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.

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.