Taking a Trip Abroad - How to Plan it - Part Three - TV Programs and Videos

If you're going abroad, don't forget a wonderful way to learn something about the places you will visit is to watch TV travel programs or to rent or borrow travel videos. Whenever I took a trip when I lived in the US, I went to the library and borrowed whatever videos they had on the country I was going to visit. It was amazing to be able to see the places I was going to before I even got there.

You can also buy videos on the internet from hundreds of different sources. Amazon has a huge selection, and so does Travel Video Store. Some of my favorite videos are:

The Rick Steves in Europe Collection is phenomenal. You feel like you're in Europe and he gives information in such a down to earth fashion and without including expensive stuff you would never spend money on, they're fabulous for almost everyone. Prices are great too - only around $13 to $15 for a 2 hour video.

GlobeTrekker or Pilot Guides is my favorite series though - they're 45 to an hour long videos with traveler hosts who have great personalities and show unusual, but not expensive, things. You can buy them online and also now watch a lot of their videos directly on the internet for as cheap as $3.99 for an hour's video. Great service from the comfort of your home! Watch out also for their specials. They will often put together a special program on 'The World's Best Beaches' or 'Top Shopping Destinations', and these can give you great ideas for future trips.

You Tube is actually an often overlooked resource for travel planning. There are millions of videos uploaded onto the site, with uniqe things you'd never find anywhere else. Just try doing a search for 'Bangkok Traffic' to see the more than 230 videos travellers have put up on the site on this one little subject!

Also, check out Discovery Channel and National Geographic TV channels for shows on destinations all over the world. Their websites have upcoming shows highlighted so you can find things about the places YOU plan to visit. Many PBS stations also show travel videos - check your newspaper weekly for show times.