AFAR Search

Beyond the Northern Lights: Stepping Into Finland’s Evolving Sámi Culture

For many, the thought of Finnish Lapland conjures images of reindeer and ancient traditions, but Europe’s oldest living indigenous culture is far from frozen in time.

September 3, 2019 07:30 PM

·

Jill K. Robinson

Festivals + Events

The Scottish Viking Fire Festival You Need to See to Believe

Blazing bonfires and costume-clad crowds bring the midwinter heat at this highly eccentric annual festival in the Northern Isles.

January 31, 2019 02:57 PM

·

Sarah Buder

Hotels

Urban Cowboy Lodge Is the Escape We All Need Right Now

The Catskills hotel reopens on June 4 with outdoor activities, a surplus of nature, and a Roberta’s pizza stand on the lawn.

May 29, 2020 04:26 PM

·

Sunshine Flint

What Travelers Need to Know About the Ongoing Paris Riots

On its anniversary, the Yellow Vest protests against a gas tax and French President Emmanuel Macron turned violent once again in 2019.

November 17, 2019 01:20 PM

·

Lyndsey Matthews

Art + Culture

What It Means to Be American

Author Abdi Nor Iftin on gaining U.S. citizenship, writing his memoir “Call Me American,” and what he misses most about Somalia.

October 27, 2020 02:48 PM

·

Katherine LaGrave

Restaurants + Cafés

Why Is It So Hard to Find New Nordic Cuisine in Oslo?

Writer Alan Richman has won 16 James Beard Awards for his food writing and eaten in the world’s finest restaurants, but he’d never been to Norway⎯until AFAR sent him with 24 hours’ notice.

April 12, 2017 01:33 PM

·

Alan Richman

Travel Tips + Etiquette

The Easiest Languages for English Speakers to Learn

A linguistics expert chimes in on which languages are the most manageable for English speakers to master and shares her personal tips for successfully taking up a new tongue.

August 29, 2019 10:11 PM

·

Meredith Heil

Epic Trips

The Benefits of Private Jet Travel

Save (lots of) time and see (much) more by flying with TCS World Travel.

Sponsored by TCS World Travel

Holiday Travel

The Dos and Don’ts of Gift-Giving Around the World

What should you do when someone refuses a gift in Japan? And what colors should you use when wrapping a gift in Italy? We’ve got the answers.

December 7, 2017 05:26 PM

·

Chris Ciolli

Packing Tips + Gear

Please Stop Packing Your Dirty Shoes With Clean Clothes

I never pack without using travel shoe bags and here’s why you shouldn’t either.

January 27, 2020 01:32 PM

·

Lyndsey Matthews

Food + Drink

The True Tale of Mexico City’s Most Delectable Street Food Snack

Tacos al pastor are a serious source of pride in Mexico’s capital. Here’s what you need to know to track down the tastiest tacos on your next trip—plus how to create them at home.

December 5, 2017 07:00 PM

·

Francine Prose

Epic Trips

Lavish African Safaris That’ll Give You Your Money’s Worth (and More)

These high-end safari experiences don’t skimp on luxury, yet come jam-packed with value.

June 4, 2018 05:39 PM

·

Jane Broughton

Beer, Wine, + Spirits

The Adventurous Drinker’s Guide to Belgian Beers

The journey of a thousand Belgian beers starts with a single sup.

June 8, 2020 06:58 PM

·

Tim Chester

People

A French Twist: Robert and Nadège Pellegatta, Hotel Owners

January 26, 2017 02:18 PM

Art + Architecture

Behind the Scenes at the Vatican’s Hidden Mosaic Studio

In a tucked-away workshop restricted from the crowds of Vatican City, highly skilled artisans painstakingly preserve and create traditional Italian artworks.

May 29, 2019 06:33 PM

·

Lindsay Lambert

Search results for