Unpacked by AFAR · Thursday, August 13, 2026
Editor Livia Spaldin reflects on her personal transformation as a traveler, contrasting her younger self who sought extreme adventures with her current preference for 'slow travel' and more spiritual experiences. She moved to South Korea at 25, where her travel writing career began.
“And who was I then? I was young and fearless and filled with wonder.”
“I was very adventurous. And now, who am I now? Compared. I mean, I would say that I I'd like to think I'm still adventurous and I'm not the kind of person who just loves, you know, like really extreme adventure. I mean, I'm 56 now and some of those daredeviling things that I did when I was young don't interest me anymore. I think slow travel is more my jam now.”
“And now I think I crave like a more meaningful relationship with the place.”