Travel with Amateur Traveler Podcast

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).  ...https://amateurtraveler.com/airlines-points-and-miles/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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). ...https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-lyon-france/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jayne Dear, a travel writer from theonlywayisnotessex.com, shares her thrilling adventures in Bolivia, a land of stunning landscapes and rich culture. She highlights the vast Uyuni Salt Flats and the budget-friendly Amazon experience. Jayne discusses essential travel tips, like the importance of Spanish and acclimatizing to high altitudes. She paints a picture of vibrant cities like Sucre and La Paz, along with the fascinating customs of its indigenous peoples. Her insights capture the diverse charm that makes Bolivia a must-visit for adventurers.

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. ...https://amateurtraveler.com/trips-from-manila-philippines/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. ...https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-mallorca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

from the Zero to Travel Podcast:How to Start Planning Your First (Or Next) Career Break Today (Using 5 Simple Steps) with Cali O´ConnorHave 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.  ...https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-savannah-georgia-2/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ActivitiesHiking 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. ...https://amateurtraveler.com/things-to-do-in-door-county-wisconsin/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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). ...https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-west-indies/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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....https://amateurtraveler.com/this-week-in-travel-reunion/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices