Since 2005, Amateur Traveler has been talking about different destinations every week. It covers destinations all over the world with an emphasis on culturally ...
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/
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AT#932 - Travel to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates
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/
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1:01:40
AT#931 - Travel to Timor-Leste
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/
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1:11:02
AT#930 - Travel to the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia
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.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-eyre-peninsula-of-south-australia/
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1:11:06
AT#929 - Travel to the Languedoc Region of Southern France
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/
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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."
New Zealand