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While there are plenty of “travel” movies focusing on vacations gone bad, self-discovery and roughing it when you’d rather not, a rare few feature stunning vistas, exotic locales or strange cultures that exemplify the best of what travel is all about. Here are 10 of my favorite travel films that may just inspire you to ditch that annual trip to the beach next summer and instead book a trip to someplace more exciting.

Cruises are popular choices for travelers seeking maximum value in a packaged vacation experience. Incredible scenery, entertainment, shore excursions and great food and cocktail selections have enticed millions of travelers to book a cruise. Yet by some estimates, only 15 percent of Americans have ever taken a cruise, and industry executives admit that many people are turned off by several persistent misconceptions. Here are 5 common myths about cruises, and several compelling arguments why you should ignore them.

Fairy-tale castles in Bolzano, Italy, and along the German Romantic Road might be what most package tourists expect, but many travelers don’t realize the Middle East can hold its own when it comes to entertaining castle fans. That’s because many of the ancient Crusader castles built during the battles for control of the Holy Land are still standing throughout the region. Many are remarkably well preserved. Add to that the fact that many of them are situated in extremely picturesque locations in a part of the world considered by many to be sacred, and it’s easy to see why they’re very popular with tourists. Here are a handful of great structures to see when touring the Middle East.

We’ve all heard the stories of people staying up until the middle of the night to book a fare so phenomenally low it makes the national news. And while I’m certainly thrilled for those who manage to accomplish these minor miracles, most of us just want to get the best deal we can without very much stress. Here are five easy ways to save some money booking travel online.

Ecotourism, or traveling to destinations in order to explore and enjoy the natural environment and wildlife, is increasing in popularity. If climbing Mount Everest or exploring Antarctica is a bit too hard-core for you, rest assured there are a myriad of other ecotourism destinations suitable for the average tourist. Here are five of note.

There are many important spiritual pilgrimage sites around the world, far too many to tackle in a single article. Some of them are more picturesque than others, however, and I have narrowed the list to my five favorites. Each made the list for different, yet valid reasons, and each has something unique to offer the avid traveler.

Many people love the idea of camping as a frugal way to have some family fun and keep vacation costs under control. Most tourists probably associate the typical camping experience with a rural setting, so they may not realize that camping can be an affordable way to see some of the most expensive cities in the world. If checking out the Eiffel Tower, the Glockenspiel, Empire State Building or the British Museum tickles your fancy, then these five urban camping options might offer a chance to enjoy savings and a unique experience.

As a hobby, birding offers numerous spectacular photo ops on a budget you can brag about to your penny-pinching friends. Aside from minimal equipment, accommodations and trip fare, you can generally hike on your own or join a group for an affordable guided tour to a new area. While there are too many phenomenal birding destinations to cover in one article, I have rounded up five locations that are extremely popular with bird watchers.

Love to eat? Then food festivals are a safe bet when it comes to outings you might enjoy. They come with great grub, a sociable atmosphere and usually feature live entertainment and games. While almost every urban center has a food festival that draws tens of thousands of people, there are a number of small towns around the United States where an annual food festival is the biggest area event of the year. Here are five great small-town food festivals that draw crowds from a distance.

When you think of deserts, the first thing that probably comes to mind for many is scorching heat, utter desolation and images of parched travelers crawling over a huge sand dune toward an imaginary oasis. Yet modern amenities such as sturdy four-wheel-drive vehicles, GPS units and air conditioning have turned even the most inhospitable deserts of yesteryear into potential vacation spots. Desert adventure tours have grown in popularity in recent years, offering travelers relatively inexpensive access to unique hiking, trekking, camping and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Of course, photography buffs and astronomers in search of dark skies can find plenty to be excited about as well. Here are five breathtaking deserts offering cool adventure tours.