Amateur Traveler Podcast

Hear about a road trip through Central America as the Amateur Traveler talks about traveling overland through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala in search of volcanoes, tropical birds, colonial cities, crater lakes, Mayan ruins, and a few new countries added to his map. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Why should you visit Central America? This multi-country journey combines some of the region’s best experiences into one trip: cloud forests in Costa Rica, volcanic landscapes in Nicaragua, changing fortunes in El Salvador, the Mayan ruins of Copán in Honduras, and the lakeside villages and colonial cities of Guatemala. Along the way, Chris finds colorful markets, Scarlet Macaws, crater lakes, beautiful colonial architecture, and more volcanoes than he expected. In this episode. Chris shares stories from a 15-day small-group trip that began in San José, Costa Rica, and ended in Antigua, Guatemala. The trip was designed to pick up three new countries for him: Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, while also revisiting Costa Rica and Guatemala. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/central-america-road-trip/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about visiting the hidden gems of London, England, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about this city he once called home. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠here⁠. Why visit London? London is one of the world's great cities, and it can easily fill a week, if not two, exploring the city. Everyone has heard of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower of London, Tate Modern, Changing of the Guard, British Museum, and the London Eye, but there are so many more sights that are arguably as interesting and less busy. Jonty lived in the UK for the first 29 years of his life, worked in London for 5 years, and visited London almost every year for 15 years after moving to New Zealand. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/hidden-gems-of-london/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Slovenia as Chris talks with travel writer Sam Baldwin about an active, slightly off-the-beaten-path itinerary through one of Europe’s most underrated countries. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here. Sam has been visiting Slovenia since 2007, lived there for five years, and recommends a road trip that combines Ljubljana, alpine lakes, mountain scenery, rivers, wine country, and a few unusual cultural experiences. His experiences of living, working, and exploring the wildlife and wild places of this stunning country are told in his travel memoir book, Dormice & Moonshine: Falling for Slovenia. Why should you go to Slovenia? Sam describes Slovenia as beautiful, safe, compact, and surprisingly diverse. In a short drive, you can go from alpine scenery to Mediterranean-influenced landscapes, from lakes and mountains to wine regions and warm rivers. He also emphasizes that Slovenia feels much more Central European than many travelers expect. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-slovenia/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Dublin, Ireland, as the Amateur Traveler talks to tour guide Garvan Rushe from DublinTourGuide.ie about the capital and largest city of Ireland. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here. Why should you go to Dublin? Garvan describes Dublin as approachable and human in scale, a capital that feels more like a town than a sprawling metropolis. Visitors often find a sense of connection here, whether or not they have Irish ancestry. The city’s story reflects its complex past: British rule for over 700 years followed by independence only about a century ago, leaving visible traces in architecture, monuments, and institutions. Practical Orientation Stay on the south side of the River Liffey for convenience and quieter nights. Avoid lodging in Temple Bar if you want sleep, though it is worth visiting for nightlife. Dublin’s small size makes it easy to explore on foot or via guided walking tours. If arriving on a red-eye from North America, ease into sightseeing with a shorter itinerary. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-dublin-ireland-2/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Northern France (and a day in Flanders) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Craig Anderson about his trip into the historic towns and sites of the Pas-de-Calais region. Why should you go to Northern France? Craig describes an itinerary that includes the Hundred Years' War, the Napoleonic Wars, WWI, and WWII history, historic monasteries, gothic cathedrals, chalk cliffs, and wonderful old walled towns. Craig’s Recommended Northern France / Flanders Itinerary Overview: Base yourself in northern France (Craig used Boulogne-sur-Mer) with a rental car, explore outward in loops, and start by pairing the trip with nearby Belgian WWI sites.  Day 1 — Ypres & Flanders Fields (Belgium) ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-northern-france/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Puebla, Mexico as the Amateur Traveler talks to Scott Thompson from Livit Immersion Center about his adopted home in this historic colonial city in central Mexico. Why should you go to Puebla? Scott says, "Puebla's kind of an outlier. It's the one big city that nobody's ever heard of. So there's not a lot of tourist industry. The international tourist industry, especially. The city is a world heritage city, and it's recognized by UNESCO since 1987. So it's full of history and architecture and culture and food. There's 2,600 historic buildings and monuments in the city center." Scott Thompson’s Recommended Itinerary for Visiting Puebla, Mexico Day 1: Get Oriented in Historic Puebla https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-puebla-mexico/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Bern, Switzerland, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jack Baumann from Guidester and the Europe Travel 101 Podcast about a city he fell in love with early in his travels. Why should you visit Bern? Jack says, "I would say Bern epitomizes the blend mixture of natural beauty, culture, and history that Switzerland is known for. It's on the river Aare, it's surrounded by the Bern oberland, so you can get from the city center to a mountain in about 15 minutes. On a clear day, you can see the Alps." Jack’s Recommended 7-Day Itinerary for Bern, SwitzerlandDays 1–2: Historic Bern (UNESCO Old Town) ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-bern-switzerland/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Sardinia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Shannon O'Brien from shannon-obrien.com about her visit to this island corner of Italy. Why should you go to Sardinia? Shannon says, "It's Italian, but it's a very different vibe as well from mainland Italy. There's insanely beautiful beaches. Some argue some of the most beautiful beaches of the world. The water is crystal blue; it looks like Windex. The white sand beaches. The interior of the island has these huge mountains that kind of bleed into the ocean. Winding coastal roads up and down both sides of the island with insane views. It exceeded my expectations for sure." Shannon’s Recommended Sardinia Itinerary (West Coast Focus, 7–10 Days): Start: Cagliari (1–2 nights) Fly into Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital. Explore the Castello district, including Saint Remy Bastion and Cagliari Cathedral. Wander cobblestone streets, historic fortifications, and viewpoints. Shannon recommends keeping this short; it’s a gateway, not the main event. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-sardinia/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Christmas Markets in Europe as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin Barnes of JustinAndCrystal.com about his visit to markets in 32 different cities across 12 countries. Justin's Core Itinerary Philosophy Visit 3–5 destinations total, ideally within 4 hours of each other by train. Base yourself in larger cities and use day trips to nearby towns when possible. Travel by train with light luggage (backpack style) and stay near train stations or old towns. Aim for early–mid December, before the final pre-Christmas weekend crowds and before many markets close around Dec 23–24  ... https://amateurtraveler.com/christmas-markets-in-europe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe as the Amateur Traveler talks to Rael Zieve from Keep Travelling Africa about one of his favorite African itineraries. Why should you visit the Zambezi Valley?  Rael says, "Just the landscapes are quite amazing. I think you should go because the landscapes change. There are still people who live very humbly along the river banks, living out of their mud huts in very medieval conditions, and that type of thing. Even today in the 21st century." Rael’s Recommended Zambezi Valley Itinerary (9 Nights Total) ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-zambezi-valley/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Tunis, Tunisia, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jeff Ohlfs about his recent visit to this arid Arab country in North Africa. Why should you go to Tunis? Jeff says, "I don't think a lot of people think too much about traveling to Tunisia. It's an incredible country, friendly people. It's an Arab country. And all that goes with it, and it's reasonably inexpensive, and it's just right there off the boot of Italy." ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-tunis-tunisia/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to lesser-known parks in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin Barnes from justinandcrystal.com about their recent road trip through the American Southwest. Justin said, "When I got back, I realized that in addition to all the photos we had from the national parks, which obviously are well covered, including, I think it was episode 503, I actually had more photos of the places outside the national parks and Monument Valley than I did inside the national parks and Monument Valley." This itinerary summarizes Justin Barnes’s recommended road trip through Utah and the surrounding region. It focuses on smaller, high-impact stops outside the major national parks, designed to be combined into a coherent, scenic route. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-parks-of-utah/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to the remote region of Skardu, Pakistan, as the Amateur Traveler talks to James Schomburgk about his recent visit to this beautiful mountain region. Why should you go to Skardu? James says, "It is really a step back into time. You're getting exposed to Stan culture, which is quite unique, very different from Southern Pakistan. There's a lot of crossover to the Ladakhi people in India. It's very much Muslim, but very different Muslim." The people there are believed to originated more from European and Iranian looks. So a lot of them are blondes. Many of them have blue or green eyes. A lot of them would look more like Scandinavians. It was quite a shock to see people who looked Scandinavian speaking with a Pakistani Indian accent." "Also, it was just a very interesting culture. Very proud of their culture. And have some real beliefs that, as we were up there, we got quite a few lectures by them about how they believe they should be a separate country. They believe they're very different from the rest of the culture." James's Recommended 7-Day Itinerary for Skardu, Pakistan ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-skardu-pakistan/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Southeastern Turkey as the Amateur Traveler talks to Mark Michael from rambleswithmark.com about this region that is the home to people in the Bible like Paul and Abraham, ancient monasteries, and some of the oldest known megaliths. Connection to Region Read William Dalrymple’s From the Holy Mountain in college, a journey through the region retracing the steps of John Moscos, a seventh-century monk It’s hard to underestimate how ancient this part of the world feels. In Urfa, they have a few prized local delicacies: one is a meatball they say that Abraham invented, another is a dessert they call Noah’s pudding, and there’s a pancake covered in molasses that is supposed to derive from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. I have made a lot of Christian pilgrimages, almost always to sites from the New Testament or the early church; many sites on this trip are associated with Muslim traditions about Old Testament figures, which are usually similar but different from those preserved by Jews and Christians. If you are interested in the history of the Ancient Near East, Turkey is by far the easiest place to travel: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel are all barred or unsafe.  Turkey has good roads, helpful people, and relatively low costs (though inflation has climbed steeply in the past 2 years) Area is changing quickly through massive investment in GAP Project (22 hydroelectric dams on the Euphrates, 19 power plants, with initiatives to develop agriculture and tourism in region that has been Turkey’s poorest), allowing for development of tourist infrastructure, but accelerating decline of traditional ways of life, if you go now, it will still seem timeless, and you will be ahead of the tourist rush You feel like a traveler here, not a tourist. I only met one other native English speaker. People are curious and enthusiastic to show you their local treasures.  ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-southeastern-turkey/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Amateur Traveler, host Chris Christensen talks with AJ Ajay, a Libyan-born travel professional and founder of Intu Libya, about traveling to one of North Africa’s least-visited and most misunderstood destinations: Libya. From spectacular Roman ruins to Saharan oases, ancient Amazigh towns, and the vibrant streets of Tripoli, AJ explains why Libya rewards travelers who are curious, respectful, and willing to look beyond headlines. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here. Why Visit Libya? Libya offers a rare sense of discovery. With tourism largely undeveloped since the mid-20th century, many of its historic sites feel untouched. AJ describes Libya as a country where Roman, Greek, Phoenician, Ottoman, Italian, and Islamic histories overlap, often in the same physical space. Add to that Mediterranean coastline, vast Saharan landscapes, and deep-rooted traditions of hospitality, and Libya becomes a destination for travelers seeking something truly different. Safety, Visas, and Practicalities Chris and AJ address the elephant in the room: safety and travel advisories. AJ explains how Libya currently operates with an electronic visa system that requires a local sponsor and organized itinerary. Tourism is tightly coordinated with authorities, and travel routes are planned in advance. While some regions remain off-limits, AJ emphasizes that millions of Libyans live their daily lives safely and that guided travel within approved areas is the key to visiting responsibly. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-libya/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Amateur Traveler, host Chris Christensen welcomes back Jonty Crane of Jonty Travels and The Tramping Life podcast to share practical advice and favorite sights from his many visits to India’s capital, Delhi. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here. Delhi is intense, historic, chaotic, and endlessly fascinating. Jonty has visited Delhi six times over the past six years and offers a grounded perspective on how to experience the city without being overwhelmed. He recommends seeing Delhi in manageable doses, mixing headline attractions with quieter parks, tombs, and neighborhoods where daily life unfolds. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-delhi-india/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode of Amateur Traveler, Chris shares an in-depth look at an eight-night adventure cruise through the fjords, glaciers, capes, and wildlife of southern Patagonia aboard Ventus Australis. The route combines two four-night segments, sailing from Punta Arenas, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina, and back again, providing double the opportunities to explore remote landscapes reached only by Zodiac. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here. What This Episode Covers • Understanding Patagonia Chris opens with an overview of Patagonia’s geography, the island of Tierra del Fuego, and the immense glaciated landscapes that define this southernmost corner of South America. Unlike large-ship cruises, this expedition cruise stays almost entirely below the South American continent, weaving through rugged, isolated islands. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/patagonia-cruise/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Amateur Traveler, Chris talks with returning guest and friend of the show Lee Moore, author of "China's Backstory: The History Beijing Doesn't Want You to Read" and co-host of the Chinese Literature Podcast. Lee returns to share his love for Northern Taiwan, a place he first lived in more than a decade ago while studying Chinese literature in Taipei, and a region he revisited in 2023 with his wife and two young children. Together, they explore what to see, how to get around, and why Northern Taiwan makes an unexpectedly great family-friendly adventure. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here. Why Visit Northern Taiwan? Lee describes Northern Taiwan as a place rich in history, natural beauty, museums, night markets, rail-line towns, beaches, and hot springs. It blends the best of Japan and China while maintaining its own distinct culture. He jokes that you should visit now “before China invades,” but quickly follows with more grounded reasons: world-class museums, unique cultural quirks, kid-friendly public infrastructure, beautiful hikes, and easy day trips from Taipei without ever changing hotels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Amateur Traveler, Chris talks with travel writer and guidebook author Joshua Zukas about planning an immersive trip through Central Vietnam, a region filled with imperial history, dramatic caves, ancient cultures, beaches, wildlife, and some of the country’s most distinctive cuisine. Joshua has lived in Vietnam for nearly 20 years, first in Huế and now in Hanoi, and has authored multiple guidebooks. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠here. Why Visit Central Vietnam? Central Vietnam offers a compact blend of what makes the country special. Within a week, you can explore beaches, royal palaces, ancient ruins, caves, and historic neighborhoods. Spring is the ideal time to visit, while October and November bring storms and flooding. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-central-vietnam/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode of Amateur Traveler, Chris takes you along on a Yangtze River cruise from Yichang to Chongqing, an upstream journey through China’s legendary Three Gorges. Along the way, you’ll hear about naked trackers of old, a poet whose death inspired a festival celebrated across China, engineering marvels, hanging coffins, misty karst cliffs, and the modern rhythms of cruise life on the Victoria Sabrina, a ship from Victoria Cruises. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠⁠⁠⁠here. My thanks to Victoria Cruise Lines for treating me like a VIP, including an upgraded cabin, shore excursions, and the upgrade package with access to the Sabrina Lounge. What You’ll Experience ... https://amateurtraveler.com/yangtze-river-cruise/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices