Amateur Traveler Podcast

Hear about travel to Jerez de la Frontera and the province of Cádiz in Spain as the Amateur Traveler talks about a recent press trip to the 2026 Culinary Capital of Spain. 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. This episode is based on a recent press trip to Cádiz and Jerez, with guest Kristen Henning from Travel Past 50 joining Chris to talk about why travelers should consider this corner of Andalusia. Why Visit Cádiz Province and Jerez? The focus of the trip was Jerez de la Frontera, recently named Spain’s Culinary Capital for 2026. But as Chris and Kristen discovered, Jerez is not just about food. It is also about sherry, Andalusian horses, Carthusian monks, flamenco, history, and easy access to the beaches and ports of Cádiz Province. Kristen describes Jerez as best known for sherry wine production, but says there is far more to the region than she expected. Travelers will find horses, especially the Andalusian horse, a deep history stretching from Roman times to the Moors, connections to Columbus and Magellan, flamenco, beaches, golf, and a strong food culture. Chris starts by adding context for Cádiz, the oldest city in Spain, founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC. Cádiz later became Carthaginian, Roman, Visigothic, Moorish, and, after the Reconquest, Spanish. Its maritime history made it one of Spain’s most important ports, especially once trade with the New World shifted from Seville to Cádiz. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/jerez-spain/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Santiago, Chile, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kristin Henning from TravelPast50.com about this city that she called home for a time. 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 Santiago? Kristin says, "You can get to the mountains quickly. You can get to the valley for wine tasting quickly. You can get to the coast, Valparaíso, and beach towns quickly. But Santiago itself does hold a lot of interest in its museums, culture, and climate." Santiago, Chile Itinerary Day 1: Historic Santiago and Pre-Columbian Culture ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-santiago-chile/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Saxony as the Amateur Traveler talks about a recent press trip to Leipzig, Dresden, Meissen, and more in this southeast corner of Germany. 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. Recommended Saxony Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Leipzig Start in Leipzig. Base yourself in the compact historic center, ideally near the Old Town Hall. Chris stayed at the Steigenberger Icon Grand Hotel, close to the market square and the old town. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-saxony-germany/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Meryl Pearlstein about this glamorous city in the desert that keeps drawing her back. 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 Go to Las Vegas if You Don’t Gamble? Meryl makes the case that Las Vegas is far more than casinos. She highlights the city as a place where you can combine top-tier dining, arts and culture, unusual museums, live entertainment, and desert outdoor adventures, all in one trip. She also points to adrenaline-fueled experiences, from exotic cars to go-karting and off-roading. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-las-vegas/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to West Africa (Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jenna Fletcher from LifeKineticTravel.com about her quest to see baby sea turtles in Guinea-Bissau. 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 West Africa? Jenna says, "It is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful: green, flowers, animals. It is one of those spots that is definitely less explored by Western tourists. I think it gives you a different perspective on some of the history that you've learned about throughout school. And so I really enjoyed learning about the horrors of slavery while in Western Africa, and also a different perspective on colonialism." Itinerary Jenna’s recommended route is a two-week itinerary starting in The Gambia, continuing into Senegal, and ending in Guinea-Bissau, arranged partly around the fixed dates she could get for Orango National Park. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-west-africa/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to the Alentejo Region as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel blogger and adviser Julie Fox from JulieDawnFox.com about this overlooked but spectacular region of Portugal. 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 the Alentejo? Julie says, "There's plenty to see and do in the Alentejo. So yeah, it's a great place if you're into slow travel, small towns, and the countryside. It is quite varied, and you've got natural parks with mountain ranges. You've got turquoise waters and pale sand in places just south of Lisbon." Itinerary Julie’s recommended one-week Alentejo itinerary is a round trip from Lisbon by car, with the first four nights based in Évora and the last two nights in Monsaraz, then a return to Lisbon via Setúbal and Azeitão. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-alentejo-region-of-portugal/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to East Java in Indonesia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kiara Kolaczyk from Kultura Travel about this less-traveled region where she once lived. 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. Kiara’s recommended East Java itinerary starts with the better-known sights, then shifts into a more Malang-centered, off-the-beaten-path route. She opens with Mount Bromo as the big classic excursion, especially as a sunrise trip, then mentions Borobudur and Prambanan as the other major temple stops, though she notes those are more of a Central Java add-on than part of her core East Java route. After that, her main recommendation is to base yourself around Malang and explore cultural sites there instead of just doing the standard Bali-to-Bromo run. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-east-java-indonesia/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Southeastern China as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from JontyTravels.com about his first trip to China, to a less-visited region. 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 Southeastern China? Jonty says, "China is a unique country, with a fascinating history, and interesting sights, and these three areas discussed have seemingly almost no Western visitors despite only being half a day's travel from Hong Kong." Jonty visited over the New Year 2025 from Hong Kong. Visiting China isn't quite as simple as visiting other countries. We cover what you need to know in this episode.  ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-southeastern-china/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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