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

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.

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.

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

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?

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."

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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 is in the eye of the beholder.

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

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

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.

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

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

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 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.

This was no ordinary plane ride. On Monday, the 787 returned to domestic service after a four-month grounding. After months of concern about the 787's future, the excitement and tension were palpable.

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.

It's not enough to eat good food, sit by the beach and sleep in for a week. Sometimes you need to make the most of downtime by stripping away anything that could potentially cause stress, including children.

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."

See stunning shots from around the world, and be sure to come back every day for a new image.

The nation's civic leaders in making, celebrating and, of course, drinking hop juice.

Forget the tuba and accordion. Put away the lederhosen, and keep the beer steins on the shelf. The vast majority of today's beer festivals have little in common with the traditional Oktoberfest celebration.

Finding an authentic Edo-era experience in modern Japan is no easy feat. This Wakayama town delivers

If you're so tied to your work and smart phone that you can't take a break, these wellness retreats in and around the U.S. may convince you to step away from the business world to embrace a healthier lifestyle.

Most people who travel by train rush through the station so quickly, they don't stop to appreciate their surroundings. But some terminals deserve a look for their beauty, their heritage and engineering. These are on the right track.

While it's hard to beat the Internet for efficiency, virtual book-buying can't satisfy the same itch for discovery that browsing in person can. Mystery writer Hilary Davidson shares her top North American havens for book lovers.

On most cruise ships, your accommodations, standard meals, entertainment and daytime activities are included in your fare. Then the nickel-and-diming begins.

Some of Italy's lesser known towns and villages are equally, or more, impressive as the bigger drawcards. Here are our favorites.

For about two minutes on Saturday, millions of eyes will focus on Louisville, home of Kentucky's most feted affair, that blissfully short sporting event that comes with its own cocktail.

You heard of the two guys who recently opted in to a two-year, $1.5 million holiday? These are some of the sights they'll be privy to.

Check out one naturalist's favorite places to appreciate what's truly wild in the United States.

How close are you to the airport? Is there a decent bar or restaurant on site? The worn-down, travel-weary businessperson is looking for proximity, convenience and comfortable amenities in an airport hotel. There's little time to waste.

Conde Nast Traveler magazine's 36 secret reviewers got to visit the most fabulous new hotels around the world to figure out the best of the best. Here are their favorites.

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

Whether a monochromatic yellow or featuring every color in the Crayola box, these cites are guaranteed to brighten your day.

The new breed of techie lodging is no less a hotel than a Best Buy with blankets.

In the 1950s and 60s, if you wanted to sail on the fastest, sleekest, swankiest ship on the ocean, you bought a ticket on the SS United States.

If you need relationship recovery, consider these escapes as a way to say hello to the rest of your life.

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.

Just when it seems as though all rivers have been charted, seas explored and canals crossed, off-the-radar bodies of water move into the limelight.

Airports are attempting to liven up the pre-flight experience by providing a variety of weird and wonderful distractions to keep waiting passengers entertained.

There are still some places where urban life becomes a distant memory.

Hotels love to push the aura of movie-star glamor as part of their mystique, listing on their websites Hollywood royalty that have stayed in their rooms. At times, though, the hotels play a leading role.

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

Several surprises were in store for CNN's Anthony Bourdain on his recent trip to post-Gadhafi Libya.

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.

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."

It's not enough to eat good food, sit by the beach and sleep in for a week. Sometimes you need to make the most of downtime by stripping away anything that could potentially cause stress, including children.

Ever gotten on a plane and wound up in the wrong city? How about the wrong continent?

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

A US Airways plane touched down without landing gear at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey early Saturday morning.

Telecommuting and carpooling are the recommended options for folks who would normally take the train between New Haven, Connecticut, and New York in the aftermath of a derailment that disrupted train service on one of the busiest tracks in the country.

Panama City is the America's most affordable capital city, but luxury standards often prevail in Latin Am's fastest growing economy.

Road-tripping to a national park makes for an easy -- and spectacular -- summer getaway. While all the U.S. national parks will be open this summer, forced federal spending cuts mean reduced programs and facility access.

Women spend every day juggling bosses and birthday parties, dates and diapers, but when was the last time you had a day to do what you want to do, obligation-free?

Chowing down on some of these not only makes you look like an intrepid tourist, it may just help save the planet.

What makes airline passengers happy? Passenger satisfaction is at its highest level since 2006, and here's why.

Washington is a town of majestic monuments. But if you limit your sightseeing to the obvious -- if you ignore the obscure -- you'll miss the good stuff.

New York's Grand Central Terminal turns 100 this month, and like any old-timer, its past reveals a catalog of incredible tales.

When Walt Disney World's New Fantasyland opens Thursday, guests will be in for a slew of magical moments, and they'll have plenty of room to enjoy them. This portion of the park nearly doubled in size, making it the largest expansion in the park's 41-year history.

Attention American travel aficionados: There's no need to leave the United States to find the next hot destination.

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.

Hundreds of American travel destinations honor the nation's history of military readiness and sacrifice. As Veterans Day approaches, consider visiting these four fascinating military marvels.

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

Eye-catching art is part of the package at these sophisticated hotels. So bring a little culture to your overnight stays.

As London prepared for two back-to-back mega events last year, the Queen's Jubilee and the Summer Olympics, its hotel sector began to make some notable strides.

It's a fact that all-inclusive resorts can be expensive, but these 10 spots won't break the bank or surprise you with caveats.

Thanks to hard-drinking, hardworking Don Draper, we've traveled through the '60s in style. Now let's take a look at the ad man's New York.

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

Hotels love to push the aura of movie-star glamor as part of their mystique, listing on their websites Hollywood royalty that have stayed in their rooms. At times, though, the hotels play a leading role.

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

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

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!

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

Bizarre is in the eye of the beholder. With modern architecture, that can mean just about anything.

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

Ah, the 21st century. Too bad no one's come up with an antidote. Wait a minute, these places have.

You know about the mysterious statues. Now discover the amazing culture and land behind them.

Movies about nuns and monks tend to focus on the Spartan nature of their living quarters: thin beds with lumpy mattresses, gloomy candlelit tables, a chair or two, all blessed by a cross nailed to a whitewashed plaster wall. No longer.

With airfares likely to increase through the new year, travelers are looking to get the biggest bang for their buck. A new list from Lonely Planet offers 10 ideas for great-value getaways.

Mythical mermaids have fascinated humans for centuries, and alluring creatures in bikini tops and fish tails seem to be keeping the love alive. Here are five places to find them.