What would exploring a new city without relying on technology be like?

Lisa Abend is a journalist who regularly contributes to AFAR, the New York Times travel section, and National Geographic Traveler, among others. In response to the collapse of many traditional media outlets for narrative travel writing and how social media has sucked the serendipity and sense of discovery out of travel, she launched a Substack called The Unplugged Traveler. For the newsletter, she travels to a new European city every month without using the internet—that means no Google research, no online reservations, no GPS maps, no AirBnB or Uber, and no mindless scrolling while in a cafe or on a train.

Lisa shares her unique travel philosophy, giving a fresh perspective on what it means to travel authentically. Her stories and strategies challenge the "must-see" checklist mentality, encouraging us to embrace serendipity and let go of travel FOMO. You’ll learn how going offline can deepen your connection to people, places, and unexpected moments to create a more immersive travel experience.

What’s one place you’d like to explore without relying on your phone or social media? I'd love to hear where you’d go, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

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