Lonely Planet has been touring the world for 50 years and counting.
And in an period of chatbots and AI-generated photos, we proceed to depend on actual individuals and consultants who style, odor and see the world – then report the perfect of it again to us. To create our books and web site, we work with writers and photographers from Vietnam to Vanuatu to Victoria, BC, to Victoria Falls – and past.
We additionally work with quite a few of on-the-ground photographers – both native professionals who’re excited to share a glimpse of their house, or photographers on trip or on project.
Our final aim is to tell and encourage. For you by no means know when the sunshine goes to hit one thing simply proper, in such a method that it’ll make anybody seeing shot say, “I've acquired to see that in particular person.” Listed below are a number of the favourite pictures shot for us this 12 months, picked by picture director Pia Peterson Haggarty and different members of our workers.
Wild Atlantic Method, Eire
Pia Peterson Haggarty, Picture Director
Robert Ormerod's pictures of the Wild Atlantic Method in Eire made me e book a ticket – fairly actually. After seeing his work, we took our first trip as a household of three to Eire and Northern Eire later within the 12 months. I didn't make it to see the unbelievable Connemara ponies or the sheepherding demonstration that he was in a position to {photograph} for us, however I did see loads of sheep – and needed to soar out of the automotive a number of instances for the views.
Mirandaola Ironworks, Basque Nation, Spain
Pia Peterson Haggarty, Picture Director
At Lonely Planet, we see a whole lot of journey pictures – which suggests a whole lot of seashores, a whole lot of greenery and a whole lot of viewpoints. Not that there's something flawed that with that…however you do are likely to see the identical or comparable pictures over and over. This {photograph} by Blake Horn of the Mirandaola Ironworks in Spain's Basque Nation was fascinating as a result of it's one thing that you just don't see day by day, scrolling. It's a go to that it’s important to search out. Mirandaola is without doubt one of the oldest foundries within the Basque Nation, and the employees nonetheless put on outfits from the sixteenth century. They gave our video workforce a take a look at how metallic was made into swords utilizing strategies from over 500 years in the past.
The Olympic Video games, Paris, France
Pia Peterson Haggarty, Picture Director
Earlier than I used to be glued to my tv all summer time (Simone! Sha'Carri! pommel-horse man!), Kate Devie photographed Paris for us, and we acquired a glimpse of the setup for the Paris Olympics. I’m admittedly all the time a sucker for the Olympics – however these Paris Video games felt particularly magical and exquisite because the venues intertwined with probably the most well-known landmarks. These pictures have been such a particular preview of the festivities to come back.
Picos de Europa Nationwide Park, Spain
Pia Peterson Haggarty, Picture Director
Coke Bartrina went on an unbelievable highway journey throughout Northern Spain and photographed it for Lonely Planet this previous spring. He shot so many extremely stunning areas, from the Basque Nation to Santiago de Compostela on the west coast – and nearly every thing in between. For some cause, this quiet second (with a sandwich) whereas in Picos de Europa Nationwide Park is one I hold coming again to after I take into consideration planning my very own Spain journey. I can style the salt on this picture – and I like it.
Cascatas de Fecha de Barjas, Portugal
Chamidae Ford, Affiliate Author
I are likely to really feel a pull in direction of locations the place I can swim. I discover nothing higher than leaping into a brand new physique of water – and this picture by Kerry Murray is eternally caught in my thoughts. Immediately, I needed to know the place it was (Gerês, Portugal) and the way on earth I might expertise it for myself as quickly as potential (highway journey). I like how this single picture says a lot. You see individuals laughing and lounging on the rocks. that the water is cool and the solar is sizzling. It’s apparent that this swimming gap is an escape from town and can take effort to search out for your self. To me, this picture appears to be like like the proper summer time afternoon – and one I wish to recreate.
Osaka, Japan
Ann Douglas Lott, editor
I acquired to look at newly commissioned photos for our annual Greatest in Journey marketing campaign flood into Lonely Planet's assortment. When Rintaro Kanemoto's vibrant pictures of Osaka first arrived, I felt like I'd jumped right into a classic postcard. I like every thing about this picture: the symmetry, the distinction between gentle and darkish, cool and heat. I believe Wes Anderson would really like it, too.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Sasha Brady, editor
I selected this picture as a result of it stopped me in my tracks (pun meant!): a streetcar, apparently away from town, being directed by a conductor in a splendidly conventional uniform. I used to be satisfied it had been mislabeled. Certainly this wasn't Edmonton? In 2024? But it surely was – and it made me curious in regards to the metropolis and its quirks, and what else it is perhaps protecting to itself that I need to take a look at. I like any picture that makes me method a vacation spot with a contemporary perspective.
Puducherry, India
Akanksha Singh, Vacation spot Editor for Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
Gabriela Bhaskar photographed the coastal city of Puducherry (Pondicherry) for Greatest in Journey, and captured its essence remarkably properly. This picture is an unabashedly colourful slice of life. Although mildly chaotic for lovers of beige and grey, this scene opens up with out feeling intrusive: you’ll be able to really feel the thrill, hear the conversations (or arguments!) and odor the flowers. Plus, it's so layered – you see far more upon nearer inspection.
Shikoku, Japan
Ethan Radtke, Senior Vice President
This {photograph} was taken this fall in Japan, at Ruafu Indigo Workshop in Tokushima in Shikoku. The ladies who work right here educate and produce custom shiborian indigo tie-dye method that has been round for hundreds of years. The blue-stained fingers on this image actually drew me in. There's a dedication to an artwork kind and connection that comes by means of that I like rather a lot.
