Monica Humphries

The Bambuda Castle property features both tiny homes, shared rooms, and cabins. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderBambuda Castle in Boquete, Panama, is home to towers, moats, and Hobbit-inspired tiny homes.I spent two nights in one of the property's overgrown tiny homes.Finding a castle in Boquete, Panama, is easy.There's only one, and everyone seems to know about it. Ask any stranger on the street to point you in its direction, and they'll send you up a steep road to Bambuda Castle.It's an odd structure to find in the middle of Panama's rainforest, and while it was once a private home, today it's a hotel.

I have a confession: I’m not always the most courteous person on a flight.No, I don’t pick fights with flight attendants or eat tuna salad midair, but I do constantly search for the most comfortable resting position. And, sometimes, that’s pressing my knees against the seat in front of me.On a recent 10-hour flight, I wanted to avoid feeling uncomfortable and bothering another passenger. The solution I found was a $9 foot hammock.For years, I’ve eyed a foot hammock. The Wall Street Journal deeme…

For someone behind a company that gains $120 million annually in revenue, it might be surprising to learn that Rick Steves proudly sits in economy class for all his flights.“It never occurred to me that I’m suffering,” the 68-year-old travel writer told The Washington Post. “As long as I’ve got an aisle and a seat that reclines, I’m happy.“In a profile written by Natalie B. Compton, Steves shared how he grew his business and donated millions toward philanthropy. He also shared a few of his hot t…

Overwater bungalows originated nearly 60 years ago in Tahiti.The first rooms cost $240 a night. Today, experts say they’re a staple in the luxury travel market.The first overwater bungalow had a thatched roof, a window peering into the ocean, and a ladder leading into the water.Fast-forward 60 years, and overwater villas can now feature multi-story water slides, infinity pools, and personal butlers. They can also cost upwards of $8,000 a night at some of the world’s ritziest resorts.There’s no d…

Jameel Rehman was flying with his mom in business class for the first time.After boarding, an attendant said there was an issue with his seat, so he needed to move to economy.As Jameel Rehman left his business-class seat and entered the economy cabin, a screaming baby was the first thing he heard, the 33-year-old told Business Insider.It was a stark difference from less than 10 minutes earlier, when Rehman was sipping Champagne with his mother and celebrating their first business-class flight to…

On Sunday, Electric Zoo organizers announced that the festival had reached capacity and would close entry early.Viral videos showed fans who had been waiting in line stampeding into the venue regardless.On Sunday evening, fans waiting to enter New York’s Electric Zoo music festival were informed that the venue had already reached capacity and its doors were closing early. Hoards of festivalgoers did not accept the news. Instead, viral videos showed them rushing gates, hopping fences, and pushing…

A South Carolina woman filed a class-action lawsuit against Frontier Airlines.She said she bought an all-you-can-fly pass, but the website only showed flights for the year 1904.According to a complaint filed on August 17 in Colorado’s federal court, South Carolina resident Jeriyma Hartsfield claims that Frontier’s All You Can Fly Pass was a bait-and-switch scheme. At the beginning of this year, Frontier launched its GoWild pass, which advertised unlimited flights to Frontier’s destinations. The…

Insider’s author sat in both economy and business class for long-haul flights.Monica Humphries/InsiderLast summer, I flew business class on an Air New Zealand flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. This year, I had a 12-hour flight from Denver to Tokyo, where I sat in United’s economy cabin.Traveling to faraway destinations is a dream. Getting there is not. But after taking two long-haul flights — one in business class and the other in economy — I learned that amenities can make or break a trip.Fr…

CiCi is a flight attendant who shares packing tips on TikTok and Instagram.She previously told Insider that the biggest packing mistake she sees is an overstuffed carry-on.During CiCi’s career as a flight attendant, she’s spotted travelers making all sorts of mistakes.But the biggest, she previously told Insider, is packing a bag that’s too full.CiCi, who asked Insider to omit her full name and the airline she works for, for privacy reasons, said: The number one thing, especially for tiny women,…

Business-class plane tickets come with plenty of perks and included is usually a bag of toiletries.I was shocked by how much I relied on the toiletries I was given on an Air New Zealand flight. Growing up, every time my father came home from a business trip, a fight between my brother and me was bound to break out.And it was always over the complimentary bag of toiletries my dad brought home from his flights. More specifically, who got what in the little bag of free goodies. Fast forward two dec…

Insider's author spotted the differences between the rest areas for pilots and flight attendants on an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER.Monica Humphries/InsiderOn a 12-hour Air New Zealand flight, I saw 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.

The “tech-savvy” Airbnb user who booked the Philadelphia home, which had 4.7 stars and over 100 reviews, said the experience “shattered” her trust.

Insider’s reporter was surprised to find a red carpet and expensive price tag attached to the two-day train ride.Monica Humphries/InsiderI rode the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train on its US route from Denver, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. My ticket for the two-day journey was on sale for $1,052 but it typ…

The author in front of the Stanley Hotel.Monica Humphries/InsiderI spent a night at the Stanley Hotel, the place that inspired Stephen King to write The Shining.There are accounts of doors slamming, beds shaking, and lights flickering across the hotel’s property. While I didn’t see any spirits, I couldn’t shake an eerie feeling as I left the hotel.

Passengers exit the ship on the final day of the cruise.Monica Humphries/InsiderI spent eight days on the Carnival Vista, the cruise line’s first ship to leave the US in 16 months.The ship sailed from Galveston, Texas, where I experienced a few changes on embarkation and debarkation day compared to …

Erica Houck photographed a wedding at Yosemite where slackliners were spotted walking, balancing, and screaming in the background of the ceremony.