Ready...Set...Vacation! with Erik the Travel Guy

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Destination Spotlight - Europe

Did you know Europe is the world’s second smallest continent? That's right! Europe welcomes more than half of all the visitors in the world. As a matter of fact, seven of the 10 most visited countries in the world are European nations! Ancient history and diverse cultural heritage are two of the reasons people visit today.

Beyond Your Backyard - Bryan College Station

Surprisingly unique destination in the heart of Texas. Bryan and College Station are worthy of your visit!

Travel Tip - What's Free in Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida, is often associated with its world-famous theme parks and attractions, but there's more to this vibrant city than meets the eye.

Notes From The Road - Hello Fall

Greetings fellow travel lovers! I hope your Summer was as enchanting and rewarding as mine was. If you are a parent, then this time of year is a little “calm before the storm”. The school schedules...

How To Make A Chicago Style Hot Dog

Travel and food? You bet! This is an iconic Hot Dog and I love it. It's easy to make and oh so delicious! In this post you'll learn what you need and how to prepare this amazing dog!

Travel Tip - How To Drive On A Two Lane Highway

Picture this. You made the decision to take a family vacation. You booked all the arrangements, packed the car and are setting out for fun, excitement and much needed relaxation.

Beyond Your Backyard - PA's Great Outdoors Part Two

A return visit to this region of Pennsylvania proves to be even more fun for the whole family!

Civil War Sites To Visit

Over the years, I have traveled to many civil war sites, battlefields and museums. It never gets tiring because I always learn something new. Fortunately, a number of historic sites have been preserved for posterity and here are just a few of my favorites. 

Notes From The Road - A New Carnival Ship

This past week I had the extreme pleasure of attending the christening of a new Carnival ship. For the first time in Carnival’s history they named a Godfather (as opposed to a Godmother) and it was none other than comedian Jay Leno.

Destination Spotlight - Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri is a popular vacation destination that offers a range of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages. The city is best known for its lively entertainment scene, with shows featuring music, comedy, and magic, among others.

Destination Spotlight - Denver, CO

Let me take you on a journey to the Mile High City, Denver, Colorado, for a memorable vacation. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Denver is a thriving metropolis that boasts a stunning array of outdoor recreational opportunities, world-class museums, and a thriving culinary scene. 

Beyond Your Backyard - Boone, NC

Travel to the hill country of the mid-Atlantic to unlock the secrets of Boone, North Carolina. Rustic scenery, fascinating frontiersman history, Bluegrass music and delicious country-chic comfort food are all on the menu.

Travel Tip - What's Worth It In Las Vegas

Las Vegas has made incredible strides when it comes to renovating its “Sin City” reputation into something more family-friendly.

Destination Spotlight - Flagstaff, AZ

When people think of Arizona they picture saguaro cactuses and rolling tumbleweeds. The last thing they think of is some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the Southwest. That may be because you’ve never been to the Northern Arizona gem of Flagstaff.

Beyond Your Backyard - Winston-Salem, NC

Join Erik as he gets a history lesson about the Moravian culture of Old Salem. Prepare to be entertained as he challenges a professional baker to a cookie-making race at Mrs. Hanes Moravian Cookies, and fine tune your senses as he experiences the grandeur of The Reynolda House Museum of American Art. He’ll also dig into some delicious and award winning southern cuisine at his visit to Sweet Potatoes Restaurant.

Beyond Your Backyard - Little Rock Part II

The crew and I return to the capital of Arkansas in this episode of Beyond Your Backyard. Diversity in unique neighborhoods, a thriving downtown district, and outdoor recreation are all part of the fun.

Destination Spotlight - Chicago, IL

Chicago is a classic American city filled with unique neighborhoods, stunning architecture, delicious food and lots to see and do!

Beyond Your Backyard - Lake Murray, SC

Grab your binoculars and life vest and join Erik for a lake adventure! Get out on the lake with Erik as he discovers this gorgeous area and the phenomena of the Purple Martins that flock to this area every year.

Take Care of the Kids!

Howdy from your favorite travel guinea pig! This week, we have a family theme throughout the offering and this theme brings up a few good points whether or not you have children. Keep reading.

United Airlines - New Family First Seating

Flying with children has never been easy. You’ve got to carry more bags, deal with more interruptions, and suffer the annoyed glares from your fellow passengers when your toddler decides to throw a full volume fit at 35,000 feet.

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Erik Hastings Biography

Erik Hastings, a.k.a. "Erik the Travel Guy"

Erik “the Travel Guy” Hastings is an EMMY award-winning television personality who speaks directly to consumers who can't afford to "get their vacations wrong". He is the host and managing editor of three internationally syndicated television series; "Beyond Your Backyard", “Food for Thought” and “Cruise Food”.

Erik leads an incredibly talented team of industry pros and is the editorial driving force of his platform. While the travel industry directly supports millions of families worldwide, Erik believes travel makes the world a better place. Through exploration and discovery, he has learned that travel brings cultures together and he eagerly shares that spirit with his viewers.

In 2005, Erik launched his own production company that specialized in creating high-quality, low-cost travel videos for online distribution, which has added “world traveler” to his resume. This enterprise encapsulates all of Erik’s true joys by combining video production, writing, discovery, adventure, performing and interacting with fascinating people in some of the most inspiring and beautiful travel destinations in the world. Since inception, he has amassed an impressive client roster including Hertz, The Greenbrier Resort, CruiseOne, Carnival, Pinehurst, Iberostar, and countless official tourism bureaus throughout the world.

In 2017, Erik and his creative team began production on "Beyond Your Backyard", a new educational travel series for Blue Ridge PBS. The series debuted in April of 2018 on Blue Ridge PBS and other public broadcasting stations and quickly gained national attention and new affiliates. Today, the series is seen by millions of viewers nationwide. The series is syndicated by NETA and carried on the CREATE Channel. In its first season, the series was honored by the industry with two EMMY awards for the show and its host.

In 2022, Erik formed a new venture (4:55 AM Entertainment Co.) with his longtime friend and creative partner Jason Zumwalt. His new company produces two series: “Cruise Food” and “Food For Thought”.

Erik spends (on average) about 25 weeks on the road per year. When he's not traveling, he spends time with his two daughters in the New York City area.

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