Customer Reviews

Globe Trekker - Spain

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I had hoped to use this in my (Spanish) classroom, to replace an old PBS Going Places VHS. However, it has several things in it that are inappropriate for school-aged children (I'd put it at about PG-13) and I certainly can't use it in a middle-school classroom! Scenes about ancient sex toys are pretty much unnecessary in any travel video; then to find that the exhibit was traveling and not even a permanent fixture in the town just made me more upset! I do love the adventurousness of this series; but sometimes things go a bit over the edge (there's an emphasis on drinking and partying, and some of the ways the two women sleep are simply unsafe for women traveling alone!) This is a very informative video for the average adult traveler. I simply can't use it in the classroom.

Although most of these videos are very fun, accurate, and educational to some extent, this Spain episode is not very good. The Northern section is fine and interesting but then in the Southern section there are strange sexual references on a few occasions making it impossible to show in a classroom. Having lived in Spain, it seems to overly stress stereotypes of what the people and places are like and doesn't do the culture justice.

Given the mixed reviews on this, I wasn't sure what to expect. Essentially, this is two travel videos -- a young Australian woman roughing it through Northern Spain, and a 20-something American woman trekking around Southern Spain. The scenes brought back many fond memories of my own international travels during my younger years. However, this production is not useful as an information source or as a guide for planning one's itinerary in Spain.

Basically, this is a video of two people doing hearty, Spartan-like ecotravel. Their trek is highlighted by rather extreme adventures such as the Pamplona bull run, parasailing, windsurfing and snowboarding... not exactly a Rick Steves or Rudy Maxa production for the average traveler. Frankly, I was a bit disheartened at these two young people's lack of graciousness when offered new foods or accepting local hospitality. The sense of entitlement was obvious and akin to disappointed brats on a trip to Disneyland.

On the whole, this video offered little more than a video record of two young gal's quest for personal titillation -- a journey that seemed to touch them very little, nor did they genuinely touch others. Unfortunately, this is a painful statement about Generation Me and their blatant self-absorption. Not a worthwhile use of my viewing time.

This travel video should be called "two twits go to Spain."
Way too much little girl stuff, not nearly enough Spain stuff.

I endured it to watch get to the Santiago de Compostella section. It was a tragedy to have so little said about Jesús Jato. Jesus Jata's flaming drink is legend. The "big incense ball" is known as the botafumeiro.

This video has a short segment that is inappropriate for middle school and younger. I will not order Globe trekker for my classroom again. Some type of rating should've been on the box. Thank goodness I previewed the DVD. I'm not sure it is even appropriate for the high school Spanish classes.

I am High School teacher in MA. I have also lived in Spain and can attest that everything shown in this video is accurate. Certainly there are parts that must not be shown in a classroom, ie. the Inquisition torture artifact museum. However, there are numerous examples in which the Spanish way of life is faithfully portrayed. Whether it be enjoy the typical siesta, numerous Fiestas, bullfights, museums, etc. Do not allow yourself to be swayed by the opinions of the other reviews of this product, the videos are informative and accurate. Spain is the most visited country in Europe, it is very Catholic, it have many many Fiestas, and is widely known for its siesta (in which everything closes). It shows Spain as it is!

Globe Trekker is an acquired taste! But for those of us who have acquired it - oh, baby!!! This is not your typical travel video. You won't be shown the top sights in a spot and then have specific hotels or eating establishments pushed on you. This is a funny, zany look at travel through the eyes of various people who feel like friends by the end of the shows. This shows you see the underbelly of Spain. The culture. The people. Use it to supplement that Rick Steves video (which are always first rate) and the guidebooks you will buy. Don't expect it all, just expect fun!

Most of the time, the Globe Trekker dvd's are a good way to see a country and get an idea about the culture and people before you go. However, this dvd was completely inappopriate and a complete waste of money. The first half of it was fine, but the second part starts off with the guide bringing you to a sex museum and showing you how witches used the devices. A few minutes later she goes to a town where it talks about how women can't whitewash their houses when they get their period because they are seen as unclean. This was TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE for a travel video and had absolutely no business being in it. I thought I could use this in my classroom, but there is absolutely no way. Don't waste your money or your time.

I have found that Globetrekker sets the bar as for quality and content. I have collected several Globetrekker vdeos after seeing their product on PBS television. It is beyond me, how they get some of those shots in.
Good job.

This was the worst Globe Trekker so far. Why do we need to know about a traveling sex witch museum? This was just crazy! I am sure they wanted a bit of a laugh but it was still inappropriate! Leave this one on the shelf!