Apr 14, 2014

Reviews A to Z – revisiting my town with Lonely Planet

All you wonderful travelers out there, I know lonely planet needs no introduction. One of the World’s biggest travel guide book publishers, are spread all over the world. Whatever might be your destination, Lonely Planet provides us all the relevant information like how to reach, where to stay, sights to see, things to do, places to eat and tips on travel.


On the risk of deviating from the topic, I would ask a question to all readers “Have you ever planned a trip to a destination and not found a lonely planet book, chapter or article dedicated to it?”

Okay! This post is not about reviewing the world’s biggest travel guide, it is about reviewing the usefulness of world’s biggest travel guide to explore your own city.

This was the time when I had first discovered the magic of lonelyplanet.com. I had returned from a recent trip and realized that by relying on LP to explore a city, I hadn’t made a mistake after all. On a particular day, I sat in office with a little free time and began to browse lonely planet Delhi guide.

Having lived in Delhi for little less than nine years, I consider myself with a good knowledge of the city. I know most ways, all popular tourist destinations, people and their nature and can give an advice to even a Delhi-ite.

But as I began to browse LP, I started to note places that I had either heard of or not, but never visited. With some reluctance, I made a list of places to visit and restaurants where to eat.

Some of these places from this list were –

Khari Baoli – A spice market in Chandani Chowk
Tibet House – A museum on Lodhi road
Agrasen ki Baoli – A step well near Connaught Place
Shankar’s Internation Dolls museum – Doll museum near Feroz Shah Kotla

Alkauser – A kabab vendor in several parts of Delhi
Gunpowder – A south indian food joint in Hauz Khas
Metropolis restaurant – A restro-bar near Jhandewalan
Sita Ram Diwan Chand – A chole bature vendor in Chandni Chowk

Over next year, one by one I tried most of the places from the list and each time I came back with a response “God! How come I didn’t know about this place yet?” I shared my experience with other enthusiasts and the response I received was quite same.

LP website has its advantages –

1. It is free.
2. The reviews are brief and exact.
3. The location and the other details are more or less accurate.
4. It is exhaustive.


My journe of exploring my city with Lonely planet has been completely fantastic. Have you tried lonely planet for your city yet?

21 comments:

  1. Lonely planet has been an exhaustive resource for me. Of late, I rely a lot on Trip Advisor, especially with regard to hotel and room reviews. Good review, Sugandha.

    ~Shailaja's latest A~Z post

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  2. We use Lonely Planet for our trips as well. Its very resourceful.

    PhenoMenon
    http://throodalookingglass.com/2014/04/lamp-light/

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  3. I echo Shailaja - I've always used Trip Advisor as well. Thanks for the tip though - let me know see if I can 're-discover' Bangalore using Lonely Planet! :)

    - A fellow AtoZer.

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  4. As many said here I too use Travel Advisor a lot... But will try Lonely Planet too :)
    L for loved-Random Thoughts Naba

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  5. I have never tried Lonely Planet, will try :)

    ~S(t)ri
    Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
    Smile, it makes (y)our day!

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  6. Back when my mom was alive in the '90's, she would buy the Mobil travel guide to plan her trips. Now days the books have been replaced with the internet and all information is a few keystrokes away. She would have been amazed!

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    1. :) my parents introduced me to lonely planet. I remember this gift of theirs so well

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  7. I've not used Lonely Planet yet, but will definitely check it out. ☺ TripAdvisor has been my resource, so far.
    Debbie @ The Doglady's Den

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  8. I just checked out Lonely Planet and was disappointed. It pretty much ignores my county in favor of Los Angeles and Orange County. I may have to write to them and let them know. I write about Southern California and don't like to see just the more well known places shared. Still, good info on the big name destinations. Thanks for sharing this site. I didn't know it was out there.
    http://yeakleyjones.blogspot.com/

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    1. Does it? It so well covers all places of India that I wasnt expecting it to...you must write to them i guess.

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  9. A great way to find places you've missed or have not considered visiting. Haven't used LP, but my kids have. They love it.

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  10. I didn't think my city would be on the LP web site, but was surprised to find that it actually was! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  11. This it's indeed a wonderful way too find about places. Thanks for sharing this.

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  12. Interesting - never used a travel guide. I just use the internet and before that was available I never went anywhere I wasn't familiar with. But good to now for the future!

    Carol @ Battered Hope

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