Product Description

The best places to go and things to do all around the world right now! Drawing on the knowledge, passion and miles travelled by Lonely Planet's staff and authors, you've got a year's worth of travel inspiration to take you out of the ordinary and into some unforgettable experiences. "Comprehensive annual guide to the world's hottest destinations." (USA Today) "The quirky, the classic, the eccentric and the inspirational are all here - perfect." (Traveller, UK) * Explore 30 must-go destinations - Lonely Planet presents the top 10 countries, regions and cities to visit in 2009 * Contains 850 travel experiences, from stargazing in the Caribbean to finding the perfect midlife crisis getaway * Complete world-view: an annual rundown of every country in the world * 2009 travel planner - 50 adventures mapped out month-by-month * Immerse yourself in water! A special feature showcasing 70 journeys and experiences on, in, through and over water * Lonely Planet's co-founder, Tony Wheeler, shares his top travel picks for the year.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #148150 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-01
• Released on: 2008-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.63 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 328 pages

Review
"Can't-miss cultural events... include Montreal's annual jazz festival, the Calgary Stampede and the Ford World Men's Curling Championships" -- The Globe and Mail, October 4th, 2008

"If anyone can put the entire world between the pages of a book, it's Lonely Planet." -- Chicago Tribune, USA

"Lonely Planet... has listed Canada among its top 10 countries to visit in 2009" -- The National Post, September 26th, 2008

"The perfect travel companion for the jet-setter." -- Marie Claire Online, USA

"[T]he definitive list of what to do and where to go... and in a condensed format for today's time-strapped travellers." -- The Calgary Herald, October 18th, 2008

From the Publisher
The best? We've picked the brains of our authors, our staff and our travellers and come up with a collection of destinations and experiences that we rate as the stuff you really ought to consider for 2009.

It's time to plan a break from the routines of the everyday, and think of the kind of travel that will sustain you through the less exciting times of the year. We think that you'll find quite a few ideas in this edition of 'Best in Travel'.

From the Back Cover
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN...

A beat-up old car, a few dollars in the pocket, and a sense of adventure.

That's all Tony and Maureen Wheeler needed for the trip of a lifetime. They met on a park bench in Regent's Park and married a year later. For their honeymoon, they decided to attempt what few people thought possible – crossing Europe and Asia overland, all the way to Australia.

It was too amazing an experience to keep to themselves. Urged on by their friends, they stayed up nights at their kitchen table writing, typing and stapling together their very first travel guide, Across Asia on the Cheap.

Within a week they'd sold 1500 copies and Lonely Planet was born. Two years later, their second journey led to South-East Asia on a shoestring, which led to books on Nepal, Australia, Africa, and India, which led to… you get the picture.

FAST-FORWARD OVER 30 YEARS.

As Lonely Planet became a globally loved brand, Tony and Maureen received several offers for the company. But it wasn't until 2007 that they found a partner whom they trusted to remain true to Lonely Planet's principles. In October of that year, BBC Worldwide acquired a 75% share in Lonely Planet, pledging to uphold Lonely Planet's commitment to independent travel, trustworthy advice and editorial independence.