8 reasons to trade up on trains

When is it worth the splurge for first-class rail tickets in Europe and places far beyond?

Finding God on your travels

Museums and monuments get top priority from many travelers. But for some of us, there's something equally fascinating about visiting houses of worship, even when they represent beliefs that aren't our own.

How to pay for your vacation

Do not apply the pay-for-it-later mentality to your next vacation. Armed with these practical suggestions, your dream vacation may be more affordable than you think.

Beaches we'd like to be lounging on

We asked readers to share photos of their favorite beaches. Soothing, right? Maybe it's time to start thinking about a sunny getaway.

Best cruises for 2013

Enough talk about drifting cruise ships with overflowing toilets -- that's cruising's rare dark side. On the other hand, how about a four-story waterslide, lots of kids' programming and a private island?

A beach break in Bimini

Bimini is a tiny land of simple pleasures. "Swim, eat, drink, work, read, talk, read, fish, fish, swim, drink, sleep." That's Bimini, summed up by a character in Ernest Hemingway's novel "Islands in the Stream."

8 things to know about Libya

Post-Gaddafi, the northern African desert state is less restricted and an altogether more welcoming destination.

10 things to know about Morocco

Rainbows of color, spice-market smells, an urban orchestra of sounds: Morocco can be overwhelming at first.

11 things to know about Quebec

Inhabitants of Quebec pride themselves on being different from their neighbors. This is French soil, with a language police and its own holiday that's more fervently celebrated than Canada Day.

To Disney or not to Disney?

There's no shortage of passion on the topic of Disney: It's pure magic for many travelers, but for others the princesses and the commercialism put Disney's empire firmly on their must-not-see lists.

Hotel towels: Replace or reuse?

Dan Condon believes in recycling. Just not when it comes to his hotel towels. If hotels can't convince a hybrid-driving recycling enthusiast like Condon to go green while traveling, how can they convince everyone else?

Meet the world's fastest hillbilly

Preston Henn's new Gulfstream G650 made him "feel like a million dollars." For a plane that costs $65 million, feeling like $1 million might seem like a disappointment. But you get the picture.

Kumbh Mela festival

Dream trips

Imagine kicking back on a private island in the Bahamas where the staff caters to your every whim.

Fun with ice

Some people think the only cure for the doldrums of winter is sunshine. Far from it. Why not up the ante? Don't suffer snow and ice at home when you can really do winter vacations and ice holidays in style.

2013 wish list

We've all got them: places that live large in imagination or memory, begging us to hop on a plane to uncover their delicious mysteries. Here a handful of CNN correspondents name their dream destinations.

Bizarre buildings

Bizarre is in the eye of the beholder.

Penguins

Hankering to see some happy feet? Antarctica is far from your only option.

Otherworldly places

We can't visit Mars (yet), but our own planet's unique terrain presents plenty of landscapes with an out-of-this-world feel. Check out iReporters' otherworldly photos, which cover a lot of ground on Earth.

Nice, France

Nice, France, draws celebrities and tourists from all over the world -- for good reason. Check out iReporters' snapshots to see why.

Summer trips

We can't take every summer vacation we'd like to take, but CNN iReporters can certainly take us to some of those places. Here, iReporters share some of their summer travels and photos, which cover a lot of terrain.

Virgin Islands

The British and U.S. Virgin Islands offer crystal blue waters and beautifully serene escapes. iReporters shared their photos with us.

Paris

As Valentine's Day approaches, we explore all of Paris' glittering allure through the beautiful photos submitted by our iReporters.

Autumn color

Mark Collier grew up in the mountains of Vermont. Every autumn, he would see an influx of tourists flood his state to get a glimpse of the brilliant fall leaves. He didn't get what the big deal was, but he understands now.

London landmarks

London is brimming with historic and iconic sights that create perfect picture postcards. iReporters take us on their own personal tour of London's best with their photos.

Morocco

Summer in the Smokies

The boundary between Tennessee and North Carolina might be one of the loveliest border crossings ever: It's the crest of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and an inviting stretch of wilderness for summer travelers.

Five spectacular art fair cities

If you're of the opinion that the only thing better than viewing great art is owning it, put these destinations on your travel itinerary.

Travelers' choice: 10 top spots

It's no surprise that travelers flock to Paris, New York and London.

Intriguing summer escapes

These aren't your typical Southern escapes. From an African safari-style tent in Texas Hill Country to skeet shooting from a former Coast Guard station 34 miles offshore, these spots offer a little something different.