AFAR Search

Longreads

For decades, some people have held fast to the belief that the hometown of the holiday icon is in northern Finland—not the North Pole.

December 14, 2021 10:26 AM

·

Katherine LaGrave

two people in traditional Canadian indigenous clothing standing with their backs to the camera while looking at a bridge across a river in a city

Travel for Good

9 Inspiring Companies Changing the Way We Travel: Afar’s 2024 Travel Vanguard

In our annual Travel Vanguard awards, Afar honors nine companies that in 2024 have been working to improve the world and how travelers experience it.

December 16, 2024 11:18 AM

·

Ellen Carpenter

Museums + Galleries

Norway’s Next Architectural Masterpiece Is a Whale-Watching Museum in the Arctic Circle

The curved structure will resemble a giant rock rising from the shores of Andøya, a northern Norwegian island that’s considered one of the world’s best places to spot migrating whales.

December 30, 2020 12:36 PM

·

Sarah Buder

Loin of Highland Venison, Faggot & Parsnip from Mount St. Restaurant on a plate.

Food + Drink

8 Can’t-Miss Restaurants in London Right Now

London’s dining scene is having a golden moment.

May 3, 2023 11:19 PM

·

Dan Koday

California’s Stunning “Field of Light” Is Back

Bruce Munro’s popular light installation is once again on view in Paso Robles—this time, until September 5, 2022

March 11, 2022 04:42 PM

·

Katherine LaGrave

Air Travel News

The Best U.S. Flight Deals for 2021—and When to Book

There’s no shame in deciding on a trip because you scored a good airfare deal. (We do it all the time.) These 10 domestic destinations are your best bets for cheap flights this year.

July 23, 2021 07:18 PM

·

Michelle Baran

Outdoor Adventure

7 Must-Visit Places in Alberta, Canada

From expansive national parks to lively cities, the Canadian province will keep you busy for days.

December 8, 2021 02:34 PM

·

Anna Haines

Hikers at a summit overlooking mountains and a valley with a sunset silhouetted against a vibrant desert sky in Tucson.

Outdoor Adventure

6 Adventures You Can Only Have in Tucson’s Sonoran Desert

Discover epic hikes, scenic drives, and wildlife encounters in Arizona’s backyard.

Sponsored by Visit Tucson

kayakers enjoying summer heat on Lady Bird Lake with crowds of people below on the water Austin Texas USA downtown skyline cityscape at sunset 2019

Outdoor Adventure

I’ve Been a Kayak Guide for 27 Years—Here’s Why It’s the Best Way to See a Big City

Tour these U.S. cities by kayak for a fresh perspective.

March 20, 2025 10:54 AM

·

Jill K. Robinson

Tips + News

The Highest Outdoor Observation Deck in the Western Hemisphere Is Now Open

The “Edge” in New York City’s Hudson Yards real estate development opened to the public on March 11. Here’s why it’s worth visiting.

March 11, 2020 06:05 PM

·

Lyndsey Matthews

Weekend Getaways

Why Oceanside Is a Great Coastal Retreat a Quick Train Ride From L.A.

South of L.A., north of San Diego, right by Legoland, and on the Amtrak line—Oceanside is perfectly positioned for a weekend getaway on the coast.

August 13, 2021 02:35 PM

·

Tim Chester

Want to Get Global Entry Fast? Here’s How to Speed Up the Process

Visas + Passports

The Secret Way to Get Global Entry Fast

There are currently long waits for Global Entry interviews. But there’s a secret way to cut the line.

September 15, 2023 08:25 AM

·

Tim Chester

Visitors stand at the top of a mountain overlooking stunning fjords, islands, and a quaint village in the Lofoten archipelago. Couple hiking the Reinebringen mountain Lofoten Norway

Hiking + Cycling

21 Beautiful Hikes Around the World You Should Do in Your Lifetime

Some of these hikes are well known, some underrated. All are Afar tested and approved, bringing you closer to the Earth.

May 19, 2026 05:23 PM

Longreads

Hitchhiking Along the U.S.-Mexico Border

In this excerpt, a French writer heads to the U.S.-Mexico border for a road trip and recounts the characters he meets along the way.

November 2, 2020 11:09 AM

·

Sylvain Prudhomme

Stay Here Next

I Swapped NYC Subway Delays for Saddles at This New Catskills Ranch

At Driftwood Ranch Resort in the Catskills, Western-style charm pairs with mountain air and outdoor adventures.

September 1, 2025 11:53 AM

·

Susan Portnoy

Search results for