I thought traveling alone would be awkward or boring — but my first solo trip proved me wrong with its surprising perks

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Amanda posing on a street in Boston.
I was skeptical I'd enjoy solo travel, but I quickly found there were some perks to traveling alone.

Amanda Shammas

I visited the South of France with my parents, who are in their 70s. We made some good decisions and a few mistakes.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Kristina Kasparian smiling in Nice South of France
When traveling with my parents, I learned that balancing our expectations was key to a smooth holiday together.

Kristina Kasparian/Veni Etiam Photography

I've been to 25 countries. Picking a favorite feels impossible, but there are 3 I'd gladly return to again and again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Hannah poses in front of one of the Pyramids of Giza.
Egypt is one of the countries I want to visit again.

Hannah Kennedy

I've visited over 50 cities in Europe. London and Paris were great, but these 5 lesser-known locations are worth a visit.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Dasha leans against a bridge over a river. Behind her are hills with houses on them.
One of my favorite lesser-known locations to travel to is Heidelberg, Germany.

Dasha Kofman

I plan bucket-list trips for a living. Here are 4 mistakes I see travelers make when booking their own vacations.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
tino roco on beach with water in background
I plan trips around the world and try to balance downtime with activities.

Tino Roco

I visited 13 major European cities in 6 months. Here are 2 I can't wait to visit again and 2 I probably won't return to.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Emily and her husband take a selfie in Amsterdam, with a canal and buildings behind them.
My husband and I spent six months moving around Europe.

Emily Pogue

I'm a dietitian who helps busy parents lose weight. I swear by these 8 family-friendly meals.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Quesadilla with vegetables, cabbage and cilantro and corn on side, and dipping sauces
Some meals are easy to prepare and customize for both adults on a weight-loss journey and children.

Simon McGill/Getty Images

My favorite vacation spot is an island city in Florida. I love it so much that I hope to move there once I'm an empty nester.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Dock area in Kewy West, Florida
My husband and I would like to make Key West our permanent home one day.

xbrchx/Getty Images

I spent 6 months traveling around Europe. The experience was great, but a few simple things would've made the trip even better.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A large boat passes through the river near the Eiffel Tower on a sunny day.
I spent six months traveling around Europe.

lupengyu/Getty Images

Vintage photos show how Halloween has been celebrated over the last century

Tech Insider : Business, Style
The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, in 1978.
The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, in 1978.

Reed Saxon/AP

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