Since 2005, Amateur Traveler has been talking about different destinations every week. It covers destinations all over the world with an emphasis on culturally ...
AT#938 - Travel to the Basque Country in France and Spain
Hear about travel to the Basque Country in France and Spain as the Amateur Traveler talks to Craig Anderson about his recent trip to the home of the Basque.
Why should someone go to the Basque Country?
"It's a very unique region so it's got some unique architecture, it's got unique history. The culture is unique and fairly compact, so you can get around and explore the whole thing in a week. There's obviously other things that you can go see if you wanted to spend a little more time."
Craig's 7-day Basque Country itinerary (France & Spain) includes a mix of historic towns, stunning coastal landscapes, cultural experiences, and exceptional food and wine. Here’s the breakdown:
Day 1: Bayonne (France)
Arrive in Bayonne, the cultural and historical heart of the French Basque Country.
Explore the Old Town, bridges, plazas, and Bayonne Cathedral.
Visit the Musée Basque et de l'histoire de Bayonne to learn about Basque culture.
Sample Bayonne chocolate and Bayonne ham, along with local cheeses and cherry tarts.
Walk along the city's ramparts.
...
https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-basque-country-in-france-and-spain/
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56:58
AT#937 - Travel to Genoa and Liguria in Italy
Hear about travel to Genoa and Liguria in Italy as the Amateur Traveler talks to Enrica, Ligurian food expert from ASmallKitcheninGenoa.com about her home region in Italy.
Why should you travel to Liguria?
Enrica says, "Liguria is a wonderful region, not just because this is my region, but there are many reasons for traveling here. First of all, for its spectacular scenery. We have a mix of mountains and sea with dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and trails. But we also have other fantastic landscapes like the well-known dry and stone walls, so-called Muretti a Secco, which are awarded as a patrimony of UNESCO for their beauty and importance, and of course the world-famous colorful fisherman village facades. Then we have a wonderful veggie-oriented cuisine."
Enrica recommends a 7-day itinerary for visiting Genoa and Liguria in Italy, focusing on authentic experiences beyond Cinque Terre. Here’s her suggested itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Genoa & First Impressions
Arrive in Genoa via the airport or train from Milan.
Stay in a central hotel (preferably outside the old town for safety at night).
Start at Spianata Castelletto, a panoramic terrace accessible by public elevator, for a breathtaking view of Genoa.
Walk through Caruggi (narrow medieval alleys) and explore historical shops (Botteghe Storiche).
Consider taking a food tour with Enrica to taste pesto, farinata, focaccia, and candied fruit.
Evening in Boccadasse, a small fishing village within Genoa, ideal for aperitivo or dinner.
...
https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-liguria/
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1:09:46
AT#936 - Travel to Duluth, Minnesota
Hear about travel to Duluth, Minnesota as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel photographer Autumn Carolynn about this city on Lake Superior that has captured her heart.
Why should you go to Duluth?
Autumn says, "There are so many reasons why Duluth to me is a place that someone can go and feel like they are at home, I feel like it is just so unbelievably beautiful, but it's also a place where you feel at peace and you feel calm. So it is one of the top places in my mind. I had this goal to go to 30 countries before I turned 30 and out of all the places that I've been to, Duluth is still my number one, which some people think is weird, but to me it just is."
Summer Itinerary (Warm-Weather Activities & Scenic North Shore Drive)
This itinerary focuses on outdoor activities, hiking, and exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Start in Duluth:
Visit the Aerial Lift Bridge (watch ships pass under it, listen for the Captain’s Salute).
Walk around Canal Park, shop at Duluth Pack, and eat at Grandma’s Saloon (wild rice burger & chicken wild rice soup).
Stop by Canal Park Brewing Company (try "Loon Juice" cider).
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-duluth-minnesota/
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52:22
MT6 - Questions and Answers
In this episode, friend of the show Gary Arndt turns the tables on host Chris Christensen and asks him questions about Amateur Traveler, giving a behind-the-scenes view of the podcast.
Here are some of the questions that this episode will answer about the Amateur Traveler podcast:
Origin Story:
"How did you come up with the idea of the Amateur Traveler?"
"What was the format originally?"
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https://amateurtraveler.com/questions-and-answers/
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42:21
AT#935 - Travel to Stuttgart, Germany
Hear about travel to Stuttgart, Germany as the Amateur Traveler talks again to Kristin Montgomery from growingglobalcitizens.com and mycornerofgermany.com about her corner of Germany in the Baden-Wuerttemberg region.
Why should you go to Stuttgart?
Kristin says, "Stuttgart is the car capital of Germany. It's home to Porsche and Mercedes Benz. It's a wine region. In fact, there are actually vineyards within the city, which is pretty cool. And around here, there are some amazing castles and also some really cool special events that I'm going to tell you about."
Kristin recommends an itinerary that includes a mix of Stuttgart’s city attractions, day trips to nearby medieval towns, wine regions, and castles, as well as attending seasonal festivals. Here’s the itinerary she suggests:
Day 1: Exploring Stuttgart
Start at Schlossplatz: The heart of the city, surrounded by historic buildings, gardens, museums, and shopping.
Visit the Württemberg State Museum in the Old Castle: Learn about the history of the region from prehistoric times to the monarchy.
Stroll along Königstraße: One of the longest shopping streets in Germany, leading toward Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof.
See Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof and Stuttgart 21 Project: Learn about the controversial railway infrastructure project.
Relax at a Beer Garden in Schlossgarten: Enjoy local German specialties such as Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), German Maultaschen (Swabian ravioli), or lentils with spätzle.
Visit the Stadtbibliothek Stuttgart (City Library): A strikingly modern library, popular for its Instagram-worthy architecture.
Tour a Car Museum:
Mercedes Benz Museum (Recommended for its historical storytelling)
Porsche Museum (If you're more interested in sports cars)
Dine at a Besenwirtschaft (Temporary Wine Tavern): Experience local Swabian wine culture, where small, family-run wineries temporarily open their homes as restaurants.
...
https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-stuttgart-germany/
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Since 2005, Amateur Traveler has been talking about different destinations every week. It covers destinations all over the world with an emphasis on culturally rich travel. Learn more about your world. Amateur Traveler won its creator, Chris Christensen, a Travel+Leisure award as the "best independent travel journalist" and entry into the "Podcast Hall of Fame."
Colombia