A day in the life of a Russian diamond miner in Siberia, who wakes up at 5:30 a.m., spends 9 hours a day in the mine, and gets 76 vacation days a year

Innokentiy Nogovitsyn is a Russian diamond miner in Siberia. He works for Alrosa, the world’s largest diamond miner by volume. Nogovitsyn wakes up at 5:30 a.m. every day, takes a 30-minute bus ride to work, and spends nine hours each day in the mine. In his job monitoring methane levels, airflow, and temperature in the …

How to plan your first backpacking trip and everything you need to bring with you

With proper planning and the right gear, going on your first backpacking trip doesn’t have to be intimidating. We’ve put together a guide full of tips on how to plan your first backpacking trip. We’ve also rounded up all the supplies you need to have on your backpacking checklist, so you’re not stuck in the …

United Explorer Business card review: Generous airline perks for a $95 annual fee

The United Explorer Business Card goes a few steps beyond your average airline credit card. In addition to offering standard airline co-branded card perks like priority boarding, a free checked bag, and 2x miles on United purchases, it offers bonus miles on at restaurants, gas stations, and office supplies. Cardholders also get two one-time United …

The Celebrity Edge was named the best new cruise ship of 2018. It has a 14,000 square-foot spa and a luxury suite that comes with a butler — here’s what it looks like.

The Celebrity Edge is one of the best new cruise ships, the review website Cruise Critic announced. The ship debuted last year. It can hold a total of 2,918 passengers, an 1,320 crew members. It also boasts high-end amenities like a spa and multi-floor suites. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories. Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity …

I flew in British Airway’s brand new long-haul business class suites followed by the short-haul equivalent the day after, and I have no idea why anyone pays for the latter

British Airways’ business class offering was described in a recent study as being like “Ryanair but with free food,” but is this really true? It’s safe to say the experience differs wildly depending on whether you’re flying long or short-haul. I realized this when I experienced the new long-haul business class service followed by the …

I biked over 120 miles of Icelandic volcanoes, through rain, hail, and strong headwinds, and this is the cycling gear that got me through it

The Rift, a 124-mile race through Iceland’s Mid-Atlantic Ridge, might be the most beautiful gravel race going. If you’re thinking that this event needs to go on your bucket list, you’re right. I selected gear to travel to the race and complete it, with a focus on reliability and versatility. Thule’s excellent Roundtrip Pro kept …

Travelers should expect major delays as airport systems for checking passports in the US crash

US Customs systems for processing arriving travelers’ passports were reportedly down on Friday afternoon, leading to massive delays at airport arrivals halls throughout the country. JFK Airport’s official Twitter account said that Customs agents were using backup systems to process passengers manually. This is a developing story. Refresh this page for the latest. The systems …

The best credit card for Delta flyers in 2019 isn’t even a Delta card

Although Delta offers a few co-branded credit cards, there’s a different credit card that’s actually a better choice for the airline’s regulars. The Platinum Card® from American Express is more useful for Delta passengers, since it offers much more extensive airport lounge access than Delta’s equivalent card, up to a $200 airline fee credit each …

11 travel accessories to help anyone with chronic back pain stay comfortable on long flights

Flying can be hard on the body, and sitting for long periods of time can cause back pain or sore legs. If you fly frequently or long distances, there are low-cost ways to make your trip more comfortable, from solid lumbar support to compression socks. On red-eye flights, sleep can easily escape me. But with …

The 3 cheapest ways to get to Hawaii on points and miles

Hawaii is one of the most popular vacation destinations, but it’s not always the most budget-friendly. Thankfully, there are several options for using points and miles to book award flights and hotel stays. Using cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, American Express® Gold Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card can help you …

How to tell you’re on track for a mini-retirement, according to 2 people who have taken a break from their careers to travel

Mini-retirements can offer a meaningful reprieve from the rat race. To determine if you’re ready for a mini-retirement, you must first have a clear purpose: Know why you want to take a timeout and what you want to get out of it. You’re likely to be on a strong financial track for a mini-retirement if …

Disneyland Haunted Mansion 50th anniversary merchandise — what to buy

The Haunted Mansion just turned 50. Disney released over 200 items to celebrate this milestone. One of the most beloved amusement park rides in the entire world, the Haunted Mansion has a cult-like following. During the anniversary events, Haunted Mansion fans waited for hours in line to snap up new items honoring the ride. There’s …

Everything you’ve been wanting to know about Burning Man, the wild 9-day arts event in the Nevada desert frequented by celebs and tech moguls

Burning Man is an annual, nine-day gathering in the Nevada desert. It’s held the week prior to and including Labor Day weekend each year and includes artistic performances, installations, music, and a lot of partying. No money is exchanged at Burning Man, so participants are expected to bring food, supplies, shelter, and anything else they …

This $20 travel pillow saves my neck on long flights

I never knew I needed a travel pillow until I found the $20 Travelon Deluxe Wrap-n-Rest Pillow. The pillow wraps around your neck to keep your head secure while sleeping. The filling inside of the pillow is firm enough to be supportive and plush enough to be comfortable. As a restless sleeper, it’s hard for …

A Princess Cruises passenger died after falling overboard, and investigators are reportedly trying to figure out if she was murdered

A Princess Cruises passenger fell from the 11th deck of the Sun Princess cruise ship and died on Friday, the Taiwanese news agency CNA reported. The Taiwan Coast Guard is reportedly trying to determine if foul play contributed to the passenger’s death. The agency told CNN that the matter is still under investigation. CNN’s story …

I toured a Jackson Hole dude ranch where people pay more than $2,100 to try living like a cowboy for a week. Here’s what it looks like.

Gros Ventre River Ranch is a dude ranch in the Jackson Hole valley in Wyoming. Dude ranches, where guests can sleep in cabins or lodges, ride horses, and get a taste of modern cowboy life, are an important part of Jackson Hole culture. At Gros Ventre, a six-night all-inclusive stay starts at $2,170 per person, …

Nepali officials reportedly may require climbers hoping to scale Mount Everest to prove their physical fitness, following a year that saw at least 11 people die on the mountain

In the wake of a number of highly publicized fatalities on Mount Everest, the Nepal government reportedly may be preparing to overhaul the country’s climbing permit process. The BBC reported Wednesday that a panel of mountaineering experts and Nepali officials produced a proposal to block inexperienced climbers and unethical mountaineering operators from the mountain. The …

I have almost 30 credit cards, and this is my strategy for getting the most out of my points and miles

I have almost 30 credit cards, and I use them to earn points, miles, and cash back to fund my travel. Two main strategies help me earn the maximum rewards on all my spending. I use cards that earn me bonus points on my biggest spending categories, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve for dining …

Hipcamp, the Airbnb for camping, isn’t roughing it with new investors Jay-Z and Will Smith

On Tuesday, campsite rental startup Hipcamp announced that Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners and Will Smith’s Dreamers Fund joined the startup’s $25 million Series B funding round. The startup is commonly referred to as the Airbnb for camping and lets users book campsites on private property or federal lands. Andreessen Horowitz led the startup’s Series B, …

The Chase Freedom and Freedom Unlimited aren’t just cash-back cards — here’s how you can turn their rewards into travel points

When you earn cash back with a Chase Freedom or Chase Freedom Unlimited credit card, you’re actually earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points — you’re just limited to redeeming them for cash. If you open a different Chase Ultimate Rewards card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Chase Ink Business Preferred, you …

31 photos show how people have endured blistering heat waves around the world this summer

Heat waves have swept the world this summer. The US, Europe, Japan, Russia, and Greenland all experienced, at times, record-breaking high temperatures in June and July. From Rome to Washington to Tokyo, see how people around the world have tried to escape the heat. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories. No one can outrun …

A giant luxury cruise ship is selling $3 million apartments on board that boast high-end amenities like a pool in the ocean, a solarium, and a putting green

Blue World Voyages plans to debut its first cruise ship in 2021. Designed for fitness enthusiasts, the ship will have a wide range of health and wellness amenities, like a gym, spin and yoga studios, and a spa. The ship will offer guest suites and residences that cost up to $3.1 million. Visit Business Insider’s …

Photos show what living in 17 countries with ‘extremely high water stress’ looks like on the ground

The World Resources Institute has identified 17 countries that face “extremely high” levels of water stress. “Water stress” measures how much competition there is over water, meaning where demand is highest and supply is lowest. The 17 countries are Qatar, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, United Arab Emirates, San Marino, Bahrain, …

Chase’s 5/24 rule: What it is, and what it means for your credit card applications

As points, miles, and rewards credit cards have become more popular, issuers like Chase have implemented their own rules around credit card approvals. Chase’s 5/24 rule dictates that you won’t be approved for most Chase credit cards if you’ve opened five or more credit cards across all banks in the last 24 months. The Chase …

Norwegian is stopping its super-cheap $111 flights between Ireland and the US, blaming the ongoing Boeing 737 Max crisis

Norwegian Air is discontinuing low-cost flights between Ireland and North America over the grounding of Boeing 737 Max planes. The company currently offers cheap transatlantic flights between Ireland and the US and Canada, which are available for as low as $111 (€99). But the grounding of Boeing 737 Max planes after two fatal crashes means …

4 credit cards that get you free or discounted access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges

Delta’s two mainstream credit cards offer discounted one-time access to Delta Sky Club lounges, while its premium card offers complimentary access whenever you fly Delta. The Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express offers 30,000 Delta SkyMiles when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. You can also receive 50% back on purchases …

The FBI raided one of Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands in the Caribbean, which locals call ‘Orgy Island’ and where airport workers say they saw him traveling with underage girls. Here’s an inside look at the properties.

In July, New York magazine reported that Jeffrey Epstein owned two neighboring private islands in the US Virgin Islands, which cost him over $25 million collectively. On August 12, two days after Epstein was found dead in an apparent suicide in a Manhattan jail cell, the FBI raided one of his private islands. Epstein’s real-estate …