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Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa (Seasons 1 - 5) -
Click Here "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