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

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Destination Spotlight - Nashville, Tennessee

Nestled along the banks of the Cumberland River, Nashville, Tennessee, is a city that harmoniously blends rich musical heritage, Southern charm and...

Travel Tip - Visiting The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, a geological marvel sculpted by the hands of time, stands as an awe-inspiring testament to the Earth's majesty. Visiting this natural wonder is a journey of a lifetime, promising breathtaking vistas, unparalleled beauty and...

Destination Spotlight - 63 National Parks In One Video!

This gorgeous video, hosted by Erik the Travel Guy, features every National Park in the United States from Yellowstone to Yosemite, Acadia to Zion and every park in between.

Beyond Your Backyard - Cozumel

Come with me to the Mexican island destination of Cozumel to learn more about Mayan Culture, through the food and the archaeology. We'll spend time with a spiritual guru who teaches ancient history through deep breathing and self-discovery. We'll also dine on delicious Mayan delicacies and learn how to scuba dive!

Notes From The Road - Spring Break

Greetings fellow fun-seekers! As someone who loves exploring new destinations, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to book your spring break travel plans as early as possible. Why?

Destination Spotlight - Frankenmuth, MI

Nestled in the heart of Michigan, Frankenmuth is a charming and picturesque town that embodies the essence of Bavarian hospitality. Known as "Michigan's Little Bavaria," Frankenmuth offers visitors a delightful blend of Old World charm, cultural richness, and warm hospitality. 

Explore the United States!

National parks, small towns, big cities, beaches, forests, desserts, this country is big and diverse! Get out there and explore! 

Travel Hack - Boarding Time vs. Departure Time

This is a huge travel tip! Plan your air travel by the boarding time NOT the departure time! Do you know the difference? This video explains WHY this is the best air travel practice!

Travel Tip - What's Free In Boston

Boston, the historic gem of New England, is a city that effortlessly blends its rich history with a thriving contemporary culture. For budget-conscious travelers or locals looking for affordable entertainment, Boston offers an array of free activities that are both enjoyable and enriching.

Beyond Your Backyard - Scottsdale, AZ

In this episode, I'm learning the difference between “the new west” and “the old west” in Scottsdale, Arizona. The show takes time to learn more about the breathtaking scenery, the influence of native Americans and the visual and performing arts. I soar high above the valley floor in a hot air balloon and dines with an owner/chef specializing in authentic southwestern cuisine.

Notes From The Road - The Ice Hotel

Greetings fellow travel lovers! Have you been to the Ice Hotel just outside Quebec City in Canada? It has been awhile since I have but it is an unforgettable experience. The Ice Hotel is only open from January to about mid-April, so now is the time to plan an escape!

Jazzed Up In New Orleans

Welcome to my unforgettable journey through the enchanting streets of New Orleans! In this teaser video, I give you a taste of what you can expect on your next visit and on our full episode of Beyond Your Backyard. 

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.

Travel Tip - What You Need to Know About REAL ID

If you have a driver’s license or state government issued ID card, is it REAL ID compliant? Take a look at it right now...I’ll wait.

Beyond Your Backyard - Chicago, IL

Get ready for fun! Chicago is home to a number of firsts including the invention of the Tootsie Roll, the world's first Ferris wheel and so much more. I'll explore neighborhoods and sample a Chicago-style hot dog!

Travel Hack - What's Free in NYC?

According to TheHill.com New York City was tied with Singapore for the world's most expensive city as of December 2022. Despite the high cost of living, there's a lot to do and see in NYC that's FREE! Check out this video with Erik the Travel Guy's top nine.

Beyond Your Backyard - New Orleans, LA

Join Erik the Travel Guy as he visits the Big Easy. The food, the music, the energy...you're going to have the time of your life in New Orleans!

Travel Tip - New York for the First Timer

New York City is the greatest city in the world! But hold on…visiting the big apple can be expensive, frustrating, exhausting and time consuming. So before we put one item on our agenda, let’s take a moment.

Beyond Your Backyard - Gettysburg, PA

We are jumping in the time machine in more ways than one! This is the very first episode of my PBS television series Beyond Your Backyard. My fifth grade math teacher haircut and I travel to Gettysburg, PA

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. 

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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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