This three-part trip to China was excellent! This is what I would like the Travel Channel to be. Many people will never travel to China, or to other fascinating places, and a show like this one gives us a tour of beautiful places and cultures.

It *really* was a great series. I know for a fact that I will never travel to China, so I enjoyed this very much. What a beautiful country. I feel like I can now give it credit as such!

I agree these 3 episodes were really well made and I really enjoyed Sam's presentation of them. I only wish that Sam spent more time in China. I would have loved to have seen a Shanghai, Guangzho or even a Tibet episode. On the other hand, since the Passport series is normally 30 minutes a piece, I can look at this as 6 episodes.

Mistyleann: You will never ever travel to China? I actually visited Beijing and Shanghai 2 years ago and climbed the Great Wall and it's a wonderful place to visit. I think you will be missing out to completely rule out visiting China at some point in your life.

djariya: believe me, it's not because I don't want to. I just know what my future holds. I will probably only be a "staycationer" as I have seen termed on the Travel Channel. Money's tight and times are hard! I guess I shouldn't give up on the idea completely. I do find China one of the most beautiful countries, it would be hard to resist if an opportunity ever came my way.

I agree, Sam did an absolutely marvelous job with this series. I adored her excitment and how she appreciated everything she experienced.

I hope she goes back and hightlights Shanghai and Hong Kong and Tibet.

Sam you are one awesome hostess. Thanks for taking me on your wonderful journeys. One day I will walk the wall as well.

Well MistyLeann, just to give you a rough idea. When I went to China 2 years ago, it costed me $2,500 for 2 weeks in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Hong Kong and included food (all 3 meals) and 4 star hotels and airfaire. There was also a tour guide and tour bus to take you around everywhere. I also traveled with a large group of other tourists so I was not alone.

Bottom line, save your money. Traveling is so worth it.

Before I watched this series, I had little interest in going to China. After seeing these three episodes, I would really like to go now. I hope the Travel Channel realizes just how much of a treasure they have in Samantha Brown. She is far and away the best travel show host out there- Truly in a league of her own.

I especially enjoyed learning about Chengdu and Xian. I think I would like to see those cities more than Beijing. Even though I would like to climb The Great Wall.

Djariya: thanks for sharing your info with me on expenses during your China trip. I guess it just seems impossible when I've been laid off for the past seven months. Hopefully there will be a time when saving up for a trip and traveling will once again be a part of my life. Until then, I live thru you guys and Samantha.

Mistyleann, You are still young. Never give up your travel dreams! When I was younger, I never thought in my wildest dreams thought as a middle aged woman, I would go to Europe four years in a row, and going solo yet!! I save up all year for my next big trip. For a week in Italy this fall, I paid $1,239. This is for one week of a hotel, and airfare! It's a package deal. Even with the dollar being so weak in Europe, it's still possible.
djariya, what a great deal you got for China!! Did you buy your trip on the internet? I did. I used Expedia. Amazing the deals you can find!

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djariya, what a great deal you got for China!! Did you buy your trip on the internet? I did. I used Expedia. Amazing the deals you can find!

I actually went to a local Chinese travel agency and got the deal there. The only drawback was that the group tour would take you to lots of tourists traps. Other than that, $2,500 for 2 weeks and almost everything paid for was fantastic. It was really great that all 3 meals were part of the deal as well and BTW it was good too.

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Originally posted by mistyleann:
Djariya: thanks for sharing your info with me on expenses during your China trip. I guess it just seems impossible when I've been laid off for the past seven months. Hopefully there will be a time when saving up for a trip and traveling will once again be a part of my life. Until then, I live thru you guys and Samantha.

I'm sorry to hear that your in a bad spot right now financially, but as littlepinetree said, never give up on your dreams to travel. I'm only 34 and started traveling the world 8 years ago when I got my 1st U.S. Passport and have loved every second of it. I wasn't able to travel this year because I had to buy a new car, but after a full year of saving, I fully intend to hit Asia again in 2009.

Thanks djariya. I hope you will get to fulfill your travel goals in the coming year...and enjoy the trips! And let us know how they go because like I said....I'm having to live thru other's ventures.

I think this series is fantastic. I'm learning new things and totally enjoying the shows. I laughed and laughed while working out at the gym last night. Thanks Samantha! You're still getting me through my exercise routines.