I booked 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 backpacked through Europe for the first time and learned the hard way that resting is more important than sightseeing

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author stands in front of a garden in Vienna
An overnight train ride on a two-week backpacking trip through Europe taught Business Insider's reporter that rest is crucial while traveling.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I paid $400 to sleep in a barrel in Switzerland and had the best glamping experience of my life

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Insider's reporter spent two nights in a barrel she found on Airbnb in Switzerland.
Business Insider's reporter spent two nights in a barrel she found on Airbnb in Switzerland.

Joey Hadden/Insider

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

A National Geographic photographer gave me 4 tips for taking better pictures with my phone

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of two forest scenes with light snow on the ground
A Business Insider reporter's phone photos from a hike in Arizona show how to use a National Geographic photographer's tips.

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 spent $180 on a red-eye flight to Europe. I'd book the same budget airline again, but there's one thing I'd change.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Insider's reporter flew on a Norse Airlines red eye flight from NYC to Berlin and arrived in Germany feeling exhausted.
Insider's reporter flew on a Norse Airlines red eye flight from NYC to Berlin and arrived in Germany feeling exhausted.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I bunked with 3 strangers in a shared cabin on an overnight train in Europe. I'll never do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A blue train with a red stripe stopped at a platform at night
A Nightjet train travels from Venice, Italy, to Vienna, Austria in TK hours.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked the cheapest accommodation on an overnight train in Europe. I'll never do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A close up of the exterior of a blue sleeping car on a train
Business Insider's reporter got no sleep in a reclining seat on an overnight train through Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I backpacked across Europe for 2 weeks. Here are the best things I packed and the items I wished I'd left at home.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author took just a backpack on her two-week train journey through Europe, and she had everything she really needed.
The author took just a backpack on her two-week train journey through Europe, and she had everything she really needed.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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