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Maui
&
Hawaii’s Big Island
VHS
DVD
(Packaged
with
Oahu &
Kauai
)
The cultures of the Pacific converge on the breathtaking islands of
Hawaii. This trip Rudy begins on Maui, where he braves the twisting
road to Hana with its cascading waterfalls and tropical splendor.
Fire-knife dancers light up the night sky, and we sway to the rhythms
of hula and slack-key guitar. Later, Rudy hops over to Hawaii’s Big
Island for ancient petroglyphs and a helicopter tour of the world’s
most active volcano.
Tips on
snorkeling and golfing.
More about Maui & Hawaii’s Big Island...
Oahu
&
Kauai
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with
Maui & Hawaii’s Big Island
)
Sunning, swimming, surfing and boating at Waikiki Beach are just the start
in Honolulu. Rudy explores Hawaii’s Polynesian roots at the venerable
Bishop Museum, remembers WWII history at Pearl Harbor, and pays homage to
King Kamehameha. From Oahu we head north to Kauai, "The Garden Island"
whose sheer beauty screams "tropical paradise". Rudy hikes the Waimea
Canyon and kayaks past traditional Hawaiian villages. The Allerton Gardens
show off rare tropical plants, and restored homes of planters recall days
when sugar was king.
More about Oahu & Kauai...
San Francisco
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with Seattle and Vancouver & Victoria
)
The port city of San Francisco revels in art, diversity and food. Chinatown
is a feast for the senses, and the city’s new Asian Art Museum a must-see.
We get savvy on sourdough and tour notorious Alcatraz Island. A stroll
through the Haight neighborhood harkens back to the “Summer of Love”, and
the Italian cafes of North Beach serve up a dollop of hospitality with their
espresso. Crossing the Golden Gate, Rudy heads to Napa Valley wine country
for a relaxing mud bath and some off-beat garden art.
Tips
on vegetarian food and wine-tasting.
More about San Francisco...
Seattle
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with San Francisco and Vancouver & Victoria
)
A hip, happening urban center surrounded by natural beauty, Seattle combines
city life with the great outdoors. Rudy explores the vibrant downtown,
samples microbrews and lattes, noses around Seattle’s neighborhoods and hops
aboard a ferry. Excursions take us hiking at magnificent Mount Rainier and
boating through the San Juan Islands in search of whales.
Tips
on great seafood and getting outfitted
for the outdoors.
More about Seattle...
Vancouver & Victoria
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with San Francisco and Seattle
)
As Canada’s door to the Pacific Rim, Vancouver is a vibrant mix of European
heritage and Asian cultures. In this vital, young and dynamic city Rudy
explores the mix of cultures that inspires world-class cuisine, a spirited
night life and modern Asian shopping centers. Nature is ever-present and
Rudy visits a temperate rainforest and rides a gondola to the top of a
mountain just minutes from downtown. A spectacular ferry ride to Victoria
brings Rudy to a bastion of British Heritage where he enjoy afternoon tea,
visit the beautiful Butchart Gardens and dine on seaweed plucked from the
seashore.
More about Vancouver & Victoria...
Shanghai
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with Hong Kong
)
China’s new powerhouse, Shanghai dazzles with fantastic skyscrapers,
non-stop shopping and delicious dining. From traditional Tai Chi in the
parks and teahouses to market madness and tumbling acrobats, Rudy explores
tradition and modernity in this burgeoning city. Excursions to the gardens
of Suzhou and the canal town Zhouzhuang bring the ancient past alive.
Tips on getting
around and eating well.
More about Shanghai...
Hong Kong
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with Shanghai
)
We get a Pacific Rim rush when we visit energetic, ever-changing Hong Kong.
On a famous Star Ferry, Rudy savors one of the most majestic skylines on
earth. Here, where ancient tradition cozies up to ultramodern, we take in
monasteries, Chinese herbs and a city obsessed with shopping. The island of
Lantau features one of the world’s largest statues of Buddha. And in the
fishing village of Sai Kung, Rudy feasts on freshly caught seafood.
Tips
on markets and feng shui.
More about Hong Kong...
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Sydney
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with Queensland
)
Australia’s stunning metropolis, Sydney seduces with its glorious harbor,
carefree attitude and sunny beaches. From the Opera house to the Harbor
Bridge to Circular Quay Rudy basks in the sights along the harbor. Then,
it’s pub hopping in the old Rocks quarter, admiring aboriginal art, and a
watery adventure at the aquarium. Excursions take us surfing at Bondi beach
and exploring the cliffs and rainforests of the Blue Mountains.
Tips
on eating well and best beaches.
More about Sydney...
Queensland
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with Sydney
)
Sun-washed
beaches, chic beachside towns, cliffs and rainforests and one of the
seven natural wonders of the world, The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
is the ultimate outdoor adventure. We begin north of Brisbane along
the sunshine coast, exploring sand dune covered islands, coastal towns
and parks. Then we fly north to Cairns, the gateway to the coral,
multicolored sea life and azure waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
Tips
on avoiding poisonous creatures and diving.
More about Queensland...
New Zealand's South Island
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with New Zealand’s North Island
)
The South Island of New Zealand weaves Kiwi culture with scenic
splendor. The vast vineyards of Marlborough helped bring this
country’s wines to the world stage. At a local artists’ colony, Rudy
gets a crash course in Maori bone carving. The breathtaking city of
Queenstown draws adventure enthusiasts from around the world. We
brave white-water rapids on river boards and ride a hot air balloon
for soaring views of “Lord of the Rings” country.
Tips
on Maori crafts and eating mussels.
More about New Zealand’s South Island...
New Zealand's North Island
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with New Zealand’s South Island
)
With spectacular seismic activity, fascinating plant and animal life,
and to-die-for natural beauty, New Zealand is a traveler’s dream. In
the Bay of Islands, Rudy kayaks along the North’s most glorious
coastline. A Maori guide shows us where local tribes signed a
controversial treaty with European settlers. Known as the country’s
bread basket, Hawke’s Bay offers bike rides through fruit and olive
groves, and a town with one of the highest concentrations of art deco
buildings in the world.
Tips
on oyster shucking and olive oil.
More about New Zealand’s North Island...
Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with Mexico City & Ixtapa
)
Guadalajara is alive with the music of mariachis, flowers, colonial
architecture, and passionate artists. Rudy explores the rich history
and culture of “The Most Mexican of Cities.” Art and artists are an
important part of Guadalajara and Rudy takes it all in from the
papier-mâché piñatas to the dramatic murals of Orozco. Rudy tours a
tequila factory, learns about margaritas and samples the best of
traditional Mexican cooking. Then it's an easy hop to the coast where
Puerto Vallarta's traditional charm still survives next to its new
resorts.
More about Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta...
Mexico City & Ixtapa
VHS
DVD
(Packaged with Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta
)
Mexico City, the world's largest metropolis, is modern, crowded,
cosmopolitan, and steeped in tradition. Rudy begins with Mexico's
ancient roots just outside the city at pre-Aztec Teotihuacán. The
superb National Museum of Anthropology provides more insights into
ancient Mexico. For modern day excitement, we hang out at the Zocolo,
the world's second largest square and the center of national life
since the Aztec era. Finally we head beach-ward to the resorts of
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo on the Mexican Riviera.
Tips
on getting around and water sports.
More about Mexico City & Ixtapa...
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