AFAR Search

Health + Wellness

7 Best Onsen to Visit for a Dip Into Japanese Hot Spring Culture

Travel to these places and try one of Japan’s most relaxing traditions.

May 9, 2023 10:58 PM

·

Burcu Basar

Outdoor Adventure

Free-Diving in Turks and Caicos Taught Me to Breathe, Not Just Hold My Breath

On the world’s most serene beaches, learning to dive without oxygen tanks becomes a meditation underwater and above land.

November 6, 2025 12:29 PM

·

Vanita Salisbury

Loading platform of air freight to the aircraft

Packing Tips + Gear

Want to Skip Checking a Bag? Use One of These Handy Companies That Ship Luggage

Sometimes, it’s easier to ship luggage instead of checking it. Here’s what you need to know about how it works, along with a list of the best luggage shipping companies.

December 17, 2024 07:59 AM

·

Bailey Berg

Dramatic evening light looking out across the Great Smoky Mountains from along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina

Off The Tourist Trail

Yes, You Can See USA’s Most Visited National Park Without Crowds—Here’s the Local Expert Guide

Fireflies and blue hills shine brighter with fewer people in the way.

October 30, 2025 02:53 PM

·

Olivia Young

Austin, Texas offers a wealth of things to do for people of all ages.

Cities We Love

The Top 10 Things You Need to Do in Austin, Texas

The capital of the Lone Star State knows how to have a good time.

August 5, 2022 11:53 AM

·

Mae Hamilton

Kurobe Gorge Railway, Kurobe, Toyama, Japan

Outdoor Adventure

Japan’s Fall Foliage Rivals Its Cherry Blossoms—Here Are 8 Beautiful Places to See It

Gorgeous leaves are everywhere in Japan, from the center of Tokyo to a lake backed by Mt. Fuji.

August 26, 2025 02:46 AM

·

Rob Goss

Cities We Love

A Local Chef Reveals His Perfect Day in Asheville, North Carolina

A chef-restaurateur who loves the city recommends a noteworthy hike, a hole-in-the-wall taqueria, and a honky tonk.

November 9, 2023 04:27 PM

·

Jenn Rice

Princeton, New Jersey / USA - September 10, 2017 : Some tourists standing in front of Princeton University Art Museum.

Weekend Getaways

The Perfect Weekend in Princeton Is All About Art Museums, Water Polo, and Some Seriously Good Food

In a town full of American and collegiate history, visitors can get a culture fix (and a great meal). Follow this guide from an in-the-know alum.

September 13, 2024 03:09 PM

·

Laura Dannen Redman

Travel Tips + Etiquette

The Best Travel Plan This Holiday Season: A Backup Plan

Amidst ever-changing COVID regulations and airline hiccups, it might be helpful to have a backup plan for your backup plan this year.

October 20, 2021 01:43 PM

Off The Tourist Trail

How to Experience Peru—and Even Machu Picchu—Without the Crowds

Explore lesser-known ruins, meet the people of the valleys, and skip the lines in Lima.

October 16, 2024 04:14 PM

·

Tim Chester

Books

28 Independent Bookstores in the U.S. You Should Visit

From a shipping container in Portland, Maine, to the world’s largest indie bookstore in Portland, Oregon, these are Afar staffers’ favorite bookshops.

November 19, 2025 03:21 AM

·

Aislyn Greene

Islands

This Quiet Caribbean Village Is a Gateway to Record-Breaking Coral Reefs and Ancient Forests

Eat chili-garlic lobster, take a boat to Little Tobago Island, or hike the oldest protected forest in the Americas.

February 13, 2026 05:56 PM

·

Joanna Niles

Where to Travel Next

Where to See Art and Music in Richmond

Noteworthy museums, inventive galleries, and music fests await in Richmond, Virginia.

Search results for