AFAR's plans have generated lots of fan mail from experiential travelers. Below is a sampling.
If you like what we're doing, please send a note using our Contact Us form. You can also let us know what you think by becoming a fan of AFAR's Facebook page .
November/December 2009
I really enjoyed your premier issue of AFAR. As someone who has traveled and lived in foreign countries by hitchhiking and living & working with the local people, I can really appreciate all the unique tidbits of your magazine. The way you portray the areas and people are interesting and approachable, unlike many travel magazines that make it sound like you need thousands of dollars and to be fabulously wealthy just to get anywhere (which you don't, by the way). Thank you so much for your publication, it really helps keep my wanderlust at bay until I can get to the next place!
Rajam Roose
Just wanted to let you know I loved the first issue: just what I've been looking for in a travel magazine and unique in that it's about more than just dumping a load of money someplace so that you'll be protected from the local people and culture. Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Bill
From the moment, I laid eyes on AFAR I knew I was in for a treat. A real hearty intellectual treat, to feed my wanderlust… FINALLY a travel magazine with substance. What a novel idea! Your magazine is meat for my hungry adventurous soul, sustenance for the weary traveler, not a catalog book of mindless endorsements advertising soulless accommodations. Personally, I am SO tired of these ‘alleged ‘travel magazines which are mere picture books for adults with a passport. Scattered with the occasional fluff vanity pieces, that seem to showcase the author’s personal preferences more so than the destination they were sent to explore. Tell me, how does one ‘explore’ a region, while ordering room service in a plush Egyptian cotton bathrobe at the Four Seasons? My journey with AFAR started with a simple trip to a newsstand, and ended with me opened to a new approach to world travel. That day I merely wanted something to read, I found something to nurture my mind’s eye. I thank you.
Andrea Nachele
A fellow writer recently told me about your magazine. As a full-time traveler since November of 2008, a writer and blogger, I am am very impressed with your break-away idea. Personally, my husband and I fit your demographic (35 and 38 year old nomads traveling the world) and we strive for authentic travel experiences. We have judged Indonesian high school english debate competitions, taken cooking lessons from a Moroccan Dada, shared homemade Vietnamese rice wine with a hill tribe family, and are on our way to South America to live with a Cusco family volunteering and working on our Spanish. Thank you and best of luck with the new magazine.
Cindy Petersen
Afar, I picked up your magazing on a whim in a Borders while taking a break from studying for a chiropractic exam. I was drawn to your magazine because of the cover, and because it seemed different from the "typical" travel magazines out there (national geographic etc...). Your magazine didn't seem geared toward the wealthy traveler nor did it provide the same posh ideas to do while you travel. I loved the short pieces on random places (my favorite being Gothenberg, Sweden) with the pictures to match. It wasn't renting some fancy car, staying in 5 star restaurants, and living the high life. I also enjoyed the articles on Morocco and the boulangerie in Paris. I myself am 26 years old now, and have been to Europe 4 times, backpacking twice, as far west as Ireland and as far east as in between, with my favorite city being Belgrade, Serbia and Barcelona, Spain (pretty opposite!). I felt in a way I relived this experience when reading your magazine, despite not having ever been to the places you describe. The impression your first issue left in me, prompted me to subscribe. I am anxiously awaiting the second article, as your magazine provides an escape from everyday life. However, I happened to stumble to the "market audience" on your website to find its 35-55 making $160,000. I know this isn't intended for readers to use, but I hope you continue to keep in mind the young, practical traveler and don't go the way of other "travel" magazines with fancy hotel advertisements and expensive excursions, and keep in mind that backpacker who is setting off to Europe to find himself, to explore a new world, which so many of his friends never get to experience and don't even believe exists. Your first issue was fantastic, and I can't wait for the second! Keep up the good work, and keep the practical traveler in mind! Boa Sorte!
Tim Warner
The concept of experimental travel is exactly how I like to travel. This magazine captivates me. The whole AFAR idea, with social network and sharing stories, REAL travel books and travel TV is something that has been needed. I really believe in this idea. Thanks.
David Jedd
September/October 2009
Finally a travel magazine with articles! Unlike most other that tells you where to go and how much it costs, AFAR magazine actually tells you about the place in more than just a couple of sentences. I am especially fond of the connect section. By far my favorite, it gives the opinion from real people, not just journalists who get their paycheck from writing such articles. AFAR is a breath of fresh air that can teach future magazines valuable lessons about style and content, keep 'em coming.
Grant Loftesnes, NYC
I happened across your magazine today in Barnes and Noble. I was drawn to the cover image, having recently been in Morocco on a travel/study course. I am an avid traveler, an elementary school teacher, and a museum educator. I am happy to see this type of magazine enter the market and I'm excited to see what comes next!
AMR, CA
I just finished reading the first issue of Afar the other day and wanted to say that I think it's an absolutely fabulous magazine! It really lived up to the hype :) I felt that the world really was represented in the issue and everything I read was a "real" story I could relate to or feel as though I'd had the experience. The magazine is put together well visually and you have great writers and photographers contributing their talents. I am very much looking forward to receiving the next issue!
Emma Clayton
Dear AFAR team, My first thought picking up your magazine was "Who in their right mind would start a magazine, let alone a travel one, when all you hear about is declining circulation and the death of traditional print media?" And then I started reading. The features in AFAR are travel writing at its best. Indeed, its not typical "travel writing" because its not all about going someplace, its about connecting with whatever people and environment you happen to be in at that moment. I especially liked two features: the local take on the London Columbia Road neighborhood and the Nomad piece, interviewing a modern traveler. They are two pieces that illustrate interacting with our world can be done in a variety of ways, often ones that are complete opposites. I look forward to the next edition.
Claire, Munich, Germany
I love your Magazine, your Vision, and your Goals. I think this is exactly what our world needs. Especially our youth! I have been lucky enough to have amazing expireances on my travels and they have had such an impact on who I've become. Our youth today needs a chance to experience that as well. I truly believe that travel on a deeper level can help make them want to fight harder to help this world survive! Thank You so much!
Lindsey
I just received my Premier Issue of AFAR and want to congratulate you on this wonderful magazine. I read it from cover to cover and was left with so many wonderful impressions. What an exciting and beautiful world we live in! Thanks for making it accessible to so many more of us through your magazine. Especially interesting to me was your description of Pohoda on the Talk/In Translation page. I'm from Austria and this is exactly how I would describe our state of "Gemuetlichkeit". I wonder if more countries have a word for this "harmonious state of contentment" in their vocabulary? I can't think of one in English. Best wishes and lots of success.
Lisa Velazquez.
July/August 2009
Just began reading your first issue today. Wow, I am totally blown away. When I completed my three-year around-the-world trip in 1996, I felt like I was on a one-person mission to explain the joys of independent, inter-connected travel. Now I have a magazine that will even ILLUSTRATE it. If you promise not to sell my name & address to any other magazine, I'll be a lifelong supporter. Keep up the great work.
Delfino C, Seattle, WA
Congratulations on your new, inspirational magazine. The theme of your magazine is a dream come true. I believe for far too long, that there is an untapped community of travelers that want to plan unique travels that are an adventure but still safe and beyond the perfunctory tourism. I look forward to each new issue to see what unfolds.
Danny Moore, Northern VA
I just wanted to send a word of thanks to the founders, editors, writers, photographers, and everyone else who works on the Afar team. I've loved this magazine since its very first issue. The quality and subject of your articles is like no other magazine. I look forward to buying my copy, regularly. In fact, its inspired full-immersion travel, as well as writing and photographic hobbies (and lifestyle!) for me. Coping with Lupus, and being one of the many laid-off, I find this magazine to be a source of hope and inspiration. It's one world with common issues and common beauty. Somehow that helps me feel less alone and more passionate about the world we share, regardless of economic climate or personal woes. One day I'll be able to get out again and see some of that beauty first hand. A big thanks to everyone who puts their time, talent, energy and spirit into this magazine. You are more appreciated than you know.
Veda Taylor, Woodbridge VA
It's about time! I am very excited for AFAR. You will open the eyes of the average traveler, push them to look deeper, to take their time and experience the world around them. Most importantly, encourage them to interact with locals and other travelers, making connections with people is the most exciting adventure of travel. Good luck!
Jenny, Los Angeles, CA
Dear Greg Sullivan, Congratulations! There aren't many travel magazines that I truly enjoy reading (although I write for many of them), but you "get it," and I loved AFAR. Not only that, you delivered on the mission you promised . A great issue and I look forward to many more.
Anonymous, NYC
May/June 2009
AFAR looks amazing. You are on to something here. If you knew how many times I have told experiential travel stories about trips to local places that I have been taken to - taken by locals to the real culture. Those have been some of my best travel times. Like happening to be visiting a factory in remote Alsace during the white Asparagus harvest and festival, or being taken to a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that was in what used to be a laundromat with ancient angled stone washing stations dating back to Leonardo in Milan. Not very touristy, but hey - you get it.
Jeff Cronk, Dallas, TX
Fantastic concept. I travel very little but when I do I prefer to visit with the people rather than follow the tourist trail. This past summer when we hit the port at Prince Rupert, Canada I actually went to town and ended up going to the city dump with a resident - to see the largest gathering of bald eagles ever. Not too many can claim to have done that.
Mark Norman, Atlanta GA
The website looks interesting and effective, particularly the chance to chat with others about remote areas and their finds. For example, my husband and I are taking off to explore some more remote parts of Japan by train on our own and would love to chat with those who have done the same…your favorite hot spring, ryokan etc...
Nancy Mohr, Woodside, CA
Love your new venture, think it's a great idea even for those inexperienced travelers like myself who could use direction from your experiences.
Roberto Acosta, Phoenix, AZ
My goal in life since I was in high school has been to discover the various ways of ‘doing life’ around the world. I thought to do this you should live in each place for a couple of years. My thought was that this would be the best way to really know and understand a culture (I thought you’d end up to be a pretty terrific person after doing this for twenty or thirty years) Obviously I was a bit unrealistic. And obviously I have come nowhere near my goal. But maybe your magazine is what can lead people just a little bit closer to seeing and appreciating all the different and valid ways to approach life. Perhaps it can lead people to travel for this very valid reason alone.
Amy Cardello, Denver, CO
We like to spend a week or so per spot, become as “localized’ as possible in that brief a period. Bosnia, for example, was an unbelievable contrast to the vibrancy of Dubrovnik…grey, despotic, still showing the effect of the war…but it resonated because we had experienced Dubro. It was uncanny to go just over the border into Bosnia and see the spot where the Serbs had shelled the harbor at Dubrovnik, and to think that all this was not that long ago. Someone said travel makes time last longer. Totally agree.
Christopher Jennings, Los Angeles, CA
Just wanted to drop you a line and say that I think what you’re doing with Afar is fantastic. I believe the world needs more avenues to help individuals around the world connect on a personal level, and the idea of fostering experiential travel is a great way to do that. I too am a former attorney, having spent three years doing private equity and securities work for an LA-based firm in Washington, DC. Ultimately, however, I knew my passion was elsewhere. I had always loved to travel, oftentimes to exotic locations, but not to just go to the beach. I made it my goal to connect with the people wherever I traveled. I am lucky enough to have had the opportunity to travel to, among others: Greenland with my brother, where we were taken in by a local family for two days because we looked bedraggled after a week of hiking, to Pakistan, where I climbed mountains and met many, many locals, to Sweden, where I lived with a host family (who have become like a second family to me) , and all over Southern and Eastern Africa (after studying abroad for 6 months in South Africa), meeting locals, eating local foods and learning about their cultures. All of these experiences taught me that there is so much more to traveling than merely seeing the cathedral in the guidebook or visiting the ruins on the outskirts of town.
I’m glad I had these experiences early in my life, because once I became a lawyer my time for that type of travel was whittled down substantially. After a couple of years I knew I wanted something more, and so I went to business school (where I am now) with the hopes of someday starting my own travel company. Having no real business experience I’m looking to do consulting post-graduation and will be working for a large consulting firm this summer, all in the hopes of gaining the business experience I think I’ll need. Ultimately, it is the type of travel you all at Afar are promoting that I believe most people would enjoy the most and get the most out of, but unfortunately, most people don’t know how or are afraid to engage in such experiential travel. That’s why I think what you all are doing is so great. If people from the United States and other countries begin to travel and interact with individuals from around the world during their travels, cross-cultural understanding will be improved to an incredible degree and ever global citizen will benefit.
Honestly, seeing what you all are doing has given me the confidence that there is an opportunity out there for me to do what I want to ultimately do with my life and promote the engagement of individuals around the world.
Thanks again, and best of luck over the coming months. I’m looking forward to subscribing.
Nate Wilhite, Chicago, IL
I've been reading about AFAR and really look forward to checking it out. I can't think of a better way to expand our minds and open our hearts (and in the process, increase the odds of dealing with many of the world's problems) than international travel. I frankly think it should be a college requirement (and mandatory for political candidates). With a young daughter, the experiential component of my travel has been somewhat diminished lately, but I imagine AFAR will be both an inspiration and a temporary substitute.
Ken Ebanks, San Francisco,CA
Experiential travel is so different from tourism, I learned more about the world, culture, and myself by living outside of the US than I did at any other time. I've spent time in a small Romanian village where we were the first and only Americans they had ever met. Experiences like that change you. Good luck in your new venture, I look forward to seeing it evolve.
Clark Simpson, Norfolk
