An Insider reporter visiting North Carolina for the first time in three years noticed more LGBTQ+ pride and a thriving food scene.

Insider's Mikhaila Friel took a 4-hour electric train from London to Edinburgh. She said it was a sustainable and cheap option.

I'm from Alabama and I took a road trip to Portland in the winter to try fresh local lobster, visit iconic lighthouses, and fit in some beach time.

I sailed on the Celebrity Millennium to Alaskan ports like Juneau and Skagway and didn't expect the lack of sea-day activities or amount of sunlight.

Daria Sokol told Insider that her first impressions of New York were comparable to "a horror movie." But she now loves the city and the US.

An Insider reporter attended the four-day event and shared the things that most surprised her, like the long lines and the number of pesky mosquitoes.

I traveled abroad for the first time in my life for work and extended my trip by a few days to enjoy Paris. I was in for a bit of a culture shock.

"The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan, premiered 24 years ago on July 20, 1998.

From lower taxes to untrue stereotypes, there were several things that I didn't expect once I moved from the island country to the United States.

It didn't matter that I'd been looking at pictures of it for years — being in America was very, very foreign to me, from the food to the social life.

I relocated to the northern state about seven years ago. From the midnight sun to whether you get paid to live there, here's what I didn't expect.

We bought a bus for $3,500 and converted it into a home. From privacy to the adjustment period, here's what we didn't expect about life on the road.

After living in LA and traveling to Europe often, I left the US and relocated to Barcelona. From traditions to food, here's what I didn't expect.

Wendy's was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas, a former KFC employee. He named the restaurant after his daughter and based the logo on her photo.

I was raised in the famous Nevada tourist hub. From the local food scene to the fun Arts District, there are things you may not expect from Sin City.

Ivanka Trump is one of the most famous public figures in American politics, but you might not know that her real name is Ivana.

I moved from Vancouver to Beaver Creek, a remote Canadian community that's 100 miles from the nearest town. Here are some things I didn't expect.

I moved to the Southern Hemisphere a few years ago and it took me a while to get used to the safety measures, car guards, and temporary power outages.

I've taken three Disney cruises, and have more booked. Here are things that keep me coming back, from fun activities and adult-only areas to drinks.

After going on the TV series several times, I learned that not everything is paid for, the casting process is rigorous, and the production is massive.