travel

AT#310 - Travel to San Antonio. Texas

The Amateur Traveler talks to Carlos Gutierrez about his home town of San Antonio, Texas. Carlos gives us a guide to some of the obvious spots like the Alamo but also shares some of his favorite hole in the wall restaurants, a tip about the best time to come to San Antonio, and a great drive in the Texas countryside.




travel

AT#311 - Travel to Northern Queensland, Australia

The Amateur Traveler talks to Dave Kerwin about his recent trip to Northern Queensland. Dave recommends 2 main stops on your trip: the Atherton Tablelands, Daintree National Park and the Great Barrier Reef.




travel

AT#312 - Travel to Bulgaria

The Amateur Traveler talks to Craig Zabransky fro StayAdventurous.com about his recent trip to Bulgaria. He traveled with a Bulgarian friend and visited picturesque towns as well as the amazing blue waters of the Black Sea.




travel

AT#313 - Travel to Bolivia

The Amateur Traveler talks to Michael Tieso about his recent trip to Bolivia. He was traveling from Argentina to Peru and at first Bolivia was just in the way, but he discovered a country worth seeing.




travel

AT#314 - Travel to Trinidad and Tobago

The Amateur Traveler talks to JD Andrews about his recent trip to Trinidad and Tobago. JD, who used to work for a cruise line, has visited many of the islands of the Caribbean but this was his first visit to Trinidad.




travel

AT#316 - Travel to Catalina Island off California

The Amateur Traveler talks to Carrie from cruisebuzz.net about a popular vacation spot just off the coast of California, Catalina Island. 




travel

AT#317 - Travel to India

The Amateur Traveler  talks to David Grenewetzki about his first trip to India. His itinerary covered Mombai, Bangalore, Rajasthan, Delhi and then ended at the Indian wedding of friends. Along the way they visited alaces, temples, forts, grand hotels, ancient caves, and acted as Tiger bait.




travel

AT#318 - Travel to Southern Israel

The Amateur Travelertalks to Chaundra about her trip to Southern Israel, a barren but "stunning" land where every rock is full of history.




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AT#319 - Travel to the Yunnan Province of China

The Amateur Traveler talks to Lee Moore again about China. Lee comes back on the show to talk about his time in the Yunnan Provence in the southwest corner of China. Yunnan is on the border with Laos, Myanmar and Tibet. 




travel

AT#320 - Travel to the Island of Lanai, Hawaii

The Amateur Traveler talks about traveling to the Hawaiian Island of Lana’i. I recently spent a week in Lana’i as a guest of the Lana’i Visitor’s Bureau as one of their 2012 “Artists in Residence”. Lana’i only has 3,000 residence and a small town feel. I talk about some of the more unusual (for me at least) activities that I tried on the Island including riding a horse, going on a ride and shoot (to Lana’i Pines Sporting Clays), snubing, learning to play the ukulele, getting a lomi lomi massage, volunteering at a cat sanctuary and going 4 wheel drive tour. You don’t have to do this much when you go to Lan’i. You could also just golf or lie on the beach.

 




travel

AT#321 - Travel to Umbria, Italy

The Amateur Traveler talks to Rebecca about her adopted home of Umbria in Italy. Umbria is known as the green heart of Italy. Perhaps less well known than its neighbor of Tuscany to the North Umbria is a verdant region of hill towns, farms and national parks located in the center of Italy.




travel

AT#322 - Travel to Puglia (Apulia) in Italy

The Amateur Traveler talks to Antonello Losito from Southern Visions Travel about his native region of Puglia (Apulia) in Italy. Puglia is the boot of Italy and does not get the same number of tourists as Northern Italy. But Antonello recommends his rugged coastline and mountain towns as a way to see the Italy that “most American’s picture”.




travel

AT#323 - Travel to Lithuania

The Amateur Traveler talks to Katie Aune from KatieGoingGlobal.com about her recent trip to Lithuania. Katie visited Lithuania as part of a year traveling through countries that were part of the former U.S.S.R. She spent much of her time in and around Vilnius, the capital.




travel

AT#324 - Travel to the Twin Cities of Minnesota (Minneapolis)

The Amateur Traveler talks to Kirk Horsted in a two part episode on the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. This first episode focuses on Minneapolis with day trips west of the Mississippi river.




travel

AT#325 - Travel to the Twin Cities of Minnesota (St Paul and side trips)

The Amateur Traveler talks to Kirk Horsted in a two part episode on the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. In this second half Kirk looks at the state capital of Saint Paul, Minnesota.




travel

AT#326 - Travel to Belgium

The Amateur Traveler talks to Sam Oppenheim who returns to the show to talk about a recent trip to Belgium. Starting in Brussels, Sam and his wife Mina also visited Ghent, Antwerp, Brugge, Bouillon and Orval. 




travel

AT#327 - Travel to Sun Valley, Idaho

The Amateur Traveler  talks to Scott E. Jordan of Scottevest about his home in Sun Valley Idaho. 




travel

AT#328 - Adventure Travel in Costa Rica

The Amateur Traveler talks about adventure travel in Costa Rica. From rafting on the Pacuare river and ziplining through the Monteverde Cloud forest to snorkeling off the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica can be a great destination for adventure travel.




travel

AT#329 - Travel to Savannah, Georgia

The Amateur Traveler talks to Neil Kristianson about one of his favorite travel destinations Savannah, Georgia. Neil and his wife were drawn to Savannah originally because of the movie and the book “Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil”. They fell in love with the Antebellum architecture, the many public squares, the Southern hospitality and pace, and, strangely enough, with the cemeteries. Savannah is rich in history and has been a destination for travelers even before Sherman’s March to the sea. Learn where to eat and what restaurant is overrated. Stay in a local historic inn one one of the city squares in the walkable historic downtown.




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AT#330 - Travel to Connecticut

The Amateur Traveler talks to Jen Russell about the 3rd smallest state in the U.S. Connecticut. Connecticut, the Constitution State, is located halfway between New York and Boston. It has a coastline sheltered by Long Island so more suitable for family frolicking than for surfing. Connecticut also has a long maritime tradition which is celebrated at Mystic Seaport. It's forested rolling hills are popular with people who come to New England in the Fall to see the Fall colors. Connecticut is rich in U.S. history producing people such Revolutionary War patriot Nathan Hale ("My only regret is that I have but one life to give to my country"). It is rich in natural history as evidenced by Dinosaur State Park.




travel

AT#331 - Travel to the Islands of Kyushu, Japan

The Amateur Traveler talks to Andrew about the Island of Kyushu, the southern island in Japan. Kyushu is one of the warmer parts of Japan. Nagasaki is probably the best known city on the island for its tragic history as the second city targeted with an atomic bomb. The island has is green and hilly with a number of active volcanos. Andrew and his wife had a chance to visit a number of museums, the peace park in Nagasaki, visit a volcano, be buried in hot and and take in a local soccer game. They toured its large cities but also headed into the countryside.




travel

AT#333 - Travel to The Island of Java in Indonesia

The Amateur Traveler talks to Lash from LashWorldTour.com about the Island of Java in the nation of Indonesia. She cycled through the countryside and visited the major cities of this populous island in Indonesia.




travel

AT#334 - Travel to Yorkshire, England

The Amateur Traveler talks to Elspeth about her native Yorkshire in northern England. 




travel

AT#355 - Solo (International) Travel as a Woman with Janice Waugh

The Amateur Traveler talks to Janice Waugh from Solo Traveler about solo travel as a woman, particularly solo international travel. Janice did not set out to be a solo traveler but after the death of her husband she gained her courage to travel again.




travel

AT#336 - Travel to Serbia and Kosovo

The Amateur Traveler talks to Shawn Farris about his trip to Serbia and Kosovo. Shawn either visited two countries (or one) in this contested area of the Balkans.




travel

AT#337 - Travel to Segovia and Toledo Spain

The Amateur Traveler talks to Photographer Ralph Velasco about two of his favorite cities in Spain, Toledo and Segovia. Both Toledo and Segovia are a short distance from Madrid and both offer interesting and historically significant cities with UNESCO World Heritage sites.




travel

AT#338 - Travel to Las Vegas, Nevada

The Amateur Traveler talks to Hunter Hillegas author of the Vegas Mate iPhone app about Las Vegas. The Amateur Traveler has covered Las Vegas before but the city is constantly changing.




travel

AT#339 - Travel to Costa Brava, Spain

The Amateur Traveler talks to Sherry Ott about Costa Brava Spain. Costa Brava is in Catalonia north of Barcelona on the rugged coastline of Spain. It also extends as far inland as the Pyrenees and includes farming country and medieval towns.




travel

AT#340 - Travel to the Microstates of Europe (Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino)

The Amateur Traveler talks to to Gary Arndt about the 4 micro-states in Europe: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino.  "They all have very unique histories and the one thing that they are all very small"




travel

AT#341 - Travel to New Zealand's South Island

The Amateur Traveler talks to Erik Smith about his month long visit to New Zealand. We focus in this interview about the South Island of New Zealand. Erick started in Christchurch and then visited The Banks Penninsula, Lake Tekapo, the Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula, the Southern Scenic Route including the Catlins, Fiordland National Park (including cruising both Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound) Queenstown, the rainy west coast, Abel Tasman National Park, Kaikoura, and Picton.




travel

AT#342 - Travel to Tajikistan

The Amateur Traveler talks to Michael Soncina again about his trip to Tajikistan in Central Asia. Tajikistan is smack dab between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Unlike the other countries Tajikistan is mostly mountainous. A lot of its influences, history and culture is influenced by Persia while its neighbors have more Mongolian or nomadic influences.




travel

AT#343 - Travel to Cambodia

The Amateur Traveler talks to Noah Lederman of SomewhereOrBust.com about his recent trip to Cambodia. Noah visited Anchor Wat, Rabbit Island near Kep, Battambang and the bamboo trains and Phnom Penh and the sobering Tuol Sleng - S21 memorial.




travel

AT#344 - Travel to Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island

The Amateur Traveler talks to Lee Abbamonte, the youngest American ever to travel to every country in the world, about 3 islands off the coast of Australia: Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island.




travel

AT#345 - Travel to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Western North Carolina

The Amateur Traveler talks to Nathan from Wand’rly Magazine about Great Smoky Mountains National Park and about his current home of Western North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited U.S. National Park.




travel

AT#346 - Travel to Medellin Colombia

The Amateur Traveler talks to David Lee about his parttime home, the “City of the Eternal Spring”, Medellin Colombia. If you just Medellin as a dangerous city and the home of drug lords, then your information is about 20 years out of date




travel

AT#347 - Travel to Kenya

The Amateur Traveler talks to Gretchen about her two trips to Kenya. Gretchen's husband is a wildlife photographer and they both are birders. They went on a wildlife photography safari that emphasized bird watching and fell in love with Kenya.




travel

AT#348 - Travel to Uganda

The Amateur Traveler talks to Christian Cummins about his bicycle trip across Uganda. Christian is a British expat who lives in Austria where he works for radio station FM4. He had recently returned from the African state of Uganda where he was raising money for a children’s education charity called Link Community Development.




travel

AT#349 - Travel to Peru

The Amateur Traveler talks to Nick Stanziano, co-founder of SA Luxury Expeditions and newly minted Peruvian citizen about his new country of Peru. We talk about Lima, Machu Picchu and other well known Peru landmarks as well both ancient and modern.




travel

AT#350 - Travel to The Hill Towns of Southern Tuscany

TheAmateur Traveler talks to Mary Jo Manzanares about 4 of her favorite hill towns in southern Tuscany: Contignano , Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza. Experience the food, the wine and the slower pace of some of these hill towns.




travel

AT#351 - Travel to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador

The Amateur Traveler talks to Jim Lutz from Via Adventures about the Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. "The Galapagos has to be one of the most unique and wonderful wildlife destinations in the world."




travel

AT#352 - Travel to London, England

The Amateur Traveler talks to Amber, an American Tour Guide in London, about her adopted city. Amber is an American expat from London who now takes people on walking tours of London.




travel

AT#353 - Travel to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast

Hear about Queensland's Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane Australia from Annabel Candy. Long white sand beachs, hiking trails, a tropical zoo in the tropics.




travel

AT#354 - Travel to Myanmar

Hear about Myanmar as the Amateur Traveler talks to Dustin Main from SkinnyBackpacker.com about Myanmar (Burma). 




travel

AT#355 - Travel to Guatemala

Hear about travel to Guatemala as the Amateur Traveler talks to Shannon O’Donneal from alittleadrift.com about her recent trip to Guatemala. Shannon went to Guatemala to attend a language school but was surprised by the breath of diversity in the culture.




travel

AT#356 - Travel to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Hear about travel to Santa Fe, New Mexico as the Amateur Traveler talks to Billie Frank from SantaFeTravelers.com about her city, the second oldest in the United States and the oldest capital city in the U.S.




travel

AT#357 - Travel to Samoa

Hear about travel to Samoa as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jade Johnston from OurOyster.com about their recent trip to this remote pacific destination. Samoa is composed of two islands just north of New Zealand. 




travel

AT#358 - Travel to Perth, Australia

Hear about travel to Perth, Australia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Carmen from double-barrelledtravel.com. Carmen grew up in Perth and lived for 21 years in this city on Australia’s Western shore. Perth is a beautiful city located where a river his the white sand beaches. 




travel

AT#359 - Travel to London, England part 2

Hear about travel to London as the Amateur Traveler talks to Amber from americantourguideinlondon.com. In this second part of a two part episode on London




travel

AT#360 - Volunteer Travel in Uganda

Hear about volunteer travel in Uganda as the




travel

AT#361 - Travel to North Korea

Hear about travel to North Korea as the Amateur Traveler talks to Matt from England about his recent trip to this closed and insular country. This may be one of the most unusual episodes of the Amateur Traveler as this may be one of the more unusual countries.