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Philip Glass: On Tour, Not a Tourist

AFAR chose a destination at random—by literally spinning a globe—and sent writer Jonathan Gold on a spontaneous journey to Prague with just 24 hours’ notice.

From a lakeside view, Afar writer reviews the first five-star hotel to open on Lake Como in a century.

A writer travels to the Horn of Africa to find the source of a global obsession.

AFAR chose a destination at random—by literally spinning a globe—and sent writer Ryan Knighton to Egypt’s sprawling capital with just 24 hours’ notice.

Hello, rooftop pool! Leave it to Chicagoans to remain optimistic that summer will be amazing, even if winter lasts well into May. The rooftop pool (open to restaurant as well as hotel guests), occupies a prime spot on one corner of Six Points, that crazy intersection where three major shopping streets cross paths. That means the regulars are a mixed bag, but all come in for a good time, whether that means for brunch in the newly redesigned Café Robey street-level restaurant, to drink until dawn at the poolside Cabana Club bar, or to sneak up to its new sister, the Up Room, at the top of the deco tower.

This sleek, LEED-certified beech-wood concert hall at Place des Arts is the performance space that Montreal’s award-winning symphony orchestra has deserved for years. Designed expressly for impeccable unamplified acoustics, the shoebox space can transform depending in the needs of the performance, accommodating up to 120 musicians and 200 voices onstage at once. Its flawless sound quality was achieved by building the structure like a box inside a box, protecting the inner sanctum of the hall from all and any exterior noise pollution. Sitting in one of the many balconies, you’ll forget anyone else exists, despite the 2,100-seat capacity – the concentration this space inspires is remarkable.

Chris Walker and Morgan Hartley spent three months cycling through central Asia as part of an 18-month bike trip. Here is part one of five of their account, in which their trip is almost thwarted from the start.

A journey into the ethnic neighborhoods redefining the City of Light

Receiving rave reviews over the years from the Chicago Tribune, Zagat, the Chicago Sun Times and Fra Noi (Chicagoland’s Italian American Voice), DeMarco’s is a well-known authentic Italian eatery in the truest sense of the word. The team at DeMarco’s focuses on fine pasta dishes, incorporating veal, fish, chicken and steak into their foodie masterpieces. All pastas are made right at home, and patrons can customize their delicious meal any way they like. DeMarco’s also sources fresh ingredients to keep all their customers happy, and as you can guess, constantly coming back for more.

In search of a flightless, sex-crazed, and rarely seen parrot in a land once ruled by birds.

Far above the plains where lions roam, there’s another Kenya, where life moves slowly and the people run fast. Writer Matt Gross tries to keep up.

Itasca is a lovely town located in the suburbs of Chicago. With a quaint historical downtown to explore, and the surrounding areas featuring activities for everyone, it’s a great place to come and get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Come to Itasca, there are adventures waiting just for you!

This particular area of the Gold Coast is jokingly nicknamed the Viagra Triangle, but the Thompson Chicago doesn’t discriminate by age. The 247-room hotel is dark and moody, drawing artists of every generation to its swanky lobby bar at the back, peppered with colorful canvases and couples sneaking a snuggle in a booth. The whole town is awaiting the opening of Tavern on Rush, a reboot of the beloved steak house that used to reside just up the block. Rumors say this hangout will become a dining destination, what with its cocktail lounge, main dining room, patio, and private rooms spread across 16,000 square feet and multiple levels.


Set among all the best shopping in the Midwest, the Thompson’s midcentury-style guest rooms with hardwood floors provide the perfect minimalist location to unbox those favorite finds from Michigan Avenue around the corner. Digital nomads can book their work meetings in one of the rooms named after the Chicago Seven: countercultural anti-war protesters charged by the U.S. federal government with conspiracy and intent to incite a riot to stop the Vietnam War. The Abbie Hoffman room is a favorite.

The second most famous public sculpture in Chicago is 50ft high, made of steel and no one knows what it means. It’s doesn’t even have a proper name so it’s just known as “The Picasso.” Pablo Picasso gifted this untitled sculpture to the city of Chicago in 1967 and it caused a big ruckus because, well, it’s weird looking and no one knew what it was supposed to be. A woman? A chimera? A face? Hard telling. We do know that it was the first modern sculpture installed in the downtown area and it’s now the pride and joy of Chicagoans and photographed almost as much as the Bean. On sunny days you’ll see kids sliding down that sloping steel base and I love that the city still allows those jungle gym antics on such famous real estate.