Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

Hear about a cruise to Greenland as the Amateur Traveler talks to Rebecca Merrell from manopause.com about this rugged and rapidly changing country.https://amateurtraveler.com/cruise-to-greenland/Why should someone do a cruise to Greenland?Rebecca succinctly says, “Someone should do a cruise to Greenland if they’re looking to go somewhere remote without a lot of people and if they have an interest in the Arctic.”The cruise itinerary is:Day 1: Departure from IcelandTravelers fly from Iceland or Denmark to Greenland. Arriving in Greenland, travelers land at Kingirlasuak, a former U.S. base that now serves as a large airport in Greenland. Embarkation on the “Ocean Albatross,” the cruise ship operated by Albatross Expeditions.Day 2: SisimiutThe cruise reaches its first destination, Sisimiut, the second-largest city in Greenland after Nuuk (the capital). Sisimiut, which means “foxhole,” has a rich history dating back thousands of years, including various indigenous cultures and traditions.Travelers have the opportunity to explore the town, its colorful buildings, and visit local museums showcasing Greenlandic history and culture.Day 3: Qeqertarsuaq, Disko IslandThe cruise continues to Qeqertarsuaq, a former capital of North Greenland located on Disko Island. Travelers have the chance to explore this picturesque town, famous for its abundance of icebergs in Disco Bay. Day 4: UummannaqThe cruise heads further north, reaching Uummannaq, north of the Arctic Circle. Uummannaq Island is known for its heart-shaped mountain and offers unique cultural experiences. Activities include hiking to the Santa Claus house.Day 5: Eqip Sermia GlacierThe ship sails to the Eqip Sermia Glacier (“The Glacier at the end of the fjord”), a breathtaking location known for its massive ice formations. Travelers witness the natural spectacle of ice calving, where chunks of ice break off and plunge into the sea. The changing hues of blue in the ice, caused by varying oxygen levels, create stunning visual displays.Day 6: IlulissatThe cruise arrives at Ilulissat, the third-largest town in Greenland. Ilulissat is known as ‘the Iceberg Capital of the World’. The town is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ilulissat Icefjord, where enormous icebergs calve from the Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier at an astonishing rate (100 feet per day or 20 million tons of icebergs).Travelers have the option to explore the icefjord by small boat and marvel at the towering ice formations.Day 7: SarfannguitThe cruise reaches Sarfannguit (“the place with the little stream:), a very small settlement with approximately 40 residents. Travelers visit the community center, where they can purchase local crafts, such as beadwork, paintings, and other products. The unique monument, a modern glass igloo, is also worth a visit.Day 8: Return to KangerlussuaqThe cruise returns to Kangerlussuaq, the point of embarkation, where travelers disembark. This marks the end of the expedition.Throughout the cruise, travelers have the opportunity to hear lectures on Arctic topics, hike, museum visits, and interact with local communities. The stunning Arctic landscapes, icebergs, glaciers, and wildlife, including birds and marine mammals, provide a constant backdrop to this unforgettable Greenlandic adventure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://amateurtraveler.com/uk-two-week-itinerary-by-train/Hear about a UK two-week itinerary by train as the Amateur Traveler talks to Tracy Collins from UKTravelPlanning.com about a train trip in the country that invented trains.LondonWe start in London. Spend some time visiting some of the iconic sites like the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. Visit the great museums of London like Tracy's favorite, the Victoria and Albert Museum. Then we start our journey to see England, Wales, and Scotland from Paddington Station.BathVisit the historic Roman Baths from which Bath gets its name. Visit the magnificent Bath Abbey. Stroll through the iconic Royal Crescent with its Georgian Architecture. Immerse yourself in Jane Austen's world at the Jane Austen Centre.As a side trip from Bath, consider one of the following Tour the stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury. Explore the awe-inspiring Salisbury Cathedral. Take a scenic train ride to the picturesque Cotswolds. CardiffTravel to the capital of Wales, Cardiff. Explore the historic Cardiff Castle. Embark on an exciting Cardiff Dr. Who Tour. Visit the impressive Principality Stadium.Option 1: LiverpoolTake a train to Liverpool, the home of The Beatles. Join the magical Mystery Tour to learn about the Fab Four. Visit the historic Albert Dock including the International Slavery Museum.Option 2: Lake DistrictExplore Bowness-on-Windermere, a charming lakeside town. Visit Dove Cottage, the former home of William Wordsworth. Experience the charm of Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House.EdinburghTake a train to Scotland's capital of Edinburgh. Walk the Royal mile from Edinburgh Castle to the historic Holyrood Palace. Hike up Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill for stunning views. Dare to venture into the mysterious Edinburgh Vaults.As a side trip from Edinburgh consider: Travel to nearby Glasgow. Admire The Kelpies, Scotland's mythical horse sculptures. Visit St Andrews, the birthplace of golf. YorkTake the Jacobite Steam Train through Tracy's native Northumberland to the city of York. Explore the Roman history at the Roman Bath in York. Discover the Viking legacy at the Jorvik Viking Centre. Wander through the charming Shambles. Visit the wonderful Railway Museum.Return back to London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the rich tapestry of the Netherlands with an array of enchanting day trips from Amsterdam. Explore the stunning Palais Het Loo, filled with royal history and beautiful gardens. Visit the 13th-century Muiderslot Castle, one of the oldest in the country, and stroll through the charming star fortress city of Naarden. Enjoy insights into lesser-known towns, scenic windmills, and captivating cultural landmarks like the Kroller Müller Museum, enticing you to venture beyond the capital and immerse in Dutch heritage.

Rebecca Shoval, from Not Just Tourists NYC, shares her vibrant love for New York City, highlighting its resilience and transformation post-COVID-19. She emphasizes the multicultural tapestry of the city, particularly the diverse culinary experiences in Queens. Public transportation is a key theme, making exploration convenient and engaging. Rebecca encourages visitors to embrace the city's neighborhoods, from the iconic landmarks to local gems, and reflects on the importance of cultural connections and community amidst the urban hustle.

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-belize-and-guatemala/Hear about travel to Belize and Guatemala on the G Adventures "Classic Belize and Tikal" week-long small group tour: Mayan pyramids, cave tubing, and snorkeling on the Barrier Reef.An adventurous trip to Belize and Guatemala. The tour started in Belize City, traveled to Flores in Guatemala, and then returned to San Ignacio Belize and the Island of Caye Caulker. One of the highlights was visiting Mayan ruins, including Yaxha and Tikal in Guatemala and Caracol in Belize. I climbed to the top of 4 pyramids in 3 sites while learning about the Mayan Classical age from 200 to 900 AD. We saw Mayan ballcourts, temples, and noble houses. These sites are all in the jungle with the sounds of howler monkeys in the background and spider monkeys and kudamundi wandering the grounds. We saw tucans, turkeys, and other birds. We stayed in the colorful island town of Flores Guatemala which is a center for tourism for Tikal.We did cave tubing in Belize "near" San Ignacio, Belize. We floated through caves on inner tubes. We could get out of the tubes in the cave and see artifacts left by the Mayans of the Classical Period. Some of the group went to the well-known ATM cave where there are still the remains of some who were sacrificed to the gods at the end of the Classical Period. Others visited the Raptor Center where they got to interact with birds of prey.The trip concluded on Caye Caulker, an island in the Caribbean Sea, where our group went snorkeling on the Belize Barrier Reef, encountering diverse marine life including dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, rays, and sharks. We toured the island with local high school students as part of Bikes with Purpose. We concluded our trip with a lazy sunset cruise. This was an adventurous tour. It is meant for people who are open to taking a crowded local bus, jumping into the water in a dark cave, and following a guide through the jungle canopy at a Mayan site. If you are such a person, the G Adventures "Classic Belize and Tikal" might be a great use of a week's vacation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://amateurtraveler.com/nepal-itinerary/Hear about a 10-day itinerary for travel to Nepal as the Amateur Traveler talks to Sean Hira about this beautiful country.Why should someone go to Nepal?Sean says, "Nepal's a little bit of an underrated destination. It's a landlocked country in the Himalayas sandwiched between two powerhouses, China. In India. My favorite part about Nepal is really the harmony between Hinduism and Buddhism and seeing those cultures coexist so peacefully from a tourist perspective. A lot of people go there for the trekking and the intense base camp trekking and the first thing that probably comes to your mind is Mount Everest, but there is so much more to Nepal than Mount Everest or Annapurna. The Himalayas are ingrained in the culture there, but you can see so much more than just trekking in Everest."Sean lays out this itinerary:Day 1: Kathmandu Orientation walk around Patan Durbar Square. Explore local bazaars and historical sites. Sunset at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Durbar Square. Day 2: Kathmandu Early morning visit to Boudhanath Stupa for monk rituals. Breakfast at a restaurant overlooking the stupa. Visit Pashupatinath Temple and experience Hindu rituals. Optional: Visit Bhaktapur and Nagarkot (extra day trip). Day 3: Transfer to Bandipur Private transfer from Kathmandu to Bandipur. Orientation walk around Bandipur village. Sunset at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Himalayan foothills. Day 4: Bandipur Sunrise viewpoint over the Annapurna region. Breakfast and leisure time. Easy hike to the "Great Wall of Bandipur" viewpoint. Day 5: Transfer to Pokhara and Uluru Village Transfer to Pokhara, stop for lunch, and rent trekking gear. Continue to Uluru Village, north of Pokhara. Prepare for the upcoming trekking adventure. Day 6-8: Trek to Poon Hill in Annapurna Region Begin a three-day moderate trek to Poon Hill. Experience stunning landscapes, forests, and villages. Stay in village homestays along the route. Reach Poon Hill for panoramic Himalayan views. Trekking altitudes vary from around 1,000 to 3,200 meters. Day 9: Return to Pokhara Complete the trek and return to Pokhara. Relax and enjoy Pokhara's amenities after trekking. Day 10: Fly back to Kathmandu Fly back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. Revisit attractions or experiences missed earlier. Last-minute shopping or exploration in Kathmandu. Day 11: Departure Depending on your flight schedule, free time in the morning. Depart from Kathmandu's International Airport. Sean also talks about some extensions you could do including a Panauti Community Homestay. If you are looking for an adventure, Nepal could be the place to go.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-svalbard-norway/Hear about travel to the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Cherie Gonzales from itscheriegonzales.com about her home north of the Arctic Circle.Why should you go to Svalbard?Cherie says, "Someone should go to Svalbard if you are adventurous and you love being outside and you want to experience the natural beauty and just really connect with nature without any interruptions. Then Svalbard is really the perfect destination for you. It has new landscapes, new experiences, in the summer.""You'll experience midnight sun, and then in the winter, you'll experience polar night. And the nature is literally outside your door. The apartment where I live right now, it's 2 kilometers away from the center of the town. But it's less than a kilometer walk and you're already at the start of the trail that goes to a glacier, goes to an ice cave, and all that."Svalbard, an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, is nestled between mainland Norway and the North Pole. With its coordinates at an astonishing 78 degrees north, it boasts the title of the world's northernmost community, housing around 2,500 inhabitants. Cherie talks about the town of Longyearbyen, Svalbard's largest settlement, and its modern infrastructure, including hotels, shops, restaurants, and good Wi-Fi. She emphasizes the need to carry rifles for polar bear protection when venturing outside the town. Cherie also provides valuable tips for planning a visit to Svalbard, such as joining guided tours, experiencing local accommodations, and appreciating the natural beauty of the region.Cherie brings her perspective to Svalbard, having been drawn to its charm despite her tropical roots. Her journey from the Philippines to the Arctic was marked by a stint as a cruise ship chef before she set foot on Svalbard.Cherie recommends visiting Svalbard during the spring months for more daylight and various outdoor activities. Summer offers opportunities for hiking, while winter provides a chance to experience the polar night. She mentions key attractions such as Plata Fiala for panoramic views, boat cruises to see wildlife and glaciers, and visits to Russian settlements like Pyramiden and Barentsburg.Svalbard offers a majestic and unique Arctic experience for adventurous travelers seeking a connection with nature and a taste of life at the northernmost reaches of the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-galapagos-islands-ecuador https://amateurtraveler.com/galapagos-cruise-on-quasars-evolution/Hear about travel to the Galapagos Islands as Chris Christensen, the Amateur Traveler himself, talks about a live-aboard cruise of the Galapagos Islands on Quasar Expeditions M/V Evolution.The Galapagos is a singular destination. People describe other places as the 'Galapagos of Mexico or the Galapagos of some other place' but the Galapagos doesn't try and compare itself to anywhere else. This is a must-see destination for people who want a vacation to see wildlife. People can tell you how the wildlife here is different because it does not fear humans but until you are standing by a giant tortoise, walking through a booby nesting ground, or swimming with sea turtles and sea lions, it is hard to understand what that really means.This is a place where you come to see giant tortoises or iguanas, but it is also a place to see interesting bird species like Nasca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and red-footed boobies. But it is also a place to experience the islands under the water. Have you swum with turtles, penguins, and sharks... on the same day? Have you had sea lions swim circles around you?The best way to experience the Galapagos Islands is on a live-aboard boat. I was fortunate enough to be invited by award-winning Quasar Expeditions to explore the Galapagos on their M/V Evolution as their guest (they paid). This 32-passenger boat is one of the larger boats that explores the Galapagos. I describe a one-week itinerary to the eastern islands in the Galapagos including stops at: San Cristóbal Island, South Plaza Island, Santa Cruz Island, Mosquera Island, Sombrero Chino, Santiago Island, Genovesa Island, Isla Seymour Norte, Santa Fe Island, and Floreana Island. If the Galapagos are not on your bucket list... they should be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://amateurtraveler.com/azerbaijan-itinerrary/Hear about an itinerary for travel to Azerbaijan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Australian journalist Emily Lush who is based in nearby Kutaisi, Georgia.Why should you visit Azerbaijan?Emily says, "It's really fascinating from a cultural point of view. Being in the Caucasus, it's got those great mountain areas for hiking. It's a misunderstood country in a lot of ways. It's quite young and it has this really Interesting history with all different influences.""And then the oil stuff, so maybe people know it's a wealthy country with really outlandish modern architecture, but then there are also quite a few UNESCO sites that are really, very old and very interesting. It's a very complicated country with a little bit of everything, like this region."We start in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, which is situated on the Caspian Sea, below sea level. Explore the Old Town (Esher Esher) with its historic architecture, including the Shivan Shah Palace. Visit the Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by Zaha Hadid, and other interesting landmarks like the Flame Towers.Take a day trip to Gobustan, south of Baku, to see the fascinating mud volcanoes and ancient rock carvings, a UNESCO site. Visit the Fire Temple of Ateshgah and the burning mountain of Yanadag.Consider visiting Nakhchivan, an autonomous republic that can only be accessed by flying from Baku. Explore the Machu Picchu of the Caucasus, Alinjagala Fortress, and other attractions.Head northwest and visit Kynalik, one of the highest continuously inhabited villages in Europe. Experience the traditional way of life, including homestays, and enjoy hiking in the beautiful mountain setting.As you head northwest, you can stop at Quba, a small village known for its exquisite carpet workshops. Watching skilled artisans create beautiful carpets is a unique experience. Continue to Lahıc, another mountain town with copper workshops and traditional crafts. Don't miss the opportunity to buy a samovar, a traditional tea-making instrument.Next, venture deeper into the mountains to Gabala, a popular ski resort with stunning scenery. Even if you visit in spring, you can still enjoy a cable car ride and savor fresh river fish in nearby restaurants.Shaki is a highlight of the trip, a charming city with a fascinating history and well-preserved monuments from the Silk Road era. Explore caravanserais, the Palace of the Shekhi Khan with its Persian miniature paintings and unique Shaki glass. Visit Kiş to see the oldest Caucasian Albanian temple, with mysterious origins.For those with more time, Lankaran in the south offers tea plantations and a unique tea house culture. Also, keep an eye out for vintage Lada cars, as they are still popular in Azerbaijan.Overall, this trip combines history, culture, natural beauty, and warm hospitality, making Azerbaijan a fantastic destination to explore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Hikone and Gifu in Central Japan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Miyuki Seguchi from the Japan Experts Podcast about he home region of Japan where she is a tour guide.Why should you visit Central Japan?Miyuki says, "A lot of travelers from North America or the West when they travel to Japan, they will stay in Japan for two to three weeks, and they usually travel from the eastern part of Japan to the western part of Japan or vice versa, but most of them do not stop off at the central region especially the southern part of Gifu to the eastern part of Shiga. So this part of Japan is simply not as well known as major tourist destinations, but there are a lot of places to visit, and these places are usually less busy and easy to access by public transport. If you want to explore some unique local areas with hidden gems that give you a great idea of authentic local life."The journey begins with a visit to Hikone, a city located in the Chubu region, home to the well-preserved Hikone Castle, one of Japan's five national treasure castles. Visitors can also enjoy a boat ride on the moat surrounding the castle and explore the beautiful gardens. Additionally, Miyuki recommends a boat trip to Chikubu Island on Lake Biwa to experience the coexistence of Shinto and Buddhism.Next, the itinerary takes travelers to Sekigahara, a town known for the historic Battle of Sekigahara which changed Japan's history. Here, they can visit the Battlefield Memorial Museum to learn about the battle.Moving west, the tour arrives in Gifu City, the largest city in Gifu Prefecture. A unique highlight here is the Ukai Cormorant Fishing, a tradition dating back over 1,300 years. This fishing method involves trained cormorant birds catching fish. The fishermen have an honorary position delivering fish to the Japanese imperial family. The Nagaragawa Ukai is famous for preserving this tradition, and visitors can experience it between May and October. There's also the opportunity to visit the Ukai Cormorant Fishing Museum for deeper insights into this cultural practice. Go out at night on a boat to watch this spectacle.For accommodations, staying in a traditional ryokan is recommended, where you can try the high-quality multi-course Japanese meal called kaiseki ryori. Don't miss the chance to visit a hot spring or onsen.The next day, explore the Kawaramachi district, a historic area with traditional merchant houses. The Nagaragawa River, one of Japan's cleanest rivers, has contributed to the development of craft-making, particularly Japanese paper called washi.Climb Mt. Kinka to get a panoramic view of the region, including the Japan Alps and the city of Nagoya. The summit can be reached by cable car or a one-hour hike.In the north of Gifu, you can explore Mino and Seki cities. Seki is renowned for its sword and knife-making tradition, offering the chance to witness skilled craftsmanship. Mino is also famous for its washi paper production, and you can visit the Washinary shop for various washi products.Overall, Gifu Prefecture offers a blend of traditional culture, scenic beauty, and unique experiences. If you travel between Tokyo and Kyoto, you will pass right by.show notes - https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-hikone-and-gifu-japan/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices