Series Explores Both Domestic and International Locations, From Baltimore, MD to Seoul, South Korea
Calabasas, CA - (Dec. 12, 2018) -
NEW YORK, NY, December 12, 2018 - Samantha Brown, the most recognized woman in travel television, continues her journey to make travel personal again in the second season of PBS’ “Places to Love,” premiering nationally on Saturday, January 5 (check local PBS schedule for exact date and times). The 13-episode season takes viewers to 27 destinations both near and far as Samantha highlights the emotional value of travel by introducing viewers to the people, lesser-known spots of interest and fascinating local haunts worldwide. Season 2 of “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” is sponsored by both AmaWaterways and AAA.
“Travel is one of the few things we have in life that mark a fresh start, a new beginning - whether we’re traveling to a destination 10,000 miles away or just on a quick weekend trip,” said Samantha Brown. “My series, ‘Places to Love,’ is about exploring the more personal side of travel by finding the destinations, experiences and, most importantly, the people who make us feel like we are really a part of a place; where we’re not just treated like a consumer but a part of the community. From famous cities to under-the-radar gems, “Places to Love” is ultimately about approaching travel in bold and refreshing ways.”
In the “Places to Love” season 2 premiere, Samantha acquaints viewers with the old world side of Hong Kong, China, which is typically known as an international powerhouse with towering sky scrapers and high-end shopping districts. In this beautiful city, Samantha is taken with the welcoming friendliness of its people, and focuses on its small shops, family-owned businesses and thriving neighborhoods to provide a more intimate perspective of the destination. Samantha’s discovery of Hong Kong begins with a visit to Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, then continues on to the design goods shop, Goods of Desire, where owner Douglas Young, author of “How to Play Mahjong,” teaches her the intricacies of the centuries-old game. Samantha then sets out for Sham Shui Po and the Kung Wo Beancurd Factory, which has been family-owned for four generations, to sample a tofu pudding made from a 100-year-old recipe.
In subsequent episodes, Samantha travels to Santa Fe, N.M. to check out “Meow Wolf,” the immersive art experience, and snacks on enchiladas with “Christmas” (made with red and green chile sauces), and in Seoul, South Korea she walks among the peaceful giants at the Korean Stone Art Museum and learns to make a quick version of the famous dish, Kimchi, at Janet’s Cooking Studio. On an epic Rhine River cruise, Samantha makes stops in Freiburg, Germany (the gateway to the Black Forest) and Strasbourg, France to visit the Petite France neighborhood and then tours the iconic Heidelberg Castle. Closer to home, she heads to Baltimore, MD to get her “Hon” on at the annual Honfest and samples modern soul food with Chef David Thomas and his wife Tonya at their restaurant Ida B’s Table, before a new adventure takes her to New Zealand for a tour of Christchurch and the Central North Island.
“We are thrilled to see the launch of Season 2 of ‘Places to Love,’” said Kristin Karst, executive vice-president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. "Samantha has a talent for immersing her viewers in the culture of the destination, which is the exact experience we want our guests to have onboard. We are excited for viewers to see a Rhine River cruise and the fascinating locales through Samantha's eyes."
AAA, which provides more than 59 million members with worldwide travel planning, as well as automotive, insurance and financial services, was also a natural partnership.
“AAA and Samantha Brown share a passion for travel, and we’re excited to help bring season 2 of ‘Places to Love’ to life,” said Bryan Shilling, managing director of AAA Travel Products and Services. “As one of North America’s largest and most trusted leisure travel organizations, AAA welcomes the opportunity to share Samantha Brown’s love of travel with our members.”
About Samantha Brown:
Known for her warm, engaging personality and her ability to convey the true character of the people and places she visits throughout the world, Samantha has been inspiring wanderlust since her television journey first began with Travel Channel’s “Great Hotels.” Since then, her career has taken her to over 250 cities in 62 countries and 40 of the United States, winning her two Emmys in the process. A natural extension of her years on the road, in 2011, Samantha debuted her own stylish and practical luggage line on HSN, the Home Shopping Network. Designed from her travel expert’s perspective, blending style and utility, the line instantly became a top “customer pick” and was one of the most successful brand launches for the year.