Influence of Travel Programs
Dec 15, 2014, 5:05 pm
#16
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http://www.waitomo.com/Glowworm-Cave...orm-caves.aspx
Last edited by Dieuwer; Dec 15, 2014 at 5:16 pm
Dec 15, 2014, 5:57 pm
#20
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I grew up with Micheal Palin's Around the World in 80 Days and Pole to Pole. I think they embedded the desire to go to a number of places, most of which I've done by now.
Like someone else mentioned I quite like Bourdain's current series as he comes across as genuine and appreciative of the same combination of people, food and scenery as I do.
Like someone else mentioned I quite like Bourdain's current series as he comes across as genuine and appreciative of the same combination of people, food and scenery as I do.
Dec 16, 2014, 2:44 am
#21
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I'm going echo the opinion that New Zealand's North Island is spectacular. Between Maori culture, glow worm caves, zorbing, the best indian food I've ever had (in a corner shopping mall in Hamilton, no less), earthquakes ... just amazing. Auckland wasn't particularly spectacular, but the rest of the drive down to Wellington was so good. I wish I'd spent more than the 7 days I did.
That said, Australia's big cities are pretty good in their own right, but it's not the vast expanse of nature and 'Wow' that New Zealand is.
That said, Australia's big cities are pretty good in their own right, but it's not the vast expanse of nature and 'Wow' that New Zealand is.
Dec 16, 2014, 3:32 am
#22
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I find literature is a much more powerful tool in choosing where to travel. The more I find that the people and the culture interest me, the more I want to visit the country. There are some travel programmes which are ok (Michael Palin's mentioned up-thread is one), the vast majority are as vacuous as a glossy brochure.
Dec 16, 2014, 5:10 am
#24
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You should read Danziger's Travels by Nick Danziger. One of my favourite 'travel' books.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Danzigers-Tr.../dp/0586087060
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Danzigers-Tr.../dp/0586087060
Dec 16, 2014, 6:53 am
#25
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To the OP's broader point, the main things I get from most travel programs are:
(1) Entertainment value or as travel pr0n - i.e., well done shows with good video can be purely fun to watch and enjoy the sights and sounds.
(2) They sometimes pique my interest in a destination I wasn't aware of or hadn't been thinking of. Mind you, I'm not making a decision based on a show, but it can be a starter for me to further research.
(1) Entertainment value or as travel pr0n - i.e., well done shows with good video can be purely fun to watch and enjoy the sights and sounds.
(2) They sometimes pique my interest in a destination I wasn't aware of or hadn't been thinking of. Mind you, I'm not making a decision based on a show, but it can be a starter for me to further research.
Dec 16, 2014, 7:49 am
#26
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eating wasnt a problem either neither in availability and quality. in fact, some of the best eating in the world. a bit expense - but you get what you pay for.
the hype is justified
Dec 16, 2014, 8:26 am
#27
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That reminds me of a book I read a long time ago: "The Mark of the Horse Lord" by Rosemary Sutcliff. It got me interested in Celtic and Roman Britain. As a result I made a backpacking trip to Hadrian's Wall and Dunadd Fort.
Dec 16, 2014, 11:24 am
#29
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Though I prefer the older rougher around the edges Bourdain shows to the newest one.