A series of three new travel specials hosted by Michelle Valentine
dive deep into hidden gem destinations in America

Airing on public television stations nationwide beginning June 30, 2025 (check local listings)

CHICAGO – June 8, 2025 – Hosted by seasoned traveler and speaker Michelle Valentine, each 30-minute special uncovers the heart and soul of a hidden gem location in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Florida. Michelle explores the history, culture, and food to be found in each place, while introducing viewers to the passionate locals who bring each destination to life.

Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Michelle visits a traditional Amish farm to learn the art of cheese making; enjoys farm-to-table dining; explores Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park where she takes a guided motorboat ride through the famous limestone cave and rides a safari bus through the wild animal encounter park; joins a local for a lesson in fly fishing; tours the historic Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion museum; and joins in the dancing at the Grange country fair, celebrating its 149th year.

St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Michelle delves into the area’s deep-rooted Creole and Cajun traditions and plays the rubboard in a jam session with a famous Zydeco band, discovers the essential ingredients and techniques in a traditional gumbo, visits the Creole Heritage Folklife Center, learns how to create a traditional pecan praline gateau nana from a beloved French recipe, and tours the sacred site of the Shrine of St. John Berchmans.

Southshore, Florida
Michelle’s journey begins at the TECO Manatee Viewing Center, a conservation facility protecting Florida’s gentle giants; visits Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary to meet Stanley, a rescued black bear who has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike; tours the Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum to discover the history of Florida’s ancient marine life; and enjoys a lively tour of the International Independent Showmen’s Museum, which preserves the tradition of traveling carnivals and circus performers.

LOVE EAT TRAVEL WITH MICHELLE VALENTINE is presented nationally by WTTW Chicago and distributed to public television stations by NETA (National Educational Telecommunications Association. The series is produced by Michelle Valentine and directed by Lawrence Bakerman.

About NETA

The National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) is a professional association representing 294 member stations in 48 states, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. NETA provides leadership, general audience content, educational services, professional development, and trusted financial management services, including human resources and benefits administration, to
individual public media licensees, their affinity groups, and public media as a whole. For more information, visit netaonline.org and follow them on Twitter (@NETA_Tweets), Facebook (@NETAstations), Instagram (@NETA_grams), and LinkedIn (@NETAbusiness).

About WTTW CHICAGO

WTTW Chicago produces and presents a wide array of engaging content for the national public media system, with series and specials on education, politics, public affairs, science, business, arts and entertainment, history, travel, how-to, and religion. WTTW Chicago series include 10 that Changed America and other architecture specials with Geoffrey Baer, MEXICO — One Plate at a Time with Rick Bayless, and the animated series Nature Cat, among many others. For more information, please visit wttw.com/national.
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The official WTTW PBS press release for Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine is now available! WTTW PBS, the presenting station for the series, invites you to download the news release here and share the exciting news.