This month on Unpacked, we're diving into Afar's just-released Where to Go list—but this year's picks are different. In 2026, we want to lessen the burden on overtouristed destinations and expand visitation to other parts of the world. Our editors carefully selected 24 emerging regions and overlooked locales that will inspire your next great adventure. For Sweden, that means skipping Stockholm and heading instead to the Stockholm Archipelago—a series of 24,000 islands about the size of Connecticut. It's home to a new 170-mile-long hiking path network launched in October 2024. In this episode, host Aislyn Greene talks with Katherine LaGrave, Afar's executive editor and host of our Unpacked: Five Questions series. This past summer, Katherine and her cousin spent a week hiking through pine and oak forests, island-hopping by ferry, eating post-hike Swedish meatballs, and sweating in saunas along the archipelago—covering about 62 miles across seven islands. Plan Your Stockholm Archipelago Trip Getting There & Around • The archipelago is easily accessible from Stockholm via a well-connected ferry system • Boat taxis are available for more direct island-to-island transport • On the islands, get around by foot or bike—rentals are available • Use the Stockholm Archipelago Trail app for offline maps and trail navigation Where to Stay • Grinda Wärdshus—stay at the historic home, once the summer residence of the director of the Nobel Prize Committee • Ingmarsö—a farmhouse B&B with private garden access • Waxholms Hotell—a newly restored in Vaxholm, the island's capital • Thanks to Sweden's Right to Roam laws, you can camp almost anywhere for one night (with stricter rules in nature reserves) Listen to All Our Where to Go in 2026 Episodes E1: This Island in the Bahamas Promises Pink Sand, Historic Hideaways, and Perfect Solitude E2: Why Peru's Second City Might Be Its Best-Kept Secret Resources • Read Katherine's full story and explore all 24 destinations on our Where to Go in 2026 list • Learn more about sauna culture in the Midwest (and why there's a right and a wrong way to say it...) • Follow us on Instagram: @afarmedia Stay Connected Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where to Go in 2026: The New 170-Mile Hiking Network Connecting Stockholm's Dreamy Archipelago

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This month on Unpacked, we're diving into Afar's just-released Where to Go list—but this year's picks are different. In 2026, we want to lessen the burden on overtouristed destinations and expand visitation to other parts of the world. Our editors carefully selected 24 emerging regions and overlooked locales that will inspire your next great adventure.  For Sweden, that means skipping Stockholm and heading instead to the Stockholm Archipelago—a series of 24,000 islands about the size of Connecticut. It's home to a new 170-mile-long hiking path network launched in October 2024.  In this episode, host Aislyn Greene talks with Katherine LaGrave, Afar's executive editor and host of our Unpacked: Five Questions series. This past summer, Katherine and her cousin spent a week hiking through pine and oak forests, island-hopping by ferry, eating post-hike Swedish meatballs, and sweating in saunas along the archipelago—covering about 62 miles across seven islands.  Plan Your Stockholm Archipelago Trip  Getting There & Around  •       The archipelago is easily accessible from Stockholm via a well-connected ferry system  •       Boat taxis are available for more direct island-to-island transport  •       On the islands, get around by foot or bike—rentals are available  •       Use the Stockholm Archipelago Trail app for offline maps and trail navigation    Where to Stay  •       Grinda Wärdshus—stay at the historic home, once the summer residence of the director of the Nobel Prize Committee  •       Ingmarsö—a farmhouse B&B with private garden access  •       Waxholms Hotell—a newly restored in Vaxholm, the island's capital   •       Thanks to Sweden's Right to Roam laws, you can camp almost anywhere for one night (with stricter rules in nature reserves)    Listen to All Our Where to Go in 2026 Episodes  E1: This Island in the Bahamas Promises Pink Sand, Historic Hideaways, and Perfect Solitude   E2: Why Peru's Second City Might Be Its Best-Kept Secret    Resources  •       Read Katherine's full story and explore all 24 destinations on our Where to Go in 2026 list  •       Learn more about sauna culture in the Midwest (and why there's a right and a wrong way to say it...)  •       Follow us on Instagram: @afarmedia  Stay Connected      Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.        Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us.     Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unpacked by Afar tackles one tricky topic in travel each week. Whether you want to hack your points and miles, figure out where to travel next, or need advice on an ethical dilemma, we're your expert travel guides. Because the travel world is complicated. We're here to help you unpack it.

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