LES HERBIERS, France — Last August we reported that one of the US’s top pro cycling teams was in danger of folding unless it came up with $7 million within a week, which was kind of crazy considering its star rider had just finished second in the world’s preeminent bicycle race. It wasn’t fake news, …
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See stunning nighttime vistas from the US’s first gold-tier ‘Dark Sky’ star-gazing reserve
Deep in the mountains of Central Idaho lies one of the darkest nighttime spots in the US. The International Dark-Sky Association, a nonprofit led by two astronomers, has declared a 1,416-square-mile area in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Recreation Area as the country’s first gold-certified Dark Sky Reserve. That means the central Idaho wilderness — along with …
See stunning nighttime vistas from the US’s first gold-tier ‘Dark Sky’ star-gazing reserve
Deep in the mountains of Central Idaho lies one of the darkest nighttime spots in the US. The International Dark-Sky Association, a nonprofit led by two astronomers, has declared a 1,416-square-mile area in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Recreation Area as the country’s first gold-certified Dark Sky Reserve. That means the central Idaho wilderness — along with …
I tried a $189, 10-course meal at the eclectic San Francisco restaurant that makes ice cream from milk mixed with hot coals and morphs trout into ‘everything bagels’
San Francisco has no shortage of restaurants, fine dining or otherwise, with menus boasting crazy high prices. Seven dollar bacon strips anyone? The city’s newly-opened Avery restaurant isn’t any different in that sense. The prix-fixe East Asian-infused eatery takes reservations through Tock, the high-dollar restaurant equivalent of OpenTable that allows guests to reserve and pay …
I tried a $189, 10-course meal at the eclectic San Francisco restaurant that makes ice cream from milk mixed with hot coals and morphs trout into ‘everything bagels’
San Francisco has no shortage of restaurants, fine dining or otherwise, with menus boasting crazy high prices. Seven dollar bacon strips anyone? The city’s newly-opened Avery restaurant isn’t any different in that sense. The prix-fixe East Asian-infused eatery takes reservations through Tock, the high-dollar restaurant equivalent of OpenTable that allows guests to reserve and pay …
Google’s incredible Pixel 2 has the best camera I’ve ever used on a smartphone — these photos are proof
It’s time to admit the truth: I’m in love with Google’s Pixel 2 smartphone camera. Admittedly, it’s easy to fall in love with. The Pixel 2 camera produces stunning, vibrant, better-than-real-life photos regularly. The building here, for instance: In reality, the building was actually darker than in this photo — the Pixel 2’s high-dynamic range …
Google’s incredible Pixel 2 has the best camera I’ve ever used on a smartphone — these photos are proof
It’s time to admit the truth: I’m in love with Google’s Pixel 2 smartphone camera. Admittedly, it’s easy to fall in love with. The Pixel 2 camera produces stunning, vibrant, better-than-real-life photos regularly. The building here, for instance: In reality, the building was actually darker than in this photo — the Pixel 2’s high-dynamic range …
The world’s 10 most expensive hotel suites
Private jet magazine Elite Traveler just released its list of the top 100 hotel suites for 2018. The list includes categories such as the largest suites and the most expensive suites around the world. Below are the top 10 most expensive suites, which range in price from $36,000 per night to a mind-boggling $80,000 per …
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Inside Qatar Airways’ new Airbus A350-1000 luxury business class suites, with seats that transform into double beds
We went inside Qatar Airways’ business class on an Airbus A350-1000. It comes complete with double beds and privacy screens. At the touch of a button, the seats turn into beds. The beds can also be pushed open for four-person meetings. Qatar Airways allowed Business Insider into the business class on its new Airbus A350-1000 …
Why you have to pay a fortune to get a decent seat on a plane
Airline consumers are spending tons of money on additional fees for things such as seat selection, checked bags, and meals. This is because of a relatively new airline business model where services are “unbundled” from the ticket and sold a la carte. Airlines were driven to use unbundling techniques after a variety of changing economic …
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We tried Burger King in Japan — where you can order hot dogs and beer
International locations of American fast food chains like Burger King have unique menu items you can’t find in America. Fast food chains try to incorporate local flavors and dishes on their international menus, resulting in some interesting and delicious creations. The Burger King menu in Japan is no exception, featuring everything from Teriyaki Whoppers to …
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What it’s like visiting one of the world’s greatest treasures: The 2,000 year-old mountaintop fortress, ‘Masada’
Visiting Masada, the ancient fortress built atop a mountain plateau in modern day Israel, is a life-changing experience. No caveats necessary. There’s simply nothing like visiting an ancient mountaintop fortress that overlooks the Dead Sea. It doesn’t feel real. But, due to its isolation and the arid desert climate, the ancient fortress once occupied by …
RANKED: The 20 best airlines in the world
Singapore Airlines is the best airline in the world for 2018, according to a ranking by the consumer-aviation website Skytrax. The Singapore-based airline ranked in second place in 2017 This the fourth victory for Singapore Airlines which also won in 2004, 2007, and 2008. Overall, airlines from Asia dominate the elite end of Skytrax’s rankings …
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British Airways’ new electric robot has slashed pushback delays by 54% at one of the world’s busiest airports — we used it to move a 130-ton airplane
We tested British Airways’ new mototok robot, which is able to push back airplanes weighing up to 130 tons. We had a 15-minute training session before being allowed to operate the remote-controlled machine. The mototok is helping reduce delays and emissions. The aim is to eventually replace traditional tugs. British Airways (BA) invited Business Insider …
For $260 a night, you can stay in this Boeing 727 airplane-turned-hotel suite perched 50 feet high in Costa Rica — take a look inside
Upon first glance, you might think this Boeing 727 in the photo above had an unfortunate crash landing in the jungle. But it’s actually a hotel — and yes, you can stay in it. The fuselage, or the frame of an aircraft, is one of many accomodations offered by Hotel Costa Verde, a vacationer’s dream …
These are some of the most expensive items you get when you fly first class
First class flight tickets can sometimes cost upwards of $10,000 and come with high-tech entertainment systems and in-flight chefs. High-spending customers are important to airlines, so they go to great lengths to make sure they have an excellent flight experience. According to The Wall Street Journal, flights also come with some luxury products that passengers …
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You can drive monster machines at this construction equipment playground
At Dig This Las Vegas, located just off the Vegas strip, you can unleash your inner “Bob the Builder” and operate monstrous machines like bulldozers and excavators. When I went, I got to have the “Big Dig” experience, in which I singlehandedly operated a Caterpillar 315C excavator through a series of activities. A certified instructor …
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An Air China pilot accidentally cut off oxygen to its passengers while trying to hide his vaping from his boss
Air China Flight CA106 lost more than 20,000 feet of altitude within a matter of minutes on Tuesday. According to Chinese aviation regulators, the loss of altitude was caused by an emergency descent resulting from insufficient oxygen in the cabin. Investigators say the low oxygen levels were caused by one of the pilots who accidentally …
More than 500 people who rode a zipline are sick with E. coli — here’s what to know about the infection
More than 500 people who rode a zipline in Tennessee are sick with E. coli infections. Health inspectors think they got sick after drinking contaminated well water. E. coli is a species of bacteria that live in the intestines of people and animals. Some E. coli are harmless, but other strains can cause kidney failure …
4 Latin American countries you need to visit this summer — and what to do when you get there
There’s something heartwarming about summertime travel. Perhaps it’s the nostalgic feeling of being off from school or simply the welcome vitamin D boost after a cold, long winter. Whatever it is, planning a summer vacation is perfect for taking a break from your daily routine. But even when you’re trying to get away from it …
This is the one thing you should always ask for when ordering hotel room service, according to a chef trained by Gordon Ramsay
British chef Jason Atherton is the owner of a global restaurant empire. As a jetsetter, he has some simple advice for getting the most out of food on the road. He says you should always ask for hotel food to be served with a cloche on top instead of in a hot box. He also …
The 20 best airport lounges in the world anyone can use for under $55
There’s nothing worse than having hours to kill in a crowded airport — but doing so in style might be more affordable, and much easier, than you think. Travel booking site Netflights.com has produced a ranking of the best airport lounges in the world which any member of the public can access for under £50 …
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A frequent traveller asks every hotel he stays in for a ‘unique drawing of Godzilla’ upon arrival — and it proves what you can get away with if you just ask
Patrick Feary, communications strategist for Hotelchamp, makes a bizarre request at every hotel he stays at. He asks that there be a “hand-drawn Godzilla” in the room when he arrives. Three hotels have obliged so far, proving what you can get when you ask for it. It’s no secret that there are tricks and tips …
We asked 20 people in London how they feel about Trump’s visit. Here are their reactions.
US President Donald Trump will arrive in the UK on Thursday to start a four-day visit that will see him meet the Queen and head to Scotland. But his agenda reveals that he will largely avoid London – where tens of thousands plan to protest against him and a 20-foot balloon that depicts him as …
I rode the Orient Express’ sister train through the English countryside, and it took me back to the Golden Age of travel
Blue skies, sun blazing — not usually words you associate with weather here, but they were the day I rode a private luxury train through the English countryside. I was aboard the 14-carriage Belmond British Pullman — sister train to the famous Venice Simplon-Orient Express. Punters can ride the lovingly-restored train around the UK, taking …
RANKED: The 25 most powerful nations on earth
US News and World Report ranks nations for a yearly “Best Countries” study. It includes a global power list – a list of the world’s most powerful countries based on their alliances, influence and whether the country is a leader. The US stays in first place this year, but other countries have changed positions amid …
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One trip to Rome’s airport and I’m convinced it has the most beautiful restrooms I’ve seen in my 30 years of travel
An often unpleasant aspect of air travel is dealing with airport restrooms. Air travel and airport restrooms are particularly difficult for parents traveling with babies and small children. Let’s be honest: airports do their best to maintain restroom cleanliness, but in a place like Rome‘s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino, where millions of passengers arrive and depart …