guide definition in travel

Example sentences travel guide

By the end of 2006, she realised that her book and fledgeling travel guide business needed her full attention, so she left her job.

I may - do - disagree with that, but let's hear it for any travel guide prepared to put an opinion bluntly on the line.

I can research hotels around the world without ever buying a travel guide , find out what other guests thought of them and book them instantly.

As well as acting as a travel guide , this covers all nature, you'll find plenty of food for thought here.

Oh, and lifeguards, and any sort of travel guide .

Definition of 'guide' guide

Definition of 'travel' travel

COBUILD Collocations travel guide

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• travel independently
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Travel Guide Definition

A book or other work designed to give tourists and other visitors information about a particular country or area.

Other Word Forms of Travel Guide

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Words Starting With

Words ending with, unscrambles, words starting with t and ending with e, word length, words near travel guide in the dictionary.

• travel-guide
• traveler-s-diarrhea
• traveler’s check
• traveling salesperson
• traveling-expenses
• traveling-salesman
• traveling-salesman problem

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Definition of guide

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of guide  (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

intransitive verb

guide , lead , steer , pilot , engineer mean to direct in a course or show the way to be followed.

guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.

lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.

steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.

pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.

engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.

Examples of guide in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'guide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun and Verb

Middle English gide, guide , from Anglo-French, from Old Occitan guida , of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wītan to look after, witan to know — more at wit

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing guide

• field guide
• light guide

Articles Related to guide

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Dictionary Entries Near guide

guidance counselor

Cite this Entry

“Guide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guide. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of guide.

Kids Definition of guide  (Entry 2 of 2)

Medical Definition

Medical definition of guide, more from merriam-webster on guide.

Nglish: Translation of guide for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of guide for Arabic Speakers

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For Travel Writers with an Independent Spirit

Types of Travel Guide #1: The Destination Travel Guide

All about The Destination Travel Guide

Destination guides should inspire your reader. If they have already booked their tickets, your Destination Guide should give them peace of mind they’ve chosen the right location.

Definition of a Destination Travel Guide

Destination guides are the most popular type of travel guidebook, and there are different ways to approach them. They tend to be more fact-oriented than narrative, and although most are written in the first person, the majority of the content positions the writer as the neutral observer rather than an active participant.

Bear in mind though, your destination guide can’t just be facts and figures. It also needs to include a human perspective so that your readers have something to connect with. It may be something as simple as giving them the confidence to explore the area for themselves.

Whether your travel guide covers a city (London, Paris, Munich, etc.), a country (Mexico, Brazil, Australia, etc.), or a specific geographic region (Europe, South America, etc.), it needs to be clear to your reader. They need to know what they’re getting when they buy your book, which means you need to be clear about your intent.

A destination travel guide tends to be more fact-oriented than narrative. Although some of it may be written in the first person, the majority of the content positions the writer as the neutral observer rather than an active participant.

Bear in mind though, that your destination guide can’t just be facts and figures. It also needs to include a human perspective so that you readers have something to connect with. It may be something as simple as giving them the confidence to explore the area for themselves. We’ll cover how to evoke an emotional response in your audience in a later article.

Destination Guide Focus

Whether your travel guide is going to cover a country, city or specific geographic area, it needs to be clear to your reader. They need to know what they’re getting when they buy your book. So in turn, that means you need to be clear about your intent.

Here’s some examples of some destination guide titles:

• Sightseeing Tour of London
• A Weekend in Venice
• Eat, Sleep & Play in Europe
• Top 10 cities in France

Each of these destination guides has a scope that implies the content, but there’s still questions about the level of detail they contain.

For examples – in the Sightseeing Tour of London – there are so many sights to see in England’s capital city that you may decide you only want to focus on historical sites or royal sites to narrow the focus. Or you could expand the focus of your book by including places to eat and drink nearby.

When you write your own Destination Travel Guide “what to leave out” is actually more difficult than deciding what to include.

Scope of your Destination Guide

The geographic area you plan on covering can help to define how much detail you go into. Obviously, if you choose a town or small destination you can go into a lot more detail. If you choose a larger destination you won’t be able to include every single snippet of information. If you try, you will end up with a draft the size of War and Peace.

Destination Travel Guide Examples

Take a look at these Lonely Planet Destination Guide  examples below which includes country guides, a city guide, and a combination country guide. Lonely Planet guide books are packed with information. They include a little bit of everything and cover each topic you would expect in a destination guide, but don’t cover all of them in-depth. They’ve found a happy medium between too-much and not enough.

London Villages: Explore the City’s Best Local Neighbourhoods was written by Zena Alkayat and Jenny Seddon and offers an intimate view of the UK’s capital city, highlighting the small, locally-known enclaves of independent shops, cafés and public spaces that give the capital its inimitable character.

• London Villages: Explore the City’s Best Local Neighbourhoods

Rick Steves’ Pocket Venice is a compact 280-page book that includes Rick’s advice for prioritizing your time, whether you’re spending 1 or 7 days in the city. It has everything a busy traveler needs, including a neighborhood overview, city walks, tours, sights, handy food and accommodations charts, and an appendix packed with information on trip planning and practicalities.

• Rick Steves’ Pocket Venice

Europe by Eurail 2017: Touring Europe by Train written by Laverne Ferguson-Kosinski is a comprehensive guide that provides the latest information on fares, schedules, and pass options, as well as detailed information on more than one hundred specific rail excursions. It also includes sample rail-tour itineraries combining several base cities and day excursions into fifteen-day rail-tour packages complete with hotel recommendations and sightseeing options.

• Europe by Eurail 2017: Touring Europe by Train

South-East Asia Travel Guide Package: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Travel Guides is a box set of guides written by Hoang Pham. He provides an introduction to each of these neighboring countries and explains how they are different from each other, and what cultural traditions overlap. It includes eating, getting around, what to do, and bucket list items.

• South-East Asia Travel Guide Package: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Travel Guides

Each of these destination guides has a scope that implies the content. When writing a destination travel guide, what to leave out is more difficult than deciding what to include. The geographic area you plan on covering can help to define how much detail you include. Obviously, if you choose a town or small destination, you can go into a lot more detail.

If you choose a larger destination, you won’t be able to list every single snippet of information. If you try, you will end up with a draft the size of War and Peace.

Considerations when planning your travel guide

When you plan your destination guide, you should consider the following:

• Should I cover a little bit of everything ?
• Should I narrow down my focus to a specific topic ?
• Should I combine these two approaches ? (e.g. focus on a few things in detail and cover the rest more broadly)

If you plan on writing an all-inclusive destination guide, consider the length and attention span of your reader. Do you really want to include everything, in minute detail?

If the answer is a resounding “yes” – you could opt to break your destination guide into multiple segments and write a series of books instead.

Destination guides can include full details about accommodation, restaurants, transportation, and sightseeing activities. They can also feature historical, cultural or general travel tips. This reference-type information is valuable when making travel arrangements as well as while you are on a trip.

Destination guides should inspire your reader. If they’ve already booked their tickets, your destination guide could confirm they’ve chosen the right destination. Examples of destination guides are Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer’s and Insight Guides.

Important last note, the information in your destination travel guide must be updated regularly to keep it current.

Want to learn about the other types of travel guides ? Here’s the full list of this article series:

• Type of Travel Guide #1: Destination Travel Guide
• Type of Travel Guide #2: Side Trip Travel Guide
• Type of Travel Guide #3: Journey Travel Guide
• Type of Travel Guide #4: Special Interest Travel Guide
• Type of Travel Guide #5: Event Specific Travel Guide
• Type of Travel Guide #6: Expat Travel Guide
• Type of Travel Guide #7: Culinary Travel Guide
• Type of Travel Guide #8: Advice Travel Guide
• Type of Travel Guide #9: Reporting Travel Guide  ** coming soon

In addition to these articles, I also wrote the following articles about writing a Local Travel Guide (which is a sub-genre of special interest travel guides):

• Think Local, Share Global: Writing a Local Travel Guide Pt.1
• Think Local, Share Global: Local Travel Guides Pt.2

Read more articles in my How to Write a Travel Guide Series

I’m putting the finishing touches on my  How to Write and Self-Publish a Travel Guide Series , which details a step by step approach for writing and producing your own travel guide. It’s part of a four-part series aimed at helping travel bloggers achieve passive income based on their passions and existing content.

Each month I host a monthly free prize draw and give away a travel writing e-book to the lucky winner. Sign up to join my mailing list to participate.

If you’re a travel blogger who wants to turn their travel blog into an ebook or paperback destination guide, leave me a comment below.

© Destination Guide Logo

Author: Jay Artale

5 thoughts on “ types of travel guide #1: the destination travel guide ”.

I’m sure this post gets lots of visits because this has to be the most popular type of travel guide to write. To be honest, I thought it was the only type of guide, so gonna read your other posts in this series to find out more about the other.

This is an interesting article which really helped me. I was struggling to start my travel guide for couple of month and finally got an idea. Thank you very much for the tips.

These have got to be the most popular types of guides to write. but the competition is fierce so the quality has to be high.

Thanks for sharing the information about Ingram Spark. I’ve heard of Lulu before but not explore Ingram.

As far as I can tell, Lulu is great if you want to print spiral bound books, but Ingram has such a wide distribution spread that it makes it a good option.

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I abandoned my corporate career to become a digital nomad and full-time writer, and now run Birds of a Feather Press to help other writers become authors. I also write about my travels on my personal blog Roving Jay: Nomadic Adventures in Wonderland – without the rose-tinted glasses

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The Benefits of Travel Guides

By: Author Valerie Forgeard

Posted on Published: June 26, 2023  - Last updated: July 1, 2023

Categories Travel

When planning a vacation , there are many things to consider. One of the most important aspects of any trip is deciding what to do and see. A travel guide can be an invaluable resource in this process. Travel guides provide information on everything from attractions and restaurants to nightlife and shopping. They can help you make the most of your time away and ensure you experience all your destination offers. This blog post will discuss the benefits of using travel guides when planning a vacation. We’ll also provide tips on choosing the best guide for your needs.

Why Use a Travel Guide

Travel guides like the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide help you decide the best time to travel, which places are worth your time and money, and what activities and attractions are available. They also provide background information about the place or culture you will visit.

A Travel Guide Will Help You Decide When Is the Best Time to Travel

When is the best time to travel?

When is the best time to travel? Well, it depends. In some cases, the answer is simple. If you want to visit a place where sunshine and warm weather are guaranteed, you should travel during the summer. You should visit during the festive season to experience the best of a country’s culture. But what if you are not sure when to go on your trip? What if you are not interested in festivals or the weather?

That’s where a travel guide comes in handy! A good travel guide will give you all sorts of information about different cities around the world and what makes each city unique

It Gives You Insight Into the Places You Should Visit

Whether visiting a city for the first time or an old hand, a travel guide can help you find the best places. It gives you insights into the best places to visit in any destination, from hotels and restaurants to stores and attractions.

A good guidebook will help you decide where to go and what to do there and give you an overview of local laws and customs so you know what is expected of visitors. For example, suppose you’re visiting a Maori in New Zealand. In that case, you may want to ask if there are restrictions on taking pictures or if credit cards are accepted everywhere in South America. You could also ask if tipping is necessary for all of North America.

A Good Guidebook Will Help You Decide Which Activities and Attractions Are Worth Your Time and Money

A good guide will help you decide which activities and attractions are worth your time and money. It gives you insights into places of interest and recommendations on where to stay.

It can also save you a lot of time by not having to do extensive research before your trip. With a good book, all your questions will be answered in one place, so you do not have to spend hours searching for answers on websites or forums.

It Provides Information About the Place and the Culture

To get the most out of your travel experience, it is important to understand the culture of the place you visit. A good travel guide will help you learn about the customs and traditions of a country or region and understand better the cultural differences visitors experience. He or she will also give you information about etiquette and social situations that may occur during your stay.

For example, is it customary to greet each other with a handshake or bow? Do people resent you if you greet them in the wrong way? Do they prefer small talk at meals, or do they want to eat in silence?

It Gives Recommendations for Accommodation

In a travel guide, you will always find recommendations on where to stay, from luxury hotels to Airbnb to camping if you’re on a walking tour or traveling by car. The recommendations are based on the authors’ research and their experience in the region of your travel destination. If you are looking for a cheap place with good WiFi, a guide will tell you where to find that.

You’ll Get Information About Great Restaurants and Cafes and Even Where They Are Located

You can get information about the best restaurants, cafes, street food, and even where they are located. This means you do not have to spend time walking around on Trip Advisor or around the city to find out where the good restaurants are. You’ll know exactly where to go when you are hungry and where you can get good food any time of the day or night.

You can also find out about different parts of the city. So if you want to eat something specifically for dinner, there is probably a place nearby that will suit your needs. Since these guidebooks are often updated from time to time by their authors, who have traveled extensively in the region in question, they offer not only up-to-date information but also unique insights into local customs and traditions that may be completely absent from other sources!

A Travel Guide Can Help You Find the Best Places to Go and the Best Stores to Visit

When you are traveling, you may want to go shopping. Some people like to store souvenirs when they go on vacation. Others like to buy gifts for family members or friends back home. If this is what will make your trip memorable, then you must have a list of things that need to be purchased before you leave.

It can be difficult to buy things while traveling if you do not know where to go and what items are available there. You do not want to waste time driving around town trying to find something that may not be available in the area you are staying in during your vacation!

A good guidebook will help you find the best places to store, such as markets, malls, and the best shopping areas, with a great selection of souvenirs and gifts for everyone back home!

A Good Travel Guide Will Give You Tips on How to Stay Safe

When traveling to a foreign country, you should first learn how to stay safe. Travel guides do not take you around a city or country. Instead, they tell you how to stay safe while you are on your own. However, they will still give you tips on how to stay safe. Here are some examples of advice you might find in your guidebook:

If someone tries to rob or attack you, give them what they want – it’s not worth risking your life over something material! And if the attacker already has a weapon (e.g., a knife), fight back only if necessary – there’s no point in hurting yourself any more than necessary!

Children should never be left unattended for fear of being kidnapped or otherwise harmed.

Do not go into dark alleys or other secluded areas alone. It is much safer to stay in well-lit areas with many people.

Why Choose a Tour Guide

When planning your next trip, remember that a great tour guide can be invaluable.

A good tour guide will show you where and what to do during your visit. He or she will help you avoid getting lost and ensure that you make the most of your time in the region.

A good tour guide will also give you information about the places they show you and give you an insider’s perspective on the history or culture of the place.

For example, if you visit Rome for the first time, a tour guide can tell you stories about how the ancient Romans lived and what they ate. With this knowledge, you can better understand why each place is important today.

A Great Tour Guide Also Makes It Easier for You to Interact With Locals

He can help you meet people and make friends if you are traveling alone. He can give you tips on where to stay and eat and even help you avoid scams that tourists might otherwise get ripped off with. They can also give you an insight into the local culture that is not possible for most tourists who only visit a place once or twice in a lifetime.

Having a Good Tour Guide Allows You to Ask Questions

As a traveler, you will probably have a lot of questions. You can ask to your tourist guide. Here are just a few examples:

A tour guide can also answer any questions about local transportation, including busses, trains, cabs, and more.

You Do Not Have to Worry About Getting Lost or Missing Anything Important

If you are worried about traveling alone, a tour guide is probably the best way to ensure you do not get stranded.

If you are traveling with friends or family, you can hire a tour guide to ensure everyone stays together and no one gets lost or separated from the tour group. However, remember that it is not a tour guide’s job to watch over unsupervised children; that is your sole responsibility.

You Save Yourself the Trouble of Organizing Private Transportation

If you have a full-time tour guide, transportation will likely be arranged by the tour operator as part of the package you book. This means you do not have to worry about your transportation and can focus on the fun parts of your vacation.

This can be especially useful if you have limited mobility or difficulty with language barriers. Also, if you are traveling with children or elderly relatives, it is often easier to have someone else drive, so they do not get tired or frustrated as quickly when trying to find their way around new places.

They Give the Latest Advice on Safety Precautions

Tour guides are well-informed about what is happening in the area and are trained to keep their tour members safe. Tour guides are well-informed about what is happening in the area; if crime has increased recently, they probably know about it.

In most Western countries, tour guides often must take a first aid course to know what to do in an emergency.

Do not be afraid to ask questions! If you have safety concerns, you can talk to your tour guide before or during your trip.

They Have a Wealth of Knowledge

The best tour guides will ensure you see all the major sights and attractions on your trip. This way, you will not miss any must-see sights while visiting a tourist destination. It is also a good idea to choose an experienced tour guide because they know the best places to visit and how long it will take you to see these attractions.

Group tour guides are known for helping tourists in popular areas, but they also know things you would not find in guidebooks. They have a wealth of knowledge about the places they take visitors to and can share that knowledge with their clients. This can be invaluable for those looking for something new and different.

They Can Help You Better Understand the Local Culture

When traveling to a new country, it’s always good to have someone who can help you better understand the local culture. Many people travel to learn about other cultures. Group tour guides are experts in their field and know everything about their country or city. They also have a lot of stories to tell.

If you want to learn all the local customs, traditions and culture, you should hire a tour guide to help you. You will be able to see things you would not have seen if you were traveling alone or with other people who do not know much about the place they are traveling.

A Travel Guide Book vs. A Tour Guide

If a guidebook is a book that tells you what to do and where to go, then a travel guidebook is a book that helps you figure out where to go and what to do.

A tour guide has everything planned out for you. At the same time, a travel guidebook does not tell you where, when, or what, but it gives tips on how to get around, what transportation is available, what other activities are available nearby, and so on.

A short history of travel guidebooks and why they matter more than ever

As independent travel publishers everywhere struggle in the face of covid-19, decorated adventurer and bradt guides founder hilary bradt reflects on the travel guide genre — and what you can do to help it survive..

Bradt Guides launched in the mid-1970s with Backpacking Along Ancient Ways in Peru and Bolivia,  a title based on Hilary's and her then-husband's intrepid travels in Latin America .  Since then, Bradt Guides have independently published hundreds of guidebooks, often giving much-needed coverage to undertouristed regions. Here, a solo hiker follows the Inca Trail leading to the ruined citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru.

The days when we could travel anywhere we wanted, almost at whim, seem like a distant and beautiful memory. Now even a few miles from our home feels like a foreign country. So, for now, the written word has become our virtual reality and has the power to transport us to those places we know we’ll journey to once this crisis is over.

I’d like to share the story of the early days of adventure travel publishing, how Bradt Guides came to be established, and how our approach to travel has shaped a generation of explorers — and how, without your continued support, this global crisis might see this work come to an end. 

It was the 1970s, and George — my then-husband — and I were looking for a publisher for the next edition of our little guide, Backpacking Along Ancient Ways in Peru and Bolivia . We met with the man who was then the leading travel publisher in Britain.

“No, this isn’t for us; it’s too specialised,” he told us. Our description of five hiking trails with off-the-beaten-track recommendations and thoughtful asides on local customs weren’t the sort of things he was interested in. “But I would publish a more mainstream guide to Peru if you’ll write it.”

Hilary Bradt founded Bradt Guides in 1974 with her then-husband, George. Half a century on, the company is one of the country's leading independent travel publishers. 

“But we can’t afford to go back there again,” I replied.

His attitude was cavalier: “That’s all right,” he said. “Just get some brochures from the tourist office and use those.”

And that’s why I ended up becoming a publisher myself. Guidebook writing is serious stuff, and good authors have an obsession with portraying the country they love with passion, accuracy and individuality.

The 1970s was a wonderful time for travellers, with three long-enduring companies starting up. Tony and Maureen Wheeler produced 94 stapled pages of Across Asia on the Cheap in 1973, the same year Bill Dalton put together A traveller’s Notes: Indonesia to sell at a music festival. A year later, George and I sat in our hammocks on a river barge in Bolivia to write up our long-distance hikes in the region, including a walk along an old Inca Trail into Machu Picchu.

We all had one aim: to share our travel discoveries with like-minded young people. We settled in our respective parts of the world — the Wheelers in Melbourne, Bill in California, and George and me in England — and started three successful publishing companies: Lonely Planet, Moon and Bradt, respectively. No financing, no business plan — just an intimate knowledge of our subject and the market. And it worked. Our inexpensive guides were bought by budget travellers relishing the new-found freedom of easy travel and lightweight equipment, with the early editions selling enough copies to fund the next book.  

“By buying a guidebook now, when you have ample time to digest it, you’ll be able to plan your next trip knowing you’ve done your bit for the people in those countries that depend on you.”

Lonely Planet, Moon and Bradt are still around nearly 50 years later. Bradt — still owned by its founder — is suddenly facing extinction as a small independent company. We’d survived ‘the death of the guidebook’ predicted by doom-mongers at the dawn of the digital age and were flying high, still following our original ethos of publishing the sort of books that make a real difference, not just to the traveller but to the country described. (As I step back from the day-to-day running of the company, this is the legacy I’m most proud of.) But this pandemic and the ensuing downturn in the purchasing of travel guides looks to threaten what we’ve built, with far-reaching implications. 

Throughout the decades, we’ve largely focused on unique destinations: places that aren’t covered by other publishers, countries with dodgy politics but wonderful wildlife or scenery, and war-torn nations that need the self-esteem a good guidebook brings. Rwanda is a good example: the president himself congratulated the authors on their role in bringing his country back to prosperity following the genocide.

Small local businesses that rely on guidebooks to tell visitors that they exist would suffer if these sources of information disappear. But that’s not all; we detail charities that welcome tourist visits (and, of course, donations). A children’s centre in Namibia is a case in point. I recently received an email from the its (now former) director, MaryBeth Gallagher, which read:

“I cannot tell you how many visitors and donations we receive because of your guidebook! And it’s been 10 years since you visited us!”

Because it’s the destinations, as well as you travellers, who dream of the holidays you’ll enjoy when this is all over. By buying a guidebook now, when you have ample time to digest it, you’ll be able to plan your next trip knowing you’ve done your bit for the people in those countries that depend on you.

Bradt Guides is offering a minimum of 50% off all books, e-books and gift vouchers on its website. To claim your discount, visit bradtguides.com/shop and enter code DREAM50 at checkout.

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Definition of guide verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

show the way

• guide somebody It's a dangerous route—you'll need someone to guide you.
• guide somebody to something Sherpas guide climbers to the summit.
• guide somebody through something She guided us through the busy streets.
• guide somebody around something We were guided around the museums.

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influence behaviour/development

• He was always guided by his religious beliefs.
• The following principles guided the development of the project.
• This book will serve to guide you in the fulfilment of a successful relationship.
• The health and safety officer will guide you through the safety procedures.
• Olson does a good job guiding the reader through the complex issues involved.
• Their teacher Phil Bailey carefully guides them through rehearsals.
• They guide you expertly through the whole process.
• He guided us through the intricacies of the divorce law.
• He guided me in my research.
• Schools were firmly guided on the details of the curriculum
• a document guiding teachers on how to maintain discipline

help somebody/something move

• She took her arm and guided her across the busy road.
• He guided her hand to his face.
• The nurse guided the needle into position.
• He guided her up some stone steps.
• He took her arm, gently guiding her.
• She guided us through the busy streets.
• (figurative) the information and data which help guide the affairs of the business
• the ways in which young people are guided into employment
• across, along, etc.
• towards/​toward
• It’s too far to walk—I’ll take you by car.
• Firefighters led the survivors to safety.
• The President arrived, escorted by twelve bodyguards.
• My mother drove us to the airport.
• The attendant showed us to our seats.
• He always walked her home.
• Have you walked the dog yet today?
• We were guided around the museums.
• She ushered her guests to their seats.
• A young woman directed them to the station.
• to take/​lead/​escort/​drive/​show/​walk/​guide/​usher/​direct somebody to/​out of/​into something
• to take/​lead/​escort/​drive/​show/​walk/​guide somebody around/​round
• to take/​lead/​escort/​drive/​walk somebody home
• to take/​lead/​escort/​guide somebody to safety
• to lead/​show the way

Other results

• The Good Food Guide
• Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
• Brownie Guide
• Ranger (Guide)

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travel guide

Meanings of travel and guide.

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(Definition of travel and guide from the Cambridge English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

• Examples of travel guide

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a medical student or doctor

Sitting on the fence (Newspaper idioms)

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• Definition of travel
• Definition of guide
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• Other collocations with guide

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  Vocabulary      

What does travel guide mean?

Definitions for travel guide trav·el guide, this dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word travel guide ., did you actually mean travel kit or tribal society , how to pronounce travel guide.

Alex US English David US English Mark US English Daniel British Libby British Mia British Karen Australian Hayley Australian Natasha Australian Veena Indian Priya Indian Neerja Indian Zira US English Oliver British Wendy British Fred US English Tessa South African

How to say travel guide in sign language?

Chaldean Numerology

The numerical value of travel guide in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

Pythagorean Numerology

The numerical value of travel guide in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of travel guide in a Sentence

Michael Leitch :

You walk into a shop and they say hello and thank you -- just the small things here make a difference. rEAD: From tattoos to hi-tech loos, your Rugby World Cup travel guide to JapanMichael Leitch commands a Japanese maul against New Zealand in November 2018. {.

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A Travel Synonym Guide: Definition and Examples

Table of Contents

Synonyms are similar-sounding words that express the same idea as a key phrase. There are numerous synonyms in the English language. Different prefixes, suffixes, or roots give them similar shades of meaning, and often, they share an equivalent length.

We’ll examine some “travel” synonyms, their root words, and some examples. Let’s get started!

What Does Travel Mean?

Travel is characterized by movement from one place to another. The definition of travel is pretty broad, as people often move from one place to another for business, treat, or personal reasons. Travel usually involves a method of transportation, like a plane, boat, bus, or train. 

On a light note, traveling allows us to see new places in the world and experience something different.  Nature! Food! 

Sentence examples of Travel

• I want to travel just to change my environment.
• Take a ride with me; let’s travel around the world.
• I am always free to travel as a freelancer.

Travel Synonym: Exploring Words with Similar Meanings

It’s often easy to trace the travel-related roots in common synonyms . So we take a word, trace its meanings, and give sentence examples for clarity. Here we go!

Tour refers to a trip to a particular location, especially one that includes time spent exploring the area and gathering information about it. 

Taking a tour is a journey that includes multiple stops and ends back where it began. Taking a tour can be for business, pleasure, or education purposes. The term first appeared in 1746 to mean “make a tour, travel about.”

Examples of sentences with tour

• The major work we did today was to tour the city.
•  They were taken on a tour around Jerusalem. 
• We went on a guided tour of ancient historical sites. 

The word “transit” is the process of relocating from one location to another for personal or business reasons. Transit means transporting people or products from one location to another, especially by public trains or buses.

It originated in mid-15c to mean “an act or fact of passing across or through,” from Latin  transitus.

Examples of sentences with transit

• We will transit at night.
• During the economic summit, council members discussed the free transit of goods and people without encumbrances.
• Improving the mass transit system would reduce traffic and alleviate suffering.

A voyage is a route or transit involving a long trip to a far-off location on the water. A voyage is undertaken in a ship or a canoe to a destination, with or without the explicit aim of discovering things. 

In another vein, a voyage can also be a voyage of self-discovery, even a spiritual or religious journey, or an exploration of another culture. 

It originated in c. 1300, from Old French  voiage  meaning “travel, journey, movement, course, errand, mission, crusade.”

Examples of sentences with voyage

• We had an exhilarating, fun-filled, and smooth voyage .
• The voyage took about 18 months.
• This is going to be our ship’s maiden voyage pass.

Travelling is a way of life for some people. It allows people to explore other surroundings and be part of unique customs, cultures, and traditions.  Just ensure not to make any faux pas!  

Because not all closely similar terms may properly fit in as alternatives to the keywords, using a thesaurus and dictionary to find synonyms and related words in English is always a good idea.

Pam is an expert grammarian with years of experience teaching English, writing and ESL Grammar courses at the university level. She is enamored with all things language and fascinated with how we use words to shape our world.

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This Small U.S. Coastal City Has Stunning Beaches, Pristine Nature Reserves, and Some of the Best Resorts in California

In Newport Beach, you can surf the waves in the morning and dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant at night.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Best things to do, best shopping, best restaurants.

• The Best Times to Visit

How to Get to Newport Beach

Neighborhoods to visit in newport beach, how to get around newport beach.

John Luciano/Courtesy of Pelican Hill Resort

The city of Newport Beach in Southern California’s Orange County is known for its beaches, surfing, boating, shopping, and luxurious lifestyle. It’s a destination for dining in upscale restaurants or casual pubs and shopping in exclusive designer shops or browsing in beachfront boutiques. Its harbor is home to seagoing vessels from electric Duffy boats to multi-million dollar yachts, and the vibe is an eclectic mix of upscale, casual, beachy, and refined.

“The city boasts several micro-neighborhoods," Orange County food and travel writer Jenn Tanaka told Travel + Leisure. "Historic beach cottages at Crystal Cove State Park, opulent homes dotted along the hills of Newport Coast, renowned golf courses at The Resort at Pelican Hill , a quaint maritime village on Balboa Island. A ferry ride across the marina takes visitors to Balboa Fun Zone with its vintage ferris wheel, Duffy boats, and whale watching tours.”

Incorporated in 1906, the city has attracted vacationers from its early days, and in the 20th century, many celebrities made their homes in Newport Beach. Actors James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and Shirley Temple were known to frequent the area, but the most famous celebrity resident was John Wayne, known as “The Duke.” His home can be seen on harbor tours, and the Orange County International Airport was named for him.

“Surf culture is the backbone of Newport Beach. Longboarders and experienced locals catch waves at The Wedge, while children splash at Corona del Mar,” Tanaka said. Elegant resorts, family-oriented hotels, and laid-back cottages provide visitors a place to stay while they enjoy the beaches, hiking trails, and attractions of Newport Beach. In summer, the population swells, and when the weather cools in late autumn, the secluded beaches welcome visitors to explore tide pools or stroll along the shore. 

The Resort at Pelican Hill

This plush five-star resort takes guests to the Italian countryside, with olive and cypress trees, lavender, and Mediterranean-inspired architecture. Guests can stay in a bungalow guest room or suite with a private terrace and limestone fireplace, most with ocean views. The resort also features two, three, and four-bedroom villas in an intimate gated enclave with a private clubhouse and pool. 

Lido House, Autograph Collection

The nautical theme and Cape Cod aesthetic of this boutique hotel are perfect for its location on the water near Lido Marina Village. Featuring coastal-inspired furnishings, the hotel offers 130 stylish guest rooms along with five three-storey cottages, each curated by a local interior designer. Guests can dine at The Mayor’s Table restaurant and enjoy cocktails with a view at Topside , Newport Beach’s only rooftop bar.

Courtesy of Pendry Hotels

Pendry Newport Beach

This sophisticated hotel debuted late in 2023, with 295 guest rooms including 114 suites. Stylish and comfortable, Pendry Newport Beach features their signature Bar Pendry, Set Steak & Sushi, al fresco Tree Shack Pool Bar & Grill, and The Pavilion, a casual breakfast spot. For members only, the trendy Elwood Club offers a separate restaurant, Viamara, The Pub, and The Cabaret nightlife venue.

Crystal Cove Beach Cottages

For a unique stay steps from the beach, the rustic cottages at Crystal Cove State Park , built around the 1920s, are a popular choice. Preserved and restored to meet current requirements, the cottages offer vintage furnishings, basic facilities, and plenty of character. Each cottage is equipped with a refrigerator and microwave. Linens and towels are provided, but traditional hotel services like daily housekeeping are not available. 

Newport Beach Hotel

Called “Newport’s Closest Hotel to the Beach,” Newport Beach Hotel is located steps from the sand, with 15 guest rooms in the main hotel plus five adjacent suites. Ideal for families, the Sailor Suites are complete with a full kitchen, living room, and one or two bedrooms. For an ocean view, book the Oceanfront Spa guest room. There’s a complimentary light Continental breakfast, and the hotel provides beach gear and bicycles.

Cruise the harbor in an electric boat.

Rent a Duffy boat for the perfect way to experience Newport Beach’s harbor, ogle multi-million dollar mansions, and cruise among resident sea lions. You can relax while you enjoy the easy to manage electric boat, sometimes called “golf carts on the water.”  With a rental of two to four hours, you can either bring along your own food or request snacks and drinks for an additional cost. 

Play golf on a stunning championship course.

At The Resort at Pelican Hill , two courses, the North and the South, offer thrilling challenges and memorable views. Famed course designer Tom Fazio took full advantage of the remarkable terrain, ocean breezes, and rolling hills. The Golf Academy is the place to improve your game with private lessons, golf clinics, and the latest 3D equipment to evaluate your swing.

Spend an afternoon whale watching. 

You have a good chance of spotting whales throughout the year in Newport Beach. Gray whales can usually be seen from December through April during their annual migration. Blue Whales visit the California coast to feed on krill from May through October. Even if a whale doesn’t show up, you’ll see schools of dolphins and groups of barking sea lions.

Canvan Images/Getty Images

Hike Newport Beach’s trails.

From an easy loop around the perimeter of Balboa Island to a challenging trek in the canyons of Crystal Cove State Park, there’s a hiking trail for everyone in Newport Beach. The diverse terrain, ocean breezes, and stunning views make exploring on foot a great way to get to know Newport Beach.

Stacey Wreathall/Travel + Leisure

Explore the Balboa Peninsula.

For a day of exploring this popular Newport Beach area , ride the Balboa Island Ferry , dine at a local restaurant, and visit the Balboa Fun Zone amusement area. Rent a bike, watch the surfers (or grab your board), stroll along the boardwalk, or browse the art galleries in Balboa Village . 

Fashion Island 

Fashion Island provides an exciting retail experience with premium designer boutiques, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, jewelry stores, and more. “Luxury shopping at Fashion Island and Lido Marina Village is juxtaposed with curated boutiques,” according to Tanaka. Restaurants, movie theaters, and special events make Fashion Island both a shopping and entertainment destination.

Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Jenni Kayne and Clare Vivier

Lido Marina Village 

The outdoor Lido Marina Village features boutiques, designer shops, trendy cafes, and alfresco dining. Shop for luxury clothing and accessories at Elyse Walker and LoveShackFancy . For creative golf apparel, visit Bad Birdie , and for that great beach read, browse Lido Village Books .

Balboa Village

Shopping is fun in Balboa Village where you can find souvenirs, surf shops, and clothing boutiques like Bohemia , where they stock their shelves weekly with one-of-a-kind boho pieces. The Mermaid Store features sea-inspired decor and claims to have “the largest selection of mermaids…outside of the ocean itself.” 

Marché Moderne

“Award-winning California-French fare, with a kiss of Italian by husband-and-wife chefs Florent and Amelia Marneau, is on the menu at Marché Moderne ,” according to Tanaka. The ambiance is sophisticated and relaxed, and guests can enjoy wine, cocktails, and light snacks at the bar. 

Located at Fashion Island, Red O serves elevated authentic Mexican cuisine along with craft cocktails. Open for brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, Red O’s flagship location in the renowned shopping center features a lively bar scene, resident DJs, and a gorgeous dining room.

A + O Restaurant at Balboa Bay Resort

Located at the waterfront Balboa Bay Resort , this restaurant serves casual California cuisine with views of boats cruising along the Newport Harbor. The decor, inspired by the restaurants on the Italian Riviera, includes white-washed wood panelling, an expansive outdoor patio with striped umbrellas, wicker chairs, and fire pits. 

The Cannery

Known as a historical landmark with a commitment to serving the freshest seafood for the last hundred years, The Cannery covers more than 100 years of history. It began as a commercial fish cannery in 1921 and continues to be a local favorite. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, The Cannery overlooks the Rhine Canal. 

Located in the newly reopened VEA Newport Beach hotel, VIEW restaurant serves California coastal cuisine and handcrafted cocktails in its intimate dining room and on its outdoor Lanai, where guests enjoy views of the Pacific and firepit seating. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, and there’s a late night menu until midnight.

The Best Times to Visit 

The weather in Newport Beach is generally mild throughout the year, with the warmest months from July through September when temperatures reach into the low 70s, and occasionally a bit higher. Winter months are cooler with some rain, and temperatures rarely dip below 50. In May and June, coastal cities experience a marine layer, causing the cool, cloudy mornings that locals call “May Gray” and “June Gloom.”

The cooler seasons are perfect for hiking, biking along the coast, and strolling along the beach. Surfers are in the ocean year-round, with wetsuits when the water is colder. For beachgoers, the warm summer and early autumn sunshine are their favorite times in Newport Beach. 

Jim Brown/Getty Images

“The October Newport Beach Film Festival , founded in 1999, brings A-listers and celebrities to the southern California locale each year,” according to Tanaka. In June, there’s the Baroque Music Festival in Corona del Mar. Shoppers love Newport Beach year round, but the year-end festive season is a special time with gorgeous holiday decorations. Whale watching fans head to Newport Beach during the gray whale migration from around December-April.

Newport Beach is located on the southern California coast about 40 miles south of Los Angeles and about 90 miles north of San Diego. Five airports offer access to Newport Beach: John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Diego International Airport (SNA), and Ontario International Airport (ONT). John Wayne Airport is the closest, just six miles away. From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a shuttle takes visitors to Newport Beach in about an hour and a half for approximately $100. 

Several California freeways bring visitors to Newport Beach, and a drive along the Orange County Coast offers gorgeous views and interesting glimpses of homes, beaches, and the blue Pacific Ocean. 

The Back Bay, as locals call the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve and Ecological Reserve , is 1,000 acres of pristine wetlands where more than 200 endangered species and 35,000 migratory birds make their homes. Experience nature with a hike along the 10-mile Back Bay Loop, a bike ride, or a kayak excursion. 

Corona del Mar is set along cliffs above the Pacific, with both quaint cottages and fabulous new homes located along its flower-named streets. The Sherman Library and Gardens features two acres of seasonal flowers, tiled fountains, art, workshops, and a garden-to-table restaurant. 

The Newport Coast and Crystal Cove Beach neighborhood is located at the southernmost tip of Newport Beach where there are beautiful new homes, a shopping plaza, The Resort at Pelican Hill, and Crystal Cove State Park. 

From the area airports, transportation services are available through Super Shuttle ( www.supershuttle.com ) to various points in Newport Beach.

Uber and Lyft provide local transportation.

Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) buses serve Newport Beach, Balboa Island, and Corona del Mar. ( www.octa.net )

A digital Newport Beach guide is available to download ( Newport Beach Digital Destination Guide | Visit Newport Beach ).

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An alternative guide to Leeds: a city with an independent spirit

A book club in a disused petrol station, an electronic music hub in an old bus garage … Yorkshire’s largest city is a hotbed of grassroots creativity

‘L eeds has an independent, thriving arts scene,” says Emma Beverley, the director of programmes at last year’s cultural showcase, Leeds 2023. “A lot of that is grounded in an artist-led movement that is pretty pioneering.”

In 2017, Leeds had put in a bid to become European capital of culture, with £1m already invested, which hit the buffers when Brexit automatically ruled any British cities out of contention. In typically stubborn Yorkshire fashion, the city pressed ahead with its own year-long celebration of culture.

As someone who has lived in the West Yorkshire city for five years, I can testify that it is worthy of being a capital of culture. There’s a strong food and drink scene, vibrant nightlife and live music, as well as offbeat cultural institutions where grassroots artists thrive. It also ranks as one of the best student cities in the UK , with many alumni staying on and contributing to an exciting cultural renaissance.

Leeds is a compact city and, with the recent pedestrianisation of its centre, has never been easier to explore on foot. The centre is where most of the action takes place: from the characterful Kirkgate neighbourhood, with its market and majestic Corn Exchange, to the creative waterside district of Leeds Dock. However, neighbourhoods such as Headingley retain an independent vibe, with boutiques, charity shops, eateries and the Cottage Road Cinema , the oldest cinema in continuous use in the city. From cultural spaces, including the Old Red Bus Station with its electronic music hub and Hyde Park Picture House , to on-point bars and innovative restaurants, leftfield Leeds is hidden in plain sight.

As well as big-name institutions ( Royal Armouries , Leeds Art Gallery ), you’ll also find alternative cultural spaces in Leeds. A 30-minute walk from the city centre is Hyde Park Book Club , a disused petrol station that has been transformed into a creative hub showcasing artists, musicians and writers. With a basement and outdoor area, a bar and a bookshop with a section dedicated to Yorkshire writers, this is the perfect place to soak up the creative energy of the city.

For a mix of culture and retail, Leeds Corn Exchange in the city centre is a Grade I-listed landmark dating to 1863. Worth visiting for the architecture alone, it’s also home to independent shopkeepers, such as Indie Makers, Colours May Vary and Chinese Laundry, craft stores, chefs and collectors, as well as hosting record fairs, art shows and festivals.

Less than 10 minutes’ bus ride west of the centre, in Armley, is Assembly House , an artist-led community arts organisation with studios, exhibition spaces and galleries. Providing a stage for established and emerging artists, its calendar features exhibitions, performances and film screenings.

With more than 200,000 students living in the city Leeds offers one of the best nights out in the north. There are LGBTQ+ clubs in the Freedom Quarter near the Calls area, and a range of music venues: from intimate boltholes where grassroots artists play to large-capacity spaces, such as the First Direct Arena. A favourite for indie bands is the Wardrobe , one of the city’s oldest independent venues. Unlike the bar and restaurant on street level, the basement is a dark and cosy space where the gigs range from local bands to international acts.

Smokestack is another Leeds institution, a speakeasy-style bar showcasing the best funk, jazz and soul with a side of southern-style cocktails. For more jazz and funk, Sela Bar offers free or pay-as-you-feel gigs.

No night out in Leeds is complete without a visit to Belgrave Music Hall . A 1930s venue for live gigs, comedy, film and art spread across three floors, it offers pizza from the Dough Boys, cosy seating areas and a skyline view from the rooftop terrace. There’s also a 300-capacity venue where you can catch the latest indie acts.

The city’s self-proclaimed title of “foodie capital of the north” is a bold statement but, for a city of its size, Leeds has an impressive choice of independent coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants. Local produce shines thanks to its location on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Dales and east coast.

It’s worth planning a visit in May when the North Leeds food festival takes over Roundhay Park, one of Europe’s largest city parks. This two-day celebration features street-food vendors from around the UK, artisan markets, live music, chef demonstrations, interactive tasting sessions and family entertainment.

When the festival isn’t on, there’s street food to be had at Leeds Kirkgate Market . Its food hall specialises in global cuisine, including Turkish grilled fish at Mr Mackerel and Caribbean dishes at Jenny’s Jerk Chicken . For home comforts, head to the Fisherman’s Wife for fish and chips direct from the North Yorkshire coast or try a twist on the classic Sunday roast with a yorkshire pudding wrap – complete with all the trimmings – from the Yorkshire Wrap Company .

A personal favourite is Bánh & Mee , which serves Vietnamese dishes such as pho and crunchy summer rolls (mains from £5.50), while the award-winning Manjit’s Kitchen sells vegetarian Punjabi dishes (chilli paneer wraps and thali plates) with mains from £6.50. Near the market is Wapentake , a “proper Yorkshire” cafe, bar and bakery. It serves guilty pleasures such as crisp butties, cooked breakfasts and the bestselling gravy-drenched yorkshire pudding burgers (brunch from £5.50).

For something more refined, Ox Club is a modern, light-filled space whose grill transforms Yorkshire produce into imaginative dishes, including cod loin with seaweed butter sauce (mains from £21) . It’s within the multipurpose venue Headrow House , so round off your meal with drinks on the rooftop terrace.

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Around the city you’ll find everything from traditional, no-nonsense pubs to cool indie bars. Call Lane, in a former industrial area near the River Aire, is lined with some of the city’s best bars. Hopping from one to the next, it’s possible to sample more than 50 types of tequila at Neon Cactus or sip sophisticated cocktails at the Maven .

A short walk from Call Lane is Duck & Drake : an old-school boozer in the Kirkgate area with original Victorian features, including marble doorway jambs, globe light fittings and bare floorboards. It’s known for its wide selection of local cask ales and free live music performances (pints from £4). Also in Kirkgate is Doghouse Bar & Bagel Shop , a casual and intimate venue where you can sink into leather armchairs and enjoy the retro artwork as you nurse a pale ale. There are lagers and cask options, too, as well as cocktails and wines. If you’re feeling peckish, the selection of bagels hits the spot (bagels and pints from £5.50).

Despite being in the centre, it’s easy to miss the discreet sign for Below Stairs . In the basement of a Grade II-listed building, this upmarket bar specialises in experimental cocktails. Its menu is separated into different sections – sugar, salt, acid and fat – and uses unexpected ingredients such as Japanese Togarashi spice blend and sea foam. It’s a tough choice, but its standout cocktail is the Corn & Silk made with Jack Daniels Old No 7, Mellow Corn, Cereal Milk, BS Cornsilk and Meadowsweet Liqueur, Grand Josiene and Oat Creme Fraiché (cocktails from £9.95).

Neighbourhood

A 15-minute bus ride from the city centre is Chapel Allerton, a lively village-like neighbourhood. Creativity is at the heart of the area, with the annual Chapel Allerton arts festival marking its 26th year this September. Even if you’re not there for the festival, Seven is worth visiting, offering an independent arts space that features film, theatre, comedy and dance.

The Little Bookshop features amid a run of independent shops and offers an eclectic selection, while Chirpy is a lifestyle design store with a range of workshops and events, and visit Oakwood Vintage for its curated furniture collection. George & Joseph is an artisan cheese emporium with Yorkshire and British cheeses, Wayward Wines sells natural and organic wines from a range of small producers and Caspar’s Bottle Shop sells craft beer.

Appetite whetted, check out Hern , a bistro where seasonal produce shines. Expect dishes such as crispy chicken terrine with chilli and blue cheese, followed by rhubarb pavlova with lemon thyme baked cream. For comfort food, Crust & Crumb serves brunch favourites, as well as wraps, soups and home-baked treats.

Leeds has long been renowned for its breweries, and North Brewing Co is one of its finest with a bar and music venue in Chapel Allerton called Alley Cats , as well as Further North , a living room-like venue providing a homely atmosphere to catch up with friends over a large range of indie brews. Alternatively, the Woods is the ideal place to soak up the sun with craft beers and pizza on its outdoor terrace.

Quebecs Hotel may be in the financial and legal quarter (a two-minute walk from Leeds train station), but you’ll feel as if you’ve just stepped into a French chateau. Each of the 44 bedrooms in the Grade II-listed 19th-century building have been individually designed with classic touches. Elsewhere in the hotel, the Gallery is a cosy spot with stained-glass windows, while the Conservatory offers views across the rooftops. From £129 a night room-only.

Next to Leeds railway station, the palatial Queens Hotel was built for the former London, Midland & Scottish Railway. Combining art deco glamour with modern touches, the rooms are spacious and elegant. There’s a bar and restaurant, but you’re also just a three-minute walk from the Trinity Leeds shopping centre and city centre eateries. Doubles from £94.50 room-only.

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April 2024 total solar eclipse guide: How to watch, understand and stay safe on April 8

The surreal midday darkness of a total solar eclipse will pass over the United States on April 8, 2024, and there's plenty you should know before the big day, which won't happen again for about two decades .

Of all the celestial sights , there's none quite like a total solar eclipse , when the sun, moon and Earth align and a narrow stretch of land is plunged into the moon's shadow. Millions of people are expected to travel to see the spectacle, which will also attract scientists from across the country to study its unique effects .

But seeing the sight for yourself requires some planning: You'll want to know where the path of totality is, how to get protective glasses, how bad traffic will be and many other things.

Read on for answers for all your eclipse questions, including how to watch the eclipse , understand the eclipse and stay safe during the eclipse .

WATCHING THE APRIL 2024 ECLIPSE

How do i watch the 2024 solar eclipse.

There are a few ways of watching the eclipse:

• Get the full experience in person : If you're in a narrow band of U.S. land that spans from Texas to Maine, you will see the moon block the sun and its shadow cast a night-like darkness over Earth for a few minutes. You'll briefly be able to look up without eye protection and see the moon block the sun.
• Watch from outside the path of totality : Much of the U.S. will get a partial view of the eclipse that isn't nearly as impressive as being in the path of totality. Earth won't be plunged into complete darkness and you'll have to wear protective eyewear to see the moon partially block the sun.
• Watch a livestream : Check back on April 8 for a video feed from the path of totality. It's not the same as being there in person, but hey, at least you won't have to sit in traffic .

What time is the solar eclipse on April 8?

The eclipse will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT and end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT, but the exact time of the eclipse varies by where you are in its path.

You can search by zip code to find the exact time for your location.

Where will the April eclipse be visible?

All of the lower 48 U.S. states will see the moon at least clip the sun, but that sight is a trifle compared to being in the path of totality.

Because the narrow path includes or is near some of the nation's largest cities, expect millions of people to crowd into a band of land a little over 100 miles wide that spans from the Texas/Mexico border to the Maine/Canada border.

Here are the major cities in each state where you can expect to experience totality (note that the included times do not account for when the partial eclipse begins and ends):

• Dallas, Texas: 1:40-1:44 p.m. CDT
• Idabel, Oklahoma: 1:45-1:49 p.m. CDT
• Little Rock, Arkansas: 1:51-1:54 p.m. CDT
• Poplar Bluff, Missouri: 1:56-2:00 p.m. CDT
• Paducah, Kentucky: 2-2:02 p.m. CDT
• Carbondale, Illinois: 1:59-2:03 p.m. CDT
• Evansville, Indiana: 2:02-2:05 p.m. CDT
• Cleveland, Ohio: 3:13-3:17 p.m. EDT
• Erie, Pennsylvania: 3:16-3:20 p.m. EDT
• Buffalo, New York: 3:18-3:22 p.m. EDT
• Burlington, Vermont: 3:26-3:29 p.m. EDT
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: 3:27-3:30 p.m. EDT
• Caribou, Maine: 3:32-3:34 p.m. EDT

Will clouds block the April 2024 eclipse?

It's too soon to say for sure, but history offers some clues.

Chances of cloudy skies are pretty high along much of the eclipse's northern path, and some areas such as Buffalo have about a 1-in-3 chance of clear skies in early April.

Skies are usually more clear to the south. Right along the Texas/Mexico border, chances of a clear sky can be nearly 75%.

Keep in mind that clouds don't always ruin an eclipse. High, wispy clouds won't spoil the show in the same way that low thick clouds would. In that case, you wouldn't be able to see the moon pass in front of the sun, but you would still notice a sudden darkness in the path of totality.

Where is the best place to watch the eclipse?

Texas is considered the best state for eclipse viewing . There's a good chance the skies will be clear and its location along the southern path of the eclipse means totality will last a little longer.

A few lucky travelers will also have a front-row seat with unobstructed views — from a plane .

Will traffic be bad?

Most likely, yes — especially after the eclipse ends . Millions of people will crowd into the narrow path of totality, then many will attempt to leave all at once as soon as the eclipse is over.

When a total solar eclipse passed over the U.S. in 2017, reports say some traffic jams didn't fully clear for more than 12 hours. Even worse, a recent study reported that the 2017 eclipse "was associated with increased risks of a fatal traffic crash" – potentially as much as a 31% increase, the study said .

Also worth noting: The eclipse is expected to have impacts for air travel as well.

UNDERSTANDING THE 2024 ECLIPSE

What is a solar eclipse definition explained..

A total solar eclipse happens when three celestial spheres — the sun, moon and Earth — line up in a specific way in space.

According to NASA, a solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. That alignment casts a moving shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the sun's light in some areas. This leads to a period of partial or full darkness on a narrow stretch of Earth. 

The path is so narrow because of the huge distance and size of the sun — as well as the moon's distance from Earth. That focuses the moon's shadow on an area of land much smaller than the moon itself. The movement of the shadow across the land happens as the Earth's rotation interacts with the orbit of the moon.

A total eclipse only happens occasionally because the moon doesn't orbit in the exact same plane as the sun and Earth do. In addition, a solar eclipse can only happen during a new moon.

What's special about a total solar eclipse?

The total solar eclipse on April 8  is causing such a stir because the rare event is an astronomical experience like no other that will be unusually accessible to millions of people.

April's total solar eclipse will fall over more places in the U.S. than the total eclipse before and after it. And the broad length of the path of totality – where Americans have the best shot of getting a clear view – is "much wider"  than it was for the eclipse in 2017 , according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

A total solar eclipse is also far more impressive  than a lunar or an annular solar eclipse. During an annular eclipse, the moon covers the Sun but leaves an outside ring some call a "ring of fire" — it darkens the sky instead of plunging Earth into a night-like darkness, which is what happens during a total solar eclipse. And a lunar eclipse – the appearance of a red moon – happens when the moon passes into the Earth's shadow, according to NASA.

Total solar eclipses can have spiritual significance, too . Ancient cultures viewed as a sign of the gods' anger or impending departure. Some religions today are hosting eclipse viewings and services.

Historically, eclipses have left major marks on religious and spiritual civilizations. In Christianity, an eclipse has been associated with the darkness that accompanied Jesus' crucifixion and in Islam, the passing of the Prophet Muhammad's son Ibrahim.

When will the next solar eclipse happen?

The  next visible total solar eclipse  to cross over the U.S. after April will come in more than two decades on Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.

And that eclipse won't be as accessible as the 2024 one: The path of totality in 2044 will only touch the states of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society, a nonprofit involved in research, public outreach and political space advocacy. Another total eclipse  will pass over the U.S. in 2045  that will be more accessible to Americans, including for people who live in California, Florida and Nevada.

ECLIPSE GLASSES AND SAFETY

What kind of glasses are needed for the eclipse.

Gazing at the bright rays from the eclipse without  protective eyewear  can cause serious damage the retina of the eye, so wearing a pair of safe glasses is important.

There's a technical standard for eclipse glasses, which are designed to block out most light and let you safely see the moon pass in front of the sun: It's called ISO 12312-2 after the International Organization of Standardization.

While there's concerns that not all glasses marketed as eclipse glasses live up to that standard, experts say usually the shortcomings aren't significant .

How can you tell if eclipse glasses are real?

NASA shared an easy method to vet eclipse glasses at home.

Buyers should put on their glasses and look at a bright light, like a flashlight. If the light is "extremely dim," or doesn't appear at all, the glasses are safe, Susannah Darling, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said in an instructional video. Viewers should be able to see the filament of the lightbulb, not the glow surrounding the bulb.

Can you really go completely blind watching a solar eclipse?

No, but you could severely damage your eyes . Directly staring at the sun before and after the total eclipse, or watching a partial eclipse outside the path of totality without proper eye protection, can result in permanent damage including blurred and altered vision.

While rare, eye damage from watching a partial eclipse happens because a person's natural response to squint when looking at sunlight does not get triggered. In the leadup to the  April 8 solar eclipse ,  doctors and a rare set of eclipse watchers are warning about  watching this planetary event without adequate eclipse glasses or with the naked eye.

It’s hard for experts to know or even estimate how many people experience eye damage from solar eclipses. Since looking at an eclipse does not cause complete blindness, people with permanent damage may not know they have it or report it to a doctor. The  2017 eclipse , which passed from Oregon to South Carolina, is thought to have caused about 100 cases, according to the  American Astronomical Society .

How can I watch the eclipse without glasses?

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses do not use regular sunglasses — You need a more creative solution for safe viewing, like a pinhole projector .

Contributing: Ramon Padilla, Karina Zaiets and Janet Loehrke

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How to fast travel in Dragon’s Dogma 2

Getting around with oxcarts and portcrystals

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Dragon’s Dogma 2 features a colossal map, and you’re going to be walking across a lot of it. Happily, there are a couple of ways to fast travel . Unhappily, they’re pretty limited, so you’ll still end up hoofing it more often than not.

Our Dragon’s Dogma 2 guide will show you how to fast travel via two distinct methods, and explain the benefits (and limitations) of both.

Fast travel locations in Dragon’s Dogma 2

There are two ways to fast travel in Dragon’s Dogma 2 : oxcarts and portcrystals. You can only fast travel between specific locations as well. The map above shows the fast travel locations available to you in Vermund, the first region you’ll explore.

How to fast travel between cities with oxcarts

The most straightforward way to fast travel in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is to hop on an oxcart. The main benefit of fast traveling with an oxcart is that cheap — 100 or 200 gold.

Oxcarts are limited, though, in that they’ll only leave their stands in the morning — you’ll have to sit and wait at the stand if you get there at any other time of day. They’re also slow. You can doze off while sitting in one, but time still passes in the background. That’s really only a problem when you’ve got a time-sensitive quest, though.

The bigger problem with oxcarts is that there are only two of them in the starting region of Vermund, and they only travel to three towns — Melve , the capital of Vernworth , and the Checkpoint Rest Stop by Battahl . It’s still a good way to get across the kingdom relatively quickly, though.

Your oxcart also might (and, in our experience, will ) get attacked by monsters. That’ll disrupt your ride, but you can hop right back on once the baddies are dealt with — assuming you don’t accidentally destroy the oxcart in the fray. If you do happen to destroy the oxcart, you’ll just have to finish your trip on foot.

How to fast travel to portcrystals with ferrystones

The other method of fast travel is actually fast: teleporting with portcrystals . Teleportation is obviously faster than oxen, but it, too, is severely limited.

To use a portcrystal, you first have to find one and activate it. There are two in Vermund — one in Vernworth and one in Harve Village . Once a portcrystal is activated, it becomes a fast travel destination — and that’s it. You can’t interact with them beyond activating them.

To travel to a portcrystal, you’ll need to use a ferrystone . These are pretty rare items that you’ll find in out-of-the-way treasure chests or receive as quest rewards. You can also buy them from some vendors for 10,000 gold .

You might also come across a portcrystal as an item — you’ll get one as a reward during the “A Trial of Archery” quest in Sacred Arbor, for example. These are reusable items that you can place and pick up as you need. They act as portable portcrystals, meaning you still need a ferrystone to reach them.

You can have 10 of these non-fixed portcrystals active at a time, but they are also extremely rare. (Sensing a trend yet?) As of this writing, we’ve clocked roughly 50 hours into Dragon’s Dogma 2. We have found precisely one.

For more Dragon’s Dogma 2 guides , check out our beginners guides to combat and the pawn system, or peruse our list of all vocations and all augments . We also have explainers on how to change time of day , how to increase your inventory size , how to change your appearance , how to get out of gaol , and how to change vocations .

• Dragon’s Dogma 2 guides
• Beginner’s tips
• What vocation to pick
• Vernworth quest order
• Best augments

Dragon’s Dogma 2 guides, walkthroughs, and explainers

• How to import a pre-made character
• Beginner’s tips before starting
• How to hire and use pawns
• Combat tips for new players
• How to delete your Dragon’s Dogma 2 save files (PC only)
• What vocation to pick + all vocations list
• Best augments and augments list
• How to change your vocation
• How to unlock the Warrior vocation
• How to unlock the Sorcerer vocation
• How to unlock the Magick Archer vocation
• How to unlock the Mystic Spearhand vocation
• How to unlock the Trickster vocation
• How to unlock the Warfarer vocation
• The best Archer build for beginners
• The best Fighter build for beginners
• The best Mage build for beginners
• The best Thief build for beginners
• How to change your appearance
• How to change the time of day
• How to buy a house
• How to increase inventory size
• How to get more Wakestones
• How to get out of gaol
• Where to find 30 Seeker’s Tokens
• Best quest order for Captain Brant
• When to go to the ‘Feast of Deception’ coronation
• How to get into Battahl
• How to reach the Nameless Village
• ‘The Arisen’s Shadow’ quest walkthrough
• ‘Prey for the Pack’ quest walkthrough
• ‘The Phantom Oxcart’ quest walkthrough
• ‘A Beggar’s Tale’ quest walkthrough
• ‘The Caged Magistrate’ quest walkthrough
• ‘Hunt for the Jadeite Orb’ quest walkthrough
• ‘The Ornate Box’ quest walkthrough
• ‘Oxcart Courier’ quest walkthrough

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A procrastinator's guide to the solar eclipse: Everything you need to know before April 8

The total solar eclipse that will be visible in Indiana is only a couple of weeks away. If you haven't prepared yet, here are a few things you need to know and still have time to do before the eclipse.

Solar eclipse 2024 time and date

Monday, April 8, 2024, is when a total solar eclipse will be viewable in multiple cities throughout Indiana.

According to  NASA  and  Eclipse2024.org , Hoosiers will be able to watch the total solar eclipse of 2024 at the following times and places.

How to view the solar eclipse safely

Before the eclipse happens, it's important to be informed on when you can look and ensure that you have the right solar eclipse glasses that will protect your eyes.

In general, it is never safe to look a the sun (even through a telescope or camera lens), but during the eclipse, there will be a few minutes where the sun is completely covered by the moon (during the period of totality) where it will be OK, but you still need to be careful.

The article below describes what you need to know about what happens when you look at the eclipse.

Total solar eclipse 2024: What happens if you look directly at a solar eclipse? The answer depends on when you look

When purchasing solar eclipse glasses, it is important to make sure they are legit. The article below details everything you need to know about checking to make sure they will really protect your eyes while viewing the eclipse.

Solar eclipse glasses safety: Are your solar eclipse glasses safe? Here are three easy ways to check

Viewing the eclipse through your phone or DLSR camera can also be dangerous or cause costly damage. This article tells you what you need.

Eclipse photography: No, you can't just point your camera at the sun. Learn how to photograph the solar eclipse

Where to buy solar eclipse glasses

If you're still searching for proper eye protection before the eclipse, this article details a few places to check.

Buy eclipse glasses: Protect your eyes during the total solar eclipse. Here's where to get glasses

What should I wear (other than eye protection) during the eclipse?

Did you know that what you wear while watching the eclipse can actually enhance the viewing experience? The article below details what colors you may want to wear while watching the eclipse.

Eclipse fashion: Here's which colors to wear — and avoid — during the April 8 solar eclipse

Should I worry about my pets during the eclipse?

Whether you have dogs, cats or even horses, the article below details everything you need to know about preparing your pets for the eclipse.

Animals and the solar eclipse: Eclipse could cause discomfort for dogs, cats, even horses. How to help them stay calm

Where is the eclipse path of totality?

Ways to watch the solar eclipse in indiana.

If you're looking for ticketed events, you can check the article below to see if these events and viewing parties still have any tickets.

Eclipse events in Indy: Ticketed events, parties in Central Indiana where you can see the April 8 solar eclipse

More to do: Humans and animals both invited IndyHumane's eclipse viewing party

There are also several free events happening in Indy and the article below provides details on those.

Free eclipse events: Free events in Central Indiana that offer views of the April 8 solar eclipse

Where to stay if you're traveling to Indy

Many people are headed to Indiana to view this once in a lifetime total solar eclipse. Several hotels may already be booked, but you may still be able to find a public campsite to stay at while you're in town for the eclipse. The articles below includes all the information you need to know about that.

Campsites for eclipse travelers: DNR: There's still time to book a public campsite to watch total solar eclipse in April

Camp at the IMS: Planning to watch the eclipse at Indianapolis Motor Speedway? What to know about camping

If you're staying in an Airbnb, they'll be distributing eclipse glasses to guests. The article below has more information on that.

Protect your eyes: Airbnb distributes eclipse glasses in Indianapolis, a top destination for eclipse travel

Are your local schools closed for the eclipse?

Many school districts across the country will be closed for this once-in-a-lifetime solar event. The article below details what Central Indiana school districts will be doing for the eclipse.

More: Here's what central Indiana schools are doing on April 8 during the solar eclipse

Katie Wiseman is a trending news intern at IndyStar. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman .