Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

Latest Episodes:

AT#941 - Travel to Kolkata, India Apr 12, 2025

Show notes

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 hundreds. It's a city that has produced six Nobel laureates. There's a lot of art and culture festivals, and outstanding food. So I think there's a lot to see."

What Dr. Sam Recommends in Kolkata:

1. Start with European Heritage & Colonial Architecture

Walking Tour with Calcutta Walks — Sam's top recommendation for understanding Kolkata's colonial history and European architecture.
Highlights include:
Victoria Memorial — "British Taj Mahal," the most spectacular building in Kolkata.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. John’s Church, Kolkata (oldest Anglican church)
High Court Building
Writers’ Building
General Post Office, Kolkata
Governor’s House
The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata (oldest continuously operating hotel in Asia — Mark Twain stayed there)

TIP: Go on a Sunday or during off-hours for less crowd. Buildings are beautifully lit at night.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-kolkata-india/

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AT#940 - Travel to Cuba Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

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

Trip Name: Amateur Traveler's Private Hola Cuba
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
Start & End Location: Havana, Cuba
Group Size: 17 travelers
Travel Style: Comfortable, immersive, support-for-the-Cuban-people focused
Accommodation: Locally-owned guesthouses
Meals Included:
8 breakfasts
6 lunches
7 dinners
Transport: Private transport throughout

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Havana

Complimentary airport transfer.
Evening welcome meeting and dinner at a local paladar (private restaurant).

Day 2 – Havana Exploration

Morning Afro-Cuban religion tour.
Classic American vintage car tour of outer Havana.
Walking tour of Old Havana (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

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

blog post: https://amateurtraveler.com/intrepid-hola-cuba/

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MT7 - Fear of Flying with Johnny Jet Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

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 travel newsletter and website in 1995 that he has been publishing ever since.

✅ Tips for Overcoming Fear of Flying

Visualize flying—even simulate it at home.
Speak with pilots or flight attendants to understand the safety and mechanics of flight.
Start small—book shorter flights on larger planes for a smoother experience.
Break up long-haul trips with stopovers (e.g., Hawaii or Fiji en route to Australia).
Distract yourself with music, reading, or a hobby during takeoff.
Avoid alcohol and drugs, which can worsen anxiety and behavior.
Consider fear of flying courses, including airline programs with simulators and pilots.
Practice gratitude and perspective—remember that flying opens the world.

https://amateurtraveler.com/fear-of-flying/

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AT#939 - Travel to Germany’s Black Forest Mar 29, 2025

Show notes

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."

Matt’s Suggested Black Forest Itinerary:

Day 1–2: Heidelberg

Why go: It is a historic university town with vibrant nightlife, a beautiful old town, castle ruins, and great food.
Highlights:
Heidelberg Castle (ruins)
Perimeter hiking trails and viewpoints
Heidelberg Student Jail (Mark Twain visited!)
Contemporary art museum
Nightlife: comedy shows and lively bars
Tip: Hike up from the city center for great views; look for printed maps with trail info.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-germanys-black-forest/

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AT#938 - Travel to the Basque Country in France and Spain Mar 22, 2025

Show notes

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 time."

Craig's 7-day Basque Country itinerary (France & Spain) includes a mix of historic towns, stunning coastal landscapes, cultural experiences, and exceptional food and wine. Here’s the breakdown:

Day 1: Bayonne (France)

Arrive in Bayonne, the cultural and historical heart of the French Basque Country.
Explore the Old Town, bridges, plazas, and Bayonne Cathedral.
Visit the Musée Basque et de l'histoire de Bayonne to learn about Basque culture.
Sample Bayonne chocolate and Bayonne ham, along with local cheeses and cherry tarts.
Walk along the city's ramparts.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-basque-country-in-france-and-spain/

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AT#937 - Travel to Genoa and Liguria in Italy Mar 15, 2025

Show notes

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 Secco, which are awarded as a patrimony of UNESCO for their beauty and importance, and of course the world-famous colorful fisherman village facades. Then we have a wonderful veggie-oriented cuisine."

Enrica recommends a 7-day itinerary for visiting Genoa and Liguria in Italy, focusing on authentic experiences beyond Cinque Terre. Here’s her suggested itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Genoa & First Impressions

Arrive in Genoa via the airport or train from Milan.
Stay in a central hotel (preferably outside the old town for safety at night).
Start at Spianata Castelletto, a panoramic terrace accessible by public elevator, for a breathtaking view of Genoa.
Walk through Caruggi (narrow medieval alleys) and explore historical shops (Botteghe Storiche).
Consider taking a food tour with Enrica to taste pesto, farinata, focaccia, and candied fruit.
Evening in Boccadasse, a small fishing village within Genoa, ideal for aperitivo or dinner.

...

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

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AT#936 - Travel to Duluth, Minnesota Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

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 goal to go to 30 countries before I turned 30 and out of all the places that I've been to, Duluth is still my number one, which some people think is weird, but to me it just is."

Summer Itinerary (Warm-Weather Activities & Scenic North Shore Drive)

This itinerary focuses on outdoor activities, hiking, and exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Start in Duluth:

Visit the Aerial Lift Bridge (watch ships pass under it, listen for the Captain’s Salute).
Walk around Canal Park, shop at Duluth Pack, and eat at Grandma’s Saloon (wild rice burger & chicken wild rice soup).
Stop by Canal Park Brewing Company (try "Loon Juice" cider).

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-duluth-minnesota/

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MT6 - Questions and Answers Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

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/

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AT#935 - Travel to Stuttgart, Germany Mar 01, 2025

Show notes

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 itinerary that includes a mix of Stuttgart’s city attractions, day trips to nearby medieval towns, wine regions, and castles, as well as attending seasonal festivals. Here’s the itinerary she suggests:

Day 1: Exploring Stuttgart

Start at Schlossplatz: The heart of the city, surrounded by historic buildings, gardens, museums, and shopping.
Visit the Württemberg State Museum in the Old Castle: Learn about the history of the region from prehistoric times to the monarchy.
Stroll along Königstraße: One of the longest shopping streets in Germany, leading toward Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof.
See Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof and Stuttgart 21 Project: Learn about the controversial railway infrastructure project.
Relax at a Beer Garden in Schlossgarten: Enjoy local German specialties such as Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), German Maultaschen (Swabian ravioli), or lentils with spätzle.
Visit the Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart (City Library): A strikingly modern library, popular for its Instagram-worthy architecture.
Tour a Car Museum:
Mercedes Benz Museum (Recommended for its historical storytelling)
Porsche Museum (If you're more interested in sports cars)
Dine at a Besenwirtschaft (Temporary Wine Tavern): Experience local Swabian wine culture, where small, family-run wineries temporarily open their homes as restaurants.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-stuttgart-germany/

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AT#934 - Travel to Palm Springs, California Feb 22, 2025

Show notes

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 based on her recommendations:

Where to Stay

Palm Springs has 75 boutique hotels (50 rooms or less), many with unique themes reflecting the area’s midcentury modern charm. Kathy suggests:

Alcazar Palm Springs – A stylish boutique hotel within walking distance of downtown Palm Springs.
The Skylark, Palm Springs – Features an Airstream trailer check-in and a retro ambiance.
The Cole, Palm Springs – A 1960s-inspired hotel with a modernist vibe.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-palm-springs-california/

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