CNN.com - Travel

Blood Falls and more natural oddities

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 08:54:16 EST

Earth never stops surprising us. Every corner of the planet offers some sort of natural peculiarity with an explanation that makes us wish we'd studied harder in junior high Earth science class. Here are some favorites.

8 very old sites in the New World

Fri, 27 Dec 2013 09:18:10 EST

When European explorers were planting their flags all over North and South America, they referred to the territory as the "New World." While the Americas might have been "new" to the Europeans, they weren't new on the world timeline. Here are some of our favorites.

15 amazing ancient ruins to explore

Tue, 17 Sep 2013 08:52:46 EDT

Ancient sites open your mind to just how old "old" can be and how sophisticated our ancient ancestors were in devising their artistic, engineering and construction methods. You'll never equate "ancient" with "primitive" again.

Never a typical night for police

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 09:02:20 EST

Officer Jeanet Franklin works the shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. at Atlanta's airport, where there's never a dull moment.

A K-9 officer's duty

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 09:02:53 EST

TSA canine handler Quatian Allen and her companion officer, Zera, scratch and sniff their way to a secure airport.

Area 51 spy jet pilots talk

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:06:43 EST

An Area 51 spy jet mistaken for a UFO, a little-known story of historic airmanship and an inspiring flight to freedom: Check out these three aviation gems at Ohio's National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

Spruce Goose's bizarre story

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 13:04:19 EST

One of the biggest planes in the world hits a money snag. Here's the inside story of the amazingly bizarre "Spruce Goose."

From Hef's "Big Bunny" to jet icon

Sat, 11 Jan 2014 00:03:51 EST

Hef owned one. Billions flew on them. But the plane that helped spur U.S. jet travel is done. Get ready to fly newer jets as airlines get rid of their oldies.

50 states, 50 spots to visit

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 09:23:18 EST

The coasts get all the glory in the United States, but there's something fun to do in each and every state. Yes, every state. Check out our gallery of travel suggestions for 2014 and share your own.

7 gross wonders across America

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 07:57:35 EDT

Gross is everywhere. It's in the food we eat, it's in nature, and of course, we ourselves might be the greatest source of grossness.

America's best historic restaurants

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 12:36:59 EDT

In this follow-up tribute to historic restaurants, we've zeroed in on veteran eateries that thrive outside of America's biggest cities.

The lights of Diwali

Fri, 08 Nov 2013 10:52:27 EST

Fireworks boom, bulbs flash, and flames flicker as tens of millions of people across the globe celebrate the beginning of the Festival of Lights.

THIS is work?

Fri, 08 Nov 2013 11:02:29 EST

Trips gone wrong

Fri, 08 Nov 2013 11:04:40 EST

Fun with ice

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:39:39 EST

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.

Dream trips

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 17:06:11 EST

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

Penguins

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:43:09 EST

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

Otherworldly places

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 16:29:49 EDT

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

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:56:01 EDT

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

Summer trips

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 10:13:19 EDT

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

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:32:45 EST

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

Paris

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:39:34 EST

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

Autumn color

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:40:09 EST

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

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:39:10 EST

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

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 10:26:41 EST

World's coolest underground wonders

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 10:50:19 EST

Man-made or natural, incredible underground attractions exist right beneath your feet.

Most scenic airport approaches?

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 08:56:44 EST

Sochi Airport among latest list of most beautiful landing paths on the planet.

World's most colorful carnivals

Fri, 21 Feb 2014 13:31:08 EST

It's carnival season, that pre-Lent period of collective frenzy. Here are some of the world's most vibrant celebrations.

Beaches that will make you drool

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 15:43:20 EST

They're almost unbelievable. Impossible blues, electric greens, depths as clear as glass -- all bathed in blinding sunshine.

Would you stay in a Rio shanty town?

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 11:37:55 EST

As the Rio World Cup approaches, many tourists are seeking a more authentic Brazil experience. Shasta Darlington reports.

Your best travel photos

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 15:43:35 EST

Each day, CNN producers select a user-submitted photo to be our Travel Photo of the Day. Click through the gallery above to see stunning shots from around the world, and be sure to come back every day for a new image. Have a gorgeous travel photo of your own to share? Submit it for the gallery at CNN iReport!

In defense of all-inclusives

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 12:28:12 EST

We see your nose turning up at the notion of booking an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or Jamaica or the Bahamas. Don't rule it out so quickly.

Hot chicken, chocolate: 11 tasty trips

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:35:35 EST

Does your stomach rumble when you're making travel plans? If so, we've got food festivals that'll satisfy.

World's 'first airport' largely unknown

Fri, 21 Feb 2014 08:43:20 EST

Some say this deserted little patch of Midwestern dirt was the first airport in the world. Others point to Maryland or Washington state. So, who's right?

Eyesore or photographer's dream?

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 09:10:04 EST

Whether through societal disruption, financial crises or just neglect, the world is full of buildings lost to time and the elements. But what fuels the fascination with exploring them?

Killing time with commuter cartoons

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:47:32 EST

Proof that winter's not so bad

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 09:07:19 EST

Between bouts of ice and snow, epic highway nightmares and tens of thousands of canceled flights lie moments of crisp beauty and invigorating outdoorsiness. We invited iReporters to share the ways they embrace winter. Turns out there's lots of beauty out there worth experiencing if you're wearing enough layers.

America's best winter drives

Tue, 04 Feb 2014 08:54:12 EST

Check out the season's cold-weather beauty from the comfort of your car on these top winter drives. Bundle up and you can step out to explore a quiet natural wonderland in winter.

Harry Potter's new park

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:00:23 EST

A fire-breathing dragon, self-stirring cauldrons and dancing skeletons. These are the things Muggle dreams are made of.

What's in an airport name?

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 11:19:48 EST

You know the airport names: Hartsfield-Jackson. O'Hare. Logan. Lambert. But, all too often, they're just names. What about the people these American airports are named for?

10 scenic cemeteries

Fri, 08 Nov 2013 11:15:16 EST

Sinister stories and scary tales draw some visitors to cemeteries, but burial grounds are often also beautiful green spaces and open-air art museums.

The longest flight in the world

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 07:41:35 EDT

Climbers conquer Everest. Runners have the marathon. Master globe-trotters ride Singapore Airlines Flight 21 -- the world's longest nonstop. Pilots and travelers offer tips on the "ultralonghaul."

World's coolest underground wonders

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 10:50:19 EST

Man-made or natural, incredible underground attractions exist right beneath your feet.

Cruisers' choice: Best cruise ships

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 18:04:03 EST

Never mind those pesky norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships earlier this year. And who wants to hear more unappetizing details from the first Carnival Triumph "poop cruise" trial?

Jets born in world's biggest building

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 16:07:05 EST

Sprawled out before us sits the world's biggest building by volume. They make airliners here. Big ones. Go behind the scenes to see what they're building.

Rio's favelas drawing overnighters

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 16:07:47 EST

As the Rio World Cup approaches, many tourists are seeking a more authentic Brazil experience. Shasta Darlington reports.

10 things France does better than anywhere

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 01:06:40 EST

Sex, museums, cheese -- here's what France does better than the rest of us.

Cruisers' choice: Best cruise ships

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 16:25:43 EST

Never mind those pesky norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships earlier this year. And who wants to hear more unappetizing details from the first Carnival Triumph "poop cruise" trial?

Jets born in world's biggest building

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 16:12:27 EST

Sprawled out before us sits the world's biggest building by volume. They make airliners here. Big ones. Go behind the scenes to see what they're building.

Africa's best 'under-star' sleeps

Tue, 25 Feb 2014 22:45:23 EST

Where the starry sky is your blanket and the sounds of wildlife your wake-up call.

Amputee pilot: Ex-CNN anchor O'Brien could return to flying 'in no time'

Thu, 27 Feb 2014 08:25:09 EST

Would he ever fly again, now that his feet and right hand were gone?

Asiana Airlines fined $500,000 for failing to help families

Tue, 25 Feb 2014 15:46:15 EST

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday fined Asiana Airlines $500,000 for failing to assist families following the crash of Asiana flight 214 in San Francisco in July.

You'll soon pay more to see the Mouse

Tue, 25 Feb 2014 14:49:17 EST

CNN's Kelly Wallace reports on whether Disney World's latest price hike will price middle class families out of the park.

15 hidden ski resorts

Tue, 03 Dec 2013 13:01:01 EST

The best known winter sports resorts have become that for a reason. Here are the young upstarts hoping to become the Whistlers and Aspens of tomorrow.

World's spectacular hotel lobbies

Tue, 29 Oct 2013 08:53:43 EDT

From a sprawling room with panoramic ocean views to an open-air entryway modeled after a Thai temple, these stunning hotel lobbies really roll out the red carpet.

Best affordable island hotels

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 11:02:40 EDT

These island hotels make it a breeze to indulge in a beach vacation—without blowing your travel budget.

8 great Caribbean hotel perks

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 09:45:52 EST

The Caribbean is a big place.

7 cool industrial-chic hotels

Tue, 24 Dec 2013 11:29:37 EST

From humble to high-design, 7 converted buildings that breathe new life into the old. These are places to check out in the new year.

Sleeping with the fish

Tue, 19 Nov 2013 10:28:56 EST

Cool Swedish-designed room has three levels of incredible views

America's favorite family hotels

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 09:47:48 EST

Name an activity that kids might dream up for their perfect vacation and Florida's Ponte Vedra Inn & Club probably has it. They can join lawn games and craft classes, improve a tennis or golf swing, take a horse ride along the private beach, and learn a captain's secrets for catching flounder.

8 elegant U.S. mansion hotels

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:38:06 EST

Ever dreamed of living in a grand house with 30-foot ceilings, a fireplace in every room and a backyard so big you need a map to find your way around? For the cost of a night's stay you can.

Gatsby glam: 8 grand estates

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:44:15 EDT

Take a heady trip back to Jazz Age opulence with a photo tour of Long Island's Gold Coast, a wealthy retreat near New York City where F. Scott Fitzgerald set "The Great Gatsby."

'Downton' in America: 6 big estates

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 11:05:52 EST

Few of us can imagine living the opulent "Downton Abbey" lives of the fictional Crawley family at the turn of the 20th century.

11 things to know about Tokyo

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 09:05:55 EST

From sedate gardens to boisterous robot cabarets, here's the vital knowledge you'll need before hitting the Japanese capital.

10 things to know about Colombia

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:49:24 EDT

Stereotypes should be swept aside before visiting this South American wonder. Today's Colombia is much more than the Escobar legacy.

10 things to know about Sicily

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 07:51:23 EDT

Sicily has beautiful black-sand beaches, a volcano to ski on and desserts to satisfy the sweetest tooth. Plus 8,000 mummified citizens in the catacombs of Palermo, to keep you awake at night.

Eat Like a Local: Share your picks

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:46:55 EDT

Hungry travelers are seeking authentic culinary experiences at home and abroad.

Picture perfect Northern lights

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 08:47:16 EDT

iReporter Malcolm Park captures the beauty of the northern lights in time lapse over Ontario, Canada.

Travel Photo of the Day

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 10:35:21 EST

The journey that inspired you

Wed, 16 May 2012 06:17:20 EDT

You sent us photos of a journey you had taken to another country, where you were inspired by a different culture.

7 secret Caribbean islands

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 08:55:49 EST

The Caribbean is a near-perfect destination, especially when it's arctic cold at home. There's just one problem: Everyone you know wants to go there.

Harry Potter's new park

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:00:23 EST

A fire-breathing dragon, self-stirring cauldrons and dancing skeletons. These are the things Muggle dreams are made of.

World's 100 best ski runs

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:33:44 EST

Our panel of pros tells you where to ski. Or at least where they do.

10 trips to change a kid's life

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 08:15:00 EDT

Want to spot dolphins in Florida, peer over the edge of the Grand Canyon or dig for bits of history near an Irish castle? These are all trips that can change the way your child (and maybe you) see the world.

Amsterdam: What's legal?

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 09:57:56 EDT

You may have noticed an interesting reaction when you tell people you're traveling to Amsterdam -- that curious look, that knowing half-smile. "Amsterdam," they say with a mischievous grin, "lucky you!"

Five spectacular art fair cities

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:35:07 EDT

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.

World's 7 most remote islands

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:59:34 EST

Leave the snorkels and beach towels at home if you dare visit these forbidding islands.