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In this podcast, AFAR editors talk with travelers and industry professionals to unpack some of the more complicated questions around travel.

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Episodes

In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, the three members of AFAR’s mighty destination team tackle all things winter travel.
In this episode of Unpacked, we sit down with actor, musician, and podcaster Christophe Zajac-Denek to learn how he caught the travel bug and why being a person with dwarfism has never stopped him from exploring the world.
In this episode of Unpacked, we look at how and why maps are made—and the power they have to shape a more equitable world.
In this episode of Unpacked, an AFAR editor asks: Do “better travel” pledges actually help us tread more lightly on our destinations?
In this episode of Unpacked, we untangle the complicated web that is travel insurance.
In this episode of Unpacked, learn how a reluctant birder fell in love with the sport—and how you can, too.
In this episode of Unpacked, we go inside the movement to return national park land to its original stewards: Native Americans.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we examine an age-old travel quandary: the ethics of interacting with panhandlers.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, an AFAR editor explores the cultural legacy of Waikīkī, from luaus that tell the story of Hawai’i to surfing’s long history.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, an AFAR editor—and digital nomad—explores the dark side of working remotely.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, points and miles expert Paul Rubio shares the secrets to gaining airport lounge access. Tip one: Use a credit card.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, four AFAR editors—all parents—share their tips on traveling with kids, from how to deal with jet lag to one brilliant packing hack.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, Delta flight attendant—and parent of two—Andrea Davis shares her tips on flying with children, from how to cope with jet lag to what to pack (and what not to pack) on the plane.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we dig into the Rick Steves’ Europe Climate Smart Commitment—a self-imposed carbon tax—with one of the program’s masterminds.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we speak with travel legend Rick Steves about ethical travel and his climate smart commitment.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, the three members of AFAR’s mighty destination team tackle all things summer travel.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we explore the travel impacts of the world’s fastest-growing consumer technology: ChatGPT.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we talk with conservationist Kris Tompkins.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we talk with comedian Youngmi Mayer.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we talk with actor and writer Andrew McCarthy, author of the new book Walking With Sam, about his 500-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage with his teen son in tow.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we dive into the surprisingly curated world of hotel music.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we’re debuting “If These Walls Could Talk,” which shares the secrets behind iconic hotels, beginning with New York City’s legendary Hotel Chelsea.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, conservationist M.Sanjayan shares the secrets behind season two of his ground-breaking PBS show, Changing Planet.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, sleep psychologist Anne Bartolucci shares her tips on getting comfy on a plane, using melatonin correctly, and the one thing you should bring next time you fly.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, journalist Liz Beatty—host of the North Americana podcast—explores the Viking hearts of New Icelanders, from Gimli, Manitoba to Mountain, North Dakota.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, journalist Emily Pennington—author of the memoir Feral—shares what it was like to spend a year road-tripping to (nearly) all the national parks in the United States.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we journey to Kerala, India, to explore what tourism looks like when it truly benefits a local community—and travelers.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we hear from Tom Turcich, who—along with his dog, Savannah—spent seven years walking around the world.
In this week’s episode of Unpacked by AFAR, Erin Hynes—host of the podcast Curious Tourism—shares the ways that travel can help us navigate the difficult moments in life.
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.