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Unpacked by AFAR

Unpacked by AFAR

AFAR Media

Unpacked by AFAR unpacks one tricky topic in travel each week. We're here to help you navigate the travel world, whether you want to hack your points and miles, figure out where to travel next, or need advice on an ethical dilemma. Because the world is complicated. We're here to help you unpack it.
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Top 10 Unpacked by AFAR Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Unpacked by AFAR episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Unpacked by AFAR for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Unpacked by AFAR episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Unpacked by AFAR - Let's Scale Back That Revenge Travel, Shall We?
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06/16/22 • 27 min

Today, we're talking about revenge. Well, sort of. In this episode, writer Paige McClanahan—host of the Better Travel Podcast—explores the concept of "revenge travel." While it's so tempting to want to take revenge on the time we lost to Covid, Paige invites us to think more deeply about our impact on communities around the world, many of which are more vulnerable coming out of the pandemic. Through conversations with Harold Goodwin of the UK-based Responsible Tourism Partnership and Judy Kepher-Gona, of Kenya's Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda, Paige offers tips on how to be kinder, more aware travelers—and how to have a little fun along the way.

This episode is sponsored by Explore Asheville, who shares our belief in the power of ethical travel. https://www.exploreasheville.com/

Resources:

Paige McClanahan: https://www.paigemcclanahan.com/

Harold Goodwin: https://responsibletourismpartnership.org/who-we-are/

Judy Kepher-Gona: https://sttakenya.org/

Have a travel conundrum you want us to unpack? Tweet us, DM us on Instagram, or post on our Facebook page.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AFARmedia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afarmedia/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfarMedia/

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Unpacked by AFAR - How Travel Can Help Us Grieve
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03/02/23 • 34 min

We turn to travel for a thousand different things: Connection, adventure, vacation, learning, family, the list goes on. One element of life and travel we don’t often discuss is grief. But today, we’re going to.

In this episode, Erin Hynes—host of the podcast Curious Tourism—shares the ways that we can use travel to navigate some of the more difficult elements of life. She shares her own story and interviews two experts with very different experiences around grief.

Follow Erin:

http://pinatravels.org/

https://www.instagram.com/pinatravels/

https://twitter.com/pinatravels

Follow Zac:

https://www.workinprogressto.ca/zac

https://www.instagram.com/zed_eh_see/

Follow Andrew:

https://www.andrewsteven.com/

https://trailweight.com/

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This podcast episode is part of Afar, A Retrospective. As part of Afar’s 15-year anniversary celebration, this episode from our sister podcast, Travel Tales by Afar, was selected as one of our favorites. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do—and stay tuned for more archival Travel Tales episodes from September - December 2024. Explore more of our favorite stories over the years at afar.com/fifteen.

A pet orangutan, a 106-year-old grandma, and a wedding where 10,000 guests were fed. When writer and host of NPR’s The Splendid Table, Francis Lam, heard stories from his friend Azalalina Eusope about her life in Penang, Malaysia, he couldn’t help but marvel at them.

But when the San Francisco-based chef (who has served Barack Obama and the Malaysian prime minister) invites Francis to come home with her after a decade away, he discovers the complex family dynamics that underpin her stories—and the ways that food can bind even the most complicated families.

Five Generations of Street Vendors

In this episode, explore:

  • What it’s like to visit street vendors in Penang, Malaysia
  • How a fine-dining chef recreates traditional Malaysian dishes
  • Some of the food traditions of the Mamak people in Malaysia

Remaking the Past with Laksa

Don’t miss these transformative moments:

[04:09] Star anise and curry: Rediscovering Malaysia’s comforts.

[08:42] The sights, smells and salts of Penang’s street food scene.

[10:04] “I felt so gross for having my notebook with me.” A bittersweet homecoming.

Time Travel Through Tripe Salad

As a teen, Azalina Eusope vowed she wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of the four generations of Mamak street vendors that came before her.

In this episode, the San-Francisco based, Malaysian chef returns home with writer and host of NPR’s The Splendid Table, Francis Lam. Together, they discover how cooking Malaysian dishes does more than preserve her culture—it grants her the power to reclaim it.

Resources:

Read Francis’ original story on afar.com

Follow Francis Lam on Instagram

Dine at Azalina’s in San Francisco

Check out NPR’s The Splendid Table

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Puerto Rico has had a huge impact on the world's music scene, in comparison to its size. And on this week's episode, host Aislyn Greene travels to the island to find out why. She explores bomba and plena, two of the earliest forms of music that emerged from Puerto Rico’s African ancestors. Discovers jibaro music, or “hillbilly” music, though this style of music is incredibly complex and improvisational. Found the source of danza music, watched salsa musicians urge people to their feet, and met with reggaetón artists.

And though we couldn’t possibly capture all of the complexities of the island’s music in one episode, we hope it does reveal what she found: a place that is singularly committed to art and music. As one of her guides, Nory, put it: “We are artisans, we are painters, we are all musicians. That’s actually the identity of a Puerto Rican.”

Meet this week’s guests

Resources

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This podcast episode is part of Afar, A Retrospective. As part of Afar’s 15-year anniversary celebration, this episode from our sister podcast, Travel Tales by Afar, was selected as one of our favorites. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do—and stay tuned for more archival Travel Tales episodes from September - December 2024. Explore more of our favorite stories over the years at afar.com/fifteen.

Hoping to recreate the same magical trip she took as a teen, author Emma John takes her friend’s 13-year-old daughter to Venice. But instead of awe, she’s filled with anxiety as she flies through a packed itinerary and struggles to impress her teenage companion. Will a reluctant teenager give into the wonders of the Floating City?

A Gondolier Wake Up Call

In this episode, discover:

  • Ideas for a week-long trip to Venice, beyond hitting tourist hot spots.
  • How to (and how not to) dress for a visit to St. Mark’s Basilica.
  • What one traveler did to help a teenager fall in love with Venice.

“What Are We Going to Do Next?”

Don’t miss these transformative travel moments:

[02:13] A midnight chase in the streets of Venice.

[05:38] Glass blowing at Murano, making Venetian masks and an otherwise packed itinerary.

[07:35] The unexpected views that led to a breakthrough.

Single in St. Mark’s Square

When Emma John was a teen, her mom’s single friend took her on a life-changing trip to Venice. An Afar contributing writer, and a traveler who is up for anything, Emma has written about country bluegrass, cricket and her most recent book is a memoir about singleness: Self-Contained: Scenes From a Single Life.

In this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, she rediscovers the magic of Venice and learns a thing or two about travel itineraries and connections.

Resources

• Read Emma’s original story.

• Explore her other work.

• Check out Afar’s Venice travel guide.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

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It’s easier than ever to earn travel points and (sometimes) miles through credit cards and loyalty programs. But when it comes to actually using those points to book travel, things can get complicated. While there are people out there who love to geek out about those complications, it’s not for everyone. Enter companies like Award Magic, which uses their expertise to book award travel using your hard-earned points. In this week’s episode, Award Magic owner and CEO shares shares his backstory (shocker: he was a math teacher), his vision for the business (it involves really affordable around-the-world tickets), and why we should all be flying business class more than we do. Plus, he works his magic to book a Japan flight using host Aislyn Greene’s Chase points.

Meet this week’s guests

  • Brian Cohen, CEO and owner of Award Magic

Resources

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

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Have you ever gotten stuck in indecision? Maybe it was around where to travel, or when to book your tickets, or even something as small as where to eat when you’re on the road. Well, this week’s guest is an expert at cutting through the noise and helping her clients—and now you—make fast, solid decisions. Her name is Nell McShane Wulfhart, and she’s a professional decision coach.

Does it sound like a made-up job? Nell is the first to admit that it is in fact a made-up job. But one that she is uniquely qualified for, especially when it comes to travel. I’ve known Nell for about a decade now—as a travel writer. She has lived all around the world, from South Korea to Uruguay to Switzerland.

A couple of months ago, I got an email from Nell about her new Audible podcast, The Decision Coach. And I learned that for the past decade, she has also been (in her words) a “professional bossy boots.” That means that she sits down with clients who are stuck and helps them get unstuck. Some are chronically indecisive and need help getting out of that rut. Others are usually good decision makers but are stuck on a big life decision, like whether to have a baby, or take a new job, or move to a new country.

So I sat down with Nell to talk about how she makes decisions, how we can make better decisions, and how we can apply all of that to travel.

Meet this week’s guest

  • Nell McShane Wulfhart, podcaster and travel writer

Resources

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

bookmark
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share episode

This podcast episode is part of Afar, A Retrospective. As part of Afar’s 15-year anniversary celebration, this episode from our sister podcast, Travel Tales by Afar, was selected as one of our favorites. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do—and stay tuned for more archival Travel Tales episodes from September - December 2024. Explore more of our favorite stories over the years at afar.com/fifteen.

A day in the life of a rent-a-friend can run the gamut of fake romance, crying at funerals and a 30-second selfie with a teenager. In this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, contributing writer Chris Colin travels to Tokyo to rent a friend.

At first, he expected nothing but kitsch. But as he navigates his newly forged—and reasonably priced—friendships with Miyabi,Yumi and Yusuke, what he learns changes the way he views Japan and his friendships back at home.

A Day In the Life of A Rent-A-Friend

In this episode you’ll discover:

  • The values and issues of Japanese society that created Client Partners, a rent-a-friend company.
  • The various reasons why Japanese locals are renting friends.
  • How you can rent a friend in Japan during your next solo trip.

Kodoku: The Lonely Gap

Don’t miss these memorable moments:

[06:11] Real life fake engagements and other rent-a-friend scenarios.

[10:47] Hikikomori and a nation’s spiritual health: A conversation with Client Partners’ CEO.

[16:22] Clarity, okonomiyaki and a genuine connection with a professional friend.

A Cultural Phenomenon or A Cure for Loneliness?

When writer Chris Colin first rented a friend in Tokyo, he was expecting something kitsch and wacky, like a cuddle or owl cafe. Instead, he found genuine connection and clarity about the elusiveness of friendship in his own life.

What are the issues in society that create a commercial market for friendship and what does this reveal about the connections we are able to create?

Resources:

Read Chris' original story and check out his other work.

Explore Afar's travel guide to Tokyo.

Learn more about Client Partners, the rent-a-friend company that Chris visited.

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

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Unpacked by AFAR - Into the Heart of North America's Iceland
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04/06/23 • 41 min

This week, we’re heading to Iceland—well, kinda. We’re actually exploring the Viking hearts of New Icelanders, from Gimli, Manitoba to Mountain, North Dakota. Two towns divided by a border, but forever linked by their surprisingly storied and deep Icelandic roots.

Liz Beatty, host of the North Americana podcast, will be our guide to foam swords, Icelandic folk songs no child should hear, and an epic Viking battle reenactment at Gimli’s annual Icelandic festival. We’ll also meet a real, live fjallkonan. Want to know what that means? Tune in to find out.

Bonus: This week, we’re hosting travel trivia at the end of the episode!

Resources:

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Sidestep a stereotypical trip to Paris with cultural insights from journalist and long-time Paris resident Lindsey Tramuta. In this episode of Unpacked by Afar, she shares ways that Paris has changed over the last 20 years and tips for travelers to key into those changes when they travel.

From etiquette to fashion, cuisine to favorite neighborhoods—she helps you experience Paris off the beaten path.

Paris Like You Haven’t Seen It Before

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How Paris is blossoming into a global leader for urban transformation.
  • How the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics affected French locals.
  • Insider tips and must-knows before you travel to Paris.

French Tip: Always say “Bonjour

Don’t miss these moments:

[04:32] Key insights from 20 years of change in Paris

[18:34] French etiquette and other things to know before you go.

[ 27:04 ] Lindsey’s favorite neighborhood spots.

An Insider’s Guide To Paris

Your local guide is Lindsey Tramuta, a journalist who has been living and reporting about life in Paris for two decades. In her work, she explores the people and ideas shaping Paris, and in today’s episode she lets us in on 20 years of change.

From what it’s been like in The City of Light since the Olympics and Paralympics wrapped, to the city’s evolving food scene, get local, these are the need-to-know tips for your next Paris trip.

Resources

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.

And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Unpacked by AFAR have?

Unpacked by AFAR currently has 87 episodes available.

What topics does Unpacked by AFAR cover?

The podcast is about Places & Travel, Society & Culture and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Unpacked by AFAR?

The episode title 'Let's Scale Back That Revenge Travel, Shall We?' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Unpacked by AFAR?

The average episode length on Unpacked by AFAR is 38 minutes.

How often are episodes of Unpacked by AFAR released?

Episodes of Unpacked by AFAR are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Unpacked by AFAR?

The first episode of Unpacked by AFAR was released on May 19, 2022.

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