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Two-minute radio spot lets listeners explore all aspects of travel
By Christian Toto
David Bear isn't a mailman, but he delivers "postcards" from around the
globe five days a week.
Bear, 48, is the creative force behind "Traveler's Journal," an
informative daily 2-minute show on
public radio in which he shares tips on virtually all aspects of the travel.
"It's important to think of these programs as postcards. That's how much
value I put into them," said
Bear.
That doesn't mean he takes the show lightly. Bear spends a considerable
amount of time shaping each
program. And, like a good reporter, he checks his facts.
But he wants the show to enhance, not replace, the listeners' own excursions.
"So much of what constitutes a good trip are the interactions with
people," he said.
"Traveler's Journal" can be heard on 50 radio stations nationwide.
Locally, travel junkies can hear
Bear's sound advice weekdays on WDUQ (90.5 FM) at 8:58 a.m. and again at
5:58 p.m. The shows serve as 2-minute "breaks" in programming, following National Public
Radio's popular "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered."
Through the Armed Forces Radio and Television Services, the show also is
broadcast worldwide, Bear said.
With his calm, velvety diction, Bear makes an ideal audio traveling
companion. Now in its fifth year,
the show elicits about 10 e-mail letters daily for Bear, most filled
with glowing praise or recollections
of the listeners' own trips. One fan likened the shows to "two-minute
vacations."
Bear's "postcards" might take the listener on an audio tour of an exotic
land. Other shows focus on
less obvious subjects: Bear might recommend the best golf courses abroad
or reveal ways to
discourage chatty plane passengers.
Before creating "Traveler's Journal," Bear squeezed free-lance writing
assignments around his
advertising career. But he longed for a more creative outlet, one with
an immediacy the printed word
couldn't provide.
"Radio has always intrigued me," Bear said. "I really like it as a
medium. It's available."
The average newspaper reader might skim or pass over an article. Not so
with radio. "People who
listen to the radio tend to listen closely, especially in public radio,"
he said.
Piloting a travel-oriented show seemed the perfect fit, given his
affinity for the subject and its almost
limitless potential. "Here's a topic with which I'll never run out of ideas."
He successfully pitched his concept to WDUQ in 1992. "Public radio has
been more willing to accept
experiments," he said of the show, which is underwritten in part by
National Geographic Traveler
magazine.
A few months later, he spoke with other public radio stations, taking
the program beyond the state's
borders.
He has more than 1,500 broadcasts to his credit, but Bear said the flow
of fresh ideas has yet to
diminish. Readers' correspondence occasionally sparks an episode, as
does surfing the Internet.
Inspiration also comes from a more traditional source. A recent vacation
to Italy generated "a number
of show ideas," he said.
To ease the burden of producing five shows a week, Bear has an assistant
and a producer. But the
bulk of the program's responsibilities fall on his shoulders.
He has only about 280 words per broadcast to play with. "It puts pretty
strict limits on what you can
do and say," he said.
In the beginning, each audio postcard contained about 340 words. Now
he's learned to relax a bit on
the air. "It's a constant battle between wanting to say more, and
realizing less is more," he said. "I
have this urge to be playful."
But time spent as a tour guide in Europe taught him not to indulge his
sense of humor. During one
tour stop, Bear recalled, he explained to the assembled crowd that a
particular building had been
constructed from the top down. The befuddled tourists assumed the
ancient architects had done the impossible.
"Making jokes is always risky because people take you too seriously," he said.
Asked to pick a favorite travel destination, Bear said Scotland sits at
the top of his list.
For all his talk on and off the air of travel, though, Bear seems
content staying in Pittsburgh.
"There's no place else I'm planning on retiring to."
*Reproduced courtesy of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Look through our audio archives of past programs
Or look though The Traveler’s Journal archives for episode transcripts
Featured Travel Articles
The Traveler's Journal programs are written and hosted by David Bear, travel editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. [Read More About Us]. Bear’s columns and articles appear regularly in numerous newspapers across North America. You can access more than 500 of these articles by scrolling these lists or using the search function to to the left.
12-07-2008
Cambridge is the quintessential university town, but other attractions aplenty await visitors in the surrounding English countryside
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Where the wild things are
08-24-2008
Life is a safari for animals and humans at large wildlife preserve in Ohio. See special video presentation.
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In the cradle of industry
06-14-2008
The birthplace of the modern metals industry is a now placid, tree-draped valley along the Severn River, 100 miles upstream from Bristol.
[Read the full story]
Throngs of Norway
04-13-2008
From Viking origins to cosmopolitan crowds, Oslo celebrates humanity
[Read the full story]
A Shropshire sojourn
03-31-2008
To our left, a pair of perfect parabolas arched across the broad green fields, iridescent croquet hoops complete end to end with six bands of color from violet to red.
[Read the full story]
Adventurer with purpose
02-19-2008
When it comes to appreciating the higher purposes of adventure travel, communicating them to a broad audience and then transforming that interest into action, Richard Bangs has been and continues to be a world-class practitioner.
[Read the full story]
Casual Anguilla harbors miles of superb beaches
02-03-2008
On Anguilla, they do things differently.
[Read the full story]
Put hoodoos on to-do list
04-08-2007
If you're in Santa Fe or Albuquerque, check out Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, a remarkable geological formation along Interstate 25.
[Read the full story]
Winging it: Soaring on a glider plane gives a bird's-eye view and experience
04-24-2005
The uplands of Central Pennsylvania have become a mecca for glider pilots
[Read the full story]
A touch of Basque
06-20-2004
A proud people maintain their identity despite competing French, Spanish
influences
[Read the full story]
Skaters warm up to Ottawa's 5-mile-long rink
02-22-2004
This article was a winner in the 2005 Canadian Lights awards for travel
writing about Canada
[Read the full story]
A great New experience, by Gauley
06-04-2000
"Grand Canyon of the East' provides a natural high in West Virginia
[Read the full story]
Featured Travel Releases
Hotels, airlines, cruise companies, travel agencies, tour operators, adventure travel outfitters, local visitor and convention bureaus, state and national tourism offices all regularly release press information meant to promote themselves to the traveling public. Updates about big changes, special travel events, exotic trips, and everyday bargains, it is indeed news you can use.
This selection of press release information is provided by the travel supplier involved and/or its public relations representative. You can scroll through these lists (live link to press release page) or use the search box to to the left. These releases are presented here as a service to the public, and The Traveler's Journal accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or validity of any information, prices or other material in this section.
01-06-2009
Fourth year in a row Grand Circle ranks among the "best of the best”
[Read the full story]
The Offshore Sailing School to offer several women-only weekend programs
01-06-2009
A way for women to feel comfortable on a sailboat and a great bonding experience
[Read the full story]
eTurbo News
01-06-2009
Tuesday,06 January 2009
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THE KENWOOD INN AND SPA ADDS PROMINENT ACCOLADE TO ITS' AWARD PORTFOLIO
01-06-2009
BOUTIQUE PROPERTY IN SONOMA, CALIFORNIA TOPS CONDÉ NAST
TRAVELER'S ANNUAL GOLD LIST
[Read the full story]
Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa
01-06-2009
Exclusive Bermuda Resort Launches Relationship Wellness Getaways
[Read the full story]
Museums and Attractions in DC Mark Inauguration Day
01-06-2009
Wealth of Cultural Activities
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Turtle Bay Resort Listed as One of the Best 500 Hotels in the World for 2009 by Travel + Leisure
01-06-2009
First time that the resort has made the list
[Read the full story]
Cabo San Lucas Hotel Offers Vacation Bailout
01-06-2009
Casa Dorada Los Cabos, Resort & Spa, Applies a $400 Credit to the Total Bill
[Read the full story]
EUROPEAN-STYLE spa marbella openS at MISSION INN RESORT & club
01-06-2009
6,200-square-foot facility complements the resort’s highly acclaimed golf and tennis facilities
[Read the full story]
THE GREENBRIER CELEBRATES U.S. PRESIDENTS WITH AN INAUGURATION PACKAGE
01-06-2009
January 15-21, 2009
[Read the full story]
WHAT'S NEW IN THE FLORIDA KEYS & KEY WEST
01-06-2009
January 2009
[Read the full story]
RESERVATIONS FOR DINE OUT VANCOUVER 2009 ARE OFF AND RUNNING!
01-06-2009
"Best Bite" awards return for 2009's celebration of BC food and wine
[Read the full story]
Concerned about the economy?
01-06-2009
Consider a "Stay-in-North-Americation" to make your travel dollar go further.
[Read the full story]
Cape May is shrouded in mystery and suspense
01-06-2009
During Sherlock Holmes Weekend March 20-22
[Read the full story]
THE CRYSTAL PALACE CASINO KICKS-OFF 2009
01-06-2009
EXCITING SERIES OF EVENTS THAT OFFER GAMERS TOP-NOTCH ENTERTAINMENT & ACTION-PACKED FUN
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ESCAPE FROM WINTER'S SNOWS AND CHILLS - THINK SPRING IN IRELAND
01-06-2009
BOOK NOW FOR THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY IN IRELAND
[Read the full story]
Kiawah Island Golf Resort to make dynamic changes to restaurant menu concepts in February 2009
01-06-2009
New concepts will bring a multitude of choices and price points for resort, local and regional guests
[Read the full story]
MIAMI'S FIRST-EVER WINTER MIAMI SPICE
01-06-2009
TOP RESTAURANTS OFFER $23 LUNCH AND $36 DINNER PRIX FIXE MENUS DURING
[Read the full story]
Epicurean Adventures Await in Charleston, S.C.
01-06-2009
Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Releases 2009 Culinary Packages
[Read the full story]
Face to Face with Gray Whales in San Diego
01-06-2009
La Jolla Kayak's Guided Tours Bring You Up Close and Personal with Gray Whales
[Read the full story]
ALEXANDRIA, VA CELEBRATES INAUGURATION WITH FIRST RESTAURANT WEEK AND SIMULCAST
01-06-2009
Thirty Restaurants Offer Three-Course Prix Fixe OR Dinner for Two for $35 January 17–25
[Read the full story]
Vineyard Walks Offer Exciting New Way to See Sonoma Wine Country
01-06-2009
There is no substitute for getting out into the vineyard if you want to experience wine country living
[Read the full story]
NEW YORK STATE DELIVERS ‘ME-TIME’ TO SINGLES THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
01-06-2009
I Love New York Solo, Sports, Solo Hotel Retreatand Life Coaching
[Read the full story]
LONE STAR STATE KICKS OFF 2009 RODEO SEASON
01-06-2009
Competitions, Concerts, Cook-Offs and Carnivals in Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Across the State
[Read the full story]
New getaway trend: Go wild
01-06-2009
Our ideal vacation was once a trip to a quiet place with
magnificent views, far away from the noisy city
[Read the full story]
Sky Ride
01-05-2009
In British Columbia, thrill seekers can journey between the summits of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains on the world's longest unsuspended gondola, 11 minutes suspended 435 metres (1427 feet) above the valley floor
[Read the full story]
VisitBritain.com
01-05-2009
Scotland celebrates poet Robert Burns' 250th birthday with Homecoming Scotland 2009 featuring celebrate everything from golf to whisky
[Read the full story]
Winter 2009: What’s New in Jacksonville, Florida
01-05-2009
Funny headliners, award-winning golf and brand new hotels!
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Where to Go next
01-05-2009
Today's Travel News Monday, January 5, 2009
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Headlines on eTurboNews
01-05-2009
Monday, Jan 5, 2009
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