The excursions, tours, performances, and other activities you experience on your travels can make or break a trip. No one wants to be disappointed when an activity booking doesn’t work out or turns out not to be what you though it was—so you’ll want to be able to search offerings, and preferably to compare ratings of them. Plus, it’s essential to make sure you’re booking with reputable ticket websites offering reasonable prices. 

The Best Excursion Ticket Websites for Travelers

Here are seven ticket websites and providers that won’t let you down. Click to read more.

Viator
GetYourGuide
Tripadvisor
StubHub
Airbnb Experiences
Atlas Obscura
Tiqets
Groupon

Viator

Owned by TripAdvisor, Viator is a vast activity and excursion ticket website; one of the largest out there. Travelers can book anything from airport shuttle service, to guided tours, to skip-the-line admission at attractions all over the world. And because it’s similar to TripAdvisor, travelers can also browse reviews of the activity they’re eyeing. Most listings include comprehensive details about the tour and a generous cancellation policy (usually 24-hours prior to the activity with no penalty).

Viator does not operate the tours it sells. Rather, it’s a search engine of things to do. As such, its offerings tend to focus on cities and better-known travel destinations, although that includes excursions out of those places into the surrounding areas; like tours from Boston to New Hampshire’s White Mountains, tours of the Dutch countryside from a departure point in Amsterdam, etc. This makes Viator a great option for travelers who want to headquarter themselves in one hotspot but still experience the broader region. 

GetYourGuide

Another day-tour-heavy option, GetYourGuide overlaps somewhat with Viator, but is focused more solely on experiences and tours (Viator includes services such as airport and in-town transportation services). Functionally, the sites aren’t very different; both offer an opportunity to compare tours and prices. And on that last note, it can be worth checking both: I found the exact same Niagara Falls day tour from Toronto on both sites. GetYourGuide allowed guests to book the base tour without the optional lunch and boat cruise for just $79, while Viator required guests to book the entire package for $138.

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor leverages its massive inventory of user generated content to roll the research and booking process into one. Users can access all the standard tour information—such as age range, duration, start time, and language—while also browsing reviews and real-life photos from travelers who have actually booked the activity. The experience pages also feature what percentage of travelers would recommend a given activity, based on the “percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher.” The authenticity of the one-to-one style recommendations and opinions of fellow travelers can help give users the confidence to book.

Travelers without a specific landmark or tour in mind can also search for activities organized into top destinations like Las Vegas, Miami, and Washington D.C.

StubHub

For more event-focused resale ticket website StubHub is a useful last-minute option for verified tickets to everything from sports and concerts to comedy shows and theater seats. For the uninitiated, StubHub is a resale marketplace for ticket holders (and, let’s be honest, scalpers) to unload tickets they can’t use. This means shopping on StubHub is a double-edged sword: You’ll likely pay well above face value for high-demand or sold out events, but you can also find great deals at the last minute if the opposite is true. In the former case, StubHub (or similar initial-sale and resale option Ticketmaster) may be your only viable option. And in the latter case, StubHub can be a savvy way to save or even make some money; keep that in mind if you’ve ever bought some event tickets and then couldn’t attend.

Airbnb Experiences

Airbnb is all about living like a local, and Airbnb Experiences is no different. The emphasis here is on small or even private tours led by locals rather than tour companies, with an eye toward unique experiences rather than traditional sightseeing. Sometimes these experiences can be tailored to your interests: I booked a private bicycle tour of Berlin through Airbnb Experiences a few years back, and the guide all but ditched his preset itinerary and improvised based on my interests. As a result I got to see parts of the city I might never have found on my own. 

One important consideration to remember: These are often regular folks, not full-time professional guides or tour operators, so it’s a good idea to bring a go-with-the-flow attitude on your excursion. Your experience may not be as polished or precise as a traditional tour, even if the host has been doing this for a while. Of course, the point of these experiences is to forgo those cookie cutter tours in favor of something different. AirBnB includes reviews and makes it easy to communicate with the experience host beforehand, so don’t hesitate to ask questions prior to booking.

Atlas Obscura

Speaking of forgoing the cookie cutter experience, Atlas Obscura focuses, as its name implies, on all things obscure: The bizarre, forgotten, and hard-to-reach corners of a given city or destination that you wouldn’t normally find on excursion ticket websites. While nowhere near as robust as the other entries on this list, Atlas Obscura also offers a curated selection of tours and experiences. It’s currently in a half dozen U.S. cities, with more to come. Think: A guided wine-and-bug (yes, insects) pairing experience in Los Angeles, or a trip inside a holographer (maker of holograms) laboratory in New York. The tours are offered through Atlas Obscura, but AirBnB handles the booking. After all, anyone can visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame, right? So why not be different and check out a … Sewage Garden? 

Tiqets

Launched in 2014, Amsterdam-based company Tiqets is a comparatively newer ticketing platform that emphasizes flexibility and convenience. Optional free cancellation polices are available on all bookings, allowing travelers to cancel tickets up to 11:59PM the night before the event. Tiqets also offers last minute deals on activities and events like palace tours, broadway shows, and city sightseeing tours. Browse by location or get inspired by their list of Most Popular Places to Visit. Tickets can be managed through their app (iOS | Android).

Groupon

With a broader focus than the other sites on this list, Groupon can find great deals on everything from guided tours to restaurants at your destination. To search specifically for event tickets and travel activities, enter your destination in the search bar and browse their Things to Do category, which includes subcategories like Kids’ Activities, Nightlife, and Sports & Outdoors. From there, travelers can filter by price range, distance from the main destination, rating, and season.

Users can also browse via their Hotels & Travel section to book an entire trip via Groupon Getaways.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

The post The 8 Best Ticket Websites for Booking Day Tours and Travel Activities appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Intrepid Travel: India: Women’s Expedition

When Intrepid Travel launched women-only tours in 2018, the trips quickly became some of the company’s most popular journeys. After putting the Women’s Expeditions tour range on hiatus during COVID-19, the company has reintroduced the adventures, with a focus on countries that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Each Women’s Expedition trip is guided by local female tour leaders and offers unique opportunities to engage with women at the destination. On Intrepid Travel’s India: Women’s Expedition, guests will ride in female-only carriages on the metro, visit female artisans, and watch a special Kalbeliya dance performed by local women at a desert camp 

Natural Habitat Adventures: Churchill Polar Bear Tours

Although they look cute and cuddly, the massive polar bear is not an animal you want to get up close and personal with—unless you’re riding in one of Natural Habitat Adventures’ custom tundra vehicles on their Churchill Polar Bear Tours. These specialized polar rovers feature oversized windows along with see-through steel grate flooring, so you can observe the polar bears even as they are literally underneath you.

Natural Habitat Adventures runs women-only departures for this tour on select dates, which feature a female expedition leader and a women driver. These unique trips will offer an insight into women’s history in the Canadian Arctic, stories of women in Arctic exploration and science, and meetings with the women who run Arctic expeditions. 

Wilderness Scotland: The Highlands Wilderness Retreat

Wilderness Scotland’s line of women-only trips were designed to encourage more women to take part in historically-male dominated activities like cycling, hiking, and kayaking. See the best of Scotland on the The Highlands Wilderness Retreat, where you’ll journey between some of the most beautiful spots in Cairngorms National Park, learning wilderness skills and participating in activities such as yoga and swimming.   

With an itinerary involving walking 4 to 7 miles per day on various terrains and changes in elevation, you’re sure to make the most of all the park has to offer.

Walking Women: Journey Across the Coastal Algarve

Run by a pair of sisters, Walking Women tour company aims to create hiking adventures that give clients time to connect with nature and themselves. The company ranks their tours on a scale of one (easy) to four (challenging walks of up to 10 hours per day) goats in order to give an idea of what level of physical fitness is required.

Their Journey Across the Coastal Algarve Portugal trip is a “three goat” adventure, with some daily walks reaching up to 10 miles.

Wild Terrains: Wild Terrains x France

Wild Terrains trips not only focus on women travelers, but prioritize women-owned businesses. On their ten day journey through France, groups will take a feminist walking tour of Paris, learn to hand-dye silk in Provence, and explore Cote d’Azur via luxury catamaran.

Groups will stay at three different women-owned properties throughout the trip. Wild Terrains even offers travelers the opportunity to learn a little more about their trip leaders through profiles on their site.

Adventures in Good Company: Exploring the Galapagos Islands

Explore the Galapagos Islands from land and sea on Adventures’ in Good Company’s Galapagos tour. On this multisport trip guests will swim, kayak, snorkel, and hike across three different islands.

Founded in 1999, Adventures in Good Company has been running women-only trips for more than 20 years, with a mission to offer “fun, supportive and challenging trips where women of all shapes, sizes and expertise are celebrated.”

Wild Women Expeditions: Tanzania Trek and Safari

Wild Women Expeditions is not only female founded and owned, but also employs women in every role in the company, from tour leaders to local guides. 

Experience this empowering environment on their Tanzania Trek and Safari which includes a game drives, hikes, a visit to a women’s cooperative to learn skills like cheese-making and coffee roasting, and more.

Road Scholar: Rejuvenation Retreat for Women

In need of a break? Sign up for Road Scholar’s Rejuvenation Retreat for Women at the Land of Medicine Buddha retreat center. This trip offers a total reset with a focus on wellness—including healthy, low-fat vegetarian eats at every meal. Guests will learn massage techniques, aromatherapy, and self-acupressure.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

The post The 8 Best Women-Only Trips to Take in 2023 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Note that all trips and single supplement discounts were available at the time of publication, but they could sell out at any time. If you’re interested in these solo vacations, it’s best to book early.

Explore Madeira, Portugal, on Foot

Sweeping coastal views, sleepy fishing villages, and sheltered forests await on one of Exodus Travels’ Madeira walking tour itinerary. The eight-night trip includes leisurely walks of up to nine miles a day along some of Madeira’s most breathtaking hiking trails. The trip ends with free time to explore Funchal, the island’s historic capital. Exodus will match you with a roommate, or you can pay a modest single supplement for your own room. Departures are available every month throughout 2023.

See Morocco from the Mountains to the Desert

Overseas Adventure Travel is one of the best tour operators for solo vacations, thanks to free single supplements on most trips. That includes one of its most popular tours, the 15-night Morocco Sahara Odyssey, which takes you through the narrow streets of ancient medinas, over the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, and through the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. Unique experiences include lunch in a Berber home and a couple of nights under the desert sky in a private tented camp. This trip has available departures between March and December 2023.

Camp in Utah’s National Parks

Join REI on a stunning eight-day journey through the national parks of Utah. Hike and camp in Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks as you learn about the nature, geology, and cultural history of the region from REI’s experienced guides. The package includes access to group cooking gear and first aid kits, a tent, and a sleeping pad. Check out their gear list for more information on what to pack.

Explore Northern India’s Icons

See the Taj Mahal and much more on this dedicated solo trip to India from Intrepid Travel. The seven-night itinerary starts and ends in bustling Delhi, where you’ll discover the city’s oldest mosque and have free time to explore on your own. Then you’ll head to Jaipur to visit royal palaces and soar above the city in a hot air balloon before visiting the 14th-century village of Karauli and touring the magnificent Taj Mahal. Intrepid will match you with a same-gender roommate so you can avoid paying a single supplement. This trip departs on select dates between February and December 2023.

Summit Mount Kilimanjaro

A bucket list trip for many avid hikers, summiting Mount Kilimanjaro can seem like a hefty task to undertake by oneself. However travelers partaking in World Expedition’s Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route will feel anything but alone. With dozens of experienced guides, porters, and chefs to support you on the trek and a group of like-minded adventurers by your side, travelers are sure to come out of the 10-day experience with new friends and once-in-a-lifetime memories.

Discover Ireland Your Way

Not big on group tours? Consider Great Value Vacations’ Irish B&B Getaway package, which includes airfare, a rental car, and accommodations at bed and breakfasts around Ireland, allowing you to wend your way through the countryside at your own pace. Highlights include dramatic coastal roads, lively villages, and historic castles. The itinerary can be customized for six to nine nights, and you may depart any month of the year.

See Japan by Train

Hop on a bullet train to speed between destinations around the country on G Adventures’ Japan Express: Osaka to Tokyo tour. Travelers can visit shrines in Kyoto, explore the Harajuku district of Tokyo, and enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ashino-ko where, weather-dependent, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the famous Mount Fuji. Some G Adventures tours offers a single supplement option, however on most tours travelers will be paired with a roommate of the same gender.

Spot Rare Wildlife in Madagascar

Keep an eye out for lemurs, chameleons, boa constrictors, and numerous rare birds as you travel with Explore! through Madagascar: The Lost Continent.  In addition to wildlife-watching treks through the island’s national parks, this itinerary also features a walk along a spectacular canyon, a visit to Madagascar’s oldest palace, and a stay in a local community guesthouse. Explore! will match you with a same-gender roommate if you don’t wish to pay a single supplement. This trip has departures between April and October 2023.

Enjoy Nature in Costa Rica

Discover the beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica with Road Scholar’s nine-night Taste of Costa Rica package. Highlights include river rafting in the Sarapiquí River, Latin dance lessons, a walk through a cloud forest, and a visit to the Monteverde Butterfly Garden. Road Scholar is currently offering single rooms at no added cost on this itinerary. This trip has several departures between March and December 2023.

Discover the Best of Tuscany and Umbria, Italy

There’s a reason Tuscany and neighboring Umbria are two of Italy’s most beloved regions. Discover them for yourself on Insight Vacations’ Country Roads of Umbria & Tuscany tour, an eight-night voyage to destinations such as Florence, Assisi, Siena, and San Gimignano. You’ll enjoy a pasta-making demonstration in Baschi, then learn about traditional textile weaving in Perugia and visit a family-run olive mill in Assisi. If you do not opt for a single supplement, you will be matched with a roommate of the same gender. Departure dates are available between April and October 2023.

Have an Adventure with Fellow Women

If you, like many female travelers, feel safer and more comfortable in the company of other women, consider booking a trip with Adventure Women, which offers active, women-only tours to destinations around the world. Most of the company’s clients come alone, so you’re sure to find common ground with your fellow travelers. Solo vacations for 2023 with availability at press time include a biking and boating tour through Vietnam, an active adventure in the Canadian Rockies, a Serengeti wildlife safari, and more. You can choose to be matched with a roommate or pay a little extra for your own room.

Sarah Schlichter wants to take every one of these solo vacations. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration. Carol McPherson contributed to this story.

The post 11 Amazing Solo Vacations to Take in 2023 appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Here are the best travel gift cards to help fund their next vacation, and some other thoughtful ideas, because no matter how much they hate stuff, who wouldn’t want a four-course meal prepared by a chef on their next vacation?

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

Airline Gift Cards

If your favorite traveler has a favorite airline, purchase an airline gift card to help them afford their next flight. You can purchase gift cards for major airlines like Delta, Southwest, and American Airlines, or purchase a general airfare gift card through a website like flightcard.com.

Travel Gear Gift Cards

A person’s travel gear needs to match their particular travel style, making gifting gear an often disappointing challenge. Skip the guesswork and get the traveler on your list a gift card to their favorite store and let them pick out the gear they really want. Below are a few options for:

Airbnb Gift Card

For a millennial traveler—or anyone who likes alternative accommodations—grab an Airbnb gift card.

Rideshare Gift Card

Rideshares are a convenient and quick way to get around a new city, plus they’re a simple way to save on airport transportation. Any traveler can make use of an Uber or Lyft travel gift card.

Amtrak Gift Card

You can now purchase Amtrak train fare gift cards, making a weekend destination decision that much easier. Gift cards are available on Amtrak’s website in digital or physical form and at select retailers, and are redeemable online, on the app, and at Amtrak ticket offices.

LoungeBuddy Gift Card

Send your loved one off in style with a VIP airport lounge experience. LoungeBuddy is a platform that lets you book airport lounge access at almost any airport. While LoungeBuddy doesn’t offer traditional gift cards, you can book on behalf of the recipient up to two months in advance. Grab a travel postcard and write down your gifted reservation inside as a homemade alternative.

Eatwith Gift Card

Give an unforgettable meal for their next trip, with an Eatwith gift card. The platform offers dining experiences you can’t get anywhere else. Once you know your destination, you can search for locally-hosted culinary spectacles, like a private chef experience in London or watching a flamenco show with tapas in Chicago.

DNA Kit

DNA and genetic testing kits are one of the hottest gifts to give this year. The results could even inspire the recipient to take a trip of a lifetime to discover more about their heritage and ancestors.

Kindle Unlimited Subscription

Travelers have a lot of downtime on the way to a destination, and many like to fill that time with reading. A Kindle Unlimited subscription gets you access to over one million titles and thousands of audio books for just $10 per month. With this gift, unlimited truly means unlimited.

Intrepid Foundation Global Gift

Donating to a charity on behalf of your recipient is truly a selfless gift. Intrepid Travel’s foundation partners with a variety of organizations to support goals such as reforestation, expanding access to education, and COVID-19 relief. Choose between a one-time or recurring monthly donation.

Game of Thrones Tour

Can’t wait for season two of House of Dragons? Gift your token GOT-lover an experience they won’t forget. Viator offers a variety of tours through filming locations across Europe in countries like Croatia, Ireland, and Spain.

Groupon Gift Card

Groupon is a frequently overlooked budget saver when it comes to travel, and a gift card lets the recipient browse dozens of deals on food, activities, and experiences in their chosen destination.

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post Travel Gift Cards and Other Last-Minute Gifts for People Who Hate Stuff appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Trafalgar

Trafalgar caters to the over 55-70 crowd and does it well, with over 50,000 5-star reviews to vouch for customer happiness. 

In 2021, Trafalgar implemented a three-step COVID-19 travel protocol. These new measures add a dedicated Wellbeing Director to trips of 21 or more, increase distancing and hygiene protocols, and feature well-thought out incident response plans.

All of Trafalgar’s tours can be booked with just a $200 deposit, and can be cancelled within 30 days of booking for a full refund. Trips can also be changed up to 30 days before your trip without penalty. 

Tours are offered across all seven continents, and there are themed tours to suit almost any interest—including national park tours, religious tours, and battlefield tours.

Road Scholar

Formerly known as Elderhostel, Road Scholar offers over 5,500 “learning adventures” across 150 countries that are targeted for travelers aged 50 and up. Tours are grouped by interest (like birding, art history, or opera), destination, and activity level.

Activity levels range from “easy going” to “let’s go” to help you pick the tour that will best suit your needs.

All of Road Scholar’s trips focus on learning and value. As a not-for-profit organization, Road Scholar promises that their tours save an average of 20 percent per night to comparable commercial trips. 

Senior Cycling

Looking to explore by bike with your fellow seniors? Senior Cycling, whose motto is “fun folks on spokes” specializes in bicycle tours for seniors and active adults, defined by the company as “50 years of age or better.”

These small group tours around the United States and Canada are limited to just 13 participants, and include options for easy, intermediate, and advanced rides. Regular bikes or class one “pedal assist only” eBikes are permitted on the trips.

Insight Vacations

Prefer to travel at your own pace? Insight Vacations offers “Easy Pace” group tours that feature 3-night minimum stays at each hotel, plenty of free time, and “relaxed starts” in the morning. 

Or, go the opposite direction with one of Insight Vacations’ Discovery Journeys, which showcase multiple countries in one itinerary—think: Italy, Paris, and Switzerland in nine days. 

Trips are easily sorted by activity levels (which range from “leisurely” to “dynamic”) to help you find the one that’s best for you.

Luxury Gold

Luxury Gold’s tours live up to the company’s name, offering five-star accommodations, unique VIP Experiences (like an after-hours visit to the Temple of Luxor), and fine dining experiences at a Michelin star restaurant or equivalent. The average travelers on their tours are aged between 45-80.

Group sizes are limited to 28 guests on most trips, but small group departures of just 15 guests are also available. Or, if you already have your own group, Luxury Gold can make your own private group tour tailored to your interests. 

The post The Best Tour Groups for Seniors appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Carbon offset companies, ecotour operators, green hotels, hybrid rental car agencies … with so many eco-friendly resources on the internet, where’s a would-be green traveler to start? I’ve cut the confusion by gathering my favorite green travel resources in one convenient spot—so whether you’re interested in renting a hybrid car or offsetting the pollution from your last flight, you can find the info you need right here.

General Ecotourism and Green Travel Resources

Learn more about the principles of ecotourism and green travel by browsing these sites.

• Ethical Traveler
• Green Lodging News
• International Ecotourism Society
• Nature Conservancy
• Rainforest Alliance
• Sustainable Travel International

Carbon Offset Companies

There are a number of companies and charitable organizations that will offset your carbon emissions, not only for flights but also for car travel and household energy use. The range of projects varies widely, so I’ve explained a little bit about each organization to help you decide which offsetter is right for you.

• Atmosfair: German nonprofit organization that donates funds to alternative energy projects
• Carbon Footprint: British company that retires carbon offsets, plants trees, and supports international energy-saving projects
• Carbonfund.org: American nonprofit organization that retires carbon offsets, plants trees, and supports renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects
• The Conservation Fund: American nonprofit organization that plants trees across the U.S.
• GreenSeat: Dutch company that supports renewable energy projects
• Terrapass: American company that funds clean energy, biomass, and industrial efficiency projects

Eco-Friendly Lodging and Green Hotels

Looking for a hotel that takes steps to care for the environment? These green travel resources can help.

• a&o green: Sustainable hostel brand
• B’n’Tree: Plants a tree for each hotel booking that originates on the site
• Design Hotels: Upscale green hotels
• ECOCLUB: Ecolodges across the world
• Element Hotels: Environmentally friendly chain with worldwide locations
• Five-Leaf System: Green hotels around the world rated with up to five “leaves” for eco-friendliness
• Green Getaways Australia: Eco-friendly lodging in Australia
• Green Globe: Certified eco-friendly hotels across the world
• GreenHotels: Green hotels in Greece
• Green Hotels Association: Eco-friendly hotels in the U.S. and worldwide
• Green Vacation Hub: Green hotels and vacation rentals around the world
• ResponsibleTravel.com: Eco-friendly lodging worldwide

Eco-Friendly Tour Operators

These tour operators take a sustainable approach to travel, with some even paying for carbon offsets for their trips.

• Adventures Within Reach: Adventure travel around the world
• AdventureSmith Explorations: Expedition cruises and wilderness trips
• Backroads: Biking, hiking, and adventure trips around the world
• Blue Ventures: Volunteer trips for marine conservation projects
• Context Travel: Small-group city walking tours with an educational focus
• Country Walkers: Walking tours around the world
• Dragoman Overland: Overland tours
• Earthwatch Institute: Research expeditions worldwide
• Ecoteer: Volunteer trips in Asia
• Ecoventura: Carbon-neutral luxury yacht cruises in the Galapagos Islands
• Elevate Destinations: Travel combined with local philanthropy
• Escape Adventures: Biking and multi-sport tours
• Explore!: Small-group adventure trips
• G Adventures: Small-group adventure tours
• Gamewatchers Safaris: Safaris in East Africa
• International Expeditions: Nature-focused tours and small-ship expeditions
• Intrepid Travel: Small-group tours around the world
• Lindblad Expeditions: Expedition cruises around the world
• Mosaic Adventure: Trekking expeditions in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan
• Natural Habitat Adventures: Wildlife- and nature-focused trips around the world
• OARS: Outdoor adventure tours
• Peregrine: Small-group trips led by local guides
• Rainforest Cruises: Expedition cruises
• REI Adventures: Adventure tours
• ResponsibleTravel.com: Eco-friendly tours worldwide
• ROW Adventures: Whitewater rafting and other adventure trips
• Seacology: Volunteer trips to various conservation project sites
• UnCruise Adventures: Small-ship cruises
• Wildland Adventures: Luxury trips, including family vacations

Hybrid and Fuel-Efficient Rental Cars

Opt for a hybrid or other fuel-efficient car rental on your next trip from one of these providers.

• Alamo: Hybrid rentals at select locations
• Avis: Hybrid rentals at select locations
• CarRentals: Search engine for hybrid rentals around the world
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Hybrid and electric car rentals
• Fox Rent A Car: Hybrid rental vehicles at select locations
• Hertz: “Green Collection” of hybrid and fuel-efficient rental vehicles
• National Car Rental: Hybrid rental vehicles at select locations

More from SmarterTravel:

• 6 Easy Ways to Travel Plastic-Free
• 11 Endangered Bucket List Destinations (and How to Visit Them Responsibly)
• What Your Sunscreen Is Doing to the Environment

Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated with the latest information.

The post 60 Green Travel Resources Every Responsible Traveler Should Know appeared first on SmarterTravel.

With more women traveling than ever before and the growing availability of low-cost flights, female solo travel is a relatively new fixture of today’s travel landscape. Women are no longer waiting to take their dream vacation until they find someone else to come along—they’re doing it by themselves.

However, that doesn’t mean the part of the world they’ve set out for is ready for them. Even in the United States, street harassment and other dangers are ubiquitous for women. There are many places in the world, including at home, where women are still struggling to be heard and respected and even tourist attractions where women aren’t allowed to enter.

Spoken or unspoken, at home or abroad, there are always rules for women to follow.

Nevertheless, there’s not one rule that says women can’t travel and travel alone. There may be rules for female travelers that don’t exist for men, but the good news is that the number of things women can do far outnumbers the things they can’t.

Follow the Rules of Cultures That Aren’t Yours

As outsiders traveling to foreign countries, all travelers need to respect the customs and the cultures of the people who live there, even if they don’t align with our own beliefs—and often they’re different for women. There are many religious sites in the world where women are not allowed to visit, such as Thailand’s Silver Temple or Greece’s Mount Athos. In Thailand, female visitors are allowed to enter the grounds of the temple, but only men are allowed to enter inside. On Mount Athos, women are not allowed within 500 meters (1640 feet) of the coast.

These travel rules for women might be tough to stomach, but part of opening yourself up to new cultures is observing the world as it is. Kiona, the founder of How Not to Travel Like a Basic Bitch, a website which publishes diverse perspectives on travel, believes “Whether or not we agree, changing and challenging those rules are not roles for the outsider. A traveler’s position is merely to learn and attempt to understand the places we travel to, not to judge or change. Respect is the first and foremost responsibility for visitors, even if that means our travel privilege is removed.”

Travel with Your Guard Up

Any person traveling in an unfamiliar place should take precautions to stay safe, but female travelers are often especially at risk, even close to home. Apps like bSafe allow you to share your live location with someone you trust at home, and there are plenty of other tools women can use to feel safer as they travel. Self-defense devices are also good for getting out of a dangerous situation, but the best tool in any female traveler’s arsenal is her intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t take a chance. If you’re uncomfortable, remove yourself from the situation—even if that puts you at risk of seeming cold or impolite.

In her final installment of her year-long project to travel the world for the New York Times, journalist Jada Yuan wrote about the experience: “It’s good to know what people who live in a place have to say about safety, but also realize that the rules that apply to them, who know where they are going, and can blend in, don’t apply to me.”

Know That Sometimes Women Can Do What Men Can’t

With tour operators answering the demand for women-only travel, new opportunities and experiences have been revealed with the explosion of female-only travel. In some countries, a women-only group is an asset that offers travelers access to experiences they wouldn’t ever have if they were in a group with men. For example, on Intrepid Travel’s Women’s Expedition to Iran you can visit female-only spaces like parks, hair salons, and even take a female-only yoga class with locals. Going beyond the striking places to see like the ruins of Persepolis and the colorful Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque, this tour offers insight into Iran’s culture that would never be experienced on a co-ed tour.

Solo Women Can Travel Together

If you don’t have someone to travel with and you don’t think you’d be comfortable traveling solo, female-only tours might be the way to go. Many large tour operators like REI and Intrepid Travel offer women-only trips, but there are also small female-only tour operators that might be able to cater to your particular niche. For example, WOAH Travel is a female-owned company that organizes women-only adventure tours which incorporate fun themes like summiting Mount Kilimanjaro during the summer solstice or paragliding in Bavaria during Oktoberfest.

Women Can Travel Alone

It doesn’t matter if you’re booking a tropical bungalow for one or setting out for a transformative trek through the Himalayas, you can travel solo wherever and whenever you want. Although there are some destinations where women need to practice more caution, there are also plenty of countries that have excellent reputations for safety when it comes to solo female travel such as New Zealand, Iceland, Japan, and Rwanda, just to name a few.

Solo travel can be more expensive, but smart travel companies are starting to adapt their prices to accommodate the influx of solo travelers. More and more tour companies are getting rid of single supplement fees, and some even offer roommate matching services, so you can be matched with someone of the same gender and avoid paying the single room supplement. Many cruise lines like Norwegian, Celebrity, and others are also adapting by building more affordable studio cabins on their ships, which are perfect for solo travelers who don’t want to pay for that empty extra bed.

Women Can Travel Anywhere

Every destination is worth visiting, even if it doesn’t make the list of most female-friendly destinations. There are certain destinations that could get you some funny looks when you announce your travel plans. Friends, family, and even total strangers often have no inhibition to express their concern, and might even ask you something along the lines of, “But aren’t you scared to go there?”

Of all the challenges for female travelers to overcome, doubt is one of the biggest—and most of the time it’s entirely unfounded. Just ask any solo female traveler who has ever visited a far-off place alone; you never really know until you go.

More from SmarterTravel:

• How Men and Women Travel Differently
• Inspiring travel Tips from Women’s Travel Fest
• The Anatomy of the Perfect Plane Outfit for Women

Jamie Ditaranto is a writer and photographer always looking for her next vacation. Follow her on Instagram @jamieditaranto.

The post 6 Important Rules of Travel, Rewritten for Women appeared first on SmarterTravel.

There is much more to England than its illustrious capital. Venturing outside of London’s crowds and into England’s rolling green countryside, up into the industrial Northern cities and out to the jurassic coastlines, will allow you to see the diversity and beauty of the country’s rich heritage. When you’re not exploring the below spots on your Trafalgar Britain tour, make the most of your pre and post departure time based in London with our alternative guide to England.

Get Cultural in Liverpool

Made famous around the world by ‘The Fab Four’, Liverpool has undergone a modern evolution. Becoming synonymous with popular culture after being awarded European City of Culture in 2018, every year the city hosts various art and music events. For example, the month of May sees Liverpool host its annual Liverpool Sound City music festival. With a vibrant culinary and bar scene to explore by night, Liverpool has transformed itself from its industrial past into an edgy metropolis. Take a historic Beatles tour of the city, or explore one of the more modern art or culture installations taking place.

Visit Liverpool on: Britain and Ireland Grandeur

Visit the Romans’ Version of a ‘Wellness Retreat’ in Bath

Wellness travel may be a relatively modern concept, but the Romans were onto something, even way back then. Boasting the only thermal hot springs that you can bathe in in the whole of Britain (not to be confused with the traditional Roman baths), Bath has long been a tourist attraction. Set amongst the rolling English hills, the city is lined with beautiful Georgian buildings, housing independent gin bars, restaurants and retail stores.

Visit Bath on: Britain and Ireland Panorama

Go Punting in Cambridge

For an easy day-trip out of London, take a short train-ride up to Cambridge where you can visit the world-famous University, responsible for educating the likes of Stephen Hawking, Sir David Attenborough and Charles Darwin. Weather permitting, spend the afternoon punting along the River Cam for a quintessentially English day out.

Discover the Historic City of York 

The ancient walled city of York harks back to a Roman era, but with strong Viking influences in its past. History-buffs will revel in York’s periodic stories and admire the Roman city walls and 800-year-old Minster, while foodies can enjoy York’s booming restaurant scene, with York’s Food and Drink festival taking place in September.

Visit York on: Real Britain

Enjoy Lunch on a Cornish Farmstead

In the very South Western point of England, Cornwall has its own unique identity. Home to England’s longest coastline, Cornwall’s laid-back, rural way of life is far removed from the buzz of the inner cities. After a day of exploring the dramatic Cornish coastline of smugglers coves and fishing villages, stop for an exclusive Be My Guest lunch in a family farmstead. Learn about the 18th-Century farm heritage over a local meal and friendly ‘Cornish’ hospitality.

Visit Cornwall on: Best of Devon and Cornwall

Visit the Resting Place of King Arthur and Guinevere

Surprisingly, Glastonbury Festival is not responsible for making this area of England legendary. Since Medieval times, Glastonbury Abbey has been a popular religious site, attracting visitors from far and wide because of myths, legends and historical links. It’s said that King Arthur and Guinevere were buried at this site, and the ancient abbey is one of the longest standing Christian sites in England. Visit this tranquil abbey on your trip around Somerset (which, includes an exclusive Be My Guest lunch) and England’s West Country.

Visit Somerset on: Best of Britain

Wave to the Royals at Windsor Castle

England has many famous castles and palaces to explore, but following the two recent Royal Weddings held here, Windsor Castle has taken its spot in the limelight. As one of the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castles, take a walk around the surrounding grounds, hire a boat on the River Thames or explore the English pubs and restaurants in the pretty town.

Visit Windsor on: Delights of London and Paris

Get Artsy in Bristol

Famous for the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the Balloon Fiesta and Banksy, the bohemian, easy-going city of Bristol was voted the best place to live in Britain in 2017 – and it’s easy to see why. With streets full of independent businesses, colorful houses, quirky street art and leafy green parks, Bristol has a very relaxed vibe compared to England’s other main cities. With two major universities housed here, the city is awash with arts and culture, but the city also houses Brunel’s SS Great Britain, a 19th Century steamship.

Visit Bristol on: Amazing Britain

Feeling inspired? Book your trip to England with Trafalgar today and discover many more alternative destinations away from the bright lights and busy streets of London.

The post Your Alternative Guide to England appeared first on SmarterTravel.

This year, we carried out a study to discover what living ‘The Good Life’ meant to you and whether travel contributed to it. To many people, ‘The Good Life’ meant being able to relax and enjoy a time without stress or anxiety.

Our study showed that in today’s high pressured and connected world, people are finding it stressful to plan and enjoy their travels, and even struggle to switch off when away from home. Sound familiar? Here’s how to put the wonder back in your wanderlust and travel stress-free with real ease.

Travel has become… stressful to plan

“The main causes of stress and lack of excitement before embarking on a trip are: 50% time and research needed and 39% pressures of social media”

Our passionate Travel Directors take care of planning your trip to the finest detail meaning you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the journey. Thanks to their extensive knowledge, every trip has been designed to offer you the best possible service, experience and value. All of our selected hotels are hand-picked to fit seamlessly with your itinerary and our comfortable, air-conditioned coaches with ample leg room and reclining seats mean you can forget about navigating foreign roads and expensive tolls. Thanks to our Travel Directors’ honed skills, passion and local knowledge, your trip will run as smoothly as possible without the stress of planning the details yourself.

Travel has become… no different to being at home

“63% check the news, 57% check social media, 51% stay on top of emails”

We aim to bring you a more tactile, enriching journey; a mosaic of exceptional experiences. For example, dine with the Lenzi family on their Tuscan wine farm located on the ancient road between Siena and Florence. On this exclusive Be My Guest experience, you’ll feel like part of the family as Mrs. Lenzi gives you a tour of the vines, teaches you her traditional wine making process and treats you to a glass or two of Chianti. We’ll take you into the heart of each destination so that you feel fully immersed in a world completely different to your own.

Travel has become… an overwhelming checklist of things to do

“47% of people (close to half) admit to feeling guilty when they haven’t seen all the sights”

We’ve created trip styles that are designed as the ultimate way to discover a destination. Whether you want to focus on one place and tick off all the sights, hop borders and see more than one country or take your time exploring at leisure, we’ve got the trip style for you. What’s more, we maximise your sight-seeing time with free airport transfers to pre-booked accommodation, meaning no hassle on arrival. You can rest easy knowing that all of our itineraries are thoughtfully created to showcase the must-see sights, so you won’t miss a thing!

Travel has become… overcrowded

“61% of people agree that being in places with large crowds is a negative aspect of travel and 66% of people have experienced this during their last trip”

Nobody likes crowds. That’s why we go above and beyond to create on-trip experiences that feel intimate, exclusive and off the tourist trail. For example, we skip the queues at The Vatican Museums with our priority access and enjoy a guided tour with our Local Specialist. You’ll be able to soak up Michelangelo’s exquisite frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel in a crowd-free and peaceful environment.

Editor’s note: This sponsored article originally appeared on Trafalgar’s website under the headline, Is Wonder-Lost? How To Take The Stress Out Of Travel.

The post Is Wonder-Lost? How To Take The Stress Out Of Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.

I wasn’t always a Disney person. Anyone who knew me in my twenties or thirties knows this. I mean, sure, I knew other people might enjoy traveling with Disney, but it definitely wasn’t for me. I liked hiking, trekking, camping; not crowds, not theme park rides, not Disney.

Or so I thought.

When I visited Walt Disney World with my kids for the first time, I realized: “Maybe this isn’t so bad.” As the trip progressed, that turned to: “Actually, I’m enjoying this quite a bit.” After a subsequent Disney cruise with my extended family, the needle moved again, all the way from “Disney World was fun, but I still don’t want to travel around the world with Disney,” to “please, sign me up for another Disney Cruise immediately.”

So when I had the opportunity to experience the third pillar of the Disney travel experience, a guided vacation with Adventures by Disney, I leapt at the chance. And the trip—a “Short Escape” to New York City—did not disappoint.

If you’re not quite sure that traveling with Disney is right for you, or even what it means to travel with Disney, here’s what you need to know about Adventures by Disney’s guided vacations.

What It Means to Travel with Disney

 I often tell people that Disney vacations can be as much or as little about “Disney” as you want them to be. Not into princesses and tiaras? No problem. Don’t like Star Wars?—What’s wrong with you?—But still, you’ll be fine on a Disney vacation. It’s not like the theme park experience at all. Adventures by Disney is all about the Disney way of doing things, not the Disney entertainment brand.

When you travel with Disney, here’s what you’ll get: friendly staff, VIP access, and unique experiences. All the other Disney stuff—super heroes, Jedi Knights, princesses—are just window dressing that you can either soak in or set aside, depending on your preferences.

Adventures by Disney and Disney Cruise Line are travel companies that consistently deliver quality trips with one-of-a-kind experiences. They’re not all-Disney, all-the-time, immersive experiences—unless specifically billed as such (e.g., a Star Wars Day at Sea on a cruise).

View this post on Instagram

Midweek getaway in NYC for our 19th (!!) wedding anniversary. This is the view from our hotel room at the Intercontinental Times Square. . . . #timessquare #newyork #newyorkcity #amtraveling #anniversary #love

A post shared by Josh Roberts (@jauntist) on Sep 24, 2018 at 4:13pm PDT

VIP Access

The biggest thing I didn’t understand about traveling with Disney before I did was the value-added experiences you can only get by traveling with them. My recent trip with Adventures by Disney to New York City is a perfect example: I used to live and work in New York, and I continue to visit the city at least three or four times a year for business. But seeing the city on Adventures by Disney’s New York Short Escape was, to borrow a line, a “whole new world.”

Over the course of a few days I saw parts of the city that most New Yorkers probably never do: I went behind the scenes at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theater, where Disney’s Aladdin is currently playing, to explore the set and try on original costumes from past productions like Mary Poppins and The Lion King. I had front row seats for a live taping of Good Morning America and toured the ABC television studio. And after a live performance of Frozen: The Musical on Broadway—with front-row orchestra seats—I met several of the cast members after the rest of the crowd had gone home.

This was not a typical New York City getaway. It wasn’t something I ever could have put together on my own. The Adventures by Disney experience was essentially a VIP pass to the city’s hottest attractions.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoMJx9tgoG7/?taken-by=jauntist

Exceptional Service

Nowhere is the Disney difference on display more than in the people you meet in your travels. Whether it’s the staff on Disney Cruise Line or your two Adventures by Disney guides, you get the sense that the people accompanying you on vacation actually enjoy doing their job.

Compare that with, say, literally any encounter at an airport, and you start to get the picture. Being around people who enjoy what they do can be contagious, especially when what they do is ensuring you have a great trip.

Unique Travel Experiences

Adventures by Disney tailors each trip to its destination. My New York getaway had a very Manhattan vibe to it: Broadway shows, TV studio access, a Times Square hotel, high-end dining.

My wife and I spent an afternoon learning dance steps in a Broadway dance studio, but in Wyoming you’ll hit the trails on horseback; in Peru, you’ll visit Machu Picchu; in Japan you’ll get a lesson is wielding a samurai sword; in Tuscany you’ll make pizza in a rustic farmhouse; and in Rome you’ll have private after-hours access to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum.

These are not experiences you’re likely to have on another vacation.

Dozens of Destinations

Adventures by Disney offers vacations on six continents. There are long trips, and there are short escapes. Disney Cruise Line sails from both U.S. coasts and travels as far and wide as South America, the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and Canada and New England. If there’s someplace you’ve always wanted to visit, chances are Disney can get you there in a unique way.

New for 2019, Adventures by Disney is introducing Short Escapes to Boston, Vancouver, and London. Other quick getaways include trips to New York City, San Francisco, Southern California, Wyoming, Barcelona, and Rome.

Everything Is Included

And finally: It’s all a package deal. Hotel accommodations, tickets and admissions, transportation on the trip, luggage handling, snacks, most meals, and two guides—everything is already baked into the price of your trip.

Josh Roberts visited New York City as a guest of Adventures by Disney. Follow him on Twitter @joshwritesYA.

[viator_tour destination=”687″ type=”3-mod” tours=”7387P4,62527P23,43180P1″]

The post Beyond the Theme Parks: How Adventures by Disney Opens a Whole New World of Travel appeared first on SmarterTravel.