Search results for

On this week’s episode of Travel Tales by AFAR, a polar bear biologist shares her first encounter with the world’s largest land predator.

On this episode of Unpacked, we tune into the soul of modern music on the Mississippi Blues Trail.

On this week’s episode of Unpacked, we take an immersive trip to Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge and touch the roots of a 2,000-year-old rainforest.

Eat your way through D.C. with a four-day itinerary of top restaurants, food museums, markets, and unique stops like a zoo and a cookbook shop.

Spend a long weekend supporting Black businesses and diving into the Black community’s impact on Asheville.

Unwind in Myrtle Beach with coastal trails, spa days, and fresh sea air.

Petra flourished more than 2,000 years ago, trading with Rome as an equal before being abandoned after a series of earthquakes in the 4th and 6th centuries C.E. It wasn’t until the 19th century, when European explorers “rediscovered” it, that the ancient city returned to the public consciousness. Now, visitors can walk down the narrow canyon of the siq to the city entrance—as dramatic an approach as any to a tourist attraction on the planet. The canyon opens up onto the carved facade of the Treasury, Petra’s most iconic site. From there, you can explore the cliffside tombs with their colorful bands of sandstone, the Street of Facades, and the amphitheater hewn from living rock. The ancient center lies some distance off, along with the splendid old Monastery, which sits at the top of a steep but rewarding climb. Consider buying a three-day ticket and visiting at different times of day to enjoy the changing light—early in the morning is best for the Treasury, while late afternoon is better for the Royal Tombs.

The Inca Trail is perhaps the most famous trek in Peru. This is the road to Machu Picchu, an ancient route that leads from the Sacred Valley into the heart of the Andes. You must obtain a permit and hire an official guide in order to hike the Inca Trail proper. There are plenty of tour operators in Cusco that offer trips up to Machu Picchu, so you should definitely look at reviews before you choose. For better or for worse, the tours are all-inclusive. The local tour operators employ porters to carry your packs and set up a camp. A team of local chefs will prepare three meals a day, and many hikers come back raving about the delicious meals. Keep in mind that the trek can be tough, especially in the first few days. The trail is often narrow, and it flirts with formidable heights. The mountains in this part of the Andes can rise well over 13,000 feet, and many hikers find themselves suffering from altitude sickness. Make sure to take a few days (in Cusco or the Sacred Valley) to acclimatize before you begin the journey. Finally: make sure to plan ahead! The Peruvian government limits trail access to 500 people per day, including porters. This regulation protects the local ecosystem and the delicate ruins, and it ensures that the trail won’t be too crowded. However, it also means that permits for the peak summer season sell out months in advance. If you aren’t able to get a permit for the classic Inca Trail, never fear: there are various other trails that lead to Machu Picchu.

Try everything under the Southwestern sun, from fry bread to squid-ink tortillas and omakase sushi, with this six-day travel itinerary.

See the art, history, and neighborhoods most visitors miss.

Myrtle Beach is more than a beach getaway—it’s a rising star for seafood and local brews.

On this week’s episode of Travel Tales by AFAR, we travel to Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest, where one tour operator is saving this special place, one traveler at a time.

With accessible beaches, theaters, and restaurants, Myrtle Beach is for every traveler.

Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly itinerary or a route that hits the state’s most beautiful outdoor areas, here are 6 great road trip itineraries in Wyoming.

Chef Silver Iocovozzi, of James Beard Award-nominated Asheville restaurant Neng Jr.’s, recommends delights on and off the table during this 48-hour itinerary filled with the best of the city.