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Independent Travel Cats

Savvy Travel Advice

Hey! We're Jessica and Laurence. Welcome to our travel blog! Whether you're looking for travel advice and tips for your next adventure, destinations specific advice, or just want to learn about travel in general, we've got you covered.

We've divided the site into the categories below, and if you scroll down, you'll find our latest posts. There's also a navigation bar at the top, which has a handy search function if you have an idea of what you're looking for. Enjoy!

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Travel Destinations

Know where you want to travel next? Take a look at everything we've written from the many travel destinations we've visited to help you plan your own adventure!

Travel Planning and Advice

Looking for help in planning your trip? Check out our planning tips, travel advice, and packing lists!

Travel History & Research

Interested in learning a bit about the history of travel or the psychology of travel? Take a look at our posts on travel research, travel history, and travel psychology.

Latest blog posts

best travel journals for travelers

15 Best Travel Journals for Travelers – Guide to Choosing the Perfect Travel Journal

Published: February 25, 2023 10 Comments

A travel journal can be a great way to record one's memories and experiences while traveling. Laurence bought his first travel journal in 1999 to use on a trip to Namibia. I bought my first travel journal back in 2012 for a trip to France. We have … [Read More...]

slum tourism responsible travel guidelines for travelers

Slum Tourism: 17 Responsible Travel Guidelines for Travelers

Published: July 9, 2022 8 Comments

Slum tourism is defined as the practice of travelers visiting poor urban areas, typically in the Global South, to view the impoverished conditions and understand more of the lifestyles of local inhabitants. It is also known as poverty tourism, … [Read More...]

things to do in Nairobi Kenya travel guide

Nairobi Travel Guide: 24 Top Things to do in Nairobi Kenya

Published: May 27, 2022 12 Comments

We want to share a guide to the top things to do in Nairobi, Kenya. Nairobi is the capital and largest city in Kenya. The city has grown from a rail depot in 1899 to a city of millions. It is the business, finance, and cultural hub of Kenya. Most … [Read More...]

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann visitor guide dome cupola

Guide to Visiting Galeries Lafayette in Paris

Published: April 10, 2022 20 Comments

Galeries Lafayette is a grand department store in Paris that is known for its upscale fashion, gourmet food, beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, and in-store activities. It has long been a popular tourist attraction in Paris, welcoming thousands of … [Read More...]

Allbirds shoes review Allbirds shoes for travel Allbirds Wool Runners sneakers

Allbirds Review: The Best Shoes for Travel?

Published: March 10, 2022 46 Comments

Finding comfortable, lightweight, and stylish travel shoes can be difficult, and last year Laurence and I were very pleased to discover Allbirds shoes. Allbirds is a New Zealand-American company that specializes in producing sustainable shoes and … [Read More...]

Titanic Belfast Museum Titanic sites in Belfast martime attractions Northern Ireland

Guide to Visiting the Titanic Belfast & Other Titanic Sites in Belfast

Published: July 29, 2021 10 Comments

Belfast and the Titanic will forever be linked together in history. It was in Belfast that the RMS Titanic would be designed, built, tested, and launched out to sea. In 1912, she was the world's largest and most luxurious ship. However, it would be … [Read More...]

Route 66 Motels 66 Motel Route 66 Hotels lodging accommodation

Historic Route 66 Motels & Hotels: Where to Stay along Route 66

Published: March 27, 2021 20 Comments

Historic Route 66 runs from Chicago to Santa Monica and is a popular driving route for those wanting to explore a diverse stretch of America. The route is particularly known for its historic motels, neon signs, scenic vistas, and vintage diners. If … [Read More...]

gifts for travelers made in the USA American travel gifts manufactured in the United States

Gifts for Travelers – Travel Gifts Made in the USA

Published: November 30, 2020 4 Comments

Wondering what gift to buy that traveler in your life? Today we wanted to highlight some great gift ideas for travelers in a gift guide that focus only on products made in the United States of America. Many people want to shop local and support … [Read More...]

Plum Guide review apartment with view of Eiffel Tower in Paris

Plum Guide Review: A New Alternative to Airbnb?

Published: October 29, 2020 26 Comments

Plum Guide is a relatively new vacation rental website that offers a curated selection of vacation homes and apartments that can be booked online. The company launched in 2016 and is based in London. Plum Guide currently lists over 12,000 holiday … [Read More...]

taking a bath while traveling travel tips for bath lovers bathtub Tea Trails

7 Travel Tips for Bath Lovers

Published: September 9, 2020 12 Comments

If you prefer taking a bath rather than a shower, then you may enjoy these travel tips for bath lovers! I personally really love the experience of slipping into a bath while traveling. Soaking in a bath can be a fantastic experience after an … [Read More...]

Isle of Raasay travel guide things to do on the Isle of Raasay

Isle of Raasay Travel Guide: Top Things to do on Raasay

Published: July 18, 2020 17 Comments

The Isle of Raasay is an island off the west coast of Scotland which is part of the Inner Hebrides. Although overshadowed by its much larger and more popular neighbor, the Isle of Skye, it is a great island to visit for hiking, cycling, kayaking, … [Read More...]

Best Vacation Rental Websites Booking Holiday Homes Apartments for Travel

Best Vacation Rental Websites: Where & How to Book Online

Published: July 2, 2020 18 Comments

We've put together a list of some of the best vacation rental websites where you can book your dream holiday home, cabin, apartment, cottage, or villa. If you are looking for a self-catering stay for your next trip, we have you covered. Vacation … [Read More...]

Château-d'Oex International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Switzerland Festival International de Ballons

Guide to Attending the Château-d’Oex International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Switzerland

Published: June 18, 2020 4 Comments

The Festival International de Ballons, or International Hot Air Balloon Festival, is the largest hot air ballooning event in Switzerland. It is held every year in the village of Château-d'Oex. The festival is known for its picturesque location in a … [Read More...]

best travel tripod tripods for traveling

Guide to the Best Travel Tripods 2023

Published: May 3, 2020 11 Comments

Travel tripods are an essential tool for many travelers who want to improve their photography. A travel tripod can make it easier to capture better travel photos and allows for more creativity and advanced photography options. So we wanted to … [Read More...]

2 weeks in Turkey itinerary 14 day Turkey trip Ephesus Celsus Library

2 Weeks in Turkey: The Perfect Turkey Itinerary

Published: April 4, 2020 70 Comments

If you are planning a trip to Turkey, our 2 week Turkey itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip. Turkey is a large country, but if you have 14 days in Turkey you have time to explore many of the country's most famous highlights. Our … [Read More...]

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