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☆ I'm an American who visited Tokyo for the first time. Here are the expectations I had that were completely wrong.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

After reading blogs and watching countless YouTube videos, I landed in Japan with some expectations. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . For the past decade, I've watched videos, read blogs, and eagerly listened to friends' stories from Japan. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, I've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Japan, It's

☆ I visited Aspen, the most expensive vacation destination in America, for the first time. Here are 13 things that surprised me.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

At the start of the 2021 ski season, I visited one of the US' most expensive ski towns: Aspen, Colorado. AdvertisementNestled in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, Aspen is a small ski town known for vacationers with big budgets. At the top of the list was Aspen, with vacationers spending an average of $761.39 per person per day in the town. In 2022, Aspen was the world's most expensive ski town based on the listing price for prime ski property, according to Engel & Völkers, a global real-estate company. In 2023, the ski outlet SnowBrains named Aspen the most expensive ski town in the US.

Persons: —, Engel, Völkers Organizations: Service, Aspen Locations: Aspen , Colorado, Aspen, Rocky

☆ Overwater bungalows started as a bottom-tier accommodation. Today, they're a status symbol in the luxury travel world.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Mimicking the style, they built three overwater bungalows to join the garden and pool bungalows that also filled the Raiatea property in 1967. Overwater bungalows in the lagoon of Bora Bora. But building an overwater bungalow in the Caribbean can be a hard task to accomplish, Danny Kalenov, the developer behind Six Senses Belize, an overwater bungalow resort that's set to open in 2026, told BI. In 2016, the Sandals Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, became the first overwater bungalow resort in the area. AdvertisementToday, Dream Overwater has cataloged nine Caribbean locations home to more than a dozen overwater bungalow resorts.

Persons: —, Vaihiria Kelley, — Jay Carlisle, Hugh Kelley, Donald McCallum —, Kelley, Jay Carlisle, Donald McCallum, Raiatea didn't, Ronan McLoughlin, Jason Toms, Toms, Lucy Rudgard, Scott Dunn, overwater, McLoughlin, Bora Bora, Matteo Colombo, Danny Kalenov, they've, Kalenov, It's, Vincent Organizations: Service, Life Magazine, Tourism, Bali Hai Boys, Audley Travel, Getty, Senses, Royalton Chic, Grenadines Locations: Tahiti, California, Moorea, Bali, Boys, Raiatea, Huahine, That's, Polynesia, Maldives, Bora, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Caribbean, Senses Belize, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Royalton, Royalton Chic Antigua, St

☆ Inside a $200 million ghost town in Turkey filled with castles reminiscent of Disneyland — minus all the people
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Monica Humphries | Aria Bendix | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Burj Al Babas is an abandoned ghost town in Turkey filled with Disneyland-like castles. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementA town of castles called the Burj Al Babas in northwest Turkey was originally designed to draw foreign vacationers. Today, 587 villas sit empty, forming a ghost town, Yes Theory reported. Take a look inside.

Persons: Babas, —, Al Babas Organizations: Burj, Service, The New York Times Locations: Turkey, Al Babas, Al, The

☆ Want to see the next total solar eclipse in 2026? An expert recommends booking travel now.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementIt'll be two decades before the next total solar eclipse hits the US. Another option: hop on a plane to Europe and turn the 2026 total solar eclipse into a viewing vacation. Advertisement"I would say the total solar eclipse has become a global phenomenon," Ballard said. Video Media Studio Europe/ShutterstockDetermine your eclipse viewing destinationAccording to Space.com, 2026 will be Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years. Other operators, such as Wilderness Travel and Eclipse Traveler, have similar itineraries for the total eclipse in 2026.

Persons: —, Michael Zeiler, GreatAmericanEclipse.com, Space.com, Philip Ballard, Vox, Ballard, Taylor Organizations: Travelers, Service, Video Media, Northern, Eclipse Locations: Spain, Iceland, Greenland, Europe, Austin , Texas, Rochester , New York, Mallorca, Expedia

☆ A flight attendant shares the 7 biggest mistakes she sees passengers make when packing carry-on suitcases
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

CiCi has worked as a flight attendant at a major airline for six years. She shared the biggest mistakes she sees passengers make when packing a carry-on suitcase. AdvertisementAfter working as a flight attendant, CiCi has a newfound love for both the sky and packing suitcases. Prior to being a flight attendant, CiCi told Business Insider that she owned companies and worked in real estate. Here are the common — and avoidable — mistakes CiCi sees.

Persons: CiCi, —, she's, Condé Organizations: Service, CiCi

☆ An 80-year-old had a stroke during a Norwegian cruise excursion. After the ship left her behind on an African island, her family tracked her journey home using an Apple AirTag.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The cruise continued sailing, and the tour company said they left her with other stranded cruisers. AdvertisementIt wasn't a surprise to Julie Lenkoff's family that she was going on another cruise. During the tour, she passed out and fell, Diogo Beirão, the chief operating officer of the tour company, confirmed to BI. Kurt said he and the rest of Lenkoff's family had no idea this was happening since Norwegian hadn't contacted them. Kurt GiesToday, Lenkoff is in critical conditionSince arriving at the hospital in California, Kurt told BI that Lenkoff has undergone numerous tests and scans.

Persons: Julie Lenkoff, Lenkoff, —, Julie Lenkoff's, Kurt Gies, Lenkoff's, Lana Gies, Kurt, Navetur, Diogo Beirão, Beirão, hadn't, São, Jay Campbell, should've, WRAL, Jill Campbell, Lana, Julie, gurney, Kurt Gies Kurt, would've Organizations: Service, Stanford Medical Center, BI, Campbells, North, Apple, Lenkoff Locations: Norwegian, Africa, São, Gambia, African, American, Lisbon, Portugal, United States, Toronto, San Francisco, California

☆ After years in coach, I took my first long-haul flight in business class. Here are 10 surprising things about the most glamorous plane ride of my life.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

In June 2022, I flew business class on an Air New Zealand flight to Auckland, New Zealand. It was my first time in business class and during the 13-hour flight, I was pampered and amazed. The flight's dinner service felt like fine dining, and it was the best sleep I've had on a plane. I spent about 13 hours seated in Air New Zealand's business class on a long-haul flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand. From meals that felt like fine dining to a turn-down service, I was spoiled and surprised throughout the entire flight.

Persons: I've, —, I'd Organizations: Air, Zealand, Service, Business Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, Air, Los Angeles

☆ I flew on 2 long-haul flights: one in business and another in economy. The 2 cabins couldn't be more different — take a look.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I flew business class on an Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Nine months later, I was on a 12-hour flight from Denver to Tokyo in United's economy cabin. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. In the summer of 2022, I hopped on an Air New Zealand flight to Auckland, New Zealand. For Air New Zealand, I was seated in business class.

Persons: — Organizations: Air, Zealand, Auckland ., Service, United Airlines, Air New Zealand Locations: Los Angeles, Auckland, Denver, Tokyo, Auckland , New Zealand

☆ A couple lost $4,400 when their Lufthansa flight was canceled. The airline promised them a refund, but 5 months later, they still haven't received the money.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-29 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Last summer, a couple was flying home when their connecting Lufthansa flight in Germany was canceled. In August, they were flying home from Singapore on United Airlines when their Lufthansa Airlines connection between Germany and New Jersey was canceled, Giantisco told Business Insider. Advertisement"More than anything, we need the money we spent trying to get home at the last minute and being stuck in Munich," Giantisco said. They flew from Munich to London on a Lufthansa flight and from London to New Jersey on United. That became a challenge when they discovered their original flight information had been removed from their United flight history.

Persons: haven't, —, Emma Giantisco, Dylan Marton, Giantisco, Marton, Marton hasn't, they'd, that's, Dylan Marton United, I've Organizations: Lufthansa, Service, United Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines, Business, New Jersey ., BI, Lufthansa rebooking, United, European Union, Star Alliance Locations: Germany, Singapore, New Jersey, Munich, Giantisco, Southeast Asia, Lambertville , New Jersey, Newark, Frankfurt, London, Marton

☆ A big mistake at my first all-inclusive changed how I'll plan resort trips in the future
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I had my first all-inclusive vacation at Thatch Caye in Belize. AdvertisementMinutes ticked by while my friend and I waited for a boat to take us to Thatch Caye, an all-inclusive resort on a private island in Belize. A bird's-eye view of the Thatch Caye resort. AdvertisementWhile I knew once I got to the all-inclusive resort, I wouldn't want to leave, I didn't think about when I arrived. But for a future all-inclusive stay, I won't miss out on a minute of my resort reservation.

Persons: —, Monica Humphries, could've Organizations: Service, Muy'Ono Resorts, Travel Locations: Belize

☆ I went inside the secret airplane rooms where flight attendants and pilots sleep. I'd much rather be a pilot.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

On a long-haul Air New Zealand flight, I toured the secret rooms where pilots and flight attendants rest. The Boeing 777-300ER has a room with two beds for pilots and an eight-bed area for flight attendants. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementFor years, I boarded long-haul flights without thinking twice about whether pilots and flight attendants rest during the ride. I explored two rooms — one where pilots rest and another for flight attendants.

Persons: — Organizations: Zealand, Boeing, Service, Air New

☆ I spent 2 nights in an overwater bungalow. The resort's hidden details made it a luxury stay.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Thatch Caye resort in Belize offers a luxury vacation where small details are taken care of. Instead, it'd be carted off to my overwater bungalow without me lifting a finger. A Thatch Caye worker brings the author's luggage to her overwater bungalow. A view of the interior of the overwater bungalow on Thatch Caye. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderOther hidden details made me feel good about staying at Thatch CayeThe other hidden details throughout the trip help Thatch Caye focus on sustainability.

Persons: —, Monica Humphries, I've, it's Organizations: Service, BI, Forbes, Gatorade Locations: Belize, Dangriga, Aspen , Colorado, Sydney

☆ A family's $6,300 vacation was at risk when the passport office lost their daughter's photo and replaced it with the wrong child
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

They booked the trip three months in advance, and shortly after, she began the passport application process for herself and her two daughters, Sofia, 5, and Daya, 3. Representatives for the UK's passport office did not respond to a request for comment from BI. The office couldn't find the image sent with Daya's application, so Basi rushed to get a new photo sent to the passport office. Then, Basi said the passport office sent this second set to the wrong regional office. Basi said she had filed at least three complaints now, but it's been radio silence from the passport office.

Persons: —, Dillon Birring's, Basi, Sofia's, hadn't, Peter Garrard Beck, Daya, it's Organizations: Service, Business, BBC Locations: England, Egypt, Sofia, Liverpool, London

☆ I flew in business class for the first time. It cost $6,000 and was the best flight of my life, but I wouldn't do it again for 5 reasons.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Minutes after settling into business class on an Air New Zealand flight, I had the realization that this plane ride was going to be unlike any other flight I'd taken. A glass of sparkling wine at the author's business-class seat. One flight attendant was pouring me a glass of sparkling wine. A third soon followed to introduce herself and welcome me on the Air New Zealand flight. Before this flight, I'd never spent more than $1,400 on a plane ticket.

Persons: Monica Humphries, I'd, I'm Organizations: Air, Zealand, Boeing, Facebook

☆ After traveling in a van for 2 weeks, I saw how the lifestyle could be cheaper than my Denver life
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I wanted to explore the US, but I also wanted to see if van life was something I could do full-time. I quickly realized that these small costs — eating out, gas station snacks, souvenirs — are where van life can get expensive. AdvertisementSo finding a lifestyle like van life, which includes adventure and potential savings, sounds too good to be true. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderI experienced ways that living in a van could be cheaper than my lifestyle todayThere are hidden costs that come with van life. I'm not saying van life is necessarily cheaper than city living, but I am convinced it can be if I work at it.

Persons: —, ProMaster, I've, Apartments.com, Axios, It's, Brittany Newson, Monica Humphries, it'd, Zach Nelson, Joe's, Joshua, Ram, van, I'd, I'm Organizations: Service, Denver, Mercedes, Benz, Costco, Walmart Locations: Denver , Colorado, Denver, Southwest America, Plenty, San Fransico, Joshua Tree

☆ I spent years considering van life and finally embarked on a 2-week trip last fall. 5 months later, I'm still dreaming of the lifestyle.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The concept of van life has intriqued me for years. I've interviewed dozens of nomads who encouraged others to try van life with shorter trips. AdvertisementThose desires could be answered with van life — especially since the version of van life I saw scrolling on Instagram and TikTok seemed to fit my outdoorsy lifestyle. Related storiesI knew two weeks wasn't enough to experience every aspect of van life. Plus, the company's vans were what I dreamed of when I pictured van life.

Persons: I've, —, Monica Humphries, Maddy Garrett, Ram Organizations: Service, Valley Music, Arts, Gatorade, Allied Market Research, Business, Subaru, Walmart, Costco Locations: Bryce, United States, RVs, Albuquerque , New Mexico, Denver, New Mexico, Las Vegas

☆ I saved money by shopping at Costco before a 2-week van trip. Here are the items I'm glad I bought.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I headed to Costco before a two-week trip in a 75-square-foot van. I wasn't sure I'd find much for my tiny home considering the store sells items in bulk. I left with a full cart, saved money, and had supplies like ravioli and hand warmers for the trip. The wholesale store is known for selling items in bulk. But I'm a sucker for a deal, so I headed to my nearest Costco outside Denver before a two-week trip in a 75-square-foot van.

Persons: — Organizations: Costco, Service Locations: Denver

☆ For years, I dreamed of overwater bungalows in destinations like the Maldives and Tahiti. Then, I found one just a 6-hour flight away in Belize.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I dreamed of overwater bungalows in places like the Maldives but dreaded the long flight there. And I believed the best place to create that experience would be in an overwater bungalow — the epitome of a luxury tropical vacation. Levente Bodo/Getty ImagesThere's a reason overwater bungalows aren't as popular in the CaribbeanOverwater bungalow resorts are more than 55 years old. And Ra'iātea's calm waters made it the ideal place for an overwater bungalow, Kelley said. My first overwater bungalow stay reminded me I don't need to hop on an all-day flight to experience the accommodation.

Persons: —, Levente Bodo, — Jay Carlisle, Hugh Kelley, Donald McCallum —, Hugh Kelley's, Vaihiria Kelley, Kelley, Condé, hasn't, Monica Humphries Organizations: Service, Levente, Muy'Ono Locations: Maldives, Central America, Caribbean, Belize, Tahiti, Polynesia, Moorea, Bali, Ra'iātea, South Pacific, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Aruba, Panama, Antigua, Mexico, St, Lucia, Vincent, Turks, Caicos, Denver , Colorado

☆ Travelers are wrapping seatbelts around their legs to get comfortable on planes. Flight attendants say it's a bad idea.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Two flight attendants warned against the hack. AdvertisementWhile some commenters and TikTokers love the approach, two flight attendants told Business Insider it's a terrible idea. Jupiterimages/Getty ImagesBoth flight attendants said it could pose a safety risk"Absolutely not," CiCi, a flight attendant at a major airline, told BI. Lea told BI that emergency landings were the first thing that came to her mind when she saw the video. AdvertisementThankfully, both flight attendants said they had not seen passengers using the method on recent flights.

Persons: —, CiCi, Michael Wallace, Thrillist, Lea, @flightattendantbaelee, it's Organizations: Service, Tax, American Airlines

☆ I thought I'd hate all-inclusive resorts. Then I went to one.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

I thought all-inclusive resorts didn't foster experiences unique to a destination. It was peaceful, quiet, and far from anything I envisioned when it came to staying at an all-inclusive resort. Between the picture-perfect accommodations and excursions, I was willing to challenge thoughts on all-inclusive resorts. We were told to meet at the outdoor dinner table at 7 p.m.Sure, Thatch Caye missed some elements of many all-inclusive resorts. And while I still plan to steer clear of many of the major all-inclusive resorts, I'll no longer shudder when I see those two little words.

Persons: —, Matteo Colombo, I've, you've, Justin Francis, Jobs, Monica Humphries, Katie, I'd, wasn't, Guy Organizations: Service, Getty, Quintana, Quintana Roo Tourism, US Travel Locations: Belize, Dangriga, Cancún, Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Quintana Roo

☆ A passenger plane exceeded 800 mph due to strong winds — 200 mph faster than usual. Experts say passengers had nothing to worry about.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The speeds — Virgin's plane reached 802 mph and United at 838 mph — are some of the fastest speeds recorded in recent years. According to the National Weather Service in the DC area, winds reached speeds of 265 mph. AdvertisementThe challenges come when the plane needs to leave the jet stream, Bangs said. On turbulent flights, passengers might notice the plane's wings bending and flexing, and that's on purpose, Bangs told BI. Ultimately, Bangs said, "if that 260 mph jet stream is acting as a tailwind on your flight, it's a lot of fun."

Persons: —, Kathleen Bangs, Domenic, Bangs, LaFauci Organizations: Service, Boeing, Virgin Airlines, United Airlines, National Weather Service, NPR, Business, Getty, Southern New Hampshire University, Airline

☆ 2 passenger planes hit over 800 mph on recent flights due to strong winds. That's over 200 mph more than a typical plane ride.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

On Saturday, a Virgin Atlantic plane and a United Airlines plane reached speeds over 800 mph. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . High-altitude winds over the Mid-Atlantic helped the planes surpass speeds of 800 mph, The Washington Post reported. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Virgin, United Airlines, Service, Atlantic, Washington Post, Business Locations: London, Newark , New Jersey, Lisbon

☆ I spent 2 nights in a luxury overwater bungalow in Belize. Take a look inside my $950-a-night room.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

On a recent trip to Belize, a friend and I spent two nights at the all-inclusive Thatch Caye resort. The resort sits on its own private island, and we stayed in a premier overwater bungalow. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. My friend and I had just spent four nights in a budget hotel and three days hopping around Caye Caulker, Belize. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Belize, Caulker

☆ Step inside Quartzsite, Arizona, where snowbirds flock for warmer weather and a cheap place to park their RVs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementOne of those places is Quartzsite's La Posa long-term visitor area . Monica Humphries/Business InsiderIf off-grid living won't fit a visitor's needs, Quartzsite is home to more than 50 RV resorts . As I meandered around La Posa, I debated how close was too close to park next to a stranger. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderIn 2020, Quartzsite became a Hollywood backdropMost people recognize the name Quartzsite from the Oscar-winning movie "Nomadland," which was released in 2020. There was a sense of freedom living on La Posa, and almost everyone I met was friendly and eager to chat.

Persons: It's, —, snowbirds, Monica Humphries, you'll, Quartzsite, Casey Osborn, he's, Osborn, He's, Osborn doesn't, Bob, La Posa, La, Fern —, Frances McDormand, Fern, Paul Winer, Winer Organizations: Service, of Commerce, Tourism, Land Management, Vehicles, La, Social Security, Reader's Oasis, Oasis, Quartzsite Yacht Locations: Quartzsite, Arizona, Quartzsite , Arizona, Mexico, La Posa, La

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