I moved from the US to Germany and the UK. I love Europe, but it's not the utopia Americans think it is.

Hostels are my preferred option when I'm traveling alone.

Thoughts of fall travel might conjure up images of cozy cabins and hiking through fiery red foliage. This autumn, however, a wave of new airline routes from the US is shaking up the usual pumpkin-spice-laced doldrums and offering easy new ways to access exciting destinations. Think city escapes in Northern Africa, beaches on tiny Caribbean islands, and lush nature in Oceania.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Scarlett Kiaras-Attari, a marketing executive and education content creator who moved to the UK for her studies. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Between Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO world heritage sites, its thriving wildlife, and pristine white sand beaches, the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” has enough glimmer for everyone—and now, visiting the South Asia island nation, located off the coast of India, is about to get easier (and cheaper) for travelers from 35 countries.

There has been a shift in travel preferences with emerging trends such as quiet travel and the pursuit of a slow-paced life gaining popularity in recent months. Quiet travel is a way of exploring that emphasises tranquillity, mindfulness, and a closer connection to nature. Scotland’s serene landscapes offer a perfect escape for those seeking quiet, reflective travel in nature’s embrace.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kiran Ali , an American who relocated to Dubai with her family. She works as a director of partnerships in a Fintech company. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

As interest in visiting Porto only grows stronger, visitors are finding even more things to do in the city. What was once seen for many as a short trip is becoming a longer break, with exploration outside of the city centre and into neighboring areas. Porto may be Portugal’s second largest city—after Lisbon—but it did give the country its name from the Roman Portus Cale. Centuries later, the city became famous for port, its “divine nectar of the Gods,” tastings of which are highly recommended in any of the port lodges lining the riverside in Vila Nova de Gaia. From there, look across the Douro at Porto’s colorful jumble of medieval houses, soaring church towers, and glossy blue-and-white tiled façades. Here, our selection of the best things to do in Porto can help you weave your way through the city, dipping into its sights, sounds, tastes, and smells to better get under its skin. To be sure, Porto will get under yours too.

A small London airport is about to expand, making it easier to fly to destinations across Europe.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Matthew Boutte, a graduate of Georgetown Law, who gave up his legal career to travel and tutor. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his education history and income.

Brian Kelly, better known as "The Points Guy," explained why business-class travel has taken off, and shared two tips for flyers on the "Rapid Response" podcast this week.

Hilton has just launched its new Power Up promotion for autumn.

Edelweiss, a Switzerland-based airline that is owned by Lufthansa, recently announced new twice-weekly flights from Seattle's SeaTac Airport to Zurich Airport.  The flights will operate every Monday and Saturday and depart Seattle at 4:25 p.m. arriving into Zurich at 11:45 a.m. the next day.