AFAR Search

La Belle Étoile: Why You Should Go Stargazing in France This Year

The pandemic saw a rise in Dark Sky Reserves opening across Europe. But no nation has done more to protect the nighttime stars than France.

October 21, 2022 07:08 PM

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Adam H. Graham

Outdoor Adventure

9 Unique Ways to Visit Alaska This Summer

Many cruises may be on hold, but from train journeys to cycling trips, beautiful lodges to intimate expedition vessels, there are still ample ways to explore the Last Frontier this year.

April 30, 2021 03:36 PM

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Susan B. Barnes

Food + Drink

In Grand Junction, Wine, Tacos, and Trails Await

Canyons and mesas surround western Colorado’s biggest city, where an influx of outdoorsy transplants is creating a thriving creative scene.

April 15, 2022 12:57 PM

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Kelly Bastone

orange sitting chairs and tables at the Brazil Advantage VIP Lounge in Belo Horizonte airport lounge

Air Travel News

This Is the World’s Best Priority Pass Lounge, According to Travelers

In a 2025 poll of travelers, Brazil earned the top spot for the first time, while Vienna, Mexico City, and Hong Kong won accolades too.

May 7, 2025 12:31 PM

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Paul Rubio

Rock formations at a beach, with turquoise and dark blue water in the foreground

Beaches

These 8 Beaches Have the Bluest Water in the World

Whether in Australia or the U.S. Virgin Islands, the water at these beaches is astoundingly blue.

January 13, 2025 02:31 AM

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Nicholas DeRenzo

A group of people on a guided tour of Hollyford Track in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

History + Culture

7 Meaningful Ways to Experience Māori Culture in New Zealand

Be it a haka dance or a guided hike, to experience Māori culture is to experience the best of Aotearoa.

December 21, 2023 01:26 PM

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Laura Dannen Redman

Kai Izumo sits on a remote clifftop facing a chain of rocky islets in the Sea Of Japan

Hotels We Love

You’ll Want to Stay at These Hotels in Japan Before They Get Too Hard to Book

Escape the crowds and discover a quieter Japan at these 12 hotels, from mountaintop ryokan to island hideaways.

April 11, 2025 04:58 PM

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Adam H. Graham

Outdoor Adventure

How My Autistic Kid Found Accessible Adventure—and Yours Can, Too

In our new series “Traveling on the Spectrum,” one family learns you don’t have to push pause on outdoor activities, thanks to U.S. adaptive recreation organizations.

July 7, 2023 10:26 AM

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Melinda Fulmer

In the Magazine

Is There an Ethical Way to Travel the World?

One of AFAR’s new Unpacked columnists discusses her desire to connect with nature through travel and to protect it.

April 12, 2022 03:49 PM

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Latria Graham

UNESCO World Heritage

UNESCO Adds 18 New Sites to Its World Network of Biosphere Reserves

The network now includes 701 protected nature reserves in 124 countries around the world.

June 19, 2019 07:08 PM

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Lyndsey Matthews

Aerial view of the coastal town of Eden, Australia, a green and rocky peninsula jutting out into a deep blue ocean

Cruise

Need a Quick Getaway? Book One of These Amazing 3-Night Cruises

Sometimes, we literally need to sail away for a few days.

July 12, 2024 05:01 PM

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Brittany Chrusciel

8 Meditation Retreats in the U.S. to Book Now

Health + Wellness

Find Your Zen, No Passport Required, at These 8 Meditation Retreats

You don’t need to go halfway around the world to escape from the stress of daily life.

July 9, 2025 02:09 PM

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Maggie Fuller

Natural Wonders

Why Madeira Is a Fantastic Long Getaway for Nature (and Food) Lovers

You don’t have to travel far to slow down and savor the scenic beauty and delicious cuisine of this lush Portuguese archipelago.

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