Episodit
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This episode features Tiffany Funk from Point.me, a tool that helps travelers maximize airline points for flights. Host Chris Christensen and Tiffany discuss how to earn, manage, and use airline points effectively. Here’s a summary of the key points:
Overview of Points and Miles
Why Points Matter: Airline loyalty programs incentivize consumers and fill unsold seats. Points programs are massive profit centers for airlines, often tied to credit card partnerships.
Who Can Benefit: Anyone can take advantage of airline points, even non-frequent flyers or children, using strategies like shopping portals or team promotions (e.g., Delta rewards for Seahawks touchdowns).
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https://amateurtraveler.com/airlines-points-and-miles/
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Why should you go to Lyon?
Audra says, "It's a magical town. It is a little bit like Paris in the fact that it has, in fact, two rivers, so maybe a little bit better than Paris, two rivers running through it, a beautiful church on a hill, beautiful French architecture, wonderful museums, wonderful cathedrals, and it's also known as the Culinary Capital of France."
Audra's 7-day itinerary for visiting Lyon, France, is as follows:
Day 1: Fourvière Hill and Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon)
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière:
Start at this iconic hilltop basilica, known for its stunning Byzantine mosaics, Gothic and Romanesque architecture, and panoramic views of Lyon.
Take the funicular to the top and enjoy a guided or night tour (available in specific months).
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-lyon-france/
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Puuttuva jakso?
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Hear about an itinerary for travel to Bolivia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jayne Dear from The Only Way is Not Essex about her recent trip to this landlocked South American country.
Jayne says, you “should go to Bolivia because it’s a very diverse country. It has the largest salt flats in the world. Uyuni, which I visited, and I did that on a three-day tour. Also, go because it’s a great way of having a budget trip to the Amazon. It’s a very diverse country. I think it’s the 27th largest country in the world. There’s a dry forest as well as the rainforest.”
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https://amateurtraveler.com/bolivia-itinerary/
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Hear about trips from Manila as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin from justin-travel.com about where to go after visiting the Philippine capital.
Justin's recommended itinerary for day trips from Manila includes a variety of locations within a one to three-hour drive, each offering a different experience. Here's the suggested route:
Day 1: Exploring Manila
Intramuros: Begin with a visit to the historic walled city. Explore landmarks like Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila to get a sense of the city's Spanish colonial history.
Rizal Park: Walk through this significant historical park named after José Rizal, the national hero, to learn about the Philippines' struggle for independence.
Binondo (Chinatown): Enjoy a food crawl in the world’s oldest Chinatown. Discover local delicacies from street food stalls and eateries. Consider a Binondo food crawl guided tour to maximize your experience.
Corregidor Island (Optional): If time allows, take a full-day tour to this historic island in Manila Bay, known for its World War II history. Tours usually depart from the SM Mall of Asia area.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/trips-from-manila-philippines/
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Hear about travel to Mallorca, Spain, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kristin Henning from travelpast50.com and Courtney Drake McDonough from realfoodtraveler.com about our recent press trip to the island.
In the podcast, Chris, Kristin, and Courtney share various recommendations for a trip to Mallorca, Spain:
Palma:
The group suggests starting in Palma, the main city, known for its historical significance and vibrant atmosphere. Recommended activities include:
Visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma (La Seu), a stunning Gothic cathedral with architectural contributions from Gaudí and modern artist Miguel Barceló.
Exploring the old town with its historic streets, markets, and architecture.
Strolling down Bourne Street, a charming avenue with cafes, flower markets, and beautiful architecture.
Trying traditional pastries at El Fornet de la Soca, a bakery specializing in historic Mallorcan recipes, including the famous ensaimada.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-mallorca/
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from the Zero to Travel Podcast:
How to Start Planning Your First (Or Next) Career Break Today (Using 5 Simple Steps) with Cali O´Connor
Have you thought about hitting pause on your career to travel the world but are unsure how to make it a reality? It’s not as unattainable as you may think!
Cali O’Connor shares her experience of taking multiple career breaks and offers 5 practical steps to start planning your own career break today.
Cali is a former chemical engineer who traded her career in the oilfield for a life-changing adventure of quitting her job to travel around the world. Now, she helps working professionals find clarity in their lives by taking a career break that gives them the freedom to travel, explore, and realign with their life goals.
Whether you dream of quitting your job or taking a temporary pause, this episode will give you the confidence and strategies to take that leap. You’ll hear about her biggest mistakes during her first career break (and how to avoid them), insights on overcoming common fears such as financial insecurity and leaving a stable job, travel advice to save time and money, and lessons on concurring travel burnout.
https://zerototravel.com/career-break-cali-oconnor/
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Hear about travel to Savannah, Georgia, and the vicinity as the Amateur Traveler talks to Yvonne Johnson about her adopted hometown.
Why should you go to Savannah?
Yvonne says, "Savannah is just this perfect mix. There's beautiful weather if you come at the right time, and there's great history, and there's great restaurants, and there's just so much to do, and I've raised my children here, and I have guests all the time, and I just love entertaining here."
Yvonne suggests a diverse one-week itinerary in Savannah, Georgia that covers history, culture, dining, and outdoor activities. Here's a summary of her recommendations:
Day 1:
Old Town Trolley Tour: Take the trolley for a narrated overview of Savannah, exploring the city's historic district and landmarks.
Savannah History Museum: Located in the Central of Georgia Railway Station, this museum showcases local history and movie memorabilia like Forrest Gump's park bench.
Georgia State Railroad Museum: Visit this working roundhouse and explore the engines, miniature train displays, and a children's museum.
Ships of the Sea Museum: Explore maritime history in this mansion-turned-museum with ship models and antique collections.
Dinner at Carey Hilliard’s: Try their famous barbecue and award-winning sweet tea.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-savannah-georgia-2/
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Hear about travel to Door County in Wisconsin as the Amateur Traveler talks with Bailey Freeman from atravelingbee.com about our recent press trip to the "Cape Cod of the Midwest."
Here are the key things to do in Door County, Wisconsin, based on our experiences:
Outdoor and Adventure Activities
Hiking and Nature Exploration
Peninsula State Park: Features a watchtower atop limestone cliffs with panoramic views of the bay and beyond.
Whitefish Dunes State Park: Home to the tallest sand dunes in Wisconsin, covered with trees and foliage.
Ridges Sanctuary: Offers boardwalks, rare plants, and historic range lights; it also features the southernmost boreal forest in the U.S.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/things-to-do-in-door-county-wisconsin/
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Hear about travel to the West Indies, to the islands of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin, Anguilla, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, and Sint Eustatius, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jeff Ohlfs about his island-hopping adventure.
Why should you travel to these 5 islands?
Jeff says, "Some of them are not visited at all. Some of them are overly visited. They're all near each other, so it makes for a nice little grouping. I used St. Martin as a base. St. Martin is known as the friendly island and you can do daily flights to each of the other islands."
Jeff recommends an itinerary that includes visiting five of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, known as the British, Dutch, and French West Indies. His suggested itinerary includes the following islands:
St. Martin (French and Dutch)
Use St. Martin as a base for island hopping.
Stay at the Azure Hotel and Art Studio on Simpson Bay Beach.
Explore both the Dutch side (Philipsburg) and the French side (Marigot).
Visit historical forts like Fort Amsterdam and Fort St. Louis.
Experience the famous Princess Juliana International Airport at Maho Beach.
Recommended dining: Beirut Restaurant (Mediterranean), Mary's Boon Restaurant (local fish), and Villa Royale (French side, goat curry with guava berry liqueur).
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-west-indies/
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This Week in Travel was a podcast that was in production from 2009 to 2020. In this reunion episode of This Week in Travel (dubbed "This Decade in Travel"), the original hosts, Gary Arndt, Chris Christensen, and Jen Leo, reconnect after a long hiatus. They share life updates and reminisce about their past travels and podcasting adventures.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/this-week-in-travel-reunion/
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Hear about travel to the Laikipia region of Kenya as the Amateur Traveler talks to Shaun Stanley from Stanley Safaris about one of his favorite African destinations.
Why should you visit the Laikipia region?
Shaun says, "Kenya as a whole is one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa. That's where the safari basically originated. That comes with its own problems in the form of too many tourists being in certain areas like the Massai Mara, which at the moment is getting quite a bad reputation for being overpopulated with vehicles around different sightings. We try and get our guests out of those sorts of environments and into the real African experience".
"This is where Laikipia really comes into its own. It's up in the North. It's off the beaten track. And it's basically made up of a series of privately owned farms. Back in the day, there were cattle ranches. The owners have now looked at the conservation model and gone, okay, we're going to convert part of our ranch into a conservation area. They've started to reintroduce wildlife back into those areas. We're talking wildlife that is completely different to what you're going to get in the Masai Mara. So it's one of the best places in Africa to see both black and white rhino, which as we all know, are highly endangered across Africa".
In the podcast, Shaun Stanley recommends the following itinerary for a visit to the Laikipia region of Kenya:
Arrival in Nairobi:
Spend one night in Nairobi to recover from your flight and acclimate to the African atmosphere. This also provides time to adjust after arriving in Nairobi's chaotic airport.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-laikipia-region-of-kenya/
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Hear about travel to Normandy, France as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kat Butler from World Wide Honeymoon and France Voyager about this historic and wonderful part of France.
Why should you go to Normandy?
Kay says, "Normandy, I think, just offers so much. My road trip, that I did last year, was literally to prove that there was so much more to Normandy than the D-Day beaches. You've got Mont Saint Michel, the cider route. You've got the countryside. I think that Normandy makes some of the best cheese. You have The beaches. You also have places like. Giverny. You've got Etretat, which has the beautiful cliffs. It's well worth a visit."
Kat recommends a seven-day itinerary for Normandy, France, that offers a rich mix of history, culture, nature, and gastronomy. Here's a summary of her suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Paris to Giverny, Les Andelys, and Rouen
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-normandy/
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Hear about driving the Romantic Road in Germany as the Amateur Traveler talks to Leland and Crissy Walker about their trip through medieval villages, walled towns, thermal spas, and breweries.
Why should you drive the Romantic Road?
Crissy says, " I would recommend sending someone on the Romantic Road because it's like stepping back in time. It felt like a fairy tale. I would not have been surprised if I saw the gingerbread man running down the street."
Leland and Crissy's recommended itinerary for Germany's Romantic Road is a one-week journey, traveling from north to south. Here's a detailed breakdown of their itinerary:
Crissy's Itinerary PDF
Day 1: Frankfurt to Würzburg
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https://amateurtraveler.com/driving-germanys-romantic-road/
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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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