AT#965 - Travel to Cairo, Egypt

Hear about travel to Cairo, Egypt, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Neil Laird, TV producer and the author of the Prime Time Travelers Series, about his favorite city. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here. Why should you go to Cairo? Neil says, "I've traveled to some 70 countries and I've been an international documentary  TV producer for 30 years. But anytime people ask me what is my happy place, what is the place that set me all off on this journey, it is Egypt. I've been enamored and fascinated by the ancient Egyptians and by the culture there for 30, 35 years, and Cairo is the gateway to that. I spent a lot of time on Luxor shooting films for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and BBC. But Cairo is often overlooked because it's the noisy, chaotic city that you fly into and see the pyramids before you go see Luxor and the great ruins. And that's a shame because Cairo is a universe in itself." Here’s the 7-day Cairo itinerary recommended by Neil: Day 1 – Zamalek (Gezira Island) Stay in Zamalek, the leafy island in the Nile – quieter, easier to acclimate. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-cairo-egypt/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about traveling to Lake Constance (Bodensee) in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as the Amateur Traveler discusses a biking trip around the lake to explore its historic, cultural, and natural sites. The Lake Constance International Tourism Board sponsored this trip. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠here. Day 1 – Arrival in Constance, Germany  Flew into Zurich, train to Constance. Quick city tour: Roman history dating back to Caesar Augustus, Council of Constance (resolved the Papal Schism). Began biking to Reichenau Island (UNESCO World Heritage Site): monasteries, vineyards, Romanesque churches, small museum of monastic culture. Dinner on Reichenau, returned by boat to Constance. Overnight: Hotel Constantia. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/lake-constance-bike-trip/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Marseille and Provence in France as the Amateur Traveler talks again to Audra Morris of The Nerd Traveler about her visit to France's second-largest city. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠here. Why should someone travel to Marseille and Provence? Audra says, "Marseille in Provence is the oldest town in France. It has got 2,600 years of history. It does have a reputation of being a little bit edgy, a little bit gritty, so it's one of those, under-the-radar kind of places. It's a beautiful place to have a home base for exploring the South of France, the Provence area specifically. It's such a cool and vibrant town. With it being one of the locales for the Olympics, they did spend quite a bit of money in the last 10 or 15 years really upgrading the city. It's quite a bit safer than a lot of people think it's gonna be." Audra recommends the following itinerary: Days 1–2: Explore Marseille Notre-Dame de la Garde – Iconic basilica on a hill with panoramic views (take the little tourist train or metro, not the steep walk). MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations) – Modern architecture plus exhibits; linked to Fort Saint-Jean (17th-century fort, cannons once pointed at the city). ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-marseille-and-provence/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to the top half of New Zealand's South Island as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about his adopted country. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel ⁠here. Why should you visit the top half of New Zealand's South Island? Jonty says that this area has "spectacular scenery, natural hot springs, beautiful beaches, world-class vineyards, and whale watching". Jonty suggests a two-week road trip (with additional optional side trips, particularly for multi-day hikes) starting in Christchurch and looping north through North Canterbury, Nelson/Tasman, Marlborough, and Kaikōura before returning to Christchurch. The trip combines cities, hot springs, alpine passes, national parks, short walks and multi-day hikes, vineyards, wildlife, and heritage. Suggested Itinerary Days 1–2: Christchurch Explore the city centre, largely rebuilt post the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes: Hagley Park, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Avon River punting, and the Christchurch Earthquake Memorial. Visit cultural sites: Canterbury Museum, Christ Church Cathedral ruins, Christchurch Transitional Cathedral, aka the cardboard cathedral, Christchurch Art Centre, Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities, Rutherford’s Den, and Christchurch Art Gallery. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/northern-south-island-of-new-zealand/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Solomon Islands as the Amateur Traveler talks to Chris Shorrock from Travel Obscure about his adventurous trip in these remote Pacific islands. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here. Why should you go to the Solomon Islands? Chris says, "There's lots of reasons. One of the reasons we didn't really focus on World War II history. One of my big reasons for going was it's an adventurous destination and I like an adventurous destination. There's not many people going on holiday to the Solomons, so that was one of the big appeals. But besides that amazing natural beauty: jungle-clad volcanic islands, turquoise oceans, and then below the surface of the ocean lots of sea creatures, coral reefs, very spectacular underwater environment." This is an adventurous loop through the Central Province: starting in Honiara, crossing to Savo Island for volcano hikes and megapode eggs, then finishing with shipwreck snorkeling at Roderick Bay before returning to Honiara. Flights: Most travelers arrive from Brisbane (easiest option). Other routes exist via Port Moresby (less reliable), Nadi, or Auckland (via Vanuatu). Practical tip: Honiara is the last place you’ll find ATMs, pharmacies, or proper shops. Stock up on cash (Solomon dollars), insect repellent, sunscreen, snacks, and dry bags here.   Day 1 – Arrival in Honiara (Guadalcanal) ... https://amateurtraveler.com/solomon-islands/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to the Galapagos Islands as the Amateur Traveler talks to Michael from Rochester about doing this bucket list trip as a budget traveler. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here. Why should you go to the Galapagos? Michael says, "It is a world location that should not be missed. And you do not have to be an animal enthusiast or safari adventure type person. That certainly helps to have an open mind about ecology and conservation. The animals, the marine life, and their ecosystem. If you have the opportunity to witness it firsthand, it truly is something that should not be missed. It is a marvel." This version is land-based (with Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island as the base) rather than a cruise, making it more budget-friendly while still offering access to iconic wildlife and landscapes. Fly from Quito or Guayaquil to Baltra Airport, then transfer by ferry and taxi to Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. Check into your hotel (e.g., Hotel Fiesta, Puerto Ayora). Stroll along Avenida Charles Darwin: shops, galleries, and restaurants. Visit the Puerto Ayora fish market to watch fishermen unload their catch while sea lions, pelicans, and frigatebirds compete for scraps. Evening walk along the Malecón (boardwalk) where reef sharks can sometimes be spotted under the lights. 7-Day Galápagos Itinerary (Land-Based, Puerto Ayora Base)Day 1 – Arrival in Puerto Ayora ... https://amateurtraveler.com/budget-travel-to-the-galapagos-islands/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Amateur Traveler podcast, host Chris Christensen talks with Bart from Trip Tailor, a travel agent and former train steward who has been working with European rail for decades. Bart shares his deep knowledge of night trains in Europe, from their practical benefits to the romance of waking up in a new city. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here. Why Night Trains? Bart explains that he first started working on night trains as a student job in the 1990s, and the appeal never left him. Compared to planes, night trains offer: ... https://amateurtraveler.com/night-trains-in-europe/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about a road trip in Oman as the Amateur Traveler talks to Max Walton from Sloths with Latitude about the country he thinks is the best in the world. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel here. In this episode of the Amateur Traveler podcast, we explore a two-week road trip through Oman, a country offering dramatic mountains, turquoise wadis, pristine deserts, and a warm culture rooted in Ibadism. Max shares his favorite country in the world, guiding us through a self-drive adventure with a 4x4, rooftop tent, and plenty of memorable encounters. An authentic Middle Eastern experience, very different from Dubai 2,000 km of coastline, mountains, wadis, and deserts One of the safest countries in the world, often called the “Switzerland of the Middle East” Rich history: oldest independent state in the Arab world Wild camping is legal almost everywhere Why Visit Oman? ... https://amateurtraveler.com/road-trip-in-oman/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Turkmenistan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Abdylla Geldiyev, Managing Director of Undiscovered Frontiers,  about an itinerary for one week in this seldom-visited country in Central Asia. Turkmenistan remains one of the least explored destinations in the world. From Ashgabat, a city of Guinness World Records and futuristic white marble architecture, to ancient Silk Road cities and surreal desert landscapes, this itinerary combines history, archaeology, and natural wonders. Why Visit Turkmenistan? Abdylla describes Turkmenistan as a country for seasoned travelers seeking the unusual: Surreal landscapes like Yangykala Canyon and the burning Darvaza gas crater Silk Road cities such as Merv and Konye-Urgench A capital city (Ashgabat) filled with world-record-breaking monuments, the largest indoor Ferris wheel, and the world’s largest handmade carpet Rich traditions of Turkmen carpets and the legendary Akhal-Teke horses Sunday arrival in Ashgabat to experience the Tolkuchka-Basar, a sprawling Sunday market alive with carpets, animals, and handicrafts. Suggested One-Week Itinerary in Turkmenistan Days 1–3: Ashgabat and Surroundings ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-turkmenistan-2/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Amateur Traveler podcast, host Chris Christensen recounts his immersive experience cruising the Peruvian Amazon on a nine-day "Amazon Riverboat Adventure in Depth" with G Adventures. This small-group journey, involving ~24 travelers, offers a deep dive into the culture, biodiversity, and challenges of life in the Amazon Basin. The trip began in Lima, Peru, and then took the group via domestic flight to Iquitos, one of the world’s most isolated cities, accessible only by air or river. From there, they traveled 97 km by road to Nauta to embark on the riverboat Amatista. For five days, they cruised the Marañón, Ucayali, and Amazon Rivers, exploring tributaries like the Yanayacu ("Black Water") River in skiffs and visiting riverside communities near and within the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. Highlights included: Spotting Amazon wildlife such as pink and gray river dolphins, spider monkeys, black-collared hawks, pygmy marmosets, capybaras, horned screamers, long-nosed bats, sloths, and dozens of tropical birds, including toucans, macaws, and herons. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/cruising-the-peruvian-amazon/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices