Around the World for Free
An online/broadcast hybrid reality series based on the concept of whether a person can circle the globe without any money. The show follows a reality star, as they attempt to travel around the world without any money on hand. They travel with one cameraman and rely on local guides and inhabitants for basic needs.
Seasons
1. An All-American Launch
Air Date: 2009-04-16
The Around The World For Free adventure starts with penniless traveler Alex and solitary crew member Zsolt leaving a TV studio in downtown New York to begin their uncharted trip across the globe. With just a backpack of clothes and gear on his back, Alex finds himself alone on the streets of the Big Apple without any means of getting out of town, never mind trying to leave the US mainland.
2. Caribbean: Bliss & Extreme
Air Date: 2009-04-23
Alex arrives in the Caribbean where he helps out as a motivational speaker as a way to earn his keep and keep moving. After island hops in the USVI's and BVI's, he lands in raw, undiscovered Dominica where rappelling down waterfalls into undiscovered cave pools is the new normal. Getting off the blissful islands, though, proves a lot more difficult than expected.
3. South American Reality Check
Air Date: 2009-04-30
Alex arrives in dangerous Venezuela armed with a few words of Spanish and nothing more. After navigating the jaw-dropping social disparities of the capital, Caracas, and pitching in to feed the hungry in its shantytowns, Alex's new friends put him on a 'scenic' bus ride through the Andes towards Peru. Bus breakdowns, human smuggling and persistent hunger accompany Alex's interminable journey.
4. Peruvian Sunshine
Air Date: 2009-05-07
Sunshine, surf, soccer - plus ceviche, pisco, even guinea pig are all on Alex's plate in Peru. He gets local insight on Lima's unique neighborhoods, paragliding over the Pacific Ocean to boot. The proud Peruvians insist on getting Alex to Cusco and the nearby wonder of the world, Machu Picchu. Alex also visits a pagan shaman, and makes a risky decision to continue towards Chile solely on his own.
5. Desert and Cape
Air Date: 2009-05-11
Alex survives his all-night ordeal on the streets of Tacna, Chile, and decides to hitchike south along the Pan-American Highway towards Santiago. The problem is, no one actually picks up hitchhikers. With water and resources in short supply, Alex finds himself alone under the blazing sun of the Atacama desert, many miles out of town and in a very precarious position.
6. South African Kaleidoscope
Air Date: 2009-05-18
After lively Cape Town, Alex ratchets up the South African outdoors vibe with stops in Gaansbai to dive with great white sharks, and the more mellow penguins of Boulders Beach. His trip north begins with sketchy car breakdowns along the Garden Route, but stress relief arrives in the form of the world's biggest bungee jump. Alex then stops in Joburg, Pretoria and Soweto township while moving on.
7. Into the Safari Spirit
Air Date: 2009-05-25
Alex pitches in as a lifeguard on a tubing run in northern South Africa, and scores an open-top, day-to-night safari into Kruger National Park where hippos and rhinos roam freely. Jumping over to Tanzania, Alex enjoys the multicultural crossroads of Dar Es Salaam, then heads to Arusha and the savannahs beyond, where a Masai warrior brings him to his home village.
8. African Hardships
Air Date: 2009-06-01
Alex works at a safari tent camp deep in the Kenyan Masai Mara, surrounded by spectacular wildlife. Later in Nairobi though, he finds himself in the middle of Kenya's post-election unrest, so his supporters hastily get him on a flight to India. Lacking a proper visa, Alex gets swiftly deported back to a Kenya in flames. He then joins journalists at a massive planned demonstration in Nairobi.
9. Good Vibes in Thailand and Cambodia
Air Date: 2009-06-08
After spending a night in Bangkok in a 15-person Thai home, Alex is taken in by Buddhist monks for a deep immersion in temple life. An expat shows Alex more of Bangkok before shipping him south to Koh Samui beach paradise. Alex's journey continues to the "wild east" of Cambodia, where more monks, charity work with the Red Cross, the Angkor Vat temples and the exotic capital Phnom Penh await.
10. Living History in Cambodia and Vietnam
Air Date: 2009-06-15
Alex helps out at a feeding centre in Phnom Penh and visits the city's infamous garbage dump, home to many. After a stop in the Khmer Rouge's killing fields, he recharges on Bamboo Island, a hidden gem in the Gulf of Thailand, before catching a bus to Vietnam. Alex joins with a wildlife protection group before 'accidentally' spending an unforgettable Lunar New Year on Nha Trang beach.
11. Back in Good Ol' USA
Air Date: 2009-06-22
After working on a dive boat for his last international day, Alex flies out of Vietnam to San Francisco and begins crossing the States towards the NYC finish line. His last major trek includes unforgettable visits with Mormons in Utah, school kid superfans in Minnesota and family in Wisconsin before arriving at the TV studio in the Big Apple where he launched his epic journey six months earlier.
1. Around The World, For Free
Air Date: 2010-07-23
Big Brother contestant Jeff Schroeder will begin the adventure of a lifetime taking part in the second installment of the live, online, interactive CBS series "Around The World For Free."
2. Day 2-3
Air Date: 2010-07-24
Jeff arrives in Charlotte, NC for a whirlwind of activities with his girlfriend Jordan
3. Episode 3: Day 4-5
Air Date: 2010-07-26
Jeff sets off on his worldwide trek from the CBS Early Show in New York - and gets a quick lift to Boston en route to a lobster boat!
4. Episode 4: Day 6 - Boston
Air Date: 2010-07-27
Jeff crams in as much history, food and sightseeing in the Boston area as his new friends Brian and Ben can throw at him!
5. Episode 5: Day 7 - Washington
Air Date: 2010-07-28
Jeff sets out to see the 'iconic' Washington on his own, but ATWFF users step up to take him off the beaten path
6. Episode 6: Day 9
Air Date: 2010-07-30
Jeff takes a swamp boat through the Louisiana Bayou then ratchets it up on Bourbon Street with friends Chantal and Alicia
7. Episode 7: Day 10-11
Air Date: 2010-08-01
More fishing, more football and the St. Charles streetcar... Jeff crams and more N'awlins on his last day in louisiana.
8. Episode 8: Day 12
Air Date: 2010-08-02
Jeff arrives in Austin and hits 6th Street before undertaking not one but two of his first jobs on Around the World for Free!
9. Episode 9: Day 13
Air Date: 2010-08-03
Jeff stops at an Austin aquatic hideaway before jetting up to Dallas and crashing a very unusual fitness class!
10. Episode 10: Day 14
Air Date: 2010-08-04
Jeff takes on some suicide wings then stops at a local charity before leaving Dallas
11. Episode 11: Day 14
Air Date: 2010-08-05
Jeff arrives in Los Angeles and meets up with Around the World for Free season one host Alex Boylan. Jeff and Alex trade stories and head to the beach for Jeff's first time on a surfboard
12. Episode 12: Day 14
Air Date: 2010-08-09
LA hiking aficionado Michelle takes Jeff on an unforgettable trek the Malibu canyons on his last day in the States
13. Episode 13: Day 20
Air Date: 2010-08-11
Jeff arrives in pulsating Tokyo and connects with a Japanese family for his first dose of good culture shock...
14. Episode 14: Day 21
Air Date: 2010-08-12
Jeff heads to central Tokyo with his hosts to take the pulse of the city's frenetic and also spiritual side
15. Episode 15: Day 22
Air Date: 2010-08-13
Jeff visits the largest seafood market in the world and gives thanks to his hosts using Japanese calligraphy
16. Episode 16: Day 23
Air Date: 2010-08-14
Jeff leaves Tokyo and lands in Yokosuka on Tokyo Bay to stay with Mike and his family
17. Episode 17: Day 24
Air Date: 2010-08-15
Jeff sets out to summit Japan's iconic 13,000-foot volcanic mountain with friends Mike and Victoria
18. Episode 18: Day 25
Air Date: 2010-08-16
ATWFF user Chi Anaso takes Jeff on a tour of three sacred shrines and Kamakura, Japan. Jeff also discovers a connection with this grandmother's past
19. Episode 19: Day 27
Air Date: 2010-08-18
Jeff leaves Japan via the Shinkansen (bullet train) and high-speed ferry, and hits the language barrier hard upon arrival in Busan, South Korea.
20. Episode 20: Day 28-29
Air Date: 2010-08-20
Jeff makes his way to Seoul where some English teachers 'kidnap' him for another Korean feast - and his troubles continue when his black belt host puts him through a muay thai workout at her gym
21. Episode 21: Day 30
Air Date: 2010-08-21
Anna takes Jeff on a classic sightseeing tour of Seoul, Korea. Jeff even makes a guest appearance on a local radio show.
22. Episode 22: Day 33
Air Date: 2010-08-24
Jeff arrives from Phnom Penh and spends the day at the market and in the kitchen with Master Cambodian chef Luu Meng
23. Episode 23: Day 35 - Cambodian Charity
Air Date: 2010-08-26
Jeff spends a day giving back with Charity group People for Care and Learning near Siem Reap, Cambodia
24. Episode 24: Day 36
Air Date: 2010-08-27
Jeff visits one of the seven wonders of the World while hanging out in Siem Reap, Cambodia
25. Episode 25: Day 36-38 - Arrival in Paske, Laos
Air Date: 2010-08-29
Jeff spends his last day in Phnom Penh lining up his onward passage then takes a 12-hr ride to Pakse, Laos
26. Episode 26: Day 39 - Exploring Paske
Air Date: 2010-08-30
Jeff shows off his humble abode in Pakse then jumps on a 'moto' to get a better feel for his Mekong River town
27. Episode 27: Day 40 - Paske Waterfalls
Air Date: 2010-08-31
Jeff takes a ride with two friends to the Pa Suam Waterfalls and rural Pakse and also meets the tribespeople living nearby
28. Episode 28: Day 41 - Cut Off in Pakse
Air Date: 2010-09-01
Rural Pakse is tough on connectivity so Jeff hits the town's streets and improvisational effort to reconnect with the online audience
29. Episode 29: Day 42 - Laos to Thailand
Air Date: 2010-09-02
Jeff gets back online in Pakse and with the help of the audience secures a quick flight out of Laos to make his way to Bangkok, Thailand
30. Episode 30: Day 43-44
Air Date: 2010-09-04
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31. Episode 31: Day 45 - Thai War Elephant
Air Date: 2010-09-05
Jeff heads to the former capital Ayutthaya for a twist on Thailand's favorite animal
32. Episode 32: Day 48 - Chiang Mai Express
Air Date: 2010-09-08
Jeff takes an overnight train to the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai where a former monk helps him get to a remote Buddhist temple
33. Episode 33: Day 49 - Temple Life
Air Date: 2010-09-09
Jeff spends a day living with Buddhist monks at a remote temple in the village North of Chiang Mai, Thailand
34. Episode 34: Day 54
Air Date: 2010-09-14
Jeff gets back to Bangkok from Chiang Mai and explores options for moving on towards India
35. Episode 35: Day 56
Air Date: 2010-09-16
Jeff arrives in Bangalore, India, hits the airwaves then hits the streets to sample all things Indian on his first day and the 2nd most populous country in the world
36. Episode 36: Day 59
Air Date: 2010-09-20
Jeff's friends at Radio Indigo help him move on to Goa. He catches a cramped overnight bus and arrives into humble accommodations in the middle of monsoon season
37. Episode 37: Day 60
Air Date: 2010-09-21
Jeff tries to keep his spirits up as the monsoon rains continue in Anjuna beach, Goa
38. Episode 38: Day 61
Air Date: 2010-09-22
Jeff jumps over to the nearby historical town of Panjim, Goa where his new hosts serve of a jam-packed day of Portuguese-inspired food, miraculous saints and a cruise boat dance party.
39. Episode 39: Day 65
Air Date: 2010-09-27
Jeff spends a few more days in Goa helping out Ernesto and Vasquite and in exchange gets hooked up on the Mandovi Express train to Mumbai
40. Episode 40: Day 66
Air Date: 2010-09-28
Jeff arrives in Mumbai and sees two radically different sides of the enormous city within his first twelve hours. By nightfall, however, his nagging cold becomes way more serious.
41. Episode 41: Day 69-70
Air Date: 2010-09-30
Jeff leaves Mumbai and arrives in Bucharest, Romania - a hip East European capital where his new host Alex ensures there's no shortage of style...
42. Episode 42: Day 72-73
Air Date: 2010-10-03
Jeff stops by the set of his host Alex's show Next Diva - then jumps on the train toward Dracula's homeland of Transylvania...
43. Episode 43: Day 73
Air Date: 2010-10-04
Jeff and Laszio drive to a nearby village to get a peek into the vibrant life of the Roma or Gypsies...
44. Episode 44: Day 75
Air Date: 2010-10-07
Jeff borrows Laszlo's car and heads out to visit the legendary Castle Bran, home of Dracula
45. Episode 45: Day 80
Air Date: 2010-10-11
Jeff and Jordan arrive in his mother's hometown of Soliera to begin their romantic Italian weekend getaway
46. Episode 46: Day 81
Air Date: 2010-10-12
There is no shortage on food or laughs as Jeff and Jordan continue their romantic Italian getaway
47. Episode 47: Day 83
Air Date: 2010-10-14
On Jordan's last day in Italy, Silvia and her husband Michele take the couple to an iconic Italian must-see!
48. Episode 48: Day 88
Air Date: 2010-10-18
You can't leave Italy without getting your hands 'dirty' in the kitchen, so on his last day Jeff gets a quick tutorial on wood-fired thin-crust pizza pie...he also hits the Mediterranean coast and visits more family!
49. Episode 49: Day 90
Air Date: 2010-10-20
Jeff lands in Germany during Oktoberfest and together with his host Charlene, they waste no time getting into the festive spirit!
50. Episode 50: Day 91
Air Date: 2010-10-21
Taking ATWFF audience suggestions to heart, Alex and Charlene hit an indoor skydiving wind tunnel to jack their adrenaline levels up a few notches.
51. Episode 51: Day 93
Air Date: 2010-10-23
Charlene puts Jeff on a train for a day trip to Brussels, Belgium and he puts in a full day exploring the city and making a one-of-a-kind chocolate 'creation' in master chocolatier Wittamer's workshop
52. Episode 52: Day 94
Air Date: 2010-10-24
Jeff visits the famous Cologne Dom Cathedral before flying over to London to begin a whirlwind tour of the iconic and must-see in the British capital
53. Episode 53: Day 95
Air Date: 2010-10-25
Jeff stares down his ultimate fear of heights when he and hosts Yoav and Stef jump out of a plane from 10,000 feet above the English countryside!
54. Episode 54: Day 99
Air Date: 2010-10-28
Jeff wraps up in England and lands in sunny Palm Beach, Florida where hosts Kristan and Sarah take him out on a fully loaded yacht to catch his dinner!
55. Episode 55: Day 103
Air Date: 2010-11-01
Jeff arrives in Lexington, Virginia where thanks to host Katrina and her husband Robert, everything from police ride-alongs to working a dairy farm is on the agenda!
56. Episode 56: Day 106
Air Date: 2010-11-04
Jeff's last days in Virginia, he goes to Lee-Hi Travel Plaza truck stop to hitch a ride to New York City but strikes out and gets on his last flight there to conclude his amazing trip around the world for free on the CBS Early Show
1. Parvati Hits The Road
Air Date: 2011-07-10
Parvati exits CBS studios after taping The Talk and finds a ride and a place to stay on her first night of her adventure!
2. Riding High in Norco
Air Date: 2011-07-11
On her way to Phoenix, Arizona, Parvati detours to a small town where she charms her way into an equestrian competition.
3. Sky High Above the Southwest
Air Date: 2011-07-12
Parvati scores a "co-piloting" gig to get from Phoenix to El Paso, but runs into a roadblock on her way on towards Austin.
4. Austin Tattoo Quest
Air Date: 2011-07-14
After crashing in El Paso airport for the night, Parvati reaches Austin in style to get inked by a living legend.
5. A Rollergirl in Austin
Air Date: 2011-07-18
Parvicious' hits the pavement with the champion Texas Rollergirls while she continues trying to find onward passage from Austin.
6. Haiti Arrival
Air Date: 2011-07-19
Parvati mobilizes a string of good samaritans both on the ground and in the air to help her get to the struggling island of Haiti.
7. Haiti Hope and Struggle
Air Date: 2011-07-20
"Air Mobile" Joe takes Parvati on a tour of Haiti's epicenters of pain and struggle.
8. Haiti: A Day in the Life
Air Date: 2011-07-21
Parvati is challenged by the routines of daily life and the emotional toll of living in an orphanage.
9. Giving Back in Haiti
Air Date: 2011-07-22
Parvati visits earthquake resettlement camps around Port-au-Prince to deliver food aid to survivors.
10. Fresh Start in Dominican Republic
Air Date: 2011-07-25
After leaving Haiti, Parvati is set up in a deluxe villa in the Dominican Republic's north shore town of El Cabarete.
11. Water Culture in the DR
Air Date: 2011-07-26
Parvati spends a warm day in beautiful Cabarete, DR, in the water and ends with a horseback ride on the beach!
12. DR's Expat Do-Gooders
Air Date: 2011-07-27
Parvati discovers that the Dominican Republic's expats do far more than just laze on the beach.
13. Touching Down in Barbados
Air Date: 2011-07-29
Parvati sets off to Barbados with no set plans, but a chance meeting at the airport secures her lodging and much more!
14. A Slice of Barbados
Air Date: 2011-08-01
Parvati hangs out in Wildey, Barbados with the neighborhood locals before hitting the yacht club to look for a ride down island.
15. A Passage to Guyana
Air Date: 2011-08-02
After coming up short for a ride from the Barbados Yacht Club, Parvati works as a flight attendant in order to keep moving south.
16. Flavor of Guyana
Air Date: 2011-08-03
Parvati rides around Georgetown and stops in at a world famous distillery to sample some rum.
17. Rainforest Camp
Air Date: 2011-08-05
Parvati travels by water to a remote site in the Guyanese marsh rainforest, and explores the Arawak tribal lands where Captain Gouveia's plane crashed years ago.
18. Kaieteur Falls
Air Date: 2011-08-08
Parvati dips her hands in the undiscovered gem of Kaieteur Falls, deep in the jungle of Guyana, before making her way to a Makushi Ameridian family for her lodging.
19. Jungle Hunt and Onwards to Brazil
Air Date: 2011-08-10
Parvati soaks in life with the Macushi tribe in Guyana's interior before making her way to the north Brazilian town of Boa Vista.
20. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Air Date: 2011-08-12
Parvati trains and fights at a local Jiu-Jitsu gym, then drops in at the state capitol to find a way deeper into Brazil.
21. Manaus Piranha
Air Date: 2011-08-15
Arriving in Manaus, dubbed the Paris of the Tropics, Parvati works a shift at her host's restaurant and is rewarded with a special dish that you chose!
22. Amazon Adventures
Air Date: 2011-08-16
Parvati spends her last day in Manaus, Brazil pursuing the giants of the Amazon River before heading on to the coastal city of Fortaleza.
23. Fun in Fortaleza
Air Date: 2011-08-18
A swim in the ocean, capoeira on the beach, and forró dancing at night make for a jam-packed 24 hours in Fortaleza!
24. Hang Gliding in Rio!
Air Date: 2011-08-19
Parvati takes on her scariest extreme challenge yet as she jumps off Pedra Bonita mountain above Rio.
25. Rio Samba!
Air Date: 2011-08-22
You can't leave Rio without learning the Samba, so Parvati gets a lesson from one of the top Carnival schools before hitting the trendy Lapa district to strut her new moves.
26. Rio to Iguazu
Air Date: 2011-08-24
After working at a spa in exchange for a makeover, Parvati heads visit Iguazu Falls in Argentina before getting stranded roadside.
27. From Stranded to Saved
Air Date: 2011-08-26
Stuck in Iguaza, Parvati beds down on the floor of a bus station for the night. In the morning a savior reaches out with aid to bring her Buenos Aires.
28. Juan and the Rio Tigre
Air Date: 2011-08-29
Parvati's host Juan takes her on a night tour of Tigre, Argentina, and then tries to romance her with a date on a river cruise.
29. Last Day in Buenos Aires
Air Date: 2011-08-31
After touring downtown Buenos Aires by bike, Parvati gets a tango lesson from an expert under the stars at a local park.
30. A South American Send Off
Air Date: 2011-09-02
Before saying goodbye to South America, Parvati indulges in an Argentinean meat dish after spending the day pitching in with a charity group who builds homes for people in need.
31. South Africa: Township and Safari
Air Date: 2011-09-06
Parvati arrives on African soil and tastes Johannesburg's diversity before setting out on her first authentic safari.
32. The Parlotones
Air Date: 2011-09-08
Parvati hangs out with Johannesburg natives Parlotones, who are not only South Africa's hottest indie rock band but wine aficionados as well.
33. Joburg Orphanage and a Namibian Welcome
Air Date: 2011-09-09
Parvati visits the Nkosi's Haven orphanage before flying into the wide open desert landscape of Namibia.
34. Road Block in Namibian Desert
Air Date: 2011-09-13
While adventuring in the massive sand dunes of the Namib Desert, Parvati pushes the limits and breaks her wrist while going aerial on her quad bike.
35. The Himba
Air Date: 2011-09-15
Not letting her cast slow her down, Parvati takes a high-adrenaline Cessna flight to northern Namibia to immerse herself in the tribal life of the Himba people.
36. Big Cats
Air Date: 2011-09-16
While planning her onward overland journey to Botswana, Parvati stops at a wildlife sanctuary outside Windhoek, Namibia to see the big cats: cheetah, leopard and the lion!
37. Botswana Bound
Air Date: 2011-09-19
Parvati takes off from Windhoek on a 17-hour road trip on the Trans-Kalahari highway to Gaborone, Botswana. Midway through the trip though, her expected contact falls through.
38. Rhino Paradise
Air Date: 2011-09-21
Parvati sets out on a 1000 mile-plus road trek across Botswana towards Zambia. Her first stop is a camp-out on a rhino sanctuary north of Gaborone.
39. River Safari
Air Date: 2011-09-23
After three days of road-tripping, Parvati lands in Chobe National Park in northern Botswana and puts an aquatic spin on the traditional safari.
40. Botswana to Zambia
Air Date: 2011-09-26
Parvati takes in a Rasta fish fry in Kasane, Botswana before catching a ferry to Zambia where she scours the markets in Livingstone for ingredients for the local specialty Samp.
41. Victoria Falls and a Medical Crisis
Air Date: 2011-09-28
Parvati's host Bob takes her to Victoria Falls and on to a local AIDS medicine clinic, but on her way from Zambia to Kenya she runs into an unexpected medical crisis.
42. Hospital Bound
Air Date: 2011-09-28
After a night battling a stomach flu, Parvati faces a challenge when the results of her CT scan in a Joburg hospital confirm that she must undergo surgery for her wrist injury.
43. Surgery
Air Date: 2011-09-29
Parvati undergoes surgery for her wrist injury in Johannesburg but her new friends are there to give her support.
44. Out of the Hospital
Air Date: 2011-09-30
Parvati is discharged from the hospital with her 'bionic' arm, and sets up at Hadley's house to plan her onward journey, pausing to reconnect with friends Mark and Brita in Rio.
45. Arrival in Kenya
Air Date: 2011-10-04
Parvati arrives in Nairobi, Kenya, and immediately makes arrangements for passage to the refugee camps in the northeast - but takes a quick time-out to see some urban giraffes!
46. Experiencing Garissa
Air Date: 2011-10-05
The Red Cross facilitates Parvati's journey from Nairobi to Garrisa in Kenya's northeast where she experiences serious culture clash.
47. Dadaab Refugee Camp
Air Date: 2011-10-07
Parvati accomplishes her long-held goal of reaching the world's largest refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, home to thousands of new daily arrivals from the Horn of Africa region.
48. Helping out in Dadaab
Air Date: 2011-10-10
While still at the world's largest refugee camp in Dadaab, Parvati takes part in reconnecting Somalis with family members back home & spends time with a family in their tent home.
49. Returning Home
Air Date: 2011-10-13
Parvati makes the long journey from Kenya back to sunny Santa Monica, where friends and family await her return.
50. ATWFF 3 Wrap!
Air Date: 2011-10-14
Parvati recounts the highs and lows of her around-the-world-for-free journey and gives thanks to everyone for helping to make it happen.
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Rating
8.0/10
Release Date
2009-04-16
Episodes
117 (3 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
Videos
Production Companies
Around the World Productions