This episode of Amateur Traveler is sponsored by Expedia‘s flagship travel show Out Travel The System. Learn where to stay, what to do, and how to live like a local.
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AT#765 - Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway

Since 2005 Amateur Traveler has been talking about a different destination every week. It covers destinations all of the world with an emphasis on culturally rich travel. Learn more about your world. Amateur Traveler won its creator Chris Christensen a Travel+Leisure award as the "best independent travel journalist".

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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/
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AT#896 - Travel to Southern Morocco

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.
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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-palau/
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AT#895 - Travel to Palau

Hear about travel to Oklahoma as the Amateur Traveler talks to Caitlin from TwinFamilyTravels.com about her home state and its history, culture, and scenic beauty.
Why should you go to Oklahoma?
Caitlin says, "People should visit Oklahoma because it has a unique history and it has a lot of natural beauty. I think it's surprising and unexpected to a lot of people. It has a complicated history in many ways. We'll get into that. But it has seen a lot of revitalization and improvement over the years. There's really been an increase of top-notch museums, and outdoor spaces, and there's really just something for everybody to enjoy here."
Caitlin's one-week itinerary for exploring Oklahoma, particularly centered around Tulsa, includes a variety of cultural, historical, and outdoor activities. Here’s a breakdown of the itinerary she recommends:
Day 1: Downtown Tulsa

Start with breakfast at Dilly Diner.

Visit the Center of the Universe, an acoustic anomaly.

Explore the Woody Guthrie Center, dedicated to the famous musician.

Check out the Bob Dylan Center, showcasing Dylan’s life and work.

Tour the Church Studio, known for its musical history.

Learn about the history of the Greenwood District, including a visit to the Greenwood Rising Museum.

Dinner at Fixin's Soul Kitchen.


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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-oklahoma/
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AT#894 - Travel to Oklahoma

Hear about travel to Newfoundland and Labrador as the Amateur Traveler talks to Bri Mitchell from travelingmitch.com based on the summer they spent in this less visited Canadian province.
Why should you go to Newfoundland and Labrador?
Bri says, "It is a very vast, wide, and open province. It has extremely warm people very enticing outdoor adventures really incredible opportunities to get out onto the water and explore different parts of the Atlantic Ocean. And specifically today, I want to talk a little bit about Western Newfoundland and Labrador, so starting in the western coast and making your way up towards Labrador."
"It's larger than many countries. I think I was looking up It's a square kilometer area, and it's larger than Japan, Germany, and Finland. A lot of people think of Eastern Canada as being small and little towns and not a lot to explore. But when you think about its size, Newfoundland and Labrador as a province is very expansive. So it's a great place to go if you enjoy a road trip if you enjoy taking in nature. Many kilometers in a day, which this trip will entail and it's just a really wonderful place to get outside and really embrace nature."
Bri recommends a comprehensive seven-day itinerary for exploring Newfoundland and Labrador, focusing primarily on Western Newfoundland and briefly touching upon Labrador. Here's the itinerary she suggests:

Day 1: Arrival at Deer Lake

Fly into Deer Lake Regional Airport, rent a car, and drive to Gros Morne National Park.

Stay in Woody Point, a small town in Gros Morne, and dine at local restaurants like the Backroom Cafe or Merchant Warehouse.


https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-newfoundland-and-labrador/
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AT#893 - Travel to Newfoundland and Labrador

Hear about things to do when you travel to the Brittany region of France as the Amateur Traveler talks to Kristin Montgomery from GrowingGlobalCitizens.com about this less-touristed corner of the country.
Kristin says, “Brittany is located in northwestern France. It used to be a Duchy but in the 1500s it was incorporated as part of France, basically taken over against their will so there is still a very strong regional identity. There are some people who still identify as being Breton before they’re French. Brittany is a place that is not usually on a lot of traveler’s lists. If you are going to head to France you think of Paris. You think of southern France, Province, or Nice, but there are a lot of really great things to see in Brittany.”

“There are beautiful beaches first of all and they’re sand beaches unlike the rocky beaches you find down south. If you are traveling with family it is a great place to visit because it is a little less touristy, less crowded. There are more things to do that are in small towns out in the country. It has this Celtic identity that really is not found in any other place in France. You are going to be hearing things like bagpipes. You are going to be seeing traditional dancing, even some of the Breton language. I found that people here were very very friendly which is something that in other parts of France, and I think of Paris, they don’t have a reputation for being very friendly. If you are someone who is into history or likes myths and legends, Brittany has a lot of that too.”
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https://amateurtraveler.com/things-to-do-in-brittany-france/
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AT#765 - Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway

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