PERFECT FOR THE ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER!
All over Facebook, I'm seeing people asking for recommendations of TV series to watch while we are all "staycationing" in our homes, otherwise known as "sheltering in place." If you're on my website, then you probably love to travel, and dream of the places you can go when we can start moving around again.
PHOTO - BEA BRODA IN INDIA
Two seasons (26 episodes) of OUTTA TOWN ADVENTURES are up on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Tubi, and Season 3 should be up by the end of May. The series goes near and far, because travel can be anything from a hike or a spa retreat in your own city, to sunny beaches, to examining ancient rock formations in Europe and Asia!
Here's a list of shows to choose from, and you don't even have fasten your seat belt to get there!
Episode 1
The Grand Canyon - For Desert Road Trippers
One of North America’s classic sites and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, this episode includes the main attraction along with nearby areas that are often visited at the same time, such as Las Vegas, Baker and the Mojave Desert.
Episode 2
Iceland and Wales – Bjork’s Inspiration & Mystic Traditions
Geologically quite an acrobatic country, Iceland’s terrain is dramatic and moody. Along with Reykjavik, this episode takes us on an ATV trek, on geyser and waterfall expeditions, and then goes from whales to Wales. Wales is defined by its mystical heritage, and both countries share unique languages and traditions.
Episode 3
Seychelles and Mauritius – Vanilla, Rum and Carnivals – Oh My!
Two island countries that are part of the newly minted Vanilla Islands of the Indian Ocean. Prince William and Kate, as well as George Clooney and Amal, honeymooned in sultry Seychelles, where an annual Carnival is a huge international attraction. Mauritius is famous for its beaches, but rum and tea plantations are fun tours on this agricultural yet cosmopolitan island.
Episode 4
Switzerland – Through the Eyes of a Chocoholic
This episode combs through Switzerland by train through the eyes and taste buds of a chocoholic! (and we’ll have that with an espresso, please.) From Lucerne to Geneva and Zurich, with a nail-biting ski adventure in between.
Episode 5
Palm Springs – Desert Tripping and Water Spa Dipping
Iconic parks such as Joshua Tree, exploring the San Andreas fault zone and dipping into the healing waters of Desert Hot Springs are some reasons the Palm Springs area is always on the top 3 places to visit in the USA.
Episode 6
Rwanda - Encounters with Primates on Walks in the Woods
Rwanda is a gorgeous African country most known for gorilla and chimp tracking, and a new dramatic canopy walk through the rainforest, which was built by Canadians. This program also looks at the way the country is handling the human rights issues in the after math of the genocide, which ended in 1994.
Episode 7
Utah and the Salton Sea – Just a Stone’s Throw Away
Canyons as breathtaking as the Grand Canyon inhabit Utah, and this show visits areas often seen on road trips while visiting larger cities and monuments. It also stops in on the Salton Sea – California’s largest lake, now threatened with extinction as the water evaporates. A geologist explains some of the geological formations that link the two areas.
Episode 8
Georgia - The Eastern European Country That Could
Once absorbed into the Soviet Union, Georgia is open and ready for tourism. Still very much unspoiled, with a history that features wine making monks and the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, this episode also makes a stop in Warsaw, Poland.
Episode 9
Reunion Island – Where People Pull up a Chair to Watch Volcanoes Erupt
Another in the group of islands known as the Vanilla Islands of the Indian Ocean, Reunion has become most famous lately for its spectacular volcanoes that erupt as regularly as a red-carpet premiere. It’s a tall island that belongs to France, where hiking between stunning waterfalls and taking a look at the areas touched by volcanoes is popular sport. Here, we also see how bourbon vanilla grows at a typical plantation.
Episode 10
Palm Springs Area Hiking – Lace Up and Discover 140 Hikes
Hiking author Philip Ferranti joins us to hike a few of the stellar trails in the Coachella Valley, explaining nature’s gifts along the way.
Episode 11
Temecula, Hermosa Beach and Carmel - California Beaches, Wine & Fun
A California road trip special, traveling between the two burgeoning wine districts of Temecula and Carmel, whose Mediterranean climate has sparked a tasty new industry. We squeezed in a stop to lively Hermosa Beach to check out some Beach Boys lifestyle.
Episode 12
Lake Charles, Louisiana – When You’re Not in New Orleans at Mardi Gras Time
It’s Carnival time in Louisiana! And that means, food, food, costumes, music and the odd chicken run! See how Mardi Gras in New Orleans has nothin’ on little Lake Charles.
Episode 13
Guadalajara – Shake it up! The Birthplace of Mexico’s Mariachi and Tequila
Mexico’s cultural capital of Guadalajara is the birthplace of traditions like mariachi and tequila! This surprisingly complex city is surrounded by peaceful lake Chapala, the artistic ex pat community of Ajijic and recently excavated archaeological sites.
Episode 14
England and Scotland – Where We Meet Queen Elizabeth & Prince Charles
Many people choose London or Edinburgh when heading to the UK. This program looks at less discovered areas, just as full of history and modern life. We look at the Midlands region of England around Birmingham, and explore castles in the center of Scotland, highlighting a town called Ballater, which is the one nearest the Queen’s Balmoral home. We do run into both Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles in this episode!
Episode 15
San Francisco – Be Sure to Watch with Flowers in Your Hair
From the days of the “Summer of Love,” San Francisco might have changed, but it’s still so full of soul. We visit the major highlights and discover that the local produce and wine industry has sparked new life into the old commercial fishing areas. The Golden Gate Bridge will always be its glorious symbol!
Episode 16
Tijuana, Ensenada & the Guadalupé Wine Region – Take Another Look!
Tijuana is currently enjoying a renaissance, attracting the attention of the New York Times, which named it #8 out of 52 “must-see destinations.” Cruise ship passengers have had a decades-long love affair with Ensenada, and if you’re wondering what makes Mexico’s new wines so phenomenal, look no further than a tour to the Baja wine region of Guadalupé.
Episode 17
Sedona, Scottsdale & Joshua Tree – UFO’s and Magical Places
Some places get known for their towers, waterfalls or skyscrapers, and others get a reputation for being centers of peace, reflection and healing. Sedona’s brilliant red rock formations might have been the initial draw, but many tourists seek spiritual refreshment there, as in the carefree areas around Scottsdale, where activities range from rock climbing to walking labyrinths. Joshua Tree, California, is the location of a national park bearing unique trees, but UFO sightings and other phenomena have resulted in annual festivals that celebrate alterative theories.
The scenery ain’t bad either!
Episode 18:
A Ghost Town Tour of Nevada
A dwindling gold mining industry left many towns abandoned, but some have survived and continued with stories that add to history’s vibrant fabric. See the remains of places where prospectors held out hope as long as they could, but also find out more about the unique fabric of a desert that has far more life than you’d expect at first glance.
Episode 19:
East or West Coast? Catalina and Turks and Caicos
A look at two completely different vacation hot spots located on opposite sides of the continent.
Episode 20: Undiscovered Uzbekistan
Formerly within the Soviet Union, this tourist destination is hot on the list of must-see locales for people who think they’ve seen it all. Extraordinary well-maintained tiled temples conspire with friendly Uzbeks to create a vacation that is simply unforgettable.
Episode 21:
The Magic Mountain Towns of Sun Valley and Big Bear
Mountain towns are a breath of fresh air, whether at their seasonal peak or at other times of year when their natural beauty shines through. Sun Valley, Idaho and Big Bear, California are picture-perfect template towns for successful mountaineering, whether on foot, skiis or bicycle!
Episode 22: Alentejo - The Undiscovered Wine Path of Portugal
Many travellers have happily discovered Lisbon and the Algarve, and Portugese wines have taken their place amongst the best in the world. This episode takes us to Lisbon, of course, but also southeast to the region of Alentejo, which is now finding its place on the map, both for tourism and a burgeoning wine industry.
Episode 23: Slovenia – The Land of Salt and Honey
Famous more these days as the birthplace of longsuffering Melania, Slovenia is one of the as-of-yet unsung havens where one can be transported into travel’s simpler times. Good prices, down-home cooking and living traditions, proximity of Italy and Croatia, not to mention a capital city (Ljubljana) that is charmingly walkable, should put this eastern European country on many bucket lists.
Episode 24: Having a Whale of a Time in La Paz, Mexico
Most vacation seekers have discovered Los Cabos, but those who took the drive just slightly north stumbled happily on La Paz, another paradise on the Sea of Cortes. With 30% of the world’s sea mammals all present, this is a diver’s sublime haven.
Episode 25: The Dude Ranches of Arizona
Yippeee! It is possible to live your dream, if your dream is to live the life of a cowboy! We take a look at three dude ranches in Arizona, where you can relax and ride a horse that’s perfect for you and your experience level. Wine and cheese out in the desert? Check. Sunrise breakfast ride? On the menu! Ride in historical places like Tombstone, and feel just like those who settled the wild wild west.
Episode 26: The Netherlands – Through the Artists’ Lens, and by Bike!
This episode looks at three cities theatre not Amsterdam! Groningen, Leeuwarden and The Hague have at least two things in common: cheese and bicycles everywhere! We take a look at a few art museums in these well-established Dutch cities, all set in autumn weather colors.