| This week: Locally sourced recs for your summer travels. |  | Gurteen Bay, Ireland | | | | WWALD (What would a local do)? | At the time of writing, I’m bound for Dublin in a week. With zero planning accomplished – save for a flight, a hotel reservation and a dream – I’m confident it’s going to be a fabulous trip thanks to an immaculate list of recommendations from my fellow editor and Dublin local Sasha Brady. It’s my favorite game when I travel. How simple of an itinerary can I manage while relying on a local’s list of favorites the rest of the way? This goes for restaurants, shops (preferably vintage) and museums, but it also applies to the most basic question: Where should I go? Sasha’s a fan of this question, too, which is why she asked locals in all your favorite destinations about their favorite vacation spots on their home turf. Let’s start with Ireland and go from there, shall we? | | | | | Follow the cool kids in Japan | Japan offers endless surprises, especially when you venture off the beaten path. We asked five experts to share their favorite places, from the slopes of Moiwa in Hokkaidō to Kagurazaka in Tokyo. | | | | | The road less traveled in Portugal | Tranquil hiking trails, a village-like island and lovely beachfront camping sites – Portugal-based Lonely Planet writers share the places most dear to them across the country. | | | | | I’m headed to France for the first time ever this month, and I’m already nosing around for intel on those special, lesser-visited spots. Three Lonely Planet writers are here to help. | | | | | Cherry blossoms at Wuling Farm, Taiwan | | Two reasons to visit Taiwan right now: the cherry blossoms are blooming, and the coast is warming up – which means you won’t have to share the beach with as many banana boats as in the summertime. If you're planning a trip to Taiwan, don't stress about using your mobile device. Check out the eSIM service, Saily, to get a reliable, affordable and secure internet connection when traveling. | | | Reader question: Is it possible to still have a good experience in US national parks given the recent staffing cuts? LP recommendation: Our biggest advice is to be prepared for longer wait times and potential closures. If you're planning to visit a US national park in 2025, here’s everything you should know. | | | | Photography by: Robert Ormerod for Lonely Planet, StevanZZ/Shutterstock, b-hide the scene/Shutterstock, Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock, visuallook/Getty Images, hsiuchin/Shutterstock | This email was sent to you by:
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