Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly

Latest Episodes:

A Local’s View of Paris: Off the Beaten Path in a Changing City Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

Sidestep a stereotypical trip to Paris with cultural insights from journalist and long-time Paris resident Lindsey Tramuta. In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, she shares ways that Paris has changed over the last 20 years and tips for travelers to key into those changes when they travel.

From etiquette to fashion, cuisine to favorite neighborhoods—she helps you experience Paris off the beaten path.

Paris Like You Haven’t Seen It Before

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How Paris is blossoming into a global leader for urban transformation.
How the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics affected French locals.
Insider tips and must-knows before you travel to Paris.

French Tip: Always say “Bonjour”

Don’t miss these moments:

[04:32] Key insights from 20 years of change in Paris

[18:34] French etiquette and other things to know before you go.

[ 27:04 ] Lindsey’s favorite neighborhood spots.

An Insider’s Guide To Paris

Your local guide is Lindsey Tramuta, a journalist who has been living and reporting about life in Paris for two decades.In her work, she explores the people and ideas shaping Paris, and in today’s episode she lets us in on 20 years of change.

From what it’s been like in The City of Light since the Olympics and Paralympics wrapped, to the city’s evolving food scene, get local, these are the need-to-know tips for your next Paris trip.

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode.
Check out Lindsey Tramuta’s books: The New Paris and The New Parisienne
Follow The New Paris podcast
Explore more Paris content from Afar, including a travel guide, local tips for a 4-day trip, and where to go to avoid crowds.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.

And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Afar, A Retrospective: Why Did I Bring a Teenager to Venice? Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

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.

Hoping to recreate the same magical trip she took as a teen, author Emma John takes her friend’s 13-year-old daughter to Venice. But instead of awe, she’s filled with anxiety as she flies through a packed itinerary and struggles to impress her teenage companion. Will a reluctant teenager give into the wonders of the Floating City?

A Gondolier Wake Up Call

In this episode, discover:

Ideas for a week-long trip to Venice, beyond hitting tourist hot spots.
How to (and how not to) dress for a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica.
What one traveler did to help a teenager fall in love with Venice.

“What Are We Going to Do Next?”

Don’t miss these transformative travel moments:

[02:13] A midnight chase in the streets of Venice.

[05:38] Glass blowing at Murano, making Venetian masks and an otherwise packed itinerary.

[07:35] The unexpected views that led to a breakthrough.

Single in St. Mark’s Square

When Emma John was a teen, her mom’s single friend took her on a life-changing trip to Venice. An Afar contributing writer, and a traveler who is up for anything, Emma has written about country bluegrass, cricket and her most recent book is a memoir about singleness: Self-Contained: Scenes From a Single Life.

In this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, she rediscovers the magic of Venice and learns a thing or two about travel itineraries and connections.

Resources

• Read Emma’s original story.

• Explore her other work.

• Check out Afar’s Venice travel guide.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Holiday Travel Tips for Stress-Free Trips: Introducing NerdWallet’s "Smart Money" Podcast Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

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 year? Believe it or not, it’s almost time to book your holiday travel, and our friends at NerdWallet have some tips for traveling stress-free. In this special episode of NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, their objective finance journalists answer real-world questions to help you make smarter decisions with your money and help your finances thrive.

Listen to Smart Money by NerdWallet wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/1tURflyR

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Wilderness Lodge Will Take You to the Center of Life in an Ancient Forest Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

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 senior deputy editor, Jennifer Flowers, as she hikes through new and old forests in Ursus Valley, tastes bull kelp on a boat ride in Clayoquot Sound and helicopters to a mountain peak.

She learns why “untouched” isn’t an accurate description for a remote rainforest like this one on Vancouver Island. From the histories and sustainable work of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations people who have stewarded the land for centuries to the flora and fauna that work together to thrive, this weekend trip is a cold plunge into a harmonious ecosystem.

Inside a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

In this episode you’ll learn:

What makes a forest old? A primer on CMTs (culturally modified trees) and signs of old growth.
Who the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations people are and how they have sustained and protected the ancient forest for centuries.
How the coastal biome of Clayoquot Sound contributes to life on land.

Nature Encounters at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge

Don’t miss these moments:

[07:40] An expedition into an old forest valley: baconlike bark and CMTs:
[11:02] Borrowing banana slugs, and the First Nations groups who steward the forest.
[15:48] Coastal encounters at Clayoquot Sound: black bears, bull kelp and more.

A Plunge, a Hike and a Helicopter Ride

“If These Walls Could Talk” is an Afar series that explores the stories—and secrets—hotels can tell us about the places we visit. One of Afar’s Hotels We Love, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge promises to immerse guests in the biodiverse ecosystem of an ancient rainforest.

In this episode, Jennifer Flowers takes us along as she hikes through old and new forests in Bedwell River Valley and Ursus Valley, tastes bull kelp on a boat in Clayoquot Sound and encounters the traditions of the Ahousaht people who have sustained the forest for millennia.

Resources:

Read the full transcript of the episode.
Book a weekend at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge.
Explore our Canadian Hotels We Love list.
Follow Jenn on Instagram to see more great hotel content.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.

And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

These Three Women Travel Solo With Confidence (Now You Can Too). Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

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 best places to visit solo to how to make plans for unexpected hiccups— in this episode of Unpacked by Afar, audio engineer and solo traveler Nicolle Gatleland chats with Pamela Holt, the host of TV Show, Me, Myself and the World: The Art of Solo Travel, and Bonderman Travel Fellowship advisor, Brook Kelly, to give you the tools to safely enjoy traveling alone.

Going Solo, But Not Alone.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How to conquer common fears and feel safe while traveling alone.
Tools to embrace the benefits of a solo trip and connect with others.
Tips to ease the concerns of loved ones and translate your experiences.

When Women Embrace Solo Travel.

Don’t miss these memorable moments:

[02:13] 80 countries by age 50. The origins of a solo travel evangelist.

[12:06] French fries, new friends and avoiding arrest in Russia.

[40:32] Overcoming self (and parental) doubts about the safety of solo travel.

Feeling Nervous About Traveling Solo?

At age 23, Afar audio engineer, Nikki Galteland, traveled solo for 8 months with The Bonderman Travel Fellowship. Her advisor, Brook Kelly, continues to help hundreds take safe and meaningful solo trips. She shares how to prepare for the unexpected, ease the concerns of loved ones and get the most of a solo trip.

In this episode, Nikki also interviews Pamela Holt, the host of Me, Myself and the World: The Art of Solo Travel, who vowed to visit 80 countries by the time she was 50 (mostly solo). She shares anecdotes and advice to help you overcome barriers, connect with others and embrace the joy of solo travel.

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode.
Explore more Afar content for solo travelers—from the best places to go solo to how to make friends on a solo trip.
Need help getting travel insurance? We got you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Afar, a Retrospective: Comedian Negin Farsad Makes Kansas City Laugh—And A Little Uncomfortable Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

We sent Fake the Nation host and comedian, Negin Farsad, on a last-minute trip to America’s Heartland, aka Kansas City, Missouri. The author of How To Make White People Laugh, is six months pregnant and doing stand up in a comedy club that hasn’t had a woman on stage in five weeks.

From waddling on the “wrong side of town” to sharing her experiences as an Iranian-American Muslim in an interracial relationship—she moves past the pleasantries of ribs and fountains and glimpses the heart of Kansas City.

They Stared At Me While I Waddled.

In this episode, discover:

How a New Yorker walks her way through Kansas City sights.
A comedy set that parallels a tourist’s experience of the city.
The ways race and segregation in Kansas mirror the rest of the country .

“Dirty, Hungry Comedy Eyes.”

Don’t miss these transformative travel moments:

[3:45] A traveler’s comedy set: Six months’ pregnant and sightseeing.

[8:00] The “wrong side of town” and leaning into the uncomfortable.

[11:22] Kansas City, united by “sincere booty shaking.”

Resources

• Read Negin's original story.

• Read this Afar story by Negin about a magic mushroom retreat

• Explore Negin's other work.

• Follow Negin on X.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m a Polyglot—These Are the Secrets to Learning New Languages Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

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 overcoming barriers and connecting with locals through language learning. From how learning 10 phrases led to being treated like family, to learning Spanish by playing volleyball— she shares the secrets to having deeper travel experiences through language learning.

Learn a Language, Unlock a Culture.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Responses for when you’re in a sticky language misunderstanding.
The ways that language learning can enrich your travels—and your character.
How to set realistic goals and take steps toward fluency.

Language: A Cultural Currency of Appreciation.

Don’t miss these memorable moments:

[2:36] Becoming your full self and how culture shapes you.

[5:20] Don’t sweat the small stuff: Tips for speaking with confidence.

[16:27] The many benefits of embracing a new language.

[21:46] Love Is Blind and other avenues to success.

Tell Me: How Do People Really Speak?

Noel is a German polyglot — she speaks English, French, Spanish and Italian fluently and is currently learning Dutch and Brazilian Portuguese. Follow her tips to ditch the flashcards and make real-life connections with even the smallest amount of language knowledge.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to have more authentic travel experiences through language learning. Whether your goal is to order gelato or gain a better understanding of culture, follow these tips to set attainable goals and speak with confidence as soon as you land.

Resources

Learn from Noël at Babbel. *Afar listeners can use code 1432288 to get 55 percent off a lifetime subscription.*
Read the transcript of this episode.
Explore more Afar content for language learners:

The Easiest Languages for English Speakers to Learn.

Why We Shouldn’t Always Use Translation Apps When We Travel.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Spontaneous (Travel!) Story of How Afar Came to Be Sep 12, 2024

Show notes

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, they reflect on what they’ve learned by helping people travel deeper. From the spontaneous trips that honed the company’s values to how they’ve helped shape the travel industry, get an inside look into the transformative power of rallying around travel as a force for good.

But, How Many Kitchen Tables Have You Visited?

In this episode, discover:

How Afar helped pave the way for “experiential travel.”

The origin and impact of Learning Afar, which gives students access to travel.

How you can continue to shape travel as a force for good in the world.

Going Home with a Rickshaw Driver.

Don’t miss these memorable moments:

[2:03] It started without a plan—or luggage.

[14:55] The first step: transformative travel education.

[25:15] Spin the globe and other stories that have impacted them the most.

[37:49] A trip to Cairo that led to a surgeon’s debut on The Daily Show.

[45:15] A friendly debate on travel practices—from packing to plane rides.

The Transformative Power of Teachers Turned Travelers.

Greg Sullivan and Joe Diaz met in the classroom, so when they traveled to India and found a deeper way to travel, they had to share that with others. In this lighthearted conversation, they share the spontaneous travel stories that have impacted the industry and continue to sustain Afar 15 years later.

In this episode you’ll learn how Afar went from an idea to a multi-faceted media company, how they’ve pivoted over time to hone their impact on the world and how you can travel in a more conscious and connected way.

Resources

• Explore Afar’s 15-year anniversary hub of favorite stories, including:

A Skeptic Visits the Holy Waters of Lourdes.

What It’s Like to Navigate Cairo’s Chaos as a Blind Traveler.

• Read the transcript of this episode.

• Listen to the podcast episodes mentioned in this episode:

A Blind Man’s Trip Will Change the Way You Go on Safari.

A Blind Surfer Takes On Kauai’s Legendary Waves.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Afar, A Retrospective: A Blind Man's Trip Will Change The Way You Go On Safari Sep 11, 2024

Show notes

How can you have the best experience on a safari? Seeing might not be as crucial as you think. Travel with AFAR contributing writer, Ryan Knighton, who lost his sight years ago, as he tastes, feels, smells and hears his way through the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe.

A Sensory Connection with Zimbabwe’s Natural Ecosystem

In this episode, discover:

What it’s like to go on safari in Zimbabwe

How to plan your best safari trip—beyond sightseeing

How a luxury safari can deepen your travel experience.

You Can Do Better Than A Lion Photo On Your Next Safari

Don’t miss these transformative travel moments:

[2:44] A tight grip and a close call with an elephant

[5:11] A leafy tasting near Singita’s Pashamusa Lodge

[8:52] Ryan follows his nose and meets a kindred rhino

[9:57] The unforgettable sounds of survival

Resources

• Explore the 20 Best African Safari Camps

• Read the full story that Ryan wrote for Afar magazine.

• Follow Ryan on X.

• Check out Ryan's other work.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Time to Reclaim the "Tourist" Label Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

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, the problems with tourism go deeper than that. Enter "The New Tourist" by journalist Paige McClanahan, a thoughtful invitation to engage with the issues facing travel—and the solutions. In today's episode, host Aislyn Greene chats with Paige about the lack of government regulation that turned tourism in Barcelona into a nightmare, the power (and peril) of social media, and what Paige means by “the new tourist.”

In this episode, discover:

Tourist hot spots around the world and how they've made tourism work for them (or not)

Why government regulation is more important than we think.

What the "new tourist" looks like—and tips for embracing the new ethos.

Meet this week’s guest