AT#857 - Travel to Cartagena and Northern Colombia

Hear about travel to Suriname as the Amateur Traveler talks to Mike Power from SmallOfTheRoad.blogspot.com about his recent trip to this South American country. Why should you go to Suriname? Mike says, "It's an undiscovered little gem. I'm just surprised it's not more popular. The number one draw there would be nature and ecotourism. There's a ton to see. As much as 95% of the country is covered in rainforest. And so ecotourism and the wildlife, especially a lot of birds, monkeys, etc. The second one would be diversity. So, it's actually a very diverse country. And in particular, I found the maroon communities that live inland fascinating. These are descendants of former escaped slaves. And then finally, I'd say Paramaribo, which is the main city in Suriname. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with these old buildings that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries." Here’s the itinerary Mike recommends for Suriname: Get deep into the primary rainforest to experience wildlife and pure Amazonian jungle. Mike went to Nature Resort Kabalebo, which offered guided river trips, forest hikes, waterfalls, night walks, abundant birds, monkeys, poison dart frogs, and tapirs.   1. Interior Rainforest Lodge (3 nights). ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-suriname/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 Juli 57min

Hear about sailing in the Saronic Islands and the Peloponnese as the Amateur Traveler talks about his recent yacht charter with Navigare Yachting. My wife and I had wanted to gather a few friends and do a small boat sailing trip in the Greek Islands for more than a decade. This dream reached fruition when Navigare Yachting offered to provide the use of a boat in exchange for talking about the journey on the podcast. We began our one-week sailing adventure in Athens before setting off to Perdika, a small fishing village in Aegina. Arriving at the Navigare port, we completed the necessary paperwork, familiarized ourselves with the boat, and received a safety talk from Captain Kostas. After stocking up on groceries and supplies, we set sail, navigating through choppy seas due to a strong breeze from the south. We soon learned that sailing on a sailboat doesn’t always mean using the sails, as we mostly relied on the motor for this trip. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/sailing-in-the-saronic-islands/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Juli 1h 9min

Hear about travel to the island nation of Samoa as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about his recent trip biking around the country. Why should you go to Samoa? Jonty says, "Samoa is a small island in the Pacific. If you imagine a tropical Pacific paradise, then something like Samoa would probably spring to mind in terms of palm trees along a beautiful sandy beach with snorkeling opportunities and some diving opportunities. The Samoan culture is very interesting. It is very much the heart of Polynesia, and they've done a very good job at maintaining their culture. It's touristy enough that it's got the infrastructure that you need as a tourist to get around and do things. But it's not particularly touristy." Jonty recommends a one-week itinerary for Samoa that allows travelers to experience much of what the country has to offer, but he notes that a 10- to 14-day trip would be ideal to allow for rest, deeper exploration, and a more relaxed pace. Here's how he breaks it down: Begin your trip in Apia, the capital and only real city in Samoa. Jonty suggests spending at least a day, preferably two, exploring both the downtown and the surrounding hills. In central Apia, highlights include: Start with Apia (1–2 days) ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-samoa/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5 Juli 1h 3min

Hear about travel to Northern Iceland as the Amateur Traveler talks to Monika from PlanPackExplore.com about her recent trip through the center of Iceland to the less-visited northern part of the country. Why should you visit Northern Iceland? Monika says, "I'm a self-proclaimed Iceland lover. I went there for the first time in 2022, by accident, which is a long story, but we ended up in Iceland, and literally after six days, started planning the second trip. Then we went back. I went back the third time with my dad, trying to show him the country, never planning trip number four. I cannot get enough of Iceland. So I was pretty familiar with Iceland by now, and I'm happy to share what I know." Monika’s route begins the moment you land at Keflavík International Airport outside of Reykjavík. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-northern-iceland/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

28 Juni 55min

Hear about rafting the Grand Canyon for seven days as the Amateur Traveler talks about this bucket list trip sponsored by Western River Expeditions. In this solo (but not really solo) episode of Amateur Traveler, host Chris Christensen recounts a seven-day rafting adventure down the Grand Canyon with Western River Expeditions — a journey filled with whitewater rapids, red rock cliffs, side canyon hikes, waterfalls, fossils, ancient ruins, and meaningful encounters with fellow travelers. Motorized J-rig rafts cover 188 miles of the Colorado River in 7 days Overnights at iconic river camps: Ledges, Dinosaur, Carbon, Hotauta, Football Field, and Lower 185 Mile Major rapids including Hermit, Crystal, Granite, Sockdolager, Lava Falls, and more Cultural stops: Nankoweap granaries, ancestral Puebloan ruins, sacred Hopi salt mines Geology & scenery: Marble Canyon, Vishnu schist, Zoroaster granite, lava flows, and Redwall Cavern Side hikes to Havasu Canyon, Elves Chasm, Stone Creek Falls, and Deer Creek Memorable stargazing, Dutch oven desserts, and even a toga night Highlights of the Trip:  ... https://amateurtraveler.com/rafting-the-grand-canyon-with-western-river-expeditions/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 Juni 1h 13min

Hear about travel to the French Riviera as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer and children's book author Kimberley Lovato about this region where she has had a pied-à-terre for years. Why should you go to the French Riviera? Kimberley says, "Certainly for people who love great hotels and Michelin star food and gorgeous scenery, you know what's not to love? We have the Cannes Film Festival. But, if you love beaches, hiking, and museums, I hate the cliche 'there's something for everyone', but in this case, it is true. Beaches, food, hotels, small, quaint, charming, and picture-perfect villages. It's all really here, easy to get around." Arrival & Base Fly into Nice, the region’s main airport. Base yourself in Nice, Cannes, or Sainte-Maxime, depending on your interests—city, beach, or quieter village. Day 1–2: Nice and Surroundings Kimberley Lovato’s Recommended French Riviera Itinerary ... https://amateurtraveler.com/the-french-riviera/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 Juni 42min

Hear about travel to Espírito Santo, Brazil, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Fuse from Fuse Travels about her family's homeland. Why should you travel to Espírito Santo? Fuse says, "It is way more affordable than Rio, just as pretty, as far as beaches. It is underrated. So you're not gonna go sightseeing and have a swarm of tourists. You really get a feel of local culture. There's some amazing cuisine. Espírito Santo is diverse geography." Fuse suggests a rich and varied itinerary for a visit to Espírito Santo, Brazil, highlighting cultural, culinary, and natural experiences across several distinct regions. Here's a summary of her top recommendations: Base yourself in Vila Velha for its better beaches, like Praia da Costa, and walkable access to restaurants, coffee shops, and nightlife. Visit Convento da Penha, a 16th-century hilltop monastery with panoramic views of the coast. Tour the Garoto chocolate factory (reserve in advance). ... https://amateurtraveler.com/espirito-santo-brazil/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Juni 41min

Hear about travel to Brunei and Sabah on the island of Borneo as the Amateur Traveler talks to Max Walton about his recent trip to these contrasting locations. Why should you go to Brunei and Sabah? Max says, "It's one of the least visited regions in the area. I think in 2023, only 133,000 people visited. It's not many at all. This also offers a different side of Southeast Asia. I know a lot of people go to Vietnam, Thailand, even Bali, Indonesia, but Brunei is the only absolute monarchy in the region. It's also governed by Sharia law. Brunei is very wealthy. It's all because of its oil and gas." "I don't think you should be going to Brunei solely for the purpose of going to Brunei. It's perfect for a seven-day itinerary in Northern Borneo." Max recommends a 7-day itinerary for visiting Brunei and Sabah (northern Borneo), combining cultural experiences, nature, and adventure. Here's a summary of the recommended itinerary: Fly into Miri (cheaper than Brunei direct flights) Day 1 – Arrival in Miri (Malaysia) ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-brunei-and-sabah/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31 Maj 51min