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Vero Beach is somewhat off the tourism radar. (Those in the know may like to keep it so.) Vero attracts travelers with its golf courses, beaches and a luxury vibe, coupled with an Old Florida feel. Spend a few days at the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, and its understated elegance and sense of community will begin to lull you in more deeply. The friendly staff—from the concierge to the desk, valet and housekeeping—offers professional service with genuine warmth. Their local tips and knowledge are gold. The hotel is luxurious yet cozy, from the refined pool to the beachfront fire pit to the comfy “living room,” where guests are invited to enjoy morning coffee or tea and a wine happy hour. Get social--chat with the staff, and share stories with other guests. This same character is found in the spacious suites, with details like robes with zebra stripping, a yoga mat, and Caribbean-style wooden sliders that open to large balconies overlooking the beach or pool. In the morning, wake up to a sunrise amidst a pink and periwinkle sky. At night, fall asleep to the rhythmic lapping of ocean waves on the shore. Hotel amenities include the well-appointed White Orchid Spa, Heaton’s Reef poolside bar, the stylish Cobalt restaurant, as well as a secluded hot tub, a gym, a boutique and a fountain-rimmed, azure pool. The hotel’s location on Ocean Drive is steps away from the beach, shops and restaurants. The hotel is perfect for travelers seeking a winter getaway, a weekend escape or a romantic destination.

There’s only one way to make this journey--by narrow gauge railroad, pulled by a vintage steam locomotive. This is a truly iconic experience in the southwest of the state, and one of the ways to feel the full grandeur of the San Juan Mountains. You board the train in the morning at the depot in Durango, just as passengers have been doing since 1882! The trip takes about 3.5 hours and you can either ride the same train back, or opt for the one-hour bus ride down Highway 550. There are a number of cars and classes to choose from, from standard coach to the Knight Sky, an all-glass carriage in First Class that allows views up the stunning canyons (and not just their passing walls). Tickets start at $85.

This week on Travel Tales by Afar, we venture into a remote area of Nunavik, Québec to meet the people who are reviving their roots.

November 19, 2025 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

In this episode of Unpacked, we go inside the movement to return national park land to its original stewards: Native Americans.

Learn more about Puerto Rico through its creativity and rich heritage, from street art to world-renowned paintings and more.

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.

Enjoy James Beard Award–winning restaurants and internationally renowned art without the crowds.

Read articles from this print issue of Afar Magazine.

November 19, 2025 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Read articles from this print issue of Afar Magazine.

On this episode of Unpacked: Live, host Aislyn Greene talks with artist and naturalist Obi Kaufmann, who has spent decades mapping California’s landscapes—and why he believes the state’s infinite beauty is only just beginning to reveal itself.

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.

Swap the well-traveled sites for cozy stays, rugged shoreline, and waterfalls along Lake Superior’s North Shore.