Raw Travel - Season 1

Raw Travel goes to new heights by traveling to the high altitude, capital city of Quito, Ecuador. While there Raw Travel explores the city's old cobblestone streets and historical architecture. Then it's off to the outskirts of the city to visit the Foundation for the Honor of Life School, where we give out much needed school supplies to students from poor and troubled homes.

Then we visit the Mitad Del Mundo, or Middle of the World, to try and clear up some confusion just about where the actual middle of the earth is located. Plus we check out some real life, shrunken heads. Then we visit the famous Pancho Market in the nearby indigenous town of Otavalo. Rob gets a lesson on typical Andean music at the incredible ñanda mañachi, and later, reluctantly samples the indigenous staple of fried cuy (guinea pig).

Raw Travel takes viewers on a fascinating cultural journey by bus through one of South America's smallest, but most eco-friendly and culturally colorful countries. The producers travel from Quito to the eco-friendly and adventurous retreat of Baños to bike through some of most beautiful scenery in Latin America and partake in some of the regions many adventure sports. The journey continues through the tiny indigenous town Alausí to catch the legendary train Nariz del Diablo or Devil's Nose to travel through some of the most dangerous, but beautiful, Andean mountain peaks and valleys in the world.

Then it's on to Ecuador's third largest city, Cuenca to visit the Homero Ortega hat factory to learn why a hat named after Panama is made in Ecuador. The crew then buses to the coastal city of Guayaquil to visit the famed Malecon and get a feel for life at the turn of the last century at the fascinating Parque Historico or Historical Park. The crew winds up the trip by spending time with some hippies at the surfers hang out and beach town of Montañita.

Visiting the Caribbean while staying off the beaten path is not always easy, but the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago (or T&T) are probably a Raw Traveler's best shot. Trinidad is famous for its carnival celebration and Raw Travel gets the lowdown with the National Carnival Band Association. Plus, the crew gets a lesson on how the island's music has influence on the rest of the world with the Steel Pan, Calypso and Soca music phenomena. Rob then suits up for the island's most popular sport, cricket at the world famous Queen's Park Oval. Then, he meets the guys from the only punk band on the on the island, Anti-Everything, who introduce his palette to some of the very unique and authentic Trini treats in the St. James and Queens Park Savannah areas of Port of Spain.

Rob gets a driving lesson on the "wrong" side of the road as the crew goes against the grain (and most guidebook recommendations) by renting a car to explore rural areas of the island of Trinidad. After a few scary moments, they are able to show viewers the unique melting pot of cultures and religions that make up the islands cultural identity. Raw Travel goes deep to learn how Trinidad & Tobago is protecting the environment and its ecology with visits to the southern tip of the island to explore the bird sanctuary, Point-A-Pierre Wildfowl Trust. The crew then doubles back to the remote northern coast to find the ancient species of endangered Leatherback Turtles, who, once a year make a deep sea pilgrimage from as far away as Africa to beach and lay their eggs.

Finally it's off by boat to the smaller, yet more tourist laden, island of Tobago for snorkeling, hiking, and partying at Buccoo Bay. Here, the crew gets to see and even participate in one the of the area's grandest attraction, the annual goat races!

Raw Travel invites viewers to forget everything they think they know about Colombia and join the Raw Travel team as they take the audience on a rare and unique look at the new, the real, Colombia. The crew begins in the bustling, modern and sometimes chaotic capital city of Bogota. Then it's down to Paisa country and Medellin, one of Colombia's friendliest cities. We join the locals to sample the legendary nightlife, take in an underground music festival and find out why Medellin is considered one of Latin America's most progressive cities. We'll take a day trip to tranquil pueblo of Guatape and then it's off to the coast where we explore the cobblestone streets of the historic, colorful colonial tourist haven of Cartagena.

Traveling through rural Colombia was once unthinkable, but today, Colombia's exotic countryside is an undiscovered gem, just waiting to entice travelers with its siren song. We begin on Colombia's coast with an off the beaten path and rare look at the remote village of San Basilio de Palenque. This small Afro-Caribbean village first began as a protected refuge for runaway slaves and a town where residents still speak a unique African dialect today. Next, it's time to relax and get in touch with the abundant natural beauty of Colombia as the crew heads to Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park to find some of the most isolated and beautiful beaches around and we take part in a traditional, spiritual cleansing from the local native Indians.

Colombian coffee is some of the best in the world, so we head to the mountainous, green and picturesque Antioquia region where we visit a working coffee plantation and experience some eco-friendly pampering with naturally occurring thermal and mud baths at the spas of San Vicente. Finally, it's off to the amazing and wild Amazon. The crew heads up the massive river to the to the tiny, eco-friendly hamlet of Puerto Nariño to give viewers a taste of indigenous life in the Amazon and unveils why protecting this incredible natural environment and ancient way of life is so important.

In Buenos Aires, Raw Travel digs deep to take viewers inside the rather large underground music and tattoo scene. Rob learns how to tango like a pro, well almost… then heads to a soccer match to get an inside look at how the sport takes on near religious fervor in these parts.

After touring one of the most famous cemeteries in the world, as well as the many diverse and historical neighborhoods, the crew takes time to give back with Voluntario Global, an organization dedicated to connecting traveling volunteers with some of the poorest, most vulnerable citizens of Buenos Aires. Then it's off on a day trip just outside the city to visit the delta river town of Tigre.

Raw Travel explores outside the capital city of Buenos Aires to experience some authentic gaucho culture in the tranquil town of San Antonio de Areco and then it's on to Estancia El Cencerro, a working ranch that hosts travelers from all over the world. Next the crew takes a look at another side of Argentina as Raw Travel heads to the remote and incredibly picturesque northwest desert region Salta Province. The crew explores the many beautiful and historical churches of Salta and then road trips to the incredible, indigenous Quilmes Ruins. What trip to Argentina would be complete without a visit to what some consider the best wine vineyards in the world? Raw Travel visits the legendary El Esteco Vineyards in the charming town of Cafayete to show viewers why many Argentine wines from this region are not just delicious, but also natural and organic.

Raw Travel takes viewers south, way down south in South America, to experience a small country with a surprisingly big and diverse melting pot of culture, Uruguay. The Raw Travel crew begins the journey in the large, but tranquil capital city of Montevideo, Uruguay where they tour the famous old town and take in some authentic Uruguayan culture by sipping mate tea, eating more grilled meat than anyone ever should and then working it off with some authentic tango music. We learn about Uruguay's month long Carnival celebration and the surprising African influence in these parts and then the crew buses over to the peaceful and historic town of Colonia del Sacramento on the banks of the River Plate.

Raw Travel takes viewers on an insider's tour of one of the largest, most chaotic, misunderstood and intriguing cities in the world, Mexico City. From ancient Aztec culture to the wonders of the huge El Chopo Market and Mexico City's underground culture and Lucha Libre, get ready to see Mexico City, unmasked!

Lack of infrastructure be damned, Nicaragua has put its civil war and troubled past behind and is welcoming travelers to experience it's countless and undiscovered natural wonders. Join the crew as we make our way from earthquake ravaged Managua to the beautiful outposts of León, Granada,Estelí & Lake Omotepe and see why Nicaragua is the hottest up and coming destination in Central America.

Mexico's Caribbean coast is a haven for raw travelers and traditional tourists alike. From swanky resorts with pulsating nightlife to bare bones eco-touristic getaways, isolated jungles and ancient ruins, the Yucatan is a natural wonder full of contrasts. See the Yucatan, Cancun & Playa del Carmen like you've never seen them before.

For decades Costa Rica has been luring surfers and eco-travelers to experience its killer waves on the coasts and its unique bio-diversity in the rain forest. We find out why travelers, from first timers to hard core veterans, consistently rave about Costa Rica, Latin America's undisputed eco-tourism champion. There will be zip-lining (of course!), wild crocodile feeding, bat cave touring, snake handling and a whole lot more!

After a decades-long, brutal guerrilla war, Guatemala is waking up and rediscovering its roots as the centuries old cradle of the Mayan civilization. This small but populous country promises an authentic cultural experience unlike any other. We'll hit an underground punk & rock show in Guate (Guatemala City) then off to some incredible landscapes and authentic indigenous cultures. Come see why we LOVE Guatemala!

So much more than the famous canal and modern skyline, Panama's natural wonders shine for those willing to take the road less traveled. We explore beyond the obvious tourist sites and dig deep to uncover Panama City's siren song that has enticed travelers for decades. The crew visits Bocas del Toro, the lovely Portobelo and then an unforgettable journey to visit the indigenous nation of the Kuna Yala at San Blas.

No habla Espanol? No problem. A mecca for hard-core scuba divers and laid-back beach types for years, this tiny Central American country on the Caribbean coast has more to offer than at first glance, including ancient ruins, a melting pot of cultures and a wealth of natural splendor. And oh yeah, they speak English.

There is a lot to love about the laid back destination of Honduras. Raw Travel explores the little known Garifuna culture and some of Central America's best beaches and coral reefs for one of the most incredible and economical scuba destinations around.

"Part 1 – Big Apple for Beginners" Throw out the tourist map, Raw Travel is taking a fresh look at the Big Apple like never before. The crew takes viewers on a virtual trip to some of the best, hidden secrets NYC has to offer. Raw Travel delves deep into this amazing city's diverse "off the beaten path" neighborhoods & boroughs showcasing a virtual melting pot of cultures and influences from all over the world.

For some travelers, the rush of travel is enough but others need more. Raw Travel invites viewers to sample the growing eco & adventure travel movement with "Raw Adrenaline".

Nothing can add more dimension and depth to traveling than giving back. Whether it's helping to preserve the environment, working with animals or those less fortunate, Raw Travel explores why "Voluntourism" is becoming so popular.

The Raw Travel crew steps out of their comfort zones to experience, authentic & diverse cultures from all over Latin America & the Caribbean.