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Every Thursday on Unpacked by Afar, we tackle a new tricky topic in travel. Because the travel world is complicated. We’re here to help you unpack it.
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Episodes
On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene goes behind the scenes of the Castro Theatre’s $41 million renovation and finds that bringing an icon back to life means honoring everything it survived to get here.
On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene talks with author Patrick Bixby—and discovers that the little book in your drawer is far more loaded, and far more recent, than you ever imagined.
On this Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene sits down with Stanford circadian researcher Dr. Jamie Zeitzer and Flykitt founder Andrew Herr to find out why jet lag doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of travel.
On this episode of Unpacked: Off the Tourist Trail, Blane Bachelor shares her insider tips on navigating overtourism, cycling like a local, and finding the city’s quieter, more authentic side.
On this episode of Unpacked, Afar deputy editor Michelle Baran and editorial director Billie Cohen get candid about the state of travel in 2026: why airline loyalty isn’t so loyal anymore, whether your premium credit card still earns its keep, and the destinations they’d book right now before the crowds catch on.
On this episode of Unpacked, Five Questions, food writer Lisa Abend road trips through northern Spain to discover how Michelin-starred chefs are breathing new life into the country’s emptying villages.
On this episode of Unpacked: Where to Go, Bianca Bujan introduces us to Saba, a five‑square‑mile Dutch Caribbean island where lush mountains replace beaches, gingerbread‑style houses dot steep cliffs, and outdoor adventure rules the day. She covers how to get there, the best hikes and dives, and local food and culture.
On this episode of Unpacked: Where to Go, Nick DeRenzo shares tips for exploring Stratford and the East Bank cultural quarter, including where to eat, where to stay, and the new museums and venues reshaping East London in 2026.
On this episode of Unpacked: Where to Go, Aislyn Greene talks Adelaide. A city that punches above its weight. Unpack why South Australia’s capital is a must‑visit: from Barossa and McLaren Vale wines to fresh Eyre Peninsula seafood, the newly opened Aboriginal cultural center, and festivals that transform the city.
On this episode of Unpacked: Where to Go, Nora Walsh makes the case for Fort Worth as Texas’s most unexpectedly charming city. She shares why the Stockyards and Billy Bob’s still matter, how Museum Mile delivers world‑class art, what’s coming with the Juneteenth museum, and the neighborhood spots—boutiques, bars, and boot shops—that give the city its personality.
On this episode of Unpacked: Where to Go, Liz Provencher walks listeners through Da Nang’s mix of urban energy and coastal nature—from morning bowls of turmeric noodle soup and fresh seafood at night markets to hikes in one of Vietnam’s last coastal rainforests, day trips to UNESCO‑listed Hoi An, and the new hotels and routes putting Da Nang on the map.
On this episode of Unpacked: Where to Go, Aislyn Greene is joined by Kathryn Romeyn to talk about Penang’s UNESCO‑listed George Town, from hawker‑stall laksa and Peranakan kitchens to weekend art markets, street murals, Penang Hill hikes, and new boutique hotels; they share tips on timing, etiquette, and how to experience the island like a resident.
On this episode of Where to Go, Aislyn Green and Zoe Baillargeon uncover new ways to experience the Columbia River Gorge—from restored historic trails and Mitchell Point tunnels to biodynamic wineries, seasonal glamping, and revitalized hot springs—with practical tips for respectful travel.
On this episode of Unpacked: Where to Go, Aislyn Greene speaks about Laikipia with Alexandra Owens to uncover a conservation‑led safari model where visitors see wildlife with fewer vehicles and stronger community benefits.
On this episode of Where to Go, Aislyn Greene speaks about Menton with Jenn Rice to uncover the lemon groves, three‑star dining, and seaside charm that make this Riviera town a top pick for 2026.
On this episode of Where to Go, Aislyn Greene talks about Birmingham with native Jenny Adams, uncovering the restaurants, parks, and history that make this three‑hour escape from Nashville a must‑visit.
On this episode of Where to Go, Aislyn Greene and Yulia Denisyuk talk about Rabat’s festivals, food, and history, plus practical tips for planning a visit.
On this episode of Where to Go, Aislyn Greene speaks with Matt Kirouac about Albuquerque’s neighborhoods, Route 66 lore, and local favorites, and tips for visitors who want to stay longer.
On this episode of Where to Go, Aislyn Greene talks with Katherine LaGrave about navigating Sweden’s Stockholm Archipelago: ferry logistics, sauna rituals, island bakeries, and how to plan a restorative multi‑island hiking itinerary.
On this episode of Where to Go, Aislyn Greene talks to Mark Johanson about Arequipa—the White City’s luminous sillar architecture, its fiery picantería food culture, and the deep canyons and new safari‑style camps reshaping southern Peru travel.
On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene explores Eleuthera with travel writer Terry Ward and discovers a Bahamas island full of surprises—far from the crowds of Nassau.
On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene travels to Charleston to explore the city’s world-class venues—from America’s first dedicated theater to a stunning apricot-colored concert hall—and meets the people bringing opera, dance, jazz, and theater to life in the Lowcountry.
On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene walks Charleston’s legendary King Street and discovers how family businesses and local makers are keeping the city’s retail heritage alive—one handcrafted treasure at a time.
On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene travels to Charleston and discovers how a 150-year-old dinner party, presidential soup, and 30 ways to make shrimp and grits tell the story of America’s most flavorful city.
As part of our inaugural Unpacked Live event, host Aislyn Greene learns how chef Christina Lonewolf Martinez blends family stories, Indigenous foraging, and fine‑dining technique to re-imagine regional food.
As part of our inaugural Unpacked Live event, host Aislyn Greene talks with Hoopa Valley tribal member and river guide John Acuna about the healing power of rivers, the historic Klamath dam removals, and his organization’s work reconnecting Indigenous youth to their waterways.
On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene travels to Charleston and discovers how the city’s soul lives in its tidal creeks, not just in its historic streets.
On this Unpacked: Five Questions episode, Ryan Knighton reflects on traveling Peru as a blind writer: the Amazon’s orchestral nights, high canopy rope bridges, tactile Incan counting systems, and how group travel rewired his sense of place.
On this Unpacked: Five Questions episode, writer Chris Colin describes traveling Botswana by bike with his family — from close-up animal moments and a surprising encounter with an antlion to salt-pan nights and a near-miss with a massive cobra—and explains how slowing down and local guides transform a safari into an unforgettable, family-friendly journey.
On this Unpacked, Five Questions, Emma John visits Door County, Wisconsin, and uncovers friendly communities, surprising wineries, Cedarburg’s antique shops, and Washington Island’s old‑time music tradition.