Some of my favorite options for travel inspiration include magazines. With weekly announcements of publications going out of business, I’m happy that the handful of travel magazines I follow are still out there to lure me into dreaming about the next place I’d like to visit. Afar, which debuts this week, is the latest addition to travel magazines that inspire me.
With a focus on experiential travel, Afar’s first issue covers Morocco’s Berber territory, bog snorkeling in Wales, learning how to make bread in Paris and visiting Tokyo’s costume-play cafés. There’s a recipe for bunny chow, South Africa’s national street food (which is rabbit-free); gadget reviews; and a list of voluntourism opportunities for people interested in ocean conservation. Tim Cahill, my favorite travel writer, wrote about “The Kindness of Strangers” on the back page.
According to founder, Greg Sullivan, “Afar is for readers who are curious about everything the planet and its people have to offer.” I know I’ll have my nose buried in the magazine all week. If you’re curious, check out www.afar.com or your local newsstand.
My former travel writing instructor, James Sturz, wrote the fantastic piece about participating in the World Bog Snorkeling Championships in Wales for Afar's debut issue, which also included an article by one of my favorite TravelMuse writers, Jonathan Lerner. I love the magazine's concept and am excited to see a travel pub that values storytelling as opposed to "Top..." or "Best Of..." lists. Bravo!