Travel Features - IndependentTraveler.com

Slideshow: The Eight Best U.S. Road Trips

Whatever type of adventure you seek, however much time you have and whatever you want to see, there's a road out there for everyone. Check out our top eight themed U.S. road trips.

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Seven Places Not to Take Your Mother

Does your mom love to travel? Surprise her with a trip, but be sure to avoid these seven sinful destinations.

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Less Traveled National Parks

If you're seeking a quieter national park experience, you can plan a trip to a less-traveled national park, where crowds are sparse throughout the year. More isolated national parks offer fascinating natural features and an abundance of wildlife, and boast beautiful landscapes on par with the most popular parks -- from magnificent sweeping canyons to fertile tropical rain forests.

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National Park Vacations

Are you dreaming of getting away to the great outdoors? Here's how to plan a national park vacation for families, outdoor adventurers and travelers in search of natural beauty.

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Single Travel: Tips for Going Solo

People who have never traveled alone often describe their first solo trip as an almost religious experience. To take in new surroundings unfiltered by the prejudices, tastes or preferences of a traveling companion can be heady stuff. Traveling alone gives you the chance to indulge yourself fully. Of course, single travel has its perils too -- such as safety concerns, loneliness and the dreaded single supplement. But a little preparation and common sense can save you money and get you through the rough spots.

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Slideshow: Top 10 Stunning Spring Destinations

For travelers seeking affordable prices, small crowds and pleasant weather, spring is the perfect time of year to travel. Check out our slideshow of the 10 most stunning spring travel destinations.

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Religious Tours and Spiritual Travel

The global religious travel market is a nearly $20 billion-per-year industry, with trips of the spirit in a strong period of ascendancy (with a velocity and trajectory destined to blast through the firmament). Millions of the faithful, the skeptical or the curious among us are embarking on journeys to the world's most mystically imbued places. Be it a weekend stay at a working Buddhist monastery, a journey to discover your Native American spirit animal or a two-week living Bible trip with your local congregation, flocks of people are integrating their travel experiences with a spiritual bent.

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Nine Tips to Get the Most Out of a Travel Show

Travel trade shows, such as the New York Times Travel Show or the Los Angeles Times Travel Show, can be both fun and overwhelming. Read these nine tips to see how to get the most from a travel show.

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16 Ways You Know You're Addicted to Travel

Travel is a bit like a drug. Once you start, it can be difficult to stop, and the more you do it, the more you want to keep doing it. Here are 16 signs you may be addicted to travel.

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Slideshow: The World's Most Magical Canal Cities

Everyone swoons over Venice's celebrated canals and bridges -- but did you know that there are dozens of other canal cities across the globe that are known as the "Venice of" their respective locations? Check out our slideshow of the world's most magical canal cities.

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Should You Check or Ship Your Bags?

While it's still generally more expensive to ship a suitcase than to check it, the latest airline baggage fees have narrowed the cost differential -- and what you gain in convenience and reliability may be worth paying a few extra bucks.

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The Art of Slow Travel

Have you ever come home from a vacation feeling more exhausted than you were before you left? There's a grassroots movement that's quietly emerging as a solution to tourist burnout: slow travel.

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Four (Almost) Free Ways to Travel

We've compiled a comprehensive guide to travel on the cheap, covering volunteer and work vacations, in addition to "couch surfing."

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Six Reasons You'll Love an Expedition Cruise

As an independent traveler, I've never been too interested in cruising as a vacation option. But on a recent trip to Alaska's Inside Passage with Lindblad Expeditions, I realized that there's a whole other side of the cruise industry that's actually ideal for independent travelers like me: expedition cruising.

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Slideshow: Top 9 Destinations to See in the Dark

There are places around the world that flourish with life and luminosity once the sun sets, where night owls roam, city lights shine and interesting things happen. Check out our nine favorite destinations to see in the dark!

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Bike Tours and Trips

From adventure trips in the Rockies to leisurely rides through the French countryside, seeing the world by bicycle is an increasingly popular option for travelers -- even those who may not consider themselves athletes. As long as you're reasonably fit and familiar with your own limits, you're a good candidate for a cycling tour. We've outlined some common questions about bike tours to help you get started. Get to know the advantages and disadvantages of traveling by bike, learn about your tour options, and find out how to prepare for your trip.

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The Most Awkward Moments in Travel

We all like to remember the high points of our travels, but too often there are moments like this one in which a trip turns uncomfortable, embarrassing or just plain awkward. Which of these cringe-worthy travel moments have made you squirm?

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Rule 240 and Other Travel Myths

Although we can't tell for certain whether the Loch Ness monster lurks in the waters of Scotland, there are some myths about which our team of travel experts is suitably enlightened. A number of prevalent tall tales, which relate to everything from transportation expenses to health to hotels, have been circulated like stale cabin air on travel blogs and boards, confusing thousands of travelers. Want the truth? We've created a list of common travel yarns and broken down which "facts" are really fictions.

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How to Save Money on Food When You Travel

Food costs can take a big bite out of any traveler's budget. How can you save money but still eat well? Read our tips for saving money on food while traveling.

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Slideshow: The World's Coolest Castles

If you're looking to tour a royal residence on your next trip, check out our castle slideshow featuring the world's 10 coolest castles.

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