Bob Krist’s Off the Beaten Path is a 28-episode series for seasoned travelers and homebodies alike. Begin your world adventure in the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago known for its luscious scenery, luxury agricultural goods, and one-of-a-kind calderas. Afterward, jet southwest to explore the many wonders of Central Mexico, from the region’s stunning monarch butterfly sanctuaries to its underexplored surrealistic sculpture parks. Then, travel up and down Maine’s highways, rugged coasts, and ferry routes. And finish in Venice for a behind-the-scenes look at the world-famous Carnival celebration.
Bob Krist’s Off the Beaten Path
Join experienced travel photographer Bob Krist on a 28-episode journey through the Azores, Mexico, Maine, and Venice, exploring the tapestry of cultures, enduring customs, and stunning landscapes that make each region so unique.
Overview
About
Bob Krist is a freelance photographer and filmmaker whose work has taken him to more than 150 countries and all seven continents. He has worked extensively on assignment for magazines such as National Geographic and Smithsonian. In the prestigious Lowell Thomas competition, his short travel films have won gold and silver awards, and his monograph of portraits and landscapes, Old Souls & Timeless Places, won a gold award in the Travel Book category. He was also named Photographer of the Year by the Society of American Travel Writers three times.
Trailer
01: Azores: The Calderas of São Miguel
Join Bob Krist and guide Daniel Cabral of Greenzone on a journey through the Azores, an archipelago of small islands between Europe and America. Start with São Miguel, the largest island in the collection, taking in the breathtaking calderas, pristine lakes, luscious plant life, and seaside villages that make the Azores unique.
6 min
02: Azores: The Tea Plantations of Europe
There are only two tea plantations in all of Europe; and lucky for you, they're both in São Miguel. Pay a visit to the larger and older plantation, Gorreana, where you will sit down with sixth-generation tea farmer Madelena Mota for a crash course on tea history and production.
5 min
03: Azores: Lighthouses of the Gulf Stream
While lighthouses sit empty in the United States, most lighthouses in the Azores—and throughout Portugal—are still manned by naval personnel. Explore lighthouse life and lore with Rui Melo, one of many Farol do Arnel lighthouse keepers still posted at the northeast part of São Miguel.
5 min
04: Azores: Days of Wine and Amoroso
Visit a master winemaker before (virtually) sampling some Generosa wine. Then, take a trip to Pico, a long stretch of ancient lava rock vineyards that doubles as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to learn about the storied history of Posada wine and winemaking in the Azores.
9 min
05: Azores: Whales, Tales, and Sails
Hop on a ferry for a day trip to Horta, the main city on the Azores island of Failal and a popular stop for sailors due to its protected harbor. Explore the art, history, and geography of the region before stopping for a tour of the impressive Scrimshaw Museum collections.
5 min
06: Azores: The Bulls of Terceira
Visit Terceira, an island of rolling hills, patchwork green fields, long-dormant volcanic cones, and—most important—hordes and hordes of free grazing cattle. Dig into the long history of the Tourada à corda—an old bull run tradition wholly unique to the island—before exploring Terceira’s show-stopping cheese and culinary specialties.
9 min
07: Azores: Feeling Saudade in the City
Founded in 1478, Angra do Heroísmo is a stunning island city bursting with churches, monasteries, manor houses, and palaces. Tour this designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of its most beautiful attractions—Captain General's Palace. And finish with a walk through the Duke of Terceira Garden to experience the full beauty of the city.
5 min
08: Azores: Portugal’s Garden Oasis
Visit the eastern part of São Miguel Island, emblematic of the lush flora, bubbling hot springs, spectacular viewpoints, and charming villages the Azores islands are famous for. Experience beautiful scenes and delicious geothermal-cooked dishes as you make your way to Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park, the Terra Nostra Garden, and the wildlife oasis of Ilhéu de Vila Franca.
10 min
09: Mexico: The Concheros Celebration of Spring
Join Bob and narrator Fabiola Stevenson—a Mexican American actress—on a tour of San Miguel de Allende, a colonial town in the Bahia region of Mexico. Kick-off spring by attending the Concheros, a historic festival complete with intense rhythmic drumming, colorful costumes, and pre-Columbian dance troupes.
8 min
10: Mexico: Cowboys of the High Desert
The Mexican cowboy, known as a charro, is an iconic figure. Learn all about the Charrería Mexican rodeo before taking a ride with thousands of cowboys and cowgirls across the dusty Bahia Desert to a high, mountain-top shrine in a pilgrimage called the Cabalgata of Cristo Rey.
13 min
11: Mexico: Holy Week in the Bajío
The Christian Holy Week is one of the most important religious observances in Mexico. From Palm Sunday to Easter, the cities and towns in Bajío host a variety of celebrations and ceremonies. Visit several to immerse yourself in their Holy Week traditions, which range from profoundly spiritual to downright explosive.
13 min
12: Mexico: The Epic Journey of the Monarchs
Where do all the monarch butterflies go in the winter? Unearth one of nature’s most impressive migration stories by visiting the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve—another UNESCO World Heritage Site—where millions of butterflies visit annually. Then, sit down with Jaime Hernendez to learn about how you can protect the world’s butterflies.
6 min
13: Mexico: Festival of the Exploding Hammers
The small mining village of San Juan de la Vega celebrates Carnival—also known as Mardi Gras—with a bang. Experience the so-called Festival of the Exploding Hammers without the requisite safety equipment, digging into the fascinating lore and public safety logistics behind an enduring Lent spectacle.
3 min
14: Mexico: The Master Craftsmen of Michoacán
Join Bob on a visit to the Michoacán state in Central Mexico, home to the Indigenous Purépecha people whose ancestors formed one of the great civilizations of Mesoamerica. See for yourself why the villages around Lake Patzcuaro are so famous, from their renowned crafts and artwork to their stunning natural landscapes.
12 min
15: Mexico: The Jungle Xanadu of Las Pozas
About 28 miles north of Mexico City lies a spectacular garden tucked away in the mountains of Xilita, willed into existence by an eccentric Englishman named Edward James. Go on a mystery tour of the surrealistic sculpture park Las Pozas, a group of whimsical, concrete structures that covers over 80 acres of subtropical rainforest.
5 min
16: Maine: The Spectacular Coast
Travel north to experience the sights and sounds of coastal Maine, home to lobsters, lighthouses, and some of the prettiest villages in the United States. Join Bob—a 5-year Maine resident himself—and photographer Ben Williamson for an introductory look at some of the most charming locales and beautiful scenery the Pine Tree state has to offer.
11 min
17: Maine: Life on the Islands
Ferry captain Gene Willard joins Bob to explore some of Maine’s 4,000 islands—15 of which have full-time residential populations and rely on ferry routes to connect them to the mainland. Catch an insider tour of the history and wildlife of the islands of Maine, from their blue heron populations to their gun batteries.
6 min
18: Maine: The World’s Largest Rotating Globe
Take a road trip with Bob up Route 1, the mother road of Maine. Kick off your journey by visiting one of the state’s most engaging and eccentric roadside marvels: Eartha, a whopping four-story rotating globe. Join Eartha’s keeper Scott Dyer to explore the history and mechanics behind this otherworldly roadside wonder.
7 min
19: Maine: Collecting Americana
Link up with retired art professor and museum curator John Fawcett on Route 1 for a tour of Fawcett Museum’s extensive collection of 20th-century toys and Disney memorabilia. Take a look at some of John’s rarest items and discover where he finds his pieces and what inspired him to create this impressive roadside wonder.
7 min
20: Maine: The Indigenous Wild Blueberry
The last roadside attraction stop on your winding Route 1 road trip is quite the treat. Sit down with farmers Dell and Marie Emerson to examine the history of fruit farming in Maine, before taking stock of all the wonderful surprises and scrumptious goodies at this delightfully eccentric blueberry emporium.
9 min
21: Maine: Riding the Revived Railroads
Maine’s train system was unusual compared to the rest of the United States in the 19th century. Bob takes you back in time to see how the train industry changed Maine and how Maine changed the train industry. Then, you’ll meet some folks who are trying to restore Maine’s history, track by painstaking track.
10 min
22: Maine: How Oysters Came Back from the Brink
When most people think of Maine, they think lobsters—boiled, baked, or chopped up, and stuffed into rolls. But not so fast! Join Bob and a crew aboard an oyster dragger to learn about the tenacity and toughness of oyster harvesters, before joining Andy Rogers for a private oyster shucking demonstration on the river.
12 min
23: Maine: The Artists of Monhegan Island
Hop on the ferry to explore Monhegan Island, a sparsely populated artist’s paradise located 12 miles off the coast of Maine. Tour the island’s stunning coastlines. Explore the local museum. And talk to some innkeepers and painters to get a sense of what life is like on an island so few call home.
12 min
24: Venice: Carnivale over the Centuries
As they say in Venice, “A carnevale ogni scherzo vale” or rather: “During carnival, anything goes.” It's a saying that perfectly sums up the energy and excitement as Venetians and visitors alike celebrate one of the city’s most cherished traditions. Join Bob for a behind-the-scenes look at the Carnevale di Venezia.
3 min
25: Venice: Making the Masks of Carnivale
An authentic Venetian mask is made of paper-mache. The entire process—from the initial molding to all those last-minute details—is done by hand, usually by a master craftsman. Sit down with one such craftsman to learn about the history and art behind Venice’s iconic Carnevale masks.
8 min
26: Venice: The Costumes of Carnivale
With masks come costumes, too—feathered hats, embroidered shirts, satin gloves, even animal tusks. Meet Cindy Peterson, a 28-year veteran of Carnivale, along with a swath of other festival legends to tear into the history and nature of dress at one of the most fabulous Lent celebrations in the world.
16 min
27: Venice: Capturing the Spirit of Carnivale
What is the best way to capture the magic, mystery, and exuberance of Venetian Carnival? Work with two world-class photographers—incredibly well-respected among veteran costumers in Venice—to hone basic but extremely important photography skills. Play with light, setting, and even props to see how you can do celebrations like the Carnevale di Venezia justice on film.
9 min
28: Venice: The Future of the City of Canals
Although the Carnevale di Venezia has been around for over 1,000 years, past performance is no guarantee of future results. The twin juggernauts of sea level rise and mass tourism continue to threaten Venice. Wrap up your travel journey by seeing how Venetians are mobilizing to protect the city they know and love.
7 min
