Lonely Planet blog Category: Thread of the Day

Personal boundaries at the border

Venessa Paech Lonely Planet author

Enduring long queues in airports and crossing borders are par for the traveller’s course. But how about having a customs officer shuffle through personal photos of your partner, in a compromising state no less? A new Australian customs requirement asks that all travellers entering the country (including returning residents) declare any pornorgraphy in their possession.  Trouble is, pornography isn’t illegal in…

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Best of the forum

Venessa Paech Lonely Planet author

There’s so much great discussion on the Thorn Tree forum, it’s often hard to know where to start. Here are some recent twigs we’ve clipped to get you in the community spirit.   Everything you need to know about replacing your mosquito net iPad: would you travel with it? Best spots to star gaze in…

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Holly Jolly solstice

Venessa Paech Lonely Planet author

Only a couple of sleeps and it’s Christmas. Time to fire up those chestnuts, glaze that turkey and concoct the new year’s resolutions we’ll be breaking in a month or two. Every year our Women Travellers branch runs a Secret Santa (also known as Kris Kringle in other parts of the world). They started preparations…

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Does travel change you?

Venessa Paech Lonely Planet author

Does travel fundamentally change you? That’s a question our community members are currently pondering. Sure, it can alter your perspective on things, at least for a while. But can a trip truly transform you, or is that just feel-good nonsense? The consensus seems to be that you have to be at least a little open-minded to…

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Street food: the best and the worst

Andy Murdock Lonely Planet author

What is the street food like where you’re from? What is your pick for the best street food in the world?

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10 tips for preventing theft during travel

Andy Murdock Lonely Planet author

Travelers are often targeted by thieves – it’s sad but true. On a regular basis we hear tales of pickpockets, scams, dishonest cab drivers, items stolen from hotel rooms and similar skullduggery. When you’re on holiday, you naturally want to relax, but letting your guard down can make you a target and have unfortunate consequences.…

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Your frequently asked travel questions

Venessa Paech Lonely Planet author

Our Thorn Tree forum is the oldest travel social network on the web. It’s been going strong for well over a decade – and new travellers with new questions and stories arrive every day to join the party. But some things never change. We’ve pulled together 40 of your most commonly asked questions on Thorn…

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We went to the moon

Venessa Paech Lonely Planet author

Today marks the 40th anniversary of humankind’s most awesome trip and our community has the lunar spirit. The culture vultures on Thorn Tree are sharing their favourite songs about the moon and plans are afoot for some full moon parties. The travel techies are chatting about the computing power behind Apollo, while some of our…

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Other people’s vacation photos

Andy Murdock Lonely Planet author

Have you ever wondered how many times you’ve unknowingly shown up in other people’s vacation photos? What if it was possible to find these photos?

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Musical memories

Venessa Paech Lonely Planet author

Moonwalker Michael Jackson, died today. Our Thorn Tree members are already reflecting on their favourite King of Pop tunes. By way of tribute we thought we’d tip our hat to musical memorials around the world, which continue to inspire pilgrimages by adoring fans and curious wanderers.

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