Travel Tales by Afar

In this episode, we’re traveling to Vienna with AFAR contributing writer Emma John. Emma has music in her blood. She grew up in London playing classical violin, and about a decade ago, she traveled to the American South to learn to play bluegrass, a journey she chronicled in a story for AFAR, and in her book Wayfaring Stranger. But in all those years, she avoided singing, for reasons you’ll soon hear about. And then one day, she decided to do something about it. So she booked a trip to Vienna, a city renowned for its singing talent—and the place where her musical odyssey begins. Listen to Emma's booksWayfaring Stranger: https://geni.us/GWtmOcbSelf Contained: https://geni.us/JUcDFollow Emma onlineInstagram: @emmajohnauthorTwitter: @em_johnHer website: https://emmajohn.com/The story that inspired it all: https://www.afar.com/magazine/viennas-moment-learning-to-love-opera-in-the-city-of-musicBe sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J.R. Harris is the greatest traveler you’ve never heard of. On a road trip through Canada and Maine, he meditates on a lifetime of adventure—and the enduring power of a great road trip.You can follow J.R. on Instagram, @jrinthewilderness, or via his website: https://www.jrinthewilderness.com/This story was inspired by a feature by AFAR deputy editor Katherine LaGrave—read the full story here: https://www.afar.com/magazine/solo-traveler-jr-harris-on-a-life-of-adventureAnd don't miss J.R.'s book: Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness TrekkerBookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/2660/9781680511208Amazon: https://geni.us/DKPBLBe sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brendan Francis Newnam, host of the Not Lost podcast, is a Croatian-Irish reporter who’s traveled the world. But in all his wanders, he’d never really given his Irish side a chance—until now.Subscribe to Brendan's podcast, Not Lost: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/not-lostAnd follow him on social media: @BFNewnam: https://twitter.com/BFNewnamAnd a special thanks to the Tourism Ireland team: https://www.tourismireland.com/Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Amtrak’s Coast Starlight, writer Chris Colin and his 13-year-old daughter, Cora, meet a Mike Tyson impersonator, marvel at the golden West Coast, and embrace the trancelike nature of the train.Read more about Chris's harebrained shenanigans! http://www.chriscolin.com/And don't miss the José Andrés podcast that Chris produced, Longer Tables: http://www.joseandres.com/podcast/Thanks to Oklahoma, who shared his song, Mandy Sue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1CKhoc4vjcBe sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a kid, comedian Esteban Gast tagged along when his parents visited family in Colombia. But he’d never established his own relationship with the culture—until now. Join Esteban as he confesses his deepest darkest family secrets (well, kinda), has his first-ever "real" talk with his cousin Camilo, explores Cartagena's ubiquitous plaques, and yes, parties without his parents!The episode that inspired host Aislyn Greene's Canada trip: https://pdst.fm/e/chrt.fm/track/B6A62C/traffic.megaphone.fm/AFAR9710174884.mp3Learn more about Esteban! https://www.estebangast.com/Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here at AFAR, we have been traveling. We imagine you've been out and about as well—or maybe you've just finally booked that big dream trip. Well, this season Travel Tales hits the road too. Five storytellers took trips in recent months, capturing the sights and sounds along the way. Every other Thursday, beginning September 1st, you'll hear one of those stories—and the challenges, joys, lessons, and more that accompanies it.Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our last summer replay, we revisit an anxious traveler: On a last-minute trip to Rio de Janeiro, author Carmen Maria Machado luxuriates in beach feasts, practices small talk—and confronts her travel anxiety.Resources:Carmen's website: https://carmenmariamachado.com/Her book, In the Dream House: A Memoir: https://bookshop.org/a/2660/9781644450383And The Low, Low Woods: https://bookshop.org/a/2660/9781779504524Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our next summer replay, we hear from adventurer Erik Weihenmayer. Erik lost his vision at age 13, but he never lost his thirst for adventure. In the decades since, he has rock-climbed in California and ice-climbed in Antarctica. In 2008, he decided he wanted to kayak through the Grand Canyon. It was, as you can, imagine quite a ride.Read more about Erik on his website, listen to his podcast, or follow him on Twitter. You can watch his documentary, The Weight of Water, on Amazon.Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our next summer replay, we revisit what we can learn about life and friendship from the women of Pan Am. These women, who flew for Pan Am in the 1960s and 1970s, were spirited, adventurous, trailblazers who lived life mostly on their own terms. Julia Cooke, author of Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am, spent four years researching their lives and shares what she learned along the way.Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to our summer replays, where we air some of our (and your) favorite episodes of the past seasons as we build up to season three, launching on August 25th. Today, we're sharing comedian Michelle Buteau's hilarious account of getting stood up in Paris at age 19. If you want to hear more from Michelle, check out her podcast, Adulting, where she answer life's essential questions like "How many pair of underwear do I pack for a weekend?" or "When should your boyfriend give up on his rap career"? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adulting-with-michelle-buteau-and-jordan-carlos/id1463400941Thanks for listening! Explore more travel tales at afar.com.Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Unpacked, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices