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Welcome to Laad Bazaar, tucked away on one of the four streets that lead from the Charminar. Also called Choodi Bazaar, the vibrant market features countless shops and stalls selling bridal wear, pearls, jewelry, and the famous Hyderabadi glass- and stone-studded bangles. These recognizable bangles are made from laad (“lacquer”), the material which gives the market its name. No cars or auto-rickshaws are allowed on the narrow street, and the crowds are limited to pedestrians, scooters, and bicycles.

The Taj Mahal is referred to as “the jewel of Muslim art in India,” by UNESCO in its listing on the World Heritage Site registry. The Mughal ruler Shah Jahan had the truly magnificent white marble mausoleum built in 1632–1648, in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. For its construction, artisans from all over the empire, Central Asia, Iran, were summoned and the final result of their stonework, calligraphy, carvings, gardening, woodwork, and soaring domes remains one of the universally admired masterpieces of world heritage. Allot ample time to tour the site—besides the mausoleum, there is a mosque, a guest house, cloisters, courtyards, gates, and vast gardens. In addition to being stunningly beautiful from afar, the iconic site is evocatively romantic and up-close, the intricate details in its architecture, ornamentation, and history, are revealed.

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, senior news editor Michelle Baran explores how we can travel safely, smartly, and compassionately in a climate-changing world.

On this episode of Unpacked, host Aislyn Greene talks with author Patrick Bixby—and discovers that the little book in your drawer is far more loaded, and far more recent, than you ever imagined.

On this episode of Unpacked, four editors reveal how they chose the best off-the-beaten-path destinations for this year’s “Where to Go in 2025” list.

On this week’s episode of Travel Tales by AFAR, a Colombian American comedian asks “Am I Colombian enough?”