I stayed in a Swiss village to save money while backpacking Europe for 2 weeks and found a hidden gem destination

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author standing in front of wine barrels in a gravel yard in Switzerland
A Business Insider reporter traveled to six European cities, and her favorite destination was a small town outside Zurich.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I packed for a 7-day trip to Canada with just a backpack. Here are 6 items I'm glad I brought and 4 I wish I had.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of an aerial view of the authors packing items on a white sheet and the author wearing her backpack while taking a selfie in the mirror.
A Business Insider reporter took a weeklong train trip with just a backpack for the first time and learned a few things about packing light.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I spent 2 weeks backpacking in Europe. Next time, I'll bring a carry-on suitcase.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author gets ready to board a Trenitalia train in Rome.
The author gets ready to board a Trenitalia train in Rome.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I backpacked around Europe for 6 months. Here are the items I couldn't live without — and the ones I wish I'd left behind.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Emily and her husband take a selfie on a cobblestone street lined with colorful shops.
I spent six months traveling Europe with two backpacks.

Emily Pogue

I left the US to start over after a tragedy — and fumbled through 5 classic first-timer mistakes

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Author Melanie Gordon smiling with trees behind her
If you're traveling solo for the first time, especially after a significant life event, I hope this helps you avoid some of the pitfalls I fell into.

Melanie Gordon

Disappointing photos show what it's really like to backpack across Europe

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A cluster of arms holding phones to capture a tourist attraction in Rome
Business Insider's reporter expected an Instagram-like backpacking adventure in Europe, but the reality was much less glamorous.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked budget Airbnbs in small towns while backpacking Europe and found 2 hidden-gem destinations I'd never heard of

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A composite image of the author in a cap and blue polo standing in front of a tub-shaped brown building with trees and grass in the background and a sunlit field in front of houses with mountains in the background
Business Insider's reporter booked Airbnbs outside major European cities and found some hidden gems in Germany and Switzerland.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I regret spending 2 weeks in Europe traveling to 6 different places. Next time, I'm choosing quality over quantity.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author stands in front of the Colosseum in Rome
Business Insider's reporter took a two-week backpacking trip through six cities in four European countries.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I backpacked across Europe for the first time, and 10 things surprised me about the 2-week adventure

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author stands with a backpack on in front of a train in Italy
The reporter backpacked through Europe for the first time in 2022.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I backpacked across Europe for 2 weeks. Booking Airbnbs in small towns to save money was the most unexpected highlight of my trip.

Tech Insider : Travel
A composite image. Left: A tree-covered mountain with green grass meadows, houses, and a body of water below. There are clouds just below the tip of the mountain.
Subscribe to backpacking