If you still think of Samantha Brown as that bubbly girl from the Travel Channel who spent her days testing Egyptian cotton sheets in five-star hotels, you’ve basically missed the best part of her career. Honestly, the shift she made from cable TV stardom to public broadcasting wasn’t just a network change. It was a complete reinvention of what travel television is supposed to do.
Samantha Brown’s Places to Love: Why the Pivot to PBS Changed Everything
Most people don’t realize that Samantha spent nearly a decade at the Travel Channel feeling like the most meaningful parts of her trips were being left on the cutting room floor. The "Great Hotels" era was fun, sure. But it was often about consumption—where to buy the best stuff, which resort had the biggest pool, and how to live a luxury lifestyle most of us can't afford.
In 2018, she launched Samantha Brown’s Places to Love on PBS, and the vibe changed instantly. It wasn't about her anymore. It was about the people.
You’ve probably seen the show while flipping channels on a Saturday afternoon. It feels different because it doesn't follow a formulaic itinerary. There’s no "top five things to do in Paris" list. Instead, she finds a guy in a small town in Ireland who is reviving a lost weaving technique or a chef in Monterey who’s basically obsessed with sustainable abalone farming.
The Reality of Season 9 and the Mother Road
Right now, in early 2026, the show is hitting a major milestone. Season 9 just premiered this January, and it’s a big one. Samantha is finally wrapping up her multi-year trek across Route 66. It’s perfect timing, really. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the "Mother Road," and the new episodes are diving deep into the American Southwest.
I caught the premiere episode set in New Mexico. It wasn't just neon signs and vintage cars—though there was plenty of that at the Motel Safari in Tucumcari. What stood out was her visit to the Santa Fe crossroads where Indigenous and Spanish cultures have bumped into each other for centuries. She makes you feel like you're standing right there in the dust with her.
What Makes Her Current Show Different?
The biggest misconception about Samantha Brown’s Places to Love is that it’s just another travelogue. It’s not. It’s built on a concept she calls "the emotional heart of travel."
- It’s People-First: Every episode highlights "disruptors" or innovators. These aren't tour guides; they’re locals doing something interesting.
- Zero Tourist Traps: You won't see the Eiffel Tower or the Statue of Liberty unless there's a very weird, human reason to be there.
- Accessibility: She focuses on how you can actually belong to a place, not just visit it as a tourist.
Samantha has mentioned in interviews that she traveled 230 days a year for decades. That sounds like a dream, right? But she’s been open about the loneliness that comes with that. That "void" she felt in high-end hotels is exactly what she’s filling with this show. By focusing on community, she’s teaching us how to travel in a way that doesn't feel like we're just checking boxes on a list.
Where to Watch in 2026
If you’re trying to find the show, it’s easier than it used to be. PBS still airs it nationwide, but the "Create TV" digital channel is where it lives most of the week.
- The PBS App: You can stream almost every season for free.
- Local Listings: Since it’s public television, the air times vary wildly. One city might show it at 10 AM, while another has it at 7 PM.
- YouTube: Her team is surprisingly active there, sharing behind-the-scenes clips that didn't make the broadcast.
The Italy Episodes: A New Standard
In Season 9, she’s also heading back to Italy for the first time in 20 years. That’s a long time for a travel pro to stay away. She spent time in Bologna and Modena, but instead of just eating pasta (though she did plenty of that), she went into a warehouse containing 77,000 wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano.
Can you imagine the smell? She described it as "heavenly and overwhelming."
She also visited the home of the late Luciano Pavarotti. It’s these specific, weirdly personal touches that make the show work. She isn't just showing you the sights; she’s showing you the soul of the destination through the lens of craftsmanship and history.
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Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip
Watching the show is one thing, but applying her philosophy is another. If you want to travel like Samantha Brown, stop looking at "Best Of" lists on Pinterest.
- Seek out the "Third Place": Find where the locals actually hang out—the libraries, the small-batch workshops, the neighborhood bars.
- Ask better questions: Instead of asking "Where is the best pizza?", ask a local "Who is doing something creative in this neighborhood?"
- Support the makers: Season 9 highlights artisans from Zurich to Oklahoma. When you buy from a local creator, you’re literally helping preserve the culture of the place you’re visiting.
The show has won two Emmys for a reason. It’s quiet, it’s thoughtful, and it’s genuinely curious. In a world of 15-second TikTok travel "hacks" that are mostly just people posing in front of mirrors, Samantha Brown is still out there doing the real work of storytelling.
Check your local PBS listings for the Route 66 finale or download the PBS app to see the Italy specials. It’s the best way to remind yourself why we leave home in the first place.