Overall a solid podcast with coverage of several countries/ regions. Some guests are great (Colombia, Cyprus, Tamil Nadu, Chennai) and some are terrible (Western Michigan, Mysore) - great when information provided is detailed enough, clear and the guest is clearly enamored of the place discussed; terrible when information provided is incorrect, recommendations made are just not distinct enough or the guest seems hopelessly out of date. The host is fun; sometimes smart-alecky and that’s because he’s a Boomer. Boomers are often badly behaved.
Another note - please STOP using the term “tuk tuk” for motorized rickshaws in India. They are “auto rickshaws”, locally just referred to as “auto” ALL over India. We get that Westerners who have been to other parts of Asia have heard the tuk tuk phrase there but India is a different country. It’s akin to using “lift” in the US instead of elevator. Just stop!
I really enjoy listening to this informative podcast. It has encouraged me to travel much more. I’ve already been to Morocco and Mexico based on inspiration from this podcast. Chris, I hope to go on one of your tours/trips one day. Thanks for what you do and keep up the good work!
I’ve listened to every episode of the podcast and they are all wonderful, but the one about Armenia struck me the most. The gorgeous photos and vivid descriptions really struck a chord with me, and made me want to venture to it’s beautiful land!
Overall this is an interesting and informative podcast. I like the format and the guests are usually very knowledgeable. There is a wide range of locations reviewed within the catalog of the podcast. My one complaint (And I apologize for mentioning this because once you notice this, you can’t unhear it and it will dive you crazy) is that the host Chris says “okay” a lot! I know it’s a little thing, but it is definitely annoying. I do also wish there would be a bit more vetting of his guests. In a recent episode about West Michigan, the guest had frequent, sometimes cringe worthy gaffes, was recommending chain restaurants, seem perplexed about chicken and waffles, and completely failed to mention that Grand Rapids is a craft beer destination. However, the content and overall quality of the podcast usually helps you look past this.
This is a really good podcast. I just discovered it and now I’m binging it. Initially I was only listening to the places that interest me but now I’m listening to all of it. And that could be because I am OBSESSED with the theme song! LOL. I even went to SoundCloud so I could listen to the whole song on repeat.
I took some time today to listen to your show!! amateur traveler travel podcast is a fantastic podcast with great info, advice, and perspectives. You won't regret listening to and learning from the podcast.
I often listen to Chris’ podcast while driving in the car. One week he’ll cover a place like Omaha, the next week, a place like Oman. Such diversity of locations. A comfort food of podcasts. Keep going Chris!
So informative and helpful. I discovered it because I am going on my first trip to Turkey.
But now I want to listen to them all. Putting as my other favorite new podcast but the other is a satirical, comedy of small town life "Community News with Paul and Sasha". It's so funny!!! Between your 2 shows I have a lot to binge now. I want to travel everywhere.
I enjoy 95% of these shows. The 5% account for those shows where a guest may not be an expert in the community or has a narrow focus (as an example; lots of info about food and drink, but not much info about what makes a place special and different). Chris: I enjoy your podcasts on my commute, so I do not take advantage of the enhanced podcasts. No need to invest the time if remainder of audience has same input.
I love to listen to your podcast while I’m at work!! In my mind I am wherever you and your guest are talking about!! It makes my shift go by so quickly, and by the end of it I’ve been to six or seven different countries!!
Love it❣️
Like everyone else, I struggle to find time in the day to listen to all of the podcast that I would like to. I stumbled across this podcast by accident a couple of years ago, and it has been a game changer for me. I don’t feel like I need to look elsewhere as this podcast covers all of my interests. The host and guests are informative.The pace is perfect (I still listen at one and a half speed). My favorite feature is the interactive component with pictures that I can look at while the host and guests are talking. Keep up the fantastic work!
Chris Christensen is a boomer who spends half of the episodes interrupting and correcting the guests, especially the female guests. It gets really hard to listen to. Episode 449 on Mainland Greece is one of many examples. He also hasn’t updated the format of the show or interview questions for the last 14 years. C’mon, dude, the world is changing. Change with it. I keep listening because I love travel, especially in 2020 where the only places I can go are my memories and future plans.
Always look forward to new episodes of this show. Chris has a great format that works. He lets the guests tell the story, but always asks important questions and contributes to the conversation in thoughtful ways. Great mix of unusual destinations, and familiar ones. Guests are always knowledgeable and informative.
I’ve noticed a certain “luxury” travel podcaster has stolen some of his format…I had to unfollow her because it bugged me so much, lol.
Could you consider doing an updated episode about Newfoundland, Nova Scotia or PEI? Our family is planning a trip this summer and the last episodes about those places have been several years. Thank you !
We often get great info from this show, but here are a few things that would help.
Firstly, the theme music! We reach for the fast-forward every time it starts :-|
Lastly, the host is good and fairly low-key, but it’s often a much better experience for the listener if the host doesn’t frequently mention their knowledge on a place if the guest is supposed to be covering the topic. We don’t really need to know that the host has been here and there, just for the sake of making it known, do we? (A perfect example of this done skillfully is Rick Steves, who has traveled for decades and will know about even the most remote little cafe or church in a small village: he has a very modest way of ASKING the guest to prompt them about it, rather than making a STATEMENT about it.) Although, it is quite helpful when the host looks something up that the guest may be struggling with. A delicate balance…
The guests on this show are always really great and are always so knowledgeable about their respective destination. It’s always fun learning about a place I don’t know much about and the destinations are really diverse. The host could be better, though. He’s always saying, “I’m looking at this picture” or “I just looked up this information.” I’m sure his intentions are good (supplementing/clarifying what the guest just said) but it makes him come off as uninterested and really disrupts the flow of the conversation. If I want to know more about something that was talked about in an episode, I can just look it up after I’m done with the episode.
I just discovered this podcast about 5 days ago and cant stop listening to it. So many locations to hear about. We’re already planning a family road trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway based off an episode
Chris really puts in the extra work to make this podcast great. From the interesting guests to the insightful questions and real-time googling for facts and clarifications. I especially appreciate that he breaks every episode into chapters with a different photo, notes, and links for each topic or place discussed. I’m sure that’s a ton of extra work, but I really appreciate it.
Wonderful podcast with a wealth of information about places I’m dreaming of visiting as well as those I’ve never heard of. Thanks for all the great information!
As a new listener, I’m excited for a good resource for my own travels. I am also really enjoying hearing about places I’ll never visit myself, but I can dream.
Chris has excellent content on a weekly basis. This podcast is a weekly listen for me. I have used it to enhance my travels around the world - Hong Kong, Boston, Munich, Hawaii, Thailand, and so many more. Keep it up Chris! Dan @ Zipping Around The World Travel Podcast.
I have been a longtime listener to AT. Whenever I’m planning a trip this podcast is where I always start. The guest singers bring places to life and I’m always adding to my bucket list. Best destination travel podcast out there!
I really enjoy hearing about different places around the world. I like the format of the show too.
But Chris is consistently belittling the places guests talk about. If someone says there are wineries in their location, Chris hassss to mention that he’s from California and ask “but how’s the wine?” I’ve heard this many times! In the Cleveland episode, Chris just haddd to mention that shark tunnels aren’t unique to Cleveland. Why does he have to put down places?
Really like the way things are described peppered with local stories and history. Would prefer to see lists of places and links to his blog and others in the show notes. I couldn’t find anything for the Slovenia episode, for example.
Chris’s voice is soft but crisp. He tells the story and the facts you need to know. His preparation is excellent. Yes, I am a fan. Thanks for some great content and interviews from a friendly podcaster on travel who aspires to this level.
I haven’t been able to find a better travel podcast than Mr. Christensen’s. He has an extensive podcast that grows even more every Saturday. It’s my go to podcast whenever I get that bit of wanderlust. It’s fun to listen to in the car, on a walk or when I’m on my echelon bike. I listen especially intently when I’m traveling to a location that he has podcasted on. He is great in his knowledge of the locations and their history. Thank you Chris!
I had been looking for a good travel podcast for a while when I finally stumbled upon the Amateur Traveler. It was exactly what I was looking for with its easy going nature and wide variety of destinations. I’ve enjoyed listening to episodes about places I’ve been and reminiscing on those trips while listening to episodes to help plan new adventures in the future. Keep doing what you’re doing Chris, this show is great!
This would be a 5-star review but for the guy you had on last week who talked about Mysore, India. What a self-important d-bag. I appreciate that it’s likely difficult to find good guests these days, but that was the bottom of the barrel. Come on Chris!
As a person who lives and dies from one adventure to the next being grounded in 2020 and now in 2021, has been challenging. I’m grateful to have a podcast that allows me to feel that I am traveling to new places that I’ve never been as well as opening my mind to revisiting other places that I’ve been before with a locals perspective. Thank you so much for having this podcast and can’t wait to hear what you have coming next.
This strikes me as exactly that. The people he speaks to are barely locals - like asking a study abroad student about their host culture. I don’t trust the authenticity much but it’s at least somewhere to start when thinking about a trip.
Although I am not such a world traveler, I love learning about new places. The episodes are timeless so it really doesn’t matter when I listen. Chris has a great radio voice and is great with his guests.
Whenever I’m traveling somewhere, I look to see if Chris has an episode about the location. I’ve gotten many good tips and ideas from his show. Very thorough episodes about each location and his guests are top notch!
As a transplanted Chennai-ite, enjoyed this episode very much. All the important locations were covered nicely. Just wanted to add the ‘tuk tuk’ is called an ‘auto rickshaw’, the locals hail one by clapping their hands and shouting ‘auto!’.
I can’t believe you waited so long to discuss Nebraska. I have been all across the USA and Nebraska is my favorite state by far. I love the show. Keep it up Chris!
Chris host one of the best travel podcast out there. He always have interesting questions his guests are very local and acknowledgeable. He is also entertaining and fun to listen to. He always gave the best diverse and interesting itineraries and local resources to the destination places. He is so good, that had me thinking about visiting places I never never thought I would be interested in visiting, like Nebraska, Gulf Coast road trip in Mississippi, etc
This is one of my favorite podcasts! I enjoy listening to the various places described by many different guides even more so during the pandemic. I have listened to all episodes and when I am planning a trip I first go back and listen again to the episode of the destination on Amateur Traveler. Chris’ interviewing style is comfortable, friendly and positive. He fact checks the interviewee so take comfort that you are getting an accurate picture. If you love travel then you will love this podcast. No matter what my plans, I always listen to the new episode on Saturday morning. I subscribe to 10+ podcasts but this is one one where I never skip an episode and it is one of only three podcast I support on Patreon. Thanks Chris for all the hard work and great podcast! It is easy to see how passionate you are about travel.
Just what I was looking for in a travel podcast. I am a terribly picky person when it comes to podcasts and this fits the bill. The host is professional and has the right voice. Most (not all) guests are great but occasionally he will get a dud. Understandable though and I’m not going to knock off a star for this. Keep it up!
Well done podcast with an in-depth review of destinations. Sat with pen to paper to cull what appealed to me from their personal highlights. Both host and guests revealed/discussed their personal experiences. Thank you to the host!
I love this podcast and listen to every episode! Chris does a terrific job of scheduling such a diverse range of places and people that make these various locations come to life. During this pandemic when we can’t travel (and those of us who are from the USA are understandably not welcome in most countries), listening to these weekly podcasts keeps the dream alive and ‘scratches that chronic itch” to see the world. Listen, learn, and support this podcast! Big thanks to Chris for his decade and a half of service to us! 😀👍
I love the variety of places covered on this podcast. Chris brings on many fascinating guests and adds insightful commentary that immerses you in cultures and places around the world. I listen to this podcast every day in the car and even on my runs around the neighborhood. Thankfully there’s years of podcasts to go through!
