Travel Programs for Travelers

Those who know me, or follow me here or on Facebook, know that my wife and I love to travel. That's been one of the real plusses of retirement aside from being a fulltime writer.

I'm not saying that we come and go as well please because travel can be expensive. But when we don't fly off to distant places, we'll drive to a place in Kentucky.

I don't watch a lot of television, but when I do, it's usually travel programs. Especially those that take me to places that actually interest me and are simply doable and affordable.

Most of the programs piqued my interest to the point that we eventually made the trip or put it on our so-called bucket list of places to visit. I realize that if I lived to be 100 years old, it would be difficult to go and see everything is this wide, wonderful world that we live in. 

These programs, as well as travel books, blogs, guides, magazines, newspapers, and Internet sites, are informative and entertaining as we pick and chose our faraway destinations:

Rick Steves

Rick Steves: This guy with folksy, homespun humor spends a lot of time taking viewers to all parts of Europe and a few adjacent countries. He also has books, a travel service, and videos.

Samantha Brown

Samantha Brown's program is "Places to Love," and her journeys take you to various sites around the world. You can feel how much she loves to travel by the way she interacts with the locals.

Burt Wolf

Burt Wolf has been around for quite a while. I enjoy his acerbic wit on his "Travel & Traditions." Burt is also quite a gourmet, so that's a bonus in his program. 

Richard Wiese

Born to Explore with Richard Wiese takes me exotic places that I wish I had taken years ago when I had the energy. He doesn't mind getting down and dirty with the locals.

Joseph Rosendo

Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope takes you places near and far. His program is laid-back and interesting to watch. And you can sense his love of learning something new along the way. 

Dusty and Nikki Green

A recent discovery is "Two for the Road," featuring the husband-wife team of Dusty and Nikki Green. Their show makes you feel you're along for the ride. If only I were 20 years younger!

Stanley Siegel

A show I used to enjoy was "Stanley on the Go," with Stanley Siegel. I liked his silly humor and willingness to try most anything. It was good-natured reality TV. Sadly, Stanley passed away in 2015; and RLTV went dark last year.

I watch a few other shows such as Expedition Unknown with Josh Gates, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, and Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

You'll have to go through local TV listings but most of these programs are on PBS stations, Travel Channel, and National Geographic. You will probably discover some wonderful local shows that focus on your locales as well.  Check out Create TV for more ideas and insights.

A few Internet sites I visit include Expoza Travel, Trees and Travels, and Sonia's Travels.

A great way to learn about places is simply word-of-mouth with other travelers. They can provide you with some ways to cut costs, off-the-beaten pathway places to see, and best times to go on your adventures.

I used to watch a top-rated travel show but pulled the plug on it when I saw the host kill an animal. I'll let you guess the program.

Any recommendations for travel programs? 

Safe travels!

Until the next time . . .