Dive into Olympic sized travel dreams…

If spontaneous travel was an Olympic event…

View in browser Friday Around  the Planet July 28, 2023 SPONSORED BY This week: If booking travel was an Olympic event…🏅 The 2024 Paris Olympics I didn't really know that I was going to buy tickets to the 2024 Summer Olympics until they were bought and paid for, the somewhat extravagant amounts of money disappearing from my bank account with one click. You see, I won the initial online lottery to purchase tickets to the Paris Games – and I got carried away in the excitement of the moment. Of course, I would learn later that almost everyone who enters "wins" the lottery and that it works more like a queueing system for ticket purchases than an actual lottery with winners and losers. Still, I was giddy. I was going to the Olympics! Do I have plans for a hotel? No. Do I have flights? No. Did I really think through how I was going to get between the track and field events near Paris and the sailing events in the south of France, near Marseille, that I was now officially attending, according to my already-empty wallet? Not really. But I'm going! Some dream of winning Olympic medals. I dream of cheering along those who do. And have I thought much about how I'm going to finance my personal Olympic (spectator) dream, given sky-high Parisian prices around the games? Well, maybe I'll win the lottery. In the meantime, I'll be using Lonely Planet's tips to planning a trip to the 2024 Olympics. — Laura Motta, Senior Director of Content How to plan a trip to Paris during the Olympics Inspiration to book your next trip Bike + hike + train in the Pyrenees No car is required for this hike-plus-bike adventure to the Pyrenees. Christopher Cooley shows you how this journey is possible with a bicycle and a ride on a high-altitude train. Where locals go Ireland  In the latest of our series helping you divert from the crowds, three of Lonely Planet's Dublin-based editors share their favorite destinations for laid-back holidays in Ireland. Copy this sunny escape to Malta  Kerry Walker fell hard for the twin Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo. Here, she shares the highlights of her five-day trip so you can plan your own seaside adventure. SPONSORED BY Paris, three unforgettable ways Whether you're traveling solo, celebrating romance, or with your family, there are many ways to experience the City of Light. In partnership with Delta Vacations, explore the best hotels and attractions for you – no matter which traveler you are Learn more More hot travel stories This slow bus journey is the best way to see the coast from Lisbon to Porto Help me, LP! What are tried and true ways to avoid jet lag? Copy my 24-hour trip to Palma, Mallorca These top things to see and do will have you planning a trip to Nigeria Simplifying Planning Need a vacation but don't have time to plan it?  Lonely Planet has a team of local experts in destinations across the globe that can help you take the stress out of the planning process. Rather than sifting through thousands of recommendations, let an expert guide you toward an unforgettable itinerary. With personalized suggestions and authentic cultural experiences, we know you'll leave awe-inspired.  Ready to turn those ideas into a next-level plan? Book your consultation now.  Consult with a local expert Vendée Coast If you're dreaming of a beach holiday in France, read why James March thinks you should resist the charms of the Côte d'Azur and visit the sun-kissed Vendée region instead. Why you should visit the Vendée Coast ADVERTISEMENT Love travel inspiration in your inbox? Share with a fellow travel lover by forwarding to a friend. Did someone share this email with you? Subscribe by clicking here.  This email was sent to you by: Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 © 2023 Lonely Planet Unsubscribe|Privacy Policy