I took a 52-hour Amtrak train ride from Chicago to California by myself. Here are 11 things that surprised me most.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The silver, blue, and red Amtrak train at the concrete platform
I didn't know what to expect from such a long Amtrak ride, but it wasn't bad.

Sojourner White

I went to the Great Smoky Mountains for the first time. 8 surprises made my trip harder — and better — than I expected.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A composite image of During her first trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Insider's reporter was surprised by historic settlements and an epic tram ride.
During her first trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Business Insider's reporter was surprised by historic settlements and an epic tram ride.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I'm an American who moved to the UK 5 years ago. Here are 9 things I wish I'd known before living abroad.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
A woman poses in front of the Cheddar Gorge in the UK.
I like living in England, but I wish I'd known more about groceries, travel, and work culture before settling down in the English countryside.

Nishaa Sharma

I moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta 3 years ago. Here are 6 things that have surprised me most, so far.

Tech Insider : Business
Woman in white shirt and jeans walking away from water on sand, smiling
Although it's taken us time to get used to it, Atlanta has become our home over the past four years.

Sahar Bishop

I'm an American who's lived in Paris for nearly a decade. These 8 things have surprised me about living in the French capital.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
The Eiffel Tower, lit up against the night sky
The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.

Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images

I spent 60 hours traveling on Amtrak trains from New York to Texas. Here are 10 things that surprised me most.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Composite of man smiling on train next to image of Amtrak train
I rode two Amtrak trains on a long-haul journey from New York to Texas.

Michael Rosenthal

I visited Amsterdam for the first time with my family — here are 4 things that surprised me most about our trip

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Alesandra Dubin, her kids, husband smiling on canal boat in Amsterdam
From fearless cyclists to Indonesian feasts, the Dutch capital challenged my assumptions.

Alesandra Dubin

I'm a New Yorker who went to Naples, Florida, for the first time, and 6 things surprised me

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A body of water with palm trees and mansions surrounding it
The author spent two nights in Naples, Florida, for the first time.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

12 surprising carry-on items you're not allowed to take through airport security

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
magic 8 ball
A Magic 8 Ball toy in its packaging.

The Image Party/Shutterstock

I dined at a 3-Michelin-star fine-dining restaurant for the first time. Here are 7 things that surprised me.

Tech Insider : Business
the author and one of the dishes from eleven madison park
I was surprised by the number of staff waiting on us, and that the plant-based courses were just as good as the meat dishes.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

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