WORLD FOOTPRINTS

The Norfolk Botanical Garden is an oasis that sits on a 155 acre site near the Norfolk International Airport. The garden showcases 52 themed gardens including a butterfly garden, rose garden and other diverse flora. President Michael Desplaines tells us that visitors will soon experience a taste of Asia when the garden hosts Lanterasia.

 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched four trusted traveler programs to help streamline the travel experience to and around the United States.  One program, TSA Precheck is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and we'll get the 4-1-1 from Nathan Tsoi on how the TSA Precheck program can help travelers avoid long and aggravating security lines.

We had an opportunity to speak to Richard Zarkin about Mexico's Riviera Nayarit following a recent trip to Puerto Vallarta. Richard joins World Footprints to explain why Riviera Nayarit is more than just a pretty beach resort.

As part of our "Best Of" series we will share our interview with Cat Cora, the first and only female Iron Chef. Cat will talk about her journey to the culinary world as well as her Chefs For Humanity foundation and her mission to end worldwide hunger.

Award-winning travel writer and photographer David Noyes has learned to experience the world through more than his lens and pen.  He says that in order to appreciate our world we must investigate a destination as part of the human condition.  His new book, The Photographing Tourist, David shows us remote places around the world and he offers tips that well help anyone develop the well-trained eye of a travel photographer.

Bestselling author Patricia Cornwell has sold over 100 million books of forensic thrillers.  Before CSI or  NCIS, her first book, Portmortem, introduced forensic research 25 years ago with medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta.  Scarpetta investigates another suspicious murder in Cornwell's newest book, Depraved Heart, and this murder has a twist that involves Scapetta's niece, Lucy.

How many places would offer an opportunity to speak to an astronaut, or a famous historical figure?  Where could you see fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls or Terra Cotta Warriors outside of Israel or China?  The answer is the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.  We will take a virtual tour inside the Museum and learn about the global citizenship it fosters.

Weathly yachtsmen usually take to the ocean for fun, but philanthropist David Rockefeller, Jr. has a different idea.  As part of our "Best Of" series we will share our 2009 interview with David as he prepared to circumnavigate the Americas and boost awareness about the health of our seas and global warming.

Although the country of Jordan is surrounded by "noisey neighbors" it is the safest country in the Middle East because of the Swiss-like neutrality it has maintained.  The spirit of hospitality that is ingrained in the Bedouin culture, which accounts for 40% of Jordan's population, transcends throughout the country.  Janine Jervis with Visit Jordan describes Jordan as an open-air museum because of its voluminous history and archaeological treasures but she tells us that Jordan is also cosmopolitan and diverse in its tourism offerings.

Theodor (Ted)  Seuss Geisel, best known as Dr. Seuss, wore many hats beyond a childrens book author and illustrator.  He was also a social commentator and his work tackled many issues like racial inequality and the environment.  Dr. Seuss also enjoyed creating "unorthodox" taxidermy and part of his "secret art" series poked fun at socialites. We will explore the colorful life of Ted Geisel with curator of The Art of Dr. Seuss, Bill Dreyer.

Filmmaker Ken Burns has shared a vareity of America's history through his popular documentary films, including:  Baseball (1994); The Central Park Five (2013); The Civil War (1990); and The Roosevelts (2014).  His style of filmmaking incorporates archival footage and photographs to help craft America's stories.  As part of our "Best Of" interviews, we have gone into our archives to share our 2009 interview with Ken Burns and his film The National Parks: America's Best Idea.

 

Photo:  The Grand Canyon taken by Tonya Fitzpatrick.  All rights reserved.

The best way to experience a city is through the eyes of a local.   We'll travel to New Orleans and walk along Paris’s rue des Martyrs with the people who know them best.

Democratic consultant James Carville says that New Orleans is defined by its culture and way of life and that distinguishes the city from other places.  We'll talk to him to learn what he means by this.

The beheading of Saint Denis, now the patron saint of France, was one of many events that occurred on the rue des Martyrs in Paris.  Accoring to author and New York Times writer, Elaine Sciolino, the rue des Martyrs was a cultural enclave where Degas and Renoir painted, Puccini replicated in his La Boheme opera and Edith Piaf would sing for a few francs.  Yet, this charming half-mile long street that is steeped in history has been overlooked in Paris guidebooks.  We will walk along the rue des Martyrs and flip through the pages of Elaine Sciolino’s new book:  “The Only Street in Paris”.

We will cross the political aisle and state lines with Republican consultant Mary Matalin to talk about life in New Orleans and why she and her democratic consultant husband, James Carville, decided to leave the Washington beltway for the big easy.

Enjoy a transformative travel experience as we travel to North Korea, Malta, Mexico and Barbados.

Wendy Simmons is an intrepid traveler whose solo adventures have taken her from Ethiopia to North Korea and beyond.  She joins World Footprints radio to share her wealth of travel advice and gives us a preview of her book about her trip to North Korea.  She'll also share the outcome of a battle between a rat and her toothbrush.

The island nation of Malta has been a melting point of cultures for centuries and it is home to some of the world's most treasured antiquities and world heritage sites.  But as Malta tourism representative Michelle Buttigeig tells us, Malta also has a strong Christian legacy and there is a lot of history still being discovered.

A few margaritas and a desire for something new inspired award-winning author Carol Merchasin and her husband to leave their life behind in America for a new life in Mexico.  Carol's new book, "This Is Mexico:  Tales of Culture and Other Complications" chronicles her comical misadventures as an expat.

The Caribbean island of Barbados stands out from its neighbors because of the island's unique history.  Standing at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, North and South America, this small island has been part of the world's global trading system for centuries.  In spite of its colonization by English explorers, Barbados was never a Crown colony.  We'll explore the uinque history with the help of reknown Barbados historian Dr. Karl Watson.

The famous biographer, James Parton, once referred to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as "Hell with the lid off", but today the city is vibrant, colorful and celebrated.

The Senator John Heinz History Center traces its roots back to 1879, making it the oldest cultural institution in Western Pennsylvania. The museum and research facility presents over 250 years of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania life and it’s quest for storytelling is supported by the affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution.  On a recent visit to Pittsburgh we sat down with Brady Smith from the History Center, who shared how Western Pennsylvania helped author some of America’s most compelling historical stories.

Pittsburgh was a main destination of the African-American Great Migration and that southern exodushern exodus produced a cultural mecca in the Hill District. The community inspired playwrights, musicians and Hollywood as it was the setting for the television series “Hill Street bBues”.   Marimba Milliones from the Hill Community Development Corporation tells us that remnants of the Hill District’s cultural mosaic during it’s hey-days from 1920 to the 1940s, can be seen today in landmarks that once housed synagogues and other places of worship, and in the architecture of some of the historic structures that accent the community. 

Built in 1907 along the Monongahela River, Carrie Furnaces 6 and 7 still stand tall and they offer a rare look into early 19th century iron-making technology. Since the collapse of Pittsburgh’s steel industry in the 1980s, the Carrie Furnaces remain the only non-operative blast furnaces in the area.

Prepare for a trans-continental bike ride to the South Pole and experience island paradise – USA style - in Georgia, Massachusetts, and California.

If someone told you they were going to ride their bicylcle across Africa from Cairo to Cape Town, what would you think?  Would you believe them?  You would if you were talking to Henry Gold of TDA Global Cycling.  Henry’s trans-continental cycling journeys have taken him through Africa and beyond and now he plans to conquer the Arctic.

Looking for an island escape?  If you live in America you don’t have to look far and you won’t have to cross the ocean to find your island paradise. We traveled to the East Coast, West Coast and Southern coastlines to share three unique islands: Martha’s Vineyard, Catalina Island and Jekyll Island.   We will share each islands unique and rich history, hidden gems and their surprising similarities.

Today, World Footprints will explore elements of American history from small towns and historic hotels to Fort Monroe.  We'll also visit the shanty town of Mondesa which sits just outside of Swakopmund, Namibia.  There we will mingle with the locals and witness how black Namibians are preserving their history and traditions.

Fort Monroe in Virginia has been defending America since 1607 and today it remains the largest stone fortification in the United States.   Tour guide Robin Reed gives us the backstory of the Fort's rich history and the important role it has played in American history.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is on a mission to preserve and share all of America's history.  We'll share the work the organization is doing and we'll introduce two interesting historic hotels in Washington, DC--the Mayflower and the Morrison-Clark.

Small towns in America are often overlooked as tourist destinations but if you really want to experience real Americana you should go off the beaten path and visit a small town where you can uncover a treasure trove of goodies. Some of the most authentic travel experiences and unique stories can be found in small and rural towns and we will explore a few. 

The beach resort of Swakopmund, Namibia is an example of German colonial architecture and culture.  However, a majority of the population of Swakopmund lives in settlements that were developed for indigenous black Namibians.  We will introduce you to some of the locals we met on a walk through the Mondesa district.

 

Photo credit:  Ian Fitzpatrick

According to Hebrew tradition, the area outside of the Old City Walls of Jerusalem is considered to be the center of the world.  World Footprints will explore that theory and Biblical history with Zev Orenstein at the City of David.  We'll also examine new archaeology discoveries that support the existence of King David. 

Namibia is a country is great diversity.  The country is home to wildlife that can't be found anywhere else in Africa and it vast desert landscapes.  While at the Mount Etjo Safari Lodge, we break bread withn Eric Reindhart of Nambia Tracks and Trails to learn more about the country and it's commitment to conservation.

If you live in a metropolitan city you have your choice of authentic international restaurants.  Small towns are not so lucky but we stumbled upon the little American midwest town of New Salem, Indiana and enjoyed a taste of Sicily at Perillo's Pizzeria.  By the way, we enjoyed the BEST pizza we've ever had!

World Footprints will also share a few other small town treasures:  Newport, Rhode Island and the Airlie Hotel, a Historic Hotel of America.  Plus Ian and Tonya will share their own reflections.

 

Photo credits:  City of David, Mount of Olives (Tonya Fitzpatrick); Namibia Desert (Ian Fitzpatrick)

September 11, 2001 is a date that touches every American from coast to coast, recalling memories of a fateful day that placed thousands at the center of a terror attack. The personal stories that emerged from Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 bring to light the men and women whose courage and resilience have shown how humanity will always overcome fear.  Today World Footprints commemorates the anniversary of the terrifying attack that changed the world and brought heroes to the front-line. You will hear from survivors their first-hand account of the events as they experienced them. You will also hear from individuals who selflessly put their own lives at risk to rescue others. We will also share our own memories for the first time. We will always be united in memory! Click HERE to see our video from within the Pentagon and our visit to the Pentagon Memorial.