Travel Tales by AFAR: Recent Episodes
AFAR Media
Travel, at its best, changes the way we see the world. Join us each week as we dig into stories from people who took a trip—and came home transformed. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, Travel Tales by AFAR is your ticket to the world—no passport required. You can find more information at afar.com/traveltales.
Travel insurance: It's not the sexiest subject, is it? And yet, it can play a huge role in saving you money, time, and even sanity. In this episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we speak with five experts to help you understand how to decided if and when you need insurance, the different types of policies you can buy, and how to use travel insurance if something goes wrong on your trip. Meet this week’s guests
Wendy Perrin, travel expert
Christina Tunnah, general manager of marketing and brands for World Nomads
Beth Godlin, President of Aon Affinity Travel Practice
John Gobbels, vice president and COO of Medjet
Nick Cavanaugh, founder and CEO of Sensible Weather
Resources
Read this episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Read our primer on travel insurance.
Explore Wendy Perrin’s website.
Use sites like travelinsurance.com or insuremytrip.com to help you decide on the right policy.
Learn more about World Nomads.
Discover more about Aon Affinity Travel Services.
Learn more about Medjet.
Find out more about Sensible Weather.
Have you ever considered birdwatching? If the answer is a "heck, no"—or even a "not really"—than this episode is for you. Host Aislyn Greene, also a birdwatching skeptic, dives deep into the world of birding to discover how to do it well, the equipment you need, and most importantly why to give this sport (yes, it's a sport!) a shot.
Meet this week’s guests
Dominik Mosur, animal care specialist at the Randall Museum and birding tour guide
Kara Cook, rooftop biologist for Audubon Florida
Aunt Cheryl, Aislyn’s bird-loving aunt
Resources
Read this episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Find a bird tour around the world.
Find a field guide for your region—here’s a California example.
Download the Merlin app and the eBird app
Discover your local Audubon chapter.
When you think of America’s national parks, what comes to mind? For many of us—myself included—it’s the sense of openness, freedom, and awe that places like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite can spark. And yet, as we’ll learn in today’s episode, that’s not the whole story. Hundreds of years ago, Indigenous communities throughout the United States lived on and cared for much of the land that makes up America’s 400-plus national parks and other protected lands under the National Park Service (NPS). Then settlers arrived and an ugly chapter in our national history unfolded, one that included the forced removal of Native peoples from that very land. In recent years, however, there’s been a growing movement to return that land—or at the very least, to work with Native communities to co-manage it. Associate editor Mae Hamilton is taking us on a journey into that movement. She speaks with our current director of national parks, Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III—the first person of Native descent to hold the position—about his connection to the parks and his efforts to bring tribe members into the conversation. She also speaks to two tribe members who have worked closely with the NPS and are cautiously optimistic about the new chapter currently unfolding. Meet this week’s guests
Mae Hamilton, AFAR associate editor
Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III, director of the National Park System
Hanford McCloud, a member of the Nisqually Tribal Council
Tracie Revis, director of advocacy, cultural preservation and conservation of the Ocmulgee River
Resources
Read this episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Learn more about Joint Secretarial Order 3403 and what it could mean for the national parks and Native communities.
There are few things as challenging as the moment when, while walking along a sidewalk in Paris, San Francisco, or Cartagena, someone in need asks you for money. (I will also say that I imagine there are few things as challenging as being in a place in your life where you have to ask strangers for money.) What do you do, personally? Do you give? Do you avert your eyes and keep on walking? Is it somewhere in between? Regardless of the decision you make, it’s a complex moment from a human perspective. And that complexity was the subject of our inaugural digital advice column, also called Unpacked. In it Dr. Anu Taranath, a speaker, consultant, and author of the book Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World, responds to a reader’s question asking if she did the right thing by giving money. And in today’s episode of Unpacked, Dr. Anu expands on her answer. We talked about her initial reaction to the question, the insidiousness of inequality, and the times in her life when she’s encountered panhandling. (She has an incredible story from a trip to Senegal.) What I love about Anu’s response is that she doesn’t have a definitive answer. In fact, she says, there are no easy answers when it comes to living in an unequal world. But her advice is empathetic and full of understanding that the world isn’t black and white. And most importantly, she shares how to navigate these situations with dignity and grace—for all involved. Meet this week’s guest Dr. Anu Taranath, speaker, consultant, and author
Resources
Read this episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Read Dr. Anu’s original response to the reader’s question.
Read Dr. Anu’s second column, about what to do when the person sitting next to you on the plane is drunk.
Buy her book, Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World
This week, we're sharing an Unpacked episode that explores one of Hawai'i's most iconic beaches: Waikīkī. AFAR senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers—who heads up all our hotel content—has a deep familiarity with the beach. Her mother is from Hawai'i, and her parents (both in the hospitality industry) actually met while working in a hotel. She played on Waikīkī as a kid, but she's always seen it as a kinda shiny, glitzy place—a place that seems a little, well, inauthentic. So on a recent trip to O'ahu, she met with four different locals who helped her see a new side of Waikīkī. Meet this week’s guests
Jennifer Flowers, AFAR senior deputy editor
Misty Thompson Tufono, executive vice president of Tihati Productions
Dylan Ching, vice president of operations for TS Restaurants, which includes Duke’s Waikīkī
Aunty Luana Maitland, director of cultural experiences at the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort
Bonga Perkins, world-champion longboard surfer
Resources
Read this episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Read Jenn’s story about the cultural experiences she had on Waikīkī.
Check out the Royal Hawaiian and its luau, run by Tihati Productions.
Explore the menu at Duke’s Waikīkī.
Discover the cultural center at the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort.
Watch Bonga surf! (And check out his surfboards.)
Digital nomadism has been hailed as a way to save communities—and slammed for raising rents and pricing out locals. In this week’s episode of Unpacked, Chloe Arrojado, an AFAR editor and digital nomad, explores the complicated ethics of working remotely. Meet this week’s guests
Chloe Arrojado, AFAR associate editor, destinations
Olga Hannonen, a researcher at the University of Eastern Finland
Luci Jerkovic, head of global PR for the Croatian National Tourist Board
Nicole Lim, executive director of Movers and Shakas
Brent Hartinger and Michael Jensen, digital nomads
Resources
Read the episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Six tips for starting out as a digital nomad.
The best gear for digital nomads.
10 countries that make it easy to work remotely.
How to apply for Canada’s new digital nomad visa.
Airport lounges can be one of the most complex, mysterious parts of the airport experience. Aside from buying a business- or first-class ticket, how do you access them? Is it worth buying a day pass? Are they really worth all the fuss? In this week’s episode of Unpacked, AFAR points and miles expert Paul Rubio reveals the secrets to gaining airport lounge access—no premium tickets required. Meet this week’s guest Paul Rubio, AFAR points and miles expert Resources
Read the episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Read Paul’s primer on the best ways to get airport lounge access.
Explore the best credit cards to apply for now (with lounge access).
Learn why lounges are harder to access these days.
Which countries are the most family friendly? How do you help kids deal with jet lag? What about routines, bedtimes, and kids in business class? In this week’s episode, four AFAR editors, all parents, share their answers to all those questions, plus real-world advice about traveling with small children—including one editor’s genius hack for making sure her kids eat. Meet this week’s guests
Laura Dannen Redman, director of digital content
Sarika Bansal, editorial director
Tim Chester, deputy editor
Michelle Baran, senior travel news editor
Resources
Read the episode’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Explore some of our favorite family-friendly trips and destinations.
Listen to a Delta flight attendant’s top tips on flying with kids.
It’s a holiday week, one that (we hope) finds you swimming in a lake, or traveling to a new city, or otherwise enjoying these fleeting summer days. We don’t have a new episode this week, but given that we are halfway through 2023, we wanted to reshare our first episode of the year, our Where to Go in 2023 episode, in which editorial director Sarika Bansal and the team that puts together our annual list broke down said list and shared their thoughts on travel, present and future. In it, they dig into the 12 destinations we focused on this year, including the Great Lakes, Bangkok, and Transylvania. We hope that it offers some inspiration, or at least a reason to dream as you bask in the summer sun. We’ll be back next week with another roundtable discussion about traveling with kids, and the following week with a deep dive into the world of digital nomadism. Happy listening! Meet this week’s guests
Sarika Bansal, AFAR editorial director
Tim Chester, AFAR deputy editor
Ashlea Halpern, freelance writer and editor
Resources
Read the episodes’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Explore our Where to Go in 2023 list.
Kids and flying can be polarizing—anyone else remember popcorngate? But in this week’s episode, flight attendant (and mother of two) Andrea Davis shares her secrets for flying with children, whatever their age. She has has tips on packing, jet lag, crying babies, and why it’s worth it to travel with little ones, even when things go sideways. And she has tips for the child-less adults on flights: It's worth a listen—as a reminder that kids and parents are usually doing their best and that, yes, you can lean on your flight attendant when the kiddo behind you is kicking your seat. New! Subscribe to our show notes email.
Meet this week’s guest
Andrea Davis, Delta flight attendant
Resources
Read this week’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Check out our editor-approved travel seat for kids.
Inspired to travel? Read about our favorite places to travel with kids of all ages.
Want additional travel-with-kids content? You’ll find more here—and in our July 20th episode.
Can $30 per traveler really make a difference when it comes to carbon offsets? For Rick Steves, the answer is “absolutely.” For the past four years, his company has paid a self-imposed carbon tax—in 2022, they donated $1 million to a dozen, carefully selected nonprofits to mitigate the carbon cost of their travelers. In this week’s episode of Unpacked , we chat with Craig Davdison, COO of Rick Steves’ Europe, about how their Climate Smart Commitment program works—and the life-changing results. Meet this week’s guest
Craig Davidson, COO of Rick Steves’ Europe
Resources
Read this week’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Listen to last week’s episode.
Listen to Rick’s podcast, Travel With Rick Steves.
Learn more about Rick Steves’ Europe Climate Smart Commitment.
Hey Travel Tales listeners, this week on Unpacked, we have a fantastic interview with travel legend Rick Steves. Since he launched his company in 1976, he has sent millions of Americans abroad, either through his guided tours or via his many, many guidebooks. But his mission—to “curate culture shock”—comes with a cost. Rick has long been aware of the environmental impact of encouraging so many people to travel, but he found that carbon offset programs didn’t do enough to alleviate his concerns. So Rick and his team created the Rick Steves’ Europe Climate Smart Commitment, which donates $30 for every traveler on their tours to a carefully selected set of nonprofits. Rick came on the podcast to chat about the program, as well as his views on ethical travel. But the conversation was so wide-ranging and rich—touching on everything from dual-narrative travel to his belief in the power of crossing borders—that we decided to split it into two episodes. This week’s episode focuses on Rick’s constantly evolving views on travel, his mission, and his belief in self-imposed carbon taxes. And next week, we’ll drill down into his Climate Smart Commitment with his chief operating officer, Craig Davidson. Resources
Read this week’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Listen to Rick’s podcast, Travel With Rick Steves.
Learn more about the Rick Steves’ Europe Climate Smart Commitment.
Read our story about a climate change reporter who wanted to fly less.
Check out our primer on carbon offsets and the programs that can make a difference.
Catch up on Unpacked, season two:
How to Make Hard Travel Funny, According to a Comedian
The Making of a Patagonian National Park
Are You Ready to Hand Over Travel Planning to the ChatGPT and AI Bots?
It’s Not Too Late to Plan Your Summer Travels—Here’s How
This episode starts with a sunburn. That’s how on-topic it is. Because yes, it’s summer! And wow, do we have a lot of tips for you this year. To get them, I spoke with Mark Ellwood, the (sunburned) freelance travel writer who handles all of our monthly Where to Go columns, as well as the two editors who make up our mighty destination team, Chloe Arrojado and Tim Chester. We started with planning—Mark is a planner, Chloe is not—and segued into how to score flight deals, if and when to travel to Europe during the hottest months, and our favorite road trip destinations. (Italy’s Prosecco Road, anyone?) We touched on lesser-known destinations, travel deals (it’s a great year to visit the U.K.), national parks, and even visiting places where it’s winter now. So, no matter what you’re doing this summer—whether it’s road-tripping or trying to squeeze in a weekend getaway around your kids’ camp activities—we have something for you. Yes, even for you procrastinators. Happy summer travels! Meet this week’s guests
Mark Ellwood, freelance travel writer
Chloe Arrojado, associate destinations editor
Tim Chester, deputy destinations editor
Resources
Read this week’s show notes, including a full transcript of the episode.
Explore our Where to Go in July story.
Find great summer deals (they exist!) and book affordable airfare.
Need some beach time? We have the 20 best beaches in the world.
Drive the Prosecco Road that Mark mentions.
Visit our favorite national parks.
Hey Travel Tales listeners! We want to introduce you to another great podcast: Trail Weight, in which host Andrew Steven journeys outdoors and explores the soul. In this episode, Andrew attempts to bring us on his next adventure, only to be derailed by nature. He also rediscovers the forgotten story of Disney’s failed attempt to build a ski resort in California wilderness. Follow Trail Weight on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app: https://trailweight.com/
In this episode, we’re traveling to Vienna with AFAR contributing writer Emma John. Emma has music in her blood. She grew up in London playing classical violin, and about a decade ago, she traveled to the American South to learn to play bluegrass, a journey she chronicled in a story for AFAR, and in her book Wayfaring Stranger. But in all those years, she avoided singing, for reasons you’ll soon hear about. And then one day, she decided to do something about it. So she booked a trip to Vienna, a city renowned for its singing talent—and the place where her musical odyssey begins. Listen to Emma's books Wayfaring Stranger: https://geni.us/GWtmOcb Self Contained: https://geni.us/JUcD Follow Emma online Instagram: @foggymountaingal Twitter: @em_john Her website: https://emmajohn.com/ The story that inspired it all: https://www.afar.com/magazine/viennas-moment-learning-to-love-opera-in-the-city-of-music
Emily Jeffords is a painter and creative educator whose work draws heavily on nature for inspiration. When she led a group of artists on an Alaskan retreat, she was surprised to discover what happened when they ventured into the remote Alaskan wilderness. AFAR is excited to bring you this special episode presented by a partner that shares our belief in the life-changing power of travel, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card from Chase. Learn more at MarriotBonvoy.com/ChaseCards. Follow Emily on Instagram @emily_jeffords or via her website emilyjeffordslearn.com
J.R. Harris is the greatest traveler you’ve never heard of. On a road trip through Canada and Maine, he meditates on a lifetime of adventure—and the enduring power of a great road trip. You can follow J.R. on Instagram, @jrinthewilderness, or via his website: https://www.jrinthewilderness.com/ This story was inspired by a feature by AFAR deputy editor Katherine LaGrave—read the full story here: https://www.afar.com/magazine/solo-traveler-jr-harris-on-a-life-of-adventure And don't miss J.R.'s book: Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/2660/9781680511208 Amazon: https://geni.us/DKPBL
Hey, listeners! Remember last season, when we introduced you to a podcast called About the Journey? In season two, travel journalist Oneika Raymond takes us on a trip around North America to explore what it means to travel better. She’s picked six cities and six entirely unique experiences. Throughout each episode, Oneika connects with locals who can speak to the heart of the dynamic cities we’re traveling to. They’ll tell us where to go, what to do, and how to see the world in more sustainable and meaningful ways. In the episode we’re about to hear, Oneika will take us to Anacostia, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., to visit Mahogany, the community's first Black-owned bookstore in over two decades, which sells works by Black authors. Subscribe today—learn more here.
Brendan Francis Newnam, host of the Not Lost podcast, is a Croatian-Irish reporter who’s traveled the world. But in all his wanders, he’d never really given his Irish side a chance—until now. Subscribe to Brendan's podcast, Not Lost: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/not-lost And follow him on social media: @BFNewnam: https://twitter.com/BFNewnam And a special thanks to the Tourism Ireland team: https://www.tourismireland.com/
On Amtrak’s Coast Starlight, writer Chris Colin and his 13-year-old daughter, Cora, meet a Mike Tyson impersonator, marvel at the golden West Coast, and embrace the trancelike nature of the train. Read more about Chris's harebrained shenanigans! http://www.chriscolin.com/ And don't miss the José Andrés podcast that Chris produced, Longer Tables: http://www.joseandres.com/podcast/ Thanks to Oklahoma, who shared his song, Mandy Sue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1CKhoc4vjc
As a kid, comedian Esteban Gast tagged along when his parents visited family in Colombia. But he’d never established his own relationship with the culture—until now. Join Esteban as he confesses his deepest darkest family secrets (well, kinda), has his first-ever "real" talk with his cousin Camilo, explores Cartagena's ubiquitous plaques, and yes, parties without his parents! The episode that inspired host Aislyn Greene's Canada trip: https://pdst.fm/e/chrt.fm/track/B6A62C/traffic.megaphone.fm/AFAR9710174884.mp3 Learn more about Esteban! https://www.estebangast.com/
Here at AFAR, we have been traveling. We imagine you've been out and about as well—or maybe you've just finally booked that big dream trip. Well, this season Travel Tales hits the road too. Five storytellers took trips in recent months, capturing the sights and sounds along the way. Every other Thursday, beginning August 25th, you'll hear one of those stories—and the challenges, joys, lessons, and more that accompanies it.
In our last summer replay, we revisit an anxious traveler: On a last-minute trip to Rio de Janeiro, author Carmen Maria Machado luxuriates in beach feasts, practices small talk—and confronts her travel anxiety. Resources: Carmen's website: https://carmenmariamachado.com/ Her book, In the Dream House: A Memoir: https://bookshop.org/a/2660/9781644450383 And The Low, Low Woods: https://bookshop.org/a/2660/9781779504524
In our next summer replay, we hear from adventurer Erik Weihenmayer. Erik lost his vision at age 13, but he never lost his thirst for adventure. In the decades since, he has rock-climbed in California and ice-climbed in Antarctica. In 2008, he decided he wanted to kayak through the Grand Canyon. It was, as you can, imagine quite a ride.
Read more about Erik on his website, listen to his podcast, or follow him on Twitter. You can watch his documentary, The Weight of Water, on Amazon.
In our next summer replay, we revisit what we can learn about life and friendship from the women of Pan Am. These women, who flew for Pan Am in the 1960s and 1970s, were spirited, adventurous, trailblazers who lived life mostly on their own terms. Julia Cooke, author of Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am, spent four years researching their lives and shares what she learned along the way.
Welcome to our summer replays, where we air some of our (and your) favorite episodes of the past seasons as we build up to season three, launching on August 25th. Today, we're sharing comedian Michelle Buteau's hilarious account of getting stood up in Paris at age 19. If you want to hear more from Michelle, check out her podcast, Adulting, where she answer life's essential questions like "How many pair of underwear do I pack for a weekend?" or "When should your boyfriend give up on his rap career"? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adulting-with-michelle-buteau-and-jordan-carlos/id1463400941 Thanks for listening! Explore more travel tales at afar.com.traveltales.
Hey Travel Tales listeners, we're working hard on Season 3. In the meantime, we've got a special treat for you: A preview of our first episode of Unpacked by AFAR. In it, writer and podcast host Paige McClanahan digs into the concept of revenge travel and how we can be kinder to the places we visit. You can listen to the full episode on our Unpacked feed. And don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to Unpacked today wherever fine podcasts are downloaded, or at afar.com/unpacked.
Have you ever been traveling and encountered a situation where you felt a little . . . uncomfortable? Yeah, us too. Each week on Unpacked by AFAR, we'll unpack a single, ethically complex question. Say, “How can I travel with a lighter footprint?” or “How can I engage with animals in an ethical way while on the road?” Through a mix of first-person stories and interviews with experts in the field, Unpacked will explore not just answers to those questions, but new ways to engage with the places we visit and the people we meet. Because the world is complicated. Being an ethical traveler doesn't have to be. The unpacking begins June 16th. Subscribe today: https://afar.com/unpacked
Here’s a special preview of Not Lost, a new podcast about finding yourself in places you’ve never been from our friends at PushkinIndustries. Host Brendan Francis Newnam takes us around the world, learning about new places by getting invited to a stranger’s house for dinner. From Montréal to Mexico City, Brendan and his guests drink, dance, and eat, learning as much about themselves as the places they visit. In this preview, Brendan and his guest Danielle Henderson navigate the icy streets of Montréal in search of local history. You can hear more from Not Lost at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/notlost?sid=traveltales.
Erik Weihenmayer lost his vision at age 13, but he never lost his thirst for adventure. In the decades since, he has rock-climbed in California and ice-climbed in Antarctica. In 2008, he decided he wanted to kayak through the Grand Canyon. It was, as you can, imagine quite a ride.
Read more about Erik on his website, listen to his podcast, or follow him on Twitter. You can watch his documentary, The Weight of Water, on Amazon.
It’s time to head for America’s heartland. Our guide will be Kelli Jo Ford, a Virginia-based writer, teacher, and author of Crooked Hallelujah, a much-praised novel that follows four generations of Cherokee women. In this episode Kelli Jo takes us on the road: For years, she’s made regular pilgrimages to Oklahoma to visit her family. As a kid living in Texas, those trips were especially poignant: Her grandma Longshore would meet Kelli Jo halfway, to take her back to Oklahoma for a summer of noisy feasts and preserved wild onions and creek crossings. All the things that to, Kelli Jo, felt like home. And their meeting place of choice was a Love’s Travel Stop, a special institution in this part of the world. Love’s is famous for their 24-hour services, which can include gas, travel tchotkes, fast food, on-site tire repair, and much more. But for Kelli Jo, this family-owned chain, which, naturally, features a large red heart in its logo, is more than just a place to get gas, or use the bathroom, or stock up on road snacks. For her, they are forever linked to home.
As a kid growing up in London, chef Zoe Adjonyoh learned to cook by watching her father make the foods he ate as a kid growing up in Ghana. As an adult, she opened a restaurant devoted to dishes like spicy, peanut butter–laced groundnut stew. A decade into her career, Zoe realized she wanted to know more about Ghanian cuisine—and her own family. Here’s what happened when she landed in Accra with an open heart and an empty belly. Read, and cook from Zoe's book! And listen to this week's Tiny Travel Tale from Roger Hill of Long Island, New York.
In the early 2000s, AFAR contributing writer Emma John—a classically trained British violinist—fell for the Americana-inspired music of bands like the Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons. She desperately wanted to recreate that bluegrassy sound, but her attempts at home didn’t go so well. So she bought a ticket to North Carolina with the vague idea of figuring things out. Fate brought her Fred, a banjo player who opened the door to the world of bluegrass—and his home—to her. Here’s what happened when Emma walked through.
Read Emma's book about bluegrass, Wayfaring Stranger: A Musical Journey in the American South Or her memoir, Self-Contained: Scenes from a Single Life
And subscribe to her podcasts, The Spin, a Guardian podcast about cricket, and The Breakdown, her bluegrass effort.
Hey, listeners! We wanted to introduce you to a podcast called About the Journey, which celebrates a different road trip in each episode. It might be driving from Miami down to Key West, cruising Oahu’s North Shore, or zig-zagging through Wyoming’s National Parks.In this episode, host and travel journalist Oneika Raymond takes us from Atlanta, Georgia to Asheville, North Carolina to experience some of the soul of the south. Subscribe today—learn more here.
Rēnata West was born and raised in a Māori village on New Zealand’s North Island, and his family has been telling stories for more than 200 years as the pioneers of tourism in New Zealand. In this episode, Rēnata shares how his community learned to embrace tourism that both protects his people and preserves their rich culture—a model he now seeks to spread to other Indigenous communities. Learn more about Rēnata's organization, Pacific Storytelling, and sign up for his newsletter, here.
When Carolina Quiroga-Stultz turned 30, she wanted to meditate in Nepal and “figure out her life,” she said. Instead, she wound up moving from Colombia to Johnson City, Tennessee, to learn how to be a professional storyteller specializing in the myths of Latin America. Here’s how the move challenged her, confused her—and, ultimately, changed the course of her life. Read more about Carolina here—and be sure to subscribe to her bilingual podcast, Tres Cuentos.
Seven years ago, author Maggie Shipstead traveled to the Arctic to begin her next book. She was there as part of an Arctic Residency that connects artists with the icy landscape. But when she arrived in the Svalbard archipelago, she had only the seed of an idea. As she sailed around the archipelago—along with 27 other artists—Maggie discovered that inspiration can come in mysterious ways. Enjoyed Maggie's episode? Be sure to read Great Circle, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in September 2021.
As a college student on her first trip to the Tuscan town of Lucca, writer Lisa Abend discovered a shop that specializes in customized ex libris, also known as bookplates. She desperately wanted one, but knew she needed more life experience before she could commit to such a personal thing. Three decades later, she returned to Lucca in search of that print shop—and her very own ex libris. Read the full story. Subscribe to Lisa's newsletter. And read her book!
The women who flew for Pan Am in the 1960s and 1970s were spirited, adventurous, trailblazers who lived life mostly on their own terms. In this week’s episode, we’ll meet a few of those women. Julia Cooke, author of Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am, spent four years researching their lives. Along the way, she learned a few lessons about travel—and friendship.
Comedian Michelle Buteau traveled with her best friend, Cynthia, to Paris to drink wine and meet French boys, because that’s what you do when you’re in your 20s and searching for love (or lust). Only things didn’t exactly go to plan . . .
Michelle Buteau is an actress and comedian (you may have seen her Netflix comedy special Welcome to Buteaupia). She’s also the host of the new Discovery Plus show, Weekend Getaway with Michelle Buteau, a three-episode series about quick trips in America, as well as the author of Survival of the Thickest (Gallery Books, 2020).
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka never really knew her dad. As a kid, she and her grandmother had moved from Japan to L.A. and, over the years, her relationship with her dad dissolved. Years later, she flew to Bali—where her father had retired—in an attempt to reunite. She thought they’d drink on the beach and stroll through tropical forests. Her dad, however, had a very different reunion in mind. Hear more from Atsuko on her website: http://www.atsukookatsuka.com/
Author Louis Chude-Sokei was born in what is now Nigeria, spent part of his childhood in Jamaica, and came of age in Los Angeles. This mix of places and cultures shaped his life—but also left him feeling unmoored. One day, as an adult traveling home to the United States from Nigeria, he passed through London just in time for the city’s famous Notting Hill Carnival. And there, in that swirl of music and people, he finally found a sense of belonging. Read Louis's memoir "Floating in a Most Peculiar Way": https://bookshop.org/a/2660/9781328841582
Chef Sheldon Simeon grew up eating his grandmother’s revered pork adobo—well, a version of it. See, the dish had evolved since his grandparents emigrated from the Philippines to Hawai‘i in the 1930s. He wanted to recreate the dish as it once was, but Alzheimer’s had robbed his grandmother of her memory. And so he headed to the Philippines in search of his roots—and the original recipe.
Be sure to check out Simeon's restaurant, Tin Roof, the next time you visit Mau'i!
A decade ago, a group of endangered Rothschild’s giraffes was relocated to a remote lakeside peninsula in Kenya. But in recent years, due to rising water levels, the peninsula became an island, trapping the giraffes. In 2020, a team of conservationists set up a daring rescue—one that wildlife photographer Ami Vitale traveled to document. This is her tale. Explore Ami's work (and her new nonprofit) at amivitale.com.
Soon after author and reporter Abdi Iftin arrived in the United States—the country he had dreamed of living in for so long—he was diagnosed with PTSD. Growing up in Somalia during the civil war had left its mark. His American doctors recommended medication, but Iftin was determined to find another way. What did he discover? The healing power of Maine’s forests. Learn more about Abdi—and buy his memoir, Call Me American!—at callmeamerican.com.
Here at AFAR, we're beginning to dip our toes back into the travel waters. Maybe you, too, have booked your first flight? Or maybe you’re planning a summer road trip. Or perhaps you’re just now beginning to explore your home city or town. Wherever you’re at, we have heaps of travel inspiration for you in season two of Travel Tales by AFAR, launching June 10th. Get ready for stories, every Thursday, from some of our favorite contributors. Comedians, philosophers, novelists—they’ll each share a trip that changed their life.
On a last-minute trip to Rio de Janeiro, author Carmen Maria Machado luxuriates in beach feasts, practices small talk—and confronts her travel anxiety.
Carmen's website: https://carmenmariamachado.com/ Buy now: "In the Dream House: A Memoir," https://bookshop.org/a/2660/9781644450383 Buy now: "The Low, Low Woods," https://bookshop.org/a/2660/9781779504524
How does a nature-phobe learn to love the forest? Writer Shahnaz Habib returns to the jungle beyond her hometown in Kerala, India, to find out.
Recalling her first trip to Africa, a Black journalist reflects on missed opportunities—and a legacy she’s finally ready to explore. Follow storyteller Heather Greenwood Davis's family travels on her website, https://globetrottingmama.com/. And watch archival footage of the trip here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=999321583590629
Growing up, Lavinia Spalding believed she was destined to become a tocaora, or a female flamenco guitar player. It didn’t exactly happen, for reasons you’ll soon hear. One day, decades after giving up on her dream, something shifted. On a whim, she emailed three of the biggest tocaoras in Spain to ask for lessons. To her surprise, they said yes. To listen to one of the tocaoras in this episode, listen to our playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/712JIWu5UQ22ts4xFNROcx To hear more, check out the following: Pilar Alonso: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn-H8nTZ8tU Antonia Jiménez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY_Y2Q3SZvY Marta Robles: https://martaroblesguitarra.com/
Colleen Kinder is a bona-fide Canadian. Well, kinda. See, she married a Canadian last year. And through him, she’s gotten to know Canada in all its friendly glory. But there was one place she hadn’t yet explored: the ViaRail train system. So we sent her on a 800-mile train trip through the Maritimes. On the way, she discovered what it really means to be Canadian. (It’s so much more than saying “sorry.”)
No crowds. No cosplay. On the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route—as author Peggy Orenstein discovers—it's just temples, trees, and a warm bath at the end of the day. Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope.
As she follows the trail of the country's most beloved author, novelist Charmaine Craig meditates on loss and hope. Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope.
On a three-week, 500-mile bike trip through the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, photographer Peter Bohler and his fiancée, Celia, learn when to say "yes" to adventure. Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. Check out Peter's photos—including a few from Morocco!—on his website or on Instagram. And read Celia's version of events on AFAR. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope.
AFAR chose a destination at random and sent political commentator Sally Kohn on 24 hours’ notice to a city renowned for its “coffee shops” but where tolerance has its limits. Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. Read about One Fair Wage here, or follow Sally on Instagram @sallykohn or Twitter @sallykohn. And be sure to check out her book, The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope.
Francis Lam, a writer and host of NPR's Splendid Table, discovers the island’s multicultural flavors when he joins a Malaysia-born San Francisco chef for a bittersweet homecoming. Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. If you want to dine with Azalina, order takeout at Azalina's or Mahila tonight. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope. Find more information at afar.com/traveltales.
What can Amtrak offer a perpetually rushed traveler? Author Eric Weiner takes to the rails to find out. Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. Preorder Eric's latest book, The Socrates Express: Life Lessons From Dead Philosophers. And sign up for his newsletter to get missives from his Pajama Travel Club. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope. Find more information at afar.com/traveltales.
Contributing writer Chris Colin travels to Tokyo to rent a friend. Sounds kitschy, right? But as he navigates his newly forged—and reasonably priced—relationships with Miyabi, Yumi, and Yusuke, Chris discovers the truth beneath the seeming wackiness. What he learns changes the way he views Japan—and his own friendships. Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope. Find more information at afar.com/traveltales.
She thinks it’ll be great. Contributing writer Emma John loved the trip she took to Venice as a teenager with a worldly family friend. So when it comes time to return the favor—to introduce that friend’s 13-year-old daughter to the wonders of the Floating City—Emma jumps at the chance. What could possibly go wrong? Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope. Find more information at afar.com/traveltales.
Comedian and Fake the Nation host Negin Farsad is a native New Yorker. So we figured, why not send her on a quick trip to America’s Heartland? Listen as Negin befriends strangers, eats ribs, and talks her way onto a comedy club stage where she tries to find out what makes the city laugh—and what makes it a little uncomfortable. Oh, and did we mention she was nearly seven months pregnant? Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope. Find more information at afar.com/traveltales.
What can a blind man get out of a safari? That was the question we posed to contributing writer Ryan Knighton who lost his sight years ago, but not his sense of adventure or his sense of humor. In search of an answer, Ryan follows his nose like a rhino, eats like an elephant (well, kinda), and shows how memories are made in the mind’s eye. Like what you hear? Please rate and review the podcast! It helps other travelers find the show. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope. Find more information at afar.com/traveltales.
Welcome to the strange, wonderful, and sometimes life-changing world of travel. Each week, we'll hear from someone who took a trip—and came home transformed. Take a ride through a slice of the United States we call Amtrakistan. Find out how a blind man on safari learns to track a rhino. And discover what happens when a pregnant, Muslim, stand-up comic from New York takes a spontaneous trip to America's Heartland. Though COVID-19 has stalled many travel plans, we hope our stories can offer inspiration for your future adventures—and a bit of hope. Find more information at afar.com/traveltales.