<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Q7MFx_0vQIsvyF00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Q7MFx_0vQIsvyF00" width="1440" height="720" ><figcaption>These are a few of our favorite essays from Afar’s 15 years of storytelling. Collage by Ellie See</figcaption></figure>Rooted in the power of experiential travel, Afar has grown to be one of the most forward-thinking, critically acclaimed travel media publications today. Now, as we reflect on the past 15 years, it’s our chance to proudly celebrate our legacy and boldly steward the future of travel as a force for good.The 15 stories highlighted here are some of our favorites because they fulfill our editorial values. They are inclusive stories that showcase the multitude of the human experience. They are driven by curiosity about the world, without judgment. They are overall optimistic and joyful, while not whitewashing or Photoshopping reality. And finally, they showcase the power of radical empathy, or of arriving in a new place with humility and a desire to learn from others.Julia Cosgrove is vice president and editor in chief of Afar, the critically acclaimed travel media brand that makes a positive impact on the world through high-quality storytelling that inspires, enriches, and empowers travelers who care. Julia lives in Berkeley, California. Learning to Understand the South, One Note at a TimeAn aspiring bluegrass fiddler from London discovers much more than music on a trip to North Carolina.A Creative Way to Find Calm in Kolkata’s ChaosIn India’s most contradictory city, artists and intellectuals improvise their way through the commotion.A Skeptic Visits the Holy Waters of Lourdes—and Surprises Even HimselfFor centuries, millions of people have visited the town in southwestern France, hoping for healing. The Incredibly True Story of Renting a Friend in TokyoWhen you’re alone in Tokyo and you need someone to talk to, do as the locals do: Rent a friend.The Ideal Iceland May Only Exist in Your MindWriter Taffy Brodesser-Akner went to Iceland seeking puffins and peace. Along the way, she learned that the perfect Icelandic adventure is just a dream—but you can, and should, still go in search of it.Are We Loving Venice to Death?The city is overrun with tourists. But what if travelers were part of the solution, not the problem?A Blind Man’s Trip Will Change the Way You Think About SafarisA visually impaired traveler journeys through the wilds of Zimbabwe and discovers a side of the safari experience that very few know.The Otherworldly, Overwhelming, Oftentimes Unbelievable Natural Wonders of OmanRock climbing. Wadi hiking. Sinkhole swimming. Author Sarah Thankam Mathews seeks out adventure in her childhood home.<blockquote>I think back to the quiet and restrained child I was, of how much I wanted to see and be in the world, to know its beauty firsthand.</blockquote>Sarah Thankam Mathews, The Otherworldly, Overwhelming, Oftentimes Unbelievable Natural Wonders of Oman, Afar 15th Essay Pick</div></body>

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Afar Magazine Is Turning 15—Here Are Some of Our Favorite Stories Throughout the Years

Rooted in the power of experiential travel, Afar has grown to be one of the most forward-thinking, critically acclaimed travel media publications today. Now, as we reflect on the past 15 years, it’s our chance to proudly celebrate our legacy and boldly steward the future of travel as a force for good.