This Week in Travel was a podcast that was in production from 2009 to 2020. In this reunion episode of This Week in Travel (dubbed "This Decade in Travel"), the original hosts, Gary Arndt, Chris Christensen, and Jen Leo, reconnect after a long hiatus. They share life updates and reminisce about their past travels and podcasting adventures. ... https://amateurtraveler.com/this-week-in-travel-reunion/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode of Amateur Traveler, we discuss issues associated with living abroad.  My Guest Justin Burns, a part-time resident of the Canary Islands, joins us to share his experience of living abroad. He talks about the practical aspects of relocating to a foreign country, from navigating visa options to adjusting to life in a new place. Whether you're considering a move overseas or just curious about what it's like, Justin offers helpful insights based on his personal journey. Questions In this podcast with Justin Burns, several key questions are addressed, including: How can someone move abroad and what are the steps involved?  Justin explains the different visa options, such as retirement, digital nomad, and investment visas, and the application process. What challenges do people face when relocating to a foreign country?  He discusses both bureaucratic hurdles, like obtaining necessary documents and dealing with red-tape, and emotional challenges related to language barriers and cultural adjustments. What are the costs of living abroad compared to the U.S.?  Justin compares the cost of healthcare, housing, groceries, transportation, and more in Spain to the U.S. and provides insights into how moving abroad can result in significant savings. What are some of the emotional surprises of moving abroad?  He shares his experiences dealing with frustrations like language barriers and cultural differences and how those affect day-to-day life. What should people consider when choosing a place to live abroad?  Justin provides tips on what to look for when selecting a city or country, including things like local amenities, accessibility, and whether the destination is welcoming to expats. How does the process of buying property abroad work?  He explains the steps involved in purchasing a home overseas, including the role of notaries and legal differences compared to the U.S. What are the tax implications of living abroad?  The podcast discusses double taxation agreements and how taxes work for expats living in places like Spain. These topics provide practical insights for anyone considering a move abroad or curious about the lifestyle. https://amateurtraveler.com/living-abroad/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first bonus episode of Amateur Traveler, we discuss how and why to travel solo, even if you are not single. My Guest: Beth Santos is the founder and CEO of Wanderful, a global community and lifestyle brand that aims to empower and connect women who travel. She is also the author of Wander Woman, in which she shares insights and advice on solo travel, particularly for women. Beth focuses on encouraging women to explore the world independently and safely. She challenges common misconceptions about solo travel, especially the notion that it is only for single people or those without families. She emphasizes that solo travel can be a valuable and empowering experience for anyone, regardless of their personal circumstances. In addition to her work with Wonderful, Beth is known for advocating female empowerment in travel and her efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women travelers. Questions: In the podcast episode, several key questions and topics related to solo travel are addressed: What is solo travel, and who is it for? What are the benefits of solo travel? How can women travel solo safely? What practical advice is there for planning a solo trip? How do you handle loneliness when traveling solo? What are the challenges and rewards of eating alone while traveling? How can solo travelers balance planning and spontaneity? What should you pack for a solo trip? What can someone learn from solo travel? How can someone prepare for their first solo trip? https://amateurtraveler.com/solo-travel/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amateur Traveler turns 19 years old and is up for a Travel Creator award Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-galapagos-islands-ecuador https://amateurtraveler.com/galapagos-cruise-on-quasars-evolution/ Hear about travel to the Galapagos Islands as Chris Christensen, the Amateur Traveler himself, talks about a live-aboard cruise of the Galapagos Islands on Quasar Expeditions M/V Evolution. The Galapagos is a singular destination. People describe other places as the 'Galapagos of Mexico or the Galapagos of some other place' but the Galapagos doesn't try and compare itself to anywhere else. This is a must-see destination for people who want a vacation to see wildlife. People can tell you how the wildlife here is different because it does not fear humans but until you are standing by a giant tortoise, walking through a booby nesting ground, or swimming with sea turtles and sea lions, it is hard to understand what that really means. This is a place where you come to see giant tortoises or iguanas, but it is also a place to see interesting bird species like Nasca boobies, blue-footed boobies, and red-footed boobies. But it is also a place to experience the islands under the water. Have you swum with turtles, penguins, and sharks... on the same day? Have you had sea lions swim circles around you? The best way to experience the Galapagos Islands is on a live-aboard boat. I was fortunate enough to be invited by award-winning Quasar Expeditions to explore the Galapagos on their M/V Evolution as their guest (they paid). This 32-passenger boat is one of the larger boats that explores the Galapagos.  I describe a one-week itinerary to the eastern islands in the Galapagos including stops at: San Cristóbal Island,  South Plaza Island, Santa Cruz Island, Mosquera Island, Sombrero Chino, Santiago Island, Genovesa Island, Isla Seymour Norte, Santa Fe Island, and Floreana Island. If the Galapagos are not on your bucket list... they should be.

A sample episode of my friend Gary Arndt's Everything-Everywhere podcast

Hear about travel to Yosemite National Park and the region as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer and California native Jill Robinson about her experiences in the park.

Hear about travel to Chengdu, China as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jessica Elliot from howdareshe.org about her recent trip.

Hear about travel to Madagascar as the Amateur Traveler talks to Corinne Vale from reflectionsenroute.com about her travel to this island nation off southern Africa.

Hear about travel to the borough of Brooklyn in New York City as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jessica Festa from jessieonajourney.com who used to live in the city and still leads tours there.  

Hear about travel to Chicago, Illinois as the Amateur Traveler talks to Francesca Mazurkiewicz about her hometown of Chicago.