One of the best things to do is to visit a bookstore.
If you leave with purchases that make you happy, even better. To mark Book Lovers Day, we asked Lonely Planet staff about bookshops they remember from their travels.
The best US bookstores are shared by famous authors.
The senior editor of Travel News and Features has a favorite.
Every time I go to Lisbon, I stop at the Ler Devagar bookstore. There is a lot of books in this former printing space, which will keep you on your toes as you explore the different levels of the space. The English-language section is small, so you might not pick up your next great read, but if you climb up to the printing press at the top, you will find something you won't find anywhere else. The artist/inventor will take you on a tour to show you how his quirky contraptions work.
The best street art in Lisbon.
Alison Killilea is a production editor.
There are long aisles to browse old favorites and new classics at this secondhand bookshop. It is located on the premier shopping street, next to vibrant clubs and boutique eateries, which makes it a relaxing place.
There are 15 amazing places to visit in Canada.
There are a few favorites from the senior news editor.
The five floors of Dussman are filled with thousands of books in multiple languages. The aisles are close to the famed Brandenburg Gate. There is a great place to find souvenirs.
Romance, fairy tales, castles and forests are some of the things you can do in Germany.
Palabras was started by Chawa Magaa, the daughter of Mexican-American immigrants, to provide an inclusive space. It has an art gallery and a vibrant community space.
There are many things to do in Phoenix.
The largest independent bookstore in France is located in the heart of Bordeaux and has 15 different departments.
I just returned from France.
Get local insight on destinations all over the world with our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.My favorite independent bookstore is on Camelback Road in Phoenix. You can get a beer or wine at the First Draft bar after you've browsed the aisles. The store is lively.
There is a guide to a weekend in Phoenix.
Karen Henderson is the managing editor of the paper.
The oldest independent bookstore in Dublin is located on the D'Olier street. The cafe has a great view of the hustle and bustle of the streets below.
There are 20 of the best pubs in Ireland for drinking and partying.
There are three stores at Vibes & Scribes, one of which is a bookstore. You can find a lot of contemporary classics and science fiction with their huge 3 for 12 collection and they also have a lot of reference books.
Spending diary of what I did in Cork City.
The Director of Newsletter Content has favorites.
It's close to me. Friends have given readings there. It is run by a local author. The neighborhood hub of this bookstore should not be discounted. Everyone gets a draw. The place is jammed on Saturdays and Sundays. Because of its reputation and its distinctive mural outside, it has become a tourist attraction, which we will take because we want this indy to survive.
You can find a guide to Brooklyn beyond baristas and brownstone.
The shop is located in a strip mall next to a Jersey Mikes. The independent, locally owned, overstocked bookstore on upper State Street in Santa Barbara has been a mainstay for book lovers since 1974. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, there's nothing they won't do to help you find the book you're looking for. You can get the best croissant in town after you've purchased it.
There are a lot of things to do in Santa Barbara.
If you want to relax and plan your next trip, this shop in the middle of Piccadilly in London is the place for you. You can find all sorts of gifts there during the festive season. If you don't want your gifts to be shipped home, they will. When I'm in town, I buy one. It's not a musty used bookstore, but it has a sophisticated charm that makes it feel chic.
There are a lot of free things to do in london.
There is a local institution in Portland. Since 1971, it has doubled in size. An old car dealership converted to house and sell books, used and new, hardcover and paperback, all on the same shelf, is what the Powell family's bookstore has. It draws the most marquee authors in the world for signings and events and provides customers with a place to while away the hours, undisturbed and if you feel like you need a boost.
There are a lot of parks in Portland.
Laura Motta is the senior director of content for Guttersniper.
The location of this book shop is an icon in London. The store's gorgeous interior makes it a great place to shop. It's believed to be one of the oldest bookshops in the world.
London has a lot of bookstores to explore.
There were no independent bookstores in Las Vegas until The Writer's Block opened. It feels like a breath of fresh air to visit here and the surrounding Arts District. You should visit The Baron, the store's bunny mascot, if you want to see the store's artificial bird sanctuary. He is in the kids section.
Nevada has some of the most dazzling experiences.
The classic New York City bookshop sits on a perfect corner in the middle of the village and is a great place to stop and read. The staff is the center of the store. Ask them if they have read anything in stock.
There are cheap thrills in the Big Apple.
This is a shop that makes people gasp when they walk in. There are trees growing in the store and it feels like a reflection of Mexico City. The English language section doesn't matter. You can get a coffee in the cafe.
There are many places to eat in Mexico City in the years to come.
There is a top pick from a reporter.
There is a bookstore in Dublin's Liberties neighborhood. You will feel like you are in the living room of a book loving friend with the worn chairs, Turkish rugs, plants, and rows of twinkling lights. A new collection of short stories with emerging Irish writers was published by the owners of this packed-to-the-rafters store. There is a great sense of community here and there are a lot of events.
Even though historic music venues are silent, Dublin's nightlife is still great.
A top pick from the digital editor.
I went to the Left Bank for Shakespeare & Co when I was in Paris. There are two floors full of English-language texts with any available wall space decorated with quotes from people who are smarter than me. You can hide out in the chairs, window seats and corners to think about your purchases. The walls of the alcove with the typewriter were covered with handwritten scraps of paper when I was there. A quote from a favorite author or a dedication to the shop were some of the notes visitors left.
My top recommendations for the best street food in Paris are in more than 50Lonely Planet guidebooks.
Jonathan Tuseth is a sales manager.
William Faulkner, Barry Hannah, Larry Brown, and Willie Morris are just a few of the great writers who wrote in Square Books, which is located on the historic town square of Oxford, Mississippi, the home of the University of Mississippi. The main store is in a two-story building with a cafe and balcony on the second floor and Off Square Books is a few doors down from the main store. Square Books has a strong selection of literary fiction, books on the American South and by Southern writers, and a large inventory of discounted remainders. There are over 150 author events a year at the store.
There are nine museums for music lovers in the United States.
The article was first published in July of this year.