Our rules
How we choose
Independent Travel is for people who plan their own trips, and it favours places run by people rather than brands. These are the rules we work to.
What "independent" means here
| We call it | Meaning | How we treat it |
|---|---|---|
| Stand-alone | One owner, one place | First choice |
| Family-run | A family business, often in the family home or on the family land | First choice |
| Small group | A handful of places under one local owner | Welcome |
| Larger operator | A national or international group | Listed only when it is the right answer, for example family rooms or peak-season availability, and we say why |
Independent does not mean expensive. We look for good places at every budget, from farm stays and hostels to special-occasion treats.
How we order what you see
- Independence, as above.
- Fit with what you told us: who you travel with, your budget, your pace and what you enjoy.
- The evidence we have that the place is good: our own visits, reviewed information and traveller reports.
When we suggest something for you, we show the reasons, such as "Family-run" or "Fits your budget".
What money can't buy
No business can pay to be listed, to be ranked higher, or to change what we write about it. When we earn a referral fee from a link, we label it where you decide. Some businesses may later choose to take bookings through us; that will never affect whether or where they appear.
Who decides what's listed
We do. Businesses can correct their facts, but they don't choose whether they appear. You can suggest a place too, and we'll look at it.
How our descriptions are written
Some descriptions start as drafts written with the help of AI, especially for places we haven't covered before. A person on our team reviews and edits every one before it appears here. Prices and availability are only shown when dated and sourced.