World Footprints

Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Beyond Dutch Country

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
-Gustave Flaubert
Sandwiched between its Amish countryside and hip food scene, Lancaster Pennsylvania combines the old and new in awe-inspiring ways. Join World Footprints as we explore the area’s rich history, including President James Buchanan’s Wheatland home, and Lancaster’s contemporary offerings.
Our first stop is the Hans Herr House. This structure traces its Germanic roots to 1719 and stands as the oldest homestead in Lancaster County. We learn what life was like for early settlers as our guide David Shrock takes us on a tour of the 1892 farmhouse.
As we finished our tour of the Hans Herr House and grounds, we made our way to the Long House just across the street. The Long House commemorates the Native American people who once called the Lancaster County region their home—the Conoy, Lenape, Susquehannock and others. A visit to the Long House offers insight into the lives of the indigenous people well before the first Europeans set foot in the area.
In another part of Lancaster County sits the Rock Ford Plantation that once served as the home of medical doctor and Military General to George Washington—General Edward Hand. One of the finest examples of Georgian architecture with 18th century origins that remains standing in Pennsylvania, Rock Ford’s elegance shines in the simplicity of its light and airy design.
Finally, as theatre lovers we discovered a performance gem in Lancaster—the Sight and Sound Theatre. This Broadway-style theatre started in 1976 as the vision of Lancaster locals Glen and Shirley Eshelman to bring Bible stories to life on the stage. With the mantle has passed to the next generation, granddaughter Katie Miller shares her family’s journey of faith and the genesis behind making Bible stories theatrical and entertaining for families of all faiths.

The Art & Architectural Renaissance of Lynchburg, Virginia

Join us as we explore Lynchburg’s history on an art and architectural tour including spotlight stops at the Point of Honor historic home and the Riverview Artspace.
Located in the center of Virginia, Lynchburg is within a day’s drive of most major east coast cities and it's a perfect place to begin an exploration of Central Virginia. But historic Lynchburg, the city on the hill, is undergoing an incredible revival. From new outdoor spaces, visual and performing arts to culinary arts and architectural restoration, Lynchburg offers iconic attractions within its vibrant borders.
Lynchburg is divided into several historic districts. We began our tour of Lynchburg in The Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast—a beautifully restored 1878 Italianate mansion that’s located in the historic Daniel Hill district. Owners, Mike and Kathy Bedsworth take us on a historic tour of the property and area.
Then, we’ve all heard the story of Old Mother Hubbard who lived in a shoe. Lynchburg’s Craddock Terry Hotel takes living in a shoe one step further. Once the world’s fifth largest show manufacturer, Craddock Terry celebrates shoes daily in its shoe motif rooms. General Manager, Todd Swindell, tells us how Craddock Terry opens its laces and buckles to thousands of guests every year.
Next, Lynchburg is a city that remembers its past but keeps an eye on its future. Another important move towards the city’s future is the rehabilitation of the historic Virginian Hotel that, once completed, will be part of the Hilton’s Curio Collection. Developer Danny George tells us why this project ties in with the rehabilitation of the Academy Center of Arts and how it will transform downtown.
Finally, the restoration of Lynchburg’s Academy Center of Arts, also known as the Jewel of Main Street, is leading the arts revolution in the downtown. The Academy complex, anchored by the Academy of Fine Arts Music Theatre, also includes a studio theatre and the historic theatre that showcases an array of performances ranging from musical and theatrical performances to variety shows. Originally built in 1905, the Academy Center of Arts promises to be a regional centerpiece for the arts once restoration is complete. Dorie Smiley, Director of Operations, shared the Academy’s treasured past and looked towards its promising future.
Links to attractions can be found on this show page at WorldFootprints.com.

Quebec City’s New France Festival - a walk through Canadian history

Today on World Footprints we celebrate Canada’s Francophone roots in the Quebec region as we walk in the footsteps of history at the New France Festival in Quebec City. Plus, we’ll visit an Augustinian Monastery turned holistic spa and we’ll talk to an Old World wine merchant.
The walled fortifications in Old Quebec make Quebec City one of the most romantic and picturesque places to explore on foot. We explore the heart and soul of the city with Marc Duchesne of Cicerone Tours.
For five days every August, Quebec City celebrates its connection to France with the New France Festival. The actors and festival-goers enjoy food and folly in their period costumes representing the peasant, bourgeois and royalty classes. (Our costumes represented the bourgeois class.) Melanie Raymond, the festival’s Executive Director, shares the essence of one of North America’s best festivals.
The New France Festival has its share of ingenious characters like historian and outdoorsman Billy Rioux, aka “Billy the Adventurer”. He displayed the canoe that he carved from a spruce bark and entertained visitors with stories about early settlers and their interaction with the indigenous population.
Then, we took a detour to the Charlevoix Region and visited Domaine de la Vallee du Bras where we did some wine tasting—tomato wine. The vineyard is the first in the world to make this unique wine under the Omerto label. Pascal Miche and his wife Stephanie Hott told us the story about how they started this unique wine in between sips. Spoiler alert: The wine is very tasty—surprisingly tasty.
Finally, we shined a spotlight on le Monastere des Augustines. The home of the Augustinian Sisters has found a new mission as a center for holistic health, healing and hospitality in the heart of Quebec City. We also enjoyed a conversation with the Merchant de Boisson at the New France Festival. He delighted us with tales of the challenges he had importing wines from the Old World to New France at the urging of the noblesse oblige.
Links to additional resources are available on WorldFootprints.com.

Walking through Rio – A tale of many cities

Rio de Janeiro is a city of vibrant neighborhoods and districts. We wanted to experience the city’s culture and history up close so we embarked on an exploration of Rio by foot. Historian Dr. Luciana Fagundes led our walking tour, which began in the historic central district of Lapa—an area known as the cradle of bohemian Rio. We discovered Rio’s rich history as we passed historical monuments like the Carioca Aqueduct and it’s famous arches. Our walking tour ended in the sweetest of ways at the century-old Confeitaria Colombo and enjoyed some of the chocolate and pastries they’ve been serving up over 120 years.
Then, Rio is a tale of many cities. Favela shantytowns surround affluent neighborhoods with luxury high-rises. Because favelas are informal urban areas that came into being when scatters occupied vacant land those neighborhoods have a reputation for being unsafe. We visited a favela known as Vidigal and met with an American ex-pat, Adam Newman of the Favela Experience hostel. We’ll ask him about the awards Favela Experience received from Trip Advisor and Booking.com.
Finally, we’ll talk to Vinicius Lummertz, President of Embrateur, the inbound tourism promotion agency for Brazil. Vinicius, who also shares a name with an Olympic mascot, will talk about Brazil’s abundant natural resources, rich culture and beautiful people and why just one visit to Brazil will never be enough.
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America’s Basilica, Cheetah Conservation and Pirate Treasure Hunting with the Cousteau’s

Today on World Footprints we’ll visit one of the largest churches in the world in Washington DC, examine efforts to save cheetahs in Namibia and head off on a Caribbean pirate treasure hunt with the latest generation of Cousteaus.
First, The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception may not be the most iconic building in Washington, DC, but it looms large in other ways. Louise DuFresne of the Basilica takes us inside this beautiful building in northeast DC to share its remarkable history. From the awe-inspiring domes, mosaics and statues that define the Basilica and much of the ornamentation, words can hardly express the grandeur and artistry on display. One of the most amazing attractions is the 3,600 square foot mosaic of Christ, which is believed to be the largest mosaic of Jesus in the world.
Then, the country of Namibia is replete with natural physical beauty and abundant wildlife. The world’s fastest cat—the Cheetah roams the beautiful landscape but is faced with man-made and natural threats to its existence. For more than three decades, rescuing cheetahs and returning them to the wild has been the focus of Namibia’s Cheetah Conservation Fund. During a trip to Namibia, we visited CCF for a closer look at the efforts to save this endangered cat. CCF’s Eli Walker took us behind the scenes during feeding time as we learned of the challenges facing the cheetah in Namibia.
Finally, Philippe Cousteau Jr. came to undersea exploration and conservation thanks to a legacy left by his famous grandfather Jacques and his father. Now, Philippe and his wife Ashlan, who made her mark as an on-air entertainment reporter for E-news, combine their personal and professional passions in their new Travel Channel show Caribbean Pirate Treasure—crisscrossing the Caribbean to share stories of pirates and lost treasures of yesteryear.
Also, Washington, DC is filled with many well-know attractions drawing millions of visitors every year. But venturing off the beaten path, DC’s unique neighborhoods reveal historic homes with of stories of their own connected to America’s history. We’ll shine a “spotlight” on two of them in the Nation’s Capital—Tudor Place and Heurich House.
For links to additional resources visit this show page at World Footprints.

Family Travel 4-1-1

As a mother of three, family travel expert Shelly Rivoli says when traveling with babies it is important to remain calm. Shelly has learned a lot of tricks and tips for traveling with children first-hand.

Inside Africa Conservation, Yellowstone, Uganda and Return to Glow

Today on World Footprints we will examine some troubling realities of Western conservation efforts in Africa; we’ll connect with life in Italy; take a glimpse inside of Uganda and we’ll hear about the People of Yellowstone.
In her provocative new book: White Man’s Game, author Stephanie Hanes examines the larger problems that arise when Westerners try to “fix” complex problems in developing countries, acting with the best intentions yet often overlooking the wishes of the local population. In White Man’s Game, Stephanie find herself tracing an unexpected storyline of the tangled history of Western missionaries, explorers and do-gooders in Africa.
Throughout the centuries Italy has drawn travelers to its peninsula like a magnetic force. There’s something so magical and inspiring about Italy. It’s a country where people go to create, reflect and feel alive, like author Chandi Wyant. For Chandi, she first found what she describes as her “glow” in Italy and later rediscovered it along the Via Francigena when she walked alone on a 265-mile stretch of this ancient route to Rome. Chandi joins us from Luca, Italy to share her pilgrimage of transformation that is chronicled in her book, Return to Glow.
Sir Winston Churchill once wrote that, “Uganda is a fairy-tale. You climb up a railway instead of a beanstalk, and at the end there is a wonderful new world”. There’s a reason why Uganda is known as “the Pearl of Africa”. The country is beautiful and green; the scenery is breathtaking and after years of turmult Uganda is relatively stable despite allegations of government corruption. According to Uganda Tourism Minister Stephen Asiimwe, the country is no longer marred by the legacy of Idi Amin, but today has a new narrative that is welcoming to visitors from around the world.
In their new book, the People of Yellowstone, photographer Steve Horan and writer Ruth Crocker, share the real life stories and portraits of 87 individuals from volunteers to scientists and park rangers to trail guides—all who are dedicated to the preservation of wilderness and offer us a unique glimpse into Yellowstone National Park through their eyes. Indeed, for writer Ruth Crocker who joins us from Connecticut, the People of Yellowstone project deepened her appreciation for our National Parks.
Join us as we go inside conservation efforts in Africa, learn about the People of Yellowstone, explore Uganda and hear how one author found her glow in Italy. We’ll also visit Florida’s Treasure Coast and the State of Maine...on World Footprints radio with Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick.
Additional resources available on this show page at http://WorldFootprints.com

Exploring Paris, China, Family Travel and City Pass

To understand a city one must look through the lens of its artists with open eyes, appreciate the personal stories of locals, and sometimes jump on a fast track to have time at popular attractions.
Art curator and author Matt Wagner travels the world looking for the Tall Trees—the artists that stand out and help share our common humanity. In his third Tall Trees book series Matt explores the artist community in Paris.
As a mother of three, family travel expert Shelly Rivoli says when traveling with babies it is important to remain calm. Shelly has learned a lot of tricks and tips for traveling with children first-hand.
Deborah Wakefield from City Pass will tell us how we can visit the top attractions in North America’s popular tourist destinations without standing in a long queue.
We will travel inside the Middle Kingdom with author Jonathan Geldhart to gain some insights into modern China. Through the personal stories in his book Jonathan shares new truths about this mysterious country.
Join us as we explore Tall Trees of Paris and modern China, learn the art of family travel and jump the queue at popular attractions. We’ll also visit Portland, Oregon and Williamburg, Virginia on World Footprints with Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick.
For links to additional resources visit this show page on http://WorldFootprints.com

Reviving North Carolina towns through art and tourism

On one side of the state, North Carolina has the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. On the coastal side, the state boasts wild horses and deep blue waters. However, the center of the North Carolina holds surprising treasures and a rich history.
After losing the tobacco and textile industries, Kinston’s Mayor, B.J. Murphy tells us that his small town turned to the arts for economic revitalization. Even after traveling to Kinston for decades, Ian experienced a new community that is rich in all art forms-- from music and visual arts to brewing and distilling arts.
North Carolina has a rich musical heritage. Darrell Stover, Cultural Historian for African Music Trails of North Carolina tells us how the Eastern part of the state is now being recognized for its musical contribution.
A kinetic art sculpture park created by visionary artist Vollis Simpson forms the center price of a new district in historic Wilson, North Carolina. Whirligigs have also been adopted as North Carolina’s official folk art.
Bob Timberlake (a possible relation to Justin Timberlake) is one of America’s foremost artists, and the person behind some of the most successful furniture sold around the world. We visited him at his home gallery in Lexington, NC.
Join us as we experience the art of central and eastern North Carolina and get a history lesson aboard the Confederate Ironclad ship the CSS Neuse II. Plus, Learn the secrets of barbeque from a master cook...on World Footprints radio with Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick.

Exploring Wilmington, Delaware – A European experience in American history

World Footprints will explore Wilmington, Delaware and the Brandywine Valley’s rich American history and vibrant arts and cultural scene with its European flair.
Known for its collection of American art, the internationally acclaimed Brandywine River Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, houses three generations of Wyeth artists—N.C. Wyeth, his son Andrew Wyeth and grandson Jamie Wyeth. Guide Reno Winter takes us inside the Andrew Wyeth studio to learn about these legendary American artists.
The DuPont name is synonymous with Delaware, at the Hagley Museum and Library, five generations of DuPont’s built a fortune on black powder and left an indelible mark on American history. Guide Elaine Croft shares the legacy of the DuPont family as she takes us on a stroll through the grounds of Hagley.
Longwood Gardens, Winterthur Mansion and Nemours Estate are some amazing attractions that were built by the DuPont family in the Wilmington area. Each property has a distinct European feel that resembles the DuPont’s French heritage. Lyn Lewis from Visit Wilmington explores these attractions and some of the arts and cultural scene that contributes to Delaware and the Brandywine Valley’s dynamism.