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Smart Travels - Pacific Rim with Rudy Maxa

Queensland, Australia (#509)

Sun-washed beaches, chic beachside towns, cliffs and rainforests and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland is the ultimate outdoor adventure. We begin north of Brisbane along the sunshine coast, exploring sand dune covered islands, coastal towns and parks. Then we fly north to Cairns, the gateway to the coral, multicolored sea life and azure waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Tips on avoiding poisonous creatures and diving.

Closed Captioning

Program Description: From the natural beauty of Kauai's Na Pali Coast to Hong Kong's neon nightlife, Smart Travels--Pacific Rim with Rudy Maxa delivers the best of this exotic and ancient region. Award-winning journalist and travel expert Rudy Maxa models hassle-free ways of plotting a memorable, independent trip to intriguing destinations around the Pacific Rim. To bring the Pacific Rim's history alive, Maxa travels to tourist-savvy sites, rambling through ancient ruins, temples and cobbled streets to highlight the region's past. Along the way, Maxa motorbikes in Australia, navigates up river in New Zealand and samples Chinese haute cuisine in Hong Kong. Throughout his travels, Maxa offers tips on travel philosophy, reservations, overcoming the language barrier, adapting to different surroundings, changing money, pacing travels and meeting people. Maxa also ferrets out lesser-known sites and shares these pristine off-the-beaten-path surprises with viewers.

All Upcoming Episodes

  • Maui and Hawaii's Big Island (#501)

    The cultures of the Pacific converge on the breathtaking islands of Hawaii. This trip Rudy begins on Maui, where he braves the twisting road to Hana with its cascading waterfalls and tropical splendor. ... Closed Captioning

  • Oahu and Kauai (#502)

    Sunning, swimming, surfing and boating at Waikiki Beach are just the start in Honolulu. Rudy explores Hawaii's Polynesian roots at the venerable Bishop Museum, remembers WWII history at Pearl Harbor, ... Closed Captioning

  • San Francisco (#503)

    The port city of San Francisco revels in art, diversity and food. Chinatown is a feast for the senses, and the city's new Asian Art Museum a must-see. We get savvy on sourdough and tour notorious Alcatraz ... Closed Captioning

  • Seattle (#504)

    A hip, happening urban center surrounded by natural beauty, Seattle combines city life with the great outdoors. Rudy explores the vibrant downtown, samples microbrews and lattes, noses around Seattle's ... Closed Captioning

  • Vancouver & Victoria, British Columbia (#505)

    As Canada's door to the Pacific Rim, Vancouver is a vibrant mix of European heritage and Asian cultures. In this vital, young and dynamic city Rudy explores the mix of cultures that inspires world-class ... Closed Captioning

  • Shanghai (#506)

    China's new powerhouse, Shanghai dazzles with fantastic skyscrapers, non-stop shopping and delicious dining. From traditional Tai Chi in the parks and teahouses to market madness and tumbling acrobats, ... Closed Captioning

  • Hong Kong (#507)

    We get a Pacific Rim rush when we visit energetic, ever-changing Hong Kong. On a famous Star Ferry, Rudy savors one of the most majestic skylines on earth. Here, where ancient tradition cozies up to ultramodern, ... Closed Captioning

  • Sydney (#508)

    Australia's stunning metropolis, Sydney seduces with its glorious harbor, carefree attitude and sunny beaches. From the Opera house to the Harbor Bridge to Circular Quay, Rudy basks in the sights along ... Closed Captioning

  • Queensland, Australia (#509)

    Sun-washed beaches, chic beachside towns, cliffs and rainforests and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland is the ultimate outdoor adventure. We begin north ... Closed Captioning

  • New Zealand's South Island (#510)

    The South Island of New Zealand weaves Kiwi culture with scenic splendor. The vast vineyards of Marlborough helped bring this country's wines to the world stage. At a local artists' colony, Rudy gets ... Closed Captioning

  • New Zealand's North Island (#511)

    With spectacular seismic activity, fascinating plant and animal life, and to-die-for natural beauty, New Zealand is a traveler's dream. In the Bay of Islands, Rudy kayaks along the North's most glorious ... Closed Captioning

  • Guadalajara & Puerto Vallarta (#512)

    Guadalajara is alive with the music of mariachis, flowers, colonial architecture, and passionate artists. Rudy explores the rich history and culture of 'The Most Mexican of Cities.' Art and artists are ... Closed Captioning

  • Mexico City and Ixtapa (#513)

    Mexico City, the world's largest metropolis, is modern, crowded, cosmopolitan, and steeped in tradition. Rudy begins with Mexico's ancient roots just outside the city at pre-Aztec Teotihuac al Museum ... Closed Captioning

Past Episodes

These episodes of Smart Travels - Pacific Rim with Rudy Maxa aired in the last few months on Iowa Public Television.

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