northern Lights — or Your Next Cruise Is Free

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This Cruise Guarantees You'll See the Northern Lights — or Your Next Cruise Is Free

No matter what kind of cabin you choose, you’re still guaranteed an unforgettable view on this cruise.

Hurtigruten Cruises, a cruise line serving Norway, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Europe, Africa, South America, Central America, Arctic Canada, and Antarctica, offers a wide array of trips, especially in the Arctic Circle and Northern Europe, but one voyage in particular has a special guarantee for people chasing the Aurora Borealis.

Hurtigruten’s special Astronomy Voyage is a 12-day cruise from the Norwegian towns of Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Not only does it promise views of Norway’s most fantastic mountains, fjords, and wildlife, it also guarantees the best view of the Northern Lights.

Of course, spotting the Northern Lights isn’t always easy. Getting a good view is often a game of chance, depending on the conditions of the sky. Nights must be very clear and not polluted with light.

  Even though Hurtigruten promises a view of the lights, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll see them every night. According to The Telegraph, even though 2016 marked the voyage’s 10th season of a 100-percent sighting rate, at least six nights went by without any Northern Lights during a recent cruise.

If you don’t see them at all, you get to go on a second six- or seven-day cruise for free. The company’s website reads: “…we’re so confident that we have issued a Northern Lights Promise for our 12-day voyages that start in October and end in March. If the northern lights don’t occur during your voyage, we will send you on a 6- or 7-day voyage the following season, October through March.”

But the Astronomy Voyage is equipped with three renowned astronomers: Dr. John Mason MBE, Ian Ridpath, and Graham Bryant, who also give onboard lectures and presentations during the voyage. Each cruise has one of these scientists on board to educate and help look out for the lights.

Related: The Top Small-ship Ocean Cruise Lines

In addition to exploring the Arctic sky, guests also get to visit the Science Centre and Tromsø Planetarium on day five of the cruise. The planetarium is the northernmost planetarium in the world and the largest in Norway, with a full dome ceiling offering 360-degree views and digital projectors showing daily films about the Aurora Borealis and the constellations.

It’s a science buff’s dream cruise.

Meals on the cruise include fresh fish and local meat. During the day, the ship also stops at a number of ports where guests can take a break from lectures and light hunting to shop and enjoy the local fare.

The Astronomy Voyage has departures listed from now until March 2018, costing £1,455 (about $1,950) per person. This price not only includes the Northern Lights guarantee, the cruise itself, and an English speaking tour guide, but also entrance to the planetarium and lectures from your cruise astronomer.

More information can be found on the Hurtigruten website.

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This Weekend's Meteor Shower Will Have Amazing Slow-motion Shooting Stars

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This Weekend's Meteor Shower Will Have Amazing Slow-motion Shooting Stars

If you want to spend Saturday night waiting for a bright fireball in the sky, all you need is a clear sky and a keen eye.

Temperatures are rapidly dropping in the northern hemisphere, but dedicated stargazers will be heading outside to watch for the slow-moving and incredibly bright shooting stars of the North Taurid meteor shower.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About the Geminid Meteor Shower

The North Taurid meteor shower isn’t the best-known display, but it has the potential to be one of the most impressive meteor showers of the year. And, as it happens, November is a great month to watch the stars of winter return to the night sky.

  What are the North Taurids?

Like most displays of shooting stars, the North Taurids are the result of Earth moving through a massive stream of dust in the solar system left behind by a comet. As they hit Earth’s atmosphere, they heat up and glow, causing a meteor or shooting star to appear in the sky.

In the case of the North Taurids, the culprit is thought to be Comet 2P/Encke, a short-period comet that last passed through the solar system in March 2017, and will return in June 2020. Some of the debris is also attributed to Asteroid 2004 TG10, which may be a fragment of Comet Encke.

Related: There’s a Meteor Shower Happening Tonight and You Don’t Want to Miss It

The North Taurids is a relatively slight meteor shower, producing only about 5 to 10 shooting stars per hour. Nonetheless, their slow-moving, bright nature make them a memorable show.

This is also a particularly long-lasting meteor shower, beginning on October 12 and ending on December 2. That’s because the streams of debris are rather scattered, so Earth travels through them for quite some time.

What are the South Taurids?

The North Taurids peak in November just after a long-lasting sister meteor shower, the South Taurids, which is most easily viewable from the southern hemisphere. Since they peak in early November, the South Taurids are sometimes known as the Halloween fireballs. In 2017, the South Taurids’ peak was washed out by a full moon.

Collectively, the North and South Taurids create shooting stars for viewers in both hemispheres. They will all seem to originate in the constellation of Taurus in October and November.

When Can I See the North Taurids?

The North Taurids are scheduled to peak on Saturday night, November 11, and continue through dawn on November 12. But your best chance to see a North Taurid fireball is around midnight, just because the moon is fully risen. Star-seekers may also glimpse a North Taurid fireball for a few evenings after the meteor shower’s peak.

Where Can I See the North Taurids?

The debris stream from Comet Encke lies in the region covered by the constellation of Taurus: a V-shape of stars in the southeastern sky. While the shooting stars can appear anywhere in the night sky, they can all be traced back to the same origin (a very bright star cluster in Taurus called the Pleiades or Seven Sisters). To find this so-called radiant point, locate the three stars of Orion’s Belt, which point straight up to the Pleiades.

Be sure to keep your eyes on the southeast, about mid-way between the horizon and the zenith — the point in the night sky above your head — and keep looking. Set-up a deckchair, have some blankets (and an extra layer) and a hot flask, and hope for clear skies.

When Will the North Taurids Come Back?

The North Taurids will return in 2018 from September 25 through November 25, peaking on the night of November 6 into the early hours of November 7. Next year, star gazers will enjoy the North Taurids during a new moon, which ensures dark skies all night long.

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WOW Air Is Coming to JFK — and Offering $99 Flights to Paris, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Dublin, Copenhagen ...

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WOW Air Is Coming to JFK — and Offering $99 Flights to Paris, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Dublin, Copenhagen ...

WOW Air is beginning service to New York City‘s John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2018, and that means one thing: More cheap flights to Europe.

Today, $99 one-way fares are going on sale from JFK to Paris, Amsterdam, London Stansted, Frankfurt, Dublin, Copenhagen and Berlin.

Related: Why November Is the Best Time to Travel to Italy

Flights make one stop in Reykjavik, Iceland, which is great for a stopover if travelers have the time. The cheap flights from New York City’s JFK will begin on April 28, 2018.

  The airline is also offering $99 one-way flights from more airports as part of the new service announcement. The cheap fares are only available with a round-trip purchase; return fares start at $189.99.

From Newark (EWR), Cleveland (CLE) and Cincinnati (CVG) to Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), London (STN), Frankfurt (FRA), Dublin (DUB), Copenhagen (CPH) and Berlin (SXF) via Iceland.

Miami (MIA) to Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), Dublin (DUB) and Copenhagen (CPH) via Iceland.

Boston (BOS) and Pittsburgh (PIT) to Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), London (STN), Brussels (BRU), Dublin (DUB), Copenhagen (CPH) and Edinburgh (EDI) and Stockholm (ARN) via Iceland.

“We are excited to offer more East Coast passengers access to high-value and low fares through our new partnership with John F. Kennedy International Airport,” Skúli Mogensen, founder and CEO of WOW air, said in a statement. “WOW air’s young fleet continues to service U.S. consumers at a reasonable price to make travel available to even more people.”

In the past couple of years, increased competition from low-cost carriers has made travel to Europe more affordable than ever.

Because this is a low-cost carrier, however, passengers need to pay extra attention to any and all extra fees. WOW Air charges for services like booking through a phone call (instead of the website), flight changes, anything but minimal baggage, seat assignment, and on-board meals.

Travelers who avoid extra fees can score a very cheap trip to Europe.

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10 New York City Hotels You Can Book Today for $105 or Less

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10 New York City Hotels You Can Book Today for $105 or Less

New York City isn’t exactly known for affordability — hotel room rates are in the mid-$200s, on average, and can easily exceed $400 a night.

But visiting the Big Apple doesn’t have to be expensive (or, at least, you don’t have to blow your entire vacation budget on a place to sleep).

Regardless of where you book, you can find significant savings by visiting New York City during the off-season. Winter, in particular — after the holiday traffic has ebbed — can yield much more affordable room rates at even the most expensive properties.

Whether you want to book a next-day getaway for $83 or a post-holiday retreat for $89, all the hotels on this list can be reserved for about $100 a night — or much less. So save your money for Broadway shows, world-class shopping, and some of the best restaurants on Earth by reserving a room at one of these ridiculously affordable hotels.

Dazzler Brooklyn

Cozy rooms designed by Clo-th Interiors and an indoor-outdoor beer garden make Dazzler Brooklyn — one of the hippest design hotels in downtown Brooklyn — are made better by the always affordable price point. Room rates are typically under $200 (and Wi-Fi is always free) but in the off-season, you can score a room for as little as $84 a night. Check availability.

The Ridge Hotel

Oversized headboards, complimentary PURE Gloss amenities, and marble or European glass tiled-bathrooms make this Lower East Side hotel feel downright expensive. We found room rates for as little as $104. Check availability.

  YOTEL NYC

After the holidays, travelers can book rooms at YOTEL for $98 or less. YOTEL calls itself a “first-class experience at an affordable price,” and has aviation-themed rooms, called cabins. Rooms have free high-speed Wi-Fi and (unlike actual airplane bathrooms) monsoon-style showers with heated towel racks. Check availability.

Pod 51

With locations all across Manhattan and Brooklyn, the Pod Hotels are interested in the democratization of travel, making hotel rooms even in hot neighborhoods like Williamsburg accessible to all. At the original Pod 51, which has a groovy design aesthetic and is fresh off a top-to-toe renovation, rooms start at $85 in the winter. Check availability.

The Jane

Located in a historic red brick building in the West Village, The Jane offers travelers year-round low prices by maximizing space. Note that for the best rates ($83 for a last-minute August booking, for example) you may find yourself sharing a bathroom. Check availability.

Pointe Plaza Hotel

You wouldn’t believe that this all-suite hotel in Williamsburg offers rooms for as little as $92 an evening. Rooms here are classic and bright, with complimentary Wi-Fi, and deep soaking tubs with rainfall showers. Check availability.

The Hudson Hotel

We found deals for $105 at this midtown hotel — not much higher than when the property first opened 17 years ago. The Hudson has a lush, plant-filled rooftop bar and intimate rooms paneled with Makore wood. Be on the lookout for incredible deals from the Hudson, too: in 2015, they offered $15 per night stays to celebrate their birthday. Check availability.

Row NYC

Just steps from Times Square, Row NYC sells rooms for as little as $89 during the winter. Rooms are done in crisp, contemporary colors and sleek shapes, with Euro Top platform beds and iPod docking stations. And the hotel is now home to a CyC spinning studio, so you don’t need to brave brisk winter mornings for a fitness fix. Check availability.

Riff Hotel

Totally mod rooms are available for as little as $89 — and even less if you don’t mind sharing a bathroom. All guests at this funky hotel in Chelsea enjoy free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and flat screen TVs. You can even splurge on a Premium Double for $99 a night. Check availability.

Hotel Pennsylvania

Rooms are easily booked for $75 a night at this midtown hotel, which also offers complimentary Wi-Fi with certain booking deals and free access to the neighboring Tap Out Fitness center. Rooms are spare, but you can’t beat the central location. Check availability.

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September edition – Lonely Planet blog

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September edition – Lonely Planet blog

One quiz. Nine questions. A world of information! Put your global know-how to the test with our latest travel quiz. Share your scores with us on Twitter or Facebook. Best of luck!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Want to keep quizzing? Check out last month’s travel quiz.

Find quizzes just like this, plus plenty of travel inspiration and planning tips in Lonely Planet Traveller’s UK edition – or take a peek behind the ‘zines at the latest issue!

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Why the Queen and the Entire Royal Family Won't Eat Shellfish

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Why the Queen and the Entire Royal Family Won't Eat Shellfish

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It may look like the British royal family has it all, but there's one thing you can enjoy day in and day out that the Windsors are banned from ever touching: <a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/reports/a11645629/shellfish-royal-family-banned/" target="_blank">shellfish</a>. The entire royal family is advised to never dig into a lobster, enjoy mussels fra diavolo, or imbibe in even a lowly shrimp cocktail because of its high risk of foodborne illness, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/965079.stm" target="_blank">BBC previously reported</a>. And with their hectic worldwide travel schedule a case of food poisoning could wreak havoc on the royals, their support staff and their country hosts. Beyond shellfish, the royals are also advised to avoid rare meats and tap water while traveling abroad to avoid any potential hazards. And while avoiding shellfish doesn't seem that bad, the family must also avoid garlic, though only in the Queen's presence. The ban on garlic has nothing to do with safety, but rather preference, as the Queen herself reportedly hates the taste. “At Buckingham Palace you don't cook with garlic,” John Higgins, a former palace chef, told the <a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/life/food-drink/former-chef-to-queen-elizabeth-reveals-food-secrets-including-meal-prep-for-the-queens-beloved-corgis" target="_blank"><em>National Post</em></a>. “I suppose in case you get the royal burp.” And if you happen to dine with the Queen at dinner you can bet it will be a healthy meal. Darren McGrady, another former palace chef, revealed to <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/food-fit-for-royalty-what-does-the-queen-really-like-to-eat/" target="_blank"><em>The Telegraph</em></a> that the Queen has a no starch rule at dinnertime. “No potatoes, rice or pasta for dinner. Just usually something like grilled sole with vegetables and salad,” he said. And like the Queen, her pets follow a strict diet, too. McGrady shared with <em>The Telegraph</em> that he once fed her famous corgis a meal of finely chopped simmered rabbit and chicken, while her horses get perfectly chopped carrots as a snack. “Each one had to be finger-length and peeled to perfection,” McGrady said. “If ever a horse bit the Queen's finger, it was the chef's fault for cutting them too short.”

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You Can Take Dance Classes With Alpacas at This Canadian Farm

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You Can Take Dance Classes With Alpacas at This Canadian Farm

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A farm in <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/150-reasons-canada-150th" target="_blank">Canada</a> has found a fun new way to help you add a little fluff to your moves with their new <a href="http://alpacazonedance.weebly.com" target="_blank">alpaca dance classes</a>, where participants can get fit while playing with the fuzzy mammals. Located in the Canadian province of Manitoba, 313 Farms is offering a selection of weekend classes this summer that include everything from hip-hop and barre classes to cardio and Pilates sessions. There are also “Mommy and Me” classes for youngsters and their parents. Each of the 45-minute classes take place outdoors, giving you a chance to admire the farm’s nine different alpacas amid nature. While you can enjoy the friendly alpacas roaming around you and even stop to pet them during the course, you can also take part in meet-and-greet session afterwards, where you'll get some time to feed them, snap some adorable photos with them, and play with them. “We have one in particular, his name is Benny, who likes to give kisses,” Ann Patman, one of the founders of the series, told <em>Travel + Leisure</em>. “So he’ll walk right up to somebody and stick his face up and wait for you to bend down and touch noses with him.” “When it’s warm out, they also like to get sprinkled with the hose,” she said. <noscript> <img src="http://anywherewecan.com/wp-content/plugins/RSSPoster_PRO/cache/28746_alpaca-in-water-ALPACAS0817.jpg" alt="alpacas in water "/></noscript> Patman, who used to work at a dance studio, said she was inspired to create the classes after noticing that kids would often visit her farm and comment on how friendly the alpacas are. After a neighbor created <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/yoga-wellness/oregon-goat-yoga-waiting-list" target="_blank">goat yoga classes</a> nearby, she figured alpaca dance classes were the logical next step. “We wanted to get our small town going and come up with activities for young children,” Patman told T+L. And it turns out that the classes are a big hit with the local kids. “The little kids have no fear, they just run right in…they’ll even sometimes pet the alpacas as they’re going through their dance motions,” she said. “It's a really good time.” <noscript> <img src="http://anywherewecan.com/wp-content/plugins/RSSPoster_PRO/cache/28746_alpacas-on-farm-ALPACAS0817.jpg" alt="alpacas at dance classes "/></noscript> Patman, who lives on the farm with her husband, moved to the space specifically to get alpacas, an animal she’s come to love since moving to the country. “When I was a kid, I had a bunch of stuffed animals, and when I saw these guys, it's just like you have a real life stuffed animal because they’re so friendly and huggable,” she said. Whether you’re looking to take part in “Paca Pilates,” “Barn Barre,” “Camelid Cardio,” or the “Poppin’ Pacas Hip Hop” classes, each class starts at $10 for online registration and $15 at the door. Classes are currently scheduled through August 19, but Patman says the farm may add fall courses due to increased interest.

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This Woman's Passport Photo Is Going Viral for a Hilarious Reason

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This Woman's Passport Photo Is Going Viral for a Hilarious Reason

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<a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/how-to-quickly-renew-a-passport" target="_blank">Getting a new passport</a> is, without question, one of the most tedious aspects of travel. Yes, you get to fill up a new booklet with stamps from around the globe, but with that joy comes the pain of having to take a brand <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/passport-photo-update" target="_blank">new passport photo</a>, which means trying to look your best in terribly unflattering drugstore lighting for a photo that will represent you to customs officers for years to come. But, for Chelsey Ramos, a 27-year-old traveler from Austin, Texas, bad lighting was the least of her problems. When her new passport arrived in the mail, Ramos was shocked to find her photo stretched to within an inch of its life, making her look more like a member of the <a href="http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/the-coneheads-at-home/3006757?snl=1" target="_blank">Conehead family</a> than a human. <noscript> <img src="http://anywherewecan.com/wp-content/plugins/RSSPoster_PRO/cache/da13e_chelsey-ramos-stretch-print-error-passport-PASSPORTERROR0817.jpg" alt="Chelsey Ramos Stretch Passport Photo Printer Error Texas"/></noscript> Still, Ramos and her boyfriend Reece Lagunas were able to find humor in the unfortunate mistake. Lagunas even shared the photo on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/6rg5uo/the_state_department_nailed_my_girlfriends/" target="_blank">Reddit</a> with a caption reading, “The State Department nailed my girlfriend's passport.” Since its posting, the image has received more than 3,700 comments and 109,000 upvotes. One commenter claiming to work for the Department of State even apologized for the sloppy work saying, “Whoops! U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs here. That is not our finest work. Please tell her we're sorry for the mistake and we're happy to fix it at no charge.” But Ramos told <em>Travel + Leisure </em>she has a soft spot for the funky photo. "I would have loved to keep this passport but decided to send it back because I don't want to run into any issues at the airport,” she said. “The state department was super helpful though and are swapping it out for free." And as Lagunas told <em><a href="http://www.teenvogue.com/story/passport-photo-fail" target="_blank">TeenVogue</a></em>, the couple is just "happy people think it's funny and it's been received positively. He added, "Thankfully, it hasn't gone to her head."

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What Would Happen If You Tried to Open the Emergency Exit Door on a Plane

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What Would Happen If You Tried to Open the Emergency Exit Door on a Plane

Last week, a flight attendant smashed a wine bottle over the head of an unruly passenger who attempted to open the emergency exit door while the plane was still in flight. Then just a few days later, a passenger on an AirAsia flight tried to pry open the emergency exit shortly before landing in India.

There are no shortage of incidents involving a rowdy passenger who tries to burst open the emergency exits — and no shortage of cabin crew who have their own stories about trying to subdue passengers.

But what would happen if a passenger made it to the emergency door before a flight attendant ever noticed? Would the door burst open, suck up all passengers in the immediate vicinity, freeze up the cabin and cause the plane to explode?

Well yes, but most definitely no.

“It’s physically impossible,” Jason Rabinowitz, aviation blogger, told Travel + Leisure. “When at cruising altitude, the pressure difference between the outside of the plane and the inside of the plane, which is pressurized, creates a situation where the door cannot open.”

At cruising altitude, there are about eight pounds of pressure pushing against every square inch of the plane’s interior — even two pounds per square inch is more than any human being push. In order to open the door while flying, someone would need (at least) a hydraulic jack. (The reason skydivers can jump from open doors is because those planes are depressurized.)

But, just for curiosity’s sake, let’s say that someone is able to get a hydraulic jack through airport security, onto the plane and then have enough uninterrupted time to jack away the emergency exit door.

An open door would create a catastrophic “explosive decompression,” Rabinowitz said. Explosive decompression, while rare, has occurred. One such instance happened in 1988 when a section of the airplane’s roof burst open. A flight attendant was sucked up through the hole in the plane, but the pilot managed to land within 13 minutes, avoiding additional fatalities.

But, once again, it is impossible to open an airplane door while the cabin is pressurized.

If a pilot knows there is an emergency situation, they may start to descend altitude and depressurize the cabin so cabin crew can open the exit door as soon as possible.

However the physical impossibility of opening a plane door while at cruising altitude doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences for trying.

Even in just messing with the door, it’s possible to break off the handle or set off some other safety alert in the flight deck. In extreme circumstances, this could cause a rapid decompression in the plane, which would result in “a hissing sound coming from the door and cold air coming in,” Rabinowitz said. Oxygen masks would drop from the ceiling.

And attempting to open the emergency door on a flight in the United States is not only considered tampering with the plane, it’s disobeying the flight crew — which is punishable by steep fines or even prison.

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How One Man Visited 47 Countries Without Taking a Single Flight

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How One Man Visited 47 Countries Without Taking a Single Flight

Australian traveler Tyral Dalitz has spent the last three years traveling to 47 countries around the globe — without taking a single flight.

Dalitz, who previously worked across farms in Australia, rented a camper van after graduating from university and spent six months traveling around his home country.

“I realized that most of the fun and adventurous things happen when you’re getting from point A to point B, rather than where you end up,” Dalitz told Travel + Leisure.

That’s why, since he set off in 2014, he’s traveled by sailboat, bus, train, car, motorcycle, and even on foot.

 Courtesy of Tyral Dalitz

The hardest part was getting out of Australia. He had heard from backpackers that travelers could catch a ride on non-commercial and privately-owned cruising yachts by signing up as crew.

Dalitz used resources like Find a Crew, CrewSeekers, and Crewbay, and ended up getting in touch with a retired couple. In exchange for helping to sail their boat, he joined on a sailing voyage from Australia to Singapore.

 Courtesy of Tyral Dalitz

“When you’re hitchhiking on a boat, you have to contribute,” Dalitz said. “So you may be asked to work for free, but once you get into the community of sailing, it can open a lot of doors for you.”

He soon discovered the world of rallies — organized trips for groups of boats sailing the same route — that he used to travel to Indonesia and through Malaysia. On the Sail Malaysia rally, he met someone who invited him to board a ship traveling to Phuket.

From Thailand, Dalitz began traveling by land, hitchhiking his way up to Chiang Mai and all the way to Cambodia, where a local man in a town on the border of Vietnam and Cambodia offered to transport Dalitz to the country via a bicycle taxi, despite the more than 9,000 foot journey.

 Courtesy of Tyral Dalitz

In Vietnam, Dalitz bought a motorbike, which he said is relatively cheap since you’re able to often sell it back to mechanics, and used it to explore the country.

“Being on a bike is still one of the top highlights for me, because it’s like another level of freedom since you can go wherever you want when you want, whereas with hitchhiking you have to rely on getting a lift,” he said of the experience.

From Hanoi, Dalitz took a train to China, where he traveled by train through the country before taking the Trans-Mongolian Railway to Moscow. “We went in the spring when there was tons of greenery and you get these big pine forests dotted with villages where wooden houses and shacks,” he said.

 Courtesy of Tyral Dalitz

Once in Europe, Dalitz took a few buses, but primarily got around by hitchhiking, all the way to Finland’s Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights.

After spending about a year in Europe, Dalitz sailed across the Atlantic Ocean — to the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, and Hawaii before making his way to North America, where he is now.

 Courtesy of Tyral Dalitz

As Dalitz continues his unconventional travel around the world, he says Canada is likely the next country he’ll visit. He is also currently participating in another record-breaking venture, The Longest Swim, in which he’ll try to swim from Tokyo to San Francisco.

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Airbnb Is Giving Away the Chance to Be First to See the Total Solar Eclipse

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Airbnb Is Giving Away the Chance to Be First to See the Total Solar Eclipse

For those who haven’t yet booked a trip to see the total solar eclipse later this month, Airbnb has a contest you’re going to want to enter.

The short-term rental service is giving away one night in a transparent geodesic dome in Bend, Oregon, followed by a flight through the path of totality.

The lodging has an observation deck and telescopes to look up at the night stars. Two National Geographic Explorers — astrophysicist Dr. Jedidah Isler and science journalist Babak Tafreshi — will teach guests about what’s happening in the nighttime sky.

Related: 25 Perfect Spots for Watching the Total Solar Eclipse Crossing the U.S.

The following morning — August 21, the day of the eclipse — the contest winners will board a private flight to the path of totality. The two-hour flight will start out over the Pacific Ocean and follow the eclipse as it passes over land.

Chris Burkard Studio/Courtesy of Airbnb The flight will increase totality viewing — which will be about 1 minute and 58 seconds at the coast — by about one minute more than what’s possible on the ground.

Starting Tuesday, Airbnb users can enter the contest by answering a question with a creative and unique response. The entry period closes on Thursday, August 10 at midnight ET.

Related: Alaska Airlines Is Giving Away Two Seats on Its Solar Eclipse Flight

Those who don’t win still have options. For one, they can start making a plan right now to get into the path of totality on August 21. (Really, it’s worth it, we promise.)

RGB Ventures/SuperStock/Alamy And for those who can’t get into the path that day, there will be a livestream from Airbnb and National Geographic of the eclipse as it enters totality, and from NASA, which is doing an “Eclipse Megacast.”

Also, those who are staying home can figure out how much of the eclipse will be visible from their city with several online tools. Everywhere in the U.S. will see at least a partial eclipse.

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Travel through the Andes on South America’s first luxury sleeper train

New Post has been published on http://anywherewecan.com/2017/06/12/travel-through-the-andes-on-south-americas-first-luxury-sleeper-train-2/

Travel through the Andes on South America’s first luxury sleeper train

Those looking to explore Peru’s majestic landscape of massive sand dunes, soaring peaks, and cities packed with ancient Incan and colonial history can now do so aboard the Belmond Andean Explorer, which launched this May.

Courtesy of Belmond As South America’s first luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer allows curious travelers a unique way to see Peru’s most famous landmarks. On the trip, you’ll enjoy ample views of the Andes and even be treated to a private tour of the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca

Related: This lost ancient city in Peru is even more amazing than Machu Picchu 

The train travels along one of the highest train routes in the world, reaching an altitude of 16,000 feet, which provides for an unusual perspective of the region’s glistening lakes, snow-capped peaks, and herds of alpacas and llamas from the large-picture windows or from the outdoor observation car.

Courtesy of Belmond With enough space to carry up to 48 passengers, the train also includes a lounge car with a medium grand piano, a library, a boutique where you can snag handcrafted gifts from each of the destinations you’ll see on the way, and two dining cars where you can feast on authentic Peruvian cuisine.

Dishes you can expect range from corn smothered in cheese to alpaca tortellini (really), while even the train’s design reflects the country’s culture with its vibrant colors and accents.

Courtesy of Belmond “I wanted to connect the interior with the location and make it a holistic journey of discovery,” Inge Moore, the interior designer of the train, is quoted saying on the company’s website.

“Colors and textures are inspired by Peruvian nature — soft ivory Alpaca tones, Andean slate greys, woven textures, and handicrafts,” the description continues.

Guests can choose from a range of one and two-night itineraries that travel through cities like Cuzco — the gateway to the Lost City of the Incas — and Arequipa, which is nicknamed the White City because of its bright, bleach-like buildings made of volcanic stone.

Along the way, you’ll also see the Colca Canyon (one of the world’s deepest canyons with depths that extend more than 2.5 miles), the Sumbay Caves with some 500 ancient paintings that date back thousands of years, port cities like Puno, and natural locales like the La Raya Mountain Range.

Courtesy of Belmond Every traveler aboard the Belmond Andean Explorer will, of course, also be treated like a VIP. Ultra-luxe experiences include a private tour of the floating islands that dot Lake Titicaca, and lunch on a private beach where you can admire the glacier-studded peaks of La Paz, Bolivia.

Prices for a one-night itinerary are $480 per person, based on a double occupancy. 

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How to make thousands from your travel photos

New Post has been published on http://anywherewecan.com/2017/05/06/how-to-make-thousands-of-dollars-off-your-travel-photos/

How to make thousands from your travel photos

Traveling provides us all with a sense of wonder and excitement as we’re able to tune out our regular lives for a few days and experience something new. However, all that comes at a cost. Between flights, hotels, tours, dinners, and more, vacation spending can really add up. As Forbes reported, the average vacation expense per person in the United States is $1,145, or $4,580 for a family of four.

But there is a super simple way to make up all that vacation cash. All you have to do is snap a few photos.

“In 2012 I uploaded around 300 of my best photos to five microstock sites. It was a tedious process of keywording, uploading, categorizing, and submitting but I was able to get them all uploaded in my spare time within a month. Some of the sites rejected about half the photos as not being high enough quality but enough got accepted for me to to start making about $100 month in sales across the sites,” traveler and photographer James Wheeler wrote in a post for PetaPixel.

Wheeler explained that he kept uploading his stunning photos to microsites to keep the small amount of cash rolling in, but one of his pictures, a gorgeous shot of Moraine Lake in Alberta, Canada, has made him more than $4,000 over the last five years.

“This photo was taken during a family camping trip with my wife and our one year old daughter. The entire three week family vacation cost around $3,500, and it’s still hard for me to believe that this one photo ended up getting more revenue than the cost of the entire trip,” he said.

So how can you do the same? First, do a bit of research on which sites pay the most. As the Penny Hoarder explained, once approved as a contributor on sites like istockphoto.com or shutterstock.com, amateur photographers can expect to make around 15 percent on the sale of each of their photos.

“It’s all about quantity,” stock photographer Eliza Snow told Penny Hoarder. “It takes a different mindset to be able to say ‘I will sell this image 100 times for $1’ versus one time at a gallery for $100.”

Next, comb through your vacation photos to find not only the most beautiful shots, but also the most generic, as those tend to sell the most often. Shots of famous landmarks, landscapes, and photos people can’t find anywhere else are all safe bets to make a few bucks.

Finally, be realistic about what you’ll earn. While you may not be able to quit your day job, you may be able to cover the cost of your next weekend getaway.

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Serifos, Greece: great interiors, even better outdoors

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Serifos, Greece: great interiors, even better outdoors

Greek Islands holidays

For beauty, Serifos is up there with the Cyclades’ more famous islands – but it surpasses them for easygoing charm, which is why Athenians come here. That and the stylish places to stay

Looks Greek to me … the view from Aria Villas, Serifos

Looks Greek to me … the view from Aria Villas, Serifos

Greek Islands holidays

Serifos, Greece: great interiors, even better outdoors

For beauty, Serifos is up there with the Cyclades’ more famous islands – but it surpasses them for easygoing charm, which is why Athenians come here. That and the stylish places to stay

How do you choose which Greek island to visit? There are thousands, and of course the most famous cannot be the best. For unspoilt beauty, you need a tip-off, and for one that has a little more life, you follow those in the know: the Athenians, and those smart hotel groups who seek out rarefied and spectacular destinations to woo their clientele.

Greece map

That the small and supremely chilled boutique hotel Coco-Mat has chosen Serifos in the western Cyclades is an indicator that this island has something special going on. The eponymous Greek interiors brand behind it makes indulgent but sustainable bedding and furnishings in Xanthi, north-east Greece, from wool, wood and seaweed, and its foray into hotels has a characteristically upmarket but rustic ethos.

Serifos Photograph: Alamy

The hoteliers may insist it was the sound of the waves through the open windows of the old miners’ cottages here that persuaded them this was the spot, but not without influence is the influx of arty Athenians who have been short-breaking on Serifos, buying simple village homes and rural villas to create stylish holiday hideaways and bringing this craggy barren outpost a bit of edge.

Where the cognoscenti trickle, the businesses that cater to them – the coffee shops, the cocktail lounges, shops selling expensive kaftans rather than retsina – will spring up. You can find a smattering here, but what makes Serifos irresistible, even to those who hate that kind of thing, is that it is incredibly low-key, confined really to the main town, Chora, whereas the rest of the island is as wild and raw as any tiny speck on the map you could hope to unearth.

The best-known Cyclades – Mykonos and Santorini, 50 and 75 miles away – are drowning in chichi nightlife, luxury hotels and fine dining, and the tourist numbers to match. But charming, sleepy Serifos, with its unusually dramatic peaked landscape, outshines both, while its lack of an airport deters the crowds.

Coco-Mat has converted old miners’ cottages

A 15-minute drive west around the southern coast from the ferry port of Livadi (into which high-speed and more comfortable slow ferries arrive from Piraeus), brought us to Koutala Bay, where the stylishly renovated miners’ cottages, built in 1908, face the wide, white stretch of near-deserted Vagia beach. Our end cottage was on two levels, with exposed beams and bamboo ceilings, lots of natural materials and the odd industrial touch, everything whitewashed or pale blue. We unfurled in the cool, then dragged ourselves from the plump terrace day bed to more dotted along the sand, shaded by camo nets.

In the early evening at the hotel’s restaurant, waiters perched casually on the edges of a table waiting for guests to charm. We watched the purple glow on the sea as we ate an artful dinner of chargrilled octopus with rosemary; hummus and marinated baby onions followed; then tomato papardelle, calamari with fish roe salad.

Hilltop churches offer a classic Cyclades vista. Photograph: Alamy

At Kalo Ampeli beach, two tavernas have tables right on the sand, Mapaitsa and Cyclops. Such simple, affordable places in the old-fashioned style, a captivating rocky landscape that was the backdrop for ancient myths … these are the charms of laid-back, soporific Serifos.

If you don’t stay at Coco-Mat, which is worth a visit for dinner and drinks at least, then tucking yourself away in an isolated villa is the way to go. Where exactly seemed less important the more of the island we saw, following the coastal and mountain roads.

Coco-Mat

Livadi is the Greece of 80s brochure tourism, a cheerful, taverna-lined suntrap for lollies and beach balls, grocery stores and yachties (of the Sunsail, not oligarch variety). For atmosphere Chora town, which tumbles from a southern hilltop like a lava flow of whitewash, is the place. Hand-painted arrows led us to the attractive square, paved in marble and packed with turquoise tables and chairs. At Pano Piazza we had orange cake and watermelon juice, while my two-year-old daughter chased stray cats. However hip these villages become, there will always be the stray cats.

Aria Villas

At the end of our week we moved inland and way uphill to Aria Villas, a few smart stone dwellings with jaw-dropping views. We had by then seen the whole island, so just sat out on the terrace with the telescope and surveyed it all from above – Livadi, Chora, the island of Sifnos and others beyond in the Aegean – and watched the ferries go back and forth, and the moon rise.

Way to go

Accommodation was provided by Coco-Mat (doubles from €187 B&B) and Aria Villas (sleeps four, from £293 for two nights in June, including breakfast). For ferry times from Athenes Piraeus to Serifos, see greeceferries.com

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Brussels city guide: what to see plus the best bars, hotels and restaurants

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Brussels city guide: what to see plus the best bars, hotels and restaurants

Brussels holidays

Holiday guides

Ignore the cynics, Brussels is one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, with hip bars and cafes, vintage markets and a fine line in the ‘9th Art’

Street life … cafes in Brussels’ Halles Saint-Géry quarter. Photograph: Alamy

Street life … cafes in Brussels’ Halles Saint-Géry quarter. Photograph: Alamy

Brussels holidays

Holiday guides

Brussels city guide: what to see plus the best bars, hotels and restaurants

Ignore the cynics, Brussels is one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, with hip bars and cafes, vintage markets and a fine line in the ‘9th Art’

Living in Paris, I am used to getting a surprised look from French friends when I tell them I am off for a fun weekend in Brussels. For sure, this may not be a top-10 destination for sightseeing, though the monumental Grand Place, with its ornate guild houses and palaces, ranks alongside Venice’s Piazza San Marco as Europe’s most breathtaking square. But the Belgian capital is forever reinventing itself with hip new places to stay, restaurants, bars and nightlife, as well as shopping that spans designer fashion boutiques to vintage bargains at one of the great authentic flea markets on the Jeu de Balle square.

Every weekend there is an event taking place, from the funky Food Truck Festival to nonstop concerts and street theatre in Brussels Summer Festival, followed by Design September and Brussels Fashion Days in October. There’s some serious partying during Belgian Beer Weekend (2-3 September) and the month-long traditional Christmas market.

Food Truck Festival Photograph: Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Tourists are always made to feel welcome in this cosmopolitan city, long used to playing host to an army of Eurocrats; but what really makes the place special are the Brusseleirs themselves – they are droll people, with their own dialect, and they rise above the political bickering between Belgium’s Flemish and French-speaking communities, and succeed in making Brussels an independent domain all of its own.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE

Train World

Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images

This unique venue, which opened last year, spreads over immense railway workshops that resemble the set of a sci-fi movie. An extraordinary route takes you past 22 locomotives, from an early steam train, past first world war coaches, the royal carriage and futuristic high-speed train simulators. The Train Hostel is next door (see below). • 5 place Princesse Elisabeth, Schaerbeek, trainworld.be

Comic Strip Center

Photograph: Pascale Beroujon/Getty/Lonely Planet

Comics are ingrained in Belgian culture, and it goes way beyond Tintin. This surprising museum – housed in a building designed by Horta – is for anyone interested in what is proudly known here as the 9th Art. The Center’s specialist outlet Slumberland (there are six more shops in the chain around the country) is the gold standard. It has offered European, American and Japanese comic art since 1989 and is one of the largest comic shops in Europe. It can be dizzying just browsing its selection of genres, styles and languages. • 20 rue des Sables, comicscenter.net

Bozar

Brussels has its fair share of headliner museums, from the Royal Museums with their Rubens and Bruegels to the matchless collection of the Magritte Museum. But the Bozar offers something different – an irreverent, eclectic, challenging fine arts centre, a mirror image of the city itself. Housed in a signature Victor Horta building, whose art nouveau designs define the city skyline, the Bozar offers offbeat exhibitions, classical concerts, world music and film festivals. • 23 rue Ravenstein, bozar.be

Sunday farmers’ market at Place Flagey

Brussels has a host of colourful foodie markets, from the north African souk that surrounds the Midi Station on Sunday morning, to fashionable Place du Chatelain on Wednesday evening. But Sundays at Place Flagey, alongside a lake and gardens, is a festive affair, with foodtrucks offering organic veggie dishes, succulent burgers, oysters, and champagne at €4 a glass.

WHERE TO SHOP

Brussels Vintage Market

The city is a goldmine for vintage fashion bargains, with dozens of boutiques around town. But on the first Sunday of each month, the red-brick Saint-Géry market becomes the Vintage Market, filled with stands selling everything from rare vinyls to classic Chanel bags, timeless Dries Van Noten designs and outrageous Elvis Pompilio hats. • First Sunday of the month, Halles Saint-Géry

Orybany

Part working atelier, part funky boutique, Orybany showcases the work of a dozen young local stylists committed to ethical, ethnic fashion. Apart from original one-off outfits, the boutique also stocks organic cosmetics, jewellery and handbags, and runs creative workshops. • 50 rue des Tanneurs, orybany.com

Passage 125

Running from the upmarket, expensive antique stores around the Sablon squares to the bric-a-brac of the Jeu de Balle, rue Blaes has dozens of tempting, affordable retro furniture showrooms. Passage 125, though, resembles an Aladdin’s cave, a labyrinth of 30 dealers spread over four floors of an ancient mansion, selling art deco lamps, African masks, Dutch porcelain, Victorian bathtubs … • 125 rue Blaes, on Facebook

Bernard Gavilan

If you track down just one vintage store, make it Bernard Gavilan’s tiny boutique, crammed with so much stock it is almost intimidating to just walk in. But Bernard, a Brussels institution known as the “pharaoh of style”, will find anything you want, from rare 70s sneakers to the multi-coloured jackets favoured by Belgian rapper Stromae, who – of course – gets them here. Gavilan is also a cult DJ, so ask where to go clubbing at the weekend. • 162 rue Blaes, bernardgavilan.be

WHERE TO EAT

Madame Chapeau

Photograph: Julien Renault

In the hipster Saint Jacques neighbourhood, surrounded by exotic Brazilian, Cuban and Ethiopian eateries, this minimalist restaurant pays homage to Belgium’s unofficial national dish: stoemp. This is a hearty mash of potatoes and vegetables, traditionally served with a couple of juicy sausages. Madame Chapeau deconstructs the dish, letting you choose your own mixture of vegetables, accompanied by cod, beef or endives for vegetarians, as well as pork and duck bangers. • Mains from €16.90, 94 rue Marché au Charbon, +32 2 514 40 44, madamechapeau.be

Soleil d’Afrique

A night out in the buzzing African Matongé quarter is always going to be lively, and a great place to start the evening is with a rum punch at this friendly Congolese canteen. Great music and delicious, cheap chicken dishes like mafe, cooked in a rich peanut sauce, or yassa, marinated in lemon, onions and chillies, plus vegetarian platters and the house speciality: grilled goat and plantains. • Mains from €6, 10 rue Longue Vie, +32 486 30 26 40, on Facebook

Pin Pon

Overlooking the Jeu de Balle flea market, a grand old fire station has been converted into a fashionable all-day diner, serving inventive and reasonably priced dishes: smoked pork with organic carrots; grilled scallops on a root vegetable puree. It brews its own Pin Pon craft beer, and the chocolate mousse and caramel tart are to die for. • Mains from €12, 62 Place du Jeu de Balle, +32 2 540 89 99, on Facebook

San

Sang-Hoon Degeimbre, a chef with two Michelin stars, has finally set up shop in Brussels with this casual restaurant, where clients eat with just a spoon from a variety of bowls brimming with tasty seasonal produce – confit beef cheek with smoked potato mousse, foie gras, sherry and crunchy mushrooms, white beans, mussels and squid. Reservations a must. • Lunch €28, dinner €55, 19 rue de Flandre, +32 2 318 19 19, sanbxl.be

La Mer du Nord

No longer a hidden street food secret, Brussels’ favourite fishmonger has become a weekend institution, with teeming crowds out on the street waiting for a steaming bowl of fish soup, creamy shrimp croquettes, tuna, scallops or razor clams a la plancha. • Mains from €8, 45 rue Sainte Catherine, +32 2 513 11 92, vishandelnoordzee.be

WHERE TO DRINK

Craft beer is booming in Brussels

Brussels Beer Project, Belgium

The tap room of the new Brussels Beer Project offers 15 draughts, including its Dark Sister stout and Delta IPA. Alternatively, taste the latest brews as they are made in the minuscule garage brewery, En Stoemelings. For more traditional Trappist ales, a fruity cherry kriek or a cloudy gueuze, stop off at a traditional estaminet bar, like A La Mort Subite, or the Poechenellekelder, right by the Manneken Pis statue.

La Brocante

There are half-a-dozen raucous cafes surrounding the Jeu de Balle flea market, filled from early morning with market traders and bargain hunters. La Brocante offers a choice of 200 beers, and at weekend lunchtimes a live band performs, with most of the customers singing along to Jacques Brel renditions. • 170 rue Blaes, on Facebook

Madame Moustache

Best bet for a wild night out has to be this decadent speakeasy-meets-vaudeville club in the heart of the hip Sainte-Catherine quarter. It’s easy to spot, as there is invariably a long queue outside, but worth the wait for the kitsch cabaret interiors, cheap drinks and top dance music. Each night is different – DJs or live bands, 60s rock, funk and soul, 80s disco. Just around the corner, a sister club specialising in electro, La Vilaine (12 rue de la Vierge Noire), has just opened in a stylish art deco building. • 5 quai au Bois à Brûler, madamemoustache.be

The Fuse

This legendary temple of techno continues to be one of the best dancefloors for a Saturday night out. Fuse spreads out over three levels, with the music ranging from house and jungle to hip-hop. The entrance charge, which varies for each DJ, doubles after midnight. • 208 rue Blaes, fuse.be

Lord Byron

An intimate, under-the-radar bar tucked away alongside the raunchy nightlife haunts that surround the Saint-Géry market, Lord Byron is known for its classic cocktails, such as martinis and cosmopolitans, and wide selection of whiskies. Doors officially close at 4am, but it often carries on serving. • 8 rue des Chartreux, no website

Bonnefooi

This has to be both the best pre- and post-clubbing bar, as the doors rarely close before dawn at the weekend. Tucked away in a backstreet just off the tourist-filled Grand Place, the tiny, chandelier-lit Bonnefooi is unpredictable, which is why it is so popular. It has a good choice of beers and creative cocktails, and the music might be a DJ spinning 70s vinyls, drum’n’bass or a live jazz band. • 8 rue des Pierres, on Facebook

Bravo

This hot Latino canteen opens for barista coffee in the morning, has a shady courtyard to hang out in during the day, a lively bar that gets going for the early evening apéro, and carries on late with live bands, jam sessions and DJs. • 7 rue d’Alost, bravobxl.com

WHERE TO STAY

Zoom Hotel

Just off the chic Avenue Louise, this surprisingly affordable new design hotel follows a photographic theme, displaying vintage cameras, arty photos, Kodak signs and a huge mural of snaps by Brussels residents. A craft beer bar features 50 different local brews. • Doubles from €75, zoomhotel.be

Train Hostel

Opened last year, this unique 200-bed hostel is next to Train World, and guests can sleep in comfy four-bed dorms, authentic couchettes in actual train compartments, or splash out for the retro luxury suite in a carriage balanced on the roof. It’s in the Schaerbeek neighbourhood, a 15-minute tram ride from the centre. • Bunk beds from €20, train suite from €99, trainhostel.be

The Augustin

The 47 rooms of this grand 1900s mansion have just been fashionably renovated, finally offering a smart address in this fast-changing neighbourhood, perfectly situated between the multicultural Midi Station and tourist sights around the Grand Place. Just opposite the hotel is Comme Chez Soi, the top gourmet restaurant in town. • Doubles from €100 B&B, theaugustin.com

Way to go

Eurostar (from £58 return from London St Pancras) is the ideal way to get to Brussels. Or flights from Heathrow with Brussels Airlines start at £79 return

• This article was amended on 1 May 2017 to change “drafts” to “draughts”.

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Lonely Planet Traveller’s May issue – Lonely Planet blog

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Lonely Planet Traveller’s May issue – Lonely Planet blog

Staff from the UK and US editions of the magazine get planning

The new issue of Lonely Planet Traveller UK has just hit the shelves, and this month we’re sharing our travel secrets from around the world – from wild corners in New Zealand and off-the-beaten-track India to the hidden gourmet hotspot of Northern Ireland and overlooked Moroccan gem, Casablanca.

Take a peek behind the scenes with a few of the stories behind the photos – and discover how to shoot architecture like a pro as photographer André Vicente Gonçalves talks us through his series on Barcelona’s buildings.

The Hassan II Mosque is the largest in Morocco © Philip Lee Harvey / Lonely Planet

CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

Photographer Philip Lee Harvey took this shot of the Hassan II Mosque – whose 200-metre minaret is the world’s tallest – in the underrated Moroccan metropolis of Casablanca.

‘Just west of the mosque is a promenade which, in the cool evenings, becomes a place to meet, chat and be seen. But at first light, it was deserted and silent, except for the distant call to prayer from the mosque. I love the muted tones caused by the soft sunrise light mixed with the ocean spray, and how the mosque commands attention.’

Follow Philip on Instagram at @philip_lee_harvey_photographer and see more of his work at philipleeharvey.com

In Māori, the glowworms are called titiwai – water stars © Justin Foulkes / Lonely Planet

WAITOMO CAVES, NEW ZEALAND

Exploring the North Island’s hidden corners by campervan, writer Mike MacEacheran and photographer Justin Foulkes headed underground into the Waitomo Caves, a labyrinthine system of caverns and rivers.

‘We were on an after-hours hunt for the luminescent glowworm’, says Mike. ‘Descending into the deepest of chambers with local speleologist Angus Stubbs, we soon found ourselves recast as Gollums, knee-deep in water, and alone in an echoey, pitch-black cavern: the perfect horror movie set. In such darkness, it was an incredibly tricky shot for Justin to get – he needed around 20 minutes for each exposure to capture the startling worms nesting above our heads.’

Follow @MikeMacEacheran

Unesco-listed Kaziranga is a haven for wildlife © Jon Stokes / Lonely Planet

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK, INDIA

Photographer Jon Stokes came across a herd of water buffalo while exploring Assam’s Kaziranga National for our feature on northeast India.

‘While other vehicles were chasing more exotic specimens like rhinos and tigers, we were left alone with the buffalo, who were soon comfortable in our presence. Looking down the telephoto lens, you’re confronted with how big they are – the size of cars – and their powerful horns. You notice the smaller details like the symbiotic relationship between the buffalo and the egrets. These little birds are like sidekicks, jumping about on their backs and around their feet. The juxtaposition of the frantic egrets and the slow-moving buffalo was fascinating.’

Follow Jon on Instagram at @jonstokes1 and see more of his work at jonathanstokesphotography.com

Barcelona is rich in art nouveau architecture © André Vicente Gonçalves

BARCELONA, SPAIN

This month’s photo story features André Vicente Gonçalves’ shots of windows, forming collections from cities across Europe – like Barcelona, pictured. André explains how he shoots:

‘I try to shoot as frontally as possible, which is not always easy due to obstacles like cars and trees. Whenever I can, I shoot with a telephoto lens, and aim to be as far away as possible to reduce distortion and get the correct perspective. Lighting is also important – I want to be consistent so that everything makes sense when viewed together. I like to photograph with neutral light to avoid shadows – sometimes I take a day to photograph one street, shooting half in the morning and half in the afternoon’.

Follow André on Instagram at @andrevicentegoncalves and see more of his work at andrevicentegoncalves.com

Find Lonely Planet Traveller UK in UK shops and newsagents, digitally on iTunes,Google Play and Zinio, or subscribe from anywhere at lonelyplanet.com/magazine.

Follow us on Instagram at @lonelyplanetmags and Twitter at @LPTraveller.