thanks for your insight. I found your Paris advice to be spot on. The reason why they feel this way is because a shop for the shopkeeper is his private and personal space so it's like walking into their home and not saying hello. This was my third time to Paris and I have yet to experience any of the well-known rudness of the Parisians. Which, even the Parisians I said this to had a hard time believing me

As one who spends quite a bit of time in the City of Lights, I've found the hype about nasty Parisian shopkeepers to be as fictional as the hype about French anti-American sentiments. Unfortunately, the hype about ugly Americans isn't always hype. I always always ALWAYS try to chat in French first, and usually that's good enough. Once I was in a big hurry at the Gare Nord train station and asked someone at a kiosk if she spoke English. She said, "only a little," and I said, "me too." I got a smile and the information I needed.

It's also been my experience that once a Frenchman discovers that he is speaking with an American, he will try to shift to English and likely will be reluctant to return to French. That may be because my French is awful, but this happens to me even in Germany (I speak German well). The nicest compliment I ever received in this regard was when a French train conductor asked IF I spoke English! [I replied that I could, but only as well as an American.]

Sorry I missed you in Munich this year, SB, but I'll be back in February and shall give your regards - und habe ein Bier (oder zwei) for us both, if you prefer. Actually, I'll have one if you prefer or not, but it's always nice to have an excuse to drink beer in Germany, no matter how thin.

Young lady, you're staying up too late on the computer ...

Intl Doc

When will you be back in the US for more Great Hotels?

What other shows are in your future? Asia, Australia, Canada adventures? How about an across the US adventure show- where you show case each states best stuff?

Are you planning any more cruise shows? the caribbean, or alaska or hawaiian or disney cruises would be great to see. or even a mystery cruise.

what one hour specials are coming up from you?

i was wondering if you'd ever go back to hawaii and do any of these things---- Great Hotel eps of- the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and also the Hilton Hawaiian Village. and you can show activities of the following-- Luau at the Royal. Don Ho show at the Waikiki Beachcomber. Blue Hawaii show at the Waikiki Beachcomber. Take the Hummer off road movie set tour- by Kos Tours- it's the most awesome trip. Atlantis Submarine. Did you go to the Dole Pineapple Plantation- i can't remember for sure but that's a must.

you said we'd see some hotels in the europe eps but they wont focus on them- kinda like in girl meets hawaii we'd see you at a hotel but it was mostly in passing because the show was about the sites. would you ever do just europe great hotels- so we can focus on the hotels???

Oh, the fabulous Samantha returns at last, and I am so pleased to see your effervescent presence again showing through to our side of the monitors. I'm off to give a few quiet tours later on (architectural emphasis for the winter months - my favorite topic these days) but I could talk with you non-stop until then of Europe and... Huh? What's this??... Uh-oh... Got to, um... run away.......!

[This message is now actually being sent by the Grim Reaper:]

Ah, Ms. Brown, I'm afraid I have to step in at this point to explain to you and others that I've come with scythe in hand and great regret to retire Capt. Tuttle from service on this site for now. He was, after all, only supposed to have appeared once or twice upon first discovering this forum merely to express his appreciation for you and then to quietly slip away into the mists of forgotten time. But of course, gentle readers (and let me put this scythe down here; it's pretty heavy), such was his enchantment by Ms. Brown that a couple of years passed and still he could not bring himself to leave. And who could blame him? Even I must admit she's an absolute charmer, and I go back to before Helen of Troy.

Samantha, however, has many other e-mailers among the living as you can see, and only so much time at her laptop to give, and Capt. Tuttle had become repetitive in his praise and was approaching senility anyway, staring mournfully at his screen as the tumbleweeds rolled so emptily by. So I've come to take matters into my old cold hands (especially cold this morning) to allow others, particularly new visitors, to have their valued time here instead, and he does after all have other venues now to happily talk with his Samantha Forum friends and belabor them with his travelogues and talk of leaning on the stage of the Globe in London and etc.

Still, Capt. Tuttle (aka captuttle ) does want to pass along that he did indeed have one of his finest trips ever to England last summer and fervently hopes Ms. Brown enjoyed the UK as well, perhaps even delighting in some of the same locales, though certainly not the same hotel. In fact, he hopes she's experiencing fabulous times throughout all of Europe, including having wondrous Samanthan adventures entirely of her own, away from prying cameras and mikes where she can wander about in her own private contentment which she'll always fondly remember.

He remains, as ever, a devoted admirer of Samantha's, of her performances so light of touch, felicitous of phrase, deftly intelligent, perpetually inquisitive and {that word of hers again} whimsical of mind and being. And of course irrepressibly brown of eyes - he'd be sure I included that last one. He would compulsively watch her do a series on Great Rest Stops of the New Jersey Turnpike if he had to, although is far, far happier she's giving us Europe instead (perhaps Great Houses of Britain and America could follow suit; he'd be entranced by that prospective series).

And yet he's most especially enjoyed and appreciated simply watching her blossom and grow right before us on the 21 inch screen (there being no plasma at Tuttle Manor) into the sublime person, endearing human frailties and all, we so admire. And he will continue to watch, as he knows she will continue to grow with new series and opportunities. But he happily has his (impishly playful) photo now - which he greatly values - and has received more than his share of (also impishly playful) responses from her on past forum visits to justify any further superfluous babblings to her here. So Capt. Tuttle thanks her profoundly for her kind attentions, wishes her the very, very best, and a most happy holiday season as well, but should also get out of the way on this particular venue. And there you have it. Now if I can only find the guy (picking up scythe again - pretty sharp, too). But he must have just stepped out...

P.S. Oh, by the way, Ms. Brown, your own dispatch is not on my "to do list" at present, and I believe you have a very long and happy life awaiting you. Although you're pushing your luck with some of those bad jokes, you know. That "fahrfugpumpkinnugen" line of yours last year almost got you the instant hook. So watch it there, fair lady. One day, a broken toe, but the next, well... As for the rest of you, as you were. Do carry on.

Inexorably Yours,

Reaper, the Grim

I'd very much appreciate a signed pic, so here is my e-mail address: BakingTraveler367@yahoo.com Thanks so much!

Another question: since you travel so much, what can you absolutely NOT live without while you're traveling?

Also, what do you do when you get sick when you're traveling (or to prevent it)? I was struck in Paris with something and felt awful for the last few days of our trip. Not fun!

What a great opportunity to talk with my favorite television host- keep up the good work, Samantha, and well you're at it, pick up some Theory and Kors for me at those sample sales

Baking Traveler

Hey Sam!!!! It's Rory, the Disney World freak. LOL. Guess what?? I'm going to be working in Disney World from January to August for the college program my school has. I can't wait.

Are you going to be doing anymore Disney hotels? I think that the Polinesian (s/p?) or the Contemporary would be good choices. I've always wanted to stay there.

I hope to hear from you soon.

~Rory

I see Sam,you are going to a lot of European cities. Will the shows be advertised as "Sam does Europe" or some such so that we can enjoy them rather than hope we find them on the channel?

Hi Sam,
I'm baaaacckk!!! My play went very well. There was a packed house all 3 nights that it ran. I have no desire to be a professional actress. I will keep acting locally though.

A couple weeks ago my mom got Mackinac Island Fudge from a local Sam's Club store! She got vanilla, plus peanut-butter with chocolate. I would send some in the mail to you (since I know you love fudge), but I don't know your address. Oh well.
How's your family? What are you planning to do for Christmas? What does your cat act like when you get the Christmas decorations out?
My cat Allie absolutely goes beserk! She gets so hyper that she runs around the house like a speeding train, for no apparent reason. She won't let my other cat, Samantha (she's almost 16), under the Christmas tree. According to Allie the Christmas tree is hers only. Allie is only 3 yrs. old. We try to tell Allie that Sammy was here first (that's what call her for short), but Allie has a very stubborn streak & won't listen. I call Allie, Miss Diva sometimes as a nickname.
For Christmas Eve I'm going to a wedding with my boyfriend, then I'm going to the Christmas Eve service at my church. Christmas Day, my sister & brother-in-law will come over with my niece & nephew. I do have a Christmas party coming up this Sat. night.

Hey, I hear you on the TV. You're at the hotel Nine Zero.
Well, whatever you do for Christmas, I hope you'll have a wonderful Christmas & a very Happy New Year!

To Be Continued: The last time we heard from our friend Captuttle he was stolen away by the Grim Reaper. Shall he return, or is this the true end of our friend? Stay tuned for the conclusion.

Hi Sam--It's so great to have you back on the boards. One key piece of information I haven't seen anywhere yet--any idea when the Passport series will start airing? We're dying for new shows!

PS--In my travels this summer I stayed at Great Hotels only! Went to The Boulders and the Ritz-Carlton Naples. Also went to Little Palm Island while I was in Florida, but only for dinner--who can afford to actually stay there? Anyway, thought you would be interested to know that when I mentioned the show to the staffs at all three places, they had fond memories of you and the crew and talked about how great you were.

Adam

I'm honored that you remembered me. Thanks for the pic BTW. Have you seen the Python episode with spineynorman yet? Its a goody.

Sorry to hear about your toe issues. I've broken both big toes and the last time was 20 years ago in college while "acting?" in a student film. Everyonce in a while the toe still acts up! Something gets outa wack and it hurts until something else happens and it gets back in wack. Odd. Also, I loved the luggage in the cab story. Too bad it wasn't on tape.
Glad to hear there are no problems for americans over there.

So do you prefer the German Beer or the French wine? Do you ever get to finish off the glass during the shoot?

We're finally going to shoot our TV series pilot. We're going to shoot on HD and have a 30 foot crane it should be fun. I've been searching for your clone-- can't find her-- to host the show. But I have found a very fun Mom of 2. She lives in New York and its going to be intersting working around her schedule when we sell the series. But we'll use that to make the show funnier.

So I'm watching your show and your siping a mai-tai. Do you ever get to finish those? So what do you think of German Beer.

I can't wait to see the new show and if you ever start writing travel books and need a photo, think spiney.

Hi Sam,
If you recall the last chat you had, I was obsessed with chatting about sample sales. So excited to see by your last post that you mentioned 'sample sales'. That phrase is like a dinner bell to me.

SOOOO, what about the sales in Italy? Is the Prada cheaper on the other side? DISH! I'm raising my butterscotch martini to my lips just waiting in anticipation...

on the subject of speaking english. When we have someone on camera they of course our very shy and embarrassed by their english skills. It doesn't matter if they are German, Spanish or French. I Always say to them "this is not about you not speaking english it's about me not knowing your language and how I try to get by. They don't like to speak english because they feel inferiour trying it so I always try to put them at ease-then the smile comes and then they speak better english then me.

I wish I had more definitive answers for you but we are only half way done with this very challenging series and I won't know what's next for sometime. Great Hotels of course is always a major possibility and a show we all love to do.

Hey Sam, you do an awsome job. My 4 year old little gil loves to watch your show with me. I would love to have an autograph pic.

You should make a point of comming to Charleston, SC. I work at the aquarium and you would love it here.

Bakingtraveler

earplugs and my mini hot pot for tea.

a real cure-all for me is Berocca. They are effervescent vitamin tablets you put in water and it makes orange soda. i feel better instantly. Only problem is you can't get them in the states.

Congratulations that's sounds like too much fun for school are you sure you're going there for you education? No plans for me at Disney yet. but i'll keep you posted.

hmmmmmmm. good question. the show will be called Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown but in the tv guide they may shorten the title to just Passport to Europe or Passport.

after three years of doing Great Hotels I never got over that as well-How do people afford this? but there are a lot of very wealthy people out there. I'm so glad you enjoyed those hotels and that they had good things to say about me. phew.

spiney,

I only like beer in the summer and in very beer places like a pub or beer garden-i would never order a glass of wine there. My favorite wine is the loverly Pinot Noir which the French do exceedingly well. I carried two beautiful bottles of the stuff home with me on my last trip.

kmg001

we went to that outlet place just outside of Florence-not for the show it was a personal trip I'm sure you understand. It was okay, I bought a gorgeous Ferragamo dress for only 200 dollars! that I had to pour myself into. Now with 5 trips to Europe and the food that goes with it I believe that dress will stay on a hanger for sometime. As for retail the price of the Prada purse in Rome will be pretty close to the price in the States. At least that's what Patty my Prada obsessed stylist found out.

now sip your butterscotch martini

Dear Sam,

As we all know, everybody loves Great Hotels. Do you think it would be possible to get Great Hotels out on DVD. I only have 5 tapes of recorded episodes that I have watched over, and over, and over again. Some people ask me if I ever get tired of watching it over and over again. The answer is no. I'm absolutely obsessed with the show; we can't get enough of you nor your shows. Great Hotels is very special to me and has a strong influence on my character!

travel1st

Oh, Samantha. How good to be able to write to you again! I wrote you a while back and told you that my cable carrier in Dallas didn't carry the Travel Channel. Well, after Christmas it will FINALLY be offered here! I look forward to hanging out with you again! It's been so long! Over a year now. I just thought I'd share the good news with you. You'll finally be on in your home town of all places! haha Anyway, I hope all is well with you. Talk to you later!

Too big a fan for it to be healthy,
kris

ps- I've seen people ask for autographed pictures from you. Could I get one please please??? Let me know if that's possible. My email address is kris_wiggins@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Samantha,

Hello! I know you hear it more than enough, but I really enjoy Great Hotels. My favorites so far are Hershey, Penn. and the Washington D.C. with the presidential hotel was good too. Anyways, I'm not sure, but I was reading someone's post and they said you're from Dallas. Is this true? I'm also a Dallas resident. I know you're living in NY now though (from what I've seen in your clip of the cruise where you're packing). One last question!...any good workout tips you'd like to share? Being on camera in your bathing suit can probably be very nerve racking, but you pull it off nicely. Thanks and Happy Holidays,
Ziggystar784

“What do you do in life that you see 33 movies in 5 days”

Well, what we don’t do is sleep…much. Actually, they aren’t all full-length films, some of them are shorts, some are cartoons, some are silent films that run well under an hour. Still except for lunch and dinner breaks we were going from 9 in the morning until midnight each day.

My actual profession is Information Technology as in data processing. Not the sexiest of jobs but it affords me the opportunity to travel. I’m even considering facing that 7 to 8 hour flight across the pond and visiting England next year (where is the Concorde when you need it).

Speaking of French, your experiences brought back memories of my own struggles with the language when I traveled to Montreal about ten years ago. I was told that if you at least make the effort to speak the language, the natives would take kindly to it and I found that to be true. I seem to recall using “Merci” in the place of the word “please” (German was the language I “studied” in school).

Your taxicab story touched upon one of my greatest fears in traveling. I never feel comfortable about toting enough luggage that I have to put it in the trunk of the cab, not only due to my not knowing what or who has been in there but being deathly afraid that the driver will forget I had bags back there and take off as soon as I step out. So I can relate to your story.

But I would have paid good money to have seen you running down the street chasing after that cab…

Hey Sam. Thanks for the response. I actually am going to Disney World for education. I am taking 2 classes while I am there. I am getting 12 credits total. How great is that? Getting college credits working in a place that I love.

~Rory

Sam, welcome back! After a much awaited return, I am happy to see that you are back in time for the holidays and get to spend them at home (with maybe even a little snow in the New York area, a drastic change in temperature from when we last spoke and I was leaving for Hawaii).

I am anticipating your European series as I will be heading over there for my first time in February- to England and Ireland specifically. I am thrilled and hope I can gain some insight before I leave via your show.

Well, I don't have a question as I think I got those out the first few times you visited the site, but I do want to say thank you for the thank you and leave it at that.

Hope your holiday season goes well and maybe I will sneak in another post before you conclude this week! You can bet my brother is standing over my shoulder wishing you a merry christmas as well.

Still hanging in there,
Ashley
GoofyAsh@mousehut.com

What a welcome treat to have you share your valuable free time with your ever-growing fan base. Particularly at this busy time of year. Perhaps you don't have the stress of trolling around the streets of New York madly finding just the right gift. You probably picked up some fabulous finds as you travelled about Europe filming.

How did Fiona manage without you? I thought of how she must be missing her caretaker as I watched Great Hotels repeats. Since the last forum in the spring I brought two rescued kitties into my household. The second cat, Chantelle, came to us several months after the original kitten whom we named Gypsy because of her nomadic existence. She's samll for a cat according to my vet. But what she lacks in size she more than makes up for in 'cattitude'. In the initial first few weeks after bringing Chantelle and Gypsy together, there were times when I questioned my sanity I can tell you. But as with most things in life, the interactions between the two smoothed with time and patience.

The new Passport show sounds quite interesting from your description. Several of the destinations you mentioned are cities in which I have a keen interest. I look most forward to Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon. After Italy, Spain and Portugal are the countries in Europe that have the largest appeal to me. I'm sure the opportunity to spread your wings and try something new was quite appealing. I will however harbor a selfish hope that you will come back and do Great Hotels again at some point.

I should back out now and allow the newer Sam Fans to give voice to their opinions and views. They've not experienced the delight of making your acquaintance as those of us 'seasoned' forum veterans.

I look forward to reading the thread throughout the coming week.

Take Care Sam. Gypsy and Chantelle say MEOW to Fiona.

Best Regards,
Carol

P.S. In your response about what you can't live without - What is a baking traveler?

In the preparation for the cruise, Sam went to a spa where she experienced an Alpha Bed or Alpha Chamber, where 20 minutes equals 8 hours of sleep; I've looked high & low, but can't find any info. on this apparatus. What is the correct name, who is it made by, where are they located, how much does it cost, etc.? In the alternative, what is the name and contact info. for the spa, please. Thanks.

[This message was edited by lvdanrussell on 12-15-04 at 12:33 AM.]

Hi Samantha! First can I say how much I enjoy watching your shows! I just finished watching your cruise show. I'm so jealous! That is my dream vacation, a Mediterranean cruise! Talk to my hubby for me, OK? My question though is about the shoulder bag you were using, the torquoise/teal over the shoulder bag. I love it! Where did you get it? My daughter and I both watched the show and I want to surprise her with one. Can't wait to hear! BTW, where are you cruising next? My 2nd dream vacation is cruising the Hawaiian Islands, let's go together!

Thank You So Very Much I will try and look for it. Your show has given us so many ideas, it is one of the few shows that we make sure we watch together. I am planning a trip for Valentines day and I think our destination is going to be San Diego to visit the Hotel Del Coronado. Thanks again and Happy Holidays!!!

Jeff Christensen

quote:

---

Originally posted by samantha_brown:
travel1st

I think it's by a company called Joie. good-luck!

---

How the heck are ya, girlfriend! I've sure missed your smiling face!

Sounds as if the new series is going to be awesome. You've sure come in to your own Sam. You have a lot to be proud of, and I genuinely mean that. It has truely been a pleasure being a viewer and fan from the beginning and watching all the changes. Congratulations on all of it!

And welcome home for the holidays! I was writing on a record last night and thought...on my gosh. December 15th! When did THAT happen! I have not even started shopping! I thought I was ahead of the curve a month ago because I knew what I was going to get everyone. At least this is my last overnight shift before Christmas. I can catch up on some rest AND shopping! I keep waiting for the yearly "winter slowdown" here at work. Has not happened yet. In fact, Monday was the worst night I can remember in 6 years of ER work.

I hope your Mom is well. I think of her often as we go through the quarterly checks and rechecks. My mom and I recently found a tea-room in Chicago. Right near the Art Institute. She was tickled to go for Afternoon Tea and spent the better part of the occasion reliving our Tea at the St. Regis. You really did make that special. Can you believe almost a year ago now!

Hope Fiona isn't holding too much of a grudge. But she is a calico. And a cat. My bundle of joy Matilda continues to be the love of my life and is still not affected (much) by the damage caused to her before I got her.

Now, I do have a question. A friend and I have finally decided on a European bike trip. I initally wanted to go to Tuscany, but we are now arguing between France and Ireland. If you had your choice (remembering that this is a bike trip...) where would you go? I've never been to Europe (the South Pacific keeps drawing me back) and he went on one of those 30 country in 3 days bus trips. So it will essentially be new for us both.

Well, chica, I ought to move on and get back to work. Look forward to hearing from you and I'll likely bounce back before you disappear again. (and don't believe that tuttle won't pop back. Not even the grim reaper can keep him away!)

(Allow me a quick sidebar...DEJARDINS! How are you? I've thought of you often with the Steelers doing so well. I've grown weary of trying to keep up with all the baseball hot stove moves. What the heck is Kenny Williams doing to your Sox! Do you understand it? Then again, Hendry has done nothing! AND we still have Steriod Scandal Sammy. (sigh) At least my baskeball ILLINI are kicking it up and taking some names! Since no other Chicago teams care to be competitive...)

Talk to ya soon! Good to "see" you again Sam!

Kelly

when will we see more journal entries and pictures/videos from the other places in the Europe show.. i love the stuff you've done on Rome and Florence and can't wait for more.

are each of the locations you previously mentioned to us in it's own episode or do you double up some eps with two locations?

according to what i've seen you've listed like 16 locations done and 3 upcoming to film in january which leaves 11 more to do in the future. it sounds great.. Hope Greece is a place you go for sure.

I was wondering if you and your producers take suggestions from the fans about future shows and eps? If so- where would the best place to put our suggestions to be considered for future shows be? I know i have lots of ideas for future shows for you and future Great Hotels to do- and so do others- and I for one would love to have my ideas atleast be presented to the powers that make the decisions- and i'm sure others feel the same.

Please let us know what the best way would be. If it would be for Mod-Ben to open a forum strictly for great hotel suggestions or suggestions for locations or ideas for future shows. Then get him to do it- and please let the producers know we are very enthused about getting these on the air.

Thanks.

Hi Sam,
My four children,husband and I love your show. It's truely the only way we travel....through you!

We love the idea of taking our family on an excursion to different lands. We have never taken them on vacation much less out or the state of Texas, because.... well we simply are afraid of the expense. Do you have any suggestions on how a family of 6 can vacation in the most inexpensive way to Europe or other foreign countries? Our hope is to maybe take a European cruise as you did! : )

If you have an suggestions on where I can get information on how to travel on a budget, that would be fantastic.

ps. How can I get a job like yours! You are so lucky!

Hey, Sam.
I picked up a vibe you may be on here for the Holidays and I BE right!

Can't wait to see these new shows you're doing. I really enjoyed the cruise special. Don't know if I want to go on one or could do it without choking on my own vomit, but I feel I lived vicariously thru you...so I'm satisfied, and sorry for the graphic image.

I also enjoyed you as the crazy lady driving that golf cart around, and another great hotels where you are speaking of Daddy Long Leg rescue, but mosquitos - BAM!
I had to laugh out loud - that is too ME! I'm with ya on that girlfriend.

Best of luck to you in this awesome career you got going. The travel channel definitely found a gem in you.
Give me a shout out the next time you are in Reading. It would be great to finally meet up with you
Kathy
kthynoll@aol.com

It's Mother Orange here, finally straggling in to join the ever-increasing legion of fans. I returned from London on Monday, transported by train, plane, bus and automobile to the old home in Maine yet again, where my mother is doing very well after some medical problems this year. I feel a bit like a yo-yo,zinging back and forth between locales and generations, and I realize you must feel like this all the time! You are such a trooper, Sam.
Last night I dropped the seventh log of the evening into the old woodstove and literally pulled Mom away from her cookie and apple pie baking at 10 P.M. It was very, very nice indeed to cruise the Mediterranean with you, and we thank you for that pleasure. (Bravo for downing those sardines, and I must say those Croatian sausages (?) looked a wee bit questionable!)
I'm intending to keep this brief, but I certainly can't leave without my usual suggestions, which you should,of course, feel free to ignore.
It seems that many fans want you and the crew to accept and meet the challenge of shooting in a car-free location. May I suggest Zermatt, the Mackinac Island of Switzerland? The train ride up from Brig is lovely, and electric carts will meet you at the station and escort you to a chalet with Matterhorn view! But don't you even think about impressing us with more of your ski stunts in the Alps, Samantha. I worry that you might be buried in an avalanche or ski into a deep crevasse, so just stick to eating cheese fondue and Suchard Deluxe chocolate bars, chasing goats, and learning to yodel, O.K.? In Austria, you might want to check out the Salt Mine Tour in Hallein, a short hop from Salzburg. Father Orange and I did this on our honeymoon 31 years ago and it remains one of our favorite travel experiences. You get to put on miners togs, zip through tunnels on tracks, ride a boat on an underground lake, and get from one level to another en masse via wooden slides. (We KNOW how you love slides) Admittedly, this would be tough and probably impossible for your cameraman but lots of fun for you! If you ever wanted to feel like one of the 7 Dwarfs and sing a rousing " Hi Ho, Hi Ho" then this is the place to go. It's like a Disney ride but...um...the mountain is REAL! Cooler than a penguin's beak, I swear.
Now before I am forced to leave the library where I am sitting, I must add that the fansite has been greatly enhanced by the photos,jigsaws, video clips, and your clever journal entries. Very funny stuff about the Pope,Sam, but you can tell that Patty Nussbaum that Mother Orange has a serious bone to pick with her. That sorry-looking picture of your foot broke my heart, and I know she is the one to blame for forcing stylish shoes on you. How you must suffer for our entertainment! You should have put your severely blistered foot down on this and demanded a pair of L. L. Bean Comfort Moccs, which she should surely order for you right now if she has a heart. Face it, as a "travel expert" you should be projecting the basic knowledge that wearing comfortable walking shoes is perhaps THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE for European travel! (Except maybe Don't lose your passport and credit cards)
Well,Sam, I'm cutting you a break by not asking a single question here, but I do wonder if you know in what time slot the new show will be aired? I am hoping for after work and after dinner, somewhere between 7 and 9 and a re-airing on the weekend would be very nice. I am sure the show could draw the huge audience it deserves in prime time.
I've gotta go now. The librarian has warned me. Just remember that if you continue to be good and work hard, when the time is right you will get a puppy for Christmas, just like you got to travel in Europe.
Happy Holidays, safe travels and pleasant dreams
from Mother Orange and the whole family of Oranges, soon to be reunited in the Land of Lake Effect.

Hello Samantha! I heard you had a comedy group called MOUTH and I was wondering if you do still do any skits, etc. Also, being in NYC have you had the chance to see the STELLA comedy group??

Love the show...keep up the amazing work!

Josh---jeeosh1976@yahoo.com

As you may see through many posts on these forums through this whole year, many of us think that an entire day of Disney would be a great idea for Travel Channel. I also think that more Great Hotels episodes featuring Disney and Orlando hotels should be aired more often. I also think the following hotels would be great hotels for you to visit on future episodes of Great Hotels:

-Disney's Boardwalk Inn (Disney World)
-Disney's Polynesian Resort (Disney World)
-Disney's Contemporary Resort (Disney World)
-Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
-Westin Grand Bohemian (Downtown Orlando)
-The Peabody Hotel (Orlando)
-Royal Pacific Resort (Universal Orlando)

I hope you get this post. Bye!

SB, I think our experience with languages may be a little different since I don't travel with a camera crew, but actually not by much. When I visit the bakery near my Paris apartment, the chubby little mamere who runs place doesn't speak a word of English. When I try my French she smiles and talks to me like a child and eventually I get the bread and pastries. One day as I left, I tossed a polite, "merci, Madame, au revoir," over my shoulder and she replied, "See you!" What a character.

Once I was on a university discussion panel here in the US with a German attorney-politician and he insisted that an interpreter translate to English for him. The panel went fine with the translator's help. As we left, the German said with a hint of an English accent, "I think that went well, don't you?" We've since had many conversations and - you are spot on - earlier he didn't want to be embarassed in front of a crowd would he have made some silly grammatical mistake. [If I had that problem, I would never speak in ANY language!]

And that, I believe, is one huge difference that sets Americans apart. We as a people are not afraid to take a whack at someone else's language (with exceptions, of course), because we truly have no healthy repsect for our own. Face it - if we butcher our own language, few seem to care; so butchering someone else's language isn't a big deal. The bottom line is that it is always better to TRY the local language first, especially if you're an American. Except maybe in Flemmish, which I believe is a language originating from an ancient German who had a very very bad head cold. When in Flemmish speaking countries, I use my French. That'll teach 'em!

SB, you really need to write that book. Your stories are well told and colorful - not to mention wonderfully wry. Kick it around, will you?

Intl Doc

PS Au revoir, Capttuttle, et bon chance mon ami! If I discover the answer to your question about London's Baker Street Tube Station, I'll post it in the usual place. I shall miss our conversations and when next I'm jammed into a London local at rush hour, I'll think of you. Next time, cross the Chunnel and drop in, will you?

Hi Samantha!

Happy holidays, and welcome back!

I am so excited to see your new show, though I admit that I am envious of you. I hope you don't mind if I say a few words about Paris.

Paris is my favorite place in the world. It's beautiful, romantic (even if, like myself, you are single/solo traveler), and absolutely everything it's cracked up to be. I've gone twice, and I've tried to enjoy the city as a whole, and not just go traipsing from monument to monument. I heartily recommend hanging out in a park (I adore the Tuileries, by the Louvre) in decent weather, shopping (I hate shopping, but in Paris......) in a Parisian department store, window shopping at Place Vendome (the Ritz is there, as well as Cartier, etc...), visiting the Paris Opera House nearby (not the new one - the old one is the one Phantom of the Opera took place in, and it's exquisite. Check out the grand staircase!), etc........You must also stroll around Ile St. Louis, one of the two islands in the middle of the Seine. It has unbelievable views of the back of Notre Dame (on Ile de la Cite), plus it's just absolutely charming. You must try Berthillon ice cream......yumm!

I found Parisians very nice, and it helped to know a few basic (from high school!) phrases. The French are much more formal than Americans, but don't take it personally. I hate the stereotypes about the French. I find that if you take the time to try and speak (however poorly) the language, they appreciate it. One woman once bought me a metro (the BEST transportation system in the world, not to mention the easiest - like the Tube in London, or the NY subway) ticket and helped me with my luggage the staircase. Totally unnecessary, but I'll always remember that. During my last visit, I went to a brasserie for dinner and started writing in my vacation journal. The couple next to me thought I was a restaurant reviewer! LOL they spoke little English and I spoke almost no French, but we managed a wonderful conversation with gestures, etc...I love travelling alone just for that possibility - I could never get that going away with someone.

I hope you have amazing adventures, and I can't wait to see them.

By the way, please suggest Charleston, SC for a Great Hotels stop. It's an amazing city - beautiful, historical, and it's got GREAT restaurants and lovely inns/hotels.

Nice to see you again!

Hi Samantha. I really like your shows. I think you're great. I envy you because you have such an awesome job. But I would like to know how you got to where you are now. Did you go school and major in something like what your doing now? I mean how did you find such a great job? I guess I would just like to know because I've always wanted a job like yours, and I'm wondering how I could possibly do something like that. I'm going to college this fall, and would like some tips. Thanks!

Samantha, just to say I am looking forward to your newest show. I have been fighting cancer for 7 years and last year I became a great fan of your Great Hotels while recuperating from chemo and radiation. Your wit and candid comments about your subject is outstanding! I love your shows!! And, if you don't mind my saying, you are very nice to look at and you are great at describing the amenities each hotel has to offer. I have learned a lot about hotels and places through your programs. Keep up the good work and will enjoy seeing your European show. Thanks, Tom

Well it's about time your cable company offered the Travel Channel. And in Dallas, my city of birth of all places! I would have gone on a hunger strike I got your email address a picture will be yours! Check after the holidays.

Ziggystar,

it's true i'm a yellow rose. Good workout tips-always take the stairs: in the airport, home, apartment, work, department store. By the way that Hershey episode I gained five pounds that I have yet to take off. It was that good! I never regret chocolate.

I was wondering when my favorite young traveler would write in. Where are you going in England and Ireland do you know yet? is this a family trip and will your brother who is standing over your shoulder be joining you? Hope to hear from you soon

oh, Carol if only I did pick up gifts along the way. The fact is because we travel nearly a month at a time my luggage is already back breaking weight (I have a four floor walk up to manage) so unless it's light it doesn't make the case. Unless of course it's wine or olive oil for me. Then I'll buy it and make a massage appointment for my aching muscles. what i do for Pinot noir.

I'm surprised your cats got together that soon! that's a great sign. I will definitely pass on the holiday greetings to fiona. I've been home a week and she's very very happy...so is her mom.

nice to hear from you and thanks sincerely for being apart of the forum and the website even when I wasn't there. it means a lot.

lvdanrussel,

I can't believe there's no info-did you go to the Royal Caribbean website? let me see if I can find some info for you...

dbond007,

thank you for admiring my bag. Its a company called Manhattan Portage. manhattanportage.com. Good luck choosing what bag you want it took me hours!

Hey there!!!!

my gosh, i feel like i'm at a reunion, so good to hear from again and like I told Dejardin-thanks for hangin in there I've got the best people watching my show let me tell you. I can't wait to hear how you feel about the European series it's definitely a bigger undertaking than Great Hotels and I hope you all like it's focus.

so why was it the worst day in the ER. DID ANY ANIMALS DIE? before we left for the Paris shoot in November I was trying very VERY hard not to bite my nails so that i would have "big girl" nails. but then I watched that animal emergency show on Animal Planet and bit them all off in 15 minutes. I just can't take it.

My mom is doing well health wise and we will be getting together for Christmas. Me, my sister and my mom are going to bake cookies and burn them on purpose because none of us can bake and we are just going out for dinner and dessert anyway. But we are going to embrace our burnt cookies and therefore ourselves and that's what is important.

yeah, Captuttle is soooo coming back and if he doesnt he has ruined Christmas.

this better not be the last time I hear from you. tell your mom I said hello.