Travel

The Independent Travel team are firm believers in the power of travel, whether that’s to explore new landscapes, delve into other cultures or simply to bring joy with a really great vacation. Our features, guides and reviews aim to inspire your travel, as well as provide you with all the key information to ensure your trip runs smoothly – from picking the best hotel to finding the cheapest flight and discovering the most authentic experiences.

Latest travel features

<p>Block Island is often eclipsed by the more famous Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, but it offers a slower pace of life</p>

This New England town is the perfect alternative to Martha’s Vineyard

Rhode Island local Kassondra Cloos discovers a slower pace of life on Block Island when visiting out-of-season – spotting seals, walking wooded trails and staying at a historic Inn

<p>The Rue des Saules in Montmartre is picture-perfect Paris</p>

Inside the six Paris neighbourhoods you should know before visiting

<p>Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan star The White Lotus season three</p>

The White Lotus season three filming locations, revealed

<p>Blissful escapism can be found in Lombok </p>

This paradise island is a quieter, cheaper alternative to Bali

News and advice

<p>It’s important to be aware of local laws to stay out of trouble in Dubai </p>

Dubai laws you need to know before visiting

Here’s how to respect local laws, traditions and religions while travelling in Dubai

Dubai laws you need to know before visiting

Here’s how to respect local laws, traditions and religions while travelling in Dubai

<p>It’s important to be aware of local laws to stay out of trouble in Dubai </p>

<p>US government issues travel advisory to popular vacation destination</p>

US government issues travel advisory to popular vacation destination

<p>Permit please? Motorists boarding ferries at Dover for France will not need to present an Etias until April 2027 at the earliest</p>

Europe visa: when must I apply for an Etias and how will it work?

<p>Even seasoned fliers can get spooked by the mid-flight bumps and shakes</p>

What is flight turbulence and can it cause a plane to crash?

<p>Villefranche-sur-Mer could see a cap of 65 cruises entering its port a year if the proposal is passed</p>

French Riviera authorities backtrack on war against cruise ships

<p>Villefranche-sur-Mer could see a cap of 65 cruises entering its port a year if the proposal is passed</p>

French Riviera authorities backtrack on war against cruise ships

<p>The move has been described as a proportionate and fair measure by officials</p>

Catalonia to double tourist tax in blow to holidaymakers

<p>In January, 67 people were killed in a fatal collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport </p>

False mid-air collision warnings over DC airport investigated

New York

<p>The Sands Point Preserve was the inspiration for East Egg in F Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’</p>

On the glittering trail of F Scott Fitzgerald in New York

<p>Views are the city can’t get much better than at the 23-storey William Vale hotel</p>

Best hotels in New York 2025, reviewed

<p>Spend a relaxing session at the Shibui Spa at the Greenwich Hotel </p>

Best spa hotels in New York 2025, reviewed

<p>A short NYC trip can be rewarding – and affordable – when planned right</p>

How to have a budget 72-hour break in New York City

California

<p>Head to The Maybourne for a touch of luxury in Los Angeles</p>

Best luxury hotels in LA for 2025, reviewed

<p>It’s glitz and glam all the way when you’re living like a Real Housewife</p>

How to explore Beverly Hills like a Real Housewife

<p>You can’t get closer to the heart of Hollywood than the Hotel Roosevelt</p>

Best hotels in LA in 2025, reviewed

<p>The Channel Islands are an eight-island archipelago off the California coast</p>

The secret Californian islands that escape most tourists’ radars

Florida

Disney Treasure first look: Adventures with Aladdin and Donald Duck

<p>There’s much more to this Florida city than just theme parks</p>

Swap Mickey Mouse for Matisse: A culture-filled trip to Orlando

<p>The immersive Wizarding World of Harry Potter streets that look just like real-life London</p>

What’s Harry Potter World really like – according to a London resident

<p>Art Deco hotels along the beach in Miami</p>

Best cities to visit in Florida

Canada

<p>Coldi-locks: Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs hosts an annual International Hair Freezing Contest</p>

Inside the mad world of Canada’s hair-freezing competition

<p>Echoes of the past: The hand of Hercules at the ancient citadel in Amman, Jordan</p>

The 11 travel destinations our experts are desperate to visit in 2025

<p>Along the rocks near Hudson Bay while watching for polar bears in Churchill</p>

What it’s like to live in the polar bear capital of the world

New Brunswick is famed for its nautical culture, incredible scenery and delicious seafood (PA)

A quiet summer break with the highest tides – and freshest lobster

South America

<p>Ecuador has an abundance of natural sites </p>

The best places to visit in Ecuador in 2025

<p>The hotel has its own expedition boat for exploring neighbouring islands </p>

Finch Bay, Galapagos hotel review

<p>The hotel offers total immersion in the Chocó bioregion of the Andes Mountains of Ecuador </p>

Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador hotel review

<p>This is a continent of extremes, with towering mountain ranges, charming towns and sprawling salt flats </p>

Best countries to visit in South America

Caribbean

<p>Robyn found serenity on the private beach at Punta Maroma</p>

Crowd-free Yucatan: A peaceful stay on Mexico’s party peninsula

<p>Exploring Panama's Copia de Parque Nacional Barú</p>

Caribbean and Central America

Could this central American country become as popular as Costa Rica?

<p>From dining to dancing, there’s something going on around every vivid corner</p>

Why you shouldn’t miss this colourful alternative to Cancun

<p>Jamaica has bounced back following the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl </p>

How Jamaica has bounced back after the devastation of Hurricane Beryl

Mexico

<p>Oaxaca is a city celebrated for its rich cultural heritage</p>

7 best Mexico holiday destinations for 2025

<p>‘There’s no up, down, to the side because there’s no gravity. You don’t feel any pressure on your body in any particular place’ </p>

Adventure travel

Why freedivers take extreme risks to find peace deep under the surface

<p>The peaceful lagoon pool at Haven Riviera </p>

Why Mexico is an ideal choice for LGBT+ honeymoons

<p>Travel from Mexico City to Oaxaca for excellent cuisine, rich culture and beautiful landscapes </p>

Combining the magic of Mexico City with the charm of Oaxaca

Europe

<p>Orthodox Christian monk Father Spyridon locks the chapel of the Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa</p>

Meet the monk who lives in the cliffs on a Greek holiday island

<p>The hotel feels remove – but is only a 20-minute drive from Alentejo’s capital, Evora</p>

Octant Evora, Portugal hotel review

<p>Cima Immink is part of the Pale di San Martino – the largest massif in the Dolomites</p>

Following the footsteps of an 1890s alpinist in the Dolomites

<p>Find Hôtel Henriette in the 13th arrondissement and more affordable hotels in the centre of Paris</p>

Best cheap hotels in Paris 2025, reviewed

Italy

<p>Villa Agrippina’s Renaissance suite includes a large terrace with a hot tub and jaw-dropping views over the Vatican and St Peter’s dome</p>

Best luxury hotels in Rome 2025, reviewed

<p>Picturesque corner of a quaint hill town in Italy</p>

How can I buy a €1 house in Italy?

<p>2025 is a packed year for the Eternal City</p>

The best events in Rome in 2025, from art to archaeology

<p>The Italian capital has a ranges of hotels to suit all budgets</p>

Best hotels in Rome 2025, reviewed

France

<p>The French captial has over 1,000 hotels to choose from, whether you are after balcony views or spa retreats </p>

Best hotels in Paris 2025, reviewed

<p>Père Lachaise is ‘an archive of Paris’</p>

Inside the Paris cemetery that is as much a museum as the Louvre

<p>Keep your eyes open for the city’s landmarks, whether spotting them from a boutique bedroom or a rooftop terrace </p>

Best boutique hotels in Paris 2025, reviewed

<p>The Île de la Cité is home to one of Victor Hugo’s most important characters: the Notre-Dame</p>

Tracking the footsteps of Victor Hugo’s secret Paris

UK

<p>Most of the Eden Project’s sights are indoors</p>

What to do when it rains on holiday in Cornwall

<p>Cruise around The Needles for a closer look at the landmark chalk stacks </p>

Best things to do on the Isle of Wight for 2025

<p>Across the Thames at Richmond Lock and weir</p>

The 78-mile walking route offering a new perspective on London

<p>Places like Lantic Bay are among the most unspoilt parts of the county </p>

Best places in Cornwall to avoid the summer crowds

Asia

<p>A tourist walks through the Dien Bien Phu Military Cemetery</p>

Why tourists are flocking to Vietnam battlefields 50 years on from war

<p>Stock market numbers are displayed at the New York Stock Exchange during afternoon trading on 9 April 2025</p>

China issues US travel advisory as Trump ramps up trade war

<p>Sam Nivola, Sarah Catherine Hook and Patrick Schwarzenegger star in The White Lotus season three </p>

The White Lotus season three filming locations, revealed

<p>Angkor Wat, Cambodia's iconic landmark</p>

How to get the best out of visiting Cambodia’s Siem Reap

Japan

<p>For a traditional taste of Japan that is less-crowded than Kyoto, head to Kanazawa</p>

The best Japanese destination swaps 2025

<p>Representational: This picture taken on 1 February 2023 shows tourists boarding a bus at the Owakudani volcanic valley in Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture</p>

Japan’s first bunk-bed bus allows tourists to skip the hotel

<p>The ancient pilgrimage route weaves through forests and open spaces with mountain vistas</p>

What it’s like to hike Japan’s ancient Kumano Kodo trail

Japan’s vending machines now serve authentic ramen in a can

Bali

<p>Song and dance: A traditional Balinese performance </p>

The only way to visit dream destination Bali in 2025

Islands such as Bali and Lombok have become increasingly popular destinations for tourists visiting Indonesia

The best Bali holiday destinations

<p>Paradise beaches take prime position on the “Island of the Gods” </p>

The best beaches in Bali

<p>Bali is Indonesia’s famed holiday isle </p>

Bali travel guide: Everything to know before you go

Cruises

<p>A Greek island cruise could take you to more remote islands such as Milos </p>

9 of the best cruises to see the Greek islands

<p>‘Wave season’ is a great time to find a bargain cruise deal</p>

Best cruise deals for 2025, selected by an expert

<p>Cruise brands such as Holland America Line are already regular visitors to the expended port</p>

Port of Dover £6m upgrade makes room for world’s largest cruise ships

<p>Allure of the Seas entered dry dock in February for a major revamp</p>

Behind the scenes of $100 million Allure of the Seas revamp

Skiing

<p>The TravelSmart guide to far-flung ski destinations</p>

The TravelSmart guide to far-flung ski destinations

<p>Trysil is the country’s largest ski centre, with 69 slopes and 32 lifts </p>

8 best ski resorts in Norway for your 2025 skiing holiday

<p>Fiona McIntosh hits the slopes</p>

How to have an extraordinary ski holiday on an ordinary budget

<p>Port del Comte is one of Catalonia’s 10 ski resorts </p>

Swap the French Alps for a slowed-down ski holiday in Catalonia

Sustainable travel

<p>A room at Richmond’s Bingham Riverhouse, which was the first independent hotel to gain B Corp status</p>

Sustainable travel

What does it take to become a B Corp hotel?

<p>Perks of packing for a train over a plane include the stamp of sustainability</p>

The best flight-free holiday destinations from the UK

<p>Barcelona residents have marched through the city in a string of anti-tourism protests</p>

Sustainable travel

Bali to Italy: 39 destinations cracking down on overtourism

<p>Pilgrims travelling down the Camino de Santiago in Spain has brought economic boosts to many communities over the years</p>

Seven unusual ways to travel ethically in 2025