Shows / Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Unpacked by Afar is your weekly guide to where to go, how to travel, and everything worth unpacking in between. Each week, host Aislyn Greene and the Afar team travel the world and dig into the big questions behind every great trip, from the best new hotels and national parks to traveling more responsibly. Some weeks we follow a story through music, food, and culture. Others we tackle a tricky topic, share our favorite destinations, or help you plan where to go next. Because the travel world is…
Episodes
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly”Wonder Is Real and it Lives Here.” The Most Wintry Place in North America.
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…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyHow To Navigate the New Rules of Tipping
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'…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyAfar, A Retrospective: A Poet’s Travel Guide to Lisbon, Portugal
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…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyHoliday Replay: Ever Wonder Where Unclaimed Luggage Ends Up? This Alabama Store Has the Answer.
What happens to suitcases that can’t be reunited with their owners? It’s not something we think about that often, but for Bryan Owens, it’s an entire business…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyThe 25 Most Exciting, Crowd-Free Places to Visit in 2025
Mark our words: 2025 will be the year of crowd-free travel. That’s why our editors and contributors spent months seeking out 25 incredible, undertouristed…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyAfar, A Retrospective: A Malaysian Chef Reclaims Her Past with Laksa
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…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyThe Hack That Will Solve All Your Overpacking Woes
Wendy Mak, the author of The Capsule Wardrobe: 1,000 Outfits From 30 Pieces, shares how to pack with ease by using the philosophy she mastered to help…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyAfar, A Retrospective: Why a Train Trip Across the U.S. Is the Fastest Way to Slow Down
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…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyThe Creepy, Spooky, and Downright Weird Things That Happen in Our National Parks
Can a scary story inspire you to travel? The hosts of National Park After Dark have been spooking listeners into enjoying the outdoors for years. In this…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyFrom Gullah Geechee to Beach Jams: Peeling Back the Layers of Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is so much more than its gorgeous beach. This week, follow Unpacked by Afar host Aislyn Greene as explores the 14 communities…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyAfar, A Retrospective: The Incredibly True Story of Renting a Friend in Tokyo
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…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyI Have Insomnia—So I Tried Sleep Tourism to See if It Could Help
Would you travel for a better night’s sleep? Sleep packages at luxury hotels ranging from menus with sleep-promoting ingredients to hypnotherapy sessions…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyA Local’s View of Paris: Off the Beaten Path in a Changing City
Sidestep a stereotypical trip to Paris with cultural insights from journalist and long-time Paris resident Lindsey Tramuta. In this episode of Unpacked by…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyAfar, A Retrospective: Why Did I Bring a Teenager to Venice?
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…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Holiday Travel Tips for Stress-Free Trips: Introducing NerdWallet’s "Smart Money" Podcast
How do you manage stress when you’re traveling during the holidays? And is it better to book with points or cash during some of the busiest travel days of the…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyThis Wilderness Lodge Will Take You to the Center of Life in an Ancient Forest
Explore an ancient, biodiverse rainforest by land, sea and air at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in British Columbia. In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, follow…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyThese Three Women Travel Solo With Confidence (Now You Can Too).
Embrace the benefits of solo travel with seasoned tips to conquer fears, make the most of any trip and respond confidently to concerned loved ones. From the…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyAfar, a Retrospective: Comedian Negin Farsad Makes Kansas City Laugh—And A Little Uncomfortable
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…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyI’m a Polyglot—These Are the Secrets to Learning New Languages
What if they don’t understand me, speak too fast, or worse—ignore my attempt and revert to English? Polyglot and Babbel instructor Noël Wolf, is well-versed in…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyThe Spontaneous (Travel!) Story of How Afar Came to Be
No plan. No luggage. Five weeks in India. Joe Diaz and Greg Sullivan, dreamed up Afar on a beach in Goa more than 15 years ago. In this candid episode of…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Afar, A Retrospective: A Blind Man's Trip Will Change The Way You Go On Safari
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…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyIt's Time to Reclaim the "Tourist" Label
The world has had enough of "bad" tourists. But while most of us know not to trespass (with a car!) across ancient bridges or defile national heritage sites…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
From Bomba to Bad Bunny: Searching for the Sounds of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has had a huge impact on the world's music scene, in comparison to its size. And on this week's episode, host Aislyn Greene travels to the island…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyLive Snakes, Birkin Bags, Hoverboards, and More: Life Inside the Store That Sells Lost Luggage
What happens to suitcases that can’t be reunited with their owners? It’s not something we think about that often, but for Bryan Owens, it’s an entire business…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyA Way (Way, Way) Better Way to Book Travel Using Points and Miles
It’s easier than ever to earn travel points and (sometimes) miles through credit cards and loyalty programs. But when it comes to actually using those points…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyReplay: Everything You Need to Know About Travel Insurance (Before Booking Your Summer Trips)
With summer travel on the horizon, it's an excellent time to talk about everyone's favorite subject: Travel insurance. It's not the sexiest subject, is it? And…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyVisiting Native Communities Is More Important Than Ever—Here’s How to Do It Right
Last November, while reporting our “Unpacking Albuquerque” episode, I spent a day at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. It’s this huge complex that takes up a…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyThe True Story of One of the World's Most Diverse Cities
This week on Unpacked, we travel north to Toronto, Ontario, one of the world’s most diverse cities to explore what’s made it that way—and how we as travelers…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyTaylor Swift, New Flights, and Climate Change: Everything You Need to Know About Summer Travel This Year
Summer is coming. And while it's not looking like this season will be as insane as summer 2023, it's still best to begin planning now. So on this week’s…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyBehind the Scenes: How We Create Our Best New Hotels List
The best hotels are a destination unto themselves. On this week’s episode of Unpacked, AFAR senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers reveals the 31 properties…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyThis Midwestern City Is One of the Country’s Best-Kept Food Secrets
Hot tip: Don’t listen to this week’s episode of Unpacked hungry. Because we’re traveling to a surprising Midwestern city to explore what makes it one of the…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyAt This Remote Island Resort, Staff Housing Is (Almost) as Luxurious as the Guest Quarters
If you travel to a remote island resort, where do the people who work there live? Because of course, if we are traveling to a remote location, it’s highly…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyWhy You Have to See the April Solar Eclipse, According to an Airstream-Loving Astronomy Expert
Where will you be on April 8, 2024? In case that date isn’t burned into your brain, it’s the day the sun, Earth, and the moon will completely align, creating a…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Replay: Here's How to Get the Best Sleep While Traveling
Unpacked, and host Aislyn Greene, are in Toronto this week! So we're resharing one of our most popular episodes from last season, because who doesn't need help…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyA Professional Decision Coach’s Secrets to Making Better Choices in Travel—and Beyond
Have you ever gotten stuck in indecision? Maybe it was around where to travel, or when to book your tickets, or even something as small as where to eat when…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyHow to Budget for Travel, No Matter Your Income
Money is often a taboo subject in our culture, but it has a huge impact on our lives, our futures, and yes, our travels. Danielle Desir Corbett—our guest this…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyUnpacking Albuquerque
In season three of Unpacked, we're introducing "Unpacking," a series that explores some of our favorite destinations around the world. First up: Albuquerque…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyAt This London Tour Company, Formerly Unhoused People Are Your Guides
The issue of homelessness—or being unhoused, or facing housing scarcity—isn’t something we often talk about when it comes to travel, unless it’s in a negative…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
You Can Get Free Flights and Hotel Stays Easier Than You Think. Here’s How.
The world of travel loyalty programs is . . . complicated. Last year, Delta made waves when it announced that it was making radical changes to its SkyMiles…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyWhere to Cruise This Year—Even if You Think You're Not a Cruiser
There’s a special magic to being at sea. Watching a port retreat as a ship begins to sail, the sensation of gently (or not so gently) rocking waves, the…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyThe 25 Most Exciting Places to Travel in 2024
We're three weeks into the new year. Maybe you're a freshly minted, idealized version of yourself. Or maybe your new year's resolutions are as distant as the…
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyUnpacked Returns: A Bigger, Brighter World Awaits
It's a fresh new year! And we all know that this also means that there's a fresh year of travel to plan, discoveries to be made, and adventures to be had. And…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Where to Travel This Winter
Winter is coming. (But not in a threatening, Game of Thrones-y kind of way.) So this week on Unpacked, AFAR’s mighty destination team is helping you prepare…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Being a Person With Dwarfism Has Never Stopped Me From Exploring the World
Christophe Zajac-Denek is an actor, a podcaster, a traveler—and he’s 4 feet 4 inches tall. On this week’s episode of Unpacked, he shares how being a person…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
How Maps Reveal the Secrets of our World
You may use Google Maps every day, but how often do you think about how that map was made—and more importantly, who made it? In today’s episode of Unpacked, we…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Can a Pledge Really Help Cure “Bad Tourists”?
If you’ve been following the news, it’s been a summer of “bad tourists.” There was the woman who carved her initials into the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the drunk…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Think Travel Insurance Is Boring? Prepare to Be Dazzled (or Just Financially Protected).
Travel insurance: It's not the sexiest subject, is it? And yet, it can play a huge role in saving you money, time, and even sanity. In this episode of Unpacked…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
A Skeptic's Guide to Birdwatching
Have you ever considered birdwatching? If the answer is a "heck, no"—or even a "not really"—than this episode is for you. Host Aislyn Greene, also a…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
National Parks Are America’s Greatest Idea—and Biggest Problem
When you think of America’s national parks, what comes to mind? For many of us—myself included—it’s the sense of openness, freedom, and awe that places like…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Should I Give Money to Panhandlers When I Travel?
There are few things as challenging as the moment when, while walking along a sidewalk in Paris, San Francisco, or Cartagena, someone in need asks you for…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Will the "Real" Waikīkī Please Stand Up?
AFAR senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers—who heads up all our hotel content—has a deep familiarity with Waikīkī, the two-mile stretch of sand known for its…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
The Promise and Peril of Digital Nomadism
Digital nomadism has been hailed as a way to save communities—and slammed for raising rents and pricing out locals. In this week’s episode, Chloe Arrojado, an…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
How to Get Airport Lounge Access, Even if You Don’t Have Airline Status
Airport lounges can be one of the most complex, mysterious parts of the airport experience. Aside from buying a business- or first-class ticket, how do you…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
The Secrets to Traveling Well With Children
Which countries are the most family friendly? How do you help kids deal with jet lag? What about routines, bedtimes, and kids in business class? In this week’s…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Summer Replay! The Best Places to Go in 2023
It’s a holiday week, one that (we hope) finds you swimming in a lake, or traveling to a new city, or otherwise enjoying these fleeting summer days. We don’t…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
A Flight Attendant's Tips for Flying With Kids—Without Losing Your Mind
Kids and flying can be polarizing—anyone else remember popcorngate? But in this week’s episode, flight attendant (and mother of two) Andrea Davis shares her…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Inside Rick Steves’s Self-Imposed Carbon Tax
Can $30 per traveler really make a difference when it comes to carbon offsets? For Rick Steves, the answer is “absolutely.” For the past four years, his…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Rick Steves Wants to Save the World, One Trip at a Time
In the world of travel legends, Rick Steves is right up there at the top. Since he launched his company in 1976, he has sent millions of Americans abroad…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
It's Not Too Late to Plan Your Summer Travels—Here's How
This episode starts with a sunburn. That’s how on-topic it is. Because yes, it’s summer! And wow, do we have a lot of tips for you this year. To get them, I…
- Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly
Are You Ready to Hand Over Your Travel Planning to the ChatGPT and AI Bots?
Would you let ChatGPT plan your trip? Chris Dong, the host of this week’s episode, isn’t sure. As a travel writer, he knows his way around the world—and when…