Passport to Europe: Seven Fabulous Cities

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: Samantha visits the royal chocolate supplier, enjoys the city's legendary waffles and is surprised to find the city's equivalent of a hotdog cart - an escargot stand! That's the kind of adventure that's easy to stomach.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: Behind the Iron Curtain until 1990, Prague has emerged as a top tourist destination. The city's breathtaking architecture, art, music and unique style are unlike anything you'll see anywhere else in the world.

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND: Known for its laid-back attitude, Amsterdam is the perfect place to just hang out and soak up the atmosphere and history. Samantha hops on a bike to explore the tree-lined canals and colorful neighborhoods and checks into a houseboat for a different kind of hotel experience.

BARCELONA, SPAIN: Samantha experiences Barcelona's renowned nightlife as well as the surreal architecture of Antoni Gaudi. Stroll the picturesque medieval lanes, and explore the sidewalk markets and festive street celebrations.

MADRID, SPAIN: Sample the sensual city of Madrid with a visit to the famed Prado Museum, a stay in a hotel with a flair for the dramatic and a meal of unexpected local favorites - paella and hot chocolate.

SEVILLE, SPAIN: Bypass the frantic pace of a typical European vacation with a visit to Seville where locals think the world is moving way too fast. Moorish castles, Gothic cathedrals, Spanish wines and tapas await those ready to enjoy life to the fullest.

LISBON, PORTUGAL: This longtime city of adventure continues to be one of Europe's most exciting places. Samantha visits a coffeehouse to experience "fado," a music inspired by such emotion that no other nation has duplicated it, and stays in a luxury hotel that was formerly a royal palace.

Spotlight Reviews
Touristy, Commercial, and Superficial. And What's Wrong With That? (2008-12-08)
Customer Review : 5
This was my introduction to Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown. I have long been a Rick Steves fan, but lately he has been putting more and more emphasis on visiting churches and this is not one of my interests as a tourist. So when someone recommended Samantha Brown, I remembered that our local library has some of her DVDs.

These seven episodes have just the degree of superficial touristy fun that I was looking for. Samantha Brown is an easy-to-take guide who seems to be having a good time. Her commentary is a little goofy sometimes, but she seems to realize it and doesn't mind laughing at herself.

Since these shows were made for the Travel Channel, they are more commercial than Rick Steves' public TV-oriented programs. Samantha shows us her hotel in each city, taking care to emphasize the name and location. And, as another viewer noted, "She always shows the bathroom." There is also a close-up of her shoes in every episode, and usually another accessory (handbag, raincoat) will feature. You won't catch her wearing boring walking shoes or a local sweatshirt. Check the credits and you'll discover that those shoes are paying for her trip.

In spite of these obvious commercial plugs, I found the episodes to be pleasant and informative. In addition to the usual tourist sites that you won't want to miss, there is also at least one off-the-wall sight in each show. In Prague, Samantha buys apple strudel the size and shape of giant burritos, in Amsterdam she buys a fat doobie in a coffee shop, in Brussels she tries raw herring and doesn't gag. In Seville, she visits a bar where the motif is kitschy Roman Catholic -- the bar looks like an altar and there are tacky Virgin Mary and Christ statuettes everywhere. The bartender, in his priest get-up, suggests the house cocktail special: Blood of Christ. Take that, Rick Steves.

Passport to Europe: Seven Fabulous Cities, MUST SEE ! (2008-08-09)
Customer Review : 5
EXCELLENT TOUR of Seven Cities in EUROPE. (Travel Channel Personality); Samantha Brown is the Perfect Host for your European Tour. Very Informative, colorful perspectives, valuable travel tips, interesting facts, explores culture, history, and popular landmarks of each city. Samantha Browns' Interaction with locals and professional tour guides is a joy to behold. Samantha is funny, witty, and full of energy. You will love this DVD.
The Passport to Europe Series is a MUST SEE for anyone considering travel to these destinations. - Tom




Passport to Europe (2007-12-16)
Customer Review : 5
Host Samantha Brown travels to

- Brussels, Belgium
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Barcelona, Madrid and Seville, Spain.

Each show format is a little bit of history of each location, places to visit and travel tips. Samantha Brown also spends some time showing each of the hotels she is staying in, chats with locals, eats some food and looks at Cathedrals, historical buildings and museums. The hotels she stays at and the way she travels is definitely on a high budget and she can spend a lot more then most people. The architecture in these cities shown in the DVD is amazing.

If you like travel shows and/or are interested in learning more about Europe and some interesting places to visit, this is a good DVD. Samantha is a fun host and is likeable. I think the travel host has a lot to do with liking the series or not.


Recommended (2007-10-27)
Customer Review : 5
I enjoyed this travel DVD, and certainly would recommend it to anyone wishing to travel to Europe, to see things and go to places off the tourist route. Her Americanism is not annoying, and you do get a laugh at some of her comments. She mingles with the locals in all regions, takes you to enjoyable places to eat and drink, and talks about the accommodation and gives prices. She choses the middle to upper types of accommodation in each region, as she travelled in the low season.
I can understand why she was awarded the Emmy for 'Outstanding Lifestyle Directing".

Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown (2007-10-08)
Customer Review : 4
Of course i love the show, but I don't like how the DVD's are packaged. There are several episodes missing and I purchased all of the Passport to Europe DVD's. Why couldn't they just have a season 1 and 2 or at least do one on just Italy, etc. I would've purchased all the episodes.