Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

Hear about travel to the remote region of Skardu, Pakistan, as the Amateur Traveler talks to James Schomburgk about his recent visit to this beautiful mountain region.

Why should you go to Skardu?

James says, "It is really a step back into time. You're getting exposed to Stan culture, which is quite unique, very different from Southern Pakistan. There's a lot of crossover to the Ladakhi people in India. It's very much Muslim, but very different Muslim."

The people there are believed to originated more from European and Iranian looks. So a lot...

Hear about travel to Southeastern Turkey as the Amateur Traveler talks to Mark Michael from rambleswithmark.com about this region that is the home to people in the Bible like Paul and Abraham, ancient monasteries, and some of the oldest known megaliths.

Connection to Region

In this episode of Amateur Traveler, host Chris Christensen talks with AJ Ajay, a Libyan-born travel professional and founder of Intu Libya, about traveling to one of North Africa’s least-visited and most misunderstood destinations: Libya. From spectacular Roman ruins to Saharan oases, ancient Amazigh towns, and the vibrant streets of Tripoli, AJ explains why Libya rewards travelers who are curious, respectful, and willing to look beyond headlines.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.

Why Visit Libya?

Libya...

In this episode of the Amateur Traveler, host Chris Christensen welcomes back Jonty Crane of Jonty Travels and The Tramping Life podcast to share practical advice and favorite sights from his many visits to India’s capital, Delhi.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.

Delhi is intense, historic, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating.

Jonty has visited Delhi six times over the past six years and offers a grounded perspective on how to experience the city without being over...

In this solo episode of Amateur Traveler, Chris shares an in-depth look at an eight-night adventure cruise through the fjords, glaciers, capes, and wildlife of southern Patagonia aboard Ventus Australis. The route combines two four-night segments, sailing from Punta Arenas, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina, and back again, providing double the opportunities to explore remote landscapes reached only by Zodiac.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.

What This Episode Covers

•...

In this episode of Amateur Traveler, Chris talks with returning guest and friend of the show Lee Moore, author of "China's Backstory: The History Beijing Doesn't Want You to Read" and co-host of the Chinese Literature Podcast. Lee returns to share his love for Northern Taiwan, a place he first lived in more than a decade ago while studying Chinese literature in Taipei, and a region he revisited in 2023 with his wife and two young children.

Together, they explore what to see, how to get around, and why Northern Taiwan makes an unexpectedly great family-friendly adventure.

In this episode of Amateur Traveler, Chris talks with travel writer and guidebook author Joshua Zukas about planning an immersive trip through Central Vietnam, a region filled with imperial history, dramatic caves, ancient cultures, beaches, wildlife, and some of the country’s most distinctive cuisine.

Joshua has lived in Vietnam for nearly 20 years, first in Huế and now in Hanoi, and has authored multiple guidebooks.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.

Why Visit Central Vietnam?

...

In this solo episode of Amateur Traveler, Chris takes you along on a Yangtze River cruise from Yichang to Chongqing, an upstream journey through China’s legendary Three Gorges.

Along the way, you’ll hear about naked trackers of old, a poet whose death inspired a festival celebrated across China, engineering marvels, hanging coffins, misty karst cliffs, and the modern rhythms of cruise life on the Victoria Sabrina, a ship from Victoria Cruises.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Tr...

Hear about travel to the south of England as the Amateur Traveler talks to Heather Cowper from HeatherOnHerTravels.com about hiking the Thames Path National Trail.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠here.

Why should you walk the Thames Path National Trail?

Heather says, "There are some people like me who are avid walkers and love to do a national trail, a long-distance trail, and I've done a few, and this was a very enjoyable one. I thi...

Hear about travel to Kosrae and Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Lexie Brown from @lexienicolebrown on Instagram about her explorations of this remote island country.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠here.

Why should you go to the Federated States of Micronesia?

Lexie says, "It is a place that's so unique, and, I think, unmatched when it comes to experiencing ancient Micronesian culture. And what's interesting about the FSM...

Hear about travel to Bhutan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Dorji Dhratyul, the former head of Tourism for the Kingdom of Bhutan.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠here.

Why should you go to Bhutan?

Doji says, "I think when you're talking about globally in terms of tourism, we are talking about over-tourism. The tourism destinations are getting crowded, but as of now, Bhutan is still a very pristine, quiet, and silent place. Bhutan is that pl...

Hear about travel to Kansas as the Amateur Traveler discusses a recent trip to Wichita, Kansas, for a conference and a post-conference Old West themed press trip.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠here.

Why should you go to Kansas?

Chris says, "This is a state that surprised me. I wasn't planning on doing an episode on this trip, but Kansas surprised me. The history and the food were all memorable. The press trip I did was ab...

Hear about a road trip across the North Shore of Lake Superior as the Amateur Traveler talks to David Adler about an area that he fell in love with through a summer camp.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠here.

Why should you drive this road trip?

David says, "I think what makes it really unique is that it's a place that no one really knows about. I think it stands as one of the most b...

Hear about travel to Cairo, Egypt, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Neil Laird, TV producer and the author of the Prime Time Travelers Series, about his favorite city.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here.

Why should you go to Cairo?

Neil says, "I've traveled to some 70 countries and I've been an international documentary  TV producer for 30 years. But anytime people ask me what is my happy place, what is the place that set me al...

Hear about traveling to Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as the Amateur Traveler discusses a biking trip around the lake to explore its historic, cultural, and natural sites.

The Lake Constance International Tourism Board sponsored this trip.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠here.

Day 1 – Arrival in Constance, Germany 

Hear about travel to Marseille and Provence in France as the Amateur Traveler talks again to Audra Morris of The Nerd Traveler about her visit to France's second-largest city.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠here.

Why should someone travel to Marseille and Provence?

Audra says, "Marseille in Provence is the oldest town in France. It has got 2,600 years of history. It does have a reputation of being a little bit edgy, a little bit gritty...

Hear about travel to the top half of New Zealand's South Island as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about his adopted country.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠here.

Why should you visit the top half of New Zealand's South Island?

Jonty says that this area has "spectacular scenery, natural hot springs, beautiful beaches, world-class vineyards, and whale watching".

Jonty suggests a two-week road trip (with additional optional side t...

Hear about travel to Solomon Islands as the Amateur Traveler talks to Chris Shorrock from Travel Obscure about his adventurous trip in these remote Pacific islands.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here.

Why should you go to the Solomon Islands?

Chris says, "There's lots of reasons. One of the reasons we didn't really focus on World War II history. One of my big reasons for going was it's an a...

Hear about travel to the Galapagos Islands as the Amateur Traveler talks to Michael from Rochester about doing this bucket list trip as a budget traveler.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here.

Why should you go to the Galapagos?

Michael says, "It is a world location that should not be missed. And you do not have to be an animal enthusiast or safari adventure type person. That certainly helps to have an open mind abou...

In this episode of the Amateur Traveler podcast, host Chris Christensen talks with Bart from Trip Tailor, a travel agent and former train steward who has been working with European rail for decades. Bart shares his deep knowledge of night trains in Europe, from their practical benefits to the romance of waking up in a new city.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here.

Why Night Trains?

Bart explains that...

Hear about a road trip in Oman as the Amateur Traveler talks to Max Walton from Sloths with Latitude about the country he thinks is the best in the world.

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here.

In this episode of the Amateur Traveler podcast, we explore a two-week road trip through Oman, a country offering dramatic mountains, turquoise wadis, pristine deserts, and a warm culture rooted in Ibadism. Max shares his favorite country in the world, guid...

Hear about travel to Turkmenistan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Abdylla Geldiyev, Managing Director of Undiscovered Frontiers,  about an itinerary for one week in this seldom-visited country in Central Asia.

Turkmenistan remains one of the least explored destinations in the world. From Ashgabat, a city of Guinness World Records and futuristic white marble architecture, to ancient Silk Road cities and surreal desert landscapes, this itinerary combines history, archaeology, and natural wonders.

Why Visit Turkmenistan?

Abdylla describes Turkmenistan as a country for seasoned travelers seeking the unusual:

In this episode of the Amateur Traveler podcast, host Chris Christensen recounts his immersive experience cruising the Peruvian Amazon on a nine-day "Amazon Riverboat Adventure in Depth" with G Adventures. This small-group journey, involving ~24 travelers, offers a deep dive into the culture, biodiversity, and challenges of life in the Amazon Basin.

The trip began in Lima, Peru, and then took the group via domestic flight to Iquitos, one of the world’s most isolated cities, accessible only by air or river. From there, they traveled 97 km by road to Nauta to embark on the riverboat Amatista. For fi...

Hear about travel to the tiny country of Andorra as the Amateur Traveler talks to musician Eli Lev about this small country in the Pyrenees Mountains, where he lived for three years.

Why should you go to Andorra?

Eli says, "I just fell in love with the country. First of all, it's in the middle of these magnificent mountains of the Pyrenees, so that means in winter you've got skiing, snowboarding, Aper ski, lots of festivities. Beautiful. In the summer, you've got these incredible hikes and a really special, like Neverland, nestled in the mountains...

Hear about travel to the Silk Road as the Amateur Traveler talks about his recent trip to the Gansu province of China, Buddhist Grottos, stunning landscapes, barren deserts, and the original Great Wall of China.

More than 2,000 years ago, Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty sent his prodigy general Huo Qubing to seize the Hexi Corridor from the Xiongnu nomads, founding four fortified outposts—Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Dunhuang—that anchored the eastern Silk Road.

Centuries later, the monk Xuanzang left Lanzhou for India along the same desert corridor, returning with Sanskrit scriptures...

Hear about travel to Beijing, China, and the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Gansu) as the Amateur Traveler discusses the first half of a recent press trip to China, sponsored by the Chinese Tourism Board.

Seven days let you pair Beijing’s imperial centers and Great Wall with the yak‑grazed valleys, monasteries, and soaring limestone of Gannan—history and highlands in a single, unforgettable loop.

Morning

Hear about travel to Suriname as the Amateur Traveler talks to Mike Power from SmallOfTheRoad.blogspot.com about his recent trip to this South American country.

Why should you go to Suriname?

Mike says, "It's an undiscovered little gem. I'm just surprised it's not more popular. The number one draw there would be nature and ecotourism. There's a ton to see. As much as 95% of the country is covered in rainforest. And so ecotourism and the wildlife, especially a lot of birds, monkeys, etc. The second one would be diversity. So, it's actually a very...

Hear about sailing in the Saronic Islands and the Peloponnese as the Amateur Traveler talks about his recent yacht charter with Navigare Yachting.

My wife and I had wanted to gather a few friends and do a small boat sailing trip in the Greek Islands for more than a decade. This dream reached fruition when Navigare Yachting offered to provide the use of a boat in exchange for talking about the journey on the podcast.

We began our one-week sailing adventure in Athens...

Hear about travel to the island nation of Samoa as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about his recent trip biking around the country.

Why should you go to Samoa?

Jonty says, "Samoa is a small island in the Pacific. If you imagine a tropical Pacific paradise, then something like Samoa would probably spring to mind in terms of palm trees along a beautiful sandy beach with snorkeling opportunities and some diving opportunities. The Samoan culture is very interesting. It is very much the heart of Polynesia, and they've done a...

Hear about travel to Northern Iceland as the Amateur Traveler talks to Monika from PlanPackExplore.com about her recent trip through the center of Iceland to the less-visited northern part of the country.

Why should you visit Northern Iceland?

Monika says, "I'm a self-proclaimed Iceland lover. I went there for the first time in 2022, by accident, which is a long story, but we ended up in Iceland, and literally after six days, started planning the second trip. Then we went back. I went back the third time with my dad, trying to show him the...

Hear about rafting the Grand Canyon for seven days as the Amateur Traveler talks about this bucket list trip sponsored by Western River Expeditions.

In this solo (but not really solo) episode of Amateur Traveler, host Chris Christensen recounts a seven-day rafting adventure down the Grand Canyon with Western River Expeditions — a journey filled with whitewater rapids, red rock cliffs, side canyon hikes, waterfalls, fossils, ancient ruins, and meaningful encounters with fellow travelers.

Hear about travel to the French Riviera as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer and children's book author Kimberley Lovato about this region where she has had a pied-à-terre for years.

Why should you go to the French Riviera?

Kimberley says, "Certainly for people who love great hotels and Michelin star food and gorgeous scenery, you know what's not to love? We have the Cannes Film Festival. But, if you love beaches, hiking, and museums, I hate the cliche 'there's something for everyone', but in this case, it is true. Beaches, food, hotels, s...

Hear about travel to Espírito Santo, Brazil, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Fuse from Fuse Travels about her family's homeland.

Why should you travel to Espírito Santo?

Fuse says, "It is way more affordable than Rio, just as pretty, as far as beaches. It is underrated. So you're not gonna go sightseeing and have a swarm of tourists. You really get a feel of local culture. There's some amazing cuisine. Espírito Santo is diverse geography."

Fuse suggests a rich and varied itinerary for a visit to Espírito Santo, Braz...

Hear about travel to Brunei and Sabah on the island of Borneo as the Amateur Traveler talks to Max Walton about his recent trip to these contrasting locations.

Why should you go to Brunei and Sabah?

Max says, "It's one of the least visited regions in the area. I think in 2023, only 133,000 people visited. It's not many at all. This also offers a different side of Southeast Asia. I know a lot of people go to Vietnam, Thailand, even Bali, Indonesia, but Brunei is the only absolute monarchy in the region. It's also governed by...

Hear about travel to the region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Quebec as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jennifer Doré Dallas from Chasing Poutine about this out of the way road trip.

Why should you go to Abitibi-Témiscamingue?

Jennifer says, "Most people don't really know about it outside of Quebec. But in our province, it's really well known, especially for nature. It's a true paradise for nature lovers. It's also historical, bringing us back to log driving and fur trading times. I'll take you from gold mines to microbreweries to pristine lakes. Basically, you're off the...

Hear about travel to Victoria, British Columbia, as Chris Christensen from Amateur Traveler talks about his recent visit to the capital of British Columbia.

Join Chris Christensen as he returns to one of the first cities he ever visited outside the U.S.—Victoria, British Columbia. In this solo episode, Chris recounts a week-long press trip to Vancouver Island's picturesque capital. From kayaking and whale watching to historic Chinatown, local farms, and world-renowned gardens, discover why Victoria is more than just a pretty harbor town.

After arriving via Victoria International Airport, the trip kicks off wi...

Hear about New Zealand Great Walks as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from jontynz.com about these amazing multi-day treks in his home country.

Picture snow-capped mountains, volcanic landscapes, brilliant blue alpine lakes, epic coastal scenery, unusual native birds, wilderness as far as the eye can see, golden sand beaches, historic sites, lush moss-filled bush, and huge waterfalls.

New Zealand has ten Great Walks, 3-5 day hikes (or tramps in NZ) through some of the finest scenery in this beautiful country.

The Great Walks are an accessible introduction...

In this solo episode of Amateur Traveler, I share the story of my recent walking trip through the Kunisaki Peninsula and Yufuin in Kyushu, Japan, with Walk Japan. This immersive journey took me past massive stone Buddhas, forest trails, rural villages, sacred shrines, and into steamy onsens — all while uncovering centuries of Japanese history and culture.

Temples, Shrines, Onsens, and the Trails Between – Kunisaki & Yufuin Walk

Hear about travel to Auckland, New Zealand, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about a city that he called home for a decade.

Why should you go to Auckland?

Jonty says, "Many people go to New Zealand, but spend almost no time in Auckland. It's a bit like a little sister or brother to Sydney in Australia, but with some unique New Zealand characteristics. There are over 50 extinct volcanoes. It's between two natural harbors. There are some very beautiful islands which are easily accessible from the CBD, and it's also...

Hear about travel to the Queensland Outback as the Amateur Traveler talks to Melissa from Queensland about a destination she discovered during the pandemic when she could not leave her home state.

Why should you go to the Queensland Outback?

Melissa says, “Firstly, I think when most people think of Queensland or plan a visit to Queensland, they’re thinking Great Barrier Reef, maybe Gold Coast, theme parks, beautiful beaches, and I just find people aren’t thinking about the outback. I don’t know why, really, because it’s amazing… I think, parti...

Hear about traveling to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as the Amateur Traveler talks to a longtime Disney expert, former attorney, host of WDW Radio, and Podcast Hall of Fame inductee.

Why Visit Walt Disney World?

Hear about travel to Kolkata, India (formerly Calcutta) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Sam Sarkar from Travels with Dr. Sam about this city built by the British East India Company.

Why should you go to Kolkata?

Sam says, "It's a real hidden secret. This is a city that has grand colonial buildings. It used to be the second city of the British Empire for the longest time. The first US consulate in the world was set up in Kolkata even before Thomas Jefferson was president in the late 17...

Hear about travel to Cuba as the Amateur Traveler talks to 3 listeners of the show who joined this year’s trip to explore this beautiful and sometimes challenging country.

Here’s a summary of the 2025 Amateur Traveler's Private Hola Cuba itinerary:

Trip Overview

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Havana

In this episode, Johnny Jet shares his deeply personal story of overcoming a debilitating fear of flying before becoming a travel expert.

A dream trip to Australia in high school was derailed when, at the airport, he had a panic attack and refused to board the plane, devastating his family and himself. He spent the next three years struggling with anxiety and fear—not just of flying, but even of leaving home.

Learn what triggered this and how Johnny dealt with it.

Johnny created a...

Hear about travel to Germany’s Black Forest in Baden-Württemberg as the Amateur Traveler talks to Matt Kepnes (Nomadic Matt) about his visit to the hills and woods of southwest Germany.

Why should you go to the Black Forest?

Matt says, "You'll find incredible hiking, lots of lakes, waterfalls, and cute little quintessential German towns with beautiful architecture. There are also a lot of hot springs around the Baden Baden area. Plus, there's just great food and I just really loved the welcoming vibe of the people."

<...

Hear about travel to the Basque Country in France and Spain as the Amateur Traveler talks to Craig Anderson about his recent trip to the home of the Basque.

Why should someone go to the Basque Country?

"It's a very unique region so it's got some unique architecture, it's got unique history. The culture is unique and fairly compact, so you can get around and explore the whole thing in a week. There's obviously other things that you can go see if you wanted to spend a little more...

Hear about travel to Genoa and Liguria in Italy as the Amateur Traveler talks to Enrica, Ligurian food expert from ASmallKitcheninGenoa.com about her home region in Italy.

Why should you travel to Liguria?

Enrica says, "Liguria is a wonderful region, not just because this is my region, but there are many reasons for traveling here. First of all, for its spectacular scenery. We have a mix of mountains and sea with dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and trails. But we also have other fantastic landscapes like the well-known dry and stone walls, so-called Muretti a...

Hear about travel to Duluth, Minnesota as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel photographer Autumn Carolynn about this city on Lake Superior that has captured her heart.

Why should you go to Duluth?

Autumn says, "There are so many reasons why Duluth to me is a place that someone can go and feel like they are at home, I feel like it is just so unbelievably beautiful, but it's also a place where you feel at peace and you feel calm. So it is one of the top places in my mind. I had this g...

In this episode, friend of the show Gary Arndt turns the tables on host Chris Christensen and asks him questions about Amateur Traveler, giving a behind-the-scenes view of the podcast.

Here are some of the questions that this episode will answer about the Amateur Traveler podcast:

Origin Story:

"How did you come up with the idea of the Amateur Traveler?"

"What was the format originally?"

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/questions-and-answers/

Hear about travel to Stuttgart, Germany as the Amateur Traveler talks again to Kristin Montgomery from growingglobalcitizens.com and mycornerofgermany.com about her corner of Germany in the Baden-Wuerttemberg region. 

Why should you go to Stuttgart? 

Kristin says, "Stuttgart is the car capital of Germany. It's home to Porsche and Mercedes Benz. It's a wine region. In fact, there are actually vineyards within the city, which is pretty cool. And around here, there are some amazing castles and also some really cool special events that I'm going to tell you about."

Kristin recommends an...

Hear about travel to Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kathy Condon from the Palm Springs Insider Guide about this desert tourist area she calls home.

Why should you go to Palm Springs?

Kathy says, "Imagine living in a place where you have 350 days of sunshine. It's hard to explain that how alive Palm Springs is with the arts."

Kathy highlights the region’s year-round sunshine, boutique hotels, midcentury modern architecture, outdoor adventures, arts and culture, and vibrant dining scene.

Below is a detailed guide ba...

Hear about travel to off-the-beaten-track regions of Colombia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin Barnes about multi-color rivers, granite monoliths, giant palm trees, and deserts.

Why should you go to these places in Colombia?

Justin says, "These locations are all extremely unique. Caño Cristales is unlike anything we've ever seen. It's full of colors, red, green and gold in the river. The area near Inírida called Mavecure is three giant hills. Just imagine something like if you took a half dome or El Capitan and just drop them in the middle of the...

Hear about travel to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates as the Amateur Traveler talks about an unexpected trip to the region.

Why should you visit the UAE?

The United Arab Emirates is an odd combination of new and old. It is a multi-cultural country where 90% of the people who live there are guest workers from around the world. It is very modern, but if you look closely, you can find historic sites.

Travel on this trip was sponsored by United Airlines. They wanted me to review their Polaris Business class as a...

Hear about travel to Timor-Leste as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane about this small out of the way tropical country where he is doing volunteer work.

Why should you go to Timor-Leste?

Jonty says, "... Because nobody else goes if that's your thing. It was quite a shock when I went to Australia, and there were tourists. Whereas going around Timor, there's almost no tourists. So that's a bonus. And it has world-class snorkeling, world-class diving, world-class hiking."

Jonty recommends an itinerary for Timor-Leste that spans approximately a week, balancing time in...

Hear about travel to the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia as the Amateur Traveler talks to James Schomburgk about his adventures in this out of the way destination.

Why should you visit the Eyre Peninsula?

James says, "Because of its remoteness, it's probably the lowest number of tourists in Australia. And yet it's listed as one of the biggest hidden gems in the world because of the scenery. The scenery is magical. If you're looking for classic Australian beaches, pure white sand, stunning water, fantastic cliff scenery, and some of the best surf beaches in...

Hear about travel to the Languedoc Region as the Amateur Traveler talks to Craig from Dallas about his road trip through the historic cities of Southern France, including Montpellier, Albi, Sete, Beziers, Carcassonne, and Toulouse.

Why should you visit the Languedoc?

Craig, says, "We've been trying to spend more time in smaller regions [of France]. I think this is a really, specific and unique region to try to go to because it does have some regional differences that make it interesting, say from other parts of France. You're going to find a lot of the...

Hear about travel to Machi Picchu as the Amateur Traveler talks to Michael from Rochester about his bucket list visit to this famous Inca site and more in Peru.

Why should you visit Machu Picchu?

Michael says, "I'm going to tell you why I wanted to go to Machu Picchu. First, as I have to say, probably a fifth-grade student, it was just one of those iconic historical places that I remember from my childhood. Always saying, 'I'm going to go there someday.'"

Michael recommends a carefully planned itinerary for visiting Machu...

Hear about travel to Paraguay as the Amateur Traveler talks to Alex from AdventureToEveryCountry.com about this lesser-visited country that he has come to love.

Why should you visit Paraguay?

Alex says, "So Paraguay is more about the culture than anything else. It's not a country that you come to for bucket list tourist attractions. That's something where you might go to neighboring Brazil for Rio or Iguazu Falls on the border with Argentina. Paraguay is much more low-key. It's more about authentic culture, getting to know the locals, and getting off the tourist trail."<...

Hear about travel to Menorca, Spain, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kristin Henning from travelpast50.com about her visit to the northernmost of the Balearic Islands.

Why should you visit Menorca?

Kristin says, "In a nutshell, it is so appealing because the entire island of Menorca is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is just stunning, nature wall to wall. It's just a small, relaxed island. It's one-fifth the size of Mallorca, with only one-tenth the population. So it's very easy to relax and enjoy the outdoors and all that this very historic small island...

Hear about travel to Ushuaia, Argentina, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Naomi Linford from "Forever Out Of Office" about her winter trip to the southernmost city in the world.

Why should you go to Ushuaia?

Naomi says, "I think it has the kind of status as one of those places that you go to, to say you've been to the most southern city in the world. But there's just so much more to see: glaciers, national parks, and a lot of history. The area has to offer that you can explore by spending a...

Hear about Hiking in Europe as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer Cassandra Overby from exploreonfoot.com about how and why to see Europe from its trails and paths.

The podcast episode features Cassandra Overby, a travel writer and author of Home Base Hiking Europe and Explore Europe on Foot, discussing hiking as a unique way to explore Europe. Below is a summary of the episode's key highlights:

Cassandra’s Journey to Hiking-Based Travel

Hear about travel to Cáceres, Spain, as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer Troy Nahumko, who literally wrote the book on this unexplored corner of Spain.

Why should you go to Cáceres?

Troy says, "It might have made the news over there, this anti tourism backlash that you might have been seeing here in the big cities like Barcelona, Malaga. It's just not the story throughout the country. Out here, travelers are cherished and welcomed. It's a really beautiful place. And it's one of these places that, You would use all of th...

Hear about travel to Central China as the Amateur Traveler talks to Larry Fan, who was born in the city of Zhengzhou and recently returned to explore his birth country.

Why should you go to Central China?

Larry says, ”

“I think it’s particularly special because it’s considered the cradle of Chinese civilization. Xi’an was the first imperial capital of China. Zhengzhou also happened to be one of the first capitals of the Shang dynasty. Kaifeng and Luoyang, which are two other cities I’ll talk about, had also served as capitals of...

Hear about travel to Central Asia or the 'Stans as the Amateur Traveler talks to Megan Cox from Meg the Rolling Egg about her trip to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

Why should you go to Central Asia?

Meg says, "Whilst there was , 'Oh my God, this place is amazing. I don't know why people aren't talking about it more. I don't know why people aren't coming here more often.' It has something for everyone. It's really just a beautiful place to go. So I felt like I wanted to promote a little bit."<...

This episode features Tiffany Funk from Point.me, a tool that helps travelers maximize airline points for flights. Host Chris Christensen and Tiffany discuss how to earn, manage, and use airline points effectively. Here’s a summary of the key points:

Overview of Points and Miles

Why should you go to Lyon?

Audra says, "It's a magical town. It is a little bit like Paris in the fact that it has, in fact, two rivers, so maybe a little bit better than Paris, two rivers running through it, a beautiful church on a hill, beautiful French architecture, wonderful museums, wonderful cathedrals, and it's also known as the Culinary Capital of France."

Audra's 7-day itinerary for visiting Lyon, France, is as follows:

Day 1: Fourvière Hill and Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon)

Hear about an itinerary for travel to Bolivia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jayne Dear from The Only Way is Not Essex about her recent trip to this landlocked South American country.

Jayne says, you “should go to Bolivia because it’s a very diverse country. It has the largest salt flats in the world. Uyuni, which I visited, and I did that on a three-day tour. Also, go because it’s a great way of having a budget trip to the Amazon. It’s a very diverse country. I think it’s the 27th largest country in th...

Hear about trips from Manila as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin from justin-travel.com about where to go after visiting the Philippine capital.

Justin's recommended itinerary for day trips from Manila includes a variety of locations within a one to three-hour drive, each offering a different experience. Here's the suggested route:

Day 1: Exploring Manila

Hear about travel to Mallorca, Spain, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kristin Henning from travelpast50.com and Courtney Drake McDonough from realfoodtraveler.com about our recent press trip to the island.

In the podcast, Chris, Kristin, and Courtney share various recommendations for a trip to Mallorca, Spain:

from the Zero to Travel Podcast:

How to Start Planning Your First (Or Next) Career Break Today (Using 5 Simple Steps) with Cali O´Connor

Have you thought about hitting pause on your career to travel the world but are unsure how to make it a reality? It’s not as unattainable as you may think!

Cali O’Connor shares her experience of taking multiple career breaks and offers 5 practical steps to start planning your own career break today.

Cali is a former chemical engineer who traded her career in the oilfield for a...

Hear about travel to Savannah, Georgia, and the vicinity as the Amateur Traveler talks to Yvonne Johnson about her adopted hometown.

Why should you go to Savannah?

Yvonne says, "Savannah is just this perfect mix. There's beautiful weather if you come at the right time, and there's great history, and there's great restaurants, and there's just so much to do, and I've raised my children here, and I have guests all the time, and I just love entertaining here."

Yvonne suggests a diverse one-week itinerary in Savannah, Georgia that covers history, culture, dining...

Hear about travel to Door County in Wisconsin as the Amateur Traveler talks with Bailey Freeman from atravelingbee.com about our recent press trip to the "Cape Cod of the Midwest."

Here are the key things to do in Door County, Wisconsin, based on our experiences:

Outdoor and Adventure Activities

Hear about travel to the West Indies, to the islands of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin, Anguilla, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, and Sint Eustatius, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jeff Ohlfs about his island-hopping adventure.

Why should you travel to these 5 islands?

Jeff says, "Some of them are not visited at all. Some of them are overly visited. They're all near each other, so it makes for a nice little grouping. I used St. Martin as a base. St. Martin is known as the friendly island and you can do daily flights to each of th...

This Week in Travel was a podcast that was in production from 2009 to 2020. In this reunion episode of This Week in Travel (dubbed "This Decade in Travel"), the original hosts, Gary Arndt, Chris Christensen, and Jen Leo, reconnect after a long hiatus. They share life updates and reminisce about their past travels and podcasting adventures.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/this-week-in-travel-reunion/

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Hear about travel to the Laikipia region of Kenya as the Amateur Traveler talks to Shaun Stanley from Stanley Safaris about one of his favorite African destinations.

Why should you visit the Laikipia region?

Shaun says, "Kenya as a whole is one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa. That's where the safari basically originated. That comes with its own problems in the form of too many tourists being in certain areas like the Massai Mara, which at the moment is getting quite a bad reputation for being overpopulated with vehicles around different sightings. W...

Hear about travel to Normandy, France as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kat Butler from World Wide Honeymoon and France Voyager about this historic and wonderful part of France.

Why should you go to Normandy?

Kay says, "Normandy, I think, just offers so much. My road trip, that I did last year, was literally to prove that there was so much more to Normandy than the D-Day beaches. You've got Mont Saint Michel, the cider route. You've got the countryside. I think that Normandy makes some of the best cheese. You have The beaches. You...

Hear about driving the Romantic Road in Germany as the Amateur Traveler talks to Leland and Crissy Walker about their trip through medieval villages, walled towns, thermal spas, and breweries.

Why should you drive the Romantic Road?

Crissy says, " I would recommend sending someone on the Romantic Road because it's like stepping back in time. It felt like a fairy tale. I would not have been surprised if I saw the gingerbread man running down the street."

Leland and Crissy's recommended itinerary for Germany's Romantic Road is a one-week journey, traveling from north...

In this bonus episode of Amateur Traveler, we discuss issues associated with living abroad. 

My Guest

Justin Burns, a part-time resident of the Canary Islands, joins us to share his experience of living abroad. He talks about the practical aspects of relocating to a foreign country, from navigating visa options to adjusting to life in a new place. Whether you're considering a move overseas or just curious about what it's like, Justin offers helpful insights based on his personal journey.

Questions

Duration: 00:53:25

Hear about travel to the state of Georgia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Lesli Peterson from 365 Atlanta Traveler about the state where she grew up.

Why should you go to the state of Georgia?

Lesli says, "I love Georgia because I am an outdoor person, and Georgia's got this great city. Everybody talks about Atlanta. Atlanta is fantastic. I'll tell you why I think it's most fantastic. But, it also has, Mountains, so beautiful hiking opportunities, waterfalls great camping, beautiful rivers filled with fish and all that sort of thing."

"And then...

Hear about traveling to Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jill Robbins about her favorite part of the state she calls home. 

Why should you visit Lubbock and Amarillo?

Jill says, "Amarillo and Lubbock are both smaller cities. I don't like the word off the beaten path or hidden gem, but these are just great little slices of Texas and they both really showcase the unique landscape of Texas."

"Lubbock is in the high plains area. Amarillo is in the panhandle. They're both known for different things, but both ha...

In this first bonus episode of Amateur Traveler, we discuss how and why to travel solo, even if you are not single.

My Guest:

Beth Santos is the founder and CEO of Wanderful, a global community and lifestyle brand that aims to empower and connect women who travel. She is also the author of Wander Woman, in which she shares insights and advice on solo travel, particularly for women.

Beth focuses on encouraging women to explore the world independently and safely. She challenges common misconceptions about solo travel, especially the notion that it is...

Hear about travel to Romania and Northern Hungary as the Amateur Traveler talks to Lisa VanderVeen about her recent Intrepid trip to the area.

Why should you go to Romania?

Lisa says, "Romania is much more than Dracula and Vlad Tepes, though I will confess that was my initial draw to the country. It's got a great diversity of landscape and a multi layered history going way, way back. And then also as recently as the, communist times. Lots of really interesting museums to visit."

"In terms of the topography and the geography...

Hear about travel to Northeast Florida as the Amateur Traveler talks to Angie Orth from Angie Away about her hometown and the area around it.

Why should someone go to Northeast Florida?

Angie says, "So many reasons. People come to Florida for a lot of different reasons. Mostly theme parks, maybe swamps, alligators, Miami. Those are the things when I meet people around the world that they think Florida is about. Everybody thinks I either live in Miami, in some kind of penthouse, or like at Disney World, in a castle of some sort."

Hear about a road trip at the top of the world in Northern Norway as the Amateur Traveler talks to Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway about this scenic but remote destination.

Why should you go to Northern Norway?

Torunn says, "There are so many good reasons why one should go to Northern Norway, and I think just as an introduction to Norway, I think it's worth mentioning the trend now of cool cations — skipping the hot and steamy Southern Europe and rather going up North to Norway. to Norway and Northern Norway."

"And No...

Hear about travel to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean as the Amateur Traveler talks to David Brodie from Travel in 10 about his experience in this tropical paradise.

Why should you go to the Maldives?

"I think it's a place that a lot of people have probably seen influencer videos or postcards of the luxury resorts that are there. And it does have. probably some of the most luxurious island resorts you're going to find anywhere in the world. Crystal clear waters, incredible snorkeling, incredible diving, and really at that luxury end of the spectrum...

Hear about travel to the region of Castile and León in Spain as the Amateur Traveler talks to Ethan Witthun about the region where he studied abroad.

Day 1: Avila

Morning:

Afternoon: Duration: 01:05:02

Hear about travel to Afghanistan as the Amateur Traveler talks to bigger and adventure tour guide Sibu Szymanowska about this adventurous destination, even for her.

Why should you go to Afghanistan?

Sibu says, "Because we are very influenced by what we see in the media nowadays and it is definitely one of those countries that will end up shocking you. But not Shocking you in a negative way, but shocking you in a very positive way, because there is so much more to the world than what we see on mainstream media, on the news...

Hear about travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jo Clark from Have Glass, Will Travel about her hometown.

Why should someone go to Myrtle Beach?

Jo says, "Myrtle Beach is on the Grand Strand as we call it. It's on the coast of South Carolina and we are in the midst of 60 miles of gorgeous beach. Nice and wide. No rocks. I mean you can walk for miles and miles. It's just the perfect place. We have great weather. We have everything. we have history, we have music, and...

Hear about travel the Great West Way from London to Bristol as the Amateur Traveler talks to Penny Sadler, who writes Adventures of a Carry-on, about her recent trip to Southwest England.

Penny Sadler is a freelance writer covering wine, food, travel, and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in CNBC Travel, Culture Magazine, Matador Network, InsideHook, The Alcohol Professor, Vintner Project, The Cheese Professor, and elsewhere. She’s a Wine, Spirits Education Trust graduate and hosts tastings in her free time.

Why should you go?

Penny says, "The Great West Way is a h...

Hear about travel to India including the Golden Triangle as the Amateur Traveler talks to Nir ben Dov from Israel about his recent trip to the subcontinent.

Why should you go to India?

"I've gone to India many times over the past 20 25 years and it's a place that I've grown to love and love to hate it's a strange place. It's a place with its own character not for everyone But a very intriguing, place not easy, but a great place to visit. It's very different. So I decided this time to take my wife...

Amateur Traveler turns 19 years old and is up for a Travel Creator award

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Hear about travel to Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin Barnes about his recent trip to the Balkans.

Why should someone go to the Balkans?

Justin says, "It's a fascinating intersection of the East and West. It's been shaped by history over many different iterations from the Greeks to the Illyrians to the Byzantines to the Ottomans. And whenever you have a place like that's been shaped by so many different cultures and with such a fascinating history, you see a lot of things you don't really see elsewhere...

Hear about travel to the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna as the Amateur Traveler talks to Keith Jenkins from VelvetEscape.com who keeps returning to this unvisited gem.

Why should you go to Emilia-Romagna?

Keith says, "I think most people will know about the Products that come from there, the food, even the cars, maybe some of the cities, but they would just not associate that with the name Emilia Romagna. And we all know Parma, Bologna but there's so much more to explore. And a large part of the region is actually pretty, off the...

Hear about cruising the waters of Alaska and British Columbia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Susan Portnoy about her recent experience on a Hurtigruten expedition ship.

Why should you do this cruise?

Susan says, "I think it's not going to be for everybody. It is a long journey. It's 18 days. That is music to my heart, but may not be for everyone. But it's also more intrepid. It's not the kind of trip where you've got a lot of boardwalks and stores and places to hang out, which you might do and have in...

Hear about travel to Newport, Rhode Island as the Amateur Traveler talks to Phil Roberson about this city that was one of the 5 largest in the American colonies. 

Why should you visit Newport?

Phile says, "There's a lot of reasons to want to come here, but if you love the ocean, if you love the Gilded Age kind of life if you love history, especially, there's just a lot to see in Newport."

Based on Phil's detailed description of Newport, Rhode Island, here's a recommendation for a week-long trip to Newport, including various a...

Hear about travel to the Jaén province of Andalucia Spain as the Amateur Traveler talks to Molly Sears-Piccavey who lives in Andalucia.

Molly says, “Jaén is a province in western Andalucia that is not really very known or associated with tourism. If we take southern Spain the western side of Andalucia which is Granada, Cordoba, Jaén, and Almería are not as touristic perhaps as the side of Andalucia which is where Malaga and Seville are. Cordoba and Granada are very well visited because of their Muslim architecture such as the mosque or their Alhambr...

Hear about travel to Northern Morocco as the Amateur Traveler talks to 5 listeners of the show who joined this year's trip to explore the medinas and other features of the country.

The Intrepid Travel North Morocco Adventure tour offers an immersive exploration of Northern Morocco, rich with cultural experiences, historical landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes. Below is a detailed day-by-day itinerary that highlights the tour's key activities and destinations.

Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca

Hear about travel to Southern Morocco as the Amateur Traveler talks to Ady from Hit The Road Music Studio about an area he fell in love with while touring it in a mobile recording studio.

Ady recommends a detailed itinerary for a week-long trip exploring Southern Morocco, starting and ending in Marrakesh. Here’s a breakdown of the suggested trip:

Day 1: Marrakesh

Day 2: Travel over the At...

Duration: 01:01:43

Hear about travel to the country Palau as the Amateur Traveler talks to Randy Rohrer about his recent kayak and scuba safari to this tropical paradise. 

Why should you go to Palau?

Randy says, "I think people should go to Palau if you want to experience incredible diverse underwater marine life colorful corals, clear warm water. It's an unspoiled underwater paradise with beautiful sandy beaches, and it also has World War II history. When we were there, we saw colorful corals, fish of all species and sizes, jellyfish, turtles, sharks, squid, manta rays, dolphins, giant c...

Hear about travel to Oklahoma as the Amateur Traveler talks to Caitlin from TwinFamilyTravels.com about her home state and its history, culture, and scenic beauty.

Why should you go to Oklahoma?

Caitlin says, "People should visit Oklahoma because it has a unique history and it has a lot of natural beauty. I think it's surprising and unexpected to a lot of people. It has a complicated history in many ways. We'll get into that. But it has seen a lot of revitalization and improvement over the years. There's really been an increase of top-notch...