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Lonely Planet The World: A Traveller's Guide to the Planet
Every country in the world, in one guidebook: Lonely Planet delivers the first guide to The World.
We've taken the highlights from the world's best guidebooks and put them together into one 960-page whopper to create the ultimate guide to Earth. This user-friendly A-Z gives a flavour of each country in the world, including a map, travel highlights, info on where to go and how to get around, as well as some quirkier details to bring each place to life. In Lonely Planet's trademark bluespine format, this is the ultimate planning resource.
From now on, every traveller's journey should start here...
Nearly 1000 colour photos of must-visit highlights
More than 200 colour maps
The guidebook every traveller needs to own
About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, as well as an award-winning website, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in.
TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards 2012 winner in Favorite Travel Guide category
'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times
'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)
We've taken the highlights from the world's best guidebooks and put them together into one 960-page whopper to create the ultimate guide to Earth. This user-friendly A-Z gives a flavour of each country in the world, including a map, travel highlights, info on where to go and how to get around, as well as some quirkier details to bring each place to life. In Lonely Planet's trademark bluespine format, this is the ultimate planning resource.
From now on, every traveller's journey should start here...
Nearly 1000 colour photos of must-visit highlights
More than 200 colour maps
The guidebook every traveller needs to own
About Lonely Planet: Started in 1973, Lonely Planet has become the world's leading travel guide publisher with guidebooks to every destination on the planet, as well as an award-winning website, a suite of mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. Lonely Planet's mission is to enable curious travellers to experience the world and to truly get to the heart of the places they find themselves in.
TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards 2012 winner in Favorite Travel Guide category
'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times
'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia)
176 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2014
423 people are currently reading
1219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
March 29, 2016
My mini encyclopedia when it comes to facts, figures and destinations by country. My favorite thing about the book: when I pick it up, I'm literally holding the world in my hands.
February 11, 2019
Brilliant book, 2/3 pages each upon many countries, gives you plenty of details like population, climate, a great book, a very thick book, gathers all the countries in one place, only the odd island group were missing in my opinion. A book to keep hold of for the long term. Any negatives? this book does not go too much into depth on countries, if you want a more in depth book on a specific country, then read Lonely planets book for the country you wish. This book is a general over view. I really liked it, does help me select future travel plans.
September 21, 2025
Excelente. Un must have para todos los amantes de los viajes. Es de los libros más extensos y ambiciosos de Lonely Planet. Ideal para disfrutar y tener como coffee table book o para regalar (y quedar muy bien).
Incluye 227* países/naciones en un solo libro (*incluye algunas islas no independientes y territorios aún no reconocidos).
Ofrece muy buena inspiración y unas pinceladas clave sobre cada país.
Dedica entre 2 a 10 páginas por país : población, superficie, ciudades y experiencias/atracciones principales, clima y mejor época para visitarlo, comida y bebida típica, cómo desplazarse... (para tener una idea general y quedarse con lo esencial del país y cultura general).
Contiene muy bellas imágenes y mapas indicando cada uno de los puntos de interés.
No es que sea especialmente útil para organizar por completo un viaje (a no ser que se reserve una vuelta al mundo ya organizada y se quiera tener unas bases sobre cada destino).
Sin embargo, considero que es una muy buena idea de regalo para los amantes de los viajes y una muy buena base o punto de partida que permite tener un poco de cultura general sobre cada país, antes de ponerse a explorar más a fondo.
100% recomendado. Lo leí hace tiempo y al final he acabado comprándome la edición más nueva en inglés.
Ya lo he llenado de marcadores de los 48 países que he visitado.
Incluye 227* países/naciones en un solo libro (*incluye algunas islas no independientes y territorios aún no reconocidos).
Ofrece muy buena inspiración y unas pinceladas clave sobre cada país.
Dedica entre 2 a 10 páginas por país : población, superficie, ciudades y experiencias/atracciones principales, clima y mejor época para visitarlo, comida y bebida típica, cómo desplazarse... (para tener una idea general y quedarse con lo esencial del país y cultura general).
Contiene muy bellas imágenes y mapas indicando cada uno de los puntos de interés.
No es que sea especialmente útil para organizar por completo un viaje (a no ser que se reserve una vuelta al mundo ya organizada y se quiera tener unas bases sobre cada destino).
Sin embargo, considero que es una muy buena idea de regalo para los amantes de los viajes y una muy buena base o punto de partida que permite tener un poco de cultura general sobre cada país, antes de ponerse a explorar más a fondo.
100% recomendado. Lo leí hace tiempo y al final he acabado comprándome la edición más nueva en inglés.
Ya lo he llenado de marcadores de los 48 países que he visitado.
February 5, 2023
An extremely comprehensive guide to everywhere that is open to exploration. It's just a question of where do you want to start and how many places you can go.
January 24, 2015
The best of every place of every country of every continent in the world!
This book aims to give the reader a gasp of what which country have to offer. Unlike most travel guides from lonely planet, this book is filled with beautiful graphics which inspires you to travel.
I find it interesting and meaningful that they include the population break down of every country, which really helps when you are preparing to travel.
P.S. I ordered it first hand on book depository right before it was released! It is good to have this if you do not wish to spend a hefty amount collecting travel guides on every country. There is always the library, right? ;)
This book aims to give the reader a gasp of what which country have to offer. Unlike most travel guides from lonely planet, this book is filled with beautiful graphics which inspires you to travel.
I find it interesting and meaningful that they include the population break down of every country, which really helps when you are preparing to travel.
P.S. I ordered it first hand on book depository right before it was released! It is good to have this if you do not wish to spend a hefty amount collecting travel guides on every country. There is always the library, right? ;)
April 20, 2018
This is the ultimate travel guide, and exactly what I need when dreaming up new trips: plenty of gorgeous photos, a brief intro to each country, and a list of the must-see highlights. It's the perfect jumping-off point before diving into research on each specific destination.
December 5, 2021
A massive book listing all 221 (at 2017 press time) countries and territories: including highlights; when to go; food and drink; transportation; and appearances in books and movies; it's essential reading for anyone interested in travel.
February 28, 2025
Prachtig boek vol overviews van alle landen ter wereld. Vooral een hebbeding maar ook heerlijk om door te bladeren en inspiratie op te doen voor een volgende reis.
July 16, 2017
This was exactly what I'd hoped it would be - I've been travelling about once a year for almost 10 years now, I've already been to all of the places on my list where travel is fairly easy, so I was looking for guidance regarding which hard-to-get-to places are worth making an effort for, and also hoping to find some interesting but easy-to-get-to places I hadn't thought of yet.
There are some nice pictures but this is not a coffee table book, it's a practical travel guide - I particularly liked that it tells you when is the best time to visit each destination, which is very handy if you like to make (rough) plans years in advance.
Since this is a book for people who actually plan to travel, countries that get more tourist-nights get more pages (which I liked), and some attractions that are currently not safe to visit are excluded (which I didn't like - this is a book to help you put together a bucket list to be ticked off over decades, and things could be very different 20 years from now: 20 years ago, who could've imagined feeling completely safe in Cambodia but in danger in France!).
I first came across this book in a (physical) bookshop years ago but didn't buy it because I thought the $40 price tag was ridiculous, but since it's a bit old now I managed to get it on sale online for half that, but I think even that's a bit steep since this is basically an ad for Lonely Planet's other books - there's not enough information here to plan independent travel, so you'll need to buy another guidebook for each place you actually decide to go (or do lots and lots of online research, but if you were willing to do that you wouldn't be considering buying this book!). For that reason, don't be afraid to buy the old edition if a newer one comes out.
There are some nice pictures but this is not a coffee table book, it's a practical travel guide - I particularly liked that it tells you when is the best time to visit each destination, which is very handy if you like to make (rough) plans years in advance.
Since this is a book for people who actually plan to travel, countries that get more tourist-nights get more pages (which I liked), and some attractions that are currently not safe to visit are excluded (which I didn't like - this is a book to help you put together a bucket list to be ticked off over decades, and things could be very different 20 years from now: 20 years ago, who could've imagined feeling completely safe in Cambodia but in danger in France!).
I first came across this book in a (physical) bookshop years ago but didn't buy it because I thought the $40 price tag was ridiculous, but since it's a bit old now I managed to get it on sale online for half that, but I think even that's a bit steep since this is basically an ad for Lonely Planet's other books - there's not enough information here to plan independent travel, so you'll need to buy another guidebook for each place you actually decide to go (or do lots and lots of online research, but if you were willing to do that you wouldn't be considering buying this book!). For that reason, don't be afraid to buy the old edition if a newer one comes out.
July 30, 2018
The World is the guide to my Wanderlust. And I absolutely love it.
This Guide is something that every wanderer needs, not wants; actually needs.
From the writing to the pictures, the planning and the tips: it’s all helpful and inspiring.
I’m always going to be referring back to this ‘lonely planet’ hit, it’s everything I never knew I wanted to help curate the next perfect adventure.
This Guide is something that every wanderer needs, not wants; actually needs.
From the writing to the pictures, the planning and the tips: it’s all helpful and inspiring.
I’m always going to be referring back to this ‘lonely planet’ hit, it’s everything I never knew I wanted to help curate the next perfect adventure.
December 29, 2024
I picked this book up and read it on and off for months, marvelling at the world we live in. A lot of effort has gone into summarising all the best bits, with great descriptions, beautiful photos and fun facts. There were a couple of times where paragraphs cut off or a word was skipped but it is to be expected in a 1,000 page book. I am not sure who to recommend this book to but I really enjoyed it and have now added a few more places to my bucket list as well.
June 16, 2018
Really neat look at every country on earth. I wish each recommendation had a picture, but I understand there was no space as the book is already massive. I can't remember if it included Antarctica or the Faroe Islands, I would have to check, but I definitely added SEVERAL places to my bucket list.
June 16, 2019
A lot of small quick blurbs about every country in the world (at the time of publishing). I found it interesting although obviously it didn’t dive too deep.
I liked the suggested books and/or movies suggested for some countries to give you more of an insight.
I liked the suggested books and/or movies suggested for some countries to give you more of an insight.
March 8, 2017
Ongoing reading and re-reading, inspiring my travels and adventures.
May 22, 2017
5* obviously ;)
August 16, 2017
When I started reading this, I decided to put a post-it on the first page of each country I want to visit, and now I'm out of post-its and my Lonely Planet looks like a studybook.
March 29, 2018
THE BEST :)
May 19, 2020
I cant day i completely finished It but cant say I didnt either. It is a very good reference to chose your next destination and when to go. I like It because It inspires...
March 7, 2021
Awesome read and a wonderful overview of this great old world of ours!
April 10, 2021
This was good! I learned a lot and the pictures were great!
April 20, 2023
Fantastic coffee table book - my first port of call when planning a trip somewhere new.
January 9, 2024
Good book. Just not for me.
June 2, 2024
Good as an encyclopedia. Small amount of shown political bias.
August 26, 2024
i want to go everywhere
October 8, 2024
Fascinating to have a bit about every country in one book.
October 17, 2024
Finally finished this book!
August 21, 2025
This is a great book in this ultimate A to Z in every country has detailed map essential facts, inspirational images & it’s must see highlights as from now on every journey starts here.
December 11, 2025
Wonderful resource! I LOVE flipping through this!
August 13, 2021
En esta obra, que se asemeja a la "Biblia" del viajero, aparece de cada uno de los países y territorios una introducción, sus correspondientes "highlights" turísticos, tanto naturales como hechos por el hombre (esta es la parte central del libro), algunos datos curiosos acerca de la cultura o un comentario de la sociedad, películas o libros recomendados del país y finalmente sucintas notas acerca de las comidas típicas y medios de transporte.
Entonces diría que se acerca más a ser una guía para viajar por el mundo entero, aunque no es exactamente eso, sino mas bien es como un breviario que muestra lo que ellos consideran lo más fundamental para visitar de cada país, para antojarlo a uno de ir o por lo menos tener una idea general de cada país.
Comparto el cariño por las guías LP, al principio era muy detractor de estas, cuando era un purista del viajar a punta del voz a voz, pero desde que cayó la primera LP a mis manos la historia cambió y considero que es un recurso que sería tonto no usar por su practicidad, aunque siempre hay que darse la oportunidad de salirse de las rutas pre-establecidas.
Entonces diría que se acerca más a ser una guía para viajar por el mundo entero, aunque no es exactamente eso, sino mas bien es como un breviario que muestra lo que ellos consideran lo más fundamental para visitar de cada país, para antojarlo a uno de ir o por lo menos tener una idea general de cada país.
Comparto el cariño por las guías LP, al principio era muy detractor de estas, cuando era un purista del viajar a punta del voz a voz, pero desde que cayó la primera LP a mis manos la historia cambió y considero que es un recurso que sería tonto no usar por su practicidad, aunque siempre hay que darse la oportunidad de salirse de las rutas pre-establecidas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews