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 [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

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:

Don't miss these moments:

[04:12] Why "bad roads make good tourists" according to local winemakers

Featured in this episode:

Resources:

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.

In 2025, wellness is the main ingredient at sea. From elaborate tea houses to shopping excursions with the chef—these are the fresh ways that cruise lines are shedding their overindulgent reputations. 

On this episode of Unpacked Minis, Cruise Edition, host Aislyn Greene sits down at F&B@Sea—the culinary showcase at Miami's Seatrade Cruise Global conference—with David Yeskel, a travel and food journalist who has covered cruising for 20 years. Together they uncover the most surprising—and delicious—trends shaping what we eat at sea.

On this episode you’ll learn: 

Why cruise lines are embracing plant-based menus—and what that means for travelers. 

How sourcing local ingredients works (and why small ships are able to lead the way). 

The ways that shoreline dining trends are making their way aboard cruise lines. 

Don’t miss these moments: 

[02:48] Why swapping bars for tea houses is on trend in  2025. 

[05:25] Unique and inclusive food options at every level of the industry.  

[08:11] Sourcing local food? Sometimes it means taking travelers shopping with the chef. 

Featured in this episode: 

Virgin Voyages

MSC Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line

Holland America Line

Celebrity

Princess

Oceania

Viking Cruises

Azamara Cruises

Explora Journeys

Seabourn Cruises

Celestyal Cruises

Cunard 

Resources: 

Read the transcript of this episode. 

Explore more of David’s work on his website or follow him on LinkedIn.

Listen to other Unpacked Minis, Cruise Edition, like this one about innovations or this one about finding a cruise travel advisor. 

Looking for more content from Seatrade Global? Check out our sister podcast View From Afar, by the travel industry for the travel industry. 

Peek into the colorful, immersive, and luxurious innovations shaping the future of cruising—straight from the floor of Seatrade Cruise Global, one of the cruise industry's most important events.

From flying theaters to floating pickleball courts, this episode of Unpacked Minis, Cruise Edition takes you behind-the-scenes of the surprising sights (and smells) making waves in cruising. 

The luxury innovations taking cruises and yachts to the next level. 

How cruise ships utilize technology to create immersive experiences for guests 

Which innovations were revealed on the floor of Seatrade 2025. 

Don’t miss these moments: 

[02:30]  Bike the Great Wall of China on your next cruise. 

[03:54] The sights and smells that a cruise ships bottle up. 

[08:33] Party-banas and a floating pickleball court. 

[11:57] What does pouring resin on a bear have to do with eco-cruising?

[15:46] Behind the scenes of Disney Cruises’ immersive experiences.

Special Thanks To:

DOF Robotics

Froggy's Fog

Aquabanas

Bolidt

Zenko and  HF Interior

Resources:

Read the transcript of this episode.

Explore other Unpacked cruise content, like this episode about sustainable cruising, or this one about finding the right cruise for you. 

Follow Afar for all the ⁠cruise news⁠ you need to know.

With just five years under it's belt, Hotel the Mitsui has already stood the test of time. Housed in the former estate of one of Japan's most influential families, this five-star hotel is full of details that help guests see the rich traditions of Kyoto with a fresh pair of eyes.

In this “If These Walls Could Talk” episode of Unpacked, Aislyn Greene takes you on a tour of the stories—and secrets—that a hotel can reveal about the places we visit.

On this episode you’ll learn: 

Don’t miss these moments: 

[03:24] Step into a mystical journey through time. 

[11:39] What do samurai, monks, and matcha have in common? 

[19:43] Intimate and local: How artisans nod to the soul of Kyoto

Resources: 

Read the full transcript.

Book a stay at Hotel the Mitsui or follow their Instagram. 

Check out Andre Fu's work on his website.

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.

** Bonus Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode. **

This isn’t Washington, it’s D.C.—and it belongs to the people. On this episode of Unpacked, join host Aislyn Greene as she meets the D.C. locals who are shaping the city. They share the diverse communities, places, and histories that make the district unique. From a blossoming food scene to thriving cultural legacies, discover the D.C. that most tourists miss. 

In this episode, you’ll learn

Don’t miss these moments

[03:25] Aerosmith, the Smithsonian, and the oddball story that started it all. 

[09:58] Diverse foods and divisive fruits in a cult-favorite restaurant. 

[20:01] 250 artists in 2 miles: A creative community far beyond the capital city. 

[35:17] Touring a temple of musical icons. 

[36:11] They started this legendary festival with a napkin. 

Meet this week’s guests

Resources

—Read the transcript of this episode. 

—Listen to Chuck Brown’s version of “It Don’t Mean a Thing.”

—Explore Joe Brotherton's music.

Want to plan your own DC trip? Aislyn shares a Google Map and her full itinerary here.

Where to Stay

Eaton DC

Rosewood DC

Salamander DC

>>>Explore even more of Afar's favorite hotels in Washington D.C.

Where to Eat and Drink

Moon Rabbit

The Press Club DC

Oyster Oyster, 

A. Kitchen + Bar

St Vincent Wine (for live jazz)

Lutece

River Club DC

Fiola Mare

Dogon

Yellow Georgetown

Baked & Wired

Buck’s Fishing and Camping

Activities

Bike tour with DC Cycling Concierge

Walking tour with U Street Time Travel

Walking tour with DC Design Tours

Arena Stage

Culture House

National Portrait Gallery 

>>>Explore more places to eat and explore with Afar's D.C. 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.

** Bonus Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode. **

When it comes to the future of cruising, sustainability is steering the ship.

On this episode of Unpacked, Afar cruise expert and deputy editor, Michelle Baran, takes you to Seatrade, one of the cruise industry's most important events for a panel discussion that asks the question: Is sustainable cruising the new luxury cruising?

From wind-powered voyages to community-centered tourism, she uncovers the surprising and inspiring ways two of the industry's greenest cruise lines, Hurtigruten and Sea Cloud Cruises, are charting the way to a sustainable future.

We'll unpack more of the trends and innovations coming out of Seatrade in coming weeks—stay tuned!

Why Small Ships Make Big Waves in Modern Cruising

On this episode, you’ll learn: 

Sustainable Cruising: Seaweed Farms and Setting Sail 

Don’t miss these moments: 

[04:21] “Engines off. It doesn’t get greener than that.” The most peaceful moment of a Sea Cloud cruise.

[12:34] Don’t just ban single-use plastic. Behind Hurtigruten’s circular food economy. 

[18:14] How beach BBQs are helping build back an island’s economy

Meet this week’s guests

Gerry Larsson-Fedde, COO at Hurtigruten

Kevin Smith, vice president of sales at Sea Cloud Cruises

Resources 

Read the transcript of this episode.

Listen to these Unpacked Minis: There’s a Cruise for You (Really!) and Please Don’t Plan a Cruise Without This.

Explore more cruise inspiration and intel on afar.com

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.

** Bonus Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode. **

The best hotels offer so much more than a place to stay. In this episode of Unpacked, go behind the scenes of our Best New Hotels list to discover the hotels that are helping to redefine a destination, setting a new bar for sustainability and design, and bringing travelers into communities where their dollars can really count. Host Aislyn Greene and senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers—Afar's resident hotel expert—share inspiration for your next great trip.

In 2025, Hotels are Becoming Local Heroes

On this episode, you’ll learn: 

“Sustainability Has Never Looked So Beautiful.” 

Don’t miss these transformative moments: 

[02:47] This carbon-positive hotel takes sustainability to new heights. 

[09:59] Would you forgo electricity for this historic stay?

[17:58] Local Discoveries: How a tea towel led to new travel plans. 

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.

** New Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode. **

These locals are blazing a trail back to the legends that made Mississippi, specifically the Delta, a region that was (and is) vital to the development of modern music. 

On this episode of Unpacked, British writer and fiddle player, Emma John, takes you on a musical odyssey through the Mississippi Blues Trail and its role in reviving a blues heartland and connecting travelers to the soul of the genre. 

A special thanks to the late Raymond Earl "Pat" Thomas, the legendary musician featured in this episode who passed on February 12 at the age of 64.

Mississippi, the Heartland of Modern Music

In this episode you’ll learn: 

Juke Joints, Shotgun Shacks and the Soul of a Land

Don’t miss these moments: 

[06:19] The Bad Apple Blues Club might seem sketchy at first, but it’s got heart. 

[11:40] This is where B.B. King insisted on being buried. 

[27:07] Muddy Water’s nephew proves that in the Delta, the blues is always with you. 

Listen to the Locals Who Carry the Legacy of Blues 

Muddy Water’s great nephew, the son of celebrated bluesman John Thomas and a museum director who met B.B. King as a child—these are some of the local voices that steward the soul of blues on the Mississippi Blues Trail. 

Listen along as fiddle player Emma John, gets a local legacy lesson and sees how the heart, soul, and pulse of Delta Blues continues to affect musicians and travelers, alike. 

Meet This Week's Guests

Big A and the Allstars  at Ground Zero Blues Club

Roger Stolle, owner of Cat Head Delta Blues and Folk Art

Sean Apple, owner of Bad Apple Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi

Robert Terrell, director of operations at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center

Barry Bays, professor at the Delta Music Institute

Keith Johnson, aka “the Prince of the Delta Blues” 

Pat Thomas, Delta blues guitarist and son of James Thomas who often played at the Highway 61 Blues Museum

More 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.

** New Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode. **

Hut-to-hut skiing, frozen waterfalls and seaside foliage—there are surprising outdoor adventures to have in the off-season.

Whether you're looking for "softer adventures" in the outdoors (think cycling and hiking) or routinely exercise your way through destinations, this episode will help you tap into the magic of the off-season and plan a travel year full of natural wonders.

How the Best Outdoor Adventures Really Happen

On this episode, you’ll learn: 

Scenic Smorgasbords and Far Flung Destinations

Don’t miss these moments: 

[02:20] Take a last-minute spring ski trip with these tips.

[19:11] You could call these suggestions "scenic smorgasbords." 

[24:27] “Who doesn’t want to stand in the face of an ice god?” 

[34:04] Your new fall foliage favorite: The Northeast coast 

Meet This Week’s Guests

Cindy Hirschfeld is an avid skier and New York Times travel contributor who has been covering the outdoors for 25 years. From hut-to-hut-backcountry skiing to canyoneering in the desert she shares her favorite tips and recommendations for incredible adventures. 

Miles Howard doesn’t just visit trails, he builds them. Miles is the founder of Boston’s 27-mile walking city trail, and in this episode he shares far-flung destinations, scenic smorgasbords and off-season insights that make a lasting mark. 

Resources

Read Miles Howard's take on why spring is actually the best time to ski.

Check out the transcript of the episode.

Find the right outdoor adventure for you.

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.

** New Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode. **