Lonely Planet founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler wrote their first book after an overland trip from England to Australia in 1973. So many people asked them where they went and how they did it that they decided to write a book about it. That book, Across the Asia on the Cheap, became an instant local bestseller and Lonely Planet was created.

Lonely Planet publications are designed for adventurous, independent travellers. The guides assume travellers know how to get their luggage off the carousel and follow the philosophy "don't worry about whether your trip will work out. Just go!" The guides cover the must-see spots but also encourage travellers to get off the beaten-track and really get to know the place and people they are visiting.

Lonely Planet built its reputation covering Asia, Africa and Latin America yet today it covers the entire globe with over 400 publications. These include guidebooks, phrasebooks, walking guides, videos, travel literature and atlases and maps. And while the company started out producing guidebooks for budget travellers, the books today include a range of options so that travellers can get the most out of their time and money, whether they're travelling on a shoestring or an expense account.

One more bit of Lonely Planet history -- where the Lonely Planet name came from. It's from a line in "Space Captain," a song by Joe Cocker and Leon Russell from the album "Mad Dogs and Englishmen." The actual words from the song are "lovely planet" but Tony Wheeler heard "lonely planet" and liked it and the rest is history.

Know before you go - these pre-departure guides answer questions, alleviate concerns and educate all travellers.

• Healthy Travel guides - take two and call your travel agent in the morning. These pocket-sized books are nothing to sneeze at.
• Travel Reference - advice about when and how to plan your own worldwide adventure.

• Extensive coverage that has the globe covered

• Greater in-depth detail to popular regional areas within countries

• A comprehensive guide for the city explorer
• Extensive coverage to make travellers feel like locals in the city
• Detailed listings on shopping, restaurants, clubs, accommodations
• Comprehensive color maps

• Quick, easy and accessible information for sort city breaks

• Big trips on small budgets - go further, stay longer, pay less
• Covers entire continents

• Travellers with an independent mindset
• Cross-range of ages and budgets

• Travellers who want to explore a region in more depth
• Often repeat visitors returning to a favorite destination

• City explorers who want to get the most out of a city and feel like a local
• Travellers who look for a wide range of options

• Urban adventurers looking to enhance their short-break experiences through greater immersion and exploration

• New and independent travellers making big trips, wanting to stay longer and stretch their money further

• Comprehensive maps, even to the smallest towns

• Full-color fold-out regional map
• Extra information for driving and travelling with a family

• Full-color maps

• Pocket-sized
• Full-color pull-out map

• Planning and itinerary information
• travel tips for the first-time traveller
• Budget-conscious content

From hiking & biking to diving & dining, these specialized guides complement the guidebooks and connect you with the things you most enjoy.

• Hiking, Trekking, Walking Guides - Put your feet on the road to the great outdoors with reliable maps and expert advice
• Cycling Guides - Get rolling with these cycling guides
• Diving & Snorkeling Guides - Discover the top attractions above and below the water before you've even got your toes wet
• National Parks Guides - For road-tripping families to the serious outdoors nut, these guides cover the best sights, hikes and campgrounds to pitch a tent at
• Watching Wildlife Guides - Where and how to see the world's wildlife

Dreaming of your next holiday? Lonely Planet's travel literature, DVDs, calendars and vivid pictorials will keep your travel bug buzzing.

• Literature - a travel literature series that captures the spirit of a place, illuminates a culture, recounts an adventure or introduces a fascinating way of life. Written by a diverse group of authors, these books are tales to read while on the road or at home in your favorite armchair.
• Pictorials - just the ticket for both travellers and dreamers. Quirky tales and vivid photographs bring the adventure of travel to life both before the journey begins and long after it is over.