Samantha Brown’s Places to Love

GPB EXTRA

SEASON SIX OF SAMANTHA BROWN’S PLACES TO LOVE HELPS VIEWERS EXPERIENCE THE SOUL OF SAVANNAH AND MORE DESTINATIONS

By Mandy Wilson

Sitting in her home office in front of her turntable as we conduct a virtual interview, it’s apropos that travel expert Samantha Brown, the Emmy-winning host of Samantha Brown’s Places to Love, describes cities as being like an “A Side” or a “B Side” of a record. The affable host then explains that a “B Side” city might be considered as a smaller town you wouldn’t think of traveling to, but you shouldn’t overlook what it might have to offer.

Over the last 20+ years, Samantha, who got her start on the Travel Channel, has traveled around the world visiting over 250 cities in 62 countries. In 2018, she began hosting and producing Samantha Brown’s Places to Love on PBS, with the key idea of helping viewers discover what a destination has to offer and experiencing the “soul” of a place.

“You have to figure out how to connect with that,” Samantha explains. “Ask yourself who the people are that create that soul.”

One such person Samantha cites from her visit to Savannah is Kay Heritage of Big Bon Bodega, a bagel shop.

“The owner is showing young people the books, such as what it costs for flour and really sharing about entrepreneurship,” Samantha says. “We as travelers can appreciate that, and it makes you want to stop in and shop there.”

Samantha says that one of the greatest ways to find the people who help to make up the soul of a city and connect to it is to take a simple walk.

“The news always makes me think the world is falling apart, but travel makes me know it’s not,” she says. “We can still talk to each other.”

“Don’t have an agenda,” Samantha muses. “We as Americans always have to have a plan. Be aware of your surroundings but strike up a conversation.”

What additional advice does she have for those of us trying to find a time to fit adventure into our lives?

“Psychology tells us that planning for a trip has the same good effects as taking one,” Samantha says. “The winter months are a good time to start planning the rest of your year. Think about the spaces when you have time or maybe a celebration after a big project.”

Samantha believes that making time for trips plays an important role in bringing people together.

“The news always makes me think the world is falling apart, but travel makes me know it’s not,” she says. “We can still talk to each other.”

Coming on Season 6 of Samantha Brown’s Places to Love Premiering Sunday, January 15 at 6:30 PM:

Belfast and Antrim Coast - Northern Ireland Cruising the Inside Passage of Alaska Madison, Wisconsin St. Augustine, Florida Big Sky, Montana Savannah, Georgia California Road Trip Chattanooga, Tennessee Limerick and County Clare - Ireland