The top hidden-gem destinations to visit alone, according to a full-time solo traveler who's been to 43 countries

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Two images. Left: A cathedral on the left side of a canal at sunset on a cloudy day Right: A woman stands on the steps in front of a grand medieval cathedral
Claire Sturzaker is a full-time solo traveler who shared the most underrated destinations she's visited.

Claire Sturzaker/Tales of a Backpacker

I've spent 160 hours traveling by train. It's the best mode of transportation for 4 simple reasons.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Left: The author in front of a blue train with a red stripe. Right: The author sits with her knees up in a train bed with blue cushions behind her and a window on the left.
Business Insider's reporter prefers traveling by train over any other mode of transportation.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I'm a New Yorker who visited Miami for the first time. The neighborhoods, social scene, and affordability surprised me most.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Two images. Left: A grassy field full of palm trees with colorful buildings on a street behind it. Right: The author stands o a balcony with the ocean and palm trees in the background
The author is a New Yorker who went to Miami for the first time in October 2021.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Disappointing photos show what it was really like to visit the Colosseum in Rome

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Expectation vs reality of visiting the Colosseum in Rome
Business Insider's reporter expected a less crowded experience at the Colosseum.

Maria Szymczyk/EyeEm/Getty Images, Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I visited friends in a small town in Maine and found a hidden gem I'd travel to again and again

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Two images. Left: The author stands in front of an ocean shore. Right: An aerial view of Belfast with fall trees behind buildings and boats on the shore behind the bay
The author visited visited Belfast, Maine.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider, halbergman/Getty Images

I went to Québec City and felt like I'd jetted off to Europe without leaving North America

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Insider's reporter visited Europe and Québec City. She found that the two destinations had a lot in common.
Business Insider's reporter visited Europe and Québec City. She found that the two destinations had a lot in common.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Scottsdale and Paradise Valley are both in Arizona's millionaire hub, but it's clear why one suburb is more expensive than the other.

Tech Insider : Travel
Two images of mansions in desert mountains, Paradise Valley (L) and Scottsdale (R)

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
Insider's reporter got no sleep in a couchette on an overnight train through Europe.
Business Insider's reporter took an overnight train through Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Disappointing photos show what it's really like to visit Niagara Falls in Canada

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
side-by-side photos show the expectation and reality of visiting Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a popular attraction that BI's reporter found to be less glamorous than it appears on social media and in ads.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

A travel expert who has been to more than 90 countries says these are the best under-the-radar destinations

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Left: Vibrant Sunrise over Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica Right: People walk on a narrow street lined with old buildings in Montreal
Travel host Samantha Brown shared her favorite underrated destinations.

Bkamprath/Getty Images, Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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