In 2024, approximately 1 billion passengers departed from U.S. airports. Nearly a quarter of those travelers, about 236 million, experienced a flight delay or cancellation, according to a recent report from AirHelp, an air passenger rights company.
29.01.2025 - 18:25 / insider.com
It was an idyllic August day when my husband, two children, and I arrived at our Airbnb in southern France .
We were three months into a yearlong trip around the world , and this destination, in particular, was one we were all looking forward to. We had booked the Airbnb well in advance, lured by its proximity to the cobblestone town center and oceanfront boardwalk. From the pictures, our home for the next five days would be modern, spacious, and perhaps even trés chic by the look of the listing.
However, as we ascended three stories in a tiny elevator and opened the doors to our apartment, we were met with a most unpleasant surprise. The place was trashed. Broken light fixtures hung haphazardly from the walls, there were empty spaces where paintings and photographs had clearly once hung, and the bedrooms were missing pillows and proper bedding. We contacted Airbnb , and while they promptly assigned an agent to our case, this wasn't going to be the last time we were disappointed by a booking.
Over the course of the next year, we would stay in 52 accommodations across Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as Central and South America, and every single one of them had their "thing." That said, after 365 days of travel I consider us to be somewhat experts on the subject and am sharing our acquired tips and tricks to ensure you book the right accommodation for your next trip. Here are some of the things we learned along the way.
The location of your booking can often make or break your stay . While most listings will provide a commentary of the surrounding area and general coordinates, it's important to vet the description and the pictures.
One tried-and-true hack is using Google Maps Street View to scout the location and surrounding area. Really "stroll the streets" to get a sense of what it would be like to live there. You are looking for walkability, nearby resources, and neighbors.
It's important to read the fine print and look for provided items that might be helpful for your stay.
If you're in a beach town, look for accommodations that provide beach chairs, towels, boogie boards, hammocks, and umbrellas. Bikes are also always a huge bonus. Having everything you need will make a big difference in your experience. In addition, if an accommodation advertises that "essentials" are provided, inquire what they deem essentials.
We had the unfortunate experience of arriving at an Airbnb only to find bath towels were not included in our stay.
Always check the reviews , not just the star rating but what people are actually saying. Be thorough, read every single review, and if they say anything, even politely negative, it could be a red flag. Often, people don't feel comfortable being
In 2024, approximately 1 billion passengers departed from U.S. airports. Nearly a quarter of those travelers, about 236 million, experienced a flight delay or cancellation, according to a recent report from AirHelp, an air passenger rights company.
Sleeper trains can be many things — comfortable, cramped, bumpy, awe-inspiring, isolating, social, luxurious, and unbearable.
Feb 6, 2025 • 13 min read
Like a lot of us, I often find myself fried from days spent staring at my computer screen and nights circling back to emails I haven't answered. So when I heard that the Sanctuary Beach Resort in Monterey Bay, California, offered a package known as the Burnout Recovery Journey, I had to try it. When I arrived, I was happy to find the kinds of treatments on the spa menu I've been seeing more and more of lately: science-based offerings like infrared light therapy, IV drips, and electromagnetic pulse therapy. My outstanding massage took place on something called a Pulsed Electromagnetic Field mat. I was grateful that the hotel offered signal-blocking phone bags for the ultimate unplugging experience. Then I realized the irony: I was treating my burnout with…more tech. One has to wonder: How did we get here?
The week that was already being hailed as "crucial" for François Bayrou seems so far to have brought him nothing but good news.
"I haven't heard from Brittany in a couple of days." My best friend, Jasmine, frantically reached out to my sister, Ashlie, after trying and failing to get a response from me every way she knew how, from Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), and even email after my location hadn't updated from the Atlantic Ocean for days while I was on vacation.
In many ways, my partner and I are proof that opposites attract.
My wife and I have been living as full-time nomads since 2019 and have already visited more than 43 different countries.
Jan 30, 2025 • 11 min read
When in Morocco, one might visit the El Badi Palace, walk the grounds of the Koutoubia Mosque or enjoy a meal of dates and chebakia at … McDonald’s?
Could all our future planes travel faster than the speed of sound? It’s been more than 20 years since the last supersonic passenger flight took off, but a US company wants to bring it back.