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I was lonely and working 15-hour days in the US. Moving to the Philippines gave me a community.

5 min read

Emily and her husband pose for a photo in Barcelona.

I'm an American living in Europe. Here are 5 of my favorite cities to visit.

4 min read

A snowy forest surrounding railroad tracks seen from a train window

I took a 15-hour Amtrak train from Colorado to Utah. Here's how I spent every hour, from boarding to bedtime.

I rode Amtrak's California Zephyr train from Colorado to Utah. Here's exactly how I spent each of the 15 hours on board.

9 min read

Two people wearing sunglasses pose together on a sandy beach with calm water and sailboats behind them.

After 13 years of motherhood, I took my first girls' trip. I'm so glad I didn't talk myself out of it.

I joined my best friend on a trip to St. Croix. This was the first time I've stepped away from motherhood in 13 years. It was just what I needed.

3 min read

The writers in matching T-shirts stand with luggage outside an airport terminal.

We're best friends in our 80s. We've traveled to 53 countries together — and have no plans of stopping anytime soon.

We're 85-year-old best friends who've traveled the world together. Senior discounts, affordable hotels, and going at our own pace keep us exploring.

5 min read

The writer and her husband, dressed in white, walking across a cruise deck in front of a body of water.

We raised our family in a 7,500-square-foot home. Then, we retired early and sold almost everything to travel the world.

My husband and I sold our house and belongings and retired earlier than planned. We've been traveling the world ever since, and have no regrets.

5 min read

Lynnewood Hall is the second-largest surviving Gilded Age mansion in the US.

I visited a Gilded Age mansion once called 'the American Versailles.' These 7 details left me speechless.

Lynnewood Hall, the second-largest surviving Gilded Age mansion in the US, is briefly open to the public for the first time in eight decades.

6 min read

The author in a maroon hat next to a picture of the chicken and yellow rice meal.

I flew Iraqi Airways, an airline few Americans have experienced and is banned in the EU. Here were the 4 biggest surprises.

I was surprised to get a full hot meal in economy. But the seats were worn and dirty and I worried about the airline's safety.

5 min read

I went to Scotland for the first time. There are 6 items I'm glad I packed and 4 I wish I had brought.

I went to Scotland for the first time and was grateful I packed plenty of layers and rain gear. However, I wish I brought more comfortable clothes.

6 min read

A portion of the Salt Lake City Skyline with mountains in the background

I'm a New Yorker who went to Salt Lake City for the first time. These 9 things surprised me.

I visited Salt Lake City, Park City, and Draper in Utah's Silicon Slopes and was surprised by the tech offices and affordable luxury stays.

6 min read

Small Business Insider

Restaurant staff in Simonds shirts gather inside a stainless steel commercial kitchen.

I'm a small business owner who took 50 of my employees to Greece. It was worth the $2,000 a person and 6 figures in revenue.

I'm a restaurant owner in New York. I spent months planning a trip to Greece for my employees, hoping to make it as affordable as possible.

5 min read

Emily looks out at the barren landscape while standing in from of a giant rock formation.

I've been to all 50 states. I'm not in a rush to return to these 5, even though I liked visiting them.

Although I've loved traveling to all 50 states, I'm not in a rush to return to places like Indiana, North Dakota, Kansas, and Nevada.

4 min read

A road passes through a mountain town on a fall day.

I've lived in California my entire life. Here are 5 of my favorite places to visit during the fall months.

I was born and raised in California, so I know the best places to visit in the fall. Places like Sonoma, Julian, and Murrieta are some of my favorites.

4 min read

Side by side of Woman smiling in cruise uniform next to imag eof people walking between two cruise ships,

I spent years working on cruise ships. Here are the 8 things I used to wish all cruisers knew about the job.

As a former cruise-ship employee, I wish more passengers knew what it's like to do this job and left notes about crew members on comment cards.

6 min read

Person seated indoors by an open balcony faces waterfalls beside nighttime fireworks over Niagara Falls.

I spent $1,000 to stay in a hotel directly facing Niagara Falls. The room surprised me in 4 ways.

I stayed at the Sheraton Fallsview in Niagara Falls. My room had a door that opened to the sound of crashing water and a view of nightly fireworks.

4 min read

Huntington, N.Y.: Aerial view of the grounds of Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York on August 5, 2025. (

Oheka Castle, the 127-room Long Island estate that inspired 'The Great Gatsby,' is heading to auction. Look inside.

Oheka Castle, which helped inspire "The Great Gatsby," is the second-largest private home in the US — and soon it can be yours.

6 min read

Sunset in Amsterdam - Bicycles parked on a bridge over a canal in the city centre, with typical Dutch houses on the background. Streets illuminated with lights.

I asked Instinct to plan 2 trips for me — and it sucked all the joy out of traveling

Instinct's AI agent created a thorough budget for a work trip in half the time I could, but it spent an hour working through vacation ideas.

5 min read

Smiling person holds a small black dog on a coastal path overlooking rocky shoreline and ocean at sunset.

After 14 years abroad, I moved back to my home state of California. I'm happier now than I've been in years.

I built a life abroad, but something was missing. Moving back to California helped me realize what I really needed.

4 min read

composite image, on the left is the author and her daughter wearing a life jacket on a boat. on the right is her husband carrying her daughter on a dock.

My husband has been going on the same family trip every year since he was a baby. Now, we get to bring our daughter.

My husband has been going on the same family trip every year for decades. I joined in 2015, and now, we bring our daughter.

3 min read

Smiling passenger seated in an airplane cabin seat beside oval windows.

I spent $7,500 on a full-body checkup and cosmetic procedures in Turkey

A disappointing physical sent me looking for healthcare 6,000 miles from home. It was cheaper and more comprehensive.

4 min read

A JetBlue airplane takes off from Boston Logan International Airport

Airlines waive change fees as nor'easter hits Northeast

Over 88,000 customers in the region had lost power as of Saturday morning.

1 min read

A Lufthansa Airbus A321-131 takes off from Barcelona-El Prat Airport, in Barcelona, Spain, on May 12, 2026.

The customer isn't always right. At least according to Lufthansa's viral complaint clapback.

Lufthansa sarcastically replied to a user's complaint on X before apologizing. PR experts explained why it might have backfired.

3 min read

Anna and Ellie take a selfie on a ranch.

My childhood best friend and I have very different adult lives. We stay connected with one annual tradition.

My childhood best friend and I stay connected by traveling together every year. We get to see new parts of the world, and it's good for our friendship.

5 min read

A model of a new Qantas business class seat.

I got a sneak peek at Qantas’ new business class designed for the world's longest flights. Here are the coolest perks.

Qantas' "Project Sunrise" planes will fly up to 22 hours nonstop between New York and London and Australia starting in 2027.

3 min read

The new TSA security scanners are getting smaller. Your carry-on bags will be fine.

The TSA has been rolling out a new X-ray machine that has a slightly smaller opening than before. Yes, your carry-ons will still fit.

3 min read

I spent months traveling solo around Asia. A trip with a friend showed me how much I'd changed.

After being laid off, Macie Strum booked a one-way flight to Asia. Solo travel taught her to trust herself and enjoy her own company.

5 min read

Split view shows a person on an airport tarmac beside a Dreamliner and a lit airplane cabin interior.

I've spent 190 hours on long-haul flights. These carry-on essentials make the journey more bearable.

Taking a long-haul flight? Here's what you should pack in your carry-on for a smooth ride, from skincare products to entertainment.

4 min read

The writer's toddler is sitting in a coach seat on an Amtrak train, reading a High Five Magazine.

We've flown and taken long road trips with my toddler. A 9-hour Amtrak ride tested our parenting skills.

My husband and I took a long Amtrak trip with our 3 year old. It wasn't easy, but we loved the accessible bathrooms, views, and affordable tickets.

4 min read

Forget Salem. We should all be hopping on our broomsticks to check out Sleepy Hollow.

Sleepy Hollow, which is a 40-minute train ride from New York City, goes all out for Halloween, without the kitsch of Salem.

9 min read

Destination Dupes

I've lived in New England my whole life. I skip Newport for this other coastal city with great food, shopping, and history.

As a New England local, I skip Newport and Bar Harbor and visit a coastal New Hampshire city instead. Portsmouth is less crowded and has lots to do.

4 min read

Emily, wearing a green crop top, black pants, and sunglasses, stands in front of trees and mountains at Grand Teton National Park.

I've visited all 63 major US national parks. Here are 10 of my all-time favorites.

After traveling to all 63 major US national parks, places like Grand Teton, Acadia, Olympic, and Glacier National Park were some of my favorites.

5 min read

I've had 2 babies in France. As an American, the biggest shock was never getting a hospital bill.

American expat Kristen Seitz had both her children in France. She says the biggest surprise was receiving extensive maternity care without a bill.

5 min read

Jay Eskenazi, who used Meta's Muse to help plan is European trip, is pictured.

I used Muse, Instinct, and Grok Bot to plan my European vacation. Meta's AI agent was my favorite.

Jay Eskenazi planned the itinerary for his trip to Europe with Claude and the Grok Bot. Once he landed, he found Meta's Muse to be the most helpful.

5 min read

Amanda wearing wired headphones on an Amtrak ride. next to image of interior of Amtrak train

I took a 5-hour Amtrak ride with just a backpack and carry-on. There are 5 things I'm glad I packed and 3 I wish I had.

After taking a long Amtrak ride from New Jersey to Boston with a backpack and carry-on, I was grateful I packed snacks, but wish I had a neck pillow.

5 min read

Peninsula State Park observation tower parking lot

I never had any desire to visit the Midwest — until a fall trip to Door County changed my entire outlook on travel

A fall trip to Door County, Wisconsin, in October was incredible with amazing autumn foliage. It changed my perspective on traveling to the Midwest.

4 min read

We've lived between a sailboat and a campervan for 10 years. The freedom is real, but so are the trade-offs.

For years, we've split our time living in a van in the US in summer and on a sailboat in Mexico in winter. The nomadic lifestyle has pros and cons.

5 min read

Split view of a restaurant dining room and a person seated on a wooden rocking chair on a porch.

I spent 2 nights at an all-inclusive resort. My biggest regret was going alone.

I spent two nights at Mohonk Mountain House in New York by myself and learned that traveling solo to an all-inclusive resort isn't for me.

3 min read

A woman takes a selfie on a mountain with two blue lakes in the background.

I’m a travel influencer who works every day while building my own business. Here are 4 ways I avoid burnout.

Rhiannon Wood is a travel influencer who works nearly every day building her brand and community. See how she pulls herself from the edge of burnout.

5 min read

The best makeup bags for travel

From oversized cases that would delight a makeup artist to purse-sized pouches, we tested the best makeup cases for car or air travel.

21 min read

Two Amtrak Acela train interiors show rows of seats, overhead luggage racks, and a few travelers aboard.

I gave Amtrak first class another shot on a new train fleet. It was better in every way — but still not worth the price.

I booked first-class tickets on Amtrak Acela trains three years apart. Neither was worth the price, but my experience on the NextGen fleet was better.

7 min read