As Lonely Planet are sold for a massive loss, we question the future of the travel guidebook…

With Lonely Planet being sold by the BBC this week for a shocking £55 million loss, does this put the future of guidebooks into question? This happens in the same week that we hear Frommers guidebooks, born in 1957 with the groundbreaking ‘Europe on 5 dollars a day’, announce the decision that they will publish no more titles. So what do you think? What is the future of Lonely Planet and the travel guidebook in general? Is there still a place for the guidebook when you are planning your trip?

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Event of the Month: Don’t Miss! The Bali Spirit Festival, 20th-24th March

Let’s face it – everyone loves a good festival. Live music, culture, yummy food stalls, blazing hot weather (unless we’re talking Glastonbury, of course… but hey, we’re in South East Asia!). Karen Farini, Deputy Editor of S.E.A Backpacker find out all about the tantalizing BaliSpirit Festival...

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Event of the Month: Rainforest World Music Festival 2012, Sarawak, Borneo (13th – 15th July)

Next weekend the only place to be is deep in the heart of the Borneo jungles. A place of exotic mystery, the thrill of adventure; the land of ancient virgin rainforests, hornbills, orangutans and the fabled white Rajahs. As well as being home to 27 ethnic groups, between 13th - 15th July it houses the mother of all global music festivals...

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What’s in This Issue? The Best of S.E.A Backpacker Mag, Issue 19: July / August

Endless nights of staying up until well into the early hours, fuelled by Chang, excitement and adrenaline – no, we’re not talking about a typical backpacking holiday but the effort the S.E.A Backpacker Team put into the magazine revamp! For our third birthday we’ve gone all upmarket with a hard back spine – get us! – and NEW sections including Annabelle, Local Portraits and Party Hotspots – here’s a taster of what’s inside…

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Backpacker Video of the Month: Six Months Walking in Asia

To discover the beauties of the planet and to make them immortal; to represent the spirit of every magical corner of the world and every culture... June's Backpacker Video of the Month is Marco Giovanelli's wonderful visual representation of his adventure through Asia. It kept all of us at the office captivated and smiling - you're gonna LOVE this..!

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Event of the Month: Bali Arts Festival 2012, Indonesia (11th June – 9th July)

Taking place over an entire month from mid June to mid July, the Bali Arts Festival is a unique extravaganza of arts, music, dance and history celebrating passion and pride in Balinese culture. Amongst other performances, famous masked dances originating from tribal villages are showcased and ancient classic stories retold. There's a vibrant atmosphere all across the island as celebrations are enjoyed by locals and travellers alike. For first time travellers to Bali, it's a fantastic introduction to the rich heritage of the spirited destination...

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What’s in This Issue? The Best of S.E.A Backpacker Mag, Issue 18: May / June

They're as precious as a Tibetan visa, as treasured as a passport full of stamps and as priceless as a a love letter scrawled on the back of a Singha beer mat... S.E.A Backpacker Magazine is officially the BEST souvenir you can take from your travels in South East Asia. And with 20,000 copies printed every two months, you can grab a copy at hostels, guesthouses, adventure centers, travel agents and cafes all along the backpacker trail. Here's a mouthwatering taster of what you will find in our current issue (Issue 18: May / June) Have you picked up your copy yet?

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7 Epic Journeys in South East Asia

Some involve arduous days on a hot, cramped bus, some consist of a five minute breezy ride on the turquoise sea... no matter how long or short, there are some journeys from your backpacking adventure that you will never forget! We spoke to backpackers to find out the most memorable trips in South East Asia. From the famous 27 hour Laos-Vietnam bus, to the infamous tuk tuks of Bangkok, how many journeys can you tick off?

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Backpacker Visa Guide to Southeast Asia

As a backpacker in South East Asia crossing borders becomes a regular undertaking. Each country has a different rule of entry and some countries will require you to apply for a visa before you travel. As visa requirements often change, for travellers it can be difficult to plan things like budget and duration of travel. Here, we've done our best to compile the latest visa information in South East Asia to make it easier to plan your trip!

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Sumatra, Indonesia: The Forgotten Island

It’s a land that is often overlooked by backpackers on the well trodden South East Asian trail, yet Sumatra, the largest of Indonesia's 17,000 islands is an absolute gem. Located just hours away from the tourist laden shores of Thailand and Malaysia, it's people must be wondering what the other countries in Southeast Asia have that it doesn't. Amazing scenery, volcanoes, surf beaches, rainforests, enormous lakes, friendly locals and dirt cheap accommodation. What more could a backpacker ask for?

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