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AFAR Media

Unpacked by AFAR tackles one tricky topic in travel each week. Whether you want to hack your points and miles, figure out where to travel next, or need advice on an ethical dilemma, we're your expert travel guides. Because the travel world is complicated. We're here to help you unpack it.

Unpacked by AFAR

Welcome to Unpacked, Five Questions, a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of one great travel story.

In this episode, host Katherine LaGrave sits down with London-based writer Emma John, author of three books and Afar contributing writer, who recently visited Door County, Wisconsin—her 43rd U.S. state. Nicknamed "the Cape Cod of the Midwest," this sleepy peninsula surprised Emma with its unique blend of small-town charm and unexpected sophistication.

Emma shares her discoveries about "Midwest Kind"—a cultural commitment to helping others that goes far beyond Southern hospitality—and reveals why Wisconsin wine is having a serious moment thanks to climate-conscious vintners. She also discusses the young entrepreneurs breathing new life into this traditional summer destination while staying true to its authentic character.

On this episode you'll learn:

 What makes "Midwest Kind" different from other forms of American hospitality

 How climate change is creating unexpected opportunities for Wisconsin's wine industry

 Why Door County attracts young entrepreneurs who are modernizing without losing authenticity

 The hidden gems Emma discovered on her journey through Wisconsin

Don't miss these moments:

 [04:00] Emma's revelation about Midwest Kind and the Azerbaijani student whose college friends drove hours just to help him move

 [06:00] The surprising quality of Wisconsin wines and why winemakers are returning home from Washington State

 [09:00] The charming town of Cedarburg and Emma's newfound obsession with antique jewelry stores

 [15:00] Why Door County's lakefront feels like Norwegian fjords—and attracted so many Scandinavian settlers

 [18:00] Emma's desire to return to Washington Island for its old-time music festival

Resources:

 Read Emma's complete Afar story about Door County, Wisconsin

 Follow Emma John for more travel insights

 Explore Door County's 30+ islands and state parks

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.

Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unpacked, Five Questions: When a British Writer Meets the Cape Cod of the Midwest

Welcome to Unpacked, America 250, a mini series celebrating the music, art, food, and more that makes America, America—in honor of our nation's upcoming 250th anniversary. 

The mini series is part of Afar's "52 Places to Travel in the U.S. This Year" package, and in this third episode, host Aislyn Greene takes us to Florida to explore the architectural fantasy that transformed swampland into America's playground. 

From Henry Flagler's gilded age railroad hotels to Carl Fisher's dredged Miami Beach paradise, this episode reveals how visionary tycoons and bold architects created the Florida Dream—one stunning hotel at a time.

On this episode you'll learn

 How Henry Flagler, Standard Oil vice president, sparked Florida's transformation with luxury hotels along his railroad route from St. Augustine to Key West

 Why the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and 1914 San Diego World's Fair launched America's obsession with Mediterranean Revival architecture

 The story behind Carl Fisher's audacious creation of Miami Beach through dredging Biscayne Bay and building Art Deco masterpieces

 How the 1926 Florida land boom crashed spectacularly due to railroad overload and a devastating hurricane

 What Streamlined Modern and Googie architecture reveal about America's post-war optimism and space age dreams

 Why Florida's architectural preservation depends on tourism dollars and high-end development

Featured Expert:
Jonathan Lammers, an architectural historian based in Tallahassee
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Paradise by Design: The Florida Story

Welcome to Unpacked, Five Questions, a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of one great travel story.

In this episode, host Katherine LaGrave sits down with New York Times bestselling author and Afar contributing writer Peggy Orenstein, who recently traded her usual slow-travel style for the bustling energy of Busan, South Korea's second-largest city. 

Known for her thoughtful explorations of walking trails like the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage and Slovenia's Juliana Trail, Peggy discovered that sometimes speeding things up can lead to extraordinary discoveries.

On this episode you'll learn:

 Why choosing a country's "second city" over its capital can lead to more authentic travel experiences

 The fascinating history of how Busan became a refuge city during the Korean War

 What to expect at Korea's largest spa complex, including the mysterious sheep-head towel tradition

 How Busan's coastal location makes it Korea's seafood capital, not just another beef-focused destination

Don't miss these moments:
[03:45] The "Abigail Adams theory" of travel that inspired Peggy's approach to choosing destinations
[07:20] Peggy's octopus experience at Jagalchi Fish Market and the safety warning she learned too late
[12:15] Inside Spa Land: 22 thermal baths, 13 saunas, and the community culture of Korean bathhouses
[16:30] The intangible "spirit of Busan" - how tranquility and turbulence coexist in this historic port city
[19:10] Peggy's perfect two-day Busan itinerary, from morning coffee overlooking the port to full spa days

Resources

 Read Peggy's complete Afar story about her Busan adventure

 Follow Peggy Orenstein for more travel insights and writing

 Watch Ode to My Father, the Korean film that first sparked Peggy's interest in Busan

 Read the transcript of the episode. 

Next Episode Preview
Join Katherine in two weeks when she speaks with Emma John, a London-based journalist and Afar contributing writer, who visited Door County, Wisconsin - her 43rd U.S. state - and discovered why locals call it the "Cape Cod of the Midwest."

Listen to More Afar

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 podcasts, ⁠⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us, and View From Afar, where we hear from the people shaping the future of travel. 

Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Slow Traveler's Guide to Korea's (Second) Busiest City

Welcome to Unpacked, America 250, a mini series celebrating the music, art, food, and more that makes America, America—in honor of our nation's upcoming 250th anniversary. The mini series is part of Afar's "⁠52 Places to Travel in the U.S. This Year"⁠ package, and in this second episode, host Aislyn Greene takes us to Washington, D.C. to explore go-go music—the uniquely American sound that's been moving communities for fifty years.

From Chuck Brown's groundbreaking fusion of funk, hip-hop, and Latin rhythms in the 1970s to today's global collaborations, this episode shares how a local D.C. music scene survived criminalization, gentrification, and decades of attacks to become the official music of the nation's capital. 

On this episode you'll learn:

 How Chuck Brown created Go-Go by blending funk, hip-hop, and Latin rhythms into something entirely new

 Why Go-Go is "one of the only Black popular music forms that have not been colonized"

 The role of D.C.'s "Chocolate City" era and summer job programs in nurturing neighborhood bands

 How the 1987 curfew laws criminalized Go-Go and forced an entire generation underground

 What the "Don't Mute DC" movement achieved and how it changed everything

Featured Guest: Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, chief curator of the Go-Go Museum and Café, associate professor at American University, and author of multiple books on go-go culture

Songs featured in this episode

Chuck Brown: "Bustin' Loose"

Parliament: "Chocolate City"Nelly: "Hot In Herre"

Black Alley: "Noochie’s Live From The Front Porch"

Michelle Blackwell: "Enjoy Myself"

CCB: "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

Chuck Brown: "Chuck Baby"

Musicians featured in this episode 

Chuck Brown

Black Alley

Michelle Blackwell

The Experience Band & Show

Rare Essence

Backyard Band

CCB (Critical Condition Band)

Pock3t 

Or kick things off with this go-go playlist. And read the transcript. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Beat Is the Real Heart of D.C.

In this special Unpacked bonus episode, we're going behind the scenes of our newView From Afar podcast, which spotlights the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Afar editors traveled to the floor of IPW, the annual travel conference organized by the U.S. Travel Association to share the best of America with the rest of the world. 

In this episode, we hear from Afar editorial director Billie Cohen, who conducted interviews over two intense days, covering everything from major cities like New York and Boston to more under-the-radar places like St. Louis and Buffalo. What emerged were fascinating themes about welcoming international travelers, the economic realities of tourism, and how destinations are bouncing back from natural disasters faster than you might think.

Billie shares why these conversations left her more excited than ever to explore America—and yes, even try that controversial St. Louis pizza.

On this episode you'll learn:

 Why international visitors make up only 20 percent of NYC tourism but contribute 50 percent of tourism spending

 How destinations like Asheville and Fort Myers are ready for visitors much sooner after disasters than you'd expect

 The creative ways cities are spreading tourism benefits beyond traditional hotspots through neighborhood storytelling

 Why St. Louis might be America's most underrated arts destination (with surprising Monets and opera premieres)

Don't miss these moments:
[03:58] The economic reality: Buffalo losing 20% of its Canadian visitors this year
[05:56] Why disaster-hit destinations need visitors for recovery, not just sympathy
[09:26] St. Louis's free cultural offerings that rival DC's Smithsonian museums
[12:38] Billie's skeptical New Yorker take on St. Louis pizza and why she's willing to try it anyway
[15:00] The delicate balance between promoting neighborhoods and over-touristing them

Explore More 

Head over to View From Afar to hear Billie's full conversations with these destination leaders who are reshaping how we think about American travel:

 
Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of Meet Boston, talks about how this most American of cities is celebrating in 2026.

 
Julie Coker, president and CEO of New York City Tourism and Conventions talks about NYC’s plans for its 400th birthday.

 
Tamara Pigott, executive director of Visit Fort Myers, shares how she’s transformed southwest Florida into a world-class destination that offers much more than gorgeous beaches.

 
Carolann Ouellette, President of the Maine Office of Tourism, on how the outdoors is essential to the state’s economy and its communities.

 
Brad Dean, President and CEO of Explore St. Louis, discusses why he chose the Gateway City over offers from New York and Chicago and how America’s heartland is ready for a renaissance.

 
Patrick Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara, talks about Buffalo’s rich architectural and Black history.

 
Walt Leger, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company talks about the city’s vibe and where to go beyond the French Quarter.

 
Helen Hill, executive director of Explore Charleston, talks about the importance of showing a city’s true history.

 
Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville, talks about the resilience of people and western North Carolina.

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.

Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Controversial Pizza to Comeback Stories: America's Most Compelling Cities Right Now

In this special Unpacked bonus episode, we're going behind the scenes of our newView From Afar podcast, which spotlights the people and the ideas shaping the future of travel. Afar editors traveled to the floor of IPW, the annual travel conference organized by the U.S. Travel Association to share the best of America with the rest of the world. 

In this episode, we hear from Afar senior editor Michelle Baran, who conducted interviews over two intense days. She shares her takeaways from powerhouse leaders like Geoff Freeman of the U.S. Travel Association and United's Josh Earnest, plus inspiring destination chiefs who aren't shying away from tough conversations about what it means to welcome the world to America right now.

On this episode you'll learn:

 How the "Big Beautiful Bill" cut Brand USA's funding by 80 percent and what that means for American tourism

 Why Newark Airport has made a complete 180 and might now be your best bet for New York area flights

 The real scope of L.A.'s wildfire damage (hint: it's much smaller than most Americans think)

 How destinations are balancing welcoming messaging with current political perceptions

Don't miss these moments:
[02:28] The revelation that Brand USA was only established after 9/11—America wasn't actively marketing itself before then

[12:49] How Wisconsin transformed itself into a year-round destination that impressed this California native

[18:39] Michelle's "therapy session" conversation with Visit Philadelphia's Angela Val about celebrating democracy

[19:04] Why Fort Lauderdale's tourism chief is ready to take on Miami and champion LGBTQ+ travelers

Explore More 

Head over to View From Afar to hear Michelle's full conversations with these tourism leaders: 

 Anne Sayers, the Wisconsin Secretary of Tourism, talks about the state as a four-season destination—and the warm hospitality of Wisconsinites.

 Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC, discusses separating politics from place and D.C.'s record breaking tourism year.

 Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California, talks about how sustainable tourism is in California’s DNA.

 President and CEO of Choose Chicago, Kristen Reynolds talks about how Chicago celebrates diversity and inclusion (and the Pope, of course).

 Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale talks about Greater Fort Lauderdale’s impressive diversity and welcoming mindset.

 Josh Earnest, executive vice president of Communications and Advertising for United Airlines, shares Newark's turnaround, the importance of infrastructure investment, and what travelers can expect this summer in the air.

 Adam Burke, President and CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, talks about the city's wildfire recovery and his dream of having 1 million people employed in the city’s tourism industry.

 Bill Hornbuckle, Chair of the U.S. Travel Association’s Board of Directors and President and CEO at MGM Resorts International, emphasizes the importance of government support for the travel industry.

 Executive Director of Visit Philadelphia Angela Val on the birthplace of democracy and Philly as a city for everyone.

 Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, talks about a decade of exciting events and how the country can make inbound travel easier for international visitors.

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.

Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newark's Comeback, L.A.'s Wildfire Recovery, and This Summer's Travel Reality

Welcome to Unpacked, America 250, a new mini series celebrating the music, art, food, and more that makes America, America—in honor of our nation's upcoming 250th anniversary. The mini series is part of Afar's "52 Places to Travel in the U.S. This Year" package, and in this inaugural episode, host Aislyn Greene takes us to Minnesota to explore how Finnish sauna culture has evolved into a uniquely American tradition.

From Finnish homesteaders who built saunas before houses to modern Minnesotans discovering the healing power of heat and cold, this episode reveals how immigrant traditions don't just survive in America—they thrive and transform. Join us as we meet Leigha Horton who went from dreading Minnesota winters to co-running a nature retreat—Silvae Spiritus—centered around the ancient practice of sauna.

On this episode you'll learn:

 Why Finnish immigrants prioritized building saunas over homes when they first arrived in Minnesota

 The science behind the "thermic cycle" and what actually happens to your body during hot-cold therapy

 How Native American sweat lodge traditions connect with Finnish sauna culture

 Why sauna culture is experiencing a renaissance across Minnesota today

Don't miss these moments:

 The pronunciation debate: Why it's "sow-na," not "saw-na," and the Finnish grandmother who would hate you forever for getting it wrong

 Leigha's winter transformation from "actively wanting to hide or die six months out of the year" to loving the cold season

 The historical context of Finnish homesteaders building saunas first, then barns, then homes—and why women gave birth in saunas

 The full thermic cycle experience: breaking ice in buckets, ladling freezing water, and finding perfect comfort in a swimsuit during Minnesota winter

 The Finnish proverb that guides Minnesota's sauna renaissance: "All are created equal, but nowhere more so than in a sauna"

Featured Guest:
Leigha Horton, co-founder of Silvae Spiritus nature retreat in Finlayson, Minnesota

Resources:

 Explore 51 more American traditions on afar.com. 

 Book a thermic cycle at Silvae Spiritus

Next Episode Preview
Join us in the coming weeks as we continue celebrating America's 250th anniversary by exploring more traditions that immigrants brought to America and transformed into something uniquely our own.

On July 27, we will dive in the celebratory world of go-go music in D.C. See you then!
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From Freezing to Steaming: A Minnesota Love Story

Welcome to Unpacked, Five Questions, a new series where we go behind the scenes of one great travel story.

In this episode, host Katherine LaGrave sits down with Afar contributing writer Lisa Abend, who recently traveled to Sicily to investigate the viral phenomenon of European countries selling homes for one euro. Based in Copenhagen, Lisa explores what really happens after the headlines fade—both for the buyers chasing their dreams and the Sicilian communities welcoming newcomers.

She shares what it's like to be an outsider in a tight-knit village, the reality behind those too-good-to-be-true property deals, and why the distinctively Sicilian spirit still dominates despite an influx of foreign buyers.

On this episode you'll learn:

 The real story behind Sicily's one-euro house program and what buyers actually get for their money

 How small Sicilian towns are responding to an influx of foreign buyers and what "welcoming" really looks like

 Why most one-euro house purchases take much longer and cost far more than buyers expect

Don't miss these moments:
[02:30] Lisa's first impressions of Sambuca di Sicilia and the feeling of being watched as an outsider
[04:15] The elderly café customer who seemed hostile but just wanted to ask about his New Jersey cousins
[06:45] Danny McCubbin's journey from Jamie Oliver collaborator to Mussomeli community member—and dream crusher
[09:20] Why buying a one-euro house doesn't guarantee a residence permit or the right to drive
[12:10] The difference between one-euro ruins and Lisa's dream 50,000-euro house with pizza oven potential

Resources

 Read Lisa's complete Afar story about Sicily's one-euro houses.

 Follow Lisa Abend on Instagram for more European travel insights.

 Subscribe to Lisa's newsletter, the Unplugged Traveler, where she explores Europe without using the internet.

Next Episode Preview
Join Katherine in two weeks when she speaks with Peggy Orenstein, author and Afar contributing writer, who traveled to Busan, South Korea, and discovered a new love for the "second cities of the world."

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.

Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠Airwave Media⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Happens After You Buy That One-Euro Italian House?

Welcome to Unpacked, Five Questions, a new series where we go behind the scenes of one great travel story. 

In this episode, host Katherine LaGrave sits down with author and journalist Bonnie Tsui, whose father has lived in Guangzhou, China, for decades. In the 2025 Culture Issue of Afar she writes about how a recent trip to the city transformed three generations of relationships.

She shares tips for first-time visitors, why you should visit Guangzhou for the food, and the ways one city can bridge past and present, family and identity.

On this episode you’ll learn: 

• The ways that Guangzhou’s evolving identity mirror the Asian American experience. 

• Why Cantonese desserts are an underrated and essential part of Guangzhou’s food culture 

• How first-time travelers to China can adjust to the country’s mobile payment norms. 

Don’t miss these moments: 

[01:14] Complicated relationships between China, the Chinese diaspora and familial roots. 

[05:45] Cantonese desserts to capture any foodie’s heart.

[08:44] Tips for first-time travelers to China—and the app that makes everything easier.

 [10:11] Guangzhou Tower and Shamian Island: a meeting of East and West, old and new. 

Resources

Read the transcript of this episode. 

Read Bonnie’s complete feature story about Guangzhou, China in Afar’s 2025 Culture Issue.

Read Bonnie’s story, What Chinatown Means to America—and to Me on afar.com. 

Explore more of Bonnie’s work and buy her new book, On Muscle. 

Listen to this episode of Travel Tales where Bonnie swims to the soul of Switzerland. 

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.

Unpacked by Afar is part of Airwave Media's podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unpacked Minis, Five Questions: For One Writer, This Ancient Chinese City Always Feels New

Welcome to Unpacked, Five Questions, a new series where we go behind the scenes of one great travel story. 

In this inaugural episode, host Katherine LaGrave sits down with award-winning writer Anya von Bremzen to discuss her journey through Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's exciting wine region just two hours from San Diego, which she wrote about in Afar's spring issue. 

Von Bremzen, a James Beard Award-winning culinary writer who recently published National Dish in 2023, shares why this area is the fascinating "anti-Napa" and worth the bumpy ride.

On this episode you'll learn:

 Why Valle de Guadalupe is emerging as one of North America's most exciting wine regions

 How the region's lack of established traditions is fostering incredible creativity

 Why female winemakers are flourishing in this innovative Mexican wine country

 What makes the region's difficult access part of its charm and protection

Don't miss these moments:

[04:12] Why "bad roads make good tourists" according to local winemakers
[05:05] Anya's favorite natural wines from the region, including an amber sauvignon blanc called "La Poubelle" (trash can)
[08:20] The surprising prevalence of women winemakers in a traditionally patriarchal country
[10:15] How Valle de Guadalupe's freedom from tradition allows for experimental winemaking that would "make Europeans faint"

Featured in this episode:

 
Lunario - Michelin green-sustainability-star restaurant

 Silvana Pijoan - Natural winemaker of La Poubelle amber sauvignon blanc at Pijoan Winery

 Veronica Santiago - Winemaker at Mina Penelope Winery

 
Lulú Martínez Ojeda - Winemaker at Bruma who trained in Bordeaux

 
David Castro Hussong - Chef at Bruma

 
Karina Campos - Guide from Baja Wine, Eat and Travel

Resources:

 Read Anya's complete feature story on Valle de Guadalupe in AFAR's 2025 Culture issue.

 Explore more of Anya's work in her 2023 book National Dish, which examines iconic dishes from Paris, Tokyo, Istanbul, and beyond.

 Follow Anya on Instagram and Twitter for more culinary explorations.

 Join host Katherine LaGrave in two weeks for a conversation with AFAR contributing writer Bonnie Tsui about her journey to Guangzhou, China, and her new book, On Muscle.

Follow AFAR Media on Instagram and TikTok @AfarMedia.

Subscribe, rate, and review Unpacked, Five Questions on your favorite podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Beat Is the Real Heart of D.C.

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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