Unpacked by Afar

Welcome to Unpacked, Five Questions, a new series where we go behind the scenes of one great travel story. In this episode, host Katherine LaGrave sits down with Afar contributing writer Lisa Abend, who recently traveled to Sicily to investigate the viral phenomenon of European countries selling homes for one euro. Based in Copenhagen, Lisa explores what really happens after the headlines fade—bot...

Welcome to Unpacked, Five Questions, a new series where we go behind the scenes of one great travel story. In this episode, host Katherine LaGrave sits down with author and journalist Bonnie Tsui, whose father has lived in Guangzhou, China, for decades. In the 2025 Culture Issue of Afar she writes about how a recent trip to the city transformed three generations of relationships. She shares tips f...

Welcome to Unpacked, Five Questions, a new series where we go behind the scenes of one great travel story. In this inaugural episode, host Katherine LaGrave sits down with award-winning writer Anya von Bremzen to discuss her journey through Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's exciting wine region just two hours from San Diego, which she wrote about in Afar's spring issue. Von Bremzen, a James Beard Award...

In 2025, wellness is the main ingredient at sea. From elaborate tea houses to shopping excursions with the chef—these are the fresh ways that cruise lines are shedding their overindulgent reputations.  On this episode of Unpacked Minis, Cruise Edition, host Aislyn Greene sits down at F&B@Sea—the culinary showcase at Miami's Seatrade Cruise Global conference—with David Yeskel, a travel and food jou...

Peek into the colorful, immersive, and luxurious innovations shaping the future of cruising—straight from the floor of Seatrade Cruise Global, one of the cruise industry's most important events. From flying theaters to floating pickleball courts, this episode of Unpacked Minis, Cruise Edition takes you behind-the-scenes of the surprising sights (and smells) making waves in cruising.  The luxury in...

With just five years under it's belt, Hotel the Mitsui has already stood the test of time. Housed in the former estate of one of Japan's most influential families, this five-star hotel is full of details that help guests see the rich traditions of Kyoto with a fresh pair of eyes. In this “If These Walls Could Talk” episode of Unpacked, Aislyn Greene takes you on a tour of the stories—and secrets—t...

This isn’t Washington, it’s D.C.—and it belongs to the people. On this episode of Unpacked, join host Aislyn Greene as she meets the D.C. locals who are shaping the city. They share the diverse communities, places, and histories that make the district unique. From a blossoming food scene to thriving cultural legacies, discover the D.C. that most tourists miss.  In this episode, you’ll learn Histor...

When it comes to the future of cruising, sustainability is steering the ship. On this episode of Unpacked, Afar cruise expert and deputy editor, Michelle Baran, takes you to Seatrade, one of the cruise industry's most important events for a panel discussion that asks the question: Is sustainable cruising the new luxury cruising? From wind-powered voyages to community-centered tourism, she uncovers...

The best hotels offer so much more than a place to stay. In this episode of Unpacked, go behind the scenes of our Best New Hotels list to discover the hotels that are helping to redefine a destination, setting a new bar for sustainability and design, and bringing travelers into communities where their dollars can really count. Host Aislyn Greene and senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers—Afar's res...

These locals are blazing a trail back to the legends that made Mississippi, specifically the Delta, a region that was (and is) vital to the development of modern music.  On this episode of Unpacked, British writer and fiddle player, Emma John, takes you on a musical odyssey through the Mississippi Blues Trail and its role in reviving a blues heartland and connecting travelers to the soul of the ge...

Hut-to-hut skiing, frozen waterfalls and seaside foliage—there are surprising outdoor adventures to have in the off-season. Whether you're looking for "softer adventures" in the outdoors (think cycling and hiking) or routinely exercise your way through destinations, this episode will help you tap into the magic of the off-season and plan a travel year full of natural wonders. How the Best Outdoor...

There's a surprising key to booking a successful cruise, whether it’s your first or 100th. In our second episode of Unpacked Minis, Cruise Edition, host Aislyn Greene and cruise journalist Nicole Edenedo share the secret tool in the savvy cruisers' tool box: a travel advisor. Why Should I Book With a Travel Advisor?  In this episode you’ll learn:  The difference between a travel agent and travel a...

Looking to avoid the crowds and make the most of summer travel in 2025? On this episode of Unpacked, Afar contributor Mark Ellwood—a seasoned traveler who has spent most of his life living out of a suitcase—shares the off-the-beaten path summer adventures you can enjoy, again and again. Looking for the Best Places to Travel in Summer? On this episode you’ll discover:   How to find the best summer...

This year—2025—is a holy one in Rome. But you can still avoid the crowds.  On this episode of Unpacked by Afar, Rome local and journalist Laura Itzkowitz, takes us off the tourist trail and into the lesser-visited places that make Rome worth visiting, all year round.  How To Experience Rome Like A Local, Not a Tourist On this episode you’ll learn:  How to beat the crowds in hot spots like the Vati...

Welcome to Unpacked Minis, our new Unpacked series. Throughout the year, over the course of four bite-size episodes, we'll dig into the biggest themes in travel. This month, we're tackling cruising, specifically those who are new to cruising—or think it's not for them. In our inaugural episode, Michelle Baran—Afar’s deputy news editor and resident cruise expert—sits down with host Aislyn Greene, a...

“How soon can you put this baby on a plane?” When No Reception Club founders Gemma and Daniel Ng became parents, they vowed not only to keep traveling, but to create solutions for others braving travel with kids.  And so they went on to create “The Getaway Bag,” which went on to become a cult favorite. On this episode of Unpacked, they share the terrible flight that inspired their first bag, hard...

Welcome to a special bonus from our sister podcast, Travel Tales. In it, Antoni Porowski, our favorite culinary expert from Queer Eye, takes you behind-the-scenes of his new National Geographic show, No Taste Like Home (premiering February 23, 2025). In this episode, he shares the connection that sent him crying off camera with Awkwafina, the dish that defeated his adventurous palate with Henry Go...

Stop making these common travel mistakes and start maximizing credit card points and airline miles with these tips from The Points Guy, Brian Kelly, author of the new book How to Win at Travel. In this episode, he chats with host Aislyn Greene about the mindsets, practices, and guidelines to help both beginners and seasoned fliers win at travel in today’s economy of points and miles.  ** New Oppor...

Step aside cheesy ghost tours, “tombstone tourism” is so much more than visiting cemeteries to hear about local legends. In this episode of Unpacked, a seasoned traveler shares why graveyards and tombstones are at the top of her “must-see” list—no matter the destination.  ** New Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh i...

This year in luxury travel, customization is king. Afar’s resident hotel expert, Jennifer Flowers, and editor in chief, Julia Cosgrove, go behind the scenes of ILTM, the International Luxury Travel Market, in Cannes, France. They sat down with leaders from three of the world’s biggest hotel brands—Hilton, IHG, and Hyatt—to hear how trends, technology, and travelers' changing desires will shape lux...

This podcast episode is part of Afar, A Retrospective. As part of Afar’s 15-year anniversary celebration, this episode from our sister podcast, Travel Tales by Afar, was selected as one of our favorites. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do—and stay tuned for more archival Travel Tales episodes from September - December 2024. Explore more of our favorite stories over the years at afar.com/fifteen...

Who needs a travel planner when you could consult the cosmos? According to astrologer Adama Sesay, your astrological chart can be the key to an ideal travel year.  On this episode of Unpacked, she breaks down the astrological events to look out for in 2025, shares travel suggestions based on each sign and helps you navigate traveling during a dreaded Mercury retrograde. Wait, When is Mercury in Re...

In our annual Travel Vanguard awards, Afar honors nine companies that are working to improve the world and how travelers experience it. We launched the Afar Travel Vanguard in 2016 to celebrate organizations that are making travel a force for good. This year, we received more than 100 nominations from travel professionals and organizations around the world. Narrowing down the list was no easy task...

Winter is the best time to visit the Yukon territory. Follow one writer as she travels by dog sled and snowmobile, dons snowshoes for a hike through Tombstone Territorial Park and witnesses the beauty of the northern lights and communal reclamation alongside locals. In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, we follow the infamous “call of the wild” into the Canadian Yukon.  How To Plan a Winter Trip to...

Wondering when, where and how much to tip when you travel? Since the pandemic, tipping requests show up in places they never have before, such as farmers' markets and fast-food counters. In this episode, two experts help you navigate the changing landscape of tipping so you can tip with respect to the people who serve you and to your wallet, wherever you go.  Tips to Improve Prompt Service In this...