AT#875 - Travel to Sonoma County, California

In this solo episode of Amateur Traveler, I share the story of my recent walking trip through the Kunisaki Peninsula and Yufuin in Kyushu, Japan, with Walk Japan. This immersive journey took me past massive stone Buddhas, forest trails, rural villages, sacred shrines, and into steamy onsens — all while uncovering centuries of Japanese history and culture. Temples, Shrines, Onsens, and the Trails Between – Kunisaki & Yufuin Walk Tour style: Small group, guided, culturally immersive walking tour with Walk Japan Geology: The Volcanic Kunisaki Peninsula was formed by Mt. Futago; radial valleys and stable terrain Historical sites: Usa Jingu Shrine, Kumano Magaibutsu, Fuki-ji Temple, Choan-ji Daily hikes: 4–7 km per day through ridges, forests, rice terraces, and Buddhist cave carvings Community engagement: Visit to Walk Japan’s rural revitalization project and local mushroom farm ... https://amateurtraveler.com/exploring-the-kunisaki-peninsula-with-walk-japan/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Touko 1h 6min

Hear about travel to Auckland, New Zealand, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about a city that he called home for a decade. Why should you go to Auckland? Jonty says, "Many people go to New Zealand, but spend almost no time in Auckland. It's a bit like a little sister or brother to Sydney in Australia, but with some unique New Zealand characteristics. There are over 50 extinct volcanoes. It's between two natural harbors. There are some very beautiful islands which are easily accessible from the CBD, and it's also got excellent restaurants, museums, art galleries, and beaches." Waiheke Island: Jonty’s Recommendations for Visiting AucklandExplore the Islands of the Hauraki Gulf ,,, https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-auckland-new-zealand/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Touko 59min

Hear about travel to the Queensland Outback as the Amateur Traveler talks to Melissa from Queensland about a destination she discovered during the pandemic when she could not leave her home state. Why should you go to the Queensland Outback? Melissa says, “Firstly, I think when most people think of Queensland or plan a visit to Queensland, they’re thinking Great Barrier Reef, maybe Gold Coast, theme parks, beautiful beaches, and I just find people aren’t thinking about the outback. I don’t know why, really, because it’s amazing… I think, particularly perhaps for your North American listeners.” ” I know when I’m traveling around the world and people talk to me, ‘what’s Australia like?’. ‘Are there kangaroos jumping down the street?’ And the answer is no, there’s not. But if you do wanna see kangaroos jumping down the street thing, go to the Outback. It’s absolutely amazing. The landscape’s amazing. The people are amazing. You can walk into a bar and just talk to a local all night.” “The other thing is, even if you went in what’s considered the peak season, there’s not going to be masses of tourists everywhere. There are going to be masses of tourists on the Great Barrier on our beautiful beaches. I just think if you wanna see what you think Australia is, the stereotypical view of Australia, then go to the Outback.” ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-queensland-outback/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Huhti 1h 4min

Hear about traveling to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as the Amateur Traveler talks to a longtime Disney expert, former attorney, host of WDW Radio, and Podcast Hall of Fame inductee. Why Visit Walt Disney World? Nearly 87% of Americans visit a Disney park at some point—it's a "rite of passage." Offers a wide range of experiences for all types of visitors—first-timers, families, superfans, and solo travelers. The sheer scale and variety of things to do mean you can’t do it all in one trip—and that’s part of the fun. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-walt-disney-world-2/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Huhti 57min

Hear about travel to Kolkata, India (formerly Calcutta) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Sam Sarkar from Travels with Dr. Sam about this city built by the British East India Company. Why should you go to Kolkata? Sam says, "It's a real hidden secret. This is a city that has grand colonial buildings. It used to be the second city of the British Empire for the longest time. The first US consulate in the world was set up in Kolkata even before Thomas Jefferson was president in the late 17 hundreds. It's a city that has produced six Nobel laureates. There's a lot of art and culture festivals, and outstanding food. So I think there's a lot to see." What Dr. Sam Recommends in Kolkata: 1. Start with European Heritage & Colonial Architecture Walking Tour with Calcutta Walks — Sam's top recommendation for understanding Kolkata's colonial history and European architecture. Highlights include: Victoria Memorial — "British Taj Mahal," the most spectacular building in Kolkata. St. Paul’s Cathedral St. John’s Church, Kolkata (oldest Anglican church) High Court Building Writers’ Building General Post Office, Kolkata Governor’s House The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata (oldest continuously operating hotel in Asia — Mark Twain stayed there) TIP: Go on a Sunday or during off-hours for less crowd. Buildings are beautifully lit at night. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-kolkata-india/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Huhti 58min

Hear about travel to Cuba as the Amateur Traveler talks to 3 listeners of the show who joined this year’s trip to explore this beautiful and sometimes challenging country. Here’s a summary of the 2025 Amateur Traveler's Private Hola Cuba itinerary: Trip Overview Trip Name: Amateur Traveler's Private Hola Cuba Duration: 9 days / 8 nights Start & End Location: Havana, Cuba Group Size: 17 travelers Travel Style: Comfortable, immersive, support-for-the-Cuban-people focused Accommodation: Locally-owned guesthouses Meals Included: 8 breakfasts 6 lunches 7 dinners Transport: Private transport throughout Itinerary Day 1 – Arrival in Havana Complimentary airport transfer. Evening welcome meeting and dinner at a local paladar (private restaurant). Day 2 – Havana Exploration Morning Afro-Cuban religion tour. Classic American vintage car tour of outer Havana. Walking tour of Old Havana (UNESCO World Heritage Site). ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-cuba/ blog post: https://amateurtraveler.com/intrepid-hola-cuba/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Huhti 48min

In this episode, Johnny Jet shares his deeply personal story of overcoming a debilitating fear of flying before becoming a travel expert. A dream trip to Australia in high school was derailed when, at the airport, he had a panic attack and refused to board the plane, devastating his family and himself. He spent the next three years struggling with anxiety and fear—not just of flying, but even of leaving home. Learn what triggered this and how Johnny dealt with it. Johnny created a travel newsletter and website in 1995 that he has been publishing ever since. ✅ Tips for Overcoming Fear of Flying Visualize flying—even simulate it at home. Speak with pilots or flight attendants to understand the safety and mechanics of flight. Start small—book shorter flights on larger planes for a smoother experience. Break up long-haul trips with stopovers (e.g., Hawaii or Fiji en route to Australia). Distract yourself with music, reading, or a hobby during takeoff. Avoid alcohol and drugs, which can worsen anxiety and behavior. Consider fear of flying courses, including airline programs with simulators and pilots. Practice gratitude and perspective—remember that flying opens the world. https://amateurtraveler.com/fear-of-flying/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Huhti 32min

Hear about travel to Germany’s Black Forest in Baden-Württemberg as the Amateur Traveler talks to Matt Kepnes (Nomadic Matt) about his visit to the hills and woods of southwest Germany. Why should you go to the Black Forest? Matt says, "You'll find incredible hiking, lots of lakes, waterfalls, and cute little quintessential German towns with beautiful architecture. There are also a lot of hot springs around the Baden Baden area. Plus, there's just great food and I just really loved the welcoming vibe of the people." Matt’s Suggested Black Forest Itinerary: Day 1–2: Heidelberg Why go: It is a historic university town with vibrant nightlife, a beautiful old town, castle ruins, and great food. Highlights: Heidelberg Castle (ruins) Perimeter hiking trails and viewpoints Heidelberg Student Jail (Mark Twain visited!) Contemporary art museum Nightlife: comedy shows and lively bars Tip: Hike up from the city center for great views; look for printed maps with trail info. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-germanys-black-forest/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Maalis 41min