Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast

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 Dili, nearby islands, and exploring the mainland. Here's the suggested breakdown: Day 1-2: Dili Explore Dili City: Visit Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum for an overview of the country's history. Stop by Santa Cruz Cemetery, the site of the 1991 massacre. Take a walk in Tasitolu, an area with three lakes, significant for bird watching and local culture. Cristo Rei of Dili: Hike up to the iconic 27-meter statue of Jesus Christ.

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 the world. The wildlife is certainly what attracts intrepid travelers to go there because it has all the wildlife that people are looking for." James recommends a 7-night itinerary for visiting the Eyre Peninsula, which includes a mix of scenic drives, wildlife encounters, beach visits, and unique experiences. Below is the itinerary based on his recommendations: Day 1: Adelaide to Whyalla Clare Valley: Take a scenic detour through this famous wine region

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 same things here that you would think of going to France in general. Very good food and wine, churches, castles, palaces, art museums." Craig recommends a 7-day itinerary for visiting the Languedoc (Occitanie) region in southern France. Here's the itinerary he outlines Day 1: Montpellier Arrival: Start in Montpellier, a vibrant university city with a historic core. Activities: Take a free walking tour to explore the highlights and hidden gems. Visit the Ar

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 Picchu and its surrounding areas, focusing on acclimatization, cultural immersion, and maximizing the experience. Here's the itinerary he outlines: Day 1: Arrival in Lima (Miraflores District) Objective : Relax after the flight and ease into the trip. Stay : Miraflores, a safe and upscale district with excellent dining options and boutique hotels. Activities : Explore the Malecón (a scenic coastal walkway). Visit nearby Barranco for its artsy vibe and street art. Have dinner at Isol

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." Alex recommends several attractions and experiences for visitors to Paraguay, focusing on its unique cultural, historical, and natural offerings: Asunción (Capital City) Palacio de los López: The President's Palace, an iconic colonial-style building. Pantheon of Heroes: A mausoleum and site of national pride where past heroes are honored. Casa de la Independencia: A free museum showcasing Paraguay's peaceful independence history. Centr

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 has to offer." Kristin recommends several activities and experiences for a visit to Menorca, Spain, emphasizing its natural beauty, historical significance, and relaxed atmosphere. Here’s a summary of her recommendations: 1. Explore the Camí de Cavalls Hiking Trail A historic circular trail around Menorca, divided into 20 segments. Ideal for hiking or biking, with options for day trips or multi-day treks. Hotels can assist with luggage transport and pickup

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 bit more time there. It's where the tail of the Andes meets the open ocean, and you get that final frontier feeling." Naomi recommends a one-week itinerary for Ushuaia, Argentina, encompassing a variety of activities and dining experiences. Here's a summary of her suggested itinerary: Day 1: Cruise the Beagle Channel Activity: Embark on a boat tour of the Beagle Channel to observe sea lions and, during the summer months, penguins. Recommended Operator: Patagonia Explorer.   ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-us

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 Cassandra transitioned to hiking-based travel after becoming disillusioned with typical tourist experiences, which felt too globalized and disconnected from local cultures. She discovered that hiking offered a more meaningful and immersive way to travel, leading her to explore Europe on foot. Key Differences Between Hiking in Europe vs. the U.S. European hiking is highly accessible and civilized, with amenities like mountain huts and small villages offering beds and meals. Trails in Europe are well-connected to public transport, unlike U.S. hikes that often requ

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 those terrible overused adjectives in travel writing. This is undiscovered. This is the place that your friends have never heard about. This is the jewel. This is all of these things that just nobody knows about." Troy's recommended itinerary for visiting Cáceres, Spain, focuses on its rich history, UNESCO landmarks, cuisine, and nearby attractions in Extremadura. Here's a structured itinerary based on his suggestions: Day 1: Arrival in Cáceres Travel to Cáceres: Arrive by car from M

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 China during various times. It’s a very influential area for Chinese civilization and often not as much talked about versus places like Beijing, Shanghai. Etc. ” Larry recommends a 7-10 day itinerary for visiting central China, covering historical and cultural highlights in Henan Province and Xi’an. Here’s the detailed breakdown of his suggested itinerary: Days 1-2: Zhengzhou (Capital of Henan Province) Day 1: Zhengzhou City Tour Henan Museum Spend 2-3 hours learning about the region’

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." Day 1-3: Almaty, Kazakhstan Day 1: Arrive in Almaty. Explore the city: Wander the streets and parks. Visit Ascension Cathedral (a stunning yellow Orthodox church). Attend a performance at the Abay Opera House. Try Georgian food, available throughout the city. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-stans/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Points Matter: Airline loyalty programs incentivize consumers and fill unsold seats. Points programs are massive profit centers for airlines, often tied to credit card partnerships. Who Can Benefit: Anyone can take advantage of airline points, even non-frequent flyers or children, using strategies like shopping portals or team promotions (e.g., Delta rewards for Seahawks touchdowns).   ... https://amateurtraveler.com/airlines-points-and-miles/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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) Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière: Start at this iconic hilltop basilica, known for its stunning Byzantine mosaics, Gothic and Romanesque architecture, and panoramic views of Lyon. Take the funicular to the top and enjoy a guided or night tour (available in specific months). ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-lyon-france/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the world. There’s a dry forest as well as the rainforest.” ... https://amateurtraveler.com/bolivia-itinerary/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Intramuros: Begin with a visit to the historic walled city. Explore landmarks like Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila to get a sense of the city's Spanish colonial history. Rizal Park: Walk through this significant historical park named after José Rizal, the national hero, to learn about the Philippines' struggle for independence. Binondo (Chinatown): Enjoy a food crawl in the world’s oldest Chinatown. Discover local delicacies from street food stalls and eateries. Consider a Binondo food crawl guided tour to maximize your experience. Corregidor Island (Optional): If time allows, take a full-day tour to this historic island in Man

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: Palma: The group suggests starting in Palma, the main city, known for its historical significance and vibrant atmosphere. Recommended activities include: Visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma (La Seu), a stunning Gothic cathedral with architectural contributions from Gaudí and modern artist Miguel Barceló. Exploring the old town with its historic streets, markets, and architecture. Strolling down Bourne Street, a charming avenue with cafes, flower markets, and beautiful architecture. Trying traditional pastries at El Fornet de la Soca, a bakery specializing in historic Mallorcan recipes, including the famous ensaimada. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-mallorca/ Learn more abou

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 life-changing adventure of quitting her job to travel around the world. Now, she helps working professionals find clarity in their lives by taking a career break that gives them the freedom to travel, explore, and realign with their life goals.  Whether you dream of quitting your job or taking a temporary pause, this episode will give you the confidence and strategies to take that leap. You’ll hear about her biggest mistakes during her first career break (and how to avoid them), insights on overcoming

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, and outdoor activities. Here's a summary of her recommendations: Day 1: Old Town Trolley Tour: Take the trolley for a narrated overview of Savannah, exploring the city's historic district and landmarks. Savannah History Museum: Located in the Central of Georgia Railway Station, this museum showcases local history and movie memorabilia like Forrest Gump's park bench. Georgia State Railroad Museum: Visit this working roundhouse and explore the engine

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 Hiking and Nature Exploration Peninsula State Park: Features a watchtower atop limestone cliffs with panoramic views of the bay and beyond. Whitefish Dunes State Park: Home to the tallest sand dunes in Wisconsin, covered with trees and foliage. Ridges Sanctuary: Offers boardwalks, rare plants, and historic range lights; it also features the southernmost boreal forest in the U.S. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/things-to-do-in-door-county-wisconsin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the other islands." Jeff recommends an itinerary that includes visiting five of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, known as the British, Dutch, and French West Indies. His suggested itinerary includes the following islands: St. Martin (French and Dutch) Use St. Martin as a base for island hopping. Stay at the Azure Hotel and Art Studio on Simpson Bay Beach. Explore both the Dutch side (Philipsburg) and the French side (Marigot). Visit historical forts like Fort Amsterdam and Fort St.