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Private Notes
Traveling to a city with so much to see is often a challenge, but not for Samantha. She starts her journey through Hong Kong by first visiting PMQ, a venue for local arts and design. After visiting various shops, Samantha meets designer Douglas Young at his popular Goods of Desire shop (and plays Mahjong!). She also visits an East meets West tea shop, ventures outside the busy city for a tranquil hike, and much more.
What Art Deco is to Miami is what Mid-Century Modern is to Palm Springs. Samantha finds this out first-hand by taking a tour of several iconic homes, then visits Gypsyland, a local furniture shop that specializes in Mid-Century furniture. At The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Samantha volunteers to help assemble some of the unique enrichment meals with an Animal Care Curator. She also takes a course in stunt driving, visits Shields Date Garden, and ventures out to the historic Joshua Tree National Park.
Of all the magnificent parts of Switzerland, the Valais Region is special. It’s home to Barryland, where Samantha visits a living museum that serves as a hospice for the famed St. Bernard dogs. She also visits the historic Beau Rivage Geneva Hotel, takes a stroll through Old Town, and boards a steamship to take in the stunning views along Lake Geneva. She also visits Chaplin’s World, the estate turned museum-studio of Charlie Chaplin. Add in fabulous wine, a popular music festival, a gondola ride to the top of the Alps, and a lesson in playing the iconic alphorn instrument, and you’ll see why Lake Geneva is a place to love.
Follow Samantha as she explores one of her favorite places in the United States: Santa Fe. She gets a lesson in breakfast burritos at popular Tia Sophia’s, and meets the renowned cartoonist Ricardo Caté, whose Native American inspired cartoons combine politics with humor. Next, it’s on to the New Mexico Capitol Art Collection, followed by a breathtaking hike to the peak of Dale Ball Trail #9. After that, a deserved margarita at legendary Cowgirl BBQ. No trip to Santa Fe could be complete without a massage at Ten Thousand Waves. All this and more make Santa Fe a place to love.
Seoul is a huge metropolis and the capital of South Korea, where high-tech and pop culture meet palaces and street markets. Samantha starts her journey by taking a tour in Yeonnam-Dong. This neighborhood has been re-purposed into a green space filled with a resurgence of diverse restaurants, and most importantly, coffee shops. Next, Samantha samples some of the popular banchan (side dishes) at an authentic restaurant, and learns about the proper etiquette of eating and drinking. Add in a lesson in Jogakbo, a style of patchwork; a day at the Korean Stone Art Stone Museum; and a stunning stroll through the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, and you’ll fall in love with Seoul, too.
It’s not all about the food at the annual Crawfish Festival (but that’s the big draw!). Samantha also gets engulfed in dance and music (Cajun and Zydeco), and watches band favorites jam before packed crowds. After the festival, Samantha ventures off to Martin Accordions, who have been crafting custom accordions for decades. Next, it’s off to Glide Studios to learn how the locals dance, Cajun-style. No trip to the bayou could be complete without a kayak tour through the swamp, where she learns about the natural habitats and geological importance. You may not know much about Lafayette, but after watching this episode, you’ll be ready to go.
Samantha takes an epic trip along the Rhine River, first stopping at Freiburg, Germany, the gateway to the Black Forest. Next, Samantha visits a workshop, whose craftspeople work on restoration pieces for the Strasbourg Cathedral in Strasbourg, France. Then it’s on to Heidelberg Castle, the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, and takes a gondola ride to a vista atop Rudesheim, Germany. The trip wraps with a visit to the magnificent Dom Cathedral, and a stop at a Kölsch brewery. You’ll daydream about this river adventure (and maybe need to book one for yourself!).
Samantha kicks off her Florida adventure with a kayak tour in the salt-waters of Everglades National Park. Back on land, Samantha visits the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and meets Uno, a rescued blind Florida Panther. Next, a visit to Bayshore Arts District, followed by craft cocktails and a gorgeous Florida sunset. Add in a trip on a dolphin tracking boat; a fantastic meal at Grouper and Chips; and a photography lesson in Big Cypress swamp, and you’ll see why they call this place the Paradise Coast.
Innovative art installations temporarily fill the gaps of the earthquake devastated city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Samantha explores it all, encountering fun distractions like the Dance O Mat, where you can plug in your digital device into an old washing machine, blast your music and dance to your favorite tunes with your friends on a dance floor. Leaving Christchurch, Samantha visits Akoroa Harbor stopping off at the Giants House, a mosaic art collection utilizing porcelain. Next, it’s on to a penguin colony, a foraged lunch, local wine, and much more.
Samantha starts her visit in Charm City at the American Visionary Art Museum. Then, it’s off to the Sunday farmers’ market with Chef Thomas, who picks up some local ingredients for his soul food restaurant, Ida B’s Table. Samantha then fulfills her dreams of getting a full Hon makeover at one of the wildest festivals in town. Next, it’s on to the Treason Toting Company, followed by a tour of historic Fells Point. In a wonderful finish, Samantha joins a local dance “step” team, the Lethal Ladies. You’ll see why this east coast city is a place to love.
Samantha learns the art of chocolate making in Interlaken, Switzerland; tries her hand at making duck schnitzel in Texas Hill Country; makes a “Christmas” enchilada in Santa Fe; experiences a traditional “Hangi” feast in Whakatane, New Zealand, and discovers the secrets of making gin in Montreal.
The Holy City has quite the history, and Samantha takes a walking tour through its hidden alleyways and the French Quarter, including a tour of the haunted Old City Jail. She also visits the City Market to learn about the Gullah tradition of sweetgrass basket weaving.
Samantha explores the natural beauty of Lake Taupo; hikes the magnificent Huka Falls, and then learns how to cook in boiling hot geo-thermal pools in Te Puia. Traveling by helicopter, she gets a firsthand view of White Island (an active volcano) before hiking into the bush to learn about the national Kiwi bird.
