National Geographic | Your monthly travel inspirations

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This month's travel inspirations: 10 auto-free zones where you can really unplug; how to plan a national park trip; what to pack for a cruise; destination dupes; and 7 Maya wonders to see in Mexico.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MATTHEW MICAH WRIGHT, GETTY IMAGES

10 destinations where you don't need a car to get around (and they're not even allowed)

You won't need to worry about finding a parking spot, paying for a rental or for gas, or deal with horns and traffic. From the well-known to the less-charted, here are 10 spots where you can relax, soak in the sights at a walking pace, and unplug for real.

10 AUTO-FREE ZONES

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH BY FLY VIEW PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES; PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: ALLBIRDS, HOKA, ZAPPOS, NEW BALANCE

If you're going to walk, you'll need a good pair of shoes

Do you have wide feet, plantar fasciitis, joint pain—or do you just need comfortable new sneakers? We spoke to podiatrists to find the very best walking shoes for women—and the best walking shoes for men.

SEE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

A few of our favorite trails:

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You can walk across San Francisco in a day. Here's how.

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Crowded peaks? Not on this little-known trail in the Adirondacks

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Puerto Rico's stunning new trail traverses a tropical rainforest

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You won't find these Hawaiian hiking trails in a guidebook

PHOTOGRAPH BY ART WOLFE, GETTY IMAGES

Planning a trip to a national park? Read these insider tips first

The U.S. National Park Service reported more than 300 million visits last year—and even lesser known parks are experiencing record-breaking numbers. From snagging the perfect stay to timing your bookings just right, we've got insider tips to ensure your national park vacation is nothing short of epic.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CARLTON WARD

Everything you need to know about Everglades National Park

Plan your trip to the southern tip of Florida to visit the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States—and see our destination guides to other national parks.

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What to pack for a cruise—according to someone who's sailed on more than 50

Our writer has learned a thing or two about what to pack for a cruise. Besides the necessary cruise clothes, her packing list includes key items like towel clips and a hand scale. Read on for the 20 products she always takes along, for every stage of the journey.

20 CRUISE SHIP ESSENTIALS

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY ON A CRUISE: Good planning can help you keep viruses and bacteria at bay +

IS THIS NAPA? NOPE.

PHOTOGRAPH BY OBIE OBERHOLZER/LAIF/REDUX

Set amid dramatic mountains and lush, California-like vegetation, South Africa's Western Cape region is awash with rows of vines. Here are 8 other lesser known sites that rival bucket-list attractions.

9 DESTINATION DUPES

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL: You can still climb Mount Everest. Here's how to do it responsibly. +

7 MUST-SEE MAYA WONDERS IN MEXICO

PHOTOGRAPH BY ISTOCKPHOTO, GETTY IMAGES

Remnants of ancient civilizations still stand across Central America—and well-preserved temples and jungle-cloaked pyramids are open to visitors across southern Mexico. These are the ancient Maya ruins you don't want to miss.

7 MAYA SITES TO SEE

FOR SUBSCRIBERS: Everything we thought we knew about the ancient Maya is being upended +

THE 10 BEST HOTELS IN TOKYO

PHOTOGRAPH BY FRANCESCO LACOMINO, AWL IMAGES

Japan's capital is one of the most diverse and thrilling cities on Earth—but its sheer size can make choosing a hotel daunting. Here are 10 places to stay in Tokyo to make your trip all the more memorable.

10 HOTELS IN TOKYO

3 DAYS IN TOKYO: Your ultimate itinerary for Japan's crazy cool capital +

THE BEST TRAVEL GEAR WE'VE RECOMMENDED SO FAR

See more product recommendations from Nat Geo editors, from hiking essentials to sleep accessories, and more.

1.

The best travel backpacks for every kind of trip

2.

The perfect packable, wrinkle-free wardrobe

3.

The best camping gear, according to National Geographic staff

4.

The best packing cubes to save space and keep you organized

5.

How to sleep soundly on a plane

*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.

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