The guide-slash-coffee table book is a comprehensive and inclusive exploration of over 50 LGBTQ+ friendly destinations worldwide.
Long before there was TikTok and Instagram and all the travel trends they sparked, there was one name that was synonymous with travel, and not just any travel, but the cool, informed kind. That name is Lonely Planet.
For older millennials like myself and the hodophiles (travel enthusiasts) who came before us, these were the ultimate travel guides. As someone who used to backpack, I swore by these recognizable blue books with their familiar straightforward cover with the sans serif font (was it Helvetica Neue?). I’m a proud owner of a bunch of them—Europe on a Shoestring, Paris, Rome, Japan, Tokyo, Singapore, Cambodia, and my sentimental favorite, the one of Myanmar with the cover of the hot air balloons floating above the temples of Bagan.
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Despite the internet dulling a bit of its shine, I think Lonely Planet guidebooks are still the gold standard for travel recommendations. Rigorously fact-checked and well-written, they’re rivaled only by peers such as Fodor’s and Time Out. As a longtime fan of their guidebooks, what I love best are their off-the-beaten track recommendations and tips that come from the writers’ personal experiences. Lonely Planet books contain a multitude of information—from which adapters to bring to which month to go and which gay-friendly bar to have a Friday night cocktail.
Speaking of our LGBTQ+ friends, Lonely Planet has a little something for them that’s a long time coming. Finally, 52 years after its first book, Across Asia on the Cheap was published, Lonely Planet has released its maiden LGBTQ+ Travel Guide just in time for Pride month.
Lonely Planet The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide: Interviews, Itineraries, & Inspiration from Insiders in 50 Proud Places Around the Globe (the title is a bit of a mouthful) is “a comprehensive and inclusive exploration of over 50 LGBTQ+ friendly destinations worldwide,” per the Lonely Planet website. It’s written by queer, neurodivergent travel writer Alicia Valenski, and is designed to help members of the community navigate the world with confidence, safety, and, yes, with pride.
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What’s inside
More than just a list of LGBTQ+-friendly spots, it’s a collection of stories and firsthand insights gathered from queer locals who call the 50 handpicked destinations home. Among the places featured are Cape Town, Amsterdam, London, Melbourne, Sao Paulo, a smattering of cities in the US, and the only entry from Asia, Bangkok, among many others.
In true Lonely Planet fashion, the book features insider recommendations and travel tips from LGBTQ+ locals and tastemakers highlighting queer-owned businesses, queer-friendly experiences, and even “gayborhoods.” There are also interviews from which readers can gain honest, helpful insights for when they’re planning their travels.
It also has Lonely Planet’s trusty “Know Before You Go” boxes for each destination, which contain practical details such as local languages, currency, Pride celebrations, and information on when’s the best time to go. Looking for something specific, like recommendations for an artsy weekend, family-friendly itineraries, or adrenaline-pumping activities? The Lonely Planet LGBTQ+ guide has all those, too, and more. There’s, of course, essential travel information for newbies and seasoned travelers alike, from safety tips to advice for emergencies.
And because this is Lonely Planet we’re talking about, we should expect only the most gorgeous photos and the most useful and easy-to-understand maps.
A guide for the community—and allies, too
“We recognized the Queer community was looking for a guide that understands them, especially given the challenges they continue to face when traveling. For example Booking.com recently revealed 59% of LGBTQ+ travelers have experienced discrimination when on holiday,” says Chris Zeiher, Lonely Planet’s senior director for Trade Sales & Marketing, in a statement. “Creating a guide that is community-led, inclusive and a little bit surprising in terms of destinations featured felt absolutely essential.”
“Having a book that is by the queer community, for the queer community, in this moment, feels so empowering,” Valenski shares in an interview with the New York Times. She likens it to a Choose Your Own Adventure book, striking the right balance between helping readers plan their own trip while leaving some room for adventure.
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Valenski assures LGBTQ+ folks that the recommended destinations and establishments are those that can make them “feel happy, safe and comfortable.” She adds that the book is not just for members of the community as it can be a resource for allies as well.
So if you’re looking for the perfect gift for that one LGBTQ+ friend who likes to travel (or for yourself, why not!) this Pride month, it looks like you already have this book to consider!
Lonely Planet The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide: Interviews, Itineraries, & Inspiration from Insiders in 50 Proud Places Around the Globe is now available at selected Fully Booked branches.
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