Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly

By AfarSociety & Culture Arts Places & Travel Food

Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly episodes

October 29, 2025In Botswana, Tracking Lions and Elephants—By Bike
Welcome to Unpacked: Five Questions. In honor of our latest issue of Afar magazine, which focuses on epic trips—the kind of adventures that change your world—we're hearing from the writers and photographers who chronicled and captured those trips.
In the third episode of the series, host and Afar executive editor Katherine La Grave speaks with Afar contributor Chris Colin about his first safari — a family trip through Botswana that mixed biking, Land Cruisers, salt pans, and intimate wildlife encounters.
Chris describes the sensory moments that changed how he pays attention, the guides who opened the landscape to his family, and the small-scale wonders (including an antlion and a near-miss with a cobra) that stayed with him long after the trip.
In this episode you’ll learn
Why Botswana’s slower pace and fewer vehicles make it a different kind of safari

How biking through the bush reveals small-scale wildlife moments you won’t see from a Land Cruiser

Practical travel advice for families and first-time safari-goers (how to slow down, pack flexibly, and read local history)

How local guides turn instincts and small signs into unforgettable wildlife sightings
Don’t miss these moments
Opening conversation on why Botswana felt like the right first safari

Riding on elephant trails with a bike-supported vehicle nearby

The antlion pit: a small, gruesome, unforgettable predator encounter

Lying on the salt pans under a vast African sky and hearing lions roar at dusk

A near miss with a massive cobra while answering nature’s call
Meet this episode’s guest
Chris Colin — Afar contributing writer and the traveler at the center of this episode
Take this trip
Contributing writer Chris Colin’s eight-day Botswana itinerary was put together by Teresa Sullivan, cofounder of Mango African Safaris, who specializes in family travel. The trip featured a Natural Selection cycling safari into the Makgadikgadi Pans and exploring the Okavango Delta. From $2,444 per person, per day.
Stay Connected
Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.

Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
October 22, 2025Unpacked, Five Questions: Finding Flow on Canada's Oldest River
Welcome to Unpacked: Five Questions. In honor of our latest issue of ⁠Afar magazine⁠, which focuses on epic trips—the kind of adventures that change your world—we're hearing from the writers and photographers who chronicled and captured those trips.
In the second episode of the series, host and Afar executive editor Katherine La Grave sits down with journalist Chloe Berge. Chloe spent 13 days paddling 80 miles down Canada's Firth River—one of the country's oldest and most northern rivers—before reaching the Arctic Ocean. This epic journey through Ivvavik National Park combines adventure, science, and deep cultural history in one of the most remote regions on Earth.
Chloe shares her experience navigating Class IV rapids, disconnecting completely from the digital world, and standing in ancient Inuit hunting grounds that have been used for thousands of years. She reveals why this unique expedition—which hosts only about 100 visitors annually—serves as the sole opportunity for Parks Canada scientists to collect critical environmental data in this pristine wilderness.
On this episode you'll learn:
Why Canadian River Expeditions' partnership with Parks Canada makes this the only annual scientific data collection opportunity in the region

How two weeks completely off-grid changes your relationship with time and the natural world

What makes the Engigstciak mountain one of the most important archaeological sites in Arctic Canada

Why the region's unglaciated history during the last ice age created such unique geological formations

How paddling expectations versus reality shaped the physical demands of the journey
Don't miss these moments:
[04:00] Chloe's previous Arctic experiences and what drew her to this inland expedition

[06:00] Standing at Engigstciak—an ancient hunting lookout used for thousands of years

[08:00] Finding the rhythm of the river and how time becomes less linear in the wilderness

[10:00] The immediate sense of remoteness when dropped by bush plane 200 miles from civilization

[13:00] The geological wonders that didn't make the story—from glittering quartz pillars to sandstone archways

[15:00] Surprising truths about the paddling requirements and physical demands

[19:00] The profound mental clarity that comes from two weeks without digital connection
Resources
Read Chloe's complete Afar feature about paddling the Firth River to the Arctic Ocean

Learn more about Canadian River Expeditions and their science-focused Arctic trips

Explore Ivvavik National Park and its rich Inuit cultural heritage

Follow Chloe Berge for more stories at the intersection of travel, environment, and culture
Stay Connected
Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.

Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 min
October 15, 2025Unpacked, Five Questions: A Ski Photographer's Love Letter to the Balkans
Welcome to Unpacked: Five Questions. In honor of our latest issue of ⁠Afar magazine⁠, which focuses on epic trips—the kind of adventures that change your world—we're hearing from the writers and photographers who chronicled and captured those trips.
In the first episode of the series, host and Afar executive editor Katherine La Grave speaks with photographer Kari Medig. Kari has spent 15 years traveling the world documenting ski culture—from Austria's iconic Hahnenkamm downhill to landlocked Lesotho. But one region has captivated him above all others: the Balkans.
Kari shares his journey through Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo, revealing why these mountains—many higher than the Swiss Alps—offer something beyond world-class skiing. He discusses the unbelievable hospitality that keeps bringing him back, his unique analog photography approach using a Hasselblad film camera, and why he seeks out parking lot encounters as much as pristine powder.
From a chance morning photo of a ski rental owner in her bathrobe to reconnecting with a Bulgarian café owner a decade later, Kari's stories illuminate how skiing becomes a lens for experiencing culture in its most authentic form.
On this episode you'll learn:
Why the Balkans' mountains are higher than many expect—and vastly underdeveloped for skiing

How "Midwest Kind" isn't the only form of extraordinary hospitality—the Balkans surprised Kari with their warmth

Why Kari shot his Balkan trips on film with a single Hasselblad camera instead of modern digital equipment

How parking lots and ski rental shops become unexpected locations for the most meaningful photographs

What makes skiing a unique way to participate in—not just observe—a culture
Don't miss these moments:
[02:00] Kari's first trip to Bulgaria in 2004 and his amazement at the scope of the mountains

[03:00] The café owner who Kari reconnected with a decade later

[05:00] Why Kari uses a Hasselblad film camera for his nostalgic, muted aesthetic

[08:00] The ski hill in Bulgaria and why parking lots are Kari's favorite shooting locations

[10:00] The last-morning photo of a ski rental owner in her bathrobe that captured the entire trip

[12:00] Why people always ask Kari—who grew up skiing in Canada—"Why are you here? You have the best skiing in the world"
Resources
Explore Kari's complete Afar photo essay about skiing in the Balkans

Follow Kari Medig for more ski culture photography
Stay Connected
Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.

Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 min
October 09, 2025Replay: The Land of Hot Air Balloons, Heritage Grains, and 300 Days of Sunshine
Albuquerque isn't just a stopover—it's a destination where ancient land meets modern vision. On this replay episode of Unpacked, join host Aislyn Greene as she discovers why this Southwestern city has become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, food innovators, and cultural preservation. From sunrise balloon rides to Indigenous-led breweries, explore the Albuquerque that's rooted in 10-million-year-old landscapes and 700 years of Pueblo heritage.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How Albuquerque preserved one-quarter of its land as open space—and what that means for visitors today

The Indigenous entrepreneurs and chefs reclaiming food sovereignty through heritage grains, native ingredients, and innovative brewing

Why New Mexico's oldest wine region is finally getting the recognition it deserves

The best ways to experience Albuquerque's outdoor spaces, from the Sandia Peak Tramway to the new downtown Rail Trail
Meet this week’s guests
Sarah Sheasley, director of marketing for ⁠Los Poblanos⁠

⁠Elaine Briseño⁠, journalist and historian

Terry Brunner, the Director of the city of Albuquerque’s ⁠Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency⁠

⁠Justin de la Rosa⁠, a local food writer and director of outlets for the Sawmill Market

⁠Dylan Storment⁠, director of wine and spirits at Los Poblanos

Missy Begay, cofounder of ⁠Bow & Arrow Brewing⁠

Bill Stimmel, the entrepreneurial director at ⁠Indian Pueblo Cultural Center⁠

Murray Conrad, hot air balloon pilot and owner of ⁠World Balloon⁠

My Albuquerque itinerary
Where I ate, stayed, and played.
Hotels
Book a stay at ⁠Los Poblanos⁠

Book a stay at ⁠Hotel Chaco⁠

Restaurants
⁠El Patio⁠

⁠Mesa Provisions⁠

⁠Coda Bakery⁠

Campo at ⁠Los Poblanos⁠

Level 5 at ⁠Hotel Chaco⁠

⁠Farm & Table⁠

⁠Bow & Arrow Brewing⁠

⁠Old Town Farm⁠

Activities
Take a bike and taco tour with ⁠Routes⁠

Tour the ⁠Indian Pueblo Cultural Center⁠

Visit the ⁠Paseo del Bosque⁠

Take a tram up ⁠Sandia Peak⁠

Fly with ⁠World Balloon⁠

If you want to hear more of the flamenco episode you hear at the top of the episode, see a show at ⁠Tablao Flamenco⁠
Explore more places to stay and savor with Afar's New Mexico travel guide.

Stay Connected
Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.

Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34 min
September 26, 2025A Local's Guide to England's Best-Kept Secrets
This isn't just London—it's England, and there's so much more beyond the royal stereotypes. On this episode of Unpacked—part of Afar's ongoing Off the Tourist Trail series—join host Aislyn Greene as she explores hidden England with travel journalist Lottie Gross.
From rebellious Bristol to underground cave networks, discover the layers of England that even locals often miss. Lottie shares her insider knowledge on experiencing authentic English culture, avoiding tourist traps, and finding magic in shoulder seasons.
In this episode, you'll learn
Why Bristol is the rebellious alternative to London you need to visit

Underground adventures in the Peak District's historic Blue John mines

The best neighborhoods in London (the ones that locals love)

When to visit England for fewer crowds and better prices

Essential etiquette tips for respecting English communities
Don't miss these moments
[08:45] The Cotswolds photography problem that's driving locals crazy
[16:30] Why Bristol tore down Edward Colston's statue—and what it means
[24:15] Taking a boat through underground caves to a "bottomless pit"
[31:20] The purple heather moors and heritage railways of North Yorkshire
[42:35] Winter seal pups and life-changing venison curry in Norfolk
Meet this week's guest
Lottie Gross, travel journalist and England expert who explores her home country's hidden gems
Resources
—For more tips from Lottie about where to go, where to say, and what to eat, read her England Off the Beaten Path story on afar.com
—Follow Lottie's ongoing UK adventures on Instagram
—Read about South Oxfordshire in Afar's 2025 Where to Go list
—Dog lovers, be sure to check out Lottie's books, Dog-Friendly Weekends and Dog Days Out
—Check out our Iceland Off the Tourist Trail episode
—Read the transcript of the episode.
Where to StaySoho Farmhouse (Oxfordshire)
The Grand hotel (North Yorkshire)
What to do
Bristol's Banksy street art tours with Where the WallSS Great Britain ship museum (Bristol)
North York Moors heritage railway (Pickering to Whitby)
Speedwell Cavern boat tours (Peak District)
Borough Market and Maltby Street Market (London)
Holkham Beach for winter seal watching (Norfolk)
Whitby's annual Goth weekend

Stay Connected
Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.

Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
44 min
September 24, 2025Giants of the Highway: The Secret Story Behind Route 66's Most Unusual Museum
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" story, and in this fourth episode, host Aislyn Greene takes us to Illinois to explore the towering fiberglass giants that once ruled America's highways.
From Bob Prewitt's rodeo horse trailers to Texaco's massive "Big Friend" campaign, this episode reveals how a cowboy's creativity sparked a nationwide phenomenon of supersized roadside advertising—and how one man's obsession saved these giants from extinction.
On this episode you'll learn
How rodeo cowboy Bob Prewitt accidentally launched the fiberglass giant industry while building horse trailers in 1960s California

Why these towering figures became known as "Muffler Men" despite most never holding mufflers

The story behind Texaco's ambitious Big Friend program that deployed 300 twenty-three-foot servicemen across America—and why it failed spectacularly

How oil companies like Phillips 66 and Texaco drove the nationwide expansion of roadside giants in the 1960s

What happened when Texaco ordered all their giants destroyed, echoing Cecil B. DeMille's Hollywood set demolitions

Why Joel Baker became America's leading expert on fiberglass giants and opened the country's only dedicated museum

How the American Giants Museum on Route 66 preserves these analog attractions for smartphone-era visitors
Featured Expert: Joel Baker, founder of the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois

Stay Connected
Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.
Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and Unpacked,⁠ where we dig into the trickiest topics in travel.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
21 min
September 11, 2025Beyond the Ring Road: An Iceland Insider’s Guide to Avoiding the Crowds
Iceland is so much more than the Golden Circle and Northern Lights—there's a vast country that exists beyond the tourist hotspots. On this episode of Unpacked, join host Aislyn Greene as she speaks with travel writer Ali Wunderman, who has been exploring the country for more than a decade.
Ali shares how to connect with authentic Icelandic culture, avoid the crowds, and discover the spots that most visitors miss. From traditional lopapeysa sweaters to remote West Fjords adventures, learn how to experience Iceland like a local.
In this episode, you'll learn
How to avoid crowds at Iceland's most popular destinations

Why the West Fjords and East Fjords offer Iceland's most authentic experiences

The cultural significance behind Iceland's tourism boom and economic recovery

How to respectfully engage with Icelandic hot spring etiquette and local customs
Don't miss these moments
[03:00] The tourism video that changed everything and launched Iceland's boom
[08:00] Why dating an Icelander is the ultimate travel hack (and passport strategy)
[15:00] Iceland's transformation from a place left off maps to overtourism destination
[20:00] The real story behind Icelandic cuisine beyond fermented shark
[25:00] How WWII American soldiers accidentally created modern Iceland's progressive culture
[30:00] Essential Icelandic words and cultural tips for connecting with locals
Meet this week's guest
Ali Wunderman, travel writer for National Geographic, Vogue, and Afar, and author of an Iceland guidebook
Resources
—Read the transcript of this episode
—Read Ali's Afar.com story about off-the-beaten-path Iceland
—Explore Afar's guide to Iceland
—Browse Ali's Iceland guidebook
—Follow Ali's travels and writing on Instagram
—Explore her ex-boyfriend's Icelandic music playlist. "He often shares this with foreigners to get a deeper taste of Iceland's music beyond the stuff that makes it to the USA," Ali says.
Where to Stay
Find your dream Icelandic hotel
Where to Eat, Drink, and shop
Shop for traditional Icelandic sweaters at the Handknitting Association of Iceland
Eat Icelandic cuisine at Dill restaurant (Iceland's first Michelin star)
Try local Thai restaurants (a surprising Iceland specialty)
Eat the famous hamburger with fries inside at Leirunesti in Akureyri
Activities
Horseback riding with Eldhestar
Sheep herding during réttir season (September)
Iceland Airwaves Music Festival (November)
Þorrablót winter festivals (January)
West Fjords photography expeditions
Highland four-wheel-drive adventures
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.

Stay Connected
Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.

Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 min
September 05, 2025Unpacked, Five Questions: The Secret Life of New York's Oldest Businesses
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 feature writer Harrison Hill, who is working on his forthcoming book The Oracle's Daughter.
For his latest Afar feature celebrating New York City's 400th birthday, Harrison embarked on a borough-hopping journey to visit the oldest family-owned businesses across all five boroughs—from record stores and restaurants to bars and delis beloved by locals.
Harrison reveals how these century-old institutions survive by constantly evolving while maintaining their authentic character, and shares his surprising discoveries about the precarity and resilience of New York's most iconic establishments. He also opens up about approaching his home city of 19 years as a travel destination for the first time.
On this episode you'll learn
Why New York's oldest businesses are both unchanging foundations and constantly evolving enterprises

How iconic places like Katz's Deli and Sylvia's restaurant nearly didn't survive the pandemic

The secret subway trick to see NYC's original City Hall station

What "New Yorkness" really means according to longtime residents and business owners

Why Staten Island should be your next NYC adventure
Don't miss these moments
[02:33] Harrison's revelation about Katz's Deli serving a century-old vegan dish that's back on the menu

[03:33] The easy (but little-known) way to get from Brooklyn to Staten Island via the Verrazzano Bridge

[07:52] The semi-secret subway loop that reveals NYC's original City Hall station

[10:13] Meeting 91-year-old Mike Amedeo, the beloved "mayor" of Casa Amedeo in the Bronx

[14:04] How owning their building saved Sylvia's restaurant during COVID—and the precarity of even iconic NYC institutions

[16:14] Harrison's best advice for New York visitors: "Always look both ways before crossing a one-way street"
Resources
Read Harrison's complete ⁠Afar story about New York's oldest family businesses⁠

Read the transcript of the episode

Follow ⁠Harrison Hill⁠ for more travel and culture writing

Learn more about ⁠NYC's 400th birthday celebrations⁠
⁠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 other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
27 min
August 22, 2025Unpacked, Five Questions: When a British Writer Meets the Cape Cod of the Midwest
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 ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
August 18, 2025Paradise by Design: The Florida Story
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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22 min

About Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More Responsibly

From the publisher's feed

Unpacked by Afar is your weekly guide to where to go, how to travel, and everything worth unpacking in between. Each week, host Aislyn Greene and the Afar team travel the world and dig into the big…