AT#781 - Travel to Gujarat, India (Repeat)

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 Henan Museum Spend 2-3 hours learning about the region’s history from the Shang to Tang dynasties. 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). Shang Dynasty Relic Park Explore ruins of the Shang Dynasty’s capital, including city walls over 3,000 years old. People’s Park Relax in the park and experience local activities like dancing and exercise. Erqi Memorial Tower (Feb 7th Square) Learn about the area’s historical ties to railroad workers and admire the twin tower.  Zhengdong New Area (CBD) Visit the modern Central Business District featuring the iconic Corncob Building. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-central-china/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Des 202454min

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

30 Nov 202456min

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

27 Nov 202453min

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

23 Nov 20241h 4min

Hear about an itinerary for travel to Bolivia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jayne Dear from The Only Way is Not Essex about her recent trip to this landlocked South American country. Jayne says, you “should go to Bolivia because it’s a very diverse country. It has the largest salt flats in the world. Uyuni, which I visited, and I did that on a three-day tour. Also, go because it’s a great way of having a budget trip to the Amazon. It’s a very diverse country. I think it’s the 27th largest country in the world. There’s a dry forest as well as the rainforest.” ... https://amateurtraveler.com/bolivia-itinerary/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Nov 20241h 2min

Hear about trips from Manila as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin from justin-travel.com about where to go after visiting the Philippine capital. Justin's recommended itinerary for day trips from Manila includes a variety of locations within a one to three-hour drive, each offering a different experience. Here's the suggested route: Day 1: Exploring Manila Intramuros: Begin with a visit to the historic walled city. Explore landmarks like Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila to get a sense of the city's Spanish colonial history. Rizal Park: Walk through this significant historical park named after José Rizal, the national hero, to learn about the Philippines' struggle for independence. Binondo (Chinatown): Enjoy a food crawl in the world’s oldest Chinatown. Discover local delicacies from street food stalls and eateries. Consider a Binondo food crawl guided tour to maximize your experience. Corregidor Island (Optional): If time allows, take a full-day tour to this historic island in Manila Bay, known for its World War II history. Tours usually depart from the SM Mall of Asia area. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/trips-from-manila-philippines/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Nov 202454min

Hear about travel to Mallorca, Spain, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kristin Henning from travelpast50.com and Courtney Drake McDonough from realfoodtraveler.com about our recent press trip to the island. In the podcast, Chris, Kristin, and Courtney share various recommendations for a trip to Mallorca, Spain: Palma: The group suggests starting in Palma, the main city, known for its historical significance and vibrant atmosphere. Recommended activities include: Visiting the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma (La Seu), a stunning Gothic cathedral with architectural contributions from Gaudí and modern artist Miguel Barceló. Exploring the old town with its historic streets, markets, and architecture. Strolling down Bourne Street, a charming avenue with cafes, flower markets, and beautiful architecture. Trying traditional pastries at El Fornet de la Soca, a bakery specializing in historic Mallorcan recipes, including the famous ensaimada. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-mallorca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Nov 20241h 16min

from the Zero to Travel Podcast: How to Start Planning Your First (Or Next) Career Break Today (Using 5 Simple Steps) with Cali O´Connor Have you thought about hitting pause on your career to travel the world but are unsure how to make it a reality? It’s not as unattainable as you may think! Cali O’Connor shares her experience of taking multiple career breaks and offers 5 practical steps to start planning your own career break today. Cali is a former chemical engineer who traded her career in the oilfield for a life-changing adventure of quitting her job to travel around the world. Now, she helps working professionals find clarity in their lives by taking a career break that gives them the freedom to travel, explore, and realign with their life goals.  Whether you dream of quitting your job or taking a temporary pause, this episode will give you the confidence and strategies to take that leap. You’ll hear about her biggest mistakes during her first career break (and how to avoid them), insights on overcoming common fears such as financial insecurity and leaving a stable job, travel advice to save time and money, and lessons on concurring travel burnout. https://zerototravel.com/career-break-cali-oconnor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 Okt 20241h 6min