Travel on TV and Video
At Europe Through the Back Door, we of course recommend the "Rick Steves' Travels in Europe" public TV show. But there's lots more travel on TV and video. What other educational travel shows are worth recommending? And which movies set in Europe are best for whetting a traveler's appetite?
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Movies
I think any movie set in contemporary Europe is helpful for the would-be traveler. If you're a Netflix subscriber, just go to the foreign film section and look under the country you're interested in. You'll find wonderful films that may have played the film festival circuit but never found a distributor in the U.S.
Karen Sandness
Minneapolis, MN USA 07/31/2009
Other Travel Shows
In addition to Rick's TV show (which I really like) I've also been a fan of Globe Trekker (which was called Lonely Planet back when I started watching it when I was in 4th Grade.) While some of the hosts aren't as exciting as others, I think it's pretty useful and doesn't just focus on the touristy places.
I also have been a fan of Anthony Bourdain's show, No Reservations on the Travel Channel for a few years now. He also focuses on the culture (especially local cuisine/street food of an area) then tourist traps.
Allie
Cincinnati, OH USA 03/29/2009
Travel to Ireland
For travel to Ireland I recommend the PBS series "In Search of Ancient Ireland" on DVD - amazing visuals -and the book to the series of the same title by Carmel McCaffrey. This covers all of early Ireland, the ancient sites, the early Christian sites - really great resource. There is also a follow up book by McCaffrey "In Search of Ireland's Heroes" that covers Ireland from the English invasion to the present time. These are very easy to read, well explained sources.
Liam
Wilmington, USA 03/19/2009
Travel on TV and Video
I would like to add a few comments here. At first I really liked Samantha Brown but now I agree with the posted comments. Especially the expensive hotels. I assume she has to do that because these hotels probably pay for the exposure but $800 a night ?? She also mispronounces some words I wonder how many of you noticed her pronunciation of "Musee D'Orsay" as Musee Duh Orsay....drove me right up the wall !!
Dianne <email>
Pawtucket, RI USA 01/25/2009