Summer in New York City can be brutal – and one of the best ways to escape its sweltering clutches is by heading to Central Park. Once all areas of the park below 72nd St become car-free on June 27, the Big Apple’s greenest space will be more appealing than ever.

Here’s what to do while you’re there.

With more than 840 acres of green space, Central Park offers a shady summer escape © Mikki Brammer / Lonely Planet

1. Go fishing

That’s right, you can indulge in a leisurely day of fishing in the middle of one of the world’s busiest metropolises. Head to Harlem Meer at 110th Street and, if you don’t have your own, pick up a pole and some bait (corn kernels) at the Charles A Dana Discovery Center. Poles are available until 3pm Monday to Saturday and 1pm on Sunday. While fishing is strictly catch-and-release, you’ll have a good chance of snagging something on your line – largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill sunfish, carp and chain pickerel all inhabit the meer.

2. Camp out overnight

What could be more exciting for kids than a campout in the middle of New York City? The NYC Parks Department’s Urban Park Rangers host free family camping events in the park throughout the summer – they supply the tents, so all you’ll need to do is bring your sleeping bag. The adventure includes a night hike through the park as well as storytelling and s’mores. Space is allocated via a lottery, so be sure to register well in advance.

4. Brush up on your Shakespeare

From June until mid-August, you can catch some of the Bard’s best work being performed at the Shakespeare in the Park, often with a famous face or two in the lead roles (Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Denzel Washington have all performed over the years). Even though tickets are free, be warned that you’ll need to be patient or very fortunate in order to snag them – either by waiting in line at Delacorte Theater in the park, or winning the ticket lottery via the TodayTix app.

3. Catch a free concert

Since the early days of the Naumburg Bandshell, one of the park’s original features, live music has been a requisite summer attraction. Back then, only classical music concerts were permitted, but these days you’re likely to catch music of all genres in the park as part of its SummerStage series, which hosts free concerts by some of the world’s top acts, as well as the Metropolitan Opera’s Summer Recital Series.

The area around Belvdere Castle is great for a wander © Brian Bumby / Getty Images

5. Pretend you’re royalty

Right behind the Delacorte Theater, Belvedere Castle provides a fitting backdrop for Shakespeare in the Park. Though the interior will be closed for renovations until 2019, it’s worth stopping by for a royal selfie in front of the castle’s imposing silhouette. Aside from offering one of the best views in Central Park, the miniature castle (which was built in 1869) also serves as a functioning weather station for Manhattan.

The Italian-inspired arches at Bethseda Terrace are film fodder © Mikki Brammer / Lonely Planet

6. Relive your favorite movie

Chances are, you’ve seen a film or TV show that features a scene in Central Park. From Breakfast At Tiffany’s to When Harry Met Sally and, more recently, The Avengers, the park is one of NYC’s most iconic and recognizable film locations. Head to the Conservatory Water, Bethesda Terrace or The Mall to relive some of your favorites.

You can row, row, row your boat under Bow Bridge (and around the lake) © Amanda Hall / robertharding / Getty Images

7. Take a boat ride

The Lake in Central Park is perhaps its prettiest body of water and offers a unique means of seeing the park – via rowboat. Head to the Loeb Boathouse to rent one of its fleet of 100 boats, which seat up to four people. Of course, rowing in summer can be pretty hard work, so if you feel like a more leisurely option, you can sign up for a Venetian gondola tour with gondolier Andres Garcia – each boat holds up to six people. And if you’d rather sail a boat from the comfort of land, you can also launch a model boat on Conservatory Water (as seen in the film Stuart Little).

The lampposts in Central Park hold a key to finding your way © Mikki Brammer / Lonely Planet

8. Go for a hike

If you walked all the paths in Central Park, you’d cover 58 miles, so you’ll have plenty of strolls to choose from. Wander through woodland and manicured flower gardens, along open fields, expansive lakes and reservoirs, and you even might encounter the odd waterfall in your travels.

It’s easy to start to feel like you’re lost in Central Park, but if that’s the case, look to the nearest lamppost (there are around 1,600 of them). Each one has a numbered plaque, the first two or three digits of which indicate the nearest cross-street, while the last digit lets you know whether you’re closer to the east (even number) or west (odd number) side of the city. The secret wayfinding code has been used ever since the lampposts were designed by Henry Bacon in 1907.

9. Find a quiet space

For those seeking respite after being out and about in the frenetic city all day, Central Park has several designated quiet zones, where speakers, instruments and any other disruptive noise is strictly prohibited. Head to Bethesda Terrace (mid-park at 72nd St), Conservatory Garden (east side from 104th–106th Sts), Conservatory Water (east side from 72nd to 75th Sts), East Green (east side from 69th Street to 72nd St), Shakespeare Garden (west side between 79th and 80th Sts), Sheep Meadow (west side from 66th to 69th Sts), Strawberry Fields (west side between 71st and 74th Sts) and Turtle Pond (mid-park between 79th and 80th Sts).

Yes, there is wildlife in Central Park – spot animals like this racoon © Mikki Brammer / Lonely Planet

10. Spot some wildlife

The Central Park Zoo is home to a menagerie of exotic creatures, and Sheep Meadow did, at one stage, actually have sheep, but if you keep your eyes peeled and your footsteps quiet, you’re likely to spot several animals and birds in the wild. Raccoons, bats, owls and turtles are all residents of the park’s sylvan stretches, as well as more than 200 species of birds including red-tailed hawks, hooded warblers and northern flickers. Get there early in the morning for your best chance of spotting one.

5 Central Park facts

• Covering 843 acres, it’s bigger than Monaco.
• You’ll find more than 9000 benches to sit on throughout the park
• There are more than 26,000 trees, some 1700 of which are American Elms.
• The park is home to seven bodies of water and 36 bridges.
• 57 horses comprise the famous Central Park carousel.

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Lonely Planet Local Elio Stamm moved to Accra three years ago. Although the humidity and sheer volume of everything were a little overwhelming to start, he quickly fell for the bustling energy and creativity with which the city’s inhabitants go about their daily life. He’s since discovered a quickly evolving arts scene, cuisine from four corners of the globe, and that Accranian politeness is even starting to rub off on him.

Accra architecture is a startling mixture of old and new: here, Café Kwae sits nestled in the very contemporary One Airport Square building © Elio Stamm / Lonely Planet

What I love most about Accra… is its people. No matter how busy the streets of the Makola Market are, the market ladies will always engage patrons in conversation. Taxi drivers – there are more in Accra than in Manhattan – may discuss politics like everywhere else in the world, but here they don’t even miss a beat when unhealthy (potentially costly) noises start to emanate from the engine of their car. And young, fellow creatives, working alongside me on their laptops at Café Kwae or Nourish Lab Smoothy’s, are always as keen to help as they are in sharing their goals for the future, whether an online app or hipster bag production company. Everyone is on the move, and there is energy evident everywhere.

The Black Star Monument (aka Black Star Gate) stands tall within Accra’s Independence Square © Elio Stamm / Lonely Planet

When I have friends visiting… I send them via taxi to the Independence Square area for a quick look at Ghana’s independence symbols, and then recommend a Jamestown Walking Tour in Accra’s oldest suburb. Its lighthouse tower, fort and crumbling colonial buildings tell of a time gone by, while the fishing village itself – a mix of corrugated iron shacks and clapboard houses along the seafront – offers a sobering look at the poverty and hardships faced by those living here today. But it also speaks to the strength, pride and hope of its people too. The tour itself, run by the community, puts money back into youth programmes. After a day of such powerful and emotional sights, it’s worth a good pause for reflection – the JamesTown Cafe right next to the historic Ussher Fort is a great option.

The fishing village in Jamestown is one of Accra’s poorer areas, but it is a vibrant place to learn about the proud coastal culture © Elio Stamm / Lonely Planet

You know you’ve been in Accra a long time when… you add a friendly ‘please’ to every ‘no’. Accra’s inhabitants are a polite bunch of people. It might not always seem to be the case as no one really cares about queuing, and discussions seem to get loud quickly, but if you are ever really in a situation of need there will be many people here to help out. This could be pulling your car out of a ditch, or simply giving you directions when you are lost.

A group gathers within The Studio for an art talk © Elio Stamm / Lonely Planet

What’s new… The arts and culture scene is on the up, with many new venues. But it’s still a relatively small circle, so I often meet the same people at film screenings at the Goethe-Institut or when a new exhibition opens, such as one about Ghanaian coffin culture at the ANO Centre for Cultural Research. But my favourite arts-and-culture hub has to be The Studio, a tiny room without signboard at the Forico Mall in Osu, where photographer Francis Kokoroko and friends occasionally organise art talks and exhibitions that they live stream onto Facebook. Topics can range from Ghanaian movie posters to how the birth of the famous Hiplife music style.

Shopping within the Labone Green Market, Accra © Elio Stamm / Lonely Planet

A typical weekend… starts with a visit to the organic Labone Green Market, where my wife stocks up on vegetables for the week and I buy some bagels. After an afternoon of relaxing at home or catching up on admin stuff we often meet friends for dinner at one of the many good restaurants. I really like the pizza at Mamma Mia and the Pad Thai noodles at Zion Thai, or if I feel like some local tilapia (freshwater fish) or chicken I’ll head to Chez Clarisse Mama Africa. All three restaurants are in Osu where food and nightlife options are abundant. Traditional Ghanian food such as waake or fufu is also a treat.

The colourful and live music-filled confines of the Badu Lounge, Accra © Elio Stamm / Lonely Planet

When I’m up for a big night out… I first need to make my mind up, as there are many options to choose from. And I also need to show some patience; clubs like Plotseven and Rockstone’s Office don’t really get rocking until well past midnight. I like to bridge the time between dinner and dancing with a drink on the street at Republic, where expats and Ghanaians alike hang out. If I feel like an early Friday night, but would still like to dance (or get convinced to do so by my friends) we usually end at Clear Spice, a disco bar with music from the 1970s, or listen to live music at Badu Lounge.

The rooftop of the Alto Tower, West Africa’s tallest building, is home to SkyBar25 © Elio Stamm / Lonely Planet

For a good view… I head up to SkyBar25 atop West Africa’s tallest building. It contains a restaurant and lounge featuring a blue-lit bar and comfortable seats. The latter is usually members-only, but I’ve had luck by calling the number listed on the website for a reservation. The Alto Tower is also conveniently close to the air-conditioned Accra Mall, a place full of shops and a multiplex cinema for the hotter days when walking around town or the big markets can be too tiring.

Lonely Planet Local Elio Stamm lounging by the pool at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel © Elio Stamm / Lonely Planet

One thing I hate about Accra… is the lack of nature. It is a city on the sea without a promenade or clean beach, and lacks a lovely park to recover in on a Sunday. If I feel like relaxing, I either leave town to go to one of the nearby beaches such as Bojo, or (if I don’t find the energy to drive) visit one of the big hotels to lounge by its pool. I prefer the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel for its sizable pool and vast green surroundings – it’s a little oasis in the central business district. In the colder season from June to September it’s also nice to go for walks and a coffee in the few quieter suburbs such as Labone, Cantonments or Airport Residential.

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Arriving in the Middle Atlas after the maelstrom of Fez, or even Meknès, is like waking up in the morning to find the sun has reared its head after days of fog. The air is fresh, and the sky is always blue. Shepherds lead unhurried lives in the hills, and old-timers sit peacefully in town squares sipping coffee as pitch-black as the night skies.

The mountains here in northern Morocco don’t stand as tall as those in the more popular High Atlas, but there are quaint villages to explore, pilgrim trails to trace and important Roman ruins to transport you back in time. Fragrant cedar forests hide scampering macaques, and empty alpine hiking paths will have you convinced you’ve discovered a place that tourists haven’t, even though a handful of charming local guesthouses make this under-explored area an accessible break from Morocco’s big cities.

Stroll the quiet streets of Moulay Idriss © Elena Odareeva / Shutterstock

Pilgrimage to Moulay Idriss and Volubilis

The Middle Atlas’s most attractive town gets nowhere near the attention it deserves. Perhaps that’s because Moulay Idriss’s status as one of the holiest places in Morocco meant it was off-limits to non-Muslims until 1912. It was only in 2005 that non-Muslims were allowed to stay overnight, and now there are just a handful of guesthouses (though still a frustrating collection of touts). The town is named after a great-grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and Moulay Idriss became Morocco’s first Islamic ruler and the country’s most revered saint. His tomb lies at the heart of the hushed medina, making this a hallowed pilgrimage destination.

The spectacular ruins of Volubilis were stationed at the Roman Empire’s most remote outpost © Deyan Denchev / Shutterstock

The whitewashed town paints quite a picture, starkly illuminated on two hills rising from the Middle Atlas plains. From two lookout points at the top of the hilly medina, you can almost see the hazy outline of Volubilis, one of the Roman Empire’s most remote outposts. It is Morocco’s best-preserved archaeological site and the most important attraction in the Middle Atlas, home to floor-mosaic storyboards, impressive arches and a grand Roman road. Both a wander around Moulay Idriss’s medina and a guided tour of Volubilis can be achieved in a day from Meknès, but it is really worth staying overnight. Pastry-making classes on the roof terrace of Dar Zerhoune guesthouse are also worth sticking around for.

Sefrou’s Unesco medina

After Moulay Idriss, Sefrou is the region’s prettiest small town and feels much further off the beaten track. It was here that Moulay Idriss II lived while the Imperial city of Fez was being erected, and it’s still possible to see whispers of what would have once been a grand metropolis. Unesco designation in 2013 helped spur the restoration of Sefrou’s thick-set medina walls and some funduqs (travellers’ inns) within. Taxis from Fez will drop you at Bab El Maqam, from where meandering streets trickle past blacksmiths, textile workers and butchers to a river that bisects the medina and the mellah (the old Jewish quarter). East of the walled core, you can join locals promenading through the lush Jardin Al Kanatir Al Khairia and stop for a coffee by the river.

To really get under the skin of the town, Culture Vultures in Fez runs a tour focusing on Sefrou’s fading Jewish heritage and the lives of artisans working within the medina, or Dar Kamal Chaoui in neighbouring Bhalil can arrange a guided walk of hidden corners you’re unlikely to find by yourself.

Some residents of Bhalil live in centuries-old cave dwellings © Emily M Wilson / Getty Images

Bhalil’s troglodyte houses

Bhalil would make an interesting pitstop for its history and traditions alone, but the fact that this curious village also has a wonderful community-minded guesthouse makes it one of the Middle Atlas’s most pleasant escapes from Morocco’s urban hustle. Cave dwellings dating back to the 4th century pockmark Bhalil’s mountainsides and have served as shepherds huts for hundreds of years, yet some residents have gone one step further and even transformed caves into modern living rooms. Stay at Dar Kamal Chaoui where friendly owner Kamal can organise a village tour that includes a visit to one of Bhalil’s troglodyte houses for tea with its inhabitants.

He can also organise city sightseeing trips and hikes that interact with local Berber families, making Bhalil a good rural base from which to explore further afield. Rooms at Dar Kamal Chaoui are comfy and tastefully decorated with local textiles and Moroccan furniture, but it’s the rooftop overlooking the village where you’ll want to spend lazy afternoons waiting for wafts of home-cooked tagines to reach you. Outside the Dar’s front door, look out for local women sitting in harmonious clusters weaving buttons for djellabas (Morocco’s traditional hooded capes) – one of the village’s main industries.

Hike through the forests outside Azrou to meet the local Barbary macaques © Ekaterina Pokrovsky / Shutterstock

Azrou and its monkeys

Legend has it that Azrou’s Barbary macaques are descended from an impish family who disrespected their hosts by throwing couscous at each other after being invited for a meal by charitable strangers. The story goes that they had been found lost and hungry in the cedar forests, so God punished the family by turning them into monkeys to run wild in the woods forever. There are still 6000 monkeys in Morocco, and the highest concentration live around the small town of Azrou.

Today, the forests and their truculent inhabitants are the biggest attractions of the Ifrane National Park within which Azrou sits. Sadly, the two troops that live closest to the town, at Cedar Gouraud and Moudmame, live in squalor and have become habituated by being fed by tourists. A far better option is to hire a hiking guide to take you through the area’s forests and up onto the desolate Agdal Plateau, among shepherds, honey farms and abandoned nomadic structures. Stay at Les Jardins d’Azrou just outside town, a peaceful farm and guesthouse run by a Swiss-Moroccan couple, offering farm-to-fork meals. The owner is also an accredited mountain guide. Time your visit with Azrou’s gigantic Tuesday souq, when Berbers come down from the hills to trade animals and sell fruit and veg.

Peaceful lakes line the northern boundary of Ifrane National Park © Julian Schaldach / Shutterstock

Ifrane’s lake circuit

On the northern edge of Ifrane National Park, a series of lakes well up out of nowhere, and the daily grind feels about as far away from chaotic Fez as you could possibly get. Dayet Aoua, Dayet Ifrah and Dayet Hechlaf are home to an exceptional rabble of bird life, including red kites, booted eagles, coots, marbled teals and woodpeckers, and the lake shorelines are made for gentle hikes and mountain biking. The largest, Dayet Aoua, is popular with picnicking local families at weekends; in summer the water all but evaporates, little pedalos are marooned and locals take to the lake bed on horseback.

A signposted circuit winds for 60km around the lakes off the main Fez road, starting 17km north of Ifrane town (ask locals about the state of the road before setting off). But why rush? Consider a digital detox at Gîte Dayet Aoua instead of a fleeting visit – this rustic lodge with Berber flourishes, its own apple orchard and tasty traditional Amazigh food can help organise horse-riding, cycling or hiking around the lakes with a guide and picnic lunch. As is the case elsewhere in Morocco’s Middle Atlas, you might not see another foreign soul during your stay.

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Japan may have more contemporary art spaces than you can poke a paintbrush at, but none come quite as scenic as the small, tranquil island of Naoshima bobbing in the Inland Sea.

After decades existing as a sleepy fishing community, Naoshima awoke with a new purpose and became the humble, yet fitting, home to an impressive collection of contemporary art, architecture and exhibits thanks to a mutual agreement in 1985 between the Benesse Corporation and Chikatsugu Miyake, then mayor of Naoshima, to turn the area into an art hub.

It’s worth visiting for the art alone, but it’s also a great spot to rest your frazzled senses if you’ve been travelling in Japan’s frenetic cities. Here are four ways to discover Naoshima:

1. The art

It’s dubbed the ‘Art Island’ and with good reason. Art sneaks up on you as you work your way around the island – in hotels, galleries and the outdoors. The most obvious venues are Benesse House, Chichū Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum and Art House Project. We’re talking big names too – Claude Monet, Yukinori Yanagi, James Turrell, Tadao Ando, Jasper Johns, Yves Klein, Andy Warhol and Hiroshi Sugimoto as an indication. Wandering around on foot will have you discovering outdoor sculptures and art exhibits sometimes cleverly disguised as children’s playgrounds and colourful gardens. There’s even a public bathhouse/art site, I Love Yu, where you can spot Edo Period erotic prints on the bottom of the baths, if you can hold your breath long enough that is.
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Image by Yuki Yaginuma

2. The giant pumpkin

This of course falls under the ‘art’ heading but I felt it needed a special mention. My main reason for visiting Naoshima was to see the yellow pumpkin by the brilliant avant-garde octogenarian artist, Yayoi Kusama. And it didn’t disappoint. Perched at the end of a pier jutting into the Inland Sea, it truly is an impressive sight and serves as the icon for Naoshima itself.

3. The 007 Red Tattoo Museum

The residents of Naoshima (roughly 3000 of them) were so chuffed to have their island feature in Raymond Benson’s Bond novel, The Man with the Red Tattoo, that in 2004 they started a nationwide petition to get the feature film made here. In the interim they have erected a museum dedicated to the novel, and 007 in general, in hopes this will present Naoshima as an ideal Bond location. And it really is. The museum is not a must-see unless you’re a die-hard Bond fan but if all that contemporary art has you feeling a little too cultured, it adds a nice kitsch element to round out your visit. Don’t forget to sign the petition!

4. The peace and quiet

Japan is well-known for its frenetic pace which is true of the cities. It can really hammer the senses and while exhilarating and intoxicating, it can have you reaching for the headache pills and longing for silence. Naoshima makes an ideal day trip or short break from the main island of Honshu (Okayama, Kyoto, Osaka) to refresh and find out what else is on offer away from the deafening pachinko parlours and blaring department store theme songs. The vision behind the Benesse Art Site at Naoshima was ‘to create a physically and mentally rejuvenating haven where you may find yourself musing on the true meaning of “living well”.’ The mix of white sandy beach and the wooded hills of Naoshima provide the ultimate spot for achieving this vision.

Image by ys*

Kate Morgan is Lonely Planet’s Trade & Reference Publishing Coordinator.

See more Lonely Planet articles on Japan here.

With nearly half the year behind you, it’s time to reflect, reset and start dreaming up your next batch of epic travel escapades. Sitting pretty just outside of the soaring peak-season prices, June’s sunny summer days in the northern hemisphere are ideal for exploring ancient ruins in Iran, grand castles in Normandy and scoffing lobster rolls on Cape Cod’s stunning coastline.

This is also prime time to get an eyeful of the animal kingdom, from aquatic adventures with whale sharks in the clear waters of the Pacific to stalking lions, giraffes and elephants on Zambia’s savannah as the dry season sets in.

June is a great time to visit St Petersburg – a city that brims with history and grandeur © TomasSereda / Getty Images

Where are the best places to visit in June for culture?

Bedecked with opulent palaces and museums and brimming with a captivating history and heritage, St Petersburg is already a cultural powerhouse. But in June the city truly erupts with a medley of opera, ballet and music for the White Nights festival. Similarly dazzling under summer skies is Dubrovnik, Croatia, where you’ll find timeworn marble streets, peaceful bays with tumultuous pasts and rustic island escapes.

Time travel in Armenia, the world’s oldest Christian country, as you journey from the capital Yerevan’s laidback cafe culture to the mind-boggling Khndzoresk cave village and age-old monasteries lurking in the shadow of the Caucasus Mountains. June is a great time to explore Iran’s extraordinary cultural offerings before temperatures peak at unbearable! Discover intricate Islamic artistry and architecture, magnificent ruins and bustling bazaars where modern life melds with an old-world mysticism.

Open a trove of incredible cultural enclaves.

Simba and co. can be seen stalking the savannah at the start of the dry season © Giuseppe_D’Amico / Shutterstock

Where are the best places to visit in June for wildlife and nature?

June’s animal encounters embrace all creatures great and small, from mighty whale sharks to minuscule turtle hatchlings. Have a superlative adventure in Western Australia exploring Ningaloo Reef, a favourite haunt of the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. Keeping these hefty creatures company you’ll find a rainbow variety of dazzling reef fish, swooping manta rays and humpbacks slowly cruising the turquoise waters. In Borneo, the beaches are erupting with tiny turtles making their first bid for the ocean. Though small in stature, these determined hatchlings are an equally epic sight to behold.

The adventures continue inland where you can take a walk on the wild side in Rwanda’s rainforest to lock eyes with mountain gorillas. As the dry season sets in over Zambia’s vast plains, the whole cast of the Lion King make their appearance for a wildlife spectacular.

Explore more of Mother Nature’s treasures.

A sailing boat cruises along the horizon in Oranjestad, Aruba © DiegoMariottini / Shutterstock

Where are the best places to visit in June for relaxation?

June marks the sweet spot in the Caribbean’s ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao), meaning balmy days and shoulder-season prices. Located just outside the hurricane belt, these islands are a safe bet at this time of year, and you’ll have the run of the region’s idyllic beaches before the high-season crowds descend. The mix of silky sands, lush national parks and abundant wildlife make Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago a strong contender for inclusion among the most beautiful tropical islands on earth; Bora Bora’s swaying palms, crystal waters and luxurious resorts are equally tempting for anyone looking for some R’n’R.

If beautiful beaches are what the heart desires, then look no further than Sardinia in Italy. Sparkling jade waters lap against a sugar-soft sandy coastline that also boasts ancient history, exquisite food and – at this time of year – fine weather without the crowds.

Put your feet up and let paradise do the work.

Wash down your cultural excursions with a traditional glass of refreshing cider or rose in Normandy, France © barmalini / Shutterstock

Where are the best places to visit in June for food and drink?

The USA isn’t short for foodie hotspots but June’s seasonal selection is particularly mouthwatering. Cape Cod may be relatively crowd-free at this time, but it is still packed to the gills with artistic events and whale-watching excursions. Not only that, ’tis the prime season to chow down on the freshest catch of the day from meaty lobster rolls to piquant clams and oysters. For grape encounters in the great outdoors, head to the Pacific Northwest where bright, dry days make for ideal wine touring weather. If vino isn’t your thing, sip instead on the region’s world-class coffee and craft beer.

Across the pond in Europe, a feast can be paired with a captivating blend of history and local culture. Explore magnificent castles, cathedrals and châteaux in Normandy, France, before dining on a picnic of gooey Camembert and crisp cider. Portugal’s capital Lisbon serves up a plethora of local delicacies (from dried ham to cherry liqueur and creamy pasteis de natas) that won’t break the bank, leaving you plenty of spare cash to go sardine crazy during the Feast of St Anthony festival.

Get a craving for these foodie forays.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our book Where To Go When for 360 ultimate escapes, from family-friendly adventures to animal encounters and relaxing retreats.

There is no denying that Nagasaki’s intense and turbulent history has forever marked it as a distinct destination. And while taking a journey there grants visitors an important opportunity to learn first-hand about the city’s previous struggles, today travellers will also find it to be a vibrant and compelling location full of diverse charm, with a modern energy that embraces the past while looking toward the future.

With so much on offer, here’s how to make the most of two days in one of Japan’s most dynamic destinations.

Nagasaki is a dynamic city, with memories of a painful past as well as a vibrant, diverse present © tomophotography / Getty images

Day One: Morning

Start your adventure off right by grabbing some deliciously soft and springy pork dumplings from the Shianbashi branch of Butamon Momotaro, a family-run Nagasaki institution that opened its first store in 1960, and now boasts five popular locations across the city.

From there, you can hop a tram bound for Matsuyama-Machi, using the time to relax and take in the sights of the city as you make your way towards the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, located right beside the stop. An essential experience, the sombre museum offers a stark and gripping account of the destruction that befell the city on 9 August 1945 when the bomb was dropped, as well as the aftermath.

The Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum is a stark reminder of, to date, the last place a nuclear bomb was dropped in combat © Michael Runkel / robertharding / Getty Images

Displays include artefacts and relics from the time, such as pieces of twisted shrapnel, crumbled rubble, photographs, furniture and pottery found in the ruins, as well as a clock stopped at 11.02, the exact time of the bombing. Video displays show moving, first-hand accounts from survivors, while educational exhibitions offer information on today’s nuclear landscape.

Adjacent to the museum lies the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, which consists of an upper level with a sculptured water basin and two underground levels, one of which contains 12 glass pillars with shelves of books of the names of the deceased. Visitors are encouraged to leave messages of peace, which are maintained by the hall.

After that, it’s a short stroll to Sakanaya, a restaurant that specialises in kaisen-don (rice bowls topped with amazingly fresh assorted sashimi) and offers interesting and delicious set lunches that include cuts of hamachi and boniti, as well as karaage (succulent Japanese fried chicken).

The Nagasaki Peace Statue in Heiwa-koen (Peace Park) weighs 10 tonnes © Richard Cummins / Getty Images

Day One: Afternoon

Stretch your legs and work off lunch by taking a walk through Peace Park to see the impressive 10-tonne bronze Nagasaki Peace Statue, designed in 1955 by Kitamura Seibō. A serene spot, especially on a sunny day, the park also includes a Fountain of Peace in the shape of a dove, as well as a sculpture garden.

Rounding off the experience and just a five-minute walk away is the Atomic Bomb Hypocentre Park. Here, a single black-stone column marks the exact point over which the bomb exploded, making it a truly chilling and unforgettable experience.

If you’re still feeling contemplative, head across the river to Fuchi-jinja, a Shinto shrine at Inasa-yama, the impressive 333-metre high mountain located west of Nagasaki harbour.

The view of Nagasaki from the Inasa-yama overlook is stunning © Putt Sakdhnagool / Getty Images

Day One: Evening

As daylight gives way to dusk, taking the famous cable car to the top of Inasa-yama is the perfect way to get a true sense of the city. From this spectacular vantage point you have a near-panoramic view of Nagasaki, with the dancing lights of the urban grid bisected by the glistening waters of the harbour.

Having ventured so high, a visit to Onsen Fukunoyu (located on the mountain) is well worth it, and is the perfect way to unwind before heading back to the city. Here, visitors can try the standard wet baths, as well as the ganbanyoku hot stone spa.

After descending the mountain, finish your evening off by grabbing a taxi to Shippoku Hamakatsu to sample shippoku-ryōri, Nagasaki’s impressive banquet-style dinner that sees various courses being served on a large round table.

To reach the ‘ghost island’ of Hashima you must join one of the organised tours © James Gabriel Martin / Lonely Planet

Day Two: Morning

Approximately 20 kilometres off the coast of Nagasaki stands Hashima Island (also known as Battleship Island or Gunkanjima, due to its unique shape that resembles a war vessel), a former deep sea coal-mining facility that at one time was home to thousands of workers, as well as prisoners of war that were controversially sent there as labourers.

In operation since the 1890s, Hashima was eventually abandoned in 1974 following depleted coal reserves. Today the island is an eerie ghost town, with a cluster of dilapidated buildings that have fallen victim to time and rough sea elements.

From April to October, two cruises to the island are offered by Gunkanjima Concierge, one in the morning (9:40 meeting) and one in the afternoon (12:40 meeting), leaving from the Tokiwa Terminal at Nagasaki Harbour. While it is very much worth a visit, forward planning is essential, with booking ahead being advised through the company’s website.

Before leaving, fuel up for the journey at Hotel Belleview, with a hearty breakfast buffet jam-packed full of local ingredients from across the prefecture. Japanese dishes include egg rolls and pork katsu, while western style items are also available. Pack sunscreen and water, and be sure to use the bathroom before departing the ferry terminal to explore Gunkanjima.

While much of the crumbling island is unsafe, guided tours operate along a renovated walkway, offering guests incredible views of the ruined architecture as they listen to the audio guides provided.

Visitors come from far and wide to eat at Nagasaki’s Chinatown and shop for Chinese crafts and trinkets © Bruce Yuanyue Bi / Getty Images

Day Two: Afternoon

Back at the terminal, you will definitely have worked up an appetite. Just five minutes away by foot is Japan’s oldest Chinatown, which offers a host of restaurants and food stalls that stretch down the street. Stop by Kairaku-en to sample the sumptuous cuisine, including champon, a famous Nagasaki noodle dish featuring pork, squid and vegetables in a milky, salty broth, as well as the rich, braised pork that is served up in steamed buns.

If you still have room for desert, stop by Fukusaya to try their vibrant yellow castella cake before heading towards the Dutch Slopes to take in some of the beautifully-restored architecture that offers glimpses of Japan’s early interest in the Western world. Continue on to Glover Garden, taking the moving walkways to the top of the hill and working your way back down again.

Call into the Mitsubishi No 2 Dock building, which boasts fantastic views of the harbour, while the historic Walker, Ringer, Alt and Glover Houses are also well worth a visit. Exit the garden through the Nagasaki Traditional Performing Arts Museum and look at the display of dragons and floats used in Nagasaki’s colourful Kunchi Matsuri festival.

From there, work your way back towards the harbour, stopping at Dejima, the fan-shaped artificial island built in the 1640’s as the sole trading post for foreigners after the Tokugawa shogunate declared Japan a closed nation. A fascinating slice of history, seventeen buildings and structures have been reconstructed here into the Dejima Museum.

Meganebashi or Spectacles Bridge, over the Nakashima River was built in Nagasaki in 1634 © Tanatat pongphibool / Getty Images

Day Two: Evening

Pull up a chair outside to wind down with a cold beer at Delicious Restaurant Attic at Dejima Wharf or opt for a pick-me-up in the form or a specialty coffee, which comes complete with an intricate latte art portrait of a famous historical figure.

For dinner, try Mugal Mahal nearby, an unassuming hidden gem serving incredible Indian food. Set meals come with flavourful aromatic curries, fresh salads, steaming pilau rice, juicy barbequed chicken and just-baked naan breads.

After dinner, it’s just a five-minute walk to Bar IWI, a cosy local watering hole that serves ¥500 drinks and stays open until 3am, allowing ample time to mingle with the friendly clientele consisting of locals and tourists alike.

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History of Melbourne’s music scene

Melbourne’s music scene has a rich and varied history with some of Australia’s best-known musos cutting their teeth in band venues across town. The late 1970s saw punk descend on the city with the likes of The Boys Next Door (Nick Cave, Rowland S Howard, Mick Harvey; then evolving into The Birthday Party).

The 80s brought classic ‘pub rock’ onto the scene with bands and musicians such as Hunters and Collectors, and Paul Kelly, before the 90s and 2000s punk/grunge era took hold with the likes of Magic Dirt, The Meanies, The Cosmic Psychos, The Dirty Three and Eddie Current Suppression Ring.

These days some of Melbourne’s best local bands to look out for include Ausmuteants, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, The Twerps, and The Smith Street Band.

Sunset on the Maribrynong River as revellers catch a gig at the 2018 Laneway Festival in Footscray © Laneway Festival

Best neighbourhoods to see live music

City Centre

It doesn’t get more authentically Melbourne than at the legendary Cherry Bar, suitably located in a black-walled basement down a gritty laneway named after rock icons AC/DC. It’s the kind of place that gets messy in the wee hours and a well-known spot for after-parties for touring bands (though, famously, Lady Gaga was refused an after party as a local band had already been booked). Past gigs include such music heavyweights as the Melvins, New York Dolls and the Black Keys.

From the divey pits of Cherry to the over-the-top eccentric extravagance that is the historic Forum theatre, the only thing these two venues have in common is the ability to host some incredible live music. Located on Flinders St opposite Federation Square, the lavish Moorish-style theatre was built in 1929 and you can catch big-name bands playing under its beautiful blue-sky dome ceiling. Past gigs include Oasis, Cat Power, The Stone Roses, and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.

Check listings for more intimate gigs at smaller city venues like the Toff in Town almost any night of the week © Melissa Butters

Slide into an art deco train carriage at the Toff in Town on the 2nd floor of the hip Curtin House building to see a range of live shows from local indie bands of the minute to cabaret performances and intimate acoustic sets.

170 Russell, formerly Billboard, is another great option for seeking out quality local and international touring bands, while the band room at the John Curtin Hotel (located on the city’s edge as you head into the neighbourhood of Carlton) is a good place to tap into local indie and punk scene.

Inner East

A short hop from the city centre, the inner-east neighbourhood of Richmond is home to the long-running favourite pub, the Corner Hotel. The newish rooftop bar is a crowd pleaser, the front bar has a classic Aussie pub feel with walls splashed with band posters and the band room has been packing music scenesters in for years, jostling for a position away from the infamous ‘can’t see a thing’ pole. Past gigs include Crowded House’s final show, the White Stripes, Courtney Barnett, The Breeders, Future of the Left and the Dandy Warhols.

Pulling pints at the Corner Hotel in Richmond where many international acts play intimate gigs © The Corner Hotel

Inner North

It’s no surprise that the city’s inner north areas of Collingwood, Fitzroy, Brunswick and Northcote have a high concentration of excellent pubs and band venues – these are some of Melbourne’s hippest and oldest neighbourhoods. You’ll find centuries-old pubs dishing out some of the best local live music in their bandrooms.

Collingwood’s The Tote is an unrivalled rock institution where shoes have been sticking to the carpet since the 80s while watching legendary local and international bands such as the Drones, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, The White Stripes, The Lemonheads, The Meanies, Silverchair and The Dictators. Up the road is the Bendigo, with more of a metal slant but equally grungy.

Head further down Smith St to Collingwood’s Gasometer Hotel, a bluestone corner pub with a retractable roof in its band room for open-air gigs. It’s a good spot to see the latest local ‘It’ bands, alongside big-name indie shows.

Continue from Collingwood further north until you hit happening Northcote where the Northcote Social Club puts on a fine roster of gigs, and even further along to the next-hippest ‘hood of Thornbury for intimate performances at the Thornbury Theatre or big-name local and international bands at Croxton Park.

Other notable Northside spots include the intimate pub the Old Bar in Fitzroy and Brunswick’s Howler.

Southside

The breezy bayside town of St Kilda is home to the heady days of live music in the 70s and 80s where bands such as The Birthday Party, The Go-Betweens, INXS and Iggy Pop graced the stage at the then famous Crystal Ballroom.

Iconic 1920s Palais Theatre in St Kilda is a great medium-sized live music venue hosting local and international artists. Image © Richard Nebesky / Getty Images

To check out bands in St Kilda these days, seek out Memo Music Hall, a former dance hall behind the St Kilda RSL; the stunning Palais Theatre for well-known acts or The Prince Bandroom above the iconic Prince of Wales pub.

One of the much-loved music institutions, The Esplanade Hotel (The Espy), closed down in 2016 but there are plans to reopen in 2018 – fingers crossed.

West

There’s not a load of band venues out west but if you make the short trek from the city, don’t miss catching a local or international band at the Reverence Hotel in Footscray. It sways toward punk and metal with the occasional indie band thrown in.

Top music festivals in and around Melbourne

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Melbourne (February) Riverside festival with the latest indie bands from around the world. Past acts include Feist, Tame Impala, Deerhunter and War on Drugs.

Golden Plains, Meredith (March) Held on a farm over a weekend with an excellent line up of local and international big-name bands with some nostalgia thrown in. Past acts include Roky Erickson, Buzzcocks and Violent Femmes.

Meredith Music Festival holds a special place in every Melbourne music lovers hearts. Image © Steve Benn / MMF 2017

River Rocks, Geelong (November) Showcasing the best of local punk/garage bands in a legendary Geelong pub an hour from Melbourne. Past acts include The Cosmic Psychos, Splatterheads and Tumbleweed.

Meredith Music Festival, Meredith (December) A weekend of camping and music in a natural amphitheatre. Past acts include Radio Birdman, Wolfmother, Black Lips, Jarvis Cocker, Mudhoney and Primal Scream.

Falls Festival, Lorne (December) Multi-day festival held over New Year’s Eve on the coast. Past acts include Blondie, Silverchair, Jack Johnson, The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys and Flume.

Need more travel inspiration? Check out Lonely Planet’s Melbourne Spotify playlist for some local tunes.

Got a sweet tooth? Yeah, us too. Every part of the world has its own beloved local candies, and tasting them is not just a treat, but a cultural experience. And what better way to satisfy your cravings than with a global tour of guilty pleasures.

Here are some of the top places to seek out sugary delights, from curious Kit Kat flavours in Tokyo to marzipan piggies in Germany.

Tuck into some of Turkey’s most delectable delights © OZMedia / Shutterstock

Shop for Turkish Delight (and other Turkish delights) in Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar

More than 400 years old, Istanbul’s labyrinthine Spice Bazaar is an artist’s palate of colours, its stalls heaped with yellow turmeric, red chili, dried pink rose petals, mahogany coffee beans and golden jars of Anatolian honey. Most stunning of all perhaps are the pyramids of jewel-like lokum – better known in English as ‘Turkish Delight’ – the chewy candies beloved in the Western world for centuries.

Chomp your way through diamonds of perfumey rosewater lokum, rolls of pomegranate lokum coated in crushed pistachio, and nougatey milk lokum studded with almonds. Top off your haul with wedges of buttery sesame seed helva (a Turkish dessert made from ground sesame seeds, sugar, tahini and nuts) and a jar or three of akide, a traditional hard candy in flavours like bergamot, mastic, mint and clove.

Kit Kit fans will find the mother lode at Japan’s Chocolatory branches © Sean Pavone / Shutterstock

Take a break from the classic Kit Kat flavours in Tokyo

Kit Kat, the British chocolate-covered wafer bar, is beloved in Japan, where its name sounds similar to the Japanese for ‘you will surely win’ (Kitto Katsu). Japan produces hundreds of different varieties of the treat, many available only for a limited time. For a fix, head to one of Tokyo’s Kit Kat Chocolatory branches – essentially glittering Kit Kat candy counters located within the food halls of stately old department stores like Daimaru and Takashimaya.

Here you’ll find signature Japanese flavours like green tea, red bean, sake and cherry blossom, regional favourites like Okinawan sweet potato and Hokkaido melon, and creative international varieties like raspberry cheesecake, French sea salt and Mediterranean grape. Then there are the undeniably odd combos: pancake, vegetable juice, soy sauce, edamame and cough drop(!). As souvenirs go, these are pretty unbeatable.

You’ll not be stuck for choice at the Cailler factory chocolate shop © Carsten Reisinger / Shutterstock

Ride the Chocolate Train in Switzerland

No, the train isn’t actually made of chocolate – sorry! This luxury train departs from Montreux and chugs towards Gruyère, home of the most famous of Swiss cheeses, where you’ll tour a cheese factory and visit a medieval castle. Savory turns sweet as the train continues to Broc, where Maison Cailler produces silky-smooth Swiss chocolate in a huge factory overlooking the Alps.

Prepare for a Willy Wonker-esque tour through the world of this sweet treat, where you’ll learn about the history of chocolate-making, touch and smell raw materials like cacao pods and cocoa butter, and sample the goods (we’re especially fond of the milk chocolate hazelnut bars). Post-tour you’ll be under no illusions as to why the Swiss are the world’s biggest chocolate-consumers, downing nearly 20 pounds a year per capita.

Stock up on a lifetime supply of chocolate at Hershey’s Chocolate World © Thanida Siritan / Shutterstock

Enjoy the sugar rush at Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World

Sure, candy connoisseurs may deride Hershey bars and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as inferior treats. But just try and tell us with a straight face you don’t actually enjoy them. Just try! Stop pretending and head to rural Pennsylvania, where Hershey’s Chocolate World will take you on a tram ride through a chocolate factory full of singing animatronic characters before dropping you off at the galaxy’s largest gift shop, where you can purchase pillow-sized bags of Twizzlers and enough Hershey’s Kisses to last you till the end of the world.

Across the street is the 111-year-old Hersheypark, with some 70 candy-themed roller coasters, attractions and kiddie rides. The more sugar you’ve got buzzing through your system, the more fun you’ll have.

Morelia’s Mercado de Dulces is a rainbow of fruity treats © Robert Hassenpflug / Shutterstock

Taste traditional dulces in Morelia’s Candy Market

Morelia, in the central Mexican state of Michoacán, is a city out of a fairy tale. Its historic center is a fantasyland of rose-coloured Spanish colonial buildings, built from local pink stone, capped by the soaring twin towers of the baroque Morelia Cathedral. And of course a fairy tale city would have a candy market, wouldn’t it?

The Mercado de Dulces is home to nearly 100 vendors hawking regional sweets. Many of these are fruit centric: rainbow-coloured squares of ate de fruta (sugared fruit gels in flavours like quince and guava), heavy hunks of sugar-crystallised pumpkin, cactus and fig and balls of sweet-tart tamarind paste. Caramels come a close second: nosh on jamoncillo (a kind of milk fudge), pecan-studded caramels in shiny red cellophane wrappers and Morelianas, tortilla-shaped wafers stuffed with gooey cajeta (a thick, sweet syrup made from caramelised goat’s milk).

Wander the streets of Flavigny and you might recognise a few scenes like this from the film Chocolat © Frank Gaertner / Shutterstock

Tour France’s sweetest village

Brought into being by Benedictine monks some 1300 years ago, France’s iconic Anis de Flavigny candies are recognisable by their pretty little egg-shaped tins. A single aniseed is rolled in a pan of sugar syrup for 15 days until it looks like a tiny round pebble. Visit the ancient Roman town of Flavigny, in the Elysian Hills of the northern Côte-d’Or, to see what’s left of the abbey where the sweets were once made.

Afterwards, stop by the current factory for a quick demo and pick up an armload of highly-giftable tins at the adjacent shop. Spend the rest of your afternoon wandering the medieval lanes of the village, where, appropriately enough, the candy-themed movie Chocolat was filmed.

liquorice lovers listen up… © Peter Zijlstra / Shutterstock

Get salty at Finland’s Liquorice Festival

Liquorice is a ‘love it or hate it’ candy – and salty, spicy Finnish liquorice even more so. If you’re in the ‘love it’ camp, then book a flight to Helsinki for the annual Liquorice Festival. The festival is a celebration of Finland’s cherished treats: liquorice and salmiakki aka black gold, a liquorice flavoured with ammonium chloride, giving it a characteristic sharp and salty tang.

Sample salmiakki powder (to be scooped out of a tube with your finger and licked off), gummy tar-flavoured liquorice (yes, tar, with its distinctly smoky flavor, is a food ingredient in Finland) and even salmiakki ice cream. You can also enjoy liquorice cooking demonstrations – liquorice-lemon cupcakes, anyone? – and attend seminars on how to pair the ebony edible with wine. Wash it all down with a salty, sinus-clearing liquorice cocktail to earn your honorary Finnish citizenship.

Marzipankartoffeln brings a whole new meaning to the ‘sweet potato’ © Ulrich Willmunder / Shutterstock

Celebrate Christmas with a mouthful of marzipan in Germany

Germany’s famed Christmas markets are twinkling wonderlands of fir trees and fairy lights amidst the deep northern winter. Vendors set up shop in medieval town squares, selling handmade wooden nutcrackers, blown-glass ornaments, hot roasted chestnuts and tankards of spiced glühwein. And marzipan, marzipan, marzipan – that ancient sugar and almond paste confection, which Germans are crazy for all year round, but especially at Christmas.

Look for one of the country’s most charming yuletide treats, Marzipankartoffeln – balls of marzipan dusted with cocoa powder to resemble tiny potatoes. You’ll also find tiny pink marzipan pigs, traditionally eaten on New Year’s for good luck. And then of course there’s stollen, a rich bread packed with dried fruits and a thick swirl of marzipan.

Planning a trip to Kraków and want to fit in by drinking like a true Pole? In this excerpt from Lonely Planet Magazine, you can just follow the steps below – all the way to the bottom of your glass.

Wine drinkers may have outstripped vodka drinkers in Poland for the first time, but the country still falls firmly within the vodka belt, which stretches across Eastern Europe, the Nordic and Baltic states.

Vodka has long been a part of Polish tradition, with some blends dating back centuries – Zubrówka has been produced for more than 600 years. So, ready to drink like a local? Here goes:

• In Poland, drinking is a public affair; always ensure you have a group of friends with you to share your vodka.
• Poles don’t drink vodka in cocktail form or diluted with a mixer. In fact, to traditionalists, these practices are considered practically criminal. Vodka is drunk neat, chilled (but without ice) and usually in measurements of 50ml.
• The most common toast is na zdrowie (pronounced ‘naz-dro-v-yeh’), meaning ‘to health’.
• Vodka is always drunk in one gulp or ‘do dna’ (‘to the bottom’), regardless of size.
• Drinks are immediately refilled, so take some time between each toast to sip some water or have a Polish snack, such as pickles or sausage.
• Be warned: if you’re a guest in someone’s house, your host will expect the bottle to be empty before you leave.
• Drink responsibly! Unless you’re Russian, never try to out-drink a Pole. Miss a few turns or sip your drink in stages.

Polish vodka comes in a number of colours and flavours. So how do you know what’s what? Here’s a handy intro from Lonely Planet’s Poland guidebook:

Czysta (clear) vodka is not, as is often thought in the West, the only species of the wódka family. Though clear vodka does form the basic ‘fuel’ for seasoned drinkers – wyborowa is the finest of the wheat-based clear vodkas and żytnia the rye-based ones – there is a whole spectrum of varieties, from very sweet to extra dry.

These include myśliwska (‘hunter’s vodka’ tasting not unlike gin), wiśniówka (flavoured with cherries), jarzębiak (rowan berries), cytrynówka (lemon), pieprzówka (pepper) and the famous żubrówka (‘bison vodka’, which is flavoured with grass from the Białowieża Forest on which the bison feed).

Drink up with the latest Poland guide

Who says watching a ton of TV and movies makes you a couch potato? Sure, it can – but your viewing habits can also be a source of inspiration for exploring the world. With a little research and a dash of creativity, you can turn your obsessions into reality – and not reality TV.

You don’t even have to pick a road trip movie or that road trip episode from your favorite show. If you want to trace the route of National Lampoon’s Vacation, knock yourself out. But thanks to Hollywood’s use of American landscapes to represent everywhere on Earth and the rest of the universe, you can turn almost any show or movie into a US road trip.

Here are a few examples to set you off in the right direction.

Explore the epic backdrop of countless westerns in Utah’s Monument Valley © Picturis / Shutterstock

The ultimate western road trip

Do western movies make you yearn for the landscapes of the desert southwest and the Great Basin? No problem. Piece together your favorite cowboy movies’ shooting locations and saddle up.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was filmed in a variety of locations across the West, but you can easily visit the site of the memorable ‘Raindrops Are Falling on My Head’ scene at Grafton Ghost Town just outside of Zion National Park. You’ll have to bring your own bike and bowler hat, but you can go inside and explore a few of the remaining buildings and walk the cemetery of this old frontier town.

Head east to Kanab, where over 100 westerns have been filmed. The Little Hollywood Movie Set Museum is free and you get to wander through sets used for The Outlaw Josey Wales and other movies and television shows. Keep heading east, and you’ll hit Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, where Maverick was filmed.

And you can’t do a western road trip without visiting Monument Valley, made famous by its appearance in multiple John Ford films starring John Wayne, including Stagecoach, Fort Apache, and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. Monument Valley was also featured in 2001: A Space Odyssey, Back to the Future Part III, and National Lampoon’s Vacation, so this is the perfect spot to flip channels.

It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it… at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (aka, The Cetacean Institute from Star Trek IV) © photocritical / Shutterstock

A Star Trek road trip (the one with the whales)

Star Trek is, in many ways, the ultimate adventure travel show. Just look at the mission statement: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before. That’s a wonderful travel philosophy. But how on earth can you do a Star Trek road trip on, well, Earth? Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home – aka, the one with the whales – provides an easy way in.

Start in Sulu’s hometown of San Francisco, home to Starfleet Command, whose headquarters and academy occupied land either side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Trace the footsteps of Kirk and friends at the Presidio on the city side and Fort Baker across the bridge in Marin County; both of them are former military bases turned into attractive parks. Go looking for ‘nuclear wessels’ across the bay in Alameda. You won’t find the USS Enterprise, but you will find the USS Hornet, a ship with a legitimate tie to space travel: the Hornet picked up the Apollo 11 astronauts after their lunar mission, and the on-board museum preserves their first steps back on Earth, as well as the Airstream trailer that served as a quarantine facility in case of moon germs.

The scenes at The Cetacean Institute in Sausalito were actually filmed at the Monterey Bay Aquarium: same logo, different town. George and Gracie the whales are not there – not because they’ve been transported to the future, but because the aquarium simply doesn’t house whales. Not to worry: book a whale watching tour from Monterey and find your own George and/or Gracie among the many humpback whales that migrate along the California coast.

Head a few hours south and you’re suddenly on the planet Vulcan. Vasquez Rocks, sometimes called ‘Kirk’s Rocks’ because they were used as a backdrop in at least eight episodes and three Star Trek movies, is a common stand-in for other planets in Hollywood productions (add this one to your Bill and Ted or Jay and Silent Bob road trip itineraries).

Discover the roots of the tree house phenomenon: one of the creations at Pete and Judy Nelson’s leafy retreat near Seattle © Adam Crowley (www.adamcrowley.com)

A tip-top Treehouse Masters road trip

If you’ve ever watched an episode of Treehouse Masters (or, ahem, all of them), you’ve undoubtedly dreamed of having one yourself. Why not try before you buy?

Start at TreeHouse Point, Pete and Judy Nelson’s retreat just outside of Seattle that sparked the idea for the TV show. Visits need to be reserved in advance, and you can book a tree house for an overnight stay or even your dream arboreal wedding.

Many of the tree houses featured on the show are private, but others are open to the public. Not far from TreeHouse Point, you can book a stay in a Pete Nelson creation that goes intercontinental: an African Safari Hut in the trees in Auburn, Washington.

The Laurel Tree restaurant in Texas Hill Country outside of San Antonio features a treetop dining room with colorful stained glass windows. This has proven so popular, the owners teamed up with Pete Nelson to build a full Hill Country retreat, Treehouse Utopia, with four tree houses perched over the river that flows through their property.

Other Nelson tree houses are available as vacation rentals across the US, including the Treehouse Bungalow at the Summit Inn Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania, Earthjoy Treehouse Village in Germantown, Kentucky, and the Treehouse at Kilauea Volcano, just outside Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

You can follow in the footsteps of Ferris Bueller on the Skydeck of Chicago’s Willis Tower… if you have a head for heights © Geraldo Ramos / Shutterstock

A John Hughes day off

Trips don’t have to cover large distances, and there’s no rule that they have to draw inspiration from a single show or movie. Say, for example, that you’re a huge fan of John Hughes films – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, 16 Candles, Home Alone – mostly filmed in and around Chicago.

For the full Ferris experience, take in a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, ponder paintings at The Art Institute of Chicago, and reenact the parking attendants’ joyride with a (slower) cruise down Wells Street below the L tracks. Ferris and crew visit the Sears Tower, now the Willis Tower, and you can get an even better view than they did at the glass-floored Skydeck on the 103rd floor.

Home Alone lovers can visit the Trinity United Methodist Church to see where Kevin hid in a nativity scene. The interior shots, where Kevin listened to ‘O Holy Night’ with his large-bearded neighbor, were filmed at Grace Episcopal Church. The pharmacy where Kevin accidentally stole a toothbrush is now an ice cream shop across the street from Hubbard Woods Park in Winnetka – and, yes, there is an outdoor ice rink in the winter, where you can try sliding on your knees to escape an imaginary policeman. Nobody’s judging.

Put a top chef through a taste test at winner and judge Richard Blais’ stylish Juniper & Ivy restaurant in San Diego © Mike Newton / Juniper & Ivy

A food-filled Top Chef road trip

Making viewers hungry and jealous since 2006, Top Chef can be the inspiration for an itinerary where you get to be the judge. Previous contestants on the show are currently running or cooking at well over 150 restaurants across the US, and the judges add several dozen more, meaning you can easily string together a cross-country calorie spree.

In the west, chow down at Top Chef All-Stars winner and frequent judge Richard Blais’ Juniper & Ivy in San Diego, sample both Voltaggio brothers at the same time at LA’s STRFSH, and visit Brooke Williamson’s Hudson House in Redondo Beach. Head north to eat chicken and waffles at Oakland’s Brown Sugar Kitchen (Tanya Holland, Season 15), before heading to Portland’s Smokehouse Tavern (B.J. Smith, Season 14) and Seattle’s Mamnoon (Carrie Mashaney, Season 11, and Jason Stratton, Season 13).

And that’s just a small sampler menu from the West Coast. Top Chef also covered Boston, New York, Washington, DC, Charleston, Miami, New Orleans, Texas, Las Vegas, Colorado, and Chicago. It’s best to pace yourself.

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