• Jay Eskenazi planned the itinerary for his trip to Europe with Claude and the Grok Bot.
• Once he landed, Eskenazi said he realized Meta's Muse was the most helpful for travel planning.
• "These are the things that a very seasoned travel agent from 30 years ago would've done for you," he said.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jay Eskenazi. He lives in Los Angeles and worked in user experience for 19 years. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I'm in Paris, and I'm going to Barcelona tomorrow. The trip is three weeks.

I came here for the first time last year, and it was my first long trip by myself. Last year, planning it was very stressful, and I did a ton of research.

This year was the same thing, where I had these very long notes. At this point, everyone knows that you can go to any AI tool and say: "Hey, I'm going to City X, give me an itinerary for seven days."

I had this epiphany a few weeks ago, where I realized I had all these note files, bulleted stuff, and coffee shops to go to.

If someone gave you a list of five coffee shops and they were in five different cities, as someone who's not familiar with the terrain, you wouldn't necessarily know how to structure that in the course of the day. Which coffee shop goes with which museum?

So, instead of doing an itinerary, I was like: "Here's my notes. Put them together in an organized way for me. Structure them in a logical sequence."

I hadn't used Claude in a while, so I tried that a little. I use Grok a lot, and I just upgraded because I wanted to play with the Grok Bot. So, I made this really fancy itinerary. I kept iterating it. It did a really good job. Then I got here and was like, "It's not as good."

I'm naturally curious, so I tried out Muse. I think I must've gotten Muse two days before I left.

I was looking at this itinerary a couple of days ago and was like, "I don't like what it says tomorrow." So I opened Muse and asked for an afternoon itinerary. It spat out all of this stuff. I was like: "Oh! There's some new stuff in here."

These are really common scenarios. Maybe there are five museums you want to go to. It takes a lot of work: this museum's closed on Tuesday, this one's closed on Monday, and this one's free next Friday. The AI tools can structure that in a way that you would do if you had a thousand hours.

It's a small thing, but when you apply that to a thousand decision points, it does a really nice job of putting those things together.

If you're like: "Hey, I want to go get coffee, then I need something to do before I get lunch, then I want to go to the museum this afternoon." Most of the other AI tools will just give you the list. Then you're like, how do I get from place to place to place?

Muse would actually put it on a map with dots. I clicked a button, and it put it in Google Maps. I had this experience this weekend. None of the other tools did that.

I'm going to Barcelona tomorrow, and I'll get there in the evening. One of the reasons I picked it was because there's an annual festival. I timed it so I can be there for the core of the activities. But the main activities weren't published, even last week, because they're on some website in Spanish that didn't have the fully fleshed-out program.

In the hourlong Uber to Versailles, I was like, "What's the structure for Thursday?" It's able to pull that. It's got: this opens in the morning, this is free, this is mid-day, this is in the evening.

I don't know if ChatGPT would have it. Maybe it would, but it doesn't seem to output it in the same way. Also, I gave it access to my email, so it knows I'm leaving tomorrow. It has an idea tab that said, "I can map the opening night before you get there." It's proactive.

The other thing: I was indecisive about my plans over the last couple of days. What Muse was doing was checking the times to see what ticket availability looked like. It's doing this proactive thing for you, where it tracks it, because options are shrinking.

As a non-developer, I set up OpenClaw in February. That took a lot of time. I had a developer friend help me for hours. Then I had all these AWS bills I didn't understand. I'm asking it to give me a recipe; I don't know how many tokens that's going to cost. I ended up having to shut it down.

Muse is like OpenClaw for normies. If you're not a tech person, these things are useful because they do what an assistant would. Anyone could set this up.

It comes back to when I worked at Expedia. These are the things that a very seasoned travel agent from 30 years ago would've done for you. That would be a very expensive vacation for that level of service.

I also just got access to Instinct yesterday, because I was on the waitlist. I'm very curious, but you can't see exactly what it's doing. It had good ideas and gave me an itinerary, but it had to put them in a Google Doc. I was also confused because I don't remember what I told it, and it made personalized recommendations. I was like: "Wait, how did it know this?"

Muse just seems easier. It's very fast, and it feels more responsive.

• I packed lots of essentials for my five-hour Amtrak ride, but I didn't think of everything I needed.
• My Kindle, tripod, and headphones came in handy for keeping me entertained on my journey.
• However, I wish I had brought more comfort items such as a travel pillow, blanket, or even slippers.

When I hauled a heavy suitcase into the overhead on my Amtrak train car, I thought I had everything I'd need for my trip.

Three jackets, two pairs of boots, and a scarf to match every sweater — I was ready for anything. However, I quickly realized I wasn't nearly as prepared for the five-hour ride itself.

My trip from New Jersey to Boston on the Northeast Regional line gave me just enough time to settle in, stretch out, and enjoy a little downtime. Soon, I learned that what I had — and didn't — made all the difference in how much I enjoyed my trip.

Here are five items I'm glad I brought, and three I wish I'd packed.

My ticket didn't include complimentary snacks, so I was glad I'd brought my own.

Due to the length of my ride, I knew I'd be hungry at some point.

My basic ticket didn't come with complimentary snacks from Amtrak, but I didn't mind much since I had brought plenty of food from home.

I stopped at a bagel shop before boarding, packed a homemade latte, and had more than enough snacks to keep me satisfied throughout the ride.

There was a café car about halfway through the train that I could've bought a few bites at, but I was happy to save the money anyway.

Headphones came in handy for listening to music and streaming TV.

Though the lull of the train can be soothing in itself, I was happy to have packed my headphones so I could listen to music during the ride.

These also came in handy when I wanted to catch up on TV shows without bothering anyone around me.

The only packing mistake I made was bringing wired headphones instead of wireless ones, because I couldn't charge my device and listen at the same time.

My hot spot came in handy when the train's WiFi didn't work super well.

Though Amtrak offers complimentary WiFi on routes like this one, I didn't find it reliable for everything.

It worked fine for sending texts or scrolling through social media, but it wasn't as reliable when I wanted to stream TV on my laptop. To stream better, I switched to my phone's hot spot.

I brought my tripod for capturing content, but it was useful for creating extra space at my seat.

I had originally packed my tripod to capture travel content, and it was helpful as I snapped photos and filmed videos.

I also found it surprisingly useful for creating extra space at my seat.

My tray table wasn't very big, so setting up my tripod on the floor with my phone to stream a show gave me room to keep my laptop on the table instead.

It's worth noting that I didn't have anyone sitting next to me, so I had plenty of floor space to work with. Overall, it made for a nice setup.

My Kindle comes with me almost everywhere I go.

Luckily, I didn't struggle to keep myself entertained since I had packed my Kindle. I'm a book lover, so five hours of uninterrupted reading time was right up my alley.

I prefer using an e-reader over a physical book when traveling because it's lightweight and doesn't take up much space in my bag.

Plus, for early morning or late-night rides with my Kindle, I don't have to rely on the train's reading light, which might disturb other passengers.

However, I found myself wishing I had packed motion-sickness medication.

I thought I packed pretty well for the trip, but toward the end of the ride, I started feeling nauseous. I've never had motion sickness on a train before, but I've also never been on one for this long.

So, when I started feeling dizzy in the last hour, I was caught off guard. I couldn't look at my phone screen anymore, so I leaned back and closed my eyes.

It really made me wish I had brought some motion-sickness medication along for the ride.

Having a travel pillow or blanket would've made my trip more comfortable.

My seat ended up being comfier than I thought, with a decent recline and footrests.

Looking back, though, I really wish I had packed some comfortable travel items, such as a neck pillow or blanket. This ride was early in the morning, and my return trip was late at night, so they would've come in handy.

Next time, I'll definitely bring a few more things to make the ride cozier and allow me to close my eyes for a bit.

Similarly, slippers would've been helpful for walking throughout the train car.

Another comfort item I didn't think about until I was on the train was slippers.

I like taking my shoes off during long trips, especially on airplanes, but for some reason, I felt hesitant to do so on the train.

I wish I had brought a pair of light slippers to wear during the ride and for those trips back and forth to the bathroom. It would've been another way to add to the overall comfort of a long Amtrak ride.

This story was originally published on December 3, 2025, and most recently updated on September 23, 2026.

• In 2020, Kate and Daniel O'Phalen left New York City with their kids to live nomadically for a year.
• They loved it so much that they decided to buy an RV and live on the road full time.
• They drove all the way to Alaska, visited 11 Canadian provinces, and spent six months in Mexico.

Like many at that time, the O'Phalen family was at a crossroads in 2020.

Kate and Daniel were living in Brooklyn with their two kids and had a third on the way. Kate was in grad school, and Daniel had a demanding job. It was the bustling life that many people dream of when they think of moving to New York.

Then, the pandemic hit, and suddenly, everyone's in-person commitment vanished. The O'Phalens made it work in their apartment for a few months, but their lives weren't as fulfilling as they once were.

"Everyone was kind of cooped up and miserable," Kate, 40, told Business Insider.

Their lease was up in June 2020, so the O'Phalens decided to rent an Airbnb in Maine for the summer.

They couldn't have anticipated their decision would lead them to leave New York for good and embrace RV living, even if it comes with the occasional expensive challenge that can cost thousands of dollars to solve.

The O'Phalens were ready for a change of pace.

Kate, who is her kids' homeschool teacher and a content creator, told Business Insider that she and her family were eager to spend time outdoors after months in their apartment.

They put their belongings in storage and planned to return to New York for the school year, hoping the summer would offer some respite.

However, after three months of hiking, beach days, and a slower pace of life, the O'Phalens didn't want to go back.

They decided to keep traveling for another year.

Since Daniel's job as a recruiter for a global marketing agency remained remote, there was no reason they couldn't keep traveling.

"We decided to do a loop around the country for a year, and we did it in Airbnbs," Kate said. "We did monthly Airbnbs combined with a few short hotel stays."

They spent much of that year on the West Coast, visiting every National Park they could, before looping back to the East Coast. They had a blast.

In fact, the O'Phalens had so much fun that they wanted to find a way to make the nomadic lifestyle work more permanently.

They decided to buy an RV that they could live in full time.

The O'Phalens knew they loved traveling, but an RV would be a big change for them. They had never towed a vehicle or driven a truck.

"We had only recently even bought a car, living in New York," Kate said. "We didn't even have a car for 10 years."

Still, in 2021, they bought a truck and spent $18,000 on a used RV that Kate renovated. The family rented an Airbnb in Alabama, where Kate has family, while she worked on it for six months.

"It was what I like to call granny hunting cabin chic when we purchased it," she said. "It was sort of camo floral all over the place and brown everywhere, but it had good bones."

Kate didn't have much experience with home renovations aside from painting, but she was excited for the challenge.

The RV needed some TLC.

Kate and Daniel were most drawn to the RV's layout. The door opens into a living space with a couch, a kitchen, and a loft. A primary bedroom sits at one end, and a "toy hauler" room is at the tail end. The bathroom is inside the primary bedroom.

Kate didn't take down any walls during the reno, but she did gut pretty much everything else, both because of the decor style and the shape it was in.

"The layout was really good, but it was absolutely hideous. And it had not been used a whole lot recently, so it was absolutely filthy," she recalled. "So, we started by just demoing a lot of it."

Everything they ripped out, they took to the dump and had it weighed, making sure they knew how much weight they could add to the RV without affecting its function.

Kate focused on making the living space feel airy.

Kate didn't want to sacrifice coziness in the 400-square-foot RV, so she focused on making the small space beautiful and functional.

She splurged on their flooring, choosing a dark, durable vinyl that would withstand her active kids.

There is also a wall in the living room covered in floral wallpaper. It cost about $200, but Kate loves the pop of color it adds to the space.

She offset the cost by using the couch from her family's apartment in Brooklyn as their main seating area.

"When we lived for a year in Airbnbs, there were only two things I really missed," Kate said. "One was my sectional, and two was a good vacuum. So now we have both."

Surprisingly, the kitchen needed the least work.

Kate said she didn't have to demo much of the kitchen because the cabinets and appliances were in good shape.

She painted the cabinets a soft green and added brass hardware to give them a more luxurious look. The kitchen also has a fold-up counter extension, giving the O'Phalens more space to prep food, and she uses baskets for additional storage above the cabinets.

"I feel like the paint in our renovation really did a lot of heavy lifting," Kate said, adding that she thinks the kitchen is one of the most beautiful spaces in her home.

You can also see Kate's eldest child's bedroom, a loft that sits above the room, from the kitchen. It's covered by a curtain during the day and accessible by a ladder.

The bedroom has to be able to transform on travel days.

The primary bedroom has a queen-size bed, a dresser, and a closet.

However, the bed sits on a slide-out that must be pulled in when the O'Phalens are driving so it fits in a highway lane. Because of that, some pieces of the bedroom have to be taken off the walls when they drive.

"In an RV…your house goes through an earthquake every time you move," O'Phalen said. "Everything has to be really secured, or it has to come down."

They use the bed to store larger items that need to come down on travel days, such as large mirrors or other art pieces.

The O'Phalens also have a washing machine in their bedroom, so they don't have to stop at laundromats on the road.

The RV's sole bathroom is in the primary bedroom.

The shower and toilet sit separately in the RV, with the toilet in a private room on one side of the bedroom entrance and the shower on the other.

The orange paint and artwork make the bathroom cozy, and Kate said she ended up completely redoing the shower.

"It was the hardest part of the renovation, and I discovered exactly why plumbers make good money," she said. "I sat on the floor of the Home Depot for so long trying to figure out what fittings I needed that an employee came over and brought me a cushion."

She's happy with how the shower turned out, though, with its skylight and tile walls.

The kid's bedroom was originally a storage space.

"Our RV is called a toy hauler, which means it's designed to haul side by sides or motorcycles or big kid toys, essentially," Kate said.

They don't need to haul those kinds of items, but they did need additional bedroom space for their two younger children.

Kate installed lofted queen beds in the space, which can be raised during the day to create extra living space for the family.

The back wall of the room also opens completely, allowing them to enjoy indoor-outdoor living when the weather is nice.

The O'Phalens spent about $7,000 refurbishing the RV.

Kate did her best to keep the RV renovation costs low, saying the aesthetic upgrades cost only about $5,000.

In addition, they had to make some safety upgrades, including $1,000 for new tires. They also spent around $600 on their washer-dryer.

A lot of the decor was budget finds, like a dresser they found on the side of the road, which Kate altered to fit the RV. She made a DIY version of a light fixture; it would have cost $400 online, but she made it for $30.

Kate also said her kids helped paint and make the space feel like home, so they felt invested in the RV too.

They hit the road in early 2022 and haven't looked back.

When the RV was finally done, the O'Phalens were excited to start traveling in early 2022. Kate said she and Daniel weren't worried about living nomadically, since they had already done so for a year in Airbnbs. It was the idea of driving a truck and an RV that intimidated them because of their lack of experience.

"The first time we hitched up the truck and trailer, it took us two hours because we could not figure out why it wouldn't hitch up," Kate said. "We're city people. There was so much to learn about things that seem obvious to people who have grown up outdoors."

Overall, though, Kate said her family adjusted to RV life pretty quickly.

"We had gotten really flexible and resilient," she said. "It felt like home immediately. And every time we've talked about moving out of it, my kids are really upset. They don't want to move out of it."

The O'Phalens have traveled all over North America in their RV.

The O'Phalens typically travel every two to three weeks, staying at campgrounds or on public land. They have traveled all over the US, including Alaska; seen 53 of the 66 National Parks in the US; visited 11 provinces in Canada; and spent six months in Mexico this past winter.

Kate said living on the road was initially a little lonely until they formed friendships with other people who live the RV life.

"We have a traveling community that we have caravanned with for years now," she said. "We have friends that are like my kids' cousins at this point."

She also said she's been surprised by how much her kids get out of RV life, particularly through hands-on learning experiences. For instance, her eldest daughter is an aspiring veterinarian, and she has been able to spend time with a variety of animals thanks to their lifestyle.

"She just got to do the veterinary camp at UC Davis this summer, and we have been to vet camp on a farm in North Carolina," Kate said. "We went to the monarch butterfly migration in Mexico. We went to a jaguar sanctuary for her birthday in Oaxaca. We released baby sea turtles on the beach."

"We just have had such incredible, deep lifelong learning experiences because of the way that we live," Kate said. "It's hard to give that up."

It's also brought their whole family closer.

Kate and Daniel were both always involved parents, but traveling together has only brought them closer. Daniel, in particular, said being home with his kids has made a huge difference for him.

"I went from seeing my kids only an hour or two a day to never missing a moment, and I'm very grateful to this lifestyle and the time that I've been given with them," he told Business Insider.

"He knows his children in such a deep way now," Kate agreed, saying the time her family gets to spend together is something they never take for granted.

RV life also saves the O'Phalen family money.

Kate said that she knows people who live very affordably on the road and people who spend a lot of money on vehicle payments or luxury resort stays on RV life.

Her family falls more in the middle. They live mostly off of Daniel's income, with Kate providing some additional income through her content creation. They have a Thousand Trails subscription, which costs them a little under $1,000 a year for nationwide campground access.

"When my husband was laid off a couple of years ago, it really helped us weather that," Kate said of their lifestyle. "We said multiple times, 'My gosh, if we were living in New York, this would be so stressful right now.' And we were able to just really dial back our spending and make it through that."

Still, RV living isn't always easy. It can be expensive.

Kate told Business Insider that they have had plenty of problems with their vehicles, from their truck's heater pump hose popping off in Yosemite to a tire falling off in Mexico.

Plus, when those issues come up, they're not just managing their truck; they also have to handle their home and family.

"It's not just like my road trip has gone wrong, but it's like, where do I park my house while I figure out how to fix the vehicle that tows my house?" Kate said. "And do I have enough groceries and water? And are the police going to knock on my door and say, 'You can't park here?' There's just so much of that. That's the hard part."

Those issues often cost thousands of dollars, making them even more stressful. For now, those expenses are worth it for the O'Phalens, particularly since their daily living costs are so low, but they are still stressful.

Kate also said the "logistics" of RV life can be tough, particularly because she is raising young children.

For instance, when they first started living in an RV, her youngest child was an infant, and it was difficult to find doctors while traveling to keep up with the baby's vaccination schedule. They find solutions, but living on the road can make day-to-day life more complicated.

Because of their lifestyle, they were able to save enough money to buy land.

In 2026, the O'Phalens used some of the money they had saved to buy an acre of land outside Bend, Oregon. They don't plan to stop traveling anytime soon, though.

"We really have done a lot of the United States at this point," she said. "And the cultural experience in Mexico was so amazing that we'd like to do more of that."

They hope to slowly build a house that can serve as their home base, then embrace international travel.

"My vision is that at some point the RV stays here for good and we do more international flying for maybe three to six months at a time," she said. "I have a dream that at some point we build out a sprinter van and ship it either to Europe or to South America."

Kate said RV life has been "magical" for her family.

Kate said her family's nomadic lifestyle has completely changed their family forever.

"It is magical in a way that almost defies description," Kate said of their life on the road. "It is extremely transformative. I would say we've become outdoorsy and really conservation-minded in a way that we never were."

Kate said she knows RV life can be challenging and that it's not for everyone, though she hopes sharing her experience can show people it's more accessible than they think.

"I would encourage anyone who is on the fence to try it out because I really do think even if you do go back to the same life that you were living before, you will go back with such an interesting perspective, and you'll be changed," she said.

• I never had a desire to see the Midwest until I saw photos of Door County, Wisconsin, in the fall.
• On my trip to Door County, I found amazing fall foliage, exciting traditions, and friendly locals.
• I'm now open to visiting more places around the world rather than just the big-name tourist spots.

I love traveling up and down the East Coast, and I have always wanted to see the Pacific Northwest — but I can't say I ever dreamed of visiting the states that fill out the center of the United States.

However, I changed my mind the second I saw photos of Door County, Wisconsin, during autumn. I was awestruck by images of lush trees that seemed to go on forever in the most vibrant hues of red, yellow, green, and orange.

Growing up in Virginia, I was no stranger to fall foliage — but I had never seen anything quite like this. I felt an immediate pull to the area, and within a few weeks, my flight was booked for a trip in late October.

Door County looked like a place right out of a Hallmark movie

On my first day in Door County, I woke up to views of Lake Michigan from my balcony at The Water Street Inn, a circa 1896 hotel that looked like it was right out of a Hallmark movie.

I kicked off the day with a ride aboard the Door County Trolley to get a closer look at the leaves I had been dreaming of for weeks. It's one thing to see that kind of beauty in a picture, but seeing it in person was surreal.

It had rained that morning, so the wet streets reflected the colors of the maple trees towering over them, with brightly colored leaves covering many of the roads in blankets of orange and gold.

In the days that followed, I spent my time strolling through diverse nature preserves and parks, such as Whitefish Dunes State Park and The Ridges Sanctuary.

I climbed to the top of the Cana Island Lighthouse, which is over 150 years old and towers just beside Lake Michigan.

I explored the picturesque downtown areas of Fish Creek and Egg Harbor, and took part in Door County's most time-honored tradition: the fish boil.

What began as an efficient way to feed hungry fishermen a century ago has turned into an incredible way to bring the town together on a regular basis for an unpretentious, delicious meal by the fire.

Watching people cook in giant steel pots, talking to new people, and sharing bites of things like whitefish, potatoes, and corn with others was a special experience that made me feel like part of the community.

The Midwestern peninsula had much more than quaint towns and mesmerizing scenery

During my time in Door County, I discovered more than just once-in-a-lifetime fall foliage, charming towns, and epic waterfronts.

I found there was a deep sense of pride among the people who lived here. I met locals who were eager to tell me they'd lived on the peninsula for their entire lives. Some had left for college or moved away as adults to see what else was out there, but came back when they didn't find a place more special than the one they grew up in.

The locals who have painstakingly preserved the area's heritage while adding to its story are the ones who've made Door County flourish, and their love is evident in every square mile from Sturgeon Bay to Fish Creek.

This trip really taught me that although there's nothing wrong with visiting top tourist destinations, the United States is teeming with beautiful towns I've not yet heard of, and that many of them are worth exploring, too.

Now, I plan trips with a more open mind because I know that no matter where I go, whether it's Bucharest or the Midwest, I will find something wonderful worth experiencing.

This story was originally published on August 20, 2024, and most recently updated on September 23, 2026.

• Years ago, I gave up paying traditional rent and began living between a campervan and a sailboat.
• I've been able to take risks and build a six-figure business, save money, and travel.
• Lately, though, I've been craving a true home base as I miss stability, basic comforts, and more.

I was hiking with my boyfriend, Tom, in the redwoods north of San Francisco in 2015 when he made the craziest suggestion: "Why don't we camp up here on Mount Tam? Give up rent?"

At first, I thought he was joking. Move out of my cute Zen cottage in the Mill Valley redwoods? No way! But he continued to talk excitedly from the fern-lined trail ahead of me. "Imagine how much you would save! At least $20,000 per year!"

Most people would never dream of giving up rent to get financially ahead, but Tom was different. He was a creative thinker, an adventurer (who's sailed from the Chesapeake Bay to San Francisco), and a Minnesota-born outdoorsman.

To him, camping sounded fun, a way to save money in one of the most expensive metropolises in the world. Giving up secure housing was just another adventure to him, while to me, it was a massively big deal.

Long story short: I ended up moving into a tent with him, then a Toyota Prius, then a sailboat.

After that came a Chevy Astro van and a Sprinter van. I paid off my debt, built my first nest-egg, and created an online business that earns six figures a year and powers our nomadic lifestyle.

It's now been 10 years since I last paid traditional rent. We split our time between a Sprinter van in the United States during the summer and a sailboat in Mexico during the winter.

Although some people think my life is a permanent vacation, to me it is just life — and it has its ups and downs.

Living in a van and on a sailboat has given me freedom with my life and finances

I am so thankful to be living the nomadic lifestyle by choice rather than necessity. I know there are so many people who have fallen on hard times and find living in a car the only way they can get by.

Living in a vehicle was a decision I made intentionally, and there's relief in knowing that if I want out of this lifestyle, I can go rent an apartment.

Living below my means this way has allowed me to take risks in my business, save hundreds of thousands of dollars for retirement, and feel financial freedom that mortgage payments would never have allowed.

Beyond that, this lifestyle has been good for my mind. When I'm living in my van or on the sailboat, I thoroughly enjoy being immersed in nature. Whether it's turquoise-clear anchorages in the Sea of Cortez or the forested mountains of Mount Hood, I am living within the natural world.

Most people are disconnected from this, living their lives among concrete and steel. Nature soothes and brings peace to my being.

Freedom is huge when living this way. I don't have an alarm clock, a commute, or a garage full of stuff begging to be sorted. I love that we have the flexibility to spend weeks with family and that we are able to chase the sun.

Adventures on land and on the water bring a sense of novelty to my life. I think it's easy to fall into a rut when living the same way every day. This is how years fly by, days and months mesh together into a singular blob.

When you travel constantly, the years don't feel like they are flying by; they are filled with memories, punctuation marks, and stories. This type of change prevents me from getting bored.

My nomadic lifestyle isn't without its challenges and drawbacks

I have heard this phrase many times from strangers and friends alike: "Living the dream!" or "You're so lucky!" And while I feel very thankful for this lifestyle, there are also some downsides.

I often feel unrooted or outside societal norms, which can make it difficult to relate to "normal" people. I miss the daily connections found in a more consistent lifestyle, such as dinners with friends, weekly ballroom-dance classes, family barbecues, and that local coffee shop where the barista knows my name.

There are days after a long hike or mountain bike ride that all I want is to take a steaming bath, have a comfortable couch to relax on, and a kitchen with hot running water. I do without modern amenities that feel like luxuries to me, and I really miss them sometimes.

Not knowing where I'm headed next brings an amount of uncertainty.

On the boat, especially, we can be stuck for days as we wait for a weather system to roll through. With the campervan, we often have no idea where we are sleeping next, and I'll be searching for spots on my phone while Tom drives.

One reason I like living at the boatyard for months at a time is that it creates a sense of stability and certainty for me.

This living situation may not last forever, but I'm grateful for it

It's hard to believe that I've been living without a traditional home for 10 years.

After all this time, I realize I am craving a home base more and more.

Athough I don't want to give up van life and sailboat living, I think having a home base or an apartment rental for a few months a year would satisfy my need for luxurious amenities and space to spread out.

I could spend six months on a sailboat in the South Pacific, a few months renting an apartment in Europe or the US, and a few months traveling in my van. That trifecta sounds like perfection for me.

Living tiny has taught me how to live with less, live below my means, and save up a big nest egg that makes me feel comfortable about the future, and for that, I'm forever thankful.

• I didn't think twice about booking a solo stay at an all-inclusive resort, but I should have.
• Even though I travel alone most of the time, my stay would have been more fun with a companion.
• From the dining room to archery class, I was vacationing among families and groups.

When my arrow went straight into the woods while trying archery for the first time, it should have been hilarious. If I'd had family or friends around, they would have teased me for ages and probably come up with some funny nickname, like Joey "The Arm" Hadden.

But as a lone wolf surrounded by groups of vacationers, it was just awkward.

This was in July, when I spent two nights at the all-inclusive Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York. With a starting rate of $1,400 a night for double occupancy (though Business Insider received a media rate), my booking included meals and access to most of the hotel's activities.

Overall, I had a blast at Mohonk Mountain House. The dramatic natural landscape, historic architecture, and abundance of activities blew me away. Still, I'd never been to an all-inclusive resort alone before, even though I'm an avid solo traveler, and I left wishing I'd brought someone to share the experience with.

I was surrounded by families

Mohonk Mountain House has been ranked among the top all-inclusive resorts for families in the US, and it was easy for me to see why. The property was filled with activities geared toward them, including sports, outdoor movies, and more.

From meals in the dining room to activities like hiking and archery, I appeared to be the only person vacationing at Mohonk Mountain House alone.

This felt isolating, but it's not always the case. A representative of Mohonk Mountain House told Business Insider that the resort often hosts solo travelers, adding that I may not have seen any because summer is the most popular time for families.

The property offers activities that can be enjoyed alone or used as a way to connect with others. For solo travelers looking to socialize, the resort recommends joining group sporting matches, fitness classes, and walking tours. Those seeking solitude can take garden strolls, meditate by the lake, and enjoy spa treatments.

I would have felt more comfortable socializing during meals, playing sports, and participating in group activities if I'd seen other solo travelers around. Instead, every time I left my room, I was surrounded by families and couples, which made me feel lonelier than I typically do on a solo trip.

I would have loved to reserve a tennis court with a partner or watch a PG-rated movie in the courtyard with my nephews. On my own, I steered clear of both.

I never left the property

The solo trips I've enjoyed most are the ones where I'm on the move. I thrive on my own when I'm taking trains, exploring cities, and hopping from hotel to hotel. There's something about constantly changing my environment that keeps me from thinking about the fact that I'm alone.

All-inclusive resorts, however, are typically designed to be destinations in themselves, and Mohonk Mountain House was no exception. I gave myself over to the experience by spending my entire stay on the property, and as a result, I spent a lot of time dwelling on how much more fun I'd be having with someone else.

Now don't get me wrong here — I enjoyed my all-inclusive vacation, and I can see why others would enjoy staying at Mohonk Mountain House alone. My favorite part was a solo hike to the top of a cliff with a stellar view of the resort. At the same time, I know the trip would have been more fulfilling for me with a companion. So next time, I'll bring one.

• Known as the Tube, the London Underground is an essential part of everyday life for most Londoners.
• Some of its characteristics are uncommon in American subway systems and can be confusing.
• From unwritten etiquette rules to fare must-knows, here are some surprising things about the Tube.

While it's ridiculously busy at rush hour and way too hot in the summer, the Tube is an essential part of life in London.

As a local, I sometimes use the public transit system — formally called the London Underground —more than four or five times on some days, as it's often the quickest way to get around the city. I can thank the London Tube for saving me from missed flights or arriving late for an interview.

Nonetheless, I can't count how many times I've seen tourists staring at a Tube map, trying to make sense of its seemingly endless tangle of colored lines.

Even as someone who uses the Tube all the time, I have the Citymapper app at the ready when taking an unfamiliar route.

The Tube also has some rules — both official and unwritten — that I would consider necessary for any tourist coming to London. If you have seen what happens when someone stands on the left-hand side of the escalator, you will know what I mean.

Here are 10 surprising things you probably don't know about the Tube, including some that might be useful to know as a tourist.

1. Most Tube trains have no air conditioning

Only about 31% of trains on the Tube network have passenger air conditioning, according to Transport for London (TFL). As soon as a heat wave hits, I cannot ride the Tube without carrying blotting paper and a handheld fan.

Some lines are notorious for how hot they get. Having to take the Central Line in the summer will elicit sympathy from any Londoner. The London Standard reported that it reached almost 103 degrees during the recent June heat wave.

With that in mind, you may also be surprised to learn that in 1926, the London Underground was advertised as "cooler below" on a hot day.

2. The seats are covered in fabric

Unlike the hard plastic seats in most American public transport, Tube seats are covered in a woolen fabric called moquette.

It's been used on the Tube since 1920 because it hides wear and tear and dirt, and also because it's durable.

Admittedly, it does gross me out a bit, even though it gets cleaned. But it's definitely more comfortable than plastic, at least.

3. The price of your journey depends on how many zones you travel through

While the New York City subway has a flat fare, the cost of a journey on the Tube varies depending on how far you travel.

London's transport network is split into fare zones, from the most central to the farthest out: Zones 1 to 9. People here often joke that the zone you live in also determines how much of a "true" Londoner you are.

For example, a single journey within Zone 1 will cost you £3 at off-peak hours, and £3.10 at peak hours. However, if you travel from Zone 6 to 1, or vice versa, it will cost you between £4 and £5.90.

4. Traveling at rush hour will usually cost you more

Rush hour is known as peak time on the Underground and other rail services.

Peak time is Monday to Friday, except public holidays, between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Fares are higher at these times.

In addition to saving a bit of money, I would recommend avoiding these times for travel. Carriages can get crammed, and people can be unforgiving if you're carrying a large suitcase or walking too slowly.

5. You have to tap both in and out of the Tube

With all these varying fare prices, you have to tap your card, contactless, Oyster, or physical ticket in and out of the Tube.

Often, there are barriers upon both entry and exit, so you wouldn't miss this, but sometimes there aren't. In these stations, you have to look for a yellow card reader to tap out.

If you don't tap out, you will be charged the maximum fare for that line. I've had this happen to me before, but luckily, you can request a refund from TFL if it happens again.

6. Many of the carriages have armrests between passengers

If you like your personal space, you might be pleased to know that most Tube carriages have an armrest between seats.

However, despite their name, I see them as more of a separation barrier than an actual armrest. Resting your arms on these is a faux pas (unless you absolutely have to) if there are people sitting on either side of you.

7. More than half of the London Underground is actually above ground

While you may be expecting to descend deep underground when taking the Tube, this isn't always the case. Despite its name, most of the London Underground's stations are above ground. I find this is handy for getting service.

The Waterloo & City and Victoria lines are the only two fully underground tube lines.

8. You should always stand on the right-hand side of the escalator

My ultimate word of advice for anyone coming to London is to never stand on the left-hand side of the escalator. The left side is for people walking up or down in a hurry.

It's an efficient system that has saved me from being late hundreds of times. You will be asked to move aside if you break this rule.

9. You can visit the disused tunnels and abandoned tracks

If you like all things spooky and historical, I recommend checking out the London Transport Museum, which offers tours of disused Tube stations, passenger corridors, and tunnels.

Some of these spaces have been used as sets for TV shows and films, including Skyfall and Sherlock.

10. There aren't actually as many 24-hour services in London as you might think

London is not quite the city that never sleeps. I have rarely taken the Tube past midnight and instead rely on Ubers and night buses to get me home.

Only five Tube lines run 24-hour services: Central, Jubilee, Northern (Charing Cross branch), Piccadilly, and Victoria. The Windrush line, which is part of the London Overground, also has a night service.

The Night Tube is also only open on Fridays and Saturdays.