• Boeing and the US Air Force face further delays on their multibillion-dollar Air Force One project.
• The first flight of the new Boeing 747-8i has been pushed back 16 months to March 2026.
• This is yet another delay and Boeing has already suffered over $2 billion in overrun costs.

Boeing and the Trump Administration struck a $3.9 billion deal in 2018 to replace the country's aging 747 presidential fleet with two new Air Force One planes. They're already years behind schedule and are now expecting further delays.

An Air Force spokesperson told the military website Breaking Defense that the first flight of the next-generation Boeing 747-8i — set to replace the old 747-200Bs first put into service in the early 1990s — has been pushed back 16 months from this November to March 2026.

The spokesperson said Boeing is creating a revised schedule, expected later this summer, noting it "may result in changes to any dates provided." It's unclear when the deliveries will now occur.

Boeing initially expected to deliver the first new 747 in late 2024. However, a mix of labor shortages, a bankrupt supplier, and some quality issues have since forced Boeing to reschedule the first delivery for September 2026 at the earliest and the second for February 2027.

At the time, the USAF provided a one-year buffer for the planes' delivery, pushing the second's delivery to as late as 2028. This means the eventual delivery of the new VIP fleet will be at least three to four years late, and possibly more with the latest delay announcement.

According to Breaking Defense, the delays surround ongoing problems with ground-based subsystem testing to "power on" the plane, which was originally scheduled for May 2024 but is now set for July 2025.

The USAF did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Boeing declined to comment and referred BI to the USAF.

Once eventually put into service for presidential use, the new VIP fleet will consist of bigger and more fuel-efficient 747-8i planes. The planes were originally destined for the now-defunct Russian carrier Transaero 2013 but were never delivered.

However, the old 747s are flying later than expected, thanks to continued program problems. In 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that continuing to fly the old fleet may cost taxpayers $390 million.

The setbacks have already cost Boeing more than $2 billion, raising the total project expense to around $5.3 billion.

Boeing's financial strain stems from the fixed-price agreement it made with the Trump Administration, which made the manufacturer responsible for any overrun costs.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said during a 2022 investor call that the deal posed "a very unique set of risks that Boeing probably shouldn't have taken" but remained committed to delivering the aircraft.

Issues with the current fleet

The call sign "Air Force One" applies to any aircraft carrying the president, but it is most directly associated with a specially configured 747 known as VC-25. This aircraft is unlike any standard 747 and has a number of added capabilities, ranging from electronic and communications equipment to an executive suite.

The new VC-25B program, based on the 747-8i, will replace the Air Force's current VC-25A fleet. These aging aircraft face "capability gaps, rising maintenance costs, and parts obsolescence as it ages beyond 30 years," according to a Department of Defense report.

"The Boeing 747-8 aircraft will be uniquely modified to provide the President, staff, and guests with safe and reliable air transportation with an equivalent level of communications capability and security available in the White House," the report said.

The modifications will include an "electrical power upgrade, dual auxiliary power units that are usable in flight, a mission communication system, an executive interior, military avionics, a self-defense system, autonomous enplaning and deplaning, and autonomous baggage loading," the report added.

The VC-25B fleet is also slated to have a longer range, cruise speed, and maximum takeoff weight than its predecessor.

• I'm an interior designer in NYC, and I renovated my bathroom last spring for $13,000.
• The bathroom is gorgeous, but after living with it for months, I have four regrets.
• The built-in shower niche, glass shower panel and shallow tub are pretty but not functional.

As an interior designer based in New York City, I've worked on countless bathroom renovations for clients, but nothing prepared me for the lessons I learned while redoing my own.

Redesigning my bathroom taught me that even with expert knowledge, practical considerations sometimes take a back seat to aesthetics.

I spent months planning and $13,000 to renovate my bathroom last spring and although it's gorgeous, I have four big regrets.

Here's what I'd do differently next time — and what you should know before dropping five figures on your next bathroom remodel.

The built-in shower niche looks good but isn't practical

I was excited about incorporating a built-in shower niche into my bathroom. It looked incredibly sleek and added a modern touch to the shower area.

However, the reality of using this feature didn't quite meet my expectations.

The niche, while aesthetically pleasing and minimalistic, turned out to be not spacious enough to accommodate all my toiletries and shower essentials.

Pinterest-worthy bathrooms and hotels fill these niches with cute refillable shampoo bottles to keep them aesthetically pleasing. But I quickly realized my shower routine required way more products that weren't so cute, but I didn't want my niche to look like a shelf at T.J. Maxx. In hindsight, I should have considered larger or multiple niches to better suit my needs.

Another issue with the shower niche is maintenance. It needs to be wiped down after each shower to prevent mold buildup. This extra step adds to my cleaning routine, making it more of a hassle than I initially anticipated.

Not adding storage above the toilet was a missed opportunity

When designing my bathroom, I wanted a clutter-free wall above the toilet to maintain a clean and open look. Although this decision was driven by aesthetics, it didn't account for practicality.

I opted for a two-drawer vanity from Ikea to handle all my storage needs, but it's not sufficient. The limited storage space has forced me to leave some items out in the open, contradicting my goal of a tidy, minimalist bathroom.

Installing shelves or cabinets above the toilet could have provided much-needed additional storage without compromising the overall design.

The single glass shower panel is beautiful but impractical

The single glass shower panel was another choice that appealed to my design sensibilities. It gave the bathroom a sleek, open feel and looked fantastic. However, it's not the most practical feature for everyday use.

Cleaning the single glass panel is particularly challenging. To avoid water spots and soap scum, it needs to be wiped down regularly.

The biggest inconvenience, however, is that cleaning it often results in getting wet again after a shower. A full enclosure or even a double panel might've been a more practical choice, balancing both form and function.

A deeper tub would've been a better investment

A realtor once advised me that having a tub in the bathroom could add more value to my home than a stand-alone shower.

This advice, combined with my love for the occasional bubble bath, led me to include a tub in the remodel. However, I regret opting for a shallow one.

Although the tub is perfect for my once-a-year bubble bath, it's not deep enough to provide the luxurious soaking experience I had envisioned.

As someone who primarily showers, the shallow tub doesn't see much use, and when it does, it feels inadequate. A deeper tub would've been a better investment, offering a more satisfying soak and potentially increasing the bathroom's appeal to future buyers.

Overall, consider more than just aesthetics when designing a space

If you're planning a bathroom renovation, take it from an interior-design expert: Think beyond looks and prioritize how a space will work for you daily.

This way, you can avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered and create a bathroom that's both beautiful and practical.

• Netflix has announced the locations for its first two "Netflix House" venues.
• The streaming service will use spaces in two malls formerly occupied by department stores.
• It's the streaming service's latest venture into events, dining, and merchandise based on its content.

Netflix is joining the ranks of pickleball courts as it tries to make use of all that empty space in America's malls.

The streaming service said Tuesday that it's planning its first two "Netflix House" locations in shopping malls — one at the Galleria Dallas and another in the King of Prussia Mall outside Philadelphia.

Both "experiential entertainment" locations will open in 2025 and occupy spaces formerly held by department stores. That will give each over 100,000 square feet, Netflix said.

Within that space, you can expect to find a theme park-like variety of attractions, Netflix said last year. Back then, the streaming service said, patrons would be able to dine at restaurants themed around Netflix shows and buy corresponding merchandise at shops on the premises.

Netflix's latest announcement paints an even more vivid picture of what these first locations will look like.

"Imagine waltzing with your partner to an orchestral cover of a Taylor Swift song on a replica of the Bridgerton set — and then walking around the corner to compete in the Glass Bridge challenge from Squid Game," a post from Netflix said.

Netflix has already offered limited-time events for fans of its shows. It hosted a series of balls in major US cities in coordination with Season 2 of Bridgerton, for example.

The company said the Netflix House concept will offer those kinds of experiences year-round. "We've launched more than 50 experiences in 25 cities, and Netflix House represents the next generation of our distinctive offerings," its post read.

Much of America's retail space, including malls, has emptied out since the pandemic forced businesses to close. And while commercial real estate occupancy remains low in many parts of the US, retail landlords and their creditors are usually reluctant to lower rents and fill those storefronts.

• "The Boys" actor Antony Starr spoke about Homelander's return to the Vought lab that raised him in episode four.
• Starr told Business Insider that it's his favorite episode of the season.
• "It's his little therapy session, and he thinks he's nailed it," Starr said.

Homelander goes back to his roots during the latest episode of "The Boys," and the trip down memory lane turns into a horrific bloodbath.

"That's actually my favorite episode of the season," Antony Starr, who plays Homelander, told Business Insider of season four, episode four ("Wisdom of the Ages"). "I think we worked on it a bit and then went to set and kind of just let it rip."

"That's what I'm really interested in with the character, is going into the deeper, dark places and the vulnerabilities," Starr added.

Homelander's homecoming has been long coming.

Past seasons of "The Boys" have alluded to the psychological damage that resulted from Homelander, whose real name is John, being raised by scientists in a lab. In the spring of 1981, Vought scientist Dr. Jonah Vogelbaum grew him in a test tube using Soldier Boy's (Jensen Ackles) DNA.

Instead of growing up with a family in a home, he was isolated, deprived of a childhood, and ruthlessly trained to become the world's greatest, seemingly unbeatable supe. As a result, Homelander became a maniacal and vindictive supe with a desperate need for love and approval.

In season three, Homelander's insecurities are called out during an interaction with Soldier Boy, who scoffs at him for being weak and starving for attention.

Season four of "The Boys" shows Homelander grappling with his rapid aging and worrying about the legacy he'll leave behind for his son, Ryan (Cameron Crovetti).

Despite his best efforts, Homelander still falls short as a father. He arrives at the conclusion that his need for love is a weakness that's holding him back from becoming his true, most powerful self. So, he decides to confront his past during episode four and return to the Vought lab that raised him.

The reunion is far from amicable and civilized. Although Homelander enters the room with an uncharacteristically friendly demeanor, he becomes progressively more menacing as he reveals how deep his grudge against the Vought scientists goes.

Homelander vividly recalls the different ways the scientists experimented on him, harming him physically and emotionally. In retaliation, he burns one scientist to death in an oven.

Homelander also recalls another scientist, Marty, catching him masturbating in his cell as a child and giving him the nickname "Squirt." As payback, Homelander humiliates Marty by ordering him to masturbate in front of him and the other scientists. Then, he lasers Marty's penis off using his superpowers, laughs in delight, and crushes him to death.

Showrunner Eric Kripke told BI that Homelander's reactions throughout the lab scenes were the result of Starr putting his own spin on the character.

"In the draft of the script, he was written to be pretty cruel, top to bottom," Kripke said. "He came in wanting revenge on the people who did this horrible thing to him. And Ant called me and he's like, 'I think the approach is wrong. I think he needs to come in childlike at times, not totally sure how he's feeling, and experiencing it in real time and just walking through it.'"

Kripke said that Homelander's reunion with the scientists is "horrifying" and unsettling because of the supe's mercurial nature.

"It's so unpredictable because there's moments where he's just like, 'Oh wow, this is my childhood home.' And then he'll suddenly snap into feeling vengeful," Kripke said. "And it's a beautiful, beautiful performance. And we did not write to it. It was Ant coming to us and discussing it."

Later in the episode, Homelander learns from another scientist, Barbara, that his need for approval and love was specifically engineered to make him obedient. She says he'll never be able to overcome that human need because it's ingrained in him, but he thinks otherwise.

The episode concludes with Homelander grinning and covered in blood after murdering the other scientists and leaving Barbara trapped in his old cell with the bloody bodies.

"It's his little therapy session, and he thinks he's nailed it," Starr said. "That's the funny thing, is that he's coming out covered in blood and guts and going, 'I'm going to be a good dad.' That was reaching, but he's trying to do the right thing — ultimately for the most selfish of reasons, for his legacy."

The first four episodes of season four of "The Boys" are now streaming on Prime Video, followed by a new episode every Thursday, ending with the season finale on July 18.

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s long-shot campaign is struggling.
• He won't be at the presidential debate next week.
• May was also the worst month of fundraising for his campaign thus far.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s long-shot presidential campaign is struggling to raise money. His billionaire running mate Nicole Shanahan has largely stopped tapping into her fortune.

According to Kennedy's latest campaign finance filing, May was its worst month of the year thus far. As The New York Times pointed out, the struggle is largely due to Shanahan's decision not to make another major splash.

Shanahan, an attorney and philanthropist, has joked that Kennedy selected her as his running mate due to her reported $1 billion fortune, most of which she amassed in her divorce from Google cofounder Sergey Brin. She has donated over $10 million to Kennedy's campaign this cycle, not including a $4 million donation she made to a super PAC for Kennedy's controversial Super Bowl ad.

Because she's Kennedy's running mate, there are no limits to the amounts she can give his campaign. But in May, she only gave roughly $25,000, all in the form of in-kind contributions with the largest category being media production.

Kennedy is facing a critical moment in his run. CNN confirmed on Thursday that he will be left off the debate stage next week between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

No third-party challenger has made a major presidential debate since Texas businessman Ross Perot in 1992. According to NBC News, Kennedy has qualified for the ballot in just nine states. His campaign is optimistic that it will reach the requirements in far more, but it can take weeks for state election officials to verify signatures and certify his status.

Trump and his allies have also stepped up their attacks on Kennedy amid signs that the noted vaccine skeptic could actually help Biden's candidacy in some states.

Outside of Shanahan, Kennedy's biggest supporter is Timothy Mellon, a pro-Trump banking heir. Mellon, who, unlike Shanahan, faces contribution limits for direct support, has routed his donations through a pro-Kennedy super PAC. According to a May filing, Mellon donated another $5 million to the group, bringing his total to $25 million thus far.

Mellon is also a major Trump supporter. He's given a similar amount to a pro-Trump super PAC.

The offers and details on this page may have updated or changed since the time of publication. See our article on Business Insider for current information.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Northwestern Mutual was established in 1859 by Samuel S. Daggett in Wisconsin. It ranks #4 in JD Power's life insurance customer satisfaction survey. It is also one of our top picks for the best life insurance companies.

Life insurance plans from Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual offers both term and permanent life insurance policies. The term life policies available are level term, where you can choose a coverage period of 10 or 20 years, and annual renewable term life insurance. Northwestern Mutual's term life policies are also convertible. You can switch your term life policy to a permanent one without a medical exam.

Northwestern Mutual offers three types of permanent life insurance that pay a death benefit, build cash value, and offer the opportunity to receive dividends: whole life, universal life, and variable life insurance.

• Level term life insurance —This temporary policy allows you to select a term period of 10- or 20-years.
• Annually renewable term life insurance —This policy lasts until you cancel your policy or reach a certain age. Factors like age and health will be considered when you first purchase this policy and will increase over time.
• Whole life insurance —This permanent policy pays a death benefit and offers cash value with annual dividends. You pay a fixed premium for this type of coverage.
• Universal life insurance —This permanent policy guarantees a death benefit and allows you to earn cash value. Unlike a whole life policy, your cash value will grow based on money market rates. You also have more flexibility regarding when and how much you pay in premiums.
• Variable life insurance —This permanent policy gives you agency over your cash value by allowing you to choose where to invest.

There are two types of life insurance: permanent life and term life. Term life insurance lasts for a specified period. When it's up, you can reapply for coverage, but the premiums most likely will go up as you age.

Permanent life insurance never expires, has a death benefit for your beneficiaries, and a cash value that you can use during your lifetime. Some financial advisors recommend a combination of term and permanent life insurance.

Types of Term Life Insurance	Types of Permanent Life Insurance
Level premium	Whole life
Annual renewal (ART)	Universal life
Return of Premium	Guaranteed Universal
Convertible	Indexed Universal
Group life insurance	Variable life
Guaranteed issue	Variable universal life
Simplified issue
Final expense

Additional coverage options from Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual offers these additional policy options as well:

• Disability insurance — This policy protects you by replacing a portion of your income if you become too sick or injured to work.
• Long term care coverage — This policy covers the cost of assisted care when you are no longer able to care for yourself. This includes care provided by nursing homes, adult day care centers, or home aides.

How do I file a claim with Northwestern Mutual?

Northwestern Mutual allows customers to file claims online for life insurance, disability claims, and long-term care. If you need further assistance or can't find your paperwork, you can also call a Northwestern Mutual representative and file your claim over the phone at (800) 388-8123. 

How much does insurance from Northwestern Mutual cost?

The cost of your term life insurance will depend on your age, health, the amount of coverage you need, and the length of your policy. However, Northwestern Mutual term life insurance is relatively affordable— usually less than a dollar a day. According to the insurer, a $500,000 policy covering you up to age 80 for a 35-year-old female would cost about $22 a month. A 35-year-old male would cost about $26 a month. According to Insider's average cost of life insurance data, the cost of life insurance can range anywhere from about $40 to $50 per month.

Is Northwestern Mutual trustworthy?

We checked the NAIC Complaint Index for complaints against Northwestern Mutual. The company has significantly fewer complaints filed against it compared to other top insurers.

Northwestern Mutual's financial stability is strong, with an AM Best rating of A++ (Superior). While it's a legitimate insurance provider, it's important to do your own research to ensure Northwestern Mutual is the right insurance company for you.

Methodology

We review a wide range of life insurance providers from the top companies to smaller startups. Our goal is to help customers find the right fit. As such, we look at several factors when rating life insurance providers. Policy types, average premiums, waiting periods, and standard exclusions are just a few of the things we use. You can read more about our methodology for life insurance ratings here.

FAQs

Where is Northwestern Mutual available?

Northwestern Mutual is available in all 50 states including the District of Columbia.

How do I register for a Northwestern Mutual account?

You can register for a Northwestern Mutual account by using its online portal. With a Northwestern Mutual account, you get access to your financial summary, you can manage your accounts, and you can make payments online.

How do I get a quote from Northwestern Mutual?

Northwestern Mutual doesn't have an online quoting tool, so you'll have to get in touch with a financial advisor. Complete Northwestern Mutual's questionnaire to get matched with an advisor, or you can search for a financial advisor if you're looking for someone specific.

• Kendrick Lamar performed his first show since his beef with Drake on Wednesday. 
• Lamar performed most of his diss tracks aimed at Drake, including "Not Like Us" five times.
• But fans say the event attended by major hip-hop figures and LA gang members was more than a victory lap from Lamar. 

Kendrick Lamar cemented his win in his rap beef with Drake at an LA show on Wednesday where he performed a diss track five times, surrounded by rap legends.

But the Juneteenth concert wasn't just a victory lap, with fans viewing it as an iconic moment in hip-hop history and an important attempt to unite the fractured West Coast.

The sold-out, one-off show, "The Pop Out: Ken & Friends" — which was streamed live on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch — was Lamar's hotly anticipated first performance since his beef with Drake unfolded earlier this year.

After the pair released a series of back-to-back diss tracks in April and May, Lamar was viewed as the winner after "Not Like Us" topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts for one week in May and has been in the top 10 ever since. Drake's response, "The Heart Part 6" wasn't enough to beat Lamar.

When both artists went quiet, fans were left wondering what would happen next.

Lamar didn't disappoint with "The Pop Out," where he performed four of his five Drake diss tracks, opening with "Euphoria." Later came his diss verses on "6:16" and "Like That," and he ended the night with "Not Like Us," featuring an intro from West Coast hip-hop legend Dr Dre, who joined him on stage.

Lamar then performed "Not Like Us" four more times alongside numerous West Coast rappers, athletes, dancers, and members from multiple Los Angeles gangs. At the end, they took a group photo together.

Fans said the concert was the equivalent of Lamar getting the West Coast to dance on Drake's grave, and proof that the hip-hop community supports him.

But they also appreciated the cultural significance of the show, with one X user describing it as "one of the most historic nights in hip-hop history."

While fans have focused a lot on the unsubstantiated allegations of sexual assault, pedophilia, and domestic abuse in the pair's diss tracks, the battle was truly about authenticity.

In "Not Like Us," Lamar calls Drake, who is Canadian, a "colonizer" of rap culture, claiming he stole his persona from artists like Future, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, Young Thug, Quavo, and 2Chainz.

In "Family Matters" and "Push Ups," Drake calls Lamar, who raps about race and societal issues, a fake activist and says his hometown, Compton, California, doesn't support him.

Lamar challenged that idea by showcasing up-and-coming West Coast rappers and performing with major Californian hip-hop stars including Tyler The Creator, Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, and Dr. Dre, while the crowd was filled with stars including LeBron James.

Lamar didn't just bring all of these artists together to mock Drake, though, but to unite the West Coast.

"For all of us to be on this stage together, unity, from East side mother-fucking LA, Crips, Bloods, Pirus, this shit is special, man. We put this shit together just for ya'll," Lamar said in between the "Not Like Us" encores, referring to rival gang members onstage.

"This shit ain't got nothing to do with no song at this point, ain't got nothing to do with no back and forth records, it's got everything to do with this moment right here. That's what this shit was about, to bring all of us to-mother-fucking-gether," he added.

Lamar also paid tribute to late rapper Nipsey Hussle, former NBA star Kobe Bryant, and Californians who have lost their lives to violence.

• Trump criticized Biden's student-loan forgiveness efforts during a Wisconsin campaign rally.
• He said Biden's debt relief is illegal and an attempt to get "publicity for the election."
• Biden is still moving forward with his broader attempt at debt relief, but it'll likely face lawsuits. 

Former President Donald Trump is making sure voters know how he feels about student-loan forgiveness.

During a Tuesday campaign rally in Wisconsin, Trump delivered a more than an hourlong speech on topics ranging from immigration to national security to the economy.

He also used that time to criticize President Joe Biden, particularly Biden's efforts to enact student-loan forgiveness for millions of Americans.

"He's throwing money out the window," Trump said in his remarks.

"This student program, which is not even legal, I mean it's not even legal, and the students aren't buying it, by the way," he said. "His polls are down. I'm leading in young people by numbers that nobody's ever seen before."

A Harvard Youth Poll released in April found that among people aged 18 to 29, Biden was leading Trump at 45% compared to 37%, but still a reduction from his youth support in 2020.

Trump also referred to the Supreme Court striking down Biden's first attempt at broad student-loan forgiveness last summer, saying that "he got rebuked and then he did it again. It's going to get rebuked again even more," calling it "vile" and an attempt to get "publicity for the election."

The same day as the Supreme Court decision last June, Biden's Education Department announced it would be pursuing a new route for debt relief using the Higher Education Act of 1965. The Act requires the administration to undergo a process known as negotiated rulemaking, which entails a series of negotiation sessions with stakeholders and a period of public comment before it can be implemented.

The department recently concluded the public comment period, and it plans to start implementing the relief — expected to benefit over 30 million Americans — this fall. However, conservative groups have already voiced opposition to the plan, and it's highly likely it will once again run into lawsuits that could delay or block the relief.

The presidential election also presents uncertainty surrounding the fate of student-loan forgiveness. Should Biden win, his administration will continue carrying out its broad and targeted debt relief efforts such as one-time account adjustments for borrowers on income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Given Trump's opposition toward debt cancellation, his potential second term would likely cease any of the Biden administration's work to cancel student debt.

This isn't the first time Trump has criticized student-debt relief. He previously called Biden's first attempt at broad relief an "election enhancing money grab." After the Supreme Court decision, his campaign posted a statement on his website saying that "these wins were only made possible through President Trump's strong nomination of three distinguished and courageous jurists to the Supreme Court."

Still, Biden's Education Department is moving forward with its relief efforts and has maintained that all of its actions are in accordance with the law and the Supreme Court decision. Along with its broader second attempt at relief, the Education Department began canceling student debt for borrowers on the SAVE plan who borrowed $12,000 or less originally and made as few as 10 years of qualifying payments.

While GOP state attorneys general launched two separate lawsuits seeking to block that relief, a court has yet to issue a final decision and the administration is still moving forward.

• I booked a solo trip to a mystery destination with a company that planned everything for me.
• I traveled to Lisbon and enjoyed group tours and activities — as well as some alone time.
• It was fun to step outside my comfort zone, but I would have liked more time to explore by myself.

When traveling, I prefer leaving things to chance, as many of my most memorable moments typically happen on less-crowded streets or when I'm chatting up strangers at a restaurant.

That's why when my friend suggested I check out Journee — a travel company that specializes in mystery tours and plans everything, including your destination — I couldn't resist trying it out for a solo trip.

Companies like Journee have become more popular in recent years as more travelers lean into the idea of having a trip planned for them. In fact, a survey of 27,000 travelers by Booking.com found that over half of the respondents would welcome the idea of a trip to an unknown destination.

I was excited to see what all the hype was about and book a surprise trip of my own. Here's what it was like to travel to an unknown destination with Journee.

The company asked me questions about my travel preferences and sent clues leading up to the reveal

When booking my trip, the company provided me with an in-depth travel questionnaire that asked about my interests, curiosities, risk tolerance, well-being, and overall travel philosophy. It also dug into the "why" of my trip, the safety criteria, and logistics and budget.

The company then sent me a trip proposal, which provided a few clues about the city I'd be traveling to. There was no pressure to book and the proposal itself was completely free.

Once I committed, they built up the suspense by gamifying the pre-trip content, slipping fun facts and clues into my WhatsApp DMs.

I challenged myself (and my friends) to rely on our brains (no Googling) to figure out where I might be going, which led to many meaningful conversations about travel.

The company also provided a high-level packing list, which included items like a bank card, phone, charger, passport, and comfortable walking shoes.

The destination reveal turned out to be pretty underwhelming

On the day of departure, I added some euros to my carry-on before taking an Uber to Newark Airport. In the car, I found myself daydreaming about my destination, secretly hoping it was somewhere I'd never been.

My plan to film a reveal video at the airport was quickly foiled when my driver informed me that Newark has two international terminals.

Because the tour company didn't note the terminal information on the envelope, I had no choice but to open the card in the car, which was underwhelming.

However, I was excited by the location listed on my card — Lisbon.

Along with the destination, the envelope included a detailed itinerary with daily pre-booked excursions, including an e-bike tour and a sunset cruise, with one free day to myself.

The company did a great job arranging my accommodations and activities

I arrived in Lisbon mid-morning after my basic-economy flight. I was relieved to find the company booked me a studio apartment with a sweeping balcony overlooking the street.

I liked being in a residential area, and the proximity to a metro hub and grocery stores made it feel like I had moved abroad.

My first group excursion turned out to be a one-on-one personalized e-bike tour of the city when folks bailed because of the rain.

My city guide took me on a two-hour tour along the Tagus River waterfront, and I ended up taking that same route several times throughout the week.

I also enjoyed the other trips Journee booked for me, including a drive along the countryside to a small village southeast of the city. Here, my group dodged the rain to visit a Stonehenge-like megalithic complex dating back 7,000 years.

One of the last curated events of the trip was visiting the Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Feeling utter tranquility in the cloisters was worth the 90 minutes I spent waiting in line.

As the week went on, I started veering from the pre-planned schedule

Although I enjoyed the group excursions, I worried that I wouldn't have enough time to explore the city on my own. That's why I decided to skip my third-day excursion to wander off the beaten path.

I weaved through the Alcântara district, stopping at the LXFactory, an old industrial textile complex turned food and art hall.

I also biked to explore the Mouraria and Alfama districts, filling up on bacalhau, Lisbon's salted codfish tapas. I even spent a few hours at the Fado Museum, an interactive and immersive cultural arts center where I learned about the history of Portugal's soulful music.

I loved being able to explore another side of the city, which hadn't been in my original itinerary.

I enjoyed the trip, but would make a few changes next time

Overall, it was exciting to step outside my comfort zone and hand over the travel planning to someone else. I loved the surprise of not knowing the destination and visiting historical sites off the beaten path.

Next time, I would book with a friend and have a more direct conversation with the tour company about having more time for independent exploration.

• Here are the famous people who died in 2024.
• O.J. Simpson, Glynis Johns, Carl Weathers, Chita Rivera, Dabney Coleman, Morgan Spurlock, and Louis Gossett Jr. passed away.
• So did broadcaster Charles Osgood, fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, producer Roger Corman, NBA legend Jerry West, and MLB Hall of Famer Willie Mays.

Below, we look back at those we lost in 2024.