Skip This One
Brian Whitney | Indianapolis, IN USA | 08/17/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Hi Folks,
The book is well worth the read and the series would have been worth your time as well... but... the problem is that they chose the worst possible people to view these places through the eyes of and it ruins the experience. These are perhaps the worst hosts ever for a travel series. They aren't appreciative of the journey and don't ask interesting questions or add anything of value to the show on any level. In fact, I'd buy this if they had a version that simply eliminated their words and ever showing their face and just included the raw footage of the places. It's really that bad. With a world of enthusiastic (and educated) tourists or guides to choose from who would have viewed this as the opportunity of a life time and demonstrated some respect for the places they were going by perhaps learning anything about them in advance to prepare themselves to show the world, why they chose these two mopes is beyond me. I found myself (and my wife as well) getting angry at the show each time we watched because these people were ruining it all. Save yourself the annoyance and buy other travel DVD's from the same places and you'll be much happier. Rick Steves has a wonderful box set of Europe where he educates and moves you over each place he sees. He has respect for both the places and the viewer. Samantha Brown, who is very different, also has some nice episodes. Rudy Maxa, who does his show on PBS is another wonderful option. Frankly, ANYTHING is better than this. (Heck, stare at some postcards and you'll get more out of it without the frustration). I also suggest going to Google Earth and looking at all the amazing photos that users have posted all around the world. There's so many better ways to experience the world, even if you can't travel there yourself. Don't waste the excitement of these fantastic's places on these unappreciative, misinformed and ignorant self absorbed people. Yuck.
Brian"
Amateurist
Regina Hanlon | 06/08/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I think this DVD could have been done in a more mature manner. The couple kept saying, "wow" instead of describing what they saw or did..."
Great DVD!
M. Sullivan | Vermont | 07/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great DVD. It shows in depth the many interesting things to do in each country. The videography is outstanding and places that are visited are just beautiful. The only downside is the two hosts that go on this journey. They lack any real excitement and are a bore to watch. Luckily they don't distract from the scenery that surrounds them."
Great photography - awful hosts
Anton L. Purkart | Illinois | 06/04/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I would have to agree with a previous poster that the hosts ruin this collection for me. However, I cannot give it one star because the concept is great and seeing the book brought to life is wonderful. That being said, Melanie and her husband come across as being criminally stupid and, more often than not, my wife and I felt embarrassed that the editor allowed their inane remarks and questions to remain in the final product.
I found it best to listen to the indigenous peoples when interviewed and to mute when the esteemed "hosts" start to speak."