Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope

While the Cote du Azur gets all the publicity as The South of France – there is another French Riviera and South of France that offers a gentler and less flashy experience, but is no less marvelous. Languedoc – Roussillon, one of the 26 regions of France, stretches from the artsy fishing village of Collioure in the south to the Rhone River and the marshes of the Carmargue in the east. Inland and to the north it encompasses the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, the Canal du Midi which winds its way to the sea and the Grand Canyon of France – the Gorge du Tarn. On this pod cast you join Joseph as he explores and enjoys the many attractions and pleasures that await in The Other South of France.

Ireland is a country of song and poetry and breathtaking beauty. It’s a country of steaming hot teas, hearty soups, fresh food and great drink!  It’s a country where even though it may be your first visit, you’ll immediately feel at home. Joseph continues his explorations of Western Ireland with a drive aournd the Ring of Kerry and then on to the Blarney Castle in order receive the “gift of gab” by kissing the famous Blarney Stone!

Available in more than 24 languages, Rosetta Stone language-learning solutions are used by schools, organizations and millions of individuals in more than 150 counties throughout the world.  Joseph welcomes Rosetta Stone as a new underwriter of Travelscope and examines how they change the way the world learns languages in this pod cast with Duane Sider, Rosetta Stone’s director of learning.

Bronze Medal Winner - “Lowell Thomas Journalism Award” A hundred thousand welcomes will be yours when Joseph explores the beauty and the spirit of Ireland. Travelscope spent eight days on Ireland’s Dingle and Iveragh Peninsulas last summer capturing experiences for the show that will air as part of Season V of Travelscope which is scheduled for broadcast beginning June 2011. On this pod cast we travel back with Joseph on his first visit to Ireland 10 years ago. It was this first adventure in Ireland that inspired his love of the country and led to Travelscope Television returning to Ireland this year. Happy Traveling!

Ethiopia offers the traveler plenty of what they expect from an African Adventures — wildlife, tribal cultures and dramaticl landscapes — and well as many surprises. In March Joseph travels to Ethiopia in search of the expected and the unexpected. As a prelude to Travelscope’s fourth African adventure he met with Kagnew Asfaw, the regional director of Ethopian Airlines for the United States and Canada. They spoke about the country, the people and new developments that are expected to make Ethiopian Airlines the best way to get to all of East Africa.

France is one of Joseph’s favorite places on earth — ancient, beautiful, and proud — where you’ll find joie de vivre — the joy of life — around every corner. That’s even truer in Brittany — a land of legends and myths. Elves and dragons and maids and knights — hiking and biking and crepes and oysters — these are just a few of the little-known treasures Brittany and its Celtic heritage have in store for you. You’ll discover the country, its attractions and its stories on Joseph’s Brittany, France podcast.

La Quinta, California has long been a popular desert getaway for those in the know.  Not as well known as its sister city, Palm Springs, it has a lot to offer the visitor.  Joseph and Julie recently stayed in La Quinta in conjunction with their announcement of the release of Season V of Travelscope at the American Public Television conference that was held there. While in La Quinta they stayed in some very comfortable, convenient and cozy accommodations – La Quinta Vacations. In this pod cast, Joseph speaks with Sandy Robbins, property manager for La Quinta Vacations. After listening to the pod cast get more information on the property by going to www.LaQuinta-Vacations.com. And for more on La Quinta, you can check out Barbara Beckley’s story in the Winter 2010-2011 issue of the Travelscope eMagazine by just following this link.

St. Moritz, Switzerland is long been noted as the Swiss resort with an emphasis on the Ritz. Travelscope was in St. Moritz this year filming one of our Season V shows which will be released next June. Whether a home-stay zimmer frei room or a five-star hotel suite, accommodations in St. Moritz come in all classes and style. While being very up-to-date in spirit, the luxury Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains offers a direct connection with St. Moritz’s spa past. I spoke with public relations manager Benita Welter about the property and St. Mortiz.

Imagine a European country that stretches from Nice, France to Stockholm, Sweden. That gives you an idea of the size of the province of Ontario, Canada. And Ontario has a world of activities waiting for you. You can canoe on one of its 600,000 lakes or 60,000 miles of rivers or take a walk — one in every 10 square miles is a wilderness park.  Meet the Mennonites, the Scots, the cosmopolitan Torontans — they’re all here in Ontario, as well as, Ottawa — Canada’s capital – a gateway to the country and its people. It’s symbolic that the capital region of bilingual Canada lies in Ontario and Quebec encompassing both the English and French cultures. Those cultures and many more are celebrated in yearly festivals. On this pod cast join Joseph as he explores Ottawa, Ontario – Canada’s Capital.

While scouting the Perigord Region of France for an upcoming television episode, Joseph and Julie stayed at the very posh Chateau de la Treyne situated high above the Dordorgne River. One of hundreds of castles along the Dordogne River, the Chateau is a place where every woman is a princess and every man instantly transforms from a frog into a prince just by walking through its doors. With salons dating from the 14th and 17th centuries, this Relais & Chateaux hotel combines the authenticity of the past with high quality modern comfort. Its acclaimed cuisine can be enjoyed in the sumptuous Louis XIII dining room or on the beautiful terrace. Michelin Star Chef Stephane Andrieux combines the gourmet traditions of the local Perigord and Quercy specialities — foie gras, truffles, lamb and duck — with insightful creativity to deliver unexpected and delicious flavors. You can learn more by visiting ChateauDeLaTreyne.com. In this latest pod cast, Joseph pauses from his kingly pleasures in the castle to interview owner Philippe Gombert.

Easter Week (Semana Santa) in Guatemala is a sight to behold. The pageantry and devotion of the people is beyond compare. Whether you are religious or not, you can not help but be moved by the genuine expression of love and faith displayed by the people. No where is the event more extensive, beautiful and moving than in the ancient town of Antigua. Each year thousands of devotees come from throughout Guatemala and the world to participate in the celebration. The Porta Hotel Antigua is perfectly located to serve visitors and locals alike. During his stay in Antigua to cover the festivities for an Season V episode of Travelscope scheduled for release to PBS June 1011, Joseph spoke with the hotel’s general manager, Andreas Kuestermann, about Antigua, Semana Santa and the hotel.

When you’re in Washington DC you expect to have close encounters with history, but it’s a special treat to make a National Landmark your home. Yet, staying in Washington’s first Post Office building (originally constructed in 1839) is only one of the pleasures available to guests of the Hotel Monaco Washington, DC, a Kimpton Hotel.  A pleasant stroll away from the National Mall and other Washington attractions, this luxury boutique hotel has plenty to offer visitors whether they are in Washington on business or pleasure. During a recent trip to the nation’s capital to celebrate Julie’s son, Travis’ induction into the State Department, Joseph spoke with hotel General Manager Ed Virtue about the hotel and the city it serves.

Joseph speaks with one of the founders and organizers of the Topanga Film Festival, Urs Baur. This year’s four day festival intrudes an ambitious slate of feature length films screenings, special live and interactive events – many of which will take place in an oversized screening tent right in the middle of Topanga’s village center. The festival runs August 19 – 22, 2010.  Information – 310-455-4700.

La Paz, is the capital of Baja California Sur, the political center of the southern peninsula, and yet, it is still a piece of undiscovered and unspoiled Mexico. Located on the beautiful Sea of Cortez it offers visitors a wide range of activities from fishing and sea kayaking to just strolling along the seaside mallecon. Joseph heads to this seaside destination to take in its many attractions.

Joseph heads to Northern California to the other city on the bay – Oakland – where he stays at the newly renovated Claremont Hotel Club & Spa. The 1915 castle on the Berkeley Hills has recently spruced up its guest rooms, reinvented the Spa Claremont and, most notably, transformed their gourmet dining offering into the innovative Meritage. It’s in this venue that award-wining chef Josh Thomsen conjures up an array of delectable specialties served in half or full portions accompanied by a choice of appropriate wine vintages.  A devotee of local products Josh hunts down the best of regional producers to give guests a real taste of Northern California. Discoveries such as Hog Island oysters pleasantly surprise and totally satisfy the most discerning diner.  From a sunny spot at Meritage during breakfast Joseph enjoys stunning views of fog-shrouded San Francisco while speaking with marketing manager Mickey Khangsengsing about the new shine on this grand old lady.