Channel-surfing through New York City, USA
From the Seinfeld deli to the fashionista fantasy set of Zoolander to the Empire State’s memorable turn in King Kong, NYC is just waiting for you to shout ‘Action!’

Hiking to jaw-dropping Iguazú Falls, Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil
Most impressive are the gargling waters at Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) that divide Argentina and Brazil, but you’re bound to be impressed anywhere along this stretch of cascading water.

Getting historic at the Acropolis, Greece
The great ‘sacred rock’ has towered over Athens for thousands of years in tribute to the ancient Greek gods, so explore it early in the morning to get a feel for the majesty and to avoid unholy crowds.

Heating up at the Burning Man Festival, USA
Black Rock Desert in Nevada is overrun with hippies, artists and all the right kind of rabble for this trippy festival that includes nude cycling and incinerating a big wicker dude.

The Top 10 cities to visit in 2009

This year's selection of the best cities to visit from guidebook publisher Dorling Kindersley

• The 10 best new European city breaks

• Seven top city breaks for under £100

• 5 splendid city breaks on a budget

The 36 best travel ideas for 2009

Next year is jam-packed with wild and exotic events, but don’t freak out - we've picked the best

• Lonely Planet's top 20 big trips

• The 10 best destinations for 2009

The 10 junior wonders of the world

Take the kids somewhere that’ll make them gasp on one of these 10 outstanding wow-factor breaks

• The ten best family holidays for 2009

Taking a camel ride to the pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Seeing the mythical pyramids bouncing before you as your dromedary crosses the desert is the only way to arrive at the ruins that were the world’s biggest buildings in their day.

Taking the plunge diving at Ko Phi Phi, Thailand
Clear waters and plentiful coral make for some of the world’s best snorkeling, plus scuba divers can go deeper with the King Cruiser wreck and there are some impressive limestone formations to explore.

Hiking the depths of Tiger Leaping Gorge, China
Follow the roughest stretch of the Yangzi River in the shadow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain through the hamlets of the Naxi people.

Marvelling at the limestone Karsts of Halong Bay, Vietnam
Whether you soak it up from a beachside restaurant or take on the waters in an old-school junk, you’ll have to visit a couple of times to see the many colours of the limestone.

Making a French connection in the romantic city of Paris, France
Pack you beret for amorous strolls along the Seine, rendezvous at the top of the Eiffel Tower and perhaps fall for the centuries-old belles who still beguile in paintings at the Louvre.

Treating the whole city as your fancy dress party with Cosplay gangs of Tokyo, Japan
From the latest manga superheroine to old-school Goths, get your kookiest duds on at Harajuku and hotspots throughout Tokyo.

Exploring the artsy treasure house of the Hermitage, Russia
Possibly swiped at the end of WWII, these St Petersburg treasures have been hiding out in the Paris of the East just waiting for you to discover them.

Re-enacting Che Guevara’s Motorcycle Diaries through South America
Rev and old bike out of Buenos Aires and head south through Chile, draw inspiration at Machu Picchu and finish by volunteering in Peru (Guevara visited a leper colony). Witnessing all this inspired young Che to become a revolutionary.

Rubbing noses with Maori at a Hangi in Rotorua, New Zealand
Rotorua might be crowded but the traditional feast cooked in the geothermal heat of the earth will soon make you feel right at home before the traditional dancing kicks off.

Wildlife-spotting on the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The islands that evolution forgot have the unique giant tortoises, but there are also some pretty freaky iguanas, cute penguins and flocks of weird birds to discover.

Climbing to the top of Angkor Wat, Cambodia
From up the top you can see the scattered pieces of the Khmer empire’s history in dozens of temples, palaces and monuments buried in the jungle.

The Big Trip is out now priced £14.99. It is available on the Lonely Planet website for £10.49

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