When it comes to long international flights, you can never have too many entertainment options. Movies on your seatback TV? Check. Your favorite tunes queued up on your phone? Can’t leave home without ’em. But there’s nothing like a really good book to while a few hours away. We surveyed the staff at IndependentTraveler.com and its siser sites to find ...

There’s a smartphone app that generates a map of the nearest public bathrooms when you’re desperate for a place to squat. There are countless travel review sites offering first-hand critiques of anything with a front desk and a bed. There’s even a website dedicated to globetrotting canines, BringFido.com, that features dog-focused travel guides and a compendium of dog-friendly beaches. In ...

Hitting the road on your next trip? Whether you’re heading to Grandma’s with the kids or driving up the coast of Australia, don’t leave home without our tried and tested driving tips. Read on to learn more about avoiding traffic, saving money and staying safe (and staying awake!) on your next road trip. 1. Before beginning a long drive, always ...

Traveling with pets is a growing trend, but even the most precious pet does not necessarily a good traveler make. Whether or not you bring your pet along for the trip is not so much a question of “can you?” but a question of “should you?” No one knows your pet better than you, so no one is more qualified ...

Located in the Eastern Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands are American territories, which means U.S. citizens don’t need different currency or a passport to visit. While the archipelago has many small rocks and uninhabited islands, the main places that travelers visit are St. Thomas (and nearby Water Island), St. John and St. Croix. Getting around the U.S. Virgin Islands is ...

Preparing for your first international trip is an exciting time — but it’s also stressful. Should you create an hour-by-hour itinerary or wing it? When and where should you exchange money? Jet lag can’t be that bad, right? We asked our staff and other experienced travelers what they wish they had known before their first trip abroad. Learn from their ...

Good news for travelers: While the islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas aren’t the cheapest in the Caribbean, there is a wide range of U.S. Virgin Islands lodging options for different budgets. From luxury resorts to dive shop digs, there’s enough variety for all sorts of travelers, although you’d be smart to reserve ahead during holidays and ...

Airport security is a necessary nuisance travelers must accept if they wish to be able to fly around the world safely. The best any flier can hope for is to get through security as quickly and painlessly as possible. That means being prepared and avoiding mistakes that will slow you and everyone else down, and maybe even get you into ...