Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly

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. **

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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. **

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. **

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. **

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. **

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. **

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a surprising key to booking a successful cruise, whether it’s your first or 100th. In our second episode of Unpacked Minis, Cruise Edition, host Aislyn Greene and cruise journalist Nicole Edenedo share the secret tool in the savvy cruisers' tool box: a travel advisor.

Why Should I Book With a Travel Advisor? 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

Don’t miss these moments

[01:17]: What exactly is a cruise travel advisor?

[02:58]: How an advisor can help when things go wrong.

[04:47]: The (surprisingly low) cost of working with a travel advisor

[05:20]: How to find an affordable travel advisor.  

Resources: Find the right cruise advisor for you, with these recommendations

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to avoid the crowds and make the most of summer travel in 2025? On this episode of Unpacked, Afar contributor Mark Ellwood—a seasoned traveler who has spent most of his life living out of a suitcase—shares the off-the-beaten path summer adventures you can enjoy, again and again.

On this episode you’ll discover:  

Don’t miss these moments: 

[07:54] The Midwest’s best-kept summer travel secret. 

[12:53] Surf in the part of Scotland most people forget is there. 

[14:30] How to vacation like an Italian and avoid tourist traps. 

[20:30] Affordable flights and volcanic adventures: Why the Caribbean is a hiker’s paradise. 

While many travelers flock to hotspots like the Amalfi Coast or Rocky Mountains, Mark Ellwood reveals off-the-radar destinations, seasoned travel hacks and ways to enjoy popular locations without the crowds. 

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. **

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year—2025—is a holy one in Rome. But you can still avoid the crowds. 

On this episode of Unpacked by Afar, Rome local and journalist Laura Itzkowitz, takes us off the tourist trail and into the lesser-visited places that make Rome worth visiting, all year round. 

How To Experience Rome Like A Local, Not a Tourist

On this episode you’ll learn: 

Get To the Heart of Rome, No Long Lines Required

Don’t miss these moments: 

[03:55] Meet Mama Roma: The essence of the city. 

[16:24] How to see Rome's greatest sights, without the crowds. 

[19:48] Don’t fall for this tourist trap. Get authentic food, instead.  

[27:09] Where to stay, when in Rome. 

A Roman Love Story: In Two Parts

More than 15 years ago, Laura Izkowitz fell in love with Rome on her very first visit. She was taken by the glamour and intrigue of the city—the sounds of "mini operas" all around her. Now, she's married to a Roman, is an expert in Roman travel, and navigates the city like the seasoned local she is.

Follow along as she takes you off the tourist trail, gives you local strategies for avoiding the crowds, and shares cultural insight to help you explore the ancient city like the Romans do.

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. **

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Unpacked Minis, our new Unpacked series. Throughout the year, over the course of four bite-size episodes, we'll dig into the biggest themes in travel. This month, we're tackling cruising, specifically those who are new to cruising—or think it's not for them.

In our inaugural episode, Michelle Baran—Afar’s deputy news editor and resident cruise expert—sits down with host Aislyn Greene, a former cruise skeptic, to unpack the surprising world of modern cruising. Whether you're new to the world or you’re cruise-averse for environmental, cultural, or other reasons, you’ll discover unique cruise experiences that will help you rethink this growing travel industry. 

From cruise recommendations for adventurous travelers to the ways that cruising is adjusting to concerns about sustainability and travel limitations, here's how to dive in.

Should I Go on a Cruise?

In this episode you’ll learn: 

Busting Cruise Stereotypes One-By-One

Don’t miss these memorable moments: 

[01:52] The experience that changed my mind about cruising.

[05:49] What about wind? Sustainability and sailing ships. 

[ 00:00] Destinations you can only reach by water. 

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.

** 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. **

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices