Samantha Brown Shares the 'Greatest Trip' She's Ever Taken-And Her Brilliant Travel Hacks Including 'Frugal First Class'

"In my 25-year career, driving the entire Route 66 is the greatest trip I have ever taken. There's that sense of accomplishment, but it's also going in thinking one thing and coming out and being a different person because of it."

"The history is phenomenal, and there's such reciprocity with the people you meet along the way-it's a real connection of people, places, and history. Route 66 is a lot more than just a nostalgic joyride-it really is a through line through the highs and supreme lows of history that we're grappling with today."

"It's an immense optimism of resilience and the grit that really shaped and formed our nation's identity. I know these are not optimistic times, so I think it shows people watching that we're going to be okay. That's what travel has such a power to do."

Travel host Samantha Brown completed a full Route 66 journey from Chicago to Santa Monica, describing it as the greatest trip of her 25-year career. After initially exploring Illinois's portion of the historic highway during Season 7, she became captivated by its rich history and authentic human connections. Brown and her team traversed the entire 2,448-mile route across multiple seasons, discovering profound historical narratives including the systemic racism faced by Black motorists during Jim Crow and Native Americans' forced displacement via the Trail of Tears. Beyond nostalgia, Route 66 revealed America's complex identity shaped by resilience and grit. Brown emphasizes that travel's power lies in demonstrating optimism and hope during challenging times.

Read at Travel + Leisure