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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.

Europe’s best theme park turns 50 - and it’s not Disneyland

<p>In Germany, there is a Disneyland alternative that’s a must-visit for theme park-loving families this summer</p>

<p>Delta's AI system is supplied by Israeli start-up Fetcherr, which will set the fare and the number of seats offered at that fare for each shopper in near real time</p>

Delta’s AI pricing — good or bad? Experts give their verdicts

We asked financial and travel experts, from a frequent flier to a former Walmart and Amazon pricing analyst, for their take on what the move will mean for prices and consumer trust in Delta

<p>Guests can rent a mini bed and tiny bathrobe for their teddy bear companions</p>

Japanese hotel offers adorable service to attract Gen Z travellers

<p>Conrad Hilton described the Waldorf Astoria as 'the original luxury property'. Pictured is the new and old lobby</p>

First look at the Waldorf Astoria New York after $2 billion refurb

<p>Neuschwanstein Castle served as the model for Disney's ‘Sleeping Beauty’ castle and has now been named as a Unesco World Heritage site</p>

Castle that inspired Walt Disney receives Unesco protection

<p>There are lots of child-friendly cruises for memorable voyages</p>

8 of the best family-friendly cruises

<p>The Kansas City skyline</p>

Inside America’s budget-friendly, BBQ-obsessed World Cup city

What it’s really like to live in Antarctica

Every year, a few thousand people deploy to live on Antarctic research stations — and go through punishing survival training regimes to do so. Holly Baxter speaks to two former Antarctica residents about what it’s like to spend months isolated in the most remote region on earth

<p>A close-up of Cyprien Verseux in his pared-back protective gear during the summer in Antarctica. During the 24 hours of daylight, people rarely sleep and social activities at the base — from Olympics games to hanging out at on-station bars — are at their peak</p>

<p>Travel YouTuber Alley Kerr has 299,000 subscribers to her Wanderlust Alley channel</p>

I worked on over 100 cruises. Here’s the reality...

<p>Being upgraded is one of the holy grails of air travel</p>

Frequent fliers reveal tips for getting upgrades that actually work

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

The ultimate LGBT+ travel guide to Chicago

<p>Oceania Allura is embarking on its maiden voyage this week</p>

The dining venues on Oceania’s latest culinary-focused cruise ship

<p>This Pennsylvania rental property has lots of sole</p>

Six of the US’s most unique Airbnbs, from a giant shoe to a spaceship

<p>Puffins live the edge of the sea cliffs on the Irish island of Great Saltee among the wildflowers</p>

The Irish island that’s home to a growing puffin colony

<p>Virgin Atlantic was the first international carrier to offer a bar for passengers</p>

Virgin Atlantic will phase out in-flight bars. Here’s why

<p>Delta’s renovated cabins will include upgraded “enhanced lighting programs” throughout the aircraft.</p>

Delta wants to expand high-end seating and services for its passengers

Nine of the US’s most epic beaches revealed

This coast-to-coast compendium is for those summer vacationers who like their beaches long and lust-worthy

<p>These are photogenic strips of sand that you can only capture on the widest of lens settings</p>

<p>Surrounded by palms and soundtracked by birdsong, you'd be hard pushed to find a more peaceful or picturesque pool than the one at Amanbagh hotel in India </p>

World’s best hotels with swimming pools

From early morning laps to evenings spent with cocktails in hand, make the most of these swim spots in glorious hotels around the world

<p>Hotel design has become too focused on being Instagram ready, according to a study</p>

Why rich tourists blame Instagram for ‘ruining luxury travel’

<p>The 50-second clip begins with armed Afghan men standing behind three people with bags over their heads</p>

Bizarre tourism video invites Americans to visit Afghanistan

<p>On top of price issues, Vegas has been hit by a 'Trump slump'</p>

‘Ridiculous prices’ blamed for slump in Las Vegas visitor numbers

Iconic Superman filming locations across Cleveland revealed

To honor Cleveland’s legacy as the birthplace of Superman’s creators, director James Gunn transformed the city into Metropolis for his new movie

<p>Superman and Lois kiss in a classic Cleveland location</p>

New York

<p>Queenie on the steps of The Metropolitan Museum of Art</p>

Does NYC live up to the hype of millennial TV shows?

<p>If your kids are obsessed with theatre shows, stay in the heart of the Broadway district in Times Square at Hotel Edison</p>

Best family hotels in New York 2025, reviewed

<p>Becoming one the best hotels in New York means making feel everyone welcome, but these picks go above and beyond to make a trip to the Big Apple memorable</p>

Best LGBT+ friendly hotels in New York City, reviewed

<p>The Beekman’s penthouse terrace is the ultimate spot to finish off your day in New York City as the sun goes down </p>

Best hotels in New York 2025, reviewed

California

<p>The rooftop pool at the Freehand Los Angeles boasts 360° views of the city</p>

The best budget hotels in Los Angeles for location and style

<p>Add a package to your stay at The Peninsula Beverly Hills and younger guests will be greeted with tipi and stuffed animals on arrival</p>

Best family hotels in LA, reviewed

<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

Florida

<p>Sitting within the park’s boundaries, the glittering Helios Grand Hotel is 14-storey colossus with its own park entry</p>

First look at Orlando’s $6bn 750-acre Epic Universe

<p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/north-america/usa/florida/universal-epic-universe-hidden-secrets-orlando-opening-b2755266.html">Epic Universe</a> park is open after six years of construction</p>

Inside Epic Universe: Photos reveal the attractions at the $6bn park

<p></p>

I got a sneak peek of Epic Universe. Here are 4 secrets I discovered

<p>Mollie Davies and her partner, James, at Walt Disney World in Florida</p>

How I found love at Florida’s Walt Disney World

Canada

<p>MS Roald Amundsen will sail passengers to the Arctic for exclusive excursions</p>

HX launches rare Arctic cruise excursions designed with Inuits

<p>The sun sets on the British Columbia parliament building in Victoria</p>

Why Victoria is the overlooked Canadian city you need to visit

<p>The colourful harbour in Veli Losinj, Croatia</p>

The best holidays to book for June 2025

<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

South America

<p>The Licancabur volcano seen through a room at Tierra Atacama hotel.</p>

The new luxury hotel drawing tourists to one of earth’s driest places

<p>Argentina's President Javier Milei speaks at the closing of the Madrid Economic Forum 2025, an economic congress attended by economists and politicians close to the right and far-right in Madrid.</p>

Argentina’s Milei calls Spanish Prime Minister ‘local bandit’

<p></p>

The first-timer’s guide to South America

<p>Arequipa is overlooked by snow-capped volcanoes</p>

The best cities and towns to visit in Peru

Caribbean

<p>Mexico is home to palm-fringed beaches, ancient Mayan temples, steamy jungles and pulsating cities</p>

Best hotels in Mexico, reviewed for 2025

<p>Nature meets hypermodernism at these Cancun hotels and resorts, such as at Chablé Maroma</p>

Best hotels in Cancun 2025, reviewed

<p>Martin and Roman Kemp enjoyed a Caribbean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line</p>

Are cruises the ultimate family bonding holiday?

<p>The Kimpton Virgilio’s Mexico City location blends mid-century flair with chic modern amenities </p>

Kimpton Virgilio, Mexico City hotel review

Mexico

<p></p>

Solo traveler reveals her love for Mexico (and a city to avoid)

<p>The Chapultepec Scenic Garden hosts one of the judgment-free events </p>

Inside the carefree Mexico City dance parties where alcohol is banned

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

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

<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

Europe

<p>Set against a rugged landscape, head to beach hotels such as Eden Roc for total relaxation by the Aegean Sea</p>

Best hotels in Rhodes 2025, reviewed

<p>On the Sétubal peninsula in Portugal, this lesser-known region is home to white sandy beaches and pretty fishing villages</p>

This little-known region is home to some of Portugal’s best beaches

<p>The Lindian Village Resort is a sprawling family-friendly oasis</p>

Lindian Village All-Inclusive Resort, Rhodes hotel review

<p>Scientists warn that periods of extreme heat will become longer, more frequent and more intense as human-induced climate change accelerates </p>

Heatwaves and soaring temperatures are changing tourism across Europe

Italy

<p>Winding canals and gondola rides await </p>

Best hotels in Venice for 2025, reviewed

<p>Italy holidays away from the crowds</p>

How to escape the crowds on an Italy holiday

<p>Emilia-Romagna</p>

The Tuscany alternative with a glittering coastline and amazing food

<p>A view over the river in Rimini, Italy. (PA)</p>

The coastal holiday city that Italy has been keeping a secret

France

<p>Tired of the hours-long Disney queues? Seek out a theme park that is just as family-friendly a mere 40km away</p>

The enchanting French theme park that’s just 40km from Disney

<p>Writer Shilpa attends We Love Green festival in Paris</p>

European music festival is better value for money than Glastonbury

<p>Lille is perfect for a weekend away, at under two hours on the Eurostar from London</p>

The pretty French town that’s less than two hours from London

<p>Hotel Pilgrim has a lovely roof terrace from which to admire the city views</p>

Hotel Pilgrim, Paris hotel review

UK

<p>It’s not all just football, parties and Greggs sausage rolls...</p>

How to spend a weekend in Newcastle 2025

<p>A pocket of stillness and luxury just a hop, skip and a jump from London's vibrant beat</p>

Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London hotel review

<p> From the heart of the city to the leafy outskirts, there is a huge range of boutique hotels to check into in London</p>

Best boutique hotels in London 2025, reviewed

<p>Scotland's diverse landscape, filled with lochs, moors and mountains, is the perfect place to escape for a spa break</p>

The best spa hotels in Scotland 2025, reviewed

Asia

<p>Tourists walk through a promenade lined with souvenir shops leading to the Sensoji Buddhism temple in the famed Asakusa district of Tokyo</p>

Japan launches body to address over-tourism and unruly foreigners

<p>The Wyndham Grand Tbilisi </p>

Wyndham Grand Tbilisi, Georgia hotel review

<p>The best islands in the Indian Ocean</p>

Mauritius vs Maldives: Which is the paradise island for you?

<p>Sri Lanka is home to some of the world’s finest beaches </p>

Sri Lanka travel guide: Everything to know before you go

Japan

<p>The Noto Peninsula in northern Ishikawa extends about 100 kilometres into the Sea of Japan </p>

The little-visited region that could solve Japan’s overtourism problem

<p>The exterior of the Palace Hotel Tokyo </p>

The Palace Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, review

<p>The sky garden at OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda</p>

OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda by Hoshino Resorts, Japan hotel review

<p>Inside The Ace suite at Kyoto’s hip Ace Hotel </p>

Ace Hotel Kyoto, Japan review

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>Chef Michel Roux will host four exclusive dining experiences for passengers on select Cunard cruises<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/cunard"> </a></p>

The Cunard cruise where you can dine with Michel Roux

<p>Explora III is due to launch in August 2026</p>

First look at Explora Journeys’ €3.5bn cruise ship expansion

<p>Passenger rights for cruises can be less generous than those for airlines.</p>

What to do if your cruise goes wrong

<p>Celebrity Xcel is already getting a sister ship</p>

Four new features revealed for Celebrity Xcel cruise ship

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>GWR’s Night Riviera sleeper train departs from London Paddington </p>

The sleeper train holiday to Cornwall that doesn’t cost the Earth

<p>Writer Phoebe Smith enjoys the myriad benefits of wild camping in Dartmoor National Park</p>

The benefits of wild camping and why everyone should experience it

<p>Mallorca residents have marched the streets in a string of anti-tourism protests</p>

Sustainable travel

The major holiday hotspots cracking down on overtourism

<p>Copenhagen is leading the way with rewards for tourists making sustainable choices </p>

Sustainable travel

Inside the destinations rewarding people for being better tourists