Hear about travel to the Languedoc Region as the Amateur Traveler talks to Craig from Dallas about his road trip through the historic cities of Southern France, including Montpellier, Albi, Sete, Beziers, Carcassonne, and Toulouse.

Why should you visit the Languedoc?

Craig, says, "We've been trying to spend more time in smaller regions [of France]. I think this is a really, specific and unique region to try to go to because it does have some regional differences that make it interesting, say from other parts of France. You're going to find a lot of the same things here that you would think of going to France in general. Very good food and wine, churches, castles, palaces, art museums."

Craig recommends a 7-day itinerary for visiting the Languedoc (Occitanie) region in southern France. Here's the itinerary he outlines

Day 1: Montpellier

• Arrival: Start in Montpellier, a vibrant university city with a historic core.
• Activities:
• Take a free walking tour to explore the highlights and hidden gems.
• Visit the Arc de Triomphe, St. Pierre Cathedral, and Musée Fabre (second-largest art collection in France).
• Explore street art, vibrant cafes, and local shops.
• Vibe: Energetic, with a mix of historic charm and modern life.

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Hear about travel to Machi Picchu as the Amateur Traveler talks to Michael from Rochester about his bucket list visit to this famous Inca site and more in Peru.

Why should you visit Machu Picchu?

Michael says, "I'm going to tell you why I wanted to go to Machu Picchu. First, as I have to say, probably a fifth-grade student, it was just one of those iconic historical places that I remember from my childhood. Always saying, 'I'm going to go there someday.'"

Michael recommends a carefully planned itinerary for visiting Machu Picchu and its surrounding areas, focusing on acclimatization, cultural immersion, and maximizing the experience. Here's the itinerary he outlines:

Day 1: Arrival in Lima (Miraflores District)

• Objective : Relax after the flight and ease into the trip.
• Stay : Miraflores, a safe and upscale district with excellent dining options and boutique hotels.
• Activities :
• Explore the Malecón (a scenic coastal walkway).
• Visit nearby Barranco for its artsy vibe and street art.
• Have dinner at Isolina , a restaurant known for authentic Peruvian food.
• Tip : Avoid visiting downtown Lima unless you have extra time, as the Spanish colonial architecture is similar to what you'll see in Cusco.

 ...

https://amateurtraveler.com/ travel-to-machu-picchu /

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Hear about travel to Paraguay as the Amateur Traveler talks to Alex from AdventureToEveryCountry.com about this lesser-visited country that he has come to love.

Why should you visit Paraguay?

Alex says, "So Paraguay is more about the culture than anything else. It's not a country that you come to for bucket list tourist attractions. That's something where you might go to neighboring Brazil for Rio or Iguazu Falls on the border with Argentina. Paraguay is much more low-key. It's more about authentic culture, getting to know the locals, and getting off the tourist trail."

Alex recommends several attractions and experiences for visitors to Paraguay, focusing on its unique cultural, historical, and natural offerings:

Asunción (Capital City)

1. Palacio de los López: The President's Palace, an iconic colonial-style building.
2. Pantheon of Heroes: A mausoleum and site of national pride where past heroes are honored.
3. Casa de la Independencia: A free museum showcasing Paraguay's peaceful independence history.
4. Centro Cultural Manzana de la Rivera: A cultural center highlighting traditional Paraguayan music and arts.
5. Costanera: A riverside promenade with views of the Paraguay River and the city.
6. Paulista Grill: A Brazilian-style steakhouse serving exceptional meat and a variety of other dishes.
7. Negroni Sky Bar: An upmarket bar offering panoramic views of the Paraguay River.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-paraguay/

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Hear about travel to Menorca, Spain, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kristin Henning from travelpast50.com about her visit to the northernmost of the Balearic Islands.

Why should you visit Menorca?

Kristin says, "In a nutshell, it is so appealing because the entire island of Menorca is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is just stunning, nature wall to wall. It's just a small, relaxed island. It's one-fifth the size of Mallorca, with only one-tenth the population. So it's very easy to relax and enjoy the outdoors and all that this very historic small island has to offer."

Kristin recommends several activities and experiences for a visit to Menorca, Spain, emphasizing its natural beauty, historical significance, and relaxed atmosphere. Here’s a summary of her recommendations:

1. Explore the Camí de Cavalls Hiking Trail

• A historic circular trail around Menorca, divided into 20 segments.
• Ideal for hiking or biking, with options for day trips or multi-day treks.
• Hotels can assist with luggage transport and pickups/drop-offs.
• Wear sturdy boots and consider trekking poles for the rocky terrain.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-menorca-spain/

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Hear about travel to Ushuaia, Argentina, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Naomi Linford from "Forever Out Of Office" about her winter trip to the southernmost city in the world.

Why should you go to Ushuaia?

Naomi says, "I think it has the kind of status as one of those places that you go to, to say you've been to the most southern city in the world. But there's just so much more to see: glaciers, national parks, and a lot of history. The area has to offer that you can explore by spending a bit more time there. It's where the tail of the Andes meets the open ocean, and you get that final frontier feeling."

Naomi recommends a one-week itinerary for Ushuaia, Argentina, encompassing a variety of activities and dining experiences. Here's a summary of her suggested itinerary:

Day 1: Cruise the Beagle Channel

• Activity: Embark on a boat tour of the Beagle Channel to observe sea lions and, during the summer months, penguins.
• Recommended Operator: Patagonia Explorer.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-ushuaia-argentina/

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Hear about Hiking in Europe as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer Cassandra Overby from exploreonfoot.com about how and why to see Europe from its trails and paths.

The podcast episode features Cassandra Overby, a travel writer and author of Home Base Hiking Europe and Explore Europe on Foot, discussing hiking as a unique way to explore Europe. Below is a summary of the episode's key highlights:

Cassandra’s Journey to Hiking-Based Travel

• Cassandra transitioned to hiking-based travel after becoming disillusioned with typical tourist experiences, which felt too globalized and disconnected from local cultures.
• She discovered that hiking offered a more meaningful and immersive way to travel, leading her to explore Europe on foot.

Key Differences Between Hiking in Europe vs. the U.S.

• European hiking is highly accessible and civilized, with amenities like mountain huts and small villages offering beds and meals.
• Trails in Europe are well-connected to public transport, unlike U.S. hikes that often require driving to remote areas.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/hiking-in-europe/

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Hear about travel to Cáceres, Spain, as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer Troy Nahumko, who literally wrote the book on this unexplored corner of Spain.

Why should you go to Cáceres?

Troy says, "It might have made the news over there, this anti tourism backlash that you might have been seeing here in the big cities like Barcelona, Malaga. It's just not the story throughout the country. Out here, travelers are cherished and welcomed. It's a really beautiful place. And it's one of these places that, You would use all of those terrible overused adjectives in travel writing. This is undiscovered. This is the place that your friends have never heard about. This is the jewel. This is all of these things that just nobody knows about."

Troy's recommended itinerary for visiting Cáceres, Spain, focuses on its rich history, UNESCO landmarks, cuisine, and nearby attractions in Extremadura. Here's a structured itinerary based on his suggestions:

Day 1: Arrival in Cáceres

• Travel to Cáceres: Arrive by car from Madrid, Seville, or Lisbon, as Cáceres does not have its own airport.
• Accommodation Options:
• Luxury: Stay at Atrio Hotel, a 5-star hotel with a 3-star Michelin restaurant.
• Mid-Range: Gran Hotel Don Manuel, Hotel Don Carlos, or NH Collection Cáceres Palacio de Oquendo.
• Evening Activity:
• Stroll the UNESCO Old Town, a medieval gem with preserved architecture dating to the 16th century.
• Enjoy dinner and tapas at a local restaurant.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-caceres-spain/

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Hear about travel to Central China as the Amateur Traveler talks to Larry Fan, who was born in the city of Zhengzhou and recently returned to explore his birth country.

Why should you go to Central China?

Larry says, ”

“I think it’s particularly special because it’s considered the cradle of Chinese civilization. Xi’an was the first imperial capital of China. Zhengzhou also happened to be one of the first capitals of the Shang dynasty. Kaifeng and Luoyang, which are two other cities I’ll talk about, had also served as capitals of China during various times. It’s a very influential area for Chinese civilization and often not as much talked about versus places like Beijing, Shanghai. Etc. ”

Larry recommends a 7-10 day itinerary for visiting central China, covering historical and cultural highlights in Henan Province and Xi’an. Here’s the detailed breakdown of his suggested itinerary:

Days 1-2: Zhengzhou (Capital of Henan Province)

Day 1: Zhengzhou City Tour

1. Henan Museum

• Spend 2-3 hours learning about the region’s history from the Shang to Tang dynasties.

1. Guancheng Muslim District

• Visit the Beidajie Mosque (North Big Mosque), a Yuan dynasty mosque with Chinese architectural influences.
• Try local food like Xi’an torn bread with lamb soup (羊肉泡饃).

1. Shang Dynasty Relic Park

• Explore ruins of the Shang Dynasty’s capital, including city walls over 3,000 years old.

1. People’s Park

• Relax in the park and experience local activities like dancing and exercise.

1. Erqi Memorial Tower (Feb 7th Square)

• Learn about the area’s historical ties to railroad workers and admire the twin tower.

1.  Zhengdong New Area (CBD)

• Visit the modern Central Business District featuring the iconic Corncob Building.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-central-china/

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Hear about travel to Central Asia or the 'Stans as the Amateur Traveler talks to Megan Cox from Meg the Rolling Egg about her trip to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

Why should you go to Central Asia?

Meg says, "Whilst there was , 'Oh my God, this place is amazing. I don't know why people aren't talking about it more. I don't know why people aren't coming here more often.' It has something for everyone. It's really just a beautiful place to go. So I felt like I wanted to promote a little bit."

Day 1-3: Almaty, Kazakhstan

• Day 1: Arrive in Almaty. Explore the city:
• Wander the streets and parks.
• Visit Ascension Cathedral (a stunning yellow Orthodox church).
• Attend a performance at the Abay Opera House.
• Try Georgian food, available throughout the city.

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-stans/

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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).

...

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).

...

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-lyon-france/

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