Dozens of hiking trails crisscross the reserve, taking walkers past old Roman roads, castle ruins or sparkling waterfalls. From the Acropolis, whose jewel in the crown is the fifth-century BCE Parthenon to the underground metro, some of whose stations feature archaic finds, Athens is teeming with historical sites, monuments and museums. Planning tip: If you're here in summer, cool down in the idyllic swimming holes – these are one of the best places to be in Portugal during the hot weather.

Lonely Planet’s top places to go in 2024 - AOL Lonely Planet’s top places to go in 2024 - AOL

With more than 300 suggestions for destinations across Europe and the best time of year to experience them, this book is the ultimate trip planner for every month of the year. Add mangroves, excellent fishing, thriving birdlife and white-powder beaches, but subtract crowds – Andros is even quieter and better value in July.

Whether you fancy the idea of a mock-up jousting match at a medieval fair or delving into the written word at Folio – Portugal's biggest international literature festival – you couldn’t ask for a better backdrop. Expect perfect conditions for a safari experience in Nairobi National Park, just on the outskirts of the city. Plan at least one long-distance rail journey as part of your trip – there’s no experience quite like waking up on an Indian sleeper train barrelling across the plains.

Lonely Planet Where to Go When: the ultimate trip planner for

Park at its base and hop on the shuttle bus, or simply walk steadily uphill to its medieval walls for vistas of rolling hills. Across an expansive island archipelago, traditional whitewashed villages, azure seas and waterfront tavernas await. Planning tip: Book a private tour of Santorini’s smaller wine estates, whose new generation of vintners is breathing new life into traditional wines like mezzo and Nychteri. In spring and autumn, the weather is ideal for touring, and hotel rates are lower than the summer peak.Forget the over-hyped Little Mermaid and head to the city's cosy bars and cafes to watch snow flurrying outside. Set on a peninsula, Zadar's compact old town is crammed with Roman ruins, Byzantine churches and Romanesque cathedrals. Crete, Greece’s largest island, abounds in historical sites, well-preserved monuments and modern museums.