AT#933 - Travel to Hidden Colombia

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

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?" ... https://amateurtraveler.com/questions-and-answers/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kathy Condon from the Palm Springs Insider Guide about this desert tourist area she calls home. Why should you go to Palm Springs? Kathy says, "Imagine living in a place where you have 350 days of sunshine. It's hard to explain that how alive Palm Springs is with the arts." Kathy highlights the region’s year-round sunshine, boutique hotels, midcentury modern architecture, outdoor adventures, arts and culture, and vibrant dining scene. Below is a detailed guide based on her recommendations: Where to Stay Palm Springs has 75 boutique hotels (50 rooms or less), many with unique themes reflecting the area’s midcentury modern charm. Kathy suggests: Alcazar Palm Springs – A stylish boutique hotel within walking distance of downtown Palm Springs. The Skylark, Palm Springs – Features an Airstream trailer check-in and a retro ambiance. The Cole, Palm Springs – A 1960s-inspired hotel with a modernist vibe. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-palm-springs-california/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to off-the-beaten-track regions of Colombia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin Barnes about multi-color rivers, granite monoliths, giant palm trees, and deserts. Why should you go to these places in Colombia? Justin says, "These locations are all extremely unique. Caño Cristales is unlike anything we've ever seen. It's full of colors, red, green and gold in the river. The area near Inírida called Mavecure is three giant hills. Just imagine something like if you took a half dome or El Capitan and just drop them in the middle of the rainforest, sticking up 2000 feet above. The forest area I was talking about has just thousands and thousands of the tallest palm trees in the world. They're all fairly close to Bogota." Justin suggests an off-the-beaten-path itinerary in Colombia, visiting four unique destinations, all within 90 minutes by plane from Bogotá: Suggested Itinerary: Caño Cristales (La Macarena, Meta) – 3 days, 2 nights Fly to La Macarena. Visit Caño Cristales, the "Liquid Rainbow," famous for its vibrant red, green, and gold colors. Explore petroglyphs, unique rock formations, and diverse wildlife. Take hikes through the Serranía de la Macarena National Park. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-hidden-colombia/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates as the Amateur Traveler talks about an unexpected trip to the region. Why should you visit the UAE? The United Arab Emirates is an odd combination of new and old. It is a multi-cultural country where 90% of the people who live there are guest workers from around the world. It is very modern, but if you look closely, you can find historic sites. Travel on this trip was sponsored by United Airlines. They wanted me to review their Polaris Business class as a solo international traveler. Here's the itinerary that Chris recommends based on his trip to Dubai and the UAE: Day 1: Arrival & Exploring Old Dubai Stay near Dubai Creek (Chris stayed at the Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa). Explore Dubai Creek: Walk through the old market near the creek. Visit the Al Seef district, a modern area designed to look traditional. See wind towers, a historic cooling system in traditional Emirati architecture. Visit Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding: Learn about Emirati culture, clothing, and traditions. Take an Abra (boat) across Dubai Creek (cost: ~1 dirham). Explore Deira’s Gold Souk and Spice Souk: Browse the gold shops and traditional spice markets. https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-dubai-and-the-united-arab-emirates/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to Timor-Leste as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane about this small out of the way tropical country where he is doing volunteer work. Why should you go to Timor-Leste? Jonty says, "... Because nobody else goes if that's your thing. It was quite a shock when I went to Australia, and there were tourists. Whereas going around Timor, there's almost no tourists. So that's a bonus. And it has world-class snorkeling, world-class diving, world-class hiking." Jonty recommends an itinerary for Timor-Leste that spans approximately a week, balancing time in Dili, nearby islands, and exploring the mainland. Here's the suggested breakdown: Day 1-2: Dili Explore Dili City: Visit Timorese Resistance Archive and Museum for an overview of the country's history. Stop by Santa Cruz Cemetery, the site of the 1991 massacre. Take a walk in Tasitolu, an area with three lakes, significant for bird watching and local culture. Cristo Rei of Dili: Hike up to the iconic 27-meter statue of Jesus Christ. Enjoy panoramic views of Dili and surrounding beaches. Relax at nearby beaches like Cristo Rei Beach or Back Beach for snorkeling. Dili Traditional Dishes: Try local cuisine at restaurants like Pro Ema or Dilicious Timor. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-timor-leste/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear about travel to the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia as the Amateur Traveler talks to James Schomburgk about his adventures in this out of the way destination. Why should you visit the Eyre Peninsula? James says, "Because of its remoteness, it's probably the lowest number of tourists in Australia. And yet it's listed as one of the biggest hidden gems in the world because of the scenery. The scenery is magical. If you're looking for classic Australian beaches, pure white sand, stunning water, fantastic cliff scenery, and some of the best surf beaches in the world. The wildlife is certainly what attracts intrepid travelers to go there because it has all the wildlife that people are looking for." James recommends a 7-night itinerary for visiting the Eyre Peninsula, which includes a mix of scenic drives, wildlife encounters, beach visits, and unique experiences. Below is the itinerary based on his recommendations: Day 1: Adelaide to Whyalla Clare Valley: Take a scenic detour through this famous wine region, known for its Rieslings and boutique wineries. Suggested stop: Pikes Wines for wine tasting and lunch. Wirrabara: Stonehut Bakery or Julia's Kitchen at the Old Bakery for snacks or pies. View the silo art in Wirrabara. Melrose: A picturesque town at the base of Mount Remarkable, perfect for a quick coffee or walk. Whyalla: Stay the night. Visit the Whyalla Jetty, a unique figure-eight-shaped jetty. Optional: View the giant cuttlefish if visiting in May-August.   ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-eyre-peninsula-of-south-australia/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 / Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices