Hi Sam!

I'm really glad Season 2 has started. I hope it was fun to shoot. I'm glad everythig turned out okay with John. How stressful. I hope you are having an excellent break and are spending lots of time with friends and family.

Congratulations on your engagement! I'm so happy for you. Have fun planning the wedding!

I do have a question for you:

In the Florence and Lisbon episodes (and probably some others), I noticed that you had an excellent pink tote bag with brown straps. Do you remember where you got it from? I would love to have one like it. Also, you wore a FABULOUS turquoise skirt while in Mykonos. Same question as before.

By the way, thank you so much for (inadvertently) helping me with my report on Spain. I used the Madrid and Seville episodes in my presentation. You will be in my bibliography (or at least the show will be). My Spanish teacher from last year is actually using some of the Spain episodes in class (I recorded them for her).

Anyway, thanks a bunch and hope to hear from you soon!

~Kelsey
022560@yorkstudent.org
OR
slyvesterd@sbcglobal.net

P.S. My kitties say hi to Fiona! Or 'meow', as they say. ='.'=

P.P.S. I hate to bug you, but I would LOVE an autographed picture of you.

Hi Samantha !

I'm new to the forum but my wife & I have been fans of yours for a while now.Just wanted to say hello & keep up the good work !We'll keep watching...

Congrats on your engagement !

All the best !

Jim

P.S.We are planning a trip to Hawaii & were wondering what were your thoughts on the island of Kauai...any recommendations ?

Dear Sam,

Wow! Congratulations-your ENGAGED!!!Did you say you were going to have the wedding in Vegas?????Anyway, thanks for your opinion on the itineraries. Despite the fact that you're engaged and soon to be married, do you think we'll still see you on the Travel Channel? I mean,it would be difficult but your husband can always come with you while filming. But when you do decide to have children, wouldn't it be tough? I believe you have found your niche-with the Travel Channel and it is very apparent. We (you, all your viewers, and Pine Ridge) have come to be very close. Please stay. But when you do finish the second portion of Passport To Europe, what's in store for you next? Speaking of which, what ever happened to Michelle Beadle and Tracy Gallagher? Are they still with the Travel Channel?

Next order of business: Sample Sales/Coats
My mother lately has been fascinated with sample sales. Being from NYC, you must be seen at a lot of those. She would like to know what kind of deals you've found? In addition, she would also like to know how you get into the Manolo Blahnik and Chanel sample sales. I'm also pleased to say that my mom loves your coats. Where do you get them?

Next order of business: Mail
Where should I send you mail?

Sammmmy!!!!
Holy cow,congratulations on your engagement! I'm unbielivably happy for you! You sure deserve it, although I'm terribly heartbroken Didn't you already go through a drive in marriage already in Vegas? I think you were in a Mustang convertible,but I'd trade for an '06 this time around We are all invited to the reception right? I have to say I'm with some of the others,that I had no idea where Mykonos was until I this weekend when I saw that episode! What a great place,and now I know where the name of the little greek cafe' in my town came from,duh! Anyway,I wish you all the best in the future from the bottom of my heart and keep up the great work!! Love ya!!!!!

Sam,

I'm afraid i still didn't get a clear picture- regarding if you ever did a one hour mardi gras special- please let me know. There has been some debate- some people thought you did and i just thought they were those promotional commercials- and not a one hour special- please clear it up.

thanks.

also another idea for the future- a great castles show!

Good idea. I second that motion!

kthynoll

How's it going! How's Reading? Just dropped my mom off and picked up Sammy's Steak sandwiches which were to do die for cheesy. Yeah, a lot of the hotels in Santorini look just like that but Katikies was absolutely incredible. I really fell in love with Santorini and wish I had more time to spend on their beaches. The black sand beach was just hot but I wouldn't rule it out. I wasn't a big fan of Fira which I felt had a lot of really trashy stores selling just awful goods. Parts of it were beautiful but most had just completely given way to tourism. Nice to hear from you again and here's hoping you have a chance to go to Santorini yourself.

Well congrats Pinkerton Astro!

Us hunky guys from NH are disappointed but glad you're happy. This Alvirne Bronco has finally escaped the frozen tundra of New England and got sweet banking law job down here in the Miami area. I have to say Passport has been your best work, not that Great Hotels wasn't great but...Europe seems to really agree with you and the energy shows. You're a true traveller rather an a tourist doing the same ol' same ol'. Are you registered anywhere? I'm sure your fans would love to send you gifts. I wish you luck in your marriage and have a question - is there a hotel in Miami where I should check in for weekend just to spoil myself something really indulgent?

Please take care,
Tom

P.S. Lancers stink!

my god, if all her fans sent her gifts, she would have to buy yet another house!

Patraveler

what a hotel experience you had in Scotland! You have got to be kidding me...12 floors and no elevator? That's torture of the medieval kind! It seems like your wife and yourself are the "roll with the punches" types of travelers. Didn't you find the people there to be so genuinely kind? All of them are such characters. I remember one of the great fellas we had a chance to work with told me a saying his grandmother always said which was (imagine hearing a thick brogue) "what you are deserved in life won't pass you by" I love that

take care and a picture is yours!

Patraveler

Oh I forgot, we did do the Bobby statue so I don't know maybe it was cut from the show but I loved that one too. And yep, I tried haggis and thought it was quite tasty but it did make my stomach a little queasy about an hour later

oldsalem69

Well thank-you so much I am beyond thrilled! I'm glad you like the Greece episodes so much it's a beautiful country and you just try to do a destination justice.

Good Evening Greg W.Cowan

yes, I saw the interest in the DVD series I think it's a great idea so I'll bring it up to the powers at be and see if it's something they have even considered.

Hey again, Lady Samantha!

A gumdrop tree! Don't think I've ever seen one of those anywhere before? Where did you get it? That's really a novel idea!

Enjoyed watching and recording the Santorini episode this morning. But, I was a little concerned for ya when you went down those steep steps. But, hooray!, you made it okay! I think I'd have to scoot down myself, carefully, with someone carrying my crutches down for me.

Seems like there's always a festival going on in Greece to take part in, or did you just happen to arrive at the right times? I think it's neat how the Greecian children grow up enjoyning and liking the music of their parents generation, too! My Mom and Dad danced the jitterbug, etc., to the music of the Big Band Era, and over the years I've found myself coming to like the Big Band Sound just as much as the Golden Oldies of Rock 'n' Roll, the Beatles, the Carpenters, ELO, Phil Keaggy and Paul McCartney, etc. My favorite Big Band from that era is the Glenn Miller Band. My folks had a large collection of Glenn Miller LPs that they used to play a lot when I was growing up. Who or what groups did your parents play a lot in your house when you were growing up, Samantha?

Add my congratulations, too, to all the rest on your engagement! Wish you and the guy who "won your heart" all the best. I was wondering, too, if we understood you right, that your statement "Las Vegas, here I come!" means your wedding will be in Vegas. Or is Vegas just to be for your honeymoon?

I remember you once said you dreamed of living in a big house with a wraparound porch on the coast of Maine. Is that where your new home will be? That would be fantastic if that's still your dream and it's coming true!

Steve

OldSalem69

We unfortunately can only shoot one series at a time. I have looked into the possibility of cloning myself but if there's two of me than one Sam will be in Europe and I'm afraid the other will have to be in NYC cleaning kitty litter. Great Hotels season four is always a possibility because it's still such a popular show so it would be a pleasure to go back to it but for the next year we will be in Europe. Thanks for asking!

Sam!

Let me be the latest to congratulate you on your upcoming nuptials. Can’t help but speculate if this was the result of a whirlwind romance or one of your former beaus who came to his senses and realized what a good thing he almost let slip through his fingers. Whichever the case, your soon-to-be-betrothed is the personification of one lucky guy. Make sure that he knows you have an un-ending number of big brothers (and sisters) ready to straighten him out if he should happen to get out of line ;-).

Seriously, I’d like to echo travel1st’s comments about whether this might spell the end of your globe-trotting for the ol’ T.C. We have, literally, grown accustomed to your face (along with various hairdos) and would be bummed out if this meant your days with us are numbered. But as I said before, we consider ourselves to be your friends and nothing is more important to us than your happiness even if it means your retiring to a palatial estate.

Caught the Athens premiere of your new season and enjoyed seeing you basking in the warmth of a locale for a change before your viewers get the impression that Europe is a just a bit more temperate than Siberia. I’ll admit that the only attraction Greece held for me was the opportunity to visit Navarone and see the place where the Allies destroyed those massive guns (then I found out that it was all fiction and the island doesn’t even exist). I must say, it does look like a perfect location to escape a Chicago winter, but it take more than that to get me across that water.

Mother O. noticed that Patty’s name was missing from the credits of the Athens episode. Hope she and John are doing okay in their recovery. Remember rule number one is not to let the wedding plans freak you out. No matter what you do, you might still wind up appearing on “Wild Weddings”. And if there are any hard feelings regarding our White beating your Red in baseball, just remember, we had waited even longer than you guys had.

Talk to you soon.

Sam!! How are you?? It's been a long time. How is everything? I was a cruise this past week for new years. It was so much fun. It was a Norweigan cruise. During one of the show, they pulled me up on stage. LOL. The show was a cowboy theme. I was sitting in the front row with the friends I went with, and one of the guys in the show says to me "It looks like you want to come on stage. Come up and go center stage." And the they taught me and the 2 other people they pulled up to line dance. And little did I know how many people were in the audience. There were probably no less than 200 people in the audience. It was ssssoooo much fun. I'm actually thinking of applying to the cruise line because I really want to be in the entertainment part of the cruise. I got to get going. I really hope yo hear from you soon.

~Rory

Hello Sam!

Congratulations on your engagement! Am so excited and happy for you. Do you have a wedding date already?

I think your shows have been airing here for quite sometime now by some of the cable companies here. Have been seeing your shows since I switched cable company last 2004.

We have all your other shows too. Great hotels, great vacation homes, disney special. Haven't seen Girl meets Hawaii though also your first cruise. Last December, they featured most of your shows on Destination Week. Great hotels in Florida, Great hotels in America, Great Family hotels. It's sad though that I wasn't able to watch every night cause I was already sleepy by 9pm. I was in my early weeks of pregnancy then.

I just spoke to a friend of mine who worked in Taiwan for awhile. She said that your shows are airing in Taiwan too. She is actually sad to come home and find out that their cable provider here does not have Travel and Living.

I already wrote to Discovery South East Asia and expressed to them my sadness over their new schdule. Have created a new discussion too looking for other Samantha Brown fans here in Asia who can protest with me.

Didn't know that it was so difficult to get out of that ball. I will just take your word on how it feels like to ride that thing. I don't think I want to experience it myself.

Philippines is known for its sunny weather and great beaches. It's not expensive to have your vacation here. Plenty of places to go to if relaxation is what you seek. Let me know if you want to visit our country. :)

Maggie from the Philippines

PS. Can you please send me a picture too? Please? My email address is maggieco77@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Where in the world is Intl Doc?

really where are you these days? Let me thank you as well for keeping the home fires warm it was great to check in from time to time and see how everyone was getting along, even if I couldn't participate. I'm usually in internet cafes with lots of smoke or teenagers wondering what in the world this old woman is doing on their turf, so I try to keep my time checking emails short.

you know I got to tell you, and this may make me a bad person, but I rarely buy anything for anybody...except myself. isn't that terrible? and really the only thing I buy ALL THE TIME is olive oil and wine. So you can imagine that this ways down already very heavy luggage. And i live in a 4 floor walk up with NO elevator. My muscles go into absolute convulsions after having sat useless on a plane for 15 hours only to run up 5 flights of stairs with two 60 lb bags. So I never want to add more weight with chotkies. Also, My whole family is in a simular perdicament in that we all have too much clutter so does my mom who is trying to pawn off her fine china on me really want wooden clogs from Amsterdam? Her name in Celtic printed on a scroll or worry beads from Greece. nope. My idea is to buy really incredible wine and share it with them while talking about some of my experiences. There's no gift greater then just spending quality time.

I hope all is well with you wherever you are!

ste, i mean Sean

so sorry about that. I think I read your email to quickly. anyway good luck on your exam!

Hi again Sam! Congrats on your engagement and your new home!!!! I will surely read of your romantic proposal and hope for the same someday. I guess I need someone to propose to me first though. Ah well, I'm only 18. I have time. Did you mention VEGAS? I do love Vegas, but it’s really more hyper-active than I’m used to. I’ve been twice. Both times I stayed at Caesars Palace. Not a big surprise with my another obsession with Celine Dion. I highly recommend seeing her show “A New Day…” there if you’re into that kinda thing! Good luck with all the planning too!

I was pleased to get out of school early today since it was our 1st day back. I got to sit on the couch and watch the new Santorini episode. What a wonderful place! I enjoyed your meeting with Christoforos a lot too. I'm going to college for artsy things. I start my first painting class tomorrow night. Yikes! A little scared since my "thing" is mostly photography. I'm sure I'll be no cathedral painter, but it was certainly fun to see someone as great as he was and his work. I loved your chat about the artistic aspects of the city, like the colors and stuff.

Thanks for your sympathy for myself and Kloie. I’m sorry too that Fiona doesn’t like your traveling as much as you do. If I traveled as much as you, I'm sure Kloie would feel the same way Fiona does, especially because she's so weird with other people now. Give Fiona a rub on the chin for me! Sometimes having the zoo I have gets to be a lot. My mom helps out somewhat, but I'm mostly the one who takes care of the furry critters. I love them all so I don't complain that much. WOW I thought I had TJ for a long time. 12 years is a long time to have a cat! It's nice she's not always alone while you're away on your travels. I think my hamster would rather me be you than me. He's very antisocial and doesn’t care for a lot of human interaction. Nila, my dog, tries to get in the suitcase anytime I pack to go on vacation. The last time I went to Vegas, she hopped in. Silly dog. I just thought it was kind of funny... like she was telling me she wanted to go too. We did actually take her with us to the Outer Banks last summer. It's absolutely my favorite place in the world and really neat since it's in my own state!

I enjoy reading all your postings and such. I absolutely LOVE the photos in the Mykonos journal. Very pretty. One of my dreams is to someday travel the world and take pictures like those. Oh, believe me, I laughed a lot again today since I got to see the entire hour and a half of you today. Your journal of Mykonos was great too. I laughed especially at your ending statement of the reversed dream, hahaaaaa! I guess you could say I was a typical Brownhead today . Talk to you soon! (sorry this has gotten so long!)

Brittany

Bigse

thanks for being a fan for a year now and welcome to the boards. Rachel Ray, Amy Wynn Pastor and myself all have some simularities but Dennis Rodman? that's quite a jump!

Duane

you know I hadn't thought about that-how my jumping from one country to the next sometimes three in four weeks gives me a crash course in how different people are. thanks for giving me that perspective I didn't realize I had. but as for your question. I would say that the English are very refined, always polite and lovely people. You get a sense that they never let there guard down and that it takes awhile to get to know them. (this is no put down, I am actually quite like this myself and relate to the English well) As for the most earthy and human the Italians, Spanish and Portuguese come to mind. As people they for the most part are instantly accepting and always seem to be wanting to make a connection as well as offer up a big hug or a kiss. They make my job very easy. The Irish too now that I think about it-They are just so easy to be with and you feel having just landed in their country that in a matter of hours you will make great friends with the people there. thanks for the great question.

Kimberlee

It was a combination of being at the right place at the right time. I have an acting background and can improv well which made me good for a series called Great Vacation Homes. and that luckily lead to other series. I never planned this as my path but once I saw the opportunity I tried to do the best I could so I wouldn't lose it. My advice would be to do what fulfills you and be the best at that. Opportunity will come and when it does you will be ready for it. Success is just luck and persistence. Hope this helps

Goodnight!

I didn't get to all the posts I wanted to tonight but will fire up the ol'puter tomorrow with a hot cup of tea. As for now-I've got wedding dresses to drool over! The stack of wedding magazines I have is so large it could technically be considered furniture. take care and it's so nice to be back with you all see ya tomorrow!

Oh Samantha, you must always know that you could never disappoint your Capt. Tuttle... well, except for one important matter he discovered here today. But heart piercing as it is for him to learn of that, his disappointment is surely not for you. My own heartfelt congratulations to you in what I trust will be profound happiness I know should ever be surrounding you. The biggest mystery there ever was in my eyes in any of your charming series was that you were still Miss Brown throughout all of them. Not sure what I'll be able to call you now, as even Travel Goddess might be a bit risque. Perhaps Samantha will suffice. It suits you well and always did, so maybe I should stick to that for while these posts persist.

And I'll keep the bottles coming in the spring if you will want me to. With such as Mother O's fine Samapalouza Party thread and IntlDoc's European film one where Tuttle is well represented, I may not need to. The September bottle was a bit too florid anyway, and October's too involved with all the blather about my own English notes. And it sounds like you got far better news in Milan than ever you received from any November bottle I could send. (Hmmm... all I did the one time I was in Milan was waste a few hours waiting for a train to that other unnamed Italian city. I must have missed something there). But no, in Season Two there's nothing you could do to disappoint me, I assure you Sam. That has never been a question.

Oh, on second thought, there had been something that had disappointed me - the bottle blonde Samantha I never really liked, and always preferred your naturalness back on the screen. For someone as open and honest about yourself as you have so constantly maintained to be, it's only right that your own hair coloring shine through as well. And thus the only disappointment vanished, just like that. And in today's premiere of Santorini, you looked more ethereal than ever, more poetic than ever, and even Stan as artistic as ever. Admittedly it must have been easier to do than in, say, some Neopolitan back street, but it was still a gorgeous episode to see. Loved the Greek fresco artist as well. Actually am working tomorrow, so Crete will have to be taped, but I can wait a few more hours for Agammemnon and etc. We've waited months for Season Two.

I got a call this morning from one of my more energetic friends who this past weekend actually ran a half, and then the next day a full marathon (there's your Greek connecion) in Disney World. She did amazingly well, 19th out of thousands, but sounds like all she got was some Goofy Medal as reward, but a lot of fun. (Strangely warm enough here today that I could get a run in with just a t-shirt, but I'm no marathoner and only do a few miles). She was last month in Lyon (didn't make Marseille as hoped), but only told me it was neat, hilly, and had "lots of architecture." I'm hoping for a slightly more expansive presentation from the far more eloquent Samantha to yet another city I've never had the chance to see, and I know I won't be disappointed in that one either.

And I'm so glad you liked Oxford, Sam. It's not a town that rushes out to greet you and its charms are much more subtle, but they are there, and I'm sure you articulated them beautifully for us. The scaffolding was really bad this year, though. Stan must have hated that - all the distant shots must have been ruined. Alice Liddell was I think the real girl's name. (Are you hinting that you dressed up in a pinafore and went chasing in the college gardens after late arriving rabbits? I don't know, Sam...) And not only was "Through the Looking Glass" written there, but JR Tolkien and CS Lewis turned out their fantasies in Oxford, too - that's a lot of imagination emanating from those old stone walls. And "The Wind in the Willows" was composed not far from Oxford, by the river, naturally. There's a house there I've seen I'm convinced is Toad Hall even though no one ever tells you that.

But Stratford I've never been to, too touristy I always feared (as if Oxford isn't, I know...). Please don't worry if your presentation falls short of Shakespearean perfection - none of us is going to reach those lofty heights. I only want to see your own mind's version of it, that's all, which is highly valuable in my eyes. And I assure you, you're the Poet Laureate of the Travel Channel, by some light years. I've been down in Dorset quite a bit, twice just last September, but Devon more rarely, and Cornwall only once, and even that was just across the county line and a river one 94 degree afternoon to see this magical abandoned old medieval house up on a wooded cliff called Cotehele. I greatly look forward to the Cornish Samantha, and hope you loved it.

It has been such a pleasure writing to you and hearing from you these past three (?) years. Can't say that my life has really needed too much brightening up, I'm most fortunate to say (and so full of admiration for Kel's work both in Louisiana recently but after 9/11 as well), but how much more pleasurable it has been to have Samantha guest starring in it. Talk about an upgrade in my life. These posts have been a joy, Ms. Brown. The disappointments only lie when they must end.
"Capt. Tuttle"


P.S. There ought to have been yet another Christmas card in that package for you, from Tuttle's alter ego, I hope.

Welcome Home Sam!!

It has been way to long. I was unable to chat last time you were here, so it has been a really long time for me! First and foremost, let me say congratulations on your engagement. I am very happy for you. You deserve all of the great things that are in store for you!

Passport to Europe just keeps better and better! Every episode is even better than the last. I can't imagine how fun it must be to travel to all these amazing places and get to show it to all of us. I know you have heard this a million times, but if you ever need a break, I will be glad to switch places with you. (I would probably not be near as interesting to watch, but... ).

So what are you going to do on your time off? I know that you have a wedding to plan, but make sure to take some time to enjoy your time off as well.

I am actually trying to look for a job right now. I really want to get a job in a hotel, because hotel management is the field that I want to go into so what better job to have while I'm in college. Hopefully something will turn up.

I can't wait to hear from you. Enjoy your time off!

Steven
greathotelsfanatic42

Okay, this may be looking a bit into the future, but I'm sure we would all like to see pictures of the wedding. Just a thought that popped into my head!

A BEAUTIFUL BRIDE

Congratulations on your wedding announcement! I look forward to reading about it in your Milan journal. I know we don’t know each other well and I’ve only been a part of your forum since last March, but I think you are so terrific and deserve to experience the ultimate happiness. I pray to God that you will be equally successful in your marriage as you are in your professional life, and I offer you both my warmest heartfelt blessing. In my very first post to you back in March 2005 I wrote, "Honesty is the beginning of the return to love." I hope that honesty and happiness and love will be the prevalent centerpiece in your new life together.

I enjoyed reading your first journal from Greece and admire how well it is written. You do such a good job at expressing yourself in a straightforward manner. I find all your journals to be pleasant, educational, and very entertaining. I also watched the first 3 episodes in Greece and I feel the same way about them too, and love each one. In Athens I liked how your complexion blended with the raspberry color shirt you wore with decorative gemstones in the first show. And it is especially nice to see your beautiful brown hair again ... with you looking so appropriately like a Greek Goddess. I stand and bow humbly before your divine magnificence .

I would like to express my sympathy though toward the feelings you expressed in your journal on how hard it is for you and your crew’s personal life to be away from home for so many numerous weeks per year. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to try and get your home life in order within such a short limited time, only to be then thrust back into another 3 week excursion again, and leaving behind important matters for you to fret upon. I am a naïve homebody who hasn’t traveled abroad much and experienced your lifestyle, and I am not qualified to run any traveling organization. "It’s all Greek to me." But what I am is an ardent devotee to your show who wants you to feel centered within yourself and happy when you travel, so therefore I hope a more reasonable traveling cycle can eventually be developed to balance harmoniously with your new married home life, that leaves you both satisfied and comfortable with. Thank goodness you have these next two months off to prepare for your wedding ... and you are going to make a beautiful bride too!

And speaking of homes, I hope your soundman John from New Orleans is able to salvage his damaged home, and that he and his wife are comfortable in their mobile trailer (with pink flamingos) parked on their front yard. Thank goodness he made it out of the flood okay. Your story was indeed very touching about Stan the cameraman heading to New Orleans to find John, who then later gave his inflatable boat to someone who needed it. I am glad you have an honorable man like Stan on your traveling team who exhibits this kind of courage and loyalty … very commendable! Besides his courage I also admire his beautiful camera work too.

I was away from my computer in Pennsylvania during Mother Orange’s Samapalouza Party thread to be with my family on Long Island for the holidays and did not participate, which was probably just as well with my poor memory. The reason I was able to describe with such great detail some of my favorite moments in "Great Vacation Homes" (in Sausalito, California) and "Girl Meets Hawaii" (in Lanikai Beach) was because I had videotaped them, and I was able to refer back to them at my fancy. Both shows were on only Sunday morning and I had a hunch that it might not be on air much longer so I taped them, which turned out to be true. But I never taped "Great Hotels" or "Passport to Europe" because they get shown all the time.

I do have many favorite moments in "Great Hotels" and "Passport to Europe," but I would not have done as good a job in the Samapalouza in describing them for a more coherent description. But if I may generalize here, I would say that a lot of my favorite moments in both series are when you are trying out different outfits while striking your elegant pose for us into the camera with such marvelous grace and beauty. And watching you dance in any manner of style is always a great pleasure for me to behold too. You are one of a kind Samantha.

On January 1st I saw an afternoon showing of the new "King Kong" movie directed by Peter Jackson at Roosevelt Field Shopping Mall with two friends of mine. The movie had a good enough pace with wonderful action sequence that the 3 hour length did not bother us at all. And yes, I did think of you playing the part of Ann Darrow as I watched Naomi Watts play the part so well. I joked to Captain Tuttle that I am definitely more sure that your charm and beauty would have killed the savage beast more potently. Who can disagree?

When I last spoke to you in this "Respond" forum I mentioned I was going to Ithaca last summer to visit my good friend. To followup, I would like to say that I came across an obscure coffee shop on a side corner street called "gimme! coffee" that sold "Crazy Fiona" cappuccinos, and so I brought one to pay honor to your cat (and wow 12 years old now too). I'm glad I did because it tasted good. I joked to my friend that if I owned a coffee shop here in Ithaca I would call it "The Amsterdam Coffee House," to playfully mimic the coffee house you inspected for us on your show ... and perhaps accientally inhaled for us too .

It is always a great pleasure for me to communicate with you and glad to be apart of your forum evolution. By the way, my last name is Tietjen and I believe it is of Dutch origin, meaning … strangely enough … "small breast." From what I understand the "Tiet" means small and the "je" means breast. To make it simple I like to pronounce my last name like a cup of "tea" and a bottle of "gin" with a silent middle "t" … "Teagin." Maybe you can add a dose of gin right now to your morning cup of tea and I’ll do the same with mine, and with a "clank" of our cups I gladly toast to your wedding day!

If you ever need someone who is a good interior house painter for your new home, or just a good handyman, you can reach me at JeffTietjen@aol.com ... and it won't even cost you an autograph picture so no need to ask for an address.

I wish upon you the best of everything,

Jeff

hey Samantha I have a question. since you live in New York City I was wondering if there were any French Hotels In Times Square especially where the famous ToysRus shop is located.My friend is in New York City for awhile and I was wondering if you would know. so you can email me back at Phoebe13430@yahoo.com. I have a great idea. how about a contest where you answer Great Hotels and Passport to Europe questions and the prize is that the person can spend a week with you in New York. say about in the summer? what do you think of this idea? it's kinda like where you answer a few questions and type in the necessary things for the entry form.here is my email address again if you want to talk to me! ( Phoebe13430@yahoo.com)

Love,
Laura

Hi Samantha,
My wife and I had "Europe Travel" on our TiVo wishlist and set it to automatically tape any shows with those words. That's how we originally found out about Passport to Europe, and we've been hooked ever since.
We consider you to be a kindred spirit when it comes to traveling overseas. We made our first trip to Europe in the summer of 2001 for our honeymoon and it was an all-inclusive two week tour that included London-Paris-Lucerne-Venice-Florence-Rome. While it was a great overview of Europe, it just wasn't our style. We hated the idea of ALWAYS being on a schedule, of never getting to stay at places as long as we wanted to and for being made to feel guilty for actually trying to do things on our own (like figuring out how to take the RER train from Paris to Versailles and saving ourselves $60 over what the extra tour package would have cost us. Imagine the look on our tour guide's face when she saw us in the Hall of Mirrors!).
That was very likely our first and last guided tour. Since then, we've spent time on our own in Paris, Rome and Florence--and we've never looked back. Traveling on our own can be intimidating, but also very rewarding. We try to get off the beaten path to meet local people and to experience the culture of the places we visit, even if we have to go out of our comfort zone to do so. Isn't that the point of traveling somewhere else?
We tape every show and have transferred many to DVD in the hopes that we can review them before our next trip. You certainly have a lot of good suggestions for places to check out. We enjoy your humor, grace, and sincerity in really getting into the culture of where you are visiting and not just doing what would be expected of an American tourist.
I guess if I had a couple of questions I'd like to see you answer, they would be:
1. What's something that not many people think about taking with them for a trip to Europe, but you wouldn't think of leaving home without?
(For my wife and I, it would probably be a small compass that fits on a keychain--a great thing to have when walking around and especially when coming out of the subway stations, completely directionally disoriented).
2. What's the strangest/most surreal experience you've had in Europe?
3. What's the wierdest thing you've eaten overseas? (My wife started eating haggis, before realizing what it was.)
Keep up your entertaining shows, Sam! We actually feel like we're traveling with you as you take us around Europe.
And if you could find the time, we'd love an autographed picture of you. Please contact me at cpbryant@earthlink.net.
Thanks for taking the time to read all of our messages to you.
Sincerely,
Chris (detroithawkeye)
P.S.--Congrats on your engagement! My wife had started to look for a ring with the start of the new season, so I'll pass along the good news to her.

Hi Sam, it's so nice to see you again. We are happy with all of your achievements. Congratulations! More power to you and to the show!

Btw, we still have not received an autographed picture from you. We guess the mailman/mailwoman has kept it for himself/herself. <g> We are still patiently waiting.

Twincerely,
Virginia and Lourdes
twinxenas@aol.com

We love you so much, Sam! You truly are a 'healthy addiction' and you have brought so many smiles and happiness to so many people! I would like to cast my vote for the DVDs if you could bend someone's ears. Congrats on your engagement! He is truly one lucky (nutty?) guy!! It is a joy to have you in our living rooms every day. You just happen to be the most gorgeous woman on television by far!! (Even Joan and Melissa Rivers would have to agree!!) I look so forward to many more wonderful years of watching you travel the globe for all of us terminal couch potatoes!! God bless and keep on smilin'! Brownheads unite!! Tim Walker

Thanks for writing back Samantha. To answer your question about the Scottish people, yes, we did find them to be very polite, kind and just adorable. The Scottish accent is my most favorite. It had nothing to do with Sheena Easton either.

I'm sure you get hundreds of suggestions for shows, but will you go back to England for another episode? If there is an opportunity to do a show on Cambridge, please do consider it. Just the university alone would take a show. Visited there a few years ago and couldn't get it out of my mind. From punting on the Cam to the Bridge of Sighs, it was quite a place. I'm sure there are tons of places in England that are charming and fascinating as well but this one was special.

Thanks for your responses and I'll let someone else get a chance to chat with you. I'll catch up with you next time.

Gene

Hi again, Sam!

Sorry for posting again so soon, but I just have to make a couple of comments. I read Mother Orange’s post and I totally agree that Rachel Ray has nothing on you! You should pursue the book and a DVD of Europe and GH, if possible. No one can predict how either one would do financially, but it’s worth a try. You can always solicit our help. We have all kinds of software around here. Another thing though, is that the Travel channel is not digital; it’s still analog. On my cable, I have to switch the digital programming off and watch analog to even see your shows. It’s a pain and I would watch the Travel channel much more if I didn’t have to do that. With the forced change to HD in a couple of years, analog will no longer be available. You would certainly have more exposure on digital.

Okay, I’m not prying, but people from the south have to know some details! We just can’t stand it!! Are you going to tell us anything about him? This is such exciting news and I know you have to be careful, but we just have to know something, like: what’s his name (first), what does he do, where is he from, where did you meet him, where will you be living (general), etc, etc, etc???

Again, I wish you the best and keep on being Samantha!

Caroline

Hi Sam! Let me first start by saying how excited I am to finally catch a live forum! Being a mother of two young boys, I'm lucky to take a shower by 5pm, let alone get online!! You have such an illuminating personality that just draws people to your show. I absolutely LOVE Passport to Europe (I think I've taped almost every episode, which by the way, would be a lot easier if Discovery would just break down & put them on DVD--hell if Nick & Jessica can have season boxsets, why can't Samantha Brown??!!). As far as travels to Europe, I've only been to Spain but loved it! If you plan to do anymore travel there, look into Toledo. It's a charming little town that is easy to fall in love with. Being that Italy is my dream destination,I would love to see you go to Venice as well. Are there any plans for other Italy destinations?
All travel aside, there are a couple questions that I've always wanted to ask you. I know from reading previous forums that you do a lot of running & pilates to ward off those unwanted lbs from the incredible meals you eat. But what exactly do you do for your upper body? Now bear in mind that I am a married woman when I say this, but you have such beautifully sculpted arms & shoulders and I would love to know what kinds of exercises you do for that part of your body?
My second comment/question is that your wardrobe for the PtoE is so classy & beautiful. You & your stylist do an incredible job in dressing to the country you're in--kudos to both of you!! Are there specific stores/designers that you get your clothes from? I would love to steal your stylist for one day!!
In closing, my husband had once asked me, if I could invite 3 people to dinner, who would I choose? I told him, Oprah Winfrey, Princess Diana and Samantha Brown--no kidding! Reason being, all 3 of you are/were very strong and confident women who's life journeys have lead down many different paths. Samantha, I hope your journey continues to be as exciting & inspirational for you as it is for all of your viewers. We love you Sam!!
Dawn
p.s. Do you think you'll ever write a book on your travels? With your wit and your amazing ability to describe things in ways that bring people to the place you're in, it would definitely be a bestseller!!!

Ms. Brown,

I want to say that I have been a huge fan of yours for quite a few years now.... my husband too but for other reasons <smile> ....I enjoy your show very much and find the show and your narrative excellent just the way they are. There is a charm and charisma to it and I don't believe you should be a bit embarrassed about anything you say or your behavior. I don't recall ever watching an episode and thinking anything you've said or done odd-- maybe just wishing it were me? I have become a Travel Channel/HGTV addict-- I absolutely abhor most television these days, lewd sitcoms (well, maybe jealousy but I am allowed that luxury), no violence, no horror or suspense. My horror limit was "Gremlins," which my kids laughed mercilessly at me for.

I actually had to recently email an old high school classmate of mine, and luckily found her-- I had to make sure YOU are not HER. Keep in mind I haven't seen her in some 30 years (dating myself), don't have her senior pic as she graduated a year later, and don't recall her voice. So I don't see it as horribly odd for my confusion. She lives down in AZ and has a finance business I believe. Incidentally, her reply was that she would simply LOVE to live that lifestyle but that alas, no <sigh>, she is not Thee. :>

Crete aired today, btb. You and a native were discussing Cretians/Cretan (sp?). I assume they would take offense at my lifelong use of the phrase Cretian/Cretan for a very strange, unusual person whom you can't figure out what planet or where the heck they are from.

Congrats on your engagement. Please keep in mind "The grass is always greener...." My advise to YOU would be "Don't marry....." but then, what do I know? My second piece of advise, as the mother of 13 & 15 y/o teenagers is "DON'T HAVE CHILDREN!!!!!!" My Priest would wack me for saying that though, and the former comment too, I'm sure.

Hence, we don't do much travelling. In 2002, my folks sent the kids and I to DisneyWorld (hubby is claustraphobic and won't fly or otherwise...<giggle>.....) We had a marvelous time there but unfortunately my poor little son, then 11, got sick-- LOL, after we each ate the "Garbage Pail" ice cream sundae at Typhoon Lagoon!!!-- We still have our pails. Our final afternoon, because he did not want to miss it, I pushed him around Epcot in a wheelchair so he didn't have to walk-- It was some 90+ degrees!!! I simply loved Epcot and vow to return -- alone :>. The show at the end of the day was simply AWESOME!! Other travels-- as a kid we camped-- I've been to 45 of 50 states. My choir sang in Italy (Rome/Florence/Milan) in 2000. <swoon> If you see our little bus driver Christian from Salsburg....<drool>, <sigh>, <swoon>, tell him....... Oh, never mind.... he was as crabby as my husband. I'm just attracted to crabby standoffish men, I think. :> I'll leave out my military adventures here because it was a life, NOT an adventure....<GGs>. And I did a cruise with one of my church's senior groups a few years ago-- you simply gotta make Royal Carribean do something about dealing with non-dairy diets. If I saw ONE MORE PIECE OF FRUIT when everyone else was beings served sumptuous chocolate....Oh, and if you see Habeeb, my waiter <drool>, <sigh>, tell him........ no, never mind.

Question: What would be your favorite Upstate NY spa to visit, REAL Upstate, not that NYC Upstate, por favor?
Second question: What cruise line deals best with special diets, substituting soy substitutes instead of eliminating and not substituting anything? Boy was I healthy when I got home!

God bless you Sam, best wishes in your upcoming marriage, may fair winds and safe travels be yours, and I'll warn my hubby about the dark head. :>

Ms. Taborri

Hi Sam, your show is really fun to watch, thank you.

Have you ever considered Santiago de Compostela, or maybe you've already been and I missed it.

I saw a documentary "Great Pilgrimages” presented by Peter Downie http://www.travelvideostore.com/product_info.php?cPath=...449&products_id=3859 and it looked very cool especially around July 25 when they were having some sort of festival. The old cathedral was packed and the priests were swinging this incense thing around.

Anyway just an idea for a show from Spain.

Hello Samantha,

First, congratulations on your engagement! I got married a year ago and it was so much fun to plan it. It does depend on the bride's personality but I'm sure you will plan it with flying colors and have a lot of fun in the process!

I'm a new fan in the chat and was very excited to see that the forum was opening. I can only say that your shows are great and very helpful. I did take your stay at the Wilderness Lodge at Disney and spent New Year's there. It was really great! I also considered your show on Rome as I spent Thanksgiving in Rome! It was great to watch the shows and know what to expect and what to look for.

A while ago I also came to the chats to find out where did you jump on the bungee trampoline...Steve from Michigan was very nice in helping to find out which hotel you jumped on the trampoline. He kindly found out that it was at the Park Hyatt at Beaver Creek, CO. How was it? did you like it? I'm always thinking about trying different things and this is one of them!

Well, again, congratulations on your engagement and welcome back!

Regards,
Patricia

PS: I don't know if it's going to be useful to you, but the best advice I got during the wedding planning craziness was "smile and nod". It always helps!

Hi Samantha, I have been watching you for years!!!!!!, I love Great Hotels as well as Great Vacation Homes. I really am enjoying Europe with you. I watch while I eat lunch.

Congratulations on your engagement, that's exciting news.

Did I read you'll be in Europe for the next year? I look forward to it.

Can you tell me where you shop you have the cutest outfits!

Hope you respond to this, this is my first time posting.

Thank you, Donnanj

Hi Samantha

I am enjoying your adventures in Greece.
As of right now I know thats where I want to go when I get the chance.You have lots of fun wherever you go and its uplifting as always.

Since I'm a fashion designer I've noticed a few new touches to your wardrobe. Love em'. Your stylist does you justice whereever you go. Maybe I can assist her when I'm more established so I can meet you. lol. j/k
One day hopefully I will be able to meet you.

I would like to know how did you find your interest in Journaling and traveling? Have you always wanted to do it or did it come through time? I must admit you make it exciting and I know I'll be traveling just like you are doing when I'm able with designing.

Take Care

Hi! Samantha. I bet everyone is wanting to hear more about all the things in your life.Its so exciting, To all who care so much about you. I know that might not be wise. Tell us what you can, and we will be more then happy. You are #1.God Bless You.Love Mary.

Bon551

it's good to be me! Well I'm excited that you are heading to Greece especially since it is a Homeland of sorts for you (be careful you may not want to leave) In Athens you have to eat a late dinner and party in the Gazi area which is where the locals are and it has a fantastic energy to it. in the show we ate at Mamacas which was outstanding and the atmosphere was almost fantasy like. In Santorini you HAVE to go down to Ammoudi harbor and eat at Sunset Grill. The best grilled fish I had and try the specialty of the house tomato fritters. Go during the day and drink too much wine.

I will definitely return to Santorini one day. I fell in love with it.

atlantageorgiagirl

My mom is German and my Dad is Welsh. I have always wanted to look up my ancestors especially the ones who started in Europe and came over to a new life in the United States. That's a great idea, thanks!

Samantha430

I like the idea of a contest but I don't know anybody who would want to spend it with me in NYC in the summer too hot and sticky

French Hotels? why French may I ask?

Kristinmspike

Never been to Wisconsin. The Dells you say? I'll look into it. Right now we are in production for Great Hotels but there's always a chance Travel Channel will send me back into the land of luxury. I would personally love to go to a state I have never been to. No word on if Great Hotels will come out on DVD but there seems to an interest so who knows...

Hey Samantha.

Sounds like congrats are in the air! Are you planning a New England wedding?

Let me first say that my wife and I have always loved your shows. In fact we are trying to come up with a way to be the couples version of your job.


(Wishful thinking, I know)

I have noticed in previous posts that you are fond of the NH/ME coast and the Wentworth Hotel.

Well that is right in our neighborhood. We live in city in the midst of a rebirth, Dover (about 10 minutes from Portsmouth).

Anyhow, If you are ever around here, I am sure we would hit it off (can't you tell by my sense of humor) Dinner would be on us, bring your beau.

Kelsey,

I'm glad season two started as well! And I know first hand that you are in for some excellent shows. that bag I have is from J Crew look for them in the spring. Glad I could help you in Spanish and the thought of students watching me in school is very cool indeed. Muchas Gracias!

jbsky2

Well welcome to the forum and thanks for being fans of the show! As long as people keep watching I can keep up the good work so...keep watching!

If you are going to Hawaii you really should make Kauai one of the Islands to visit. Being the oldest island it's the most lush and visually striking (in my opinion) Go to the Botanical garden, Nurse's Beach-where they filmed Sound of Music, take a walk on the Napali Coast or kayak it or take a boat trip around it. Also pick up Kuaui Revealed it's a travel guide-best around.

ahu'i ho (til we meet again)

travel1st

my marital status will not change what I do...I love it too much! As for children I have 14 days in between shoots...plenty of time! Thanks for your concern though.

as for Sample sales a good way to find out about when and where is to subscribe to Dailycandy.com nyc. they'll send you info and yes the deals are very good sometimes they are too good and you end up buying things you really don't want but just couldn't pass up having a certain label. It's good to go with you head fixed tightly on your shoulders.

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