Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

Latest Episodes:

AT#924 - Travel to Cáceres, Spain Dec 14, 2024

Show notes

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 Madrid, Seville, or Lisbon, as Cáceres does not have its own airport.
Accommodation Options:
Luxury: Stay at Atrio Hotel, a 5-star hotel with a 3-star Michelin restaurant.
Mid-Range: Gran Hotel Don Manuel, Hotel Don Carlos, or NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo.
Evening Activity:
Stroll the UNESCO Old Town, a medieval gem with preserved architecture dating to the 16th century.
Enjoy dinner and tapas at a local restaurant.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-caceres-spain/

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AT#923 - Travel to Central China Dec 07, 2024

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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’s history from the Shang to Tang dynasties.

Guancheng Muslim District

Visit the Beidajie Mosque (North Big Mosque), a Yuan dynasty mosque with Chinese architectural influences.
Try local food like Xi’an torn bread with lamb soup (羊肉泡饃).

Shang Dynasty Relic Park

Explore ruins of the Shang Dynasty’s capital, including city walls over 3,000 years old.

People’s Park

Relax in the park and experience local activities like dancing and exercise.

Erqi Memorial Tower (Feb 7th Square)

Learn about the area’s historical ties to railroad workers and admire the twin tower.

Zhengdong New Area (CBD)

Visit the modern Central Business District featuring the iconic Corncob Building.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-central-china/

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AT#922 - Travel to the 'Stans of Central Asia Nov 30, 2024

Show notes

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.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-stans/

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MT#4 - Airlines Points and Miles Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

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).

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https://amateurtraveler.com/airlines-points-and-miles/

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AT#921 - Travel to Lyon, France Nov 23, 2024

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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).

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-lyon-france/

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AT#821 - Travel to Bolivia (Repeat) Nov 16, 2024

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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.”

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https://amateurtraveler.com/bolivia-itinerary/

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AT#920 - Trips from Manila, Philippines Nov 09, 2024

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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 Manila Bay, known for its World War II history. Tours usually depart from the SM Mall of Asia area.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/trips-from-manila-philippines/

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AT#919 - Travel to Mallorca, Spain Nov 02, 2024

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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.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-mallorca/

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Bonus - Career Breaks Oct 30, 2024

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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 common fears such as financial insecurity and leaving a stable job, travel advice to save time and money, and lessons on concurring travel burnout.

https://zerototravel.com/career-break-cali-oconnor/

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AT#918 - Travel to Savannah, Georgia Oct 26, 2024

Show notes

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 engines, miniature train displays, and a children's museum.
Ships of the Sea Museum: Explore maritime history in this mansion-turned-museum with ship models and antique collections.
Dinner at Carey Hilliard’s: Try their famous barbecue and award-winning sweet tea.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-savannah-georgia-2/

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