Rudy Maxa's World - Exotic Places 6 pk.

"Don't even think of hitting the road unless you've consulted Rudy Maxa, one of the country's premier travel gurus."-Paul Theroux, Bestselling Travel Writer

"Trust Rudy if you want to travel in style for less while minimizing hassles on the road."-The Today Show

Welcome to Rudy Maxa’s World, the ultimate travel experience with America’s leading high-end travel expert, shot in stunning high-definition. Join Rudy Maxa, public radio’s original Savvy Traveler and contributing editor for National Geographic Traveler magazine, for an unforgettable tour of the fascinating cities and regions that have captured world travelers for centuries. From the tango parlors of Buenos Aires to the bazaars of Istanbul, Maxa brings home the history, culture, architecture, cuisine, and personality of each destination. No matter how you see the world, Maxa makes sophisticated travel accessible to everyone.

DVD 1: India

Part 1: Delhi and Agra - Plunge right into Northern India's intoxicating mix of sublime beauty and riotous pandemonium. You will ride a bicycle rickshaw into the heart of Old Delhi and experience the teeming streets, pungent spices, and glorious jumble of shops and temples. In Agra, you will marvel at one of the world's man-made wonders, the Taj Mahal, a sublimely beautiful testament of one man's love for his beloved wife and queen. Rudy consults with an astrologer, who foresees a long life, but warns him that his hotel room number is unlucky!

Part 2: Rajasthan - The largest state in India beckons with its irresistible lure of brilliant colors, scorching days, ghostly twilights, and the fiery spirit of its people. Rudy shows how to navigate the controlled chaos of Jaipur, the "Pink City," and visits its most famous landmark, the Palace of the Winds. Next on the itinerary is Pushkar, a Hindu pilgramage center where intense spiritualism and crass commercialism exist side-by-side. Rudy samples the spice of life in the remote and mysterious Jodhpur, where he examines textile and antique treasures, and visits a maharajah who transformed his palace into an exquisite hotel fit for a king.

DVD 2: Turkey

Part 1: Istanbul - In this thoroughly modern city, the architecture, cuisine, and customs reflect Istanbul's tumultuous past and the civilizations that tried to tame it. Explore the festive Grand Bazaar, more than 4,000 shops and two mosques spread across 60 streets! Turkish carpets tell stories of love and despair that are woven in wool and color. But, before he buys one, Rudy enlists the services of a personal shopper to locate the best shops and to demonstrate the art of haggling. In addition to some of the world's great buildings, such as Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and the Hagia Sofia, Rudy goes off the beaten path to get steamed and scrubbed in a 16th century hamman, pr public bath, and visits a hookah bar!

Part 2: Turquoise Coast - Rudy's got a case of the "Blues" as he takes a Blue Cruise along the dazzling Turquoise Coast to discover enchanting Greek and Roman ruins. Step back in time to explore the great ancient towns of Ephesus, Antalya, Myra, and Dalyan that dot the Turkish coast. Stroll Bodrum's lively water-front promenade, and visit the Bodrum Underwater Museum to discover amazing artifacts recovered from a 14th century shipwreck. Another astounding sight is the magnificent Lycian Rock Tombs carved into the limestone cliffs. Amazements abound in this episode that gives new meaning to the words, "Turkish Delight."

DVD 3: Thailand

Part 1: Bangkok - Dynamic and diverse Bangkok was transformed from a place of wooden houses, canals, and rice fields into one of Asia’s most modern industrialized cities. Take a harrowing motorcycle ride through rush hour traffic, and explore all of Bangkok’s nooks and crannies. Get picture-taking tips from a photojournalist, and visit the fruit and vegetable markets where Thai cooking begins. Rudy swims with the sharks in Southeast Asia’s largest indoor aquarium!

Part 2: Golden Triangle - Rudy takes you deep into the heart of Thailand’s Golden Triangle. Here are hill tribes, each with a unique culture, and primeval forests our of the pages of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.  Take an idyllic long-tailed boat ride along the Kok River, luxuriate in out-of-this-world guesthouses and a tented resort, and go bargain hunting at the Night Market. Rudy meets a kickboxer-turned-cowboy monk who stood up to a powerful drug with teachings of Buddha, and bonds with the residents of an elephant orphanage.

Part 3: The Andaman Coast - Look no further if you’re seeking an island paradise with pristine beaches, secret coves, translucent waters, and spectacular sunsets. Beginning in Phuket Island, Rudy explores the Andaman Coast’s smaller islands. From breathtakingly beautiful coral reefs to an exhilarating windsurfing rally to such natural marvels as Phang Nga Bay, a chain of 40 islands Rudy reveals all of the tropical pleasures to be found there.

DVD 4: Russia and Estonia

Part 1: St. Petersburg - Built on the whim of a czar to rival the great capitals of Europe, St. Petersburg is unlike any other city in Russia. Bring the champagne and caviar as you explore this city of canals aboard a private water taxi. Sample the offerings at the upscale Kuznechny Market, and shop souvenirs at one of the many street stands. Marvel at the opulence of the Winter Palace and the treasures of the Hermitage and Russian Museums. Take a break at a caviar bar, descend the famous staircase at the historic Astoria Hotel, and enjoy the playful frenzy of fountains and waterfalls in Peterhof.

Part 2: Tallinn and the Islands - From the medieval splendor of its cities to the mystical calm of its islands, Rudy captures Estonia’s great indomitable spirit. The old town in the capital city of Tallinn is Europe’s best-restored medieval town with streets and buildings that recall the days of the Hanseatic League but whose cafes, art galleries, hotels and restaurants today appeal to both sophisticated as well as first-time travelers. Venture into the countryside of Estonia, to the large island of Saaremaa and the much smaller island of Muhu, where you’ll find windmills, thatch-roofed farmhouses and quiet waters.

DVD 5: Argentina

Part 1: Buenos Aires - Rudy takes tango to the max and pays tribute to the bandoneón, the accordion-like star of the seductive dance. From Palermo’s bohemian chic to the La Recoleta Cemetery, where the elite are laid to rest in monumental style, this program fully captures the energy and panache of Argentina’s largest port, and the “Porte?os” who live their lives with passion and flair. Rudy’s itinerary includes taking in modern Latin American art at the Museum, cutting into a beef lover’s paradise at a grill house, cheering on the local “futbol” heroes, and partaking in afternoon tea amidst the European elegance at the Alvear Palace Hotel. Rudy also experiences  the rugged gaucho way of life out on the Pampas.

Part 2: Mendoza - Wine tasting, hiking, river rafting, and long, sweet siestas make up the heady bouquet of a trip to the modern mellow city of Mendoza. Rudy toasts the rising influence of Argentinean wines as he explores their vintner’s paradise. With its generous Argentinean barbeque, or asado, Rudy has no beef with Mendoza! Culinary adventures give way to a trek to the summit of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, biking, and zip-lining down a mountain.

DVD 6: Japan

Part 1: Tokyo - Rudy can’t get enough of the sheer vitality of Tokyo. Exciting, edgy, and full of life, Tokyo is shopping madness by day and a carnival at night. Join the throngs at one of the world’s most exciting street intersections to witness its blazing neon and JumboTron shows. Greet the new day at the Tsukiji fish market, where a staggering 2,000 tons of seafood pass through each day. Get caught up in cherry blossom mania, visit distant neighborhoods via the subway, and wander the streets in search of new restaurants, a Tokyo obsession!

Part 2: Kyoto - Rudy presents the concept of wab-sabi, the uniquely Japanese art of finding beauty in everyday life. And there is much to be found in Kyoto, from a 15th-century Zen garden to the Philosopher’s Walk, the most popular place to take in spring flowers. Here, just steps from modern department stores, are quiet backstreets with little shrines and wooden houses. In the craft capital of Japan, witness the weaving of kimonos. Rudy also visits Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of the most revered in Kyoto.

DVD Extra Features:

·         Commentary with Rudy Maxa and Producer Susan McNally

·         Extended Musical Performances