Episodit
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In this bonus episode of Amateur Traveler, we discuss issues associated with living abroad.
My Guest
Justin Burns, a part-time resident of the Canary Islands, joins us to share his experience of living abroad. He talks about the practical aspects of relocating to a foreign country, from navigating visa options to adjusting to life in a new place. Whether you're considering a move overseas or just curious about what it's like, Justin offers helpful insights based on his personal journey.
Questions
In this podcast with Justin Burns, several key questions are addressed, including:
How can someone move abroad and what are the steps involved?
Justin explains the different visa options, such as retirement, digital nomad, and investment visas, and the application process.
What challenges do people face when relocating to a foreign country?
He discusses both bureaucratic hurdles, like obtaining necessary documents and dealing with red-tape, and emotional challenges related to language barriers and cultural adjustments.
What are the costs of living abroad compared to the U.S.?
Justin compares the cost of healthcare, housing, groceries, transportation, and more in Spain to the U.S. and provides insights into how moving abroad can result in significant savings.
What are some of the emotional surprises of moving abroad?
He shares his experiences dealing with frustrations like language barriers and cultural differences and how those affect day-to-day life.
What should people consider when choosing a place to live abroad?
Justin provides tips on what to look for when selecting a city or country, including things like local amenities, accessibility, and whether the destination is welcoming to expats.
How does the process of buying property abroad work?
He explains the steps involved in purchasing a home overseas, including the role of notaries and legal differences compared to the U.S.
What are the tax implications of living abroad?
The podcast discusses double taxation agreements and how taxes work for expats living in places like Spain.
These topics provide practical insights for anyone considering a move abroad or curious about the lifestyle.
https://amateurtraveler.com/living-abroad/
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Hear about travel to the state of Georgia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Lesli Peterson from 365 Atlanta Traveler about the state where she grew up.
Why should you go to the state of Georgia?
Lesli says, "I love Georgia because I am an outdoor person, and Georgia's got this great city. Everybody talks about Atlanta. Atlanta is fantastic. I'll tell you why I think it's most fantastic. But, it also has, Mountains, so beautiful hiking opportunities, waterfalls great camping, beautiful rivers filled with fish and all that sort of thing."
"And then the beach. So there's the coast. Most people know Savannah, but there's so much more to the coast than just Savannah. In fact, Savannah doesn't even have a beach. But this idea of this big city, mountains, and beach. All in one place is very enticing."
Lesli outlines a diverse itinerary for visiting Georgia, focused on outdoor activities, cultural history, food, and unique attractions. Here's a summary of her recommended itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Atlanta
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-georgia/
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Hear about traveling to Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jill Robbins about her favorite part of the state she calls home.
Why should you visit Lubbock and Amarillo?
Jill says, "Amarillo and Lubbock are both smaller cities. I don't like the word off the beaten path or hidden gem, but these are just great little slices of Texas and they both really showcase the unique landscape of Texas."
"Lubbock is in the high plains area. Amarillo is in the panhandle. They're both known for different things, but both have some surprises, things you might not expect to see in a small town. They both have a lot of things to do. Amarillo is more focused on outdoor adventure and Americana that is the old Route 66".
"Lubbock is known for music history and particularly being the birthplace of Buddy Holly. So that is what puts that on the map."
Here's the itinerary that Jill Robbins recommends for visiting Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas:
Day 1: Arrival in Lubbock
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-lubbock-and-amarillo-texas/
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In this first bonus episode of Amateur Traveler, we discuss how and why to travel solo, even if you are not single.
My Guest:
Beth Santos is the founder and CEO of Wanderful, a global community and lifestyle brand that aims to empower and connect women who travel. She is also the author of Wander Woman, in which she shares insights and advice on solo travel, particularly for women.
Beth focuses on encouraging women to explore the world independently and safely. She challenges common misconceptions about solo travel, especially the notion that it is only for single people or those without families. She emphasizes that solo travel can be a valuable and empowering experience for anyone, regardless of their personal circumstances.
In addition to her work with Wonderful, Beth is known for advocating female empowerment in travel and her efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women travelers.
Questions:
In the podcast episode, several key questions and topics related to solo travel are addressed:
What is solo travel, and who is it for?
What are the benefits of solo travel?
How can women travel solo safely?
What practical advice is there for planning a solo trip?
How do you handle loneliness when traveling solo?
What are the challenges and rewards of eating alone while traveling?
How can solo travelers balance planning and spontaneity?
What should you pack for a solo trip?
What can someone learn from solo travel?
How can someone prepare for their first solo trip?
https://amateurtraveler.com/solo-travel/
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Hear about travel to Romania and Northern Hungary as the Amateur Traveler talks to Lisa VanderVeen about her recent Intrepid trip to the area.
Why should you go to Romania?
Lisa says, "Romania is much more than Dracula and Vlad Tepes, though I will confess that was my initial draw to the country. It's got a great diversity of landscape and a multi layered history going way, way back. And then also as recently as the, communist times. Lots of really interesting museums to visit."
"In terms of the topography and the geography, it's just amazing. It's got beautiful towns the Maramures region has a history of weavings and just the colors, red, orange, pink, and blue with the haystacks dotting the rolling hills and the mountains in the backdrop are really stunning."
"The Carpathian Mountains are moody and they're filled with lore and at the same time they feel a little bit like Switzerland. There's great beauty, great history, and wonderful food and wine in Romania."
Here's the itinerary of the trip to Romania and Northern Hungary as described by Lisa:
Budapest, Hungary:
Start the trip in Budapest, Lisa's favorite European city, known for its architecture, the Danube River, the Fisherman's Bastion, and thermal baths.
Eger, Hungary:
Travel by train to Eger, a small town with Baroque architecture, a notable history of resisting the Ottomans, and a rich wine tradition.
Explore the Castle of Eger and the Valley of Beautiful Women, known for its wine cellars.
Visit the Basilica of St. John the Apostle and the Camera Obscura.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-romania/
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Hear about travel to Northeast Florida as the Amateur Traveler talks to Angie Orth from Angie Away about her hometown and the area around it.
Why should someone go to Northeast Florida?
Angie says, "So many reasons. People come to Florida for a lot of different reasons. Mostly theme parks, maybe swamps, alligators, Miami. Those are the things when I meet people around the world that they think Florida is about. Everybody thinks I either live in Miami, in some kind of penthouse, or like at Disney World, in a castle of some sort."
"There's so much to do here, but I would say the majority of it is It's outdoors, it's nature, it's history. We have a ton of interesting history that even natives don't necessarily know about. It's hidden away in the neighborhoods and buried and there's ruins and also layers of history, layers and hundreds of years and wars. To make this area what it is and it's really interesting once you start going to the national park areas and the forts and the ruins."
Angie recommends several must-see locations and activities in Northeastern Florida:
Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island (Nassau County):
Visit Fort Clinch State Park for hiking, biking, and exploring historic forts.
Enjoy the beaches, which are often quiet and uncrowded.
Enjoy one of Amelia Island's charming bed-and-breakfasts.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-northeastern-florida/
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Hear about a road trip at the top of the world in Northern Norway as the Amateur Traveler talks to Torunn Tronsvang from Up Norway about this scenic but remote destination.
Why should you go to Northern Norway?
Torunn says, "There are so many good reasons why one should go to Northern Norway, and I think just as an introduction to Norway, I think it's worth mentioning the trend now of cool cations — skipping the hot and steamy Southern Europe and rather going up North to Norway. to Norway and Northern Norway."
"And Northern Norway, of course, if I were to summarize in one word, regardless of season, I'd say, go there for the light. Because in the summer, you have the midnight sun, which means that you have this magical, radiant light all day and all night. If you go there in winter, you have the northern lights, but you also have arctic lights, so you have color nuances of pink, orange, sometimes turquoise, of course, you have the very green-yellow northern lights on clear and starry nights"
Torunn recommends this itinerary...
https://amateurtraveler.com/road-trip-in-northern-norway/
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Hear about travel to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean as the Amateur Traveler talks to David Brodie from Travel in 10 about his experience in this tropical paradise.
Why should you go to the Maldives?
"I think it's a place that a lot of people have probably seen influencer videos or postcards of the luxury resorts that are there. And it does have. probably some of the most luxurious island resorts you're going to find anywhere in the world. Crystal clear waters, incredible snorkeling, incredible diving, and really at that luxury end of the spectrum, there is an enormous amount of properties on their own islands there, throughout the, about 187 islands that are populated in the island chain, about 160 of those 160 plus that have. Resorts on them."
"I say, really some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world and a whole new sort of aspect to tourism that's developing there with the opening up of the local islands and the local island tourism that's emerging there now as well."
Trip Overview
David's adventure in the Maldives was part of a larger trip that explored multiple countries. After his family returned home from Singapore, David continued on his own, making the Maldives a key highlight of his solo journey. Known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life, the Maldives did not disappoint.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-maldives-2/
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Hear about travel to the region of Castile and León in Spain as the Amateur Traveler talks to Ethan Witthun about the region where he studied abroad.
Day 1: Avila
Morning:
Walk the Murallas (Walls): Start early to walk along the medieval walls of Avila, known for being one of the most complete medieval walls in Spain. Purchase an Avila card online for easy access and an audio guide.
Visit the Cathedral of Avila: Explore this unique cathedral, which is part of the wall, and features distinct red stone in its construction.
Afternoon:
Visit the Basilica of San Vicente: Known for its unique architecture and the shrine of San Vicente.
Lunch at Restaurante Las Murallas: Enjoy a famous steak while sitting outside with views of the walls.
Visit Los Cuatro Postes: Head here during siesta time for a panoramic view of Avila and its walls.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-castile-and-leon-spain/
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Hear about travel to Afghanistan as the Amateur Traveler talks to bigger and adventure tour guide Sibu Szymanowska about this adventurous destination, even for her.
Why should you go to Afghanistan?
Sibu says, "Because we are very influenced by what we see in the media nowadays and it is definitely one of those countries that will end up shocking you. But not Shocking you in a negative way, but shocking you in a very positive way, because there is so much more to the world than what we see on mainstream media, on the news, but by what our governments tell you, and Afghanistan obviously is not an easy destination to navigate, but is it possible?"... Yes.
Cities Visited
Kabul: The capital city with significant historical and cultural sites.
Bamiyan: Known for the destroyed Buddhist statues and diverse landscapes.
Herat: Famous for the Blue Mosque and historical Citadel.
Sites to See
Kabul: Bibi Maru Hill, local mosques, bird market
Bamiyan: Buddhist statue site, Band-e-Amir National Park
Herat: Blue Mosque, Citadel, tile-making workshops
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-afghanistan/
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Hear about travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jo Clark from Have Glass, Will Travel about her hometown.
Why should someone go to Myrtle Beach?
Jo says, "Myrtle Beach is on the Grand Strand as we call it. It's on the coast of South Carolina and we are in the midst of 60 miles of gorgeous beach. Nice and wide. No rocks. I mean you can walk for miles and miles. It's just the perfect place. We have great weather. We have everything. we have history, we have music, and of course the beach."
Jo sent us this itinerary:
A WEEK IN MYRTLE BEACH
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-myrtle-beach-south-carolina/
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Hear about travel the Great West Way from London to Bristol as the Amateur Traveler talks to Penny Sadler, who writes Adventures of a Carry-on, about her recent trip to Southwest England.
Penny Sadler is a freelance writer covering wine, food, travel, and lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in CNBC Travel, Culture Magazine, Matador Network, InsideHook, The Alcohol Professor, Vintner Project, The Cheese Professor, and elsewhere. She’s a Wine, Spirits Education Trust graduate and hosts tastings in her free time.
Why should you go?
Penny says, "The Great West Way is a historic route and basically now a tourist route that goes from London to Bristol. From London to Bristol is about two hours, and along the way, there are charming market towns, old pubs, castle ruins, rolling hills, and lots of farmland, it's very rural Stonehenge, Avebury, there's so much to see."
Penny Sadler's itinerary for the Great West Way offers a scenic and historically rich journey from east to west. Here is a breakdown of the recommended destinations, sorted from east to west:
London
Activities:
Stay at The Mayfair Townhouse.
Join a food tour with Devour Tours, visiting historic pubs and Borough Market.
Explore Southwark Cathedral, Hatton Garden, and Daunt Books for Travellers.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/the-great-west-way-in-england/
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Hear about travel to India including the Golden Triangle as the Amateur Traveler talks to Nir ben Dov from Israel about his recent trip to the subcontinent.
Why should you go to India?
"I've gone to India many times over the past 20 25 years and it's a place that I've grown to love and love to hate it's a strange place. It's a place with its own character not for everyone But a very intriguing, place not easy, but a great place to visit. It's very different. So I decided this time to take my wife because I know that traveling with my wife, it just has a completely different flair to it. I know my wife likes the colors, the very bright colors, and the chaos in India."
Nir's recommended itinerary for India includes:
Delhi:
Arrive in Delhi.
Spend some time at Connaught Place (CP), a central commercial area.
Chris recommends a number of Historic Places in Delhi to see
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-india-2/
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Hear about travel to Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin Barnes about his recent trip to the Balkans.
Why should someone go to the Balkans?
Justin says, "It's a fascinating intersection of the East and West. It's been shaped by history over many different iterations from the Greeks to the Illyrians to the Byzantines to the Ottomans. And whenever you have a place like that's been shaped by so many different cultures and with such a fascinating history, you see a lot of things you don't really see elsewhere on the globe."
"In addition, it's very inexpensive. The places that I'm going to be talking about, Albania, North Macedonia are much less expensive than even other places in the Balkans, let alone the rest of Europe. The area was much more green and lush than I was expecting. I don't know what I was expecting, but I wasn't expecting beautiful green forests everywhere."
"nd the cities that we went to, pretty much everything was walkable. Aside from the time that it takes to get from one city to the next, once you're actually where you need to be, you can walk around. The weather's good. The people are nice. I always felt safe. There's a lot to offer."
Justin recommends a detailed itinerary for a trip through Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. Here is the itinerary based on his detailed description:
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-balkans/
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Hear about travel to the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna as the Amateur Traveler talks to Keith Jenkins from VelvetEscape.com who keeps returning to this unvisited gem.
Why should you go to Emilia-Romagna?
Keith says, "I think most people will know about the Products that come from there, the food, even the cars, maybe some of the cities, but they would just not associate that with the name Emilia Romagna. And we all know Parma, Bologna but there's so much more to explore. And a large part of the region is actually pretty, off the beaten track, because you have all these little, small, medieval towns. On the plains, also at the hill towns, which are absolutely beautiful. And there's so much to explore. They've got huge forests and lakes and national parks."
Based on Keith Jenkins' detailed description, here's a recommended itinerary for a trip to Emilia-Romagna:
Day 1: Arrival in Parma
Morning: Arrive in Parma. Check into your hotel.
Afternoon: Explore Parma’s city center. Visit the Cathedral and the Baptistery.
Evening: Dine at a local restaurant to enjoy Parma’s famous prosciutto.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-emilia-romagna/
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Hear about cruising the waters of Alaska and British Columbia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Susan Portnoy about her recent experience on a Hurtigruten expedition ship.
Why should you do this cruise?
Susan says, "I think it's not going to be for everybody. It is a long journey. It's 18 days. That is music to my heart, but may not be for everyone. But it's also more intrepid. It's not the kind of trip where you've got a lot of boardwalks and stores and places to hang out, which you might do and have in Juneau or Haines. We went to uninhabited islands. One was, for example, St. Matthews, which belongs to Alaska. Very few people know that. And more people have climbed Everest than been on St. Matthews."
Adventure Cruise from Nome, Alaska to Vancouver: A Day-by-Day Journey
Susan Portnoy recently embarked on an unforgettable Hurtigruten expedition cruise from the remote town of Nome, Alaska, to Vancouver, Canada. This 18-day journey was perfect for those seeking adventure, wildlife, and a deeper connection with nature and culture. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of this remarkable voyage:
DAY 1: The Expedition Began
The adventure started in Nome, Alaska. After flying into Anchorage and boarding a charter flight to Nome, everyone embarked on the MS Roald Amundsen. This expedition class ship can hold up to 500 passengers.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/alaska-cruise/
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Hear about travel to Newport, Rhode Island as the Amateur Traveler talks to Phil Roberson about this city that was one of the 5 largest in the American colonies.
Why should you visit Newport?
Phile says, "There's a lot of reasons to want to come here, but if you love the ocean, if you love the Gilded Age kind of life if you love history, especially, there's just a lot to see in Newport."
Based on Phil's detailed description of Newport, Rhode Island, here's a recommendation for a week-long trip to Newport, including various activities, historical sites, dining options, and outdoor adventures.
Day 1: Arrival and Orientation
Morning: Arrive in Newport, and settle into your accommodation.
Afternoon: Take the Daily Newport Trolley Tour for an overview of the city and its major attractions.
Evening: Dine at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar Restaurant on the wharf.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-newport-rhode-island/
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Hear about travel to the Jaén province of Andalucia Spain as the Amateur Traveler talks to Molly Sears-Piccavey who lives in Andalucia.
Molly says, “Jaén is a province in western Andalucia that is not really very known or associated with tourism. If we take southern Spain the western side of Andalucia which is Granada, Cordoba, Jaén, and Almería are not as touristic perhaps as the side of Andalucia which is where Malaga and Seville are. Cordoba and Granada are very well visited because of their Muslim architecture such as the mosque or their Alhambra Palace, but Jaén is inland and a little bit further away. And many people don’t manage to discover Jaén and I think Jaén has a lot to offer the visitor.”
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-jaen-andalucia-spain/
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Hear about travel to Northern Morocco as the Amateur Traveler talks to 5 listeners of the show who joined this year's trip to explore the medinas and other features of the country.
The Intrepid Travel North Morocco Adventure tour offers an immersive exploration of Northern Morocco, rich with cultural experiences, historical landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes. Below is a detailed day-by-day itinerary that highlights the tour's key activities and destinations.
Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca
Activity: Arrival and meet up at the hotel
Highlights:
Arrive a day early to explore Casablanca independently
Visit the old medina, Rick's Café, and the Hassan II Mosque (make reservations in advance for a tour)
Meet the tour group in the hotel lobby at 6 PM for introductions and dinner
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-northern-morocco/
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Hear about travel to Southern Morocco as the Amateur Traveler talks to Ady from Hit The Road Music Studio about an area he fell in love with while touring it in a mobile recording studio.
Ady recommends a detailed itinerary for a week-long trip exploring Southern Morocco, starting and ending in Marrakesh. Here’s a breakdown of the suggested trip:
Day 1: Marrakesh
Arrive in Marrakesh and spend the night. Experience the bustling city, try a mix of European and Moroccan cuisine, and get a taste of the local culture.
Day 2: Travel over the Atlas Mountains
Travel from Marrakesh over the Atlas Mountains, experiencing the dramatic change in landscape and climate. Spend the night in Ouarzazate, a city famous for its film studios and proximity to the film location for movies like "Gladiator" and "Star Wars."
https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-southern-morocco-2/
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