Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

Latest Episodes:

AT#949 - Travel to the French Riviera Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

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, small, quaint, charming, and picture-perfect villages. It's all really here, easy to get around."

Arrival & Base

Fly into Nice, the region’s main airport. Base yourself in Nice, Cannes, or Sainte-Maxime, depending on your interests—city, beach, or quieter village.

Day 1–2: Nice and Surroundings

Kimberley Lovato’s Recommended French Riviera Itinerary

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https://amateurtraveler.com/the-french-riviera/

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AT#948 - Espírito Santo, Brazil Jun 07, 2025

Show notes

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, Brazil, highlighting cultural, culinary, and natural experiences across several distinct regions. Here's a summary of her top recommendations:

Base yourself in Vila Velha for its better beaches, like Praia da Costa, and walkable access to restaurants, coffee shops, and nightlife.
Visit Convento da Penha, a 16th-century hilltop monastery with panoramic views of the coast.
Tour the Garoto chocolate factory (reserve in advance).

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https://amateurtraveler.com/espirito-santo-brazil/

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AT#947 - Travel to Brunei and Sabah on Borneo May 31, 2025

Show notes

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 Sharia law. Brunei is very wealthy. It's all because of its oil and gas."

"I don't think you should be going to Brunei solely for the purpose of going to Brunei. It's perfect for a seven-day itinerary in Northern Borneo."

Max recommends a 7-day itinerary for visiting Brunei and Sabah (northern Borneo), combining cultural experiences, nature, and adventure. Here's a summary of the recommended itinerary:

Fly into Miri (cheaper than Brunei direct flights)

Day 1 – Arrival in Miri (Malaysia)

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-brunei-and-sabah/

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AT#946 - Travel to Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Quebec May 24, 2025

Show notes

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 beaten path, and what I love about this region is that everybody thinks it's remote, but it's so accessible and it's so easy to travel to."

Jennifer recommends a one-week road trip itinerary to explore Abitibi-Témiscamingue, starting from Montreal and looping through five key regions (MRCs), each with its own blend of nature, history, Indigenous culture, and food. Here’s a breakdown of her recommended route:

Day-by-Day Itinerary for Abitibi-Témiscamingue Road Trip

Day 1 – Drive from Montreal to Val-d'Or (Gold Valley)

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-abitibi-temiscamingue-in-quebec/

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AT#945 - Travel to Victoria, British Columbia May 17, 2025

Show notes

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 with a walking tour of North America’s second-oldest Chinatown, led by Discover the Past. Chris explores the cultural legacy of Chinese-Canadians, visits the rare Tam Kung Temple, and strolls Fan Tan Alley, learning about the community’s resilience and spiritual heritage.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-auckland-new-zealand/

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MT8 - New Zealand Great Walks May 14, 2025

Show notes

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 to multi-day hikes. They have well-maintained tracks and cosy huts, providing a relatively safe experience.
These aren't the luxury hikes available in Europe; you will generally carry almost everything you need, and won't have a shower for a few days, but they're incredibly rewarding experiences.

Jonty gives an overview of each walk in alphabetical order, and finishes with general information and recommendations.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/new-zealand-great-walks/

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AT#944 - Exploring the Kunisaki Peninsula with Walk Japan May 10, 2025

Show notes

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

Tour style: Small group, guided, culturally immersive walking tour with Walk Japan
Geology: The Volcanic Kunisaki Peninsula was formed by Mt. Futago; radial valleys and stable terrain
Historical sites: Usa Jingu Shrine, Kumano Magaibutsu, Fuki-ji Temple, Choan-ji
Daily hikes: 4–7 km per day through ridges, forests, rice terraces, and Buddhist cave carvings
Community engagement: Visit to Walk Japan’s rural revitalization project and local mushroom farm

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https://amateurtraveler.com/exploring-the-kunisaki-peninsula-with-walk-japan/

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AT#943 - Travel to Auckland, New Zealand May 03, 2025

Show notes

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 got excellent restaurants, museums, art galleries, and beaches."

Waiheke Island:

Jonty’s Recommendations for Visiting AucklandExplore the Islands of the Hauraki Gulf

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-auckland-new-zealand/

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AT#839 - Travel to the Queensland Outback (Repeat) Apr 26, 2025

Show notes

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, particularly perhaps for your North American listeners.”

” I know when I’m traveling around the world and people talk to me, ‘what’s Australia like?’. ‘Are there kangaroos jumping down the street?’ And the answer is no, there’s not. But if you do wanna see kangaroos jumping down the street thing, go to the Outback. It’s absolutely amazing. The landscape’s amazing. The people are amazing. You can walk into a bar and just talk to a local all night.”

“The other thing is, even if you went in what’s considered the peak season, there’s not going to be masses of tourists everywhere. There are going to be masses of tourists on the Great Barrier on our beautiful beaches. I just think if you wanna see what you think Australia is, the stereotypical view of Australia, then go to the Outback.”

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-queensland-outback/

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AT#942 - Travel to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida Apr 19, 2025

Show notes

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?

Nearly 87% of Americans visit a Disney park at some point—it's a "rite of passage."
Offers a wide range of experiences for all types of visitors—first-timers, families, superfans, and solo travelers.
The sheer scale and variety of things to do mean you can’t do it all in one trip—and that’s part of the fun.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-walt-disney-world-2/

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