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:

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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:

Day 1 – Arrival in Miri (Malaysia)

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Hear about travel to the region of Abitibi-Témiscamingue in Quebec as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jennifer Doré Dallas from Chasing Poutine about this out of the way road trip.

Why should you go to Abitibi-Témiscamingue?

Jennifer says, "Most people don't really know about it outside of Quebec. But in our province, it's really well known, especially for nature. It's a true paradise for nature lovers. It's also historical, bringing us back to log driving and fur trading times. I'll take you from gold mines to microbreweries to pristine lakes. Basically, you're off the beaten path, and what I love about this region is that everybody thinks it's remote, but it's so accessible and it's so easy to travel to."

Jennifer recommends a one-week road trip itinerary to explore Abitibi-Témiscamingue, starting from Montreal and looping through five key regions (MRCs), each with its own blend of nature, history, Indigenous culture, and food. Here’s a breakdown of her recommended route:

Day-by-Day Itinerary for Abitibi-Témiscamingue Road Trip

Day 1 – Drive from Montreal to Val-d'Or (Gold Valley)

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-abitibi-temiscamingue-in-quebec/

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Hear about travel to Victoria, British Columbia, as Chris Christensen from Amateur Traveler talks about his recent visit to the capital of British Columbia.

Join Chris Christensen as he returns to one of the first cities he ever visited outside the U.S.—Victoria, British Columbia. In this solo episode, Chris recounts a week-long press trip to Vancouver Island's picturesque capital. From kayaking and whale watching to historic Chinatown, local farms, and world-renowned gardens, discover why Victoria is more than just a pretty harbor town.

After arriving via Victoria International Airport, the trip kicks off with a walking tour of North America’s second-oldest Chinatown, led by Discover the Past. Chris explores the cultural legacy of Chinese-Canadians, visits the rare Tam Kung Temple, and strolls Fan Tan Alley, learning about the community’s resilience and spiritual heritage.

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 https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-auckland-new-zealand/

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Hear about New Zealand Great Walks as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from jontynz.com about these amazing multi-day treks in his home country.

Picture snow-capped mountains, volcanic landscapes, brilliant blue alpine lakes, epic coastal scenery, unusual native birds, wilderness as far as the eye can see, golden sand beaches, historic sites, lush moss-filled bush, and huge waterfalls.

New Zealand has ten Great Walks, 3-5 day hikes (or tramps in NZ) through some of the finest scenery in this beautiful country.

The Great Walks are an accessible introduction to multi-day hikes. They have well-maintained tracks and cosy huts, providing a relatively safe experience.
These aren't the luxury hikes available in Europe; you will generally carry almost everything you need, and won't have a shower for a few days, but they're incredibly rewarding experiences.

Jonty gives an overview of each walk in alphabetical order, and finishes with general information and recommendations.

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In this solo episode of Amateur Traveler, I share the story of my recent walking trip through the Kunisaki Peninsula and Yufuin in Kyushu, Japan, with Walk Japan. This immersive journey took me past massive stone Buddhas, forest trails, rural villages, sacred shrines, and into steamy onsens — all while uncovering centuries of Japanese history and culture.

Temples, Shrines, Onsens, and the Trails Between – Kunisaki & Yufuin Walk

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https://amateurtraveler.com/exploring-the-kunisaki-peninsula-with-walk-japan/

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Hear about travel to Auckland, New Zealand, as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jonty Crane from Jonty Travels about a city that he called home for a decade.

Why should you go to Auckland?

Jonty says, "Many people go to New Zealand, but spend almost no time in Auckland. It's a bit like a little sister or brother to Sydney in Australia, but with some unique New Zealand characteristics. There are over 50 extinct volcanoes. It's between two natural harbors. There are some very beautiful islands which are easily accessible from the CBD, and it's also got excellent restaurants, museums, art galleries, and beaches."

Jonty’s Recommendations for Visiting AucklandExplore the Islands of the Hauraki Gulf

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Hear about travel to the Queensland Outback as the Amateur Traveler talks to Melissa from Queensland about a destination she discovered during the pandemic when she could not leave her home state.

Why should you go to the Queensland Outback?

Melissa says, “Firstly, I think when most people think of Queensland or plan a visit to Queensland, they’re thinking Great Barrier Reef, maybe Gold Coast, theme parks, beautiful beaches, and I just find people aren’t thinking about the outback. I don’t know why, really, because it’s amazing… I think, particularly perhaps for your North American listeners.”

” I know when I’m traveling around the world and people talk to me, ‘what’s Australia like?’. ‘Are there kangaroos jumping down the street?’ And the answer is no, there’s not. But if you do wanna see kangaroos jumping down the street thing, go to the Outback. It’s absolutely amazing. The landscape’s amazing. The people are amazing. You can walk into a bar and just talk to a local all night.”

“The other thing is, even if you went in what’s considered the peak season, there’s not going to be masses of tourists everywhere. There are going to be masses of tourists on the Great Barrier on our beautiful beaches. I just think if you wanna see what you think Australia is, the stereotypical view of Australia, then go to the Outback.”

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-the-queensland-outback/

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Hear about traveling to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as the Amateur Traveler talks to a longtime Disney expert, former attorney, host of WDW Radio, and Podcast Hall of Fame inductee.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-walt-disney-world-2/

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Hear about travel to Kolkata, India (formerly Calcutta) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Sam Sarkar from Travels with Dr. Sam about this city built by the British East India Company.

Why should you go to Kolkata?

Sam says, "It's a real hidden secret. This is a city that has grand colonial buildings. It used to be the second city of the British Empire for the longest time. The first US consulate in the world was set up in Kolkata even before Thomas Jefferson was president in the late 17 hundreds. It's a city that has produced six Nobel laureates. There's a lot of art and culture festivals, and outstanding food. So I think there's a lot to see."

1. Start with European Heritage & Colonial Architecture

TIP: Go on a Sunday or during off-hours for less crowd. Buildings are beautifully lit at night.

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https://amateurtraveler.com/travel-to-kolkata-india/

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