AT#864 - Best Day Trips from Amsterdam

Hear about travel to Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin Barnes about his recent trip to the Balkans. Why should someone go to the Balkans? Justin says, "It's a fascinating intersection of the East and West. It's been shaped by history over many different iterations from the Greeks to the Illyrians to the Byzantines to the Ottomans. And whenever you have a place like that's been shaped by so many different cultures and with such a fascinating history, you see a lot of things you don't really see elsewhere on the globe." "In addition, it's very inexpensive. The places that I'm going to be talking about, Albania, North Macedonia are much less expensive than even other places in the Balkans, let alone the rest of Europe. The area was much more green and lush than I was expecting. I don't know what I was expecting, but I wasn't expecting beautiful green forests everywhere." "nd the cities that we went to, pretty much everything was walkable. Aside from the time that it takes to get from one city to the next, once you're actually where you need to be, you can walk around. The weather's good. The people are nice. I always felt safe. There's a lot to offer." Justin recommends a detailed itinerary for a trip through Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. Here is the itinerary based on his detailed description:  ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-balkans/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 Juni 202452min

Hear about travel to the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna as the Amateur Traveler talks to Keith Jenkins from VelvetEscape.com who keeps returning to this unvisited gem. Why should you go to Emilia-Romagna? Keith says, "I think most people will know about the Products that come from there, the food, even the cars, maybe some of the cities, but they would just not associate that with the name Emilia Romagna. And we all know Parma, Bologna but there's so much more to explore. And a large part of the region is actually pretty, off the beaten track, because you have all these little, small, medieval towns. On the plains, also at the hill towns, which are absolutely beautiful. And there's so much to explore. They've got huge forests and lakes and national parks." Based on Keith Jenkins' detailed description, here's a recommended itinerary for a trip to Emilia-Romagna: Day 1: Arrival in Parma Morning: Arrive in Parma. Check into your hotel. Afternoon: Explore Parma’s city center. Visit the Cathedral and the Baptistery. Evening: Dine at a local restaurant to enjoy Parma’s famous prosciutto. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-emilia-romagna/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Juni 202446min

Hear about cruising the waters of Alaska and British Columbia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Susan Portnoy about her recent experience on a Hurtigruten expedition ship. Why should you do this cruise? Susan says, "I think it's not going to be for everybody. It is a long journey. It's 18 days. That is music to my heart, but may not be for everyone. But it's also more intrepid. It's not the kind of trip where you've got a lot of boardwalks and stores and places to hang out, which you might do and have in Juneau or Haines. We went to uninhabited islands. One was, for example, St. Matthews, which belongs to Alaska. Very few people know that. And more people have climbed Everest than been on St. Matthews." Adventure Cruise from Nome, Alaska to Vancouver: A Day-by-Day Journey Susan Portnoy recently embarked on an unforgettable Hurtigruten expedition cruise from the remote town of Nome, Alaska, to Vancouver, Canada. This 18-day journey was perfect for those seeking adventure, wildlife, and a deeper connection with nature and culture. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of this remarkable voyage: DAY 1: The Expedition Began The adventure started in Nome, Alaska. After flying into Anchorage and boarding a charter flight to Nome, everyone embarked on the MS Roald Amundsen. This expedition class ship can hold up to 500 passengers. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/alaska-cruise/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15 Juni 202452min

Hear about travel to Newport, Rhode Island as the Amateur Traveler talks to Phil Roberson about this city that was one of the 5 largest in the American colonies.  Why should you visit Newport? Phile says, "There's a lot of reasons to want to come here, but if you love the ocean, if you love the Gilded Age kind of life if you love history, especially, there's just a lot to see in Newport." Based on Phil's detailed description of Newport, Rhode Island, here's a recommendation for a week-long trip to Newport, including various activities, historical sites, dining options, and outdoor adventures. Day 1: Arrival and Orientation Morning: Arrive in Newport, and settle into your accommodation. Afternoon: Take the Daily Newport Trolley Tour for an overview of the city and its major attractions. Evening: Dine at The Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar Restaurant on the wharf.   ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-newport-rhode-island/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8 Juni 202448min

Hear about travel to the Jaén province of Andalucia Spain as the Amateur Traveler talks to Molly Sears-Piccavey who lives in Andalucia. Molly says, “Jaén is a province in western Andalucia that is not really very known or associated with tourism. If we take southern Spain the western side of Andalucia which is Granada, Cordoba, Jaén, and Almería are not as touristic perhaps as the side of Andalucia which is where Malaga and Seville are. Cordoba and Granada are very well visited because of their Muslim architecture such as the mosque or their Alhambra Palace, but Jaén is inland and a little bit further away. And many people don’t manage to discover Jaén and I think Jaén has a lot to offer the visitor.” ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-jaen-andalucia-spain/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 Juni 202455min

Hear about travel to Northern Morocco as the Amateur Traveler talks to 5 listeners of the show who joined this year's trip to explore the medinas and other features of the country. The Intrepid Travel North Morocco Adventure tour offers an immersive exploration of Northern Morocco, rich with cultural experiences, historical landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes. Below is a detailed day-by-day itinerary that highlights the tour's key activities and destinations. Day 1: Arrival in Casablanca Activity: Arrival and meet up at the hotel Highlights: Arrive a day early to explore Casablanca independently Visit the old medina, Rick's Café, and the Hassan II Mosque (make reservations in advance for a tour) Meet the tour group in the hotel lobby at 6 PM for introductions and dinner ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-northern-morocco/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Maj 20241h 4min

Hear about travel to Southern Morocco as the Amateur Traveler talks to Ady from Hit The Road Music Studio about an area he fell in love with while touring it in a mobile recording studio. Ady recommends a detailed itinerary for a week-long trip exploring Southern Morocco, starting and ending in Marrakesh. Here’s a breakdown of the suggested trip: Day 1: Marrakesh Arrive in Marrakesh and spend the night. Experience the bustling city, try a mix of European and Moroccan cuisine, and get a taste of the local culture. Day 2: Travel over the Atlas Mountains Travel from Marrakesh over the Atlas Mountains, experiencing the dramatic change in landscape and climate. Spend the night in Ouarzazate, a city famous for its film studios and proximity to the film location for movies like "Gladiator" and "Star Wars."   https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-southern-morocco-2/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18 Maj 20241h 1min

Hear about travel to the country Palau as the Amateur Traveler talks to Randy Rohrer about his recent kayak and scuba safari to this tropical paradise.  Why should you go to Palau? Randy says, "I think people should go to Palau if you want to experience incredible diverse underwater marine life colorful corals, clear warm water. It's an unspoiled underwater paradise with beautiful sandy beaches, and it also has World War II history. When we were there, we saw colorful corals, fish of all species and sizes, jellyfish, turtles, sharks, squid, manta rays, dolphins, giant clams, and all kinds of exotic plants." Embarking on a kayak and snorkel safari in Palau in the Western Pacific, Randy Roar from Maryland shares his exhilarating experience, revealing why this remote archipelago is a paradise for adventure and nature lovers. Arrival and Stay in Koror Travelers typically fly into Koror, the bustling hub of Palau, via Hawaii and Guam. Randy suggests taking an extra day to acclimate and recover from jet lag upon arrival. In Koror, visitors can explore the Epperson Museum and the Palau Aquarium to gain insights into the local culture and marine biodiversity. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-palau/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Maj 202443min