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Travel

Where to go and what to know

Welcome to The Independent’s travel section, here to provide everything you need to plan your perfect trip. From inspiration for your next beach holiday, off-the-beaten-track adventure or city break to the practical information you need to save money when booking a getaway, our team of experts is here to help.

Check out our reviews of the best hotels to ensure you bed down in style, browse our deals to bag a bargain, or select a destination and start daydreaming, whether it’s in the UK, Europe, USA, Asia, South America, Africa or Australasia.

The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder is on hand to share all the latest travel news, plus his top tips and advice for travelling on a budget, while environmentally conscious travellers can discover greener ways to see the world in our sustainable travel section. Planning an urban escape? Don’t miss our City Guides, revealing the best places to eat, drink, shop and stay.

<p>Château de la Messardière was built in 1904 as a wedding gift from cognac merchant Gabriel Dupuy d'Angeac for his daughter Louise and her cavalry officer husband, Henry Brisson de La Messardière </p>

I stayed in the new White Lotus hotel for season 4 — and it’s stunning

The Independent's travel team shared their predictions for the location of the next White Lotus hotel last year — and US Travel Editor Ted Thornhill correctly prophesied Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez. Here he recalls his blissful family stay at the property

<p>Ruby has travelled the world with her family for years </p>

I ‘worldschool’ my son – these have been our most inspiring trips

From knife-making in Japan to beekeeping in Montenegro, Ruby Deevoy explains how she supplements her child’s education through travel

<p>The town has been described as ‘Satan’s mini-break’</p>

This seaside town is home to some of Britain’s strangest attractions

<p>Our travel experts recommend some of the best places to visit in the coming year </p>

The best places to visit in 2026

<p>Venturers gather for the end-of-day expert debrief on the day’s discoveries</p>

How an archaeology holiday can unearth real calm and connection

TravelSmart Weekly

<p>Watch to find out more about how to visit Cadiz & Costa de la Luz</p>

Explore the majesty of Cádiz and the Costa de la Luz

<p>A rail adventure from London, through Europe, to Morocco </p>

The ultimate rail adventure from London to Morocco

<p>Louisiana TravelSmart</p>

Delve into the rhythms and flavours of Louisiana

Discover Norway’s majestic fjords with Travel Smart

Winter sun travel

<p>The Atlas Mountains in Morocco</p>

Winter sun holidays

The best winter sun holiday destinations with a short flight

<p>The popular tourist 'Papagayo Beach' on Lanzarote's South Coast, Canary Islands, Spain. </p>

The best holidays to book for February 2026

<p>If the new year chill has you dreaming of warmer climes, Tui has you covered with its winter sun holiday deals</p>

Best Tui deals for winter sun holidays in 2026

<p>Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic sees highs of 30C in March</p>

Where’s hot in March? The best holiday destinations for warm weather

Europe

Expert travel guides and the best European destinations to visit on your next break.

<p>Maradona has an almost religious status in the city </p>

Naples remains a city in love with the beautiful game

<p>Around 80 per cent of hotels in Calvía and Magaluf are now four or five star</p>

Magaluf is quietly becoming Spain’s most cultural getaway

<p>A new transport link means that festive travel to the north of France is particularly easy this year </p>

Brittany in winter is surprisingly beautiful

<p>The National Library is known as the ‘Castle of Light’, serving as a symbol of Riga’s ambition</p>

Is this city Europe’s new capital of cool?

<p>This medieval town in the Cote D’Azur is known for attracting painters and sculptors </p>

Cultural Holidays and Trips

St-Paul-de-Vence is the tiny French town bursting with art galleries

USA

Expert travel guides and best American destinations to visit on your USA holiday.

<p>Philadelphia's restaurants and cafes rival those in New York and Chicago</p>

Philadelphia is the USA’s ultimate city for food

Thea Everett finds blood-sugar-be-damned fun in this overlooked American metropolis

Philadelphia is the USA’s ultimate city for food

Thea Everett finds blood-sugar-be-damned fun in this overlooked American metropolis

<p>Philadelphia's restaurants and cafes rival those in New York and Chicago</p>

<p>Mitchelville Historic Freedom Park on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina stands in the place of the first self-governed town in the United States of formerly enslaved people</p>

Mitchelville could be the most important place you visit in the USA

<p>Zoey discovered the heart of Las Vegas via its neon lights and carnival atmosphere </p>

Modern Las Vegas might be fading, but its vintage side still thrills

<p>Zoey Goto and Jared Boyd at the Floyd Country Store on Virginia’s Crooked Road</p>

I visited the birthplace of country music – and it’s not Nashville

Louisiana: a guide to the musical state that never sleeps

Louisiana: a guide to the musical state that never sleeps

<p>Rory Buccheri embraces all things LGBT+ in Chicago</p>

The ultimate LGBT+ travel guide to Chicago

<p>The property where the Dutton’s live in Yellowstone and its spin-offs is a real life, working ranch in Montana </p>

Inside the real-life ranch where Yellowstone was filmed

UK

From hotel reviews to city guides and best offers, our experts guide you through the best UK staycations.

UK hotels

Partner content

Save up to £500 on TUI holidays, including cruises and city breaks

<p>Swap the city buzz for hiking trails and swamp walks in Louisiana</p>

Why Louisiana belongs on every nature lover’s bucket list

Five perfect family getaways in Catalonia’s green heart

Inside the living traditions of the Pyrenees of Catalonia

Simon Calder

<p>Millions of dual nationals own a passport<a href="/topic/passport"></a> issued by their country of residence</p>

These are the UK dual citizen passport rules you need to know

<p>Papers please: Most overseas passengers flying to the UK need an Electronic Travel Authorisation in advance</p>

What is an ETA and how can European visitors apply for the visa?

<p>Departing Dublin: Many Manchester passengers have had to travel to the US via the Irish capital</p>

Passenger fury at Aer Lingus Manchester airport cancellations

<p>Gatwick diversion: Path of Swiss flight LX324 from Zurich to London Heathrow, which held for 30 minutes before diverting</p>

Suspected drones cause flight delays at Heathrow airport

Travel deals

<p>Soak up big savings with the latest TUI voucher codes</p>

This Tui discount code saves you up to £300 on holidays

<p>From budget-friendly deals to group-booking offers, we’ve found ways to save on your next skiing holiday</p>

Crystal Ski discount code: £400 off in January 2026

<p>Feel smug on your sun lounger after saving on a holiday</p>

Loveholidays discount codes for January 2026 – how to get 10% off

<p>Save on flights and hotels, with these latest Expedia holiday deals</p>

Expedia discount codes: Get 10% off hotels

Family travel

<p>Chug along the line, <em>Polar Express</em>-style, this winter </p>

These real-life ‘Polar Express’ trains bring magic to your journey

<p>This country stay will get you in the festive spirit without breaking the bank</p>

These affordable Devon lodges are perfect for a cosy family getaway

<p>London lights up with seasonal events from November to January </p>

The 15 best things to do in London this Christmas

<p>Water slides offer hours of entertainment for kids at Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria</p>

Best family-friendly hotels in Cape Verde, reviewed by an expert

Accessible travel

<p>Mari and her chid, E, went to Fuerteventura for their first holiday abroad</p>

My child has additional learning needs – this is how we travel

<p>The City of Arts and Science is one of Valencia’s most accessible attractions</p>

Valencia named one of fastest-growing accessible tourist destinations

<p>Kim Wiltshire had never entertained the idea of venturing abroad as a family – until she considered the Ria Formosa</p>

These Portuguese islands offer respite for my neurodiverse family

<p>Rhiannon found holidays easier before she had her child</p>

I’m a neurodiverse parent – here’s how I make travelling easier