It’s been a long time, I know-and that means I have a wealth of news to tell you about. As you may have read Passport is moving to primetime! Actually, it will still have a daytime slot as well which is a good “two birds with one stone” kind of thing.
What may be bad news for some is the fact that Passport to Europe is now officially over, now of course you will be able to see the episodes for like, the next twenty years but we left Copenhagen, Denmark at the end of June knowing that we as a crew will not be returning to one incredible part of the world. Our last trip was to shoot the episodes of Helsinki, Stockholm, as much of Iceland as we could and Copenhagen. The four countries, four languages, four currencies and three time zones left us all pretty exhausted and with little energy to reflect on our incredible experience shooting this series. I suppose if they are like me it really hasn’t hit the Passport crew that we won’t be returning to Europe (as a team anyway, I still have Euros, Kronor and pounds to spend.) At the end of two years we have traveled to 17 countries and featured around 70 destinations from big capital cities to mountain top villages. My own personal experiences have been so overwhelming its hard to reminisce without getting choked up and I imagine it will take many months-maybe years before I truly understand how these past few years has changed me as a person. And may I also add as it has been one of the top questions to me as of late that in all that time and travel never once did we experience anything but kindness and hospitality to we Americans.

Now Europe may be a finished chapter for us but that doesn’t mean that the Passport series is over. In September we start shooting ...drumroll please…Passport to Latin America! The plans are still in the works as I write this but I’m already brushing up on my high school Spanish and physically getting ready to make a pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.

That also doesn’t mean I have the summer off. The first week of August I will be boarding the largest ship in the world, Freedom of the Seas to shoot another Cruise show. And the last two weeks of August I will be traveling to Costa Rica, Mexico and Montana to shoot a one hour special on Eco Resorts. So year eight of having the best job in the world is off to an amazing start.

Oh yes and then there’s that wedding I have to attend in October….

So what’s up with you guys?

Hey Sam!!!!

It is Jeff. I met you at the Ritz-Carlton Naples during spring break of 2006. Here is what I wrote in my blog entry.....

Over spring break, I met Sam and saw her fiance too! It was at the Ritz-Carlton Naples. When we first got there, my Mom, Dad, and I were talking to a guest about Sam and she informed us that Sam was staying on the same floor as us. The next morning we saw her at breakfastI had just said we couldn't go back to the room and watch Great Hotels or Passport to Europe because the hotel didn't have the Travel Chanel and Sam looked over and said "I think we both ought to check out of this hotel." We then talked for a while and I told her how much I loved her shows. We also saw her at breakfast the next morning and she said hi to us, but we didn't want to disturb her because she was typing.
She was so suprised that a 15-year old boy knew so much about "Passport to Europe." We talked for about a half an hour until we left. Later I saw Sam and her fiance by the pool. She was busily typing on her laptop (Probaly typing her script for a Passport to Europe episode) and then she was wearing the same bikini that she wore in the Great Hotels episode of Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.


A few days later, she checked out of the hotel.

Samantha! We met when you were shooting in Arizona for a few days. Anyways, there's a photo that I've been wanting to e-mail to you? My e-mail is worldtravelgirl00@hotmail.com if you can shoot a quick e-mail so I can send it to you? Your shows are the best!! Welcome home for awhile and good luck with the wedding!

Dear Samanta,

Woo Hoo! Welcome home! A well-deserved, albeit short, break for you and your crew, right? I've never met you, but I have been enjoying your shows for a while. Partly thanks to you, I've been bitten by the travel bug! While my travels have been limited mostly to domestic destinations, Europe is up there on my list - hopefully soon! But, in the meantime, I'll be doing the totally tourist-y thing and spend Thanksgiving in Plymouth, perhaps Christmas/New Year's in New York. I just got back from Vegas, baby - the Wynn is a great place to stay, by the way! Life is too short to NOT experience the world when the opportunities present themselves...
Thanks for your reports on "Great Hotels" - I use that as a main reference and have had the pleasure of experiencing the wonderful ambience and service that those places are known for. I can't wait to see the rest of your "Passport" shows and be an armchair traveler.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Sincerely,

Joy "It's-not-just-a-name-but-an-attitude!" Hayashida

Welcome back. it's good to hear that Passport to... lives on. I look forward to that and the rest of your upcoming projects. and how cool is it that you can buy episodes of Passport to Europe on itunes? I don't have a video ipod, but yay for those who do. have you ever thought about doing audio podcasts from wherever in the world you happen to be in?

I sent you a birthday card back in March as I'm sure several others here did. if you haven't seen it yet, I'm sure you will eventually.

congratulations again on your upcoming wedding and to "year eight of having the best job in the world."

safe and happy travels always,
Ecila

Welcome back Sam! Indeed it has been quite a long time since our last chat. I'm definitely looking forward to the upcoming episodes of PTE and I'm sure all of us are pleased to here that PTE is moving to primetime. Now if only we could get you on DVD.

I've revived my obsession of Great Hotels. This past weak I've been going through my drawer full of unlabeled tapes searching desperately for certain episodes.

Now I imagine you're back home in NYC reading this message in your new apartment (BTW which area?). Hopefully you're settled in by now and have time to just relax before your cruise (!) aboard Freedom of the Seas (details please!)! That excites me a lot though you might want to experiment with other cruise lines in the future. I'm hoping that a whole new show will emerge from this. And I'm sure it has potential given how popular the cruise industry has become over the years.

Well that's it for now. Alrighty, I'll talk to you later!

Hello Samantha,
Nice to know you are back.
Just one request .... when are you coming to Singapore ? I know you'll enjoy your visit here.
Keep well then.
Ta, Cynthia

dear Sam,
I have been watching your shows for a few years now and I like them a lot. I traveled around quite a bit when I was a kid, my dad was in the service, but I haven't traveled so much in recent years.

I have never been to Europe so I like watching your show and seeing the sights and,through you, meeting some of the "locals".

I am sad to hear that there will be no more new passports to Europe episodes but am glad to hear about the passport to Latin America series. I actually lived in Panama for a few years when I was a kid.

I read a novel recently and one of the settings was in bavaria at king Ludwigs castle and because of the episode of your series that you filmed there I was able to have a really good picture of it in my mind.

Keep up the good work Sam and be safe,
Crispin

Welcome home, my fellow intrepid traveler!

Samantha, your career reminds me of a top-40 radio promotion I recall from the early ‘60s: KXOK, where the hits keep on coming!

I imagine we should not be too surprised the curtain fell on PTE, there are a finite number of places of broad interest in Europe, but it is hard to say good bye, isn’t it? Like you, I was always treated so warmly and graciously in Europe and can’t wait to return, even though back home for only a month now. It’s serendipitous you are going to Latin America since, after my research chores are completed in Eastern Europe next winter, my new writing partner tells me he’s secured funds for us to work in South America. So, apparently our paths will come perilously close again, having missed you both in Munich and Glasgow by days. I’ll post you my itinerary when we go so we can wave at each other as we pass in the lobby. OK, make it the bar.

Coming home (actually, staying at my daughter’s presently, near where I used to teach) has been an enlightening experience. A good friend and mentor at my former university used to join me for lunch nearly every Thursday at a neighborhood Chinese restaurant. Last week we returned, briefly renewing our habit, and as I came through the door the owner threw her arms around me and cried. When I explained that (unfortunately) I’d only be here for awhile, she replied that if I came back once, I’d come back again. She was quite confident. I suppose there is a lesson in that for both you and I.

I took the funds I’d been saving for my Harley Road King and spent it all instead on a little red sports car (sorry, Capttuttle). I figure that I’ve earned the privilege now that I have a California drivers license and dropped 40 pounds from my former girth. Who would have figured that after the Carb Diet, Protein Diet, and Scarsdale diet (etc., etc. etc., ad infinitum), that walking more and eating less would do the trick? Does anyone else know this works???

New address (etc.) to follow shortly after 8/1.

Welcome home, dear Sam, and cheers to you on all your new paths!

Intl Doc

Hey there Sam! It's so good to read you again. I'm sad to say that my current job has seriously started cutting into my Samantha Brown time. Needless to say I am thrilled to know you are going primetime! I look forward to seeing you again .

Also, I don't want to be a bother, but I never received a picture from you after your last visit with us here. You emailed me and said it was on it's way but it never arrived. I hope it didn't get lost in the mail or anything. If you have a chance, I'd really enjoy a pic. My email is mr.stoopid@sbcglobal.net. I certainly understand how busy you must be, though.

Congratulations on getting engaged by the way! I just got engaged myslef. Well, it was a little while ago. I'm getting married in September.

Good to hear from you! ~ k

Hey I'm off to New Hampshire to see my Dad, I'll be on later tonight answering posts and hopefully visiting with my on-line friends.

talk to you soon

Hi Samantha. Unfortunately, I don't have much to say, as compared with such posters as Intldoc :S

However, I have had a question since I began watching Passport: in the earliest episodes, and later on for that matter, who decided to which countries you would travel? You? The Travel Channel? Viewers?

Hope the heat we're experiencing in New England right now doesn't get to you, esp. after coming back from Scandinavia!


-Aodhán

P.S. Is this the topic in which we post if we'd like to ask for an autographed picture? If so then...I'd like to ask for one My email address is infernalwinds@yahoo.com Your's is the only autograph I've ever actually wanted, haha.

Thanks

Hey Sam! It is so nice to read your posts. You sound like you are very happy! I wish you nothing but love and success in all that you do. I try and never miss an episode of Great Hotels and Passport. You are the best host I have ever seen! And a stunningly beautiful woman as well. Thank you so much for bringing so much joy to my life. You are a wonder to behold! I can't wait to see you in Latin America. They will absolutely love you there. And congratulations on your prime time slot! You deserve it! God bless and happy traveling! A Brownhead forever, Tim from Virginia

Hi Sam! i jus wanted 2 say how much iv enjoyed watching passport to europe and some of your past shows like great hotels, and the places you have been to have help me decide where to go to on vacation (im traveling to the ritz carlton amelia island and the casa monica hotel later this month) thank you for all you have done on the travel channel, and it has been a joy watching you go from great hotels to passport to europe. happy traveling! a homeboy from georgia

Miss Samantha Brown...well, HELLO! Congratulations on the conclusion of Passport to Europe. While you sit back and try to recall all of your memories, many of the viewers (like myself) find ourselves living IN the memories -- planning trips to featured destinations or perhaps already packing for one in the upcoming weeks. I dropped my brother off at JFK yesterday to begin his trip with a Student Ambassador: People-to-People program. He arrived in Paris and will spend a week there (including three days with a host family), then he is off to Italy for a week, and then to Greece for another week. My Mom, Dad, and I are all going to fly out to Athens in early August to meet up with him and spend a few days in that city and then head to Rhodes for the remains of the trip. I can't wait! I wonder if you have re-read your journals you provided for us, as I am sure those would trigger many memories and details of your trips. I actually stumbled across a journal I wrote when I went to England & Ireland, and was brought back to every exact moment of my trip.

It seems that you have the next two weeks off before heading away on another voyage, so I hope you enjoy yourself back here at home! Great beach weather and beautiful evenings to walk in the city. But who knows, you may want to sleep for 18 hours a day, now that your back home.

Once again, I hope the wedding planning is going well. October is pretty soon (although, I don't want to rush the summer)! I think I'm going to head out by the pool. I'll write again later this week! Have a great day, Sam!

Ashley

Hi Sam!! Its been awhile since I have been here but me and the beagles have been enjoying Europe every day! Iam Italian, were planning a trip there next year, cant wait! We added another pup to the pack last week, Dukes(12 weeks old,pics below) now saps all of Buddy and Crocketts energy, when there not sleeping (about 16 hours a day:~) By the way they all enjoy your pic everyday. Congrats on the wedding! You dont know how many hearts you have crushed:~) Just kidding, wish you many years of happiness. Were all looking forward to the new projects, hope you have some great time off and a wonderfull honeymoon!
Matt in Fresno.

P.S. My wife and I were married just outside of Yosemite on Oct 7th....Good month for weddings!

Dear Samantha:

How about a series called, "Where the Rich are Living in America?"

You could take us to the cafes they eat in, the libraries and parks they go to, and show us the hobbies they pursue,with a small segment on where they put their out-of-town guests when the house is full. Lots of locals would love to share their rich lives with you.

Thank you for an excellent show.

Regards,

Joy Schwabach

Hi Sam: Nice to see you back in the states. Pretty routine here so far, except for the flooding scare in late June.

Our highlight for the summer, so far, has been going to Montreal. The drive up through the Adirondack's was superb, very scenic. My wife and I are Kiwanis members for years and finally went to an international convention. We stayed at the Delta Centre Ville. The hotel was lovely and offered a great view of downtown Montreal. Although the language barrier wasn't much of a problem, watching Rambo with French dubbing was quite unique.

Well, off to North Carolina's Outer Banks in September.

Still waiting on your picture but you're one busy person and I can wait longer.

Thanks for everything.
Gene

Hey Sam. It's good to hear from you again. Well the one and only vacation this summer I had was a trip (you guessed it) to Disney World. Yep. I went there with my family for a week. I left June 24 and returned on July 1. We also stayed at the Beach Club which is not what is was two years ago when my family and I went to Disney World in 2004. Anyways I had a great time except for the rain. It almost rained the entire time we were there except on Thursday June 29. That's the day I went to Magic Kingdom. My family and I had a great time at Cinderella's Royal Table. It's the restaurant in Cinderella's Castle. Just out of curiousity which is your favorite Disney Princess? Mine of course is Belle. I love the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast and I love Belle too. One of my favorite moments was when we went to see Beauty and the Beast- Live on Stage at the Disney MGM-Studios.

I also want to tell you as part of my classes for high school (I'm going to be a freshman) is I'm taking a Theatre class. I really want to do Beauty and the Beast as one of our productions this coming school year. Yes Disney does let you do Disney productions for schools, community theatres, etc. For spring break in 2007 the theatre group/ people are going to Bew York City! I hope I can go. If we do Beauty and the Beast as one of our productions I hope I can get the part of Belle. I mean really I know the story of Beauty and the Beast backwards and forwards. It was really nice talking to you.

Love,
Laura

PS: Did you get my letter? It contained a birthday card in there as well as a picture of me (the picture was from my 8th grade school pictures).

Welcome back. It's good to hear that you and the crew enjoyed your time in Europe and will have memories to last a lifetime. Passport to Latin America will be fantastic! You should buy some music CDs in Spanish to help you with accents, pronunciation and just general learning. If you like rock I suggest Robi Draco Rosa, La Ley, and Mana. For pop - Juanes, Thalia, and Chayanne. I can't post without mentioning Ricky Martin's albums "Vuelve, A Medio Vivir, and Almas del Silencio."

What camera do you have? It looked to me like a Canon PowerShot SD300 in one episode. Have fun in New Hampshire.

Hi Sam,

Welcome back! OK, you are obviously a very busy woman - lots of traveling of course and can't forget that wedding! My 12 year old daughter Emily claims to be your biggest fan. She loves your shows so much that she tapes each one while she watches them, then rewinds them and watches them again as soon as each show is over. I think she has aspirations to take over your job some day! I was wondering if and how I could get an autographed photo for her - she would be so surprised and delighted! My email is mickimatt@comcast.net if it's easier for you or your "people" (do you have "people"??) to reply. Thanks, Sam for bringing the exciting world of travel to my family. We truly enjoy your shows and look forward to Passport to Latin America.
Micki

Samantha! I’m very surprised to see you here, taking time out from your busy life to chat with all of us and share your wonderful news. You seem superhuman at times! Such energy! As for me, I just got back from a mother-daughter trip to New Brunswick and I am now on vacation in Maine, as is my brain. This seems to be the right time to lay a well-deserved Curtain Call on you and your crew, I know, but so far I have not come up with much. Last June’s effort all came together in about 45 minutes, but my brain functions well in June. In July my head is in a different place, and it seems like ages since a new show has aired, with still almost half of Season Two yet unseen. I signed Mom up for two months of 72 cable channels so I would not miss the Venice and Bologna Passports that were once clearly and triumphantly on the schedule for next week. Now, for some unknown reason, they are not. But good things come to those who wait, as you know.

You ask what’s new, so I’ll tell you. Yesterday I discovered a whoopie pie CAKE at the Market Basket in Newington, as well as a package of red ones, if you can believe that. But I just gazed at them in awe, and resisted the temptation to buy. My best recent news, however, is that last week Father O. boiled up a pot of lobsters and clams for dinner for the family, and for dessert we shared two big old Susta apple strudels from Prague, which had been frozen for two weeks in London and then transported over the ocean to my table. Quite a guy, huh? But after hearing all the stories, I tell you, next year, I’m going.

I’m so glad that the Travel Channel, with their new flashy logo and cutting edge image, is being good to you. If they weren’t, the United Brownheads, an increasingly well-oiled defensive machine, would be a force to deal with, believe me. As much as they try to pump new blood into their programming, in my opinion your shows will always be their backbone. To quote Captain Tuttle, they "represent all that is good in travel television and humanity!" I think you defined “cutting edge” seven years ago when you squeaked off that vinyl barstool in a vacation home on the Florida panhandle and said, “That wasn’t me. I swear.” May you never be afraid to say what pops into your head. And even though you are everything a “traveler” should be, may you always honestly embrace the inner tourist.
That’s enough rambling for now. Maybe I’ll talk to you later in the week, if and when I have more of this poem scratched out. It may have to wait until after Venice, at least. But for now, here’s what I’ve got.

Still Another Curtain Call for Sam

We STILL sing your praises, Samantha and crew,
Passport to Europe’s a wrap! Season Two!
Your roads were less traveled than those of year one,
We still follow along, and three cheers! You’re not done!
You found great locations to sightsee and dine,
And as could be expected, you downed local wine.
You put on a swimsuit, climbed many a stair,
And I trust you’ve learned lessons regarding your hair.

And with that, I will return to my hammock under the king pines and listen to the loons on the lake, checking in with each other before retiring, just as we are doing.
Good night, Samantha.

As always,
Mother Orange

Hey Sam! I just want you to know that you are awesome. I will watch every single one of your shows. I'm sad that Passport to Europe is ending but I'm glad I can still relive it with iTunes. How long will this move to primetime be? Will Great Hotels and Passport to Europe stay on the schedule? Anyways, I love your show, I love you and thanks for an amazing two years. I hope you start your new show soon because I won't be able to wait until next year. Speak to you soon.

P.S. Try and get Passport to Europe on dvd. We would all appreciate it.

I have no idea what drew me to the forum tonight. Imagine my surprise when I saw Samantha Responds open for business! Seriously, I have not stopped in for days! (sorry mod-ben!)

Hello Sam! What a treat I hope that you are enjoying the heat wave that the entire US seems to be under. As timing goes, we of course leave for the bike ride across Iowa on Friday. If this doesn't break, it will be the Great Van Ride Accross Iowa!

Wait! I have not seen all of Europe through your eyes yet (sigh) such a tease! I'm glad to see that the powers that be have recognized your talent and are continuing with the show idea in Latin America. Will your crew be the same? Is it possible to function without Stan? How exciting. And I might remind you that I am still available for Passport to New Zealand and Austrailia.

This seems a good time to say thanks yet again for all the places you've brought us. It's getting a little cramped in the black suitcase, but I bet you can convince us to climb back in for a new adventure. I, for one, would not miss it for the world!

Life here is almost the same. I've FINALLY graduated to the day shift. I know, I know...been saying that for 2 years. But it's really really true this time. So no more 4 am posts from me! I'm primarily doing surgery (which I love) and still a bit of weekend ER work. The road with Mom has been more than a little bumpy...too many details to go on about here. How is your Mom? Still happy and healthy I trust. And that cat of yours? Happy to have you home?

Well, it's late for me and I've had a few too many ciders at the Iriah pub so I'll sign off and look for you tomorrow. So happy to see that your home and all is well!

Take Care!
Kelly

Mother O - you slipped in just before me. I remember that episode of Great Vacation Homes! Has it really been 7 years? Wow.

Hi Sam, welcome back!

As you no doubt read in the tail end of Captain Tuttle’s June bottle, I took some students on a field trip to Prague a few weeks ago. Interesting trip. I’d never been there, nor had any of the students. It’s the first time I’ve ever gone to a new foreign destination without reading a guide book in advance. For this trip, I was armed only with your Passport to Europe Prague episode. I took a DVD of it to London and showed it to my class about a week before we left for Prague.

First, you should know that almost half of the students had watched programs of yours in the past. You were well known to many of them. Second, one of my students qualifies as a big fan. She started watching you during Girl Meets Hawaii and stuck with you through Great Hotels and Passport. The episode got everyone very excited about visiting Prague. Of course, the number one thing they wanted to do upon arrival was go to the Café Imperial and throw doughnuts. Sadly, this was not possible as the Café Imperial is now closed for renovation. Alas, some things must wait for another trip. This was probably a good thing for me, for as their teacher, I might have provided a pretty good target for their sugary missiles.

I imagine you must wonder from time to time what tangible effects your program has on your viewers and for the places you’ve visited. Well, the answer is, quite a lot. Let me relate to you a brief story about my visit to Susta Strudl. Yes, I found it. I took students there twice while we were in Prague. As luck would have it, our hotel was a scant ten-minute walk from the place. On the afternoon of our departure day, I took about nine students for strudel. Between the ten of us, we bought seventeen strudels! As Mother O has related, I brought some home to the States for her. Other students followed my lead and packed some for London. While purchasing those wonderful taste treats, three women arrived in line behind us. They seemed excited to be there and I noted their American accents very quickly. I had to ask, “Did you hear about this place on The Travel Channel?” “Yes,” they replied in unison. “Did you watch Samantha Brown’s Passport to Europe episode on Prague?” “Yes,” again in unison. They went on to tell me that they had arrived in Prague that morning and that this was the very first thing they had done in the city. They didn’t have an easy time finding the place. It had taken them some time. I’ve since posted very specific directions on the oft-viewed Prague Strudel thread on Samantha Central so future Susta Strudl seekers will have an easier time of it. Oh, and can you guess the three American women’s next destination? Dinner at the U Sadu Pub/Restaurant…also from your show. Sadly, I did not make it to U Sadu, although I looked it up on a map and will go the next time I’m in Prague.

Anyway, as I walked away munching on the best strudel in Europe, I reflected on the fact that more than twenty strudels had just been purchased in a fifteen minute span, entirely by people who went there because of you. That guy has probably never had such great business, because as we both know, it is a tiny little place in an out-of-the-way neighborhood. But so great that it made the cut in your show. Thank you for that, on behalf of viewers everywhere and on behalf of that little strudel-making, non-English-speaking man in a non-touristy neighborhood in Prague.

Thanks also for the great news about new Latin American Passport destinations. You know we’ll be watching.

Father Orange

Hey Jeff!

so nice to hear from you again. I hope the rest of your stay was excellent. I believe the last time I talked to you you and your mom were going to do an everglade tour, did that ever happen? when i did Great Hotels I remember having a hard time being excited to see alligators. We went to one of those alligator farms and I just wanted to leave. I enjoyed the everglades because of their natural beauty but was more than happy not to have a reptile sighting. Hope all is well and tell your mom I said hello

-sam

worldtravelgirl (i love that name)

you got it!

Samantha!
Bouncing back and forth between Passports and other assignments and assignations with such impressive aplomb. I congratulate you on everything. How you have even made time to slip in sporadic forum visits this week is beyond me. And 101 degrees here today, although I could have sworn it wasn't any hotter than 99. Although never particularly interested in Latin America in the past, I will certainly strive to be now, to a degree, so very happy that we'll be able to see your future adventures for a while longer... sometime. Remember, as poetic Mother O (only a whoopie pie's lob away from you at present, it seems) says above, we haven't seen any of your work of this year as of yet, and won't until at least August when you're off yet again. We are perpetually miles behind you. I wish it weren't true.

But keep living them for us. Yesterday I had a group of college age students from Arabic countries of Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Jordan in a program at Georgetown U (sorry, Ashley, not GW). They were great kids and I felt so inadequate through the tour -- what could I say to them with the events of the weekend going on? But it does point out how important it is that we keep traveling and meeting different people rather than shutting ourselves away in our ignorance. So keep traveling, dear, if only to inspire (but be careful, too). And this evening I had a couple of groups of incoming UVa students' parents and they were so proud and optimistic that it did make me feel better about the future of things...

(And Saturday I was actually filmed by the little local TV news people while doing some of my outdoors introductory stuff - the luck of the draw there - happily voiced over on the 11 p.m. news (maybe 200 people would see it). I look surprisingly simian in action somehow, leaving me even more in awe of Ms. Brown, who does not. And while the camera guy frantically bounced about capturing every angle except up my nose, I tried to think, "What would Samantha do?" and just ignored him and droned on in my own... idiom. True performers rise above such things, I figured.)

But I've said more than enough now -- anything further just repeats the musings of the couple of pages of your June Bottle left for you and now floating about halfway down the Passport section if you haven't caught up with it yet. Have a wonderful, if hectic, summer, Samantha. Please find some time for yourself and your thoughts, which I'm guessing you've had far too rarely an opportunity of late. Maybe take a few moments, too, for practicing in bad Spanish accent for future endeavors, "Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!" Just in case. My very best wishes for you in everything.
"Capt. Tuttle"

Joy,

glad I could help. Europe is an incredible destination but the US destinations you have picked are excellent and my hats off to you for doing as much travel as you can. "travel is more than just a word its an attitude!" It sounds like you are a type of person that can find fun and a sense of discovery no matter where she is.

take care,
Samantha

Ecila,

I did receive your card and thank you very much for your kind words and thoughts. I think its pretty cool too the whole itunes thing, i'm glad the show is moving on to other things.

take care,
samantha

Helloooo Sam…

Sneaking up on us, eh! Like Kel, I just happened to be surfing the ‘net tonight when I decided to check out the old forum and what do you know but the Goddess herself announcing a week long engagement. Needless to say, it’s great to hear from you again.

Great news on the Passport front! Most around these parts have been looking forward to the show expanding its horizons and venturing beyond Europe, not that there isn’t another year’s worth that you could have gotten out of the Continent, but there is something to be said for variety.

Lady, things are HOT here in Chicago as I’m sure they are wherever you’re at tonight. Since we last spoke, I have traveled to San Francisco (earthquake centennial), Boston (first time) and Cincinnati (work). Finally set foot in Fenway Park to soak up the history and atmosphere of that ballpark. But the big news is, I’ve finally decided to take the plunge and make plans to travel to Europe next year. Believe me, it’s in no small part thanks to your show that I will be heading for London with a side trip to Paris. I’m looking forward to the trip (but not, admittedly, to the seven-hour flight).

Hope the wedding plans are going well. I see you’re visiting the old man, no doubt to hit him up for his share of the expenses . The cruise sounds exciting and I’m sure you’ll have a great time (hopefully your fiancé will be accompanying you again).

I’m sure I’ll be hollering at ya before the week is over, but if not, as always, safe travels.

travel1st

what Great Hotel eps are you looking for. do you know in my big move i ended up throwing away all my tapes! Great Vacation Homes, Girl Meets Hawaii, Great Hotels...I have so many tapes i could have used them as bricks to build me a new home. I'm eventually going to get them all on DVD-which take up a lot less space.

nice to talk to you again,
samantha

Cynthia,

I was so close to going to Singapore in July and yet it didn't happen. I was going to promote season two of Passport airing in Asia-Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore. Oh, i was so disappointed. However I really needed to spend time with my family and so I'm sure that the opportunity will present itself again.

take care,
samantha

Crispin,

Its good you saw the actual castle because your imagination might not have done it justice. Its hard to believe sometimes what Kings will do to promote their power, egos and whims isn't it? I hope we do something to feature the Panama canal as well as Panama itself. I just have this image in my head of very slick good looking men in fedoras drinking cocktails-is that the way it really is or was?

Intldoc!

I have read prior posts and saw that you were in fact home (whatever that means) I'm sure it must be nice to spend some time with your daughter as well. So we will definitely have to compare schedules for next year maybe you could pencil me in in Buenas Aires or Bogata. So a little red sports car ever listen to Cartalk? they had a wife of a man who just bought a sports car "because he was going to be seventy in twenty years" she was calling because he was so uptight about it that he wouldn't even drive over grass clippings! is that what you are like?

Goodnight!

oh ma gosh, i just scrolled down and saw so many friends I haven't talked to in so long...i guess we all work late. Its been a long HOT day and i think i am going to retire for the night and talk to you guys when I'm feeling a little more refreshed (I also have a big bowl of vanilla ice cream waiting for me) talk to you all tomorrow, sam

Truth be told, I’ll be seventy in far less than twenty years, but let’s not dwell on that, shall we? This little red sports car isn’t my first (it’s my fourth), and my finest was a used Ferrari 308 GTS, which about 20 years ago cost me an untold fortune in fines, attorneys fees and the occasional bail bondsman, but we won’t dwell on that either. Suffice it to say, I’m not wearing leather pants and hanging about the student lounge leering at coeds; no, I don’t wear my hair in a pony tail; I only order my Starbuck’s “to go”; and I hope that answers your question.

As you know, my home for many years has been a Boeing 777 American Airlines economy/business class jet to-and-from Chicago and Paris/London/Glasgow/Dublin or any train connecting these points and others in Europe. Home for the next 10 days is St. Louis, and then off to my next assignment based in California. I’ve always considered the US home (and am proud to do so), but must confess I’m already a bit homesick for the other side of the pond. And, of course, you are right – the experience is life-changing.

Yes, yes indeed; years ago I listened to Tom and Ray every Saturday morning with Kona coffee, onion bagels and cream cheese. Great fun that, and I’ll have to tune in again. Nevertheless, I’m more often concerned with tire compounds, loaded spring weight, lateral g-load, frame flex and powerflash settings than grass clippings. Can’t seem to keep my foot out of the horsepower, it seems. A personal flaw among very many, to be sure.

Although I believe our first port of call is Chile and I have no doubt that Bogota is on the list, make it Rio and I’ll write it in pen!

Best, Intl Doc

Hello Samantha,
Ooh ... you missed the trip to Singapore, what a pity. Could be a blessing though as the weather has been dreadfully hot and humid this July, despite the thundery showers now and then.
Anyway, there's always another trip I'm sure. And you'll be welcome here anytime! Have a good rest and reunion with your family. Ta, Cynthia.

Sam,
I'm looking forward to all of the great Passport episodes coming up. I actually am planning to go to Prague in the spring, which means that this winter, I'll be spending a lot of time with a Czech language program. Any extra tips would be much appreciated.

I also can't wait for Passport to Latin America. My sister went to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos last year, and she had noting but good things to say (aside from a bout of digestive problems--which she has even at home). Though, I'm waiting for them to announce Passport to Austraila. I went 2 years ago, and love to watch anything about it.

I've had some out of town visitors this summer, so I've been doing the touristy stuff here in Cleveland. I love that stuff, Rock Hall, Lolly the Trolley, the zoo, West Side Market, bontanical garden, Rockefeller park, Fat Fish Blue, and Malley's Chocolate Factory. I just love all that kind of stuff. People hate to drive on the interstate with me, because if someone can put up a billboard about their roadside attraction, then I HAVE to visit it.

I'm also getting ready for a big retail sale at the convention center by the airport in November. I do classic car portraits (in pastel), and I'm planning to do this Christmas Connection thing this year to sell. It's huge, and it's the official opening to the holiday shopping season out here.

Spent a lot of yesterday in the apartment. It was so hot, and they were paving the building's lot. Then, the power went off for a few hours, and it got hot in the apartment so fast. I would have left at that point, but that would have entailed walking back up 15 flights of stairs in a stuffy-hot stairwell which didn't sound like a great idea to me.

Hope all are well.
Maureen

quote:

Originally posted by leia_87:
You should buy some music CDs in Spanish to help you with accents, pronunciation and just general learning. If you like rock I suggest Robi Draco Rosa, La Ley, and Mana. For pop - Juanes, Thalia, and Chayanne. I can't post without mentioning Ricky Martin's albums "Vuelve, A Medio Vivir, and Almas del Silencio."

Ooh, all very good. I regularly listen to Juanes, Chayanne (my favorite is No Te Preocupes Por Mi), and of course, Ricky Martin!
Excellent suggestions! But might I recommend the Gipsy Kings?

Sam, It was so nice to hear from you and read about all of your adventures. All of us Brownheads are so proud of you and your new prime time place! You have long deserved much respect from the Travel Channel because they have gained so much from you and Pine Ridge. Do you think that you might be taking your husband-to-be with you on some of your Latin American adventures? We would all love to see and learn more about the lucky man that stole your heart. Regardless, we are all looking forward to many more adventures to come. Thanks again for brightening our lives with your class, your lovely smile and winning personality. A Brownhead forever, Tim

Rummaging through my drawer was definitely an adventure. I was specifically looking for the Rittenhouse episode. It was then that I realized, "Wow, Sam has been with us for years. We've really gotten to know her well," especially by watching the older episodes from season one of Great Hotels. When you do leave the Travel Channel, hopefully all your fans including myself are able to view all your work on DVD. In fact, I just asked my Magic 8 Ball that question. "Dear Magic 8 Ball, can we expect the Travel Channel to release Samantha Brown on DVD." The reply..."Don't count on it". I take my Magic 8 Ball very seriously. I talk to it as if it could here me.

travel1st

Hi Samantha,

I really enjoy your Passport To Europe shows since you always have something new for a traveler like me. The strudel place in Prague and church tower in Munich were new places for me to visit. I am really excited about the upcoming South America series. I was going to do Chile , Argentina, Brazil this winter, but since I broke my ankle I have to forget about that for a year. Luckily this happened after our trip to New Zealand which was outstanding. Instead we will take a cruise. That is why I look forward to what the Freedom of the Seas looks like.

cruiseluver - You know, I bought Chayanne's CD Cautivo and I haven't listened to it yet. I will make a point of it since you like that song. Lately I've been wanting to hear Provocame. Lots of good songs on that album. They may not help Samantha with traveling throughout Latin America but her fiance would enjoy the words.

kristofor

congratulations on your engagement. September is right around the corner. How have your plans been coming? Ours are okay, its tough planning a wedding but the work will most certainly pay off. I have your email address and will make sure you get one this time. Sorry, I am utterly incompetent when it comes to sending out pics.

take care,
Samantha

Aodhan,

good question. I get a lot of credit for the places we choose and deserve none of it. It's all up to the producers who pass it on to Travel Channel to get the big A O K. Even if I wanted to be apart of the chosing I don't think I could simply because PineRidge is usually pre producing an episode while I'm already at another. A picture shall be yours.

thanks for writing in,
Samantha

Georgia Homeboy,

Glad I can help those are two great properties. Tell the folks I said hello.

have a wonderful vacation and go kayaking on Amelia Island if you can, i thought it offered a beautiful perspective of the Island and its wildlife.

take care,
Samantha

Ashley!

How was college this year-are you going to be a sophomore or a Junior? I forget. What a fantastic thing for your brother to do-isn't he still in High School. Your parents must really stress the importance of travel early on in their children's life. the opportunities you both have had will take you so far in life. Athen's in August hmmmmmm i don't envy you. Although the excruciatingly hot summer we have been having should prepare you. You will have such an incredible time-make sure you order many frappe's (frap-pay) we didn't make it to Rhodes so you will have to tell me about it. Right after your Greece trip you must have to head straight back to school right? sorry, don't mean to burst your bubble so soon but it sounds like you've got a pretty busy summer so enjoy the pool while you can.

It was great to talk to you try to post again before the end of the week-I know we all love to here about your life!

talk to you soon,
Samantha