Send Me a Text Message Discover the secret sauce behind the Denver Nuggets' thrilling comeback and how Nikola Jokic's extraordinary journey to his third MVP win has turned the tides in the playoffs. As the series stands at a knife-edge, we take you through the emotional rollercoaster from the depths of despair to the peaks of triumph, all led by Jo…

With summer travel on the horizon, it's an excellent time to talk about everyone's favorite subject: Travel insurance. It's not the sexiest subject, is it? And yet, it can play a huge role in saving you money, time, and even sanity. In this replay episode of Unpacked by AFAR, we speak with five experts to help you understand how to decided if and w…

Back in February, we interviewed Nell McShane Wulfhart, host of the Decision Coach podcast. She was a fantastic interview—lively, funny, and passionate about helping people make big decisions. She’s also the first one to say she’s really just a “professional bossy boots”—it’s not like you can go to the university of decision-coaching—but over the y…

Send Me a Text Message Unlock the gritty details behind the Denver Nuggets' playoff predicaments as we scrutinize their recent hard-knock lessons at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. We're going beyond the scoreboards to dissect how a blend of strategy clash, physicality, and psychological warfare has the Nuggets searching for answers. From …

Back in February, we interviewed Nell McShane Wulfhart, host of the Decision Coach podcast. She was a fantastic interview—lively, funny, and passionate about helping people make big decisions. She’s also the first one to say she’s really just a “professional bossy boots”—it’s not like you can go to the university of decision-coaching—but over the y…

Send Me a Text Message Discover the tenacity and heart-stopping moments as we unpack the Denver Nuggets' thrilling series win over the Lakers, which concluded with a gentleman's sweep—a testament to their playoff resilience. Feel the pulse of the game as we recount Jamal Murray's game-winning heroics, weigh in on his health, and laud Michael Porter…

Last November, while reporting our “Unpacking Albuquerque” episode, I spent a day at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. It’s this huge complex that takes up a city block, and it serves as the gateway to New Mexico’s 19 pueblos. Part of my tour included an interview with Monique Fragua, the center’s COO (and a woman with great taste in jewelry, as y…

Send Me a Text Message As the crack of the bat echoes in our hearts, Tyler, a true Baltimore Orioles devotee, steps up to the plate to share his touching origin story with the team—a tale woven with memories of his grandfather and the diamond heroics of Orioles legends. Our exchange, rich with both nostalgia and forward-looking enthusiasm, captures…

Send Me a Text Message Get ready to ride the rollercoaster of NBA playoff predictions that could either make me a basketball Nostradamus or the guy who totally airballed it. This episode is a slam dunk of analysis on the upcoming high-tension matchups, and I'm dropping fearless forecasts that'll either have you nodding in agreement or passionately …

This week on Unpacked, we travel north to Toronto, Ontario, one of the world’s most diverse cities to explore what’s made it that way—and how we as travelers can best engage with it. Meet this week’s guests Bruce Bell, St. Lawrence Market historian and tour guide Matthew Jordan, founder of Hidden Rivers walking tours Elizabeth Semmelhack, curator a…

Summer is coming. And while it's not looking like this season will be as insane as summer 2023, it's still best to begin planning now. So on this week’s episode of Unpacked, AFAR's mighty destination teams discusses what's to come. They share the best places to visit this summer—think Southern Hemisphere—and what you need to tackle now to stay ahea…

Send Me a Text Message Remember the exhilaration of your first big sporting event? That's the feeling I, recaptured on a recent whirlwind trip to Denver, reliving the excitement alongside NBA giants at a Nuggets game. It's a story that began with a casual chat with Jillian, Denver's do-it-all official scorer, and unfurled into an epic adventure pac…

The best hotels are a destination unto themselves. On this week’s episode of Unpacked, AFAR senior deputy editor Jennifer Flowers reveals the 31 properties that made our 2024 Best New Hotels list and why booking a hotel is the most important choice you’ll make for your trip. The list is a collection of the best hotels that opened in the past year, …

Hot tip: Don’t listen to this week’s episode of Unpacked hungry. Because we’re traveling to a surprising Midwestern city to explore what makes it one of the most fascinating food cities in the country. Last June, host Aislyn Greene traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, and was surprised by what she found: A refreshingly progressive, highly bikeable, very…

If you travel to a remote island resort, where do the people who work there live? Because of course, if we are traveling to a remote location, it’s highly unlikely that it’s an easy place for hotel staff to commute to and from. Typically on an island resort, staffers are housed in the middle of the island and don’t have access to the beach, the wal…

Send Me a Text Message As we tip off another episode, I'm joined by James, a die-hard Boston Celtics fan whose passion for the team was sparked by none other than Dee Brown. His story takes us back to the '90s, a pivotal time for both the Celtics and young fans like him. We explore the unwavering commitment of the team as they powered through rebui…

Where will you be on April 8, 2024? In case that date isn’t burned into your brain, it’s the day the sun, Earth, and the moon will completely align, creating a total solar eclipse that will sweep over a section of the United States. It will plunge cities around the U.S.—from Austin, Texas, to Buffalo, New York, into darkness for up to four minutes …

Unpacked, and host Aislyn Greene, are in Toronto this week! So we're resharing one of our most popular episodes from last season, because who doesn't need help sleeping from time to time? We’ve all been there: Tossing and turning on a long-haul flight, or in an unfamiliar hotel bed. But it doesn’t have to be this way! Enter Anne Bartolucci, a licen…

Send Me a Text Message From the crack of the bat at Coors Field to the hushed anticipation of a ninth-inning pitch, the love of baseball runs deep in my family—especially for my sister Krista, the Colorado Rockies' superfan who joins me in this special episode. We take you on a nostalgic journey, reminiscing about the days of spring training autogr…

Have you ever gotten stuck in indecision? Maybe it was around where to travel, or when to book your tickets, or even something as small as where to eat when you’re on the road. Well, this week’s guest is an expert at cutting through the noise and helping her clients—and now you—make fast, solid decisions. Her name is Nell McShane Wulfhart, and she’…

Money is often a taboo subject in our culture, but it has a huge impact on our lives, our futures, and yes, our travels. Danielle Desir Corbett—our guest this week—works to dispel myths and encourage transparency on her podcast, The Thought Card, and her website, thoughtcard.com, where she even posts breakdowns for the many trips she's taken. In th…

In season three of Unpacked, we're introducing "Unpacking," a series that explores some of our favorite destinations around the world. First up: Albuquerque, land of hot air balloons, chiles, and some fantastic outdoor spaces. Join host Aislyn Greene as she unpacks the Southwestern city's outdoorsy roots. Meet this week’s guests Sarah Sheasley, dir…

The issue of homelessness—or being unhoused, or facing housing scarcity—isn’t something we often talk about when it comes to travel, unless it’s in a negative sense. In this episode, however, we’re going to meet a London-based tour company that’s working on bringing homelessness into the tourism narrative. It’s called Unseen Tours, a nonprofit foun…

Send Me a Text Message Get ready to ride the high tide of sports enthusiasm as we unpack the Denver Nuggets' hot streak, including a standout victory that will send the Milwaukee Bucks reeling. Feel the energy as we chuckle over Nikola Jokić's 'night off,' which, let's face it, he deserves after dishing out triple-doubles like they're going out of …

The world of travel loyalty programs is . . . complicated. Last year, Delta made waves when it announced that it was making radical changes to its SkyMiles program. People very quickly—and this is the technical term—freaked the eff out. So, Delta swiftly (and wisely) backpedaled. But as I learned from this week’s expert, Paul Rubio, this isn’t the …

Send Me a Text Message Embark on an emotional rollercoaster with me as we dissect the Denver Nuggets' turbulent five-game journey through the eyes of someone who experienced the adrenaline-pumping highs and gut-wrenching lows firsthand. From the strategic triumph over Boston to the bitter disappointments against Philly and New York, this narrative …

There’s a special magic to being at sea. Watching a port retreat as a ship begins to sail, the sensation of gently (or not so gently) rocking waves, the expansiveness of open water. This week’s episode is all about that magic, whether you would label yourself a “cruiser” or not. To get the scoop on the high seas, we’re hearing from Fran Golden, who…

We're three weeks into the new year. Maybe you're a freshly minted, idealized version of yourself. Or maybe your new year's resolutions are as distant as the icebergs of Antarctica. But no matter what your life looks like, there's one thing you can count on: travel. And today, we're going to talk about the best places to travel this year, whether y…

Send Me a Text Message Explore the seismic shifts of the NBA midseason with our expert guest, Mason, as we unravel the intricacies of the surprising Knicks and Raptors trade. Feel the tremors of the league as we delve into the repercussions of seeing favorites like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley swap jerseys, and dissect how the Knicks are shapin…

Send Me a Text Message Have you ever witnessed a moment so electrifying that it sends shivers down your spine? That's precisely what unfolded when Nikola Jokić launched that half-court prayer to seal a breathtaking Denver Nuggets victory against the Golden State Warriors. Clutch your seats as I recount the emotional rollercoaster, from Jokić's jaw-…

It's a fresh new year! And we all know that this also means that there's a fresh year of travel to plan, discoveries to be made, and adventures to be had. And Unpacked by AFAR is here for you every step of the way. AFAR editors will share the places they're dreaming of visiting this year. A cruise expert will unveil the best places to cruise in 202…

Send Me a Text Message Discover the heart and hustle of the Denver Nuggets as they surged through a victorious week, and how their underdog spirit could carry them into a playoff success story. I'll take you courtside to celebrate Jamal Murray's resurgence and marvel at Nikola Jokić's rebounding feat, while also pondering the impact of Aaron Gordon…

Send Me a Text Message Ever wondered how a professional sports team can pivot through a season's highs and lows while maintaining an electric atmosphere? Buckle up, Nuggets fans, as I take you through a riveting journey of our favorite Denver team's season—exploring the heady 9-1 start, injury battles, lineup shuffles, and the resurgence led by a h…

How often do you do something that scares you? This week on Travel Tales by AFAR, Jeff Jenkins—host of the National Geographic show Never Say Never—reminds us that life begins where our comfort zone ends. On his show, Jeff tests the limits of his physical and mental abilities. He climbs mountains, cave dives, learns to sumo wrestle, races in a Maor…

Send Me a Text Message Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich history of the Nuggets and the unique holiday that defines us - Jokmas. As Nuggets fans, we're marking the day when everything changed for our team; the day Nikola Jokic was promoted to the starting lineup. This episode takes you back to that fateful day on December 15, 2016, explorin…

The Great Bear Rainforest is one of the most spectacular, pristine protected places in Canada. But it wasn't always this way. Kevin Smith, a boat captain who grew up in British Columbia and now owns and operates Maple Leaf Adventures, was instrumental in helping turn the local economy from extraction (logging) to tourism. Since then, he's guided th…

Can geometric shapes heal the world? That's what the artists of the De Stijl movement—which came of age in the Netherlands after World War I—believed. Piet Mondrian is one of the most famous members of this group, which forbade circles and embraced light, color, and geometry as a way to move past the chaos of the war. As AFAR contributing writer Ch…

Send Me a Text Message Dive into the heart of football fandom as we sit down with our die-hard guest, Tyler, to dissect the Baltimore Ravens' recent performance and upcoming matches, with a keen focus on the rivalries within the AFC North division. Let Tyler walk you back to his first memory of being a Ravens fan at the tender age of six and get a …

For writer Ryan Knighton, surfing is one of the rare occurrences where he feels completely free. Because, in addition to being an excellent writer, a dad, and a curious individual, Ryan is blind. But that's never stopped him from exploring the world. So more than a decade ago, he learned to surf and has been riding the waves near his home in Britis…

What's it like to eat your way along France's Vallée de la Gastronomie, a 400-mile food trail that begins in Dijon and ends in Marseille? That's the question we're exploring in this week's episode of Travel Tales by AFAR. Host Aislyn Greene, who spent some formative time in France as a 20-something, returns to hunt truffles, meet famous French cows…

Send Me a Text Message Ever been on a roller coaster of emotions, gripped by anticipation, suspense, and jubilation, all within the span of a baseball game while watching updates on your phone? Well, our guest, Brad, has lived it all through the extraordinary journey of the Texas Rangers to their first-ever World Series win. We dissect the high-oct…

Send Me a Text Message We're breaking down recent games and dissecting the team's performance, from their blowout loss against the Timberwolves to their impressive plays against the Mavericks and Bulls. Michael Porter Jr.'s defensive prowess is up for discussion, as we gush over his potential All-Star status. We lament the unfortunate injury Jamal …

The Great Smoky Mountains have had an outsized impact on Dolly Parton—they shaped the way she grew up, influenced her music, and are the only place where she feels truly restored. Which is why she has spent her adult life giving back to the region, primarily through tourism. On this week's episode, we travel to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, for the unve…