samfaniam,

wow, it has been awhile. Glad to see you are exposing you Beagles to quality programming on the Travel Channel. Do they howl at anything I say? We had a Beagle and I couldn't believe the vocal chords on that dog. So you are Italian you say? WELL CONGRATULATIONS!!!! the World Cup was a very big event in my household, my Fiance actually went to Germany to support the United States. He was supposed to leave his drinking and all around revelry for a few days to join me in Copenhagen while I was shooting there but can you believe he never made it?

Viva Italia!
Samantha

Gene,

for some reason on my vacation I always head to the seacoast and therefore forget how beautiful the Adirondacks are. In New York alone there is so much beauty in the mountains and lakes that are all throught the state. I turned to my fella the other day and said "we should go do a weekend trip up at Lake Placid, we can eat Ice Cream and stay in a motor lodge" he replied: "YOU, a motor lodge? right"

Gene, could you send me an email address so I might begin the picture process again maybe this time with better results

take care,
Samantha

Laura,

I think my favorite princess is The Little Mermaid. I loved that movie. Well break a leg as they say auditioning for Belle and I'm sure it will help your performance having seen a Belle at Disney World. When did you send your letter. I have moved and I just realized I might not have told Discovery Channel

hope you are having a great summer,
Samantha

yes,

I will definitely be livin la vida loca as preparations for the latin show. I think I'm going to start watching all the Spanish soap opera's. That will be fun. I believe my camera is a Cannon 310 powershot

He never made it, are you sure you want to marry this guy? J/K :~) Its alot of work training them to be quite, but its worth it I love this breed.They howl whenever they hear a dog on TV, or when my wife and I start it for fun.To be honest Iam not much of a sports fan, I do race a couple of old Pontiacs and a new Corvette, Iam big into drag racing and road racing. I just cant stand watching it I have to be out there going fast!
Ciao Bella!

Matt

Micki,

Tell Emily thank you so much, I feel so cool when the Tweens like me. I will definitely send you a photo and no I don't have "people" it's just me so it takes a little longer but until I can train my cat to sign my autograph I'm it. I'll contact you soon for a physical address.

take care and thanks for making my show something for the whole family, It's very flattering,

samantha

Mother O!

I'm in Portsmouth NH myself soaking up as much of this seacoast lifestyle as I possibly can in a week. While getting my tea I ran into one of my hang out buddies from high school and it turns out a group of people I haven't seen in 12 years live close by and we are all getting together friday to reminisce. I feel like Elwood in the Blues Brothers when he says "we're gettin the band back together" being up here makes me think how much i would love to own property on the NH or Maine seacoast it really is something else.

I remember going on the message boards and seeing something about Father Orange heading to Prague and going to the strudel place-so are you telling me he found it? That's excellent! hopefully you enjoyed it with a big dollop of vanilla ice cream or even Main blueberry would be quite nice too. Did you have a stomach ache like I did after eating an entire piece that was longer than an arm?

enjoy your vacation and please tell Father O that he needs to put down the ice tea, get off the hammock and say hello

loved the poem especially the line about the hair! I'll make sure the crew at PineRidge sees it too.

take care,
Samantha

Mother O,

opps just scrolled down and saw that Father O has in fact already gotten out of the Hammock.

w00t thank you Samantha.

Don't lose too many IQ points watching Spanish soaps though


Sláinet ó dhia duit.

so I hate to be a bother, but I never got a picture either from the last time you were here.

oh and if you're looking for something new to listen to, I found this podcast on itunes called the "Word Nerds." and since you're a wine enthusiast, there's an episode about wine terminology. thought you'd like that.

Ecila
lao_33e@hotmail.com

I probably sent the letter like in February or March. I can't remember. Anyway I start school on August 14. I know what you're thinking it's way too early to go back to school, but I guess high school is going to be different than elementary school and junior high. Well I hope things turn out what they're suppose to be in school. If you want to know if my high school is doing Beauty and the Beast and I'm playing Belle (hopefully) you can e-mail me at Violet430@aol.com.

Love,
Laura

Hi Samantha!

I am a little new to posting questions, so I hope I get this right. I have been a fan for only a short while, but I notice that you enjoy food. Is there any food that you simply could not eat while filming any of your shows?

I read where you will be going to Montana the last couple of weeks in August...just got back from spending two weeks in Glacier National Park and vicinity. Awesome place to visit.

Looking forward to Passport to Latin America and the rest of Passport to Europe. Keep up the good work and congrats on your upcoming wedding in October.

Doreen

[Note: This is a Samantha Need Not Reply Zone so that she may spend more time with dad or others tonight]

Intldoc,
I previously missed your earlier reference above, and I have nothing whatsoever against sports cars. (It's SUVs I loathe in every aspect.) If someone were to deed me a nice new British racing green Mazda Miata I would happily accept delivery. Actually I only own a basic little five speed VW Golf (and as I believe mentioned earlier, is a shiny blue) which I love, and handles surprisingly spritely (but with convenient hatchback). I even think it's pretty (if no Miata, or Lamborghini). Great fun to zip up the Little Mountain in the morning, where I suddenly find I'll be tomorrow. But off again Thursday.

Friend of mine was actually on Car Talk a year or so ago, and she even was called back for Stump the Chumps. She did confess, however, that the calls are edited down before airing and run later (which is why everyone seems to be "at work" on a Saturday). Best line heard from them - "Before getting into a fight with a guy, try walking a mile in his shoes. Then you'll be a mile away from him... and you'll have his shoes."

And sounds as both of you can now turn your interest from the Scandinavian Moose part of the opening credits for Holy Grail and towards the flashing lighted South American Llama part. A culture shock, I know.
"Capt. Tuttle"

[Now back to the normal viewing thread. Thank you.]

[We interrupt this thread to reply to the above.]

The sports car apology regarded my proposed Harley trip to Monticello this summer; however, I turned down the Virginia offer for the Cali opportunity and the motorcycle evolved into a sportscar - with air conditioning. And so, with apologies, my visit to your back yard has been scuttled (for now, at least).

You hate SUVs? My, what good taste you have.

We'll talk later after the boss-lady has gone.

Best, Intl Doc

[We now resume our scheduled thread.]

thnk u samantha hav fun in latin america! by the way do you have any suggestions on what 2 do in st augustine?

Hi Sam!

I'm new to the boards, however, I have been a faithful Passport watcher for a while now. I just love your show and I've been taping the episodes recently trying to decide where to go on my vacation. My question for you would be- What do you think is the most student-friendly city in Europe?

Congratulations on your engagement, and I'm so looking forward to Passport to Latin America!

Thanks,

Megan
Charlotte, NC

Hi Samantha. It is so nice to hear from you. Your plans sound womderful.I can't wait to see them. Is there any way "Great vacation homes" and "Girl meets Hawaii" will ever be offered on DVD? Just as all your shows, they were wonderful.I'm afraid they will be lost.God go with you. Love Mary.

Dear Sam,
Thanks for responding so quick to my message. I know its been around for awhile but it still amazes me how the internet and message boards allow people to communicate. I guess I am easily amazed at things. I liked living in Panama. The people are friendly. You are right in that the Americans had an easier life there. For example we hired a gardener and a maid to do the yard work and clean the house. They worked for us one day a week and than worked at our neighbors houses on other days of the week. Up until that point, we had never hired a gardener or a maid and we haven't hired one since. Only living in Panama could we afford to hire a gardener and maid. I got to go through the Panama Canal while we lived there. It is a trip well worth taking. The boat we went through the canal on was a big navy ship that could barely fit through the locks they use to raise and lower ships as they go through the canal. The ship side swipped a light post on one side of the lock than veird the other direction and took some of the roof off of the building on the opposite side of the lock. luckily everything turned out okay. That was twenty five years ago and is probably one of the reasons they're planing on digging a whole new Panama Canal that will be wider, to handle the bigger modern ships.
Sorry to rattle on like this but let me close with a question Sam; When you stayed in that castle in England, the one whose owner got his head chopped off by the King, the bathroom in the room you showed us looked like it had Two toilets am I correct?
Take care Sam,
Crispin

Samantha--I am a HUGE fan of yours and thank you for doing this forum! If you don't mind, can I ask you a few questions? This being summer, with all the lazy time I have, I'm looking for new books and CD's. What are your favorite books and CD's that you take on the road? Do you have a favorite magazine? Also, what part of NYC do you live in now? How did you meet your fiance? Will you post wedding pictures after the fact? Sorry that was so many questions! Enjoy your time with your dad and your old friends!!!

Samantha; I'm a very long time fan of your shows and just found this forum. How cool is this? I never have missed "Great Hotels". Not only do we love your wit and the fun you have on the show, but we also love seeing which places you visit that we've been to and enjoyed.
Now we're getting into the "Passport to Europe" series (thanks to the Travel Channel for multiple showings), and learning about the places we'd like to see next.

One thing, though...what's with the wedding in October? Has your fiance' been on any of the "Passport" episodes with you? He's a lucky guy, and is in for some great adventures with the best adventuress of all time!

Best,
Linda and Richard

Sam,

It's great to have you back. Life is always an adventure that's for sure- i've had quite the year so far- survived my first year on a new job. had a few house repairs and medical scares but will be celebrating 7 years hitched in sept. Congrats on your upcoming wedding- may it be everything your heart desires. Marriage is great!

a few questions for you, if i may:

1. do you know anything about why they aren't airing any of the new eps in july or august? to finish out passport to europe? according to the schedule- they were to air some next week but they took them off the schedule and there isn't a sign in sight of the new eps.

2. how many eps will Passport to Latin America be?

3. will there be enough to do 2 seasons of Latin America or do you think you can get it all in 1?

4. where does your freedom of the seas cruise take you? will it be an hour show? i hope they air it multiple times- late at night- after 11pm central time and during the day- those are the only times i can get it.

5. eco resorts? sounds cool- what exactly is an eco resort? and same hope of air times.

6. after you get married will you still be doing your travel shows? any talk yet of more great hotels? maybe passport to asia, australia, canada???? or that usa coast to coast with sam brown idea- where you go from state to state doing all the cool things and you could probably film some great hotels at the same time.???

anyway i think i questioned enough- please let me know what you know.

thanks and have fun!

Thanks for the response Sam. My e-mail address is
swoyboro@adelphia.net

Hope I didn't sound like a whiner. For you, as busy as you are, to come on a message board and chat with your fans is quite remarkable. Thanks for doing that.

Hey Sam,
I justed started to get into Travel Channel in April of '06, because of 5takes Pacific Rim, but, I was wondering are you still doing Great Hotles or is has that show ended?

Hi Samantha - My husband and I recently discovered your show, oddly enough while on vacation. We now record episodes and eat dinner with you in Europe every night while figuring out where our next, next trip will take us. I just wanted to say thanks for the awesome show - your personality really shows through and you look like you're truly having fun traveling, which, of course, is what it's all about!

Having just visited Europe for the first time for my honeymoon (last September in London and Ireland), I'm now ready to tackle the rest of the continent..or as much as I possibly can. My husband and I are heading to Germany for 10 days in November and I wanted to know what your favorite place to visit/thing to do was while you were there. We're also planning a trek over to Prague, where I'll be sure to pick up some crystal to add to the Waterford we picked up in Ireland.

Thanks again for such a great show - I look forward to Passport to Latin America. My husband and his brother hiked the Inca Trail into Machu Piccu and just loved it!

And congrats on your engagement!

Cheers,
Erin

Sam, i just wanted to say i really enjoy your show, and that since i've moved to Portugal with my wife, we have not been able to find your programs on the schedules here...maybe i just have to look harder...I remember seeing your show on Alfama and Lisbon, but i wanted to ask what time of year did you go? In June is the time of the popular saints, where they decorate the streets and stay up all night eating sardines, the streets of alfama are packed with all generations, it's amazing! did you have a chance to see this? Anyway, we look forward to more shows (once we can figure out when they are on over here...in fact we'd even be happy with re-runs) so keep up the good work, your a great personality in the business. Paula and I really feel like you care about letting people know about things, and the genuine curiosity you show for your work helps us all 'go there'. If you get back here some day (Portugal) we could show you the Alentejo or the coast a little more, as we've a bike tour company based here..howerver to avoid a shameless plug on such a decent forum, i'll leave my email and you can consider it an open invite.

Hope to see you soon
Os Melhores Cumprimentos
Bejinhos
Aaron & Maria Paula

Sam if you want to know more about us drop me a line
acgafner@bluecoastbikes.com

Hey Sam!

My friend Justine has gotten me hooked on your shows (particularly Passport to Europe). You and Rachael Ray from the Food Network supply us with so much travel information (although your IQ seems to be significantly higher than poor Rachael's). Travel and cooking are two of my passions. Clearly someone created the Travel Channel and the Food Network just to make me happy.

This summer I'm actually flying up to New Hampshire to see my friend Emily, who lives just outside of Keene. Then for next summer, Justine and I, along with our French teacher, have planned a small trip to Paris and Rome. You have definitely helped us with our planning! It will be quite an adventure practicing my French. French pronunciation is very particular. My French teacher said that her husband once accidentally asked a waitress for "gros nichons" (large breasts) instead of "cornichons" (pickles). Should we ever see him, we will never let him live that down.

Before I end up rambling about nothing (or have I already started?), I just wanted to say thank you for all of the amazing tips lined with humor that you've given us through your shows. Looking forward to Latin America!

Happy traveling!
Kyle

Hey Sam! I just wanted to tell you that you get my vote for world's most beautiful woman. Sorry to gush but it is the honest truth. Thank you for all that you do. Tim

Hey Sam!
This is my first time to the boards and I am so happy that you will be logging on this week so we can chat!
Anyway, I absolutely love your shows. I spent my junior year of college living in France and traveling around 12 other countries in Europe so Passport to Europe lets me revisit all the cities I fell in love with. The year abroad was the best time of my life! I just finished my senior year of college back here in Oklahoma so while I have been home for over a year now I miss it all mor than I imagined I could-- the people, the cultures,the adventures! I met my boyfriend (from the same home town and University- small world!) while abroad so we had the opportunity to share that experience together. I am fortunate to be able to have him to now have all of those, "do you remember that one time?" moments with. My passion in life besides traveling is photography so I got to capture some of the world with a few thousand pictures and will never forget the greatness and beauty of Europe!!
On a different note, I have been watching your shows for a few years now and have always wondered... doesn't she ever wish she had someone special to share all of those romantic moments with? (i mean besides your crew!) and I just read that you are engaged so... Congratulations!! MY boyfriend and I will be engaged within the year most liekely and I of course have already started scoping out honeymoon spots. I so badly want to go to Bora Bora in the French Polynesian. Do you have any suggestions for some good honeymoon spots? I want to be somewhere tropical, beautiful, and remote as possible.
I appreciate your time!! If there are any openings ever for your shows or need an assistant traveler or even someone to hold the cord to the video camera- I'll do it! Traveling has got to be one of the best things in life- seeing God's great creations.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Morgan

Hey sam, I am a 25 year old musician/computer technician and I wanted to say that my wife and I love your shows. I get to the gym and watch you in the mornings before work. Good stuff. We would really like to see you on a sitcom or doing stand up. That would be awesome. Well keep up the great work and I will see you on tv tomorrow. later traveler.

Kelly!

right sure, no more night shifts-something tells me you would do anything to help the animals. Who are you going on a bike trip with-your family I suspect. What kind of bikes do you use? those serious racing bicycles or more of a roadster? It sounds like you and your mom are still fighting the good fight I certainly hope she is alright and send her my love. My mom's doing great just turned sixty on July 9 and we had a big party for her. I was in charge of lighting all 60 candles which as I held the cake they almost burned my eyelashes off. I am in NH right now where the heat has finally given way to a sunny breezy day. I went for a three hour ride yesturday up the coast and needed to take a four hour nap because of the humidity. Well hopefully we'll get to talk before you leave on your big trip but if not Have a great time!

Hey, your mom and I share a birthday! Except she was born 44 years before me...

Tell her I said Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to your mom and to you, cruiseluver. my birthday was July 6th.

Well, feliz cumpleaños to you too, Bigse!

Hi Samantha

My Name is Lee Ann, and I live in Tucson, AZ. I just wanted to tell you, that I Love watching your show--- you are so funny you make it seem like I am there with you when you are at differant hotels...I would love to be your traveling buddy when you are here in AZ. I look forward to hearing from you keep up the great work, and have lots of fun. I'll be watching !!!

best regards---Lee Ann lsinger@sbacollect.com

Hi Samantha,

First time to this forum but I am a long time
viewer. Have loved all of your shows and
am excited to hear about the new Passport to
Latin America. I have my husband also hooked
on your shows he thinks you are very witty
and loves the fact that you write your own
material. We enjoy the Passport to Europe
series, we just got back from Rome on July 11th
and were there for the celebration of the
World Cup victory - oh boy was that fun!
I always look forward to the showing of your
hotel room as I am very particular in that
department. We stayed at the Glasshouse in
Edinburgh last year because of your visit
there. It was perfect! We are thinking about
Spain and Portugal next year - looking for
a good hotel in Barcelona....any ideas?

I think it is just great that you take the
time from your busy schedule and "vacation
time" to check in with your viewers/fans!

The Travel Channel is lucky to have you!
Best wishes for your wedding.
Safe travels,
Linda Bart

Hi Sam, post number 2 for me! im really enjoying your site..well forum...when will you have your own personal website??? I think it's time...one more quick question, and it might have been answered in another forum but i haven't read them all....where could one get dvds of your previous shows..i've still got the vhs copies but our vcr no longer works..and being in europe now, dvds travel much better.

Thanks Sam and good night.
Aaron

Samantha.
I hope you had as wonderful a day as I did and that you will be out enjoying a lovely sunset somewhere. Three of my July passions are picking buckets full of high bush blueberries, collecting kindling wood, and floating in a calm lake. I happily did all of them today. I started the day making a mean batch of blueberry chocolate pancakes, as Father O was sweet enough to bring back a few bars of duty free-sized Lindt.
I also followed up on David the Editor’s tip and looked for Entertainment Weekly while in two stores, but I can only assume they sold out early because Samantha Brown was in the current issue!
Sam, I have never been to the Everglades, but when you mentioned those alligators earlier, the image called up in my mind reminded me of how clever you were with those things. As the reptilian chorus looked up at you with open jaws, you assumed the role of choirmaster to lead them in vocal warm-ups. And didn’t you reveal that Santa’s day job was driving a swamp boat? Ho Ho Ho. You may have hated it, maybe you even forgot it, but those moments will live forever!
And since you thoughtfully asked, I’m happy to report that the well-traveled Prague strudel did not cause me any gastric distress for two reasons. I did not eat the whole thing, and the powdered sugar on top got displaced in transit. Also,kindly sort that I am, the two were sliced into smaller pieces to share with the family. I totally agree with you that something was needed on the side, and I added a scoop of local ginger ice cream, though Father O insisted on being a purist and ate his straight.
The whole experience was doubly memorable because about every 20 years, our picnic table reaches the point of collapse. With the family gaining members, who are also growing larger every year, Czech Strudl Day was just the appropriate time for that to happen. Thankfully, it was the twelve year old who went down with the table, not the 86 year old, so no hips were broken. And I’m not blaming you for any of it. So now I will add buying and staining a new and bigger picnic table to my list of things to do, which of course includes finishing that Curtain Call poem.
It’s nice to read greetings from all the old and new posters on here. I hope that karld doesn’t break his streak of consecutive visits, and that Hummingbirdlady flies in from the west coast.

Enjoy going back in time, and get reenergized by the peace that comes from really feeling at home. Safe travels, Samantha.
Mother Orange

Hey Samantha!
Let me just start off by saying you rock. You're funny, sexy and so personable. I love all of your work. I had a thought. It would be awesome if you did some sort of program showcasing your honeymoon. I understand that that would invade your privacy, and we wouldn't want that. It would just be interesting to see honeymoon planning tips from the travel godess herself (you) . I mean where does a woman go on her honeymoon who has already been everywhere?!? Antatarctica? Newlyweds are always looking for cool places to go on their honeymoons, and you are the first person we'd turn to for travel ideas. It would be cool even if it was a home movie style thing, to avoid bringing a filming crew on your honeymoon. Like the style of Britney Spears' "Chaotic", however it would obviously be much more classy and interesting. Anyways, that was just a possible idea I had. Sam, ur the coolest. Keep up the good work.

Another New England summer day has come and gone. Today was cooler that the past few. I was stuck inside all day working. Hopefully you got to enjoy the cooler temps, Samantha. As I look at my schedule it seems I won't see another afternoon until Sunday. I fear winter will be here before I know it. Blech!

Enjoy summer, kids!

Father Orange,

thank you so much for your account of the Susta Strudl. it truly warmed my heart. When I started with Great Vacation Homes and Great Hotels I rarely approached the show as this was something people would do, I saw my role more as providing light entertainment and an escape. The Europe series has changed that completely and I am hearing more and more how people do specifically what I have done. To know that I have inspired people is overwhelming and I realize that I have a greater responsibility then just writing and hosting. Believe me it's a responsibility I am more than happy to accept.

Those Baroque gardens behind the Aria are glorious aren't they? The hotel completely lucked out having that as a back yard.

So are you settling into the Maine way of life? I just had my first lobster roll today and tomorrow you know where I head to...FLO's!!!!!!!!

talk to you soon,
Samantha

Hey Sam! First time here. My wife and I just discovered your Passport to Europe show (quite by accident) this past Spring. We watch regularly, even destinations that we don't care about, just because it's so entertaining.

We've been looking for a list of all the episodes, but haven't been able to find one. iTunes is a bust for this because you have to install their software before you can even see a list of what is available. We've been looking for this because the opening sequence shows windmills at Kinderdijke in the Netherlands, but the only show we've been able to find is the one on Amsterdam. We're both of Dutch heritage and have visited a few times to try and find family locations, but we generally avoid Amsterdam and prefer the countryside. Did you do any other shows on The Netherlands?

I'm bummed to hear that there will be no new episodes, but it isn't clear to me if that means that you've wrapped up filming and there will be a few more shows that will be aired for the first time or if all the shows are already on repeat broadcast.

New Hampshire is very pretty country. Enjoy the break!

Ernie

Hi Sam!
I'm new to the boards, but a huge fan of your shows. I actually started watching at the urging of a friend (who was crushed to learn he didn't get the travel channel in Iraq btw!)I just wanted to agree with Dramaqueen. Mackinac would make a great special... The only thing, I would expand on it being Northern Michigan, rather than all the focus on Mackinac. It's beautiful there, but mostly for history buffs... NM is known for much more than that!

I have to agree with dramaqueen and now karenmae, mackinac would be a great place to see, and in the same respect, the north shore of minnesota, ie. Two Harbors, Duluth, Grand Marais, etc...such a majestic area up there, great for biking and climbing, camping, or just watching the big iron freighters coming in to dock.

thats all for now,

ciaozinho!
aaron

Thank you Samantha, and Crew! Todays schedule is absolutely amazing. I'm staying with my son tell Sat. So we both can watch you tonite. Thank you for having such great shows. Mary

Hi Samantha,

I'm a new fan since the last time you had one of these sessions and as luck would have it when this one started I was (and still am) out of town with VERY limited internet access. I want you to know I think you're terrific and you have enriched my life tremendously with your shows and journals.
I'd like to make a couple of request of you and if you could comply, it would be greatly appreciated by myself and I'm sure many other of your fans. Firstly, I'd like to know what some of your favorite books are; I'm sure they'd be nearly as life enriching as your shows and journals. Secondly, I hope you'll consider coming out with a swimsuit calendar. You look spectacular in a bikini and I think you could make a ton of money for yourself and the Discovery Store.
I wish you much success with your new shows and much happiness in your forthcoming marriage. You're the best.

Dave

Samantha,

Sounds like you’re making the most of what little time you have off.

I’m wondering how much of your Passport to Europe crew will be with you for the new series? I picture all the same faces from your journal entries tromping through the Amazon (with you as their Indiana Jones-style guide!). Will there be any new faces for this upcoming season or will it be the same people, different continent?

Stay out of the hot sun,
ihopjunkie

Hi, I am just going in to college and am an aspiring journalist, who wishes to one day travel and write. I watch your show all the time, and was just wondering how you came to get this job. What was your major in college? Did you need many contacts to get this job, or did you just apply? Thanks!