Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast
904 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 899 ratingsSince 2005 Amateur Traveler has been talking about a different destination every week. It covers destinations all of the world with an emphasis on culturally rich travel. Learn more about your world. Amateur Traveler won its creator Chris Christensen a Travel+Leisure award as the "best independent travel journalist".
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Episodes
AT#891 - Travel to Mexico City, Mexico
April 06, 2024 11:00 - 1 hourHear about travel to Mexico City as the Amateur Traveler talks to Ashley Russell from SheRoamsAbout.com about the unique and vibrant capital of Mexico. Why should you go to Mexico City? Ashley says, "I think Mexico City is It's a very unique city people always say there's so much to do, there's so much architecture, and history, but what I think is interesting about it is, and what people don't expect, is that it's a fusion between the European opulence that you would get in cities like Paris...
AT#890 - Travel to Mindanao, Philippians
March 30, 2024 11:00 - 1 hourHear about tourist spots in Mindanao, the southernmost island in the Philippines, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Lonely Planet guidebook author Michael Grosberg and co-founder of LikeLocal.io about his many trips to Mindanao. Why should you go to Mindanao? Michael says, "Most people that go to Mindanao these days go directly to the island of Siargao, which is one of the hottest, most happening places in all the Philippines for people to travel to. We'll get to that and it's deservedly popul...
AT#889 - Travel to Reunion Island
March 23, 2024 14:00 - 53 minutesHear about travel to Reunion Island, an outpost of France in the Indian Ocean as the Amateur Traveler talks to Collin McFadden about his recent trip to this adventure travel paradise. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-reunion-island/ Why should you travel to Reunion Island? Colin says: "Reunion is, I would say, first off, an adventure destination. It is not a place to go for beaches and just hanging out mostly because they don't have beaches per se, there are a few, but it is a volcano, v...
AT#888 - Train from Brisbane to Adelaide
March 16, 2024 14:00 - 43 minutesHear about travel by Train from Brisbane to Adelaide as the Amateur Traveler talks to Pamela and Gary Baker about the Great Southern and the other train trips from Journey Beyond. https://amateurtraveler.com/train-from-brisbane-to-adelaide/ The Great Southern is one of three iconic train rides in Australia offered by Journey Beyond. It travels from Brisbane to Adelaide or vice versa, offering a scenic journey along the southeast coast. The train ride provides a luxurious experience with wel...
AT#887 - Travel to Kyushu Japan
March 10, 2024 04:55 - 45 minutesHear about a 7-day itinerary for the island of Kyushu, Japan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Adeline Kuroki, the owner of Saver and Soak travel company about her adopted home in southern Japan. https://amateurtraveler.com/kyushu-itinerary-7-days/ Why should you go to Kyushu? Adeline says, "I think there's so many things to do there. Also, it's a great way to get off the beaten path away from a lot of other tourists. Japan. For good reason, it's definitely very popular. It's easy to fly into ...
AT#886 - Travel to Northern Tasmania
March 02, 2024 15:00 - 47 minutesHear about travel to Northern Tasmania as the Amateur Traveler talks to Paula Barnes from trulyexpattravel.com about an unexpected visit to this popular region. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-northern-tasmania/ Why should you go to Northern Tasmania? Paula says, "Firstly, it's because it's now classed as 1 of the 50 cities that is the City of Gastronomy. Australia has 2. We have 1 in Bendigo but we also now have 1 in Launceston and it's a foodie's paradise. It's also an amazing landsca...
AT#885 - Travel to Poland (Warsaw, Krakow and Poznan)
February 24, 2024 15:00 - 49 minutesHear about travel to Poland as the Amateur Traveler talks to Sharon Kurtz from sharonkkurtz.com about her recent trip exploring the culture and food of Warsaw, Krakow, and Poznan. show notes - https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-poland-warsaw-krakow-and-poznan Sharon says, "It is a beautiful country. It's a blend of history that goes back to the tenth century. And then it has sad history, World War II, and then they were occupied by the Soviets and got their independence in 1989. And some...
AT#884 - Dublin to Cork Road Trip in Southeastern Ireland
February 17, 2024 15:00 - 54 minutesHear about a week-long road trip from Dublin to Cork through southeastern Ireland as the Amateur Traveler talks to Amber Hagerty from AmberEverywhere.com about this out-of-the-way corner of Ireland. https://amateurtraveler.com/dublin-to-cork-road-trip-in-southeastern-ireland/ Day 1: Dublin to Wicklow Morning: Arrive in Dublin and explore the city. Visit Bar 1661 for the best Irish coffee and Trinity College to admire the campus. Afternoon: Indulge in some delicious ice cream at Murphy's...
AT#883 - Germany Road Trip to 9 UNESCO Cities
February 10, 2024 15:00 - 1 hourHear about a German road trip to 9 UNESCO Cities as the Amateur Traveler talks to Renee Hannes from dreamplanexperience.com about her exploration of the land of her ancestors. https://amateurtraveler.com/germany-road-trip-to-9-unesco-cities/ Renee says, "I just returned from living in Berlin for 3 months. So had an opportunity to make a little bit of a longer trip and was there with my husband and dog and lived in Berlin and I had a good chance to be able to see the city and lots of other ...
AT#784 - Travel to Zaragoza, Spain (Repeat)
February 03, 2024 15:00 - 52 minutesHear about travel to Zaragoza as the Amateur Traveler talks to Cat Driver about this historic but under-visited region of Spain. https://amateurtraveler.com/things-to-do-in-zaragoza-spain/ Cat says, "Every time I have said to people that I lived in Spain and they asked me where and I say Zaragoza, I usually just get a blank stare and then I have to explain it. Zaragoza is between Barcelona and Madrid almost exactly. I was teaching English there. I decided on Zaragoza because it had everyth...
AT#882 - Travel to the Island of Malta
January 27, 2024 15:00 - 53 minutesHear about travel to the island nation of Malta as Chris Christensen, the Amateur Traveler, tells about a recent week-long trip to the island at the center of the Mediterranean Sea. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-island-of-malta/ Why should you visit Malta? Malta is an amazing island country with a rich history and spectacular scenery. The one-week itinerary for Malta includes the following highlights: Sunday: Take a harbor cruise around Valletta. Pick up a 7-day bus pass, ...
AT#881 - Travel to Croatia's Istrian Peninsula
January 20, 2024 15:00 - 45 minutesHear about travel to Croatia's Istrian Peninsula as the Amateur Traveler talks to Olivia from inspiredbycroatia.com about her adopted country. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-croatias-istrian-peninsula/ Why should you go to the Istrian Peninsula? Olivia says, "I think that Istria is still a little bit underrated. Personally, I like to Talk about it as this like a fairytale like region. It has quite a strong Italian heritage somewhat reminiscent of Tuscany, but with a Croatian flair ...
AT#880 - Travel to Tokyo Japan
January 13, 2024 15:00 - 50 minutesHear about travel to Tokyo as the Amateur Traveler talks to Matthew Jasek from The Nerd Tourist about one of his favorite, if nerdy, cities. https://amateurtraveler.com/otaku-guide-to-tokyo-japan/ Day 1: Arrival and Food Tour Afternoon: Arrive in Tokyo and check into your hotel. Evening: Join a food tour or find a local guide to visit a traditional Japanese restaurant. Explore the dining culture with the help of a guide who can navigate through nuances. Day 2: Tsukiji Outer Market and...
AT#879 - Travel to the Exumas, Bahamas
January 06, 2024 15:00 - 35 minutesHear about travel to the Exumas in the Bahamas as the Amateur Traveler talks to Tessie from TravelingTessie.com about these sundrenched islands she has fallen in love with. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-exumas-bahamas/ Why should someone go to the Exumas? Tessie says, "It's a perfect destination if obviously, you enjoy the beach. But the beaches, they're very unique because they're really unspoiled. And there's not a lot of crowds. So if someone's interested in that, it's a rea...
AT#781 - Travel to Gujarat, India (Repeat)
December 30, 2023 12:00 - 44 minutesHear about travel to Gujarat, India as the Amateur Traveler talks again to James Schomburgk about festivals, temples, and Asiatic lions. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-gujarat/ James says, "Gujarat is in the far western central of northern India. Pakistan is its western border. And the southern border is the Arabian Sea. It's actually close to some of the big-hitting states in terms of tourism, but it's a very different geographically. It's very different feel to the rest of India. If y...
AT#878 - Driving the Selkirk Loop (Idaho, British Columbia, Washington)
December 23, 2023 12:00 - 45 minutesHear about driving the Selkirk Loop in Washington State, Idaho, and British Columbia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Anthony and Jodie St. Clair from learnersandmakers.com about their favorite road trip. https://amateurtraveler.com/driving-the-selkirk-loop/ Why should you drive the Selkirk Loop? Anthony and Jodie say, "It is just the most epic, gorgeous views of nature, I think. And it's very accessible. I (Jodie) am an amputee, and so I'm always looking for ways to easily access nature. ...
AT#877 - Travel to the Island of Hokkaido in Japan
December 16, 2023 12:00 - 39 minutesHear about travel to the northern island of Hokkaido in Japan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Inga from Inga's Adventures about a trip to hike in the Daisetsuzan National Park. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-hokkaido-japan/ Why should someone go to Hokkaido? Inga says, "The natural beauty is the main reason to go to Hokkaido. The rugged landscapes and the feeling that you're far away from civilization is an experience. That you don't find in a lot of other places on the main island...
AT#876 - Travel to Long Island, New York
December 09, 2023 15:00 - 43 minutesHear about travel to Long Island, New York as the Amateur Traveler talks to Vanessa Gordon from EastEndTasteMagazine.com about her home. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-long-island-new-york/ Why should someone go to Long Island? Vanessa says, "Long Island, there truly is so to discover, even from living out here for many years, whether part-time or full-time there's truly so much to do, whether you're in Nassau or Suffolk County, the two counties that make up Long Island. I've lived...
AT#875 - Travel to Sonoma County, California
December 02, 2023 15:00 - 1 hourHear about travel to the wine region Sonoma County in California as the Amateur Traveler talks to Brooke Herron about this popular tourism region where she grew up. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-sonoma-county/ Why should someone travel to Sonoma County? Brooke says, "A myriad of reasons, in my opinion beyond wine. It is an absolutely stunning region from an outdoors perspective. You've got the coast, you've got hiking trails, mountains, hills and then you've got also lots of farms,...
AT#874 - Travel to Uluru and Central Australia
November 25, 2023 15:00 - 58 minutesHear about travel to Uluru and Central Australia as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel blogger Chris Fry from AquariusTraveller.com about her most recent trip to the red center of Australia. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-uluru-and-central-australia/ Why should someone go to Central Australia? Chris says, "I Like visiting Uluru for the Aboriginal culture, the art, the history, learning about the Dreamtime. I think it's where I first started learning about the Aboriginal history a...
AT#873 - Travel to Papua New Guinea
November 16, 2023 15:23 - 55 minutesHear about travel to Papua New Guinea as the Amateur Traveler talks to Chris Shorrock from TravelObscure.com about the Milne Bay Province of this exotic island country. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-papua-new-guinea-2/ Why should someone travel to Papua New Guinea? Chris says, "There's a million reasons why someone should go to Papua New Guinea, it's such a varied country. I would say the main reason to go, is the people are amazing and there's A lot of culture there as well. Also,...
AT#718 - Travel to Malta (Repeat)
November 11, 2023 14:00 - 50 minutesHear about sightseeing in the island nation of Malta as the Amateur Traveler talks to Michelle and Nikki from cheekypassports.com about their native country. https://amateurtraveler.com/sightseeing-in-malta/ They say, “The island is small and that has its restrictions but it’s also a nice thing to have because you can visit and do a lot of activities in a short span. Nowhere is more than 15 minutes by car. The island is maybe 27 kilometers about 17 miles long and barely 14 kilometers wide. ...
AT#872 - Travel to the Charente Region of France
November 04, 2023 14:00 - 1 hourHear about travel to the Charente region of southwest France as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kylie Lang from LifeInRuralFrance.com about her adopted home. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-charente-region-of-france/ The Charente region, part of Nouvelle Aquitaine in southwest France, is known for its charming sunflower fields, historical chateaux, and rich history. Visitors to the Charente can explore picturesque vineyards, taste world-renowned cognac, and indulge in fresh oysters...
AT#871 - Travel to Egypt and Mount Sinai
October 28, 2023 14:00 - 39 minutesHear about travel to Egypt including Cairo and climbing Mount Sinai in the Sinai Peninsula as the Amateur Traveler talks to Greg from ThePresentPerspective.com about their recent trip to see a different part of Egypt. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-egypt-and-mount-sinai/ Why should you go to Egypt? Greg says, "I think there are a million reasons why someone should go to Egypt. Warm and hospitable people. Great culture. Egyptian history obviously is vast, and it's one of the oldest c...
AT#870 - Travel to Queensland's Gold Coast
October 21, 2023 14:00 - 54 minutesHear about travel to Queensland's Gold Coast as the Amateur Traveler talks to Leanne and Lyle from BeachTravelWine.com about one of their favorite beach destinations. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-queenslands-gold-coast/ Why should you go to the Gold Coast? Leanne and Lyle say, "We go for lots of different reasons, but I guess the main one would be, the stunning beaches, and I know lots of places have stunning beaches, but this would have to, I think, be Australia's best strip of ...
AT#869 - Bay of Bengal Cruise
October 14, 2023 14:00 - 44 minutesHear about a Viking Ocean Bay of Bengal Cruise to 5 countries from Bangkok to Mumbai as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer Elsa Dixon about this East Asia sampler cruise. https://amateurtraveler.com/bay-of-bengal-cruise/ The Viking Ocean Bay of Bengal Cruise travels to 5 different countries: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India. What Elsa loved about this cruise was experiencing diverse and exotic cultures, including music, food, temples, architecture, and ceremonies...
AT#868 - Travel to Transylvania in Romania
October 07, 2023 14:00 - 1 hourHear about things to do in Transylvania in Romania as the Amateur Traveler talks to Ela Palmer from WhereNextNomad.com about this historic and beautiful place that has much more to offer than Dracula stories. https://amateurtraveler.com/things-to-do-in-transylvania/ Ela starts this itinerary in Bucharest but immediately hops a train to Sinaia, a beautiful mountain town in the Bussegi Mountains. Sinaia is known for its stunning fall colors and is home to two magnificent castles from the Roma...
AT#867 - Touring Finland by Train
September 30, 2023 14:00 - 57 minutesHear about travel to Finland as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer Jayne Dear about a one-week itinerary to visit the best of Finland by train. https://amateurtraveler.com/touring-finland-by-train/ Why should you visit Finland? Jayne says, "Many reasons. One of the most notable is that it's the happiest country in the world. For the last six years, it's been declared the happiest country in the world on the World Happiness Report. It's a beautiful country. You probably will...
AT#866 - Cruise to Greenland
September 23, 2023 11:00 - 44 minutesHear about a cruise to Greenland as the Amateur Traveler talks to Rebecca Merrell from manopause.com about this rugged and rapidly changing country. https://amateurtraveler.com/cruise-to-greenland/ Why should someone do a cruise to Greenland? Rebecca succinctly says, “Someone should do a cruise to Greenland if they’re looking to go somewhere remote without a lot of people and if they have an interest in the Arctic.” The cruise itinerary is: Day 1: Departure from Iceland Travelers fly fr...
AT#865 - Great Britain by Train
September 16, 2023 11:00 - 1 hourhttps://amateurtraveler.com/uk-two-week-itinerary-by-train/ Hear about a UK two-week itinerary by train as the Amateur Traveler talks to Tracy Collins from UKTravelPlanning.com about a train trip in the country that invented trains. London We start in London. Spend some time visiting some of the iconic sites like the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. Visit the great museums of London like Tracy's favorite, the Victoria and Albert Museum. Then we start our journey to see England, Wales,...
AT#864 - Best Day Trips from Amsterdam
September 09, 2023 11:00 - 1 hourBest Day Trips from Amsterdam (Podcast) - explore the palaces, castles, windmills, parks, and history of the Netherlands https://amateurtraveler.com/best-day-trips-from-amsterdam/ Hear about day trips from Amsterdam as the Amateur Traveler talks to Gopinath from greetingsfromeurope.com about his adopted country. Gopinath argues that too many people only spend a couple of the Netherlands before traveling on to see more of Europe. He lays out a week's worth of day trips that one can make fro...
AT#863 - Travel to New York City
September 02, 2023 11:00 - 1 hourhttps://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-new-york-city/ Hear about travel to New York City as the Amateur Traveler talks to Rebecca Shoval from Not Just Tourists NYC about her adopted home in the city that never sleeps. Why should you go to New York City? Rebecca says, "I think someone should come to New York for so many reasons. I think it's this incredibly vibrant place. It exudes life and I find walking around the city, it really just gives you energy. It's also this vibrant multicultural...
AT#862 - Travel to Belize and Guatemala
August 26, 2023 14:00 - 51 minuteshttps://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-belize-and-guatemala/ Hear about travel to Belize and Guatemala on the G Adventures "Classic Belize and Tikal" week-long small group tour: Mayan pyramids, cave tubing, and snorkeling on the Barrier Reef. An adventurous trip to Belize and Guatemala. The tour started in Belize City, traveled to Flores in Guatemala, and then returned to San Ignacio Belize and the Island of Caye Caulker. One of the highlights was visiting Mayan ruins, including Yaxha and ...
AT#861 - Travel to Nepal
August 19, 2023 14:00 - 42 minuteshttps://amateurtraveler.com/nepal-itinerary/ Hear about a 10-day itinerary for travel to Nepal as the Amateur Traveler talks to Sean Hira about this beautiful country. Why should someone go to Nepal? Sean says, "Nepal's a little bit of an underrated destination. It's a landlocked country in the Himalayas sandwiched between two powerhouses, China. In India. My favorite part about Nepal is really the harmony between Hinduism and Buddhism and seeing those cultures coexist so peacefully from a...
AT#860 - Travel to Svalbard, Norway
August 12, 2023 14:00 - 40 minuteshttps://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-svalbard-norway/ Hear about travel to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Cherie Gonzales from itscheriegonzales.com about her home north of the Arctic Circle. Why should you go to Svalbard? Cherie says, "Someone should go to Svalbard if you are adventurous and you love being outside and you want to experience the natural beauty and just really connect with nature without any interruptions. Then Svalbard is really t...
AT#755 - Travel to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (Repeat)
August 05, 2023 14:00 - 52 minuteshttps://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-galapagos-islands-ecuador https://amateurtraveler.com/galapagos-cruise-on-quasars-evolution/ Hear about travel to the Galapagos Islands as Chris Christensen, the Amateur Traveler himself, talks about a live-aboard cruise of the Galapagos Islands on Quasar Expeditions M/V Evolution. The Galapagos is a singular destination. People describe other places as the 'Galapagos of Mexico or the Galapagos of some other place' but the Galapagos doesn't try an...
AT#859 - Travel to Azerbaijan
July 29, 2023 14:00 - 54 minuteshttps://amateurtraveler.com/azerbaijan-itinerrary/ Hear about an itinerary for travel to Azerbaijan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Australian journalist Emily Lush who is based in nearby Kutaisi, Georgia. Why should you visit Azerbaijan? Emily says, "It's really fascinating from a cultural point of view. Being in the Caucasus, it's got those great mountain areas for hiking. It's a misunderstood country in a lot of ways. It's quite young and it has this really Interesting history with all...
AT#858 - Travel to Hikone and Gifu, Japan
July 22, 2023 14:00 - 42 minutesHear about travel to Hikone and Gifu in Central Japan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Miyuki Seguchi from the Japan Experts Podcast about he home region of Japan where she is a tour guide. Why should you visit Central Japan? Miyuki says, "A lot of travelers from North America or the West when they travel to Japan, they will stay in Japan for two to three weeks, and they usually travel from the eastern part of Japan to the western part of Japan or vice versa, but most of them do not stop of...
AT#857 - Travel to Cartagena and Northern Colombia
July 15, 2023 14:00 - 50 minutesHear about travel to Cartagena and Northern Colombia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Inge from DestinationExplorer.world about this South American country that her family fell in love with. Why should you go to Colombia? Inge says, "I think first of all, if you are a nature lover, you should go to Colombia because it's amazing nature you will find there. It's still quite authentic. You have amazing wildlife. If you like bird watching it's the country to go to. You have mountains, beaches, ...
AT#856 - Travel to Albania
July 08, 2023 14:00 - 44 minutesHear about travel to Albania as the Amateur Traveler talks to Norm Bour from travelyounger.com about the country where they spent nearly 6 months as expats.
AT#855 - Travel to Lake Garda and the Verona Countryside
July 01, 2023 14:00 - 51 minutesHear about travel to Lake Garda and the Verona Countryside as the Amateur Traveler talks to Valeria Biasi from Verona Tours about the region she calls home.
AT#854 - Armenia Road Trip
June 24, 2023 14:00 - 57 minutesHear about a road trip in Armenia as the Amateur Traveler talks to John from JohnTheTraveler.com about his recent visit to this former Soviet country in the Caucasus Mountains.
AT#853 - Baja California Sur Road Trip (Mexico)
June 17, 2023 14:00 - 50 minutesHear about travel to Baja California Sur in Mexico as the Amateur Traveler talks to Rebecca Agiewich, the Ambivalent Part-time Expat, about her recent road trip south of the border.
AT#852 - Travel to Toronto, Ontario
June 10, 2023 14:00 - 42 minutesHear about travel to Toronto, Ontario as the Amateur Traveler talks to Erin Hynes from PinaTravels.org and the Alpaca My Bags podcast about her hometown and Canada's largest city.
AT#851 - Sailing in the Saronic Islands and the Peloponnese - Greece
June 03, 2023 14:00 - 55 minutesHear about sailing in the Saronic Islands and the Peloponnese as the Amateur Traveler talks about his recent yacht charter with Navigare Yachting.
AT#850 - Travel to Washington D.C.
May 27, 2023 14:00 - 59 minutesHear about travel to Washington D.C. as the Amateur Traveler talks to Rob from TripHacksDC.com about the city where he is a tour guide and podcaster.
AT#849 - Travel to Western Michigan
May 20, 2023 14:00 - 53 minutesHear about travel to the western part of Michigan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Veronica Bareman from HipGrandmaLife.com and Holland Michigan about her neck of the woods.
AT#848 - Travel to San Diego, California
May 13, 2023 14:00 - 56 minutesHear about things to do in San Diego California as the Amateur Traveler talks to Maria Hasse from SanDiegoExplorer.com about her adopted hometown.
AT#847 - Travel to Cambodia
May 06, 2023 14:00 - 58 minutesHear about travel to Cambodia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Matt from XpatMatt.com about a 10-day itinerary in this rapidly changing Asian country.
AT#764 - Sailing the Caribbean on the Windstar Star Breeze (Repeat)
April 29, 2023 14:00 - 49 minutesHear about travel to the Caribbean on the Windstar Sea Breeze as the Amateur Traveler talks about small ships cruising to St Maarten, Barbados, St Lucia, and Antigua.