Julia Cosgrove

We know the transporting power of a great story. Orhan Pamuk’s The Museum of Innocence will whisk you to late 1970s Istanbul; Leïla Slimani will take you to post-WWII Morocco in The Country of Others. As writers and editors, books are some of our closest companions, and independent bookstores are among our favorite places to spend time. They’re where you’ll find a juicy vacation read or a literary souvenir to bring home.

The vibe: A new glamping experience for getting closer to nature in comfort Location: 433 Oak Ridge Rd, White Salmon, WA | View on Google Maps Rates: From $229 The Afar take Despite living in the San Francisco Bay Area for many moons, I am definitely on the wimpier end of “outdoor enthusiast.” A day hike? Perfection. An e-bike ride? Totally my speed. Hydrofoiling followed by backcountry backpacking? Not my bag.

Afar recently celebrated its 15th anniversary! 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.