1,000 Places to See Before You Die

TV review by Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media
1,000 Places to See Before You Die Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 7+

Bestselling book guides couple's worldly travels.

Travel Channel Educational 2007
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Parents say

age 4+

Based on 6 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this series -- which is based on Patricia Schultz's bestselling book of the same name -- captures the beauty, diversity, and cultural vibrancy of about 100 of the places featured in the book. Viewers are exposed to the geography, history, and people that make each place unique, and they'll gain a new appreciation for the world's vast differences -- as well as its underlying interconnectedness. This eye-opening series is great to share with kids of any age, but be prepared to answer questions about things like unfamiliar dress, cuisine, and living conditions.

Community Reviews

mario_rsa
mario_rsa Adult
January 7, 2010
age 6+
I am a South African. So far I have really enjoyed the program, but expected far more when my country was visited. The producers obviously had a political agenda, as they covered a great deal of time on politics. Brazil, aired during the previous episode has more slums and poverty than South Africa but it wasn't even mentioned. This program should not cover politics as politics and poverty is fairly irrelevant in the CONTEXT of the program. And if politics is covered, at least show a balanced view. Did they show the fact that the ANC (ruling party) government is spending the equivelant of 12,000 subsidized houses on luxury trips, luxury cars etc. or that the country has lost hundreds of millions of dollars to corruption through the same government and its corrupt officials? Money meant for poverty alleviation of the same people shown in the program? It is easier for them to cover the softly softly stuff than to show something more balanced. I rate this episode 1 out of 10 because the coverage of the country was very poor and the politics has no relevance in the context of the program and its purpose.

This title has:

Educational value
nadora
nadora Adult
April 14, 2009
age 2+

i love it

its very goooood post
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on the bestselling book by Patricia Schultz, 1,000 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE takes viewers on a tour of some of the world's most breathtaking places, showcasing each area's natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural diversity as seen through the eyes of an adventurous young couple, Melanie and Albin Ulle. The Ulles' journey around the globe includes stops in many countries -- including Mexico, South Africa, Australia, Nepal, France, and Brazil -- for a total of more than 100 of the places on Schultz's list of 1,000. At each stop, local experts offer insight into history and geography, and the Ulles sample traditional cuisine, meet indigenous wildlife, and try native hobbies. In a segment shot in Alaska, for example, Melanie and Albin trek across a 10,000-year-old glacier, ride a gondola to the top of a mountain for some stunning natural sightseeing, watch as orcas frolic alongside their tour boat, and experience the rush of sled dog mushing. They also visit local fishing towns and a wildlife preserve that rehabilitates injured and abandoned grizzly bears and moose.

Is It Any Good?

There's really no end to the impressive sights and sounds viewers will find in this wonderful series. And the Ulles' excitement for each new adventure gives it a uniquely welcoming feel for a travel series. If you watch with your kids, you'll find plenty of educational avenues, as well as opportunities to instill respect and appreciation for the world's diverse people and places.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how their lives compare to the cultures they see on the show. Kids: How is your lifestyle different from the people in this episode? Do they dress, eat, or play differently from you?

  • How does someone's homeland affect how they live? What do you think their
    reaction would be to see how you live? What similarities exist between
    us and them?

  • If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be
    and why?

TV Details

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