North America
Totem Poles of the First Nations in Vancouver Canada. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick
“Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.”
– Eudora Welty
Explore the history, diverse cultures and traditions of the North American countries of Canada, Mexico and the United States. North American culture reflects both the cultures of its indigenous people- the Native Americans as well as the culture that is influenced by European Colonization.
The United States is the third largest country in the world and one of the most culturally diverse countries of the world. Described as the ‘melting pot‘ of North America , amalgamation of different cultures has given shape to the unique U.S. culture.
Mexico is the most populous state of North America and one of the largest city in the world.
Canada is the largest country of North American region and covering more than half of the continent’s area.
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Seattle, the city known for music is our pick today. Ian and Tonya continue their look at Americas Music Cities! Today's stop is the city that spawned Quincy Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and Pearl Jam--Seattle, Washington!
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Saddle up with Tonya and Ian as they speak to Equestrian Travel expert Elizabeth McCall about the best places to horseback ride on the Big Island. The largest and youngest island in the Hawaiian chain is called Hawaii. Its sheer immensity is overwhelming; it is about twice as large as all the other Hawaiian Islands put together (thus its moniker, "Big Island"). Due to the shielding effect and altitudes of the enormous mountains Maunakea and Maunaloa, you may travel through all but four of the world's major climate zones here, from Wet Tropical to Polar Tundra. Several ranches provide guided horseback riding tours that allow visitors to experience their (often very wide) range. You can travel through the pastures on trails that offer breathtaking views of the peaks and the shore. Other breathtaking areas of the Big Island can also be seen, such as the stunning Waipio valley near Waimea or the verdant jungle near Hilo. The island of Hawaii is an unparalleled display of the power of nature, from the numerous geological features of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park to the snow-capped heights of Maunakea; from the verdant valleys of the Hilo and Hmkua Coasts to the jet-black sands of Punalu'u Beach. The lifestyle and history of the island are greatly influenced by the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture. Ranchers are delighted to share their paniolo stories and wisdom with you on horseback, and there are plenty of beautiful, open vistas to [...]
Our final morning in Lake Louise began with a breathtaking sunrise over the pristine lake and snow-capped mountains, which we admired from the comfort of our room’s large picture window. Lake Louise's beauty is unparalleled; it feels like a glimpse of heaven—though we’d hope for warmer temperatures! If you're seeking the perfect place to escape, reflect, and recharge, Lake Louise is a must-visit destination.
As part of our unforgettable Canadian Rockies train journey aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, day seven brought us to the heart of Banff National Park. After arriving last night, we checked into the Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets, a tranquil retreat nestled in a secluded, forested area just above the town of Banff. Our cozy two-level loft chalet, complete with a real fireplace and a fully-equipped kitchen, offered stunning views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks and plenty of small wildlife sightings—pure bliss! To our delight, the kitchen was stocked with breakfast essentials like bacon, eggs, and coffee, setting the stage for a peaceful morning.
Our day began a little sleepily as we made our way to the Rocky Mountaineer Station, located on the outskirts of downtown Vancouver. Over 500 excited passengers were gathered, eagerly anticipating the long journey ahead. We were about to travel from the lush coastal rainforests of British Columbia, through the majestic Canadian Rockies, and into the unexpected desert landscape of Canada, en route to our overnight stop in Kamloops.
One of the best ways to experience any city is from a bird's-eye view, and we had an unforgettable time seeing San Francisco, California from the air. This exhilarating aerial tour gave us a unique perspective of the city's iconic landmarks, stunning landscapes, and vibrant neighborhoods.
LEGACY SHOW: This show was broadcast LIVE through a former platform and under our former Travel'n On name. What began in 1984 as a 2-day street festival has blossomed into one of Louisiana's most popular Cajun festivals. We shared the tastes and sounds of the 25th Anniversary of the Mudbug Madness Festival in Shreveport, Louisiana. Since 1984, this venerable event has been providing tourists with a variety of foods, beverages, beers, and live entertainment in the downtown riverfront region. There will be a variety of crawfish-eating competitions, including a corn hole tournament, a 5K run, and a crawfish-calling competition. The Southeast Tourism Society named the Mudbug Madness Festival as one of the Top 20 events in the country and as one of the most prestigious events in the South. The Mudbug Madness festival is fantastic. Every square inch of the festival site will be packed with intriguing vendors and activities, [...]
The way we travel will soon be changing, particularly when it comes to required documentation and airport security. But your Traveling Enthusiasts welcome representatives from Border Protection and the TSA who will update you on all the changes, and offer Practical tips and info on everything from passports to handling the security lines at the airport. Plus- find out about Mayfest in Downtown Frederick, MD.
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before rebranding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Today we'' talk about the well-known Louis Armstrong Park. On this edition, we travel back to New Orleans for a conversation with Bruce Beckham, Executive Director of Tourism Cares, who talks about their latest project- Preserving Louis Armstrong Park. Then - well find out about all the exciting things happening in the city of Brotherly Love from Philadelphia's Mayor Michael Nutter. And find out about a new TV show spotlighting one of Ian and Tonyas favorite destinations! The park is appropriately named for one of New Orleans' most well-known performers, jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong. It is situated in the Tremé area, which is home to many of the city's most celebrated jazz musicians. However, Beauregard Square was the previous name for the location of Louis Armstrong Park before [...]
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Let's dive into the history of Virgin America. Ian and Tonya welcome Fred Reid, former CEO of Virgin America who discusses the state of the airline industry, Sir Richard Branson, and his own personal travels.
This broadcast is a favorite legacy show that we produced under our old name Travel'n On and before re-branding as WORLD FOOTPRINTS. Hop behind the wheel of a 55 Caddy, and find out all about a very unique tour of the Memphis, Tennessee area that spawned musical legends like Elvis, Johnny Cash, BB King, and more. The musical legacy of Memphis, Tennessee, is quite rich and has been influenced by almost every mainstream cultural current in America. Fans of live music, regardless of genre, frequently go to the city and it continues to rank among the top locations in the nation. One of the best places in the country to enjoy the vast range of American music and discover the roots of blues, jazz, country, rock 'n' roll, funk, and soul is undoubtedly this city. Memphis, Tennessee, is to music what Paris was to art in the nineteenth century; its [...]
Voluntourism is a great way of contributing to social causes while traveling. Ian and Tonya welcome John Sexton, CEO of Sexton Executive Security, who shares some must-know safety tips for when you travel.
