Palm Springs, the hot playground for Old Hollywood and the Rat Pack, is the cool setting for Samantha's retro weekend. From an aerial arrival fit for a star, to meeting an original Rat Packer in the flesh, Samantha dances, roller skates and dune buggies her way through this desert oasis to discover a bygone era. Full of glamorous houses, sumptuous spas and happenin' supper clubs, this town's renaissance is not to be missed.
Buckle up for Samantha Brown's "Great American Road Trip", because this weekend she's gettin' her kicks on Route 66! Samantha rents a classic red convertible from the 1970's and hits the Mother Road, beginning her journey in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and riding out west through the beautiful desert state of Arizona. Along the way, she discovers breathtaking scenery, zany roadside attractions, and plenty of small-town shenanigans - including a former gold-mining ghost town complete with a gun showdown straight out of the Old West! Samantha will veer off good ol' Route 66 once and only once, for her spectacular show-stopping grand finale . the Grand Canyon!
Samantha's taking to the seas but it won't be on a cruise ship with spas, all night buffets and dancing 'til dawn. We're off for a weekend steeped in history and tradition enveloped in the thrill and excitement of sailing the high seas the same way they did one hundred and ten years ago. From the second she hops off the vintage locomotive in Rockland, Maine to the last picture-perfect sunset aboard a true American National Treasure, this episode of Great Weekends will be jam packed with great times, great food and great sailing!
Rock and roll and the Jersey Shore have long been synonymous with each other, and this weekend, Sam's going to discover what makes the Jersey shore a rocking good time. Rock's not just the music but a daredevil attitude, a rebel yell, and it's all over the 127 shore towns that dot the coast. Sam's going to pick up the vibe as she twists it out, taking center stage with musical figures of the past and present, all the while discovering her own rock sensibilities.
There are 2 lovely islands off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Both are extremely charming except for one thing..the fierce rivalry that exists between the two. This weekend Sam does what no one else dares and experiences both in one weekend. From the clambakes of Natucket to the gingerbread houses of Martha's Vineyard who will be crowned winner??
Sam's fulfilling everyone's childhood fantasy in this episode of Great Weekends. Whether you're riding on a school bus or looking out the conference room window, the sight of the big top tent turns everyone into a kid again. At first glimpse, it's an almost Pavlovian response to blurt out, "The circus is coming! The circus is coming!" This weekend, Sam is running away with the circus, literally! This won't be just a Great Weekend, it'll be a dream come true for everyone watching.
Samantha Brown is going for the gold in Vancouver, British Columbia, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Surrounded by sea and mountains Samantha makes her way through this cosmopolitan city to experience first hand its Olympic transformation along with all the natural beauty, physical activities, food and culture this city has to offer. From training with the US Olympic speed skating team and Downhill Mountain biking in Whistler to cooking with one of Vancouver's top chefs, Samantha gets an Olympic preview of Vancouver before the world arrives for the games.
Sam will journey through Wine Country to experience the romance and passion of this wine rich region. The differing areas of the valley and its surrounding mountains will be a stunning backdrop to Sam learning how wine became the lifeblood of Napa and Sonoma. Her experience will be from the ground up, through tasting and very literally immersing herself in the land and wine of the area. From pounding barrels to fly fishing, upscale racecars to salt of the earth meals, Sam learns that there's more to Wine Country than just wine.
Like the mythical Sirens beckoning visitors with their seductive songs, the Greek Isles are calling to Samantha. By ferrying to four exquisite islands, Sam takes in the romance of iconic Santorini and the hedonistic pleasures of party hardy Mykonos. She unearths ancient religious rites in the classical ruins of Delos, and discovers that ancient traditions are alive and well in the rustic island of Paros.
Samantha's home for the holidays in New York City, but she's not going to stop exploring! From Italian operatic dinners to Japanese origami Christmas trees, Samantha is taking in a whirlwind tour of the world right in her hometown. And along the way, she also hits the best iconic holiday events around the city. There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than Bergdorf's window displays and carriage rides through Central Park! Samantha will meet the people and places that make New York the best place to spend the holidays anywhere in the world.
New Orleans was dealt a tough blow by Hurricane Katrina but now it's back and open for business; this weekend Samantha is heading down south to check out all that's new in the Big Easy.
Sam wants to find the "real" Jamaica beyond the all-inclusive resorts. She heads into the interior-where she discovers the natural wonder of the exotic jungle through the eyes of real Jamaican medicine men. She also uncovers the remnants of Jamaica's brutal colonial history embedded in Jamaican cuisine like "jerk," Bob Marley's birthplace, and even the home of James Bond novelist Ian Fleming, who found artistic inspiration on these beautiful islands. She finishes her trip in the most authentic destination of Jamaica: Port Antonio. Here, she gets into the real music scene with Jamaican sensation Nordia Witter!
Sam is finding out what life is like in Puerto Rico, from the beats of bomba and salsa to natural wonders like gorgeous beaches, a spectacular rainforest and an extensive cave system. On her journey though the island, Sam's overwhelmed by the celebratory spirit of the people.
Samantha is in the West of Ireland and sets off to discover this side of the "Emerald Isle" through its folklore, stories, and myths. A traditional storyteller sets her off on a journey upon which she tastes oysters fresh from Galway Bay, makes black pudding at a baronial castle, and learns the art of the falconer. She takes a trip to the remote and unspoiled Aran Islands where she tests her head for heights and spends the day with a traditional rock fisherman. Back on the mainland, she rolls up her sleeves to help on a sheep farm and see how many Americans' ancestors would have lived. She finishes her trip with the fishermen of the beautiful King of the Galway boat and ultimately becomes part of her very own story of Ireland.
Surrounded by sea and mountains Sam makes her way through this young, cosmopolitan city by foot, cycle, boat, plane and train to experience all the natural beauty, physical activities, food and culture this "fit city" has to offer. Whether biking on the Seawall, being whisked away to Whistler or sabering champagne bottles in one of the nation's top restaurants Sam will submerge herself in all that is Vancouver.