YouTube channels that I have found helpful so far

Oh my gosh, I love The Roman Guy; especially Sean and all his videos. He is informative, down to earth and funny (goofy.) Bojan is good too.

I've often referenced and linked their YT channels or website on the forum. (Walks of Italy may be nice too; they get a lot of good reviews, but The Roman Guy, I take to more.)

Also, ProWalks is great! I suggested a new traveler to Rome (shout out to Herf -- Hope your trip to Rome is wonderful!) watch that to get an idea of the city streets.

ProWalks guy has a great command of the video cam he uses -- no shakiness -- it's as if "you're right there" walking along with him in the streets of Rome -- which I'm sure that is his intention.

I like the fact that he does not sub in crazy music -- it's quite lovely to just kick back and watch his videos -- like watching a movie, really

I have been watching segments of the ProWalks videos as I exercise on the treadmill, because I think it's really good motivation to get in better shape for my upcoming trip. :o)

Ha, ha, sounds good! It's also very relaxing....just watching his Rome one...people going about their lives. And, I say to myself, "I was there! and There! and There! lol! Lovely memories.

The Honest Guide for Prague.

Paris - A French Frye in Paris

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfrkg0WfgjM_rh9YOoXfuhw

Corey, a tour guide, has been doing a live walk every Saturday at 5P Paris time so in theory I could watch it in real time here in the Pacific Time Zone, but I usually just watch it later on his FB page or after he loads it onto his Youtube channel.

And yes, I've got a list started of things to see! He walked thru the Trocadero area day before yesterday on the west side of the Trocadero plaza where there was no crowd at all. I want to go see the grotto type steps he showed! Also the statue of St Genevieve on the Pont de la Tournelle done by Paul Landowski who did the Christ the Redeemer in Rio. Another bit of sculpture by Landowski is below the grotto area he showed Saturday.

I've been watching Wolters World & Jay Swanson for years. I too enjoy watching videos on locations I plan on visiting.

I second Pam's suggestion of A French Frye in Paris.

Oh definitely - I am only five minutes into A French Frye in Paris' "Paris Live #46 - Lesser-Known Trocadéro" and I am already happy that I started watching.

For younger travelers and the young at heart, i recommend Evan Edinger traveler, an American based in London. Not all his videos are Europe related, but they’re all fun and he seems quite the fun person.

https://www.youtube.com/user/EvanEdinger

I will second Ponygirl's suggestion of Honest Guide Prague

Obsessed with ProWalks! He does one walk from Amalfi to the next town over using this pathway of stairs and walkways...it is my inspiration to do this exact walk next time we go. Hopefully I will have my new knee by then (I am young and still need this!).

I really enjoy Jay Swanson's vlog. It's nice to see the neighborhoods of Paris. Lots of good tips and tricks. I also really enjoy Kara and Nate for around the world travel.

Try, Connor Franta and Sam Kolder

These suggestions are great. I love watching travel videos on YouTube for motivation, planning, and general entertainment.

In addition to those suggested, Hungry Passport has some good videos.

Thanks for all these! I love virtually walking through cities - especially before I have been there, just to help with familiarity.

Wolters World is purely awful! EEK.

Not Europe but similar to pro walks there’s a channel called Rambalac that does walking all over Japan.

Ms Jo, why you don’t like Wolters World? It’s a genuine question, I’m not trolling you. I used to enjoy his videos but something changed in the last couple of years and I can put my finger on what it is...

Mark Wolters is the best! His advice has been the most helpful of anyone out there, including Rick Steves.

There's Mark, and then a bunch of other guys

I watched Wolters video about Frankfurt and found it to be full of inaccuracies as well as being simply poorly made. Little thought was given as to where would be a good place to stand, out of the wind, good lighting, and his hair blowing around looked so silly. The incorrect info drives me nuts though.

I like Kara and Nate, young couple from Tennessee with a goal to visit 100 countries. They’re fun to watch and on country 91 on the channel, 92 in real time. I like Wolters World, he’s sometimes more fun to just follow on Instagram with his cute family, I get bored with the good things and bad things about destinations, just give me general information. But I guess that’s his thing so he keeps with it.

his hair blowing around 

I like Wolters World, but this made me laugh. So true!

"Around the world 4K" is a beautiful channel.

The production quality isn't very good, but I, too, like watching Wolter's World. I also like Honest Guide (for Prague), Kara & Nate, and Endless Adventure (another young couple traveling the world). Thanks for the other suggestions!

Oh also Wayaway another cute young traveling couple. Ashley gets the giggles easily so my husband and I joke that she’s always drunk.

Mark's production values have some a long way in the last decade. His Frankfurt videos are over 7 years old, so I'm going to cut him some slack

So excited to check some of these out. So many of the YouTube videos I’ve come across are nothing more than video selfies.

I watched the Wolters World Frankfurt videos when they were new. They were still incorrect and crappy. 7 years won't make much of a difference.

Hey Ms jo, let's see your awesome travel videos. Mark has almost 600K subscribers that think he's really helpful and informative. Want to give us an example about something that is incorrect? I'll grant you his early videos have a lack of professional polish, but they still are helpful

Mark Wolter's vids are meant to be quick hit videos, as he puts out quite a bit of content. They aren't meant to be high quality as he's presenting himself as a regular guy, traveling the world with his family as his wife and kids are a greater part of the productions. Ideally, he'd do a lot more post-production work, particularly on the audio side, and not to mention upgrade the video quality. It may be a case that the genre of travel vids/vlogs have passed him by as there's more makers and the quality of the videos have dramatically increased.

As for other channels:

Spain and beyond: Vaga Brothers

Obsessed with ProWalks! He does one walk from Amalfi to the next town over using this pathway of stairs and walkways...it is my inspiration to do this exact walk next time we go. Hopefully I will have my new knee by then (I am young and still need this!).

So, it's been a few weeks and I've been walking my way through the back catalog of ProWalks on the treadmill. This is my favorite suggestion so far, I look forward to getting on the treadmill to follow along with his walks each day. LOVED the Assisi and Venice walks the most. I wish he had more content, I'm almost out (though looking forward to the Florence one he has coming soon). Also, my husband is on the fence about including Venice for our Italy trip next year (he's never been, I have), and these videos have started to sway him a bit in favor of going, since ProWalks walks through the back streets and different neighborhoods. :)

I've found two similar walking channels: Wanna Walk and Walking Channel. Does anyone have any other GoPro type channel suggestions?

Alice in Paris. Quirky & charming (our opinion!), you'll probably either love or not. More like real-life vignettes of a bright 20-something than ordinary touristy info, but still informative, interesting, & fun.

I like Bald and Bankrupt - especially his Indian and belorussian takes. I like to think that's how I travel, too - but unfortunately as years go by and I cut down on alcohol, my social game has seen a sharp decline.

Just discovered Amazing Places On Our Planet. Beautiful videos.

Wolter's World has several idiotic videos on what not to wear in Europe. I very much regret having watched them before my trip to France, Spain, Belgium and Italy last year, as they gave what I now know was ridiculous, unfounded and anxiety-inducing advice on how not to stick out as an American.

My husband and I wore the same things on our trip as we would have in the USA and nothing bad happened. Nothing! We blended in with the locals fine and were ignored.

Yeah, I don’t quite understand the “dressing to fit in” thing. Some people say it’s to be less of a target for pick-pocketing, but I think securing valuables and being mindful is mostly what counts. I wear what I usually wear with the exception of better walking shoes. You’re a tourist - you’re likely in tourist zones, looking at touristy things, and so what? When I lived in a touristy city I knew who was a tourist not by what they wore, but for the fact that they were standing around looking at and taking photos of attractions and monuments. I don't think the locals in Rome are lining up for the Colosseum on an average weekday morning.

The Abundant Traveler packing cubes video is quite helpful.

I’ve been watching Joolz Guides for London. Very interesting and fun.

thanks for sharing!

Corey Frye is amazing. There is no one else on the internet that puts as much research into their guided videos. I also agree that Jay Swanson's French Fridays are awesome. I like that his videos are short. They are the perfect amount of time for the elliptical or bike workout in the morning. I like the Vaga brothers. Now and then I watch those videos about the crazy travelers that get drug off the plane for "doing nothing!" Some people just can't put excess alcohol and bad behavior together in their minds. I tried the Kon Marie? videos about folding. I just can't. Wolter's World. He has some good information but I am always disappointed that he talks about places and keeps the camera on himself. Show me what you're talking about! That is pretty much how I choose my favorites. Are they there to really show me Barcelona or are they there to show me them in Barcelona. Ya know?

Not a YouTube channel, but I love the Amateur Traveler podcast. I also loved Honest Guide Prague and used many of his tips on my last visit there!

They only have four videos (Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Berlin) but I like Domanation Travel.

I love the “Travel Man 48 Hours in” video series.
I find Richard Ayoade hilarious!

I am currently a little addicted to the videos done by Japan-Guide. They give you a real sense of each area in under 10 minutes. They’re high quality & relevant without the cheesy music, rambling commentary or useless drone footage that I find plagues so many such videos.

I dislike a French Frye in Paris because of the running commentary concerning viewer comments, likes & shout outs.

Wolter’s World seems amateurish to me.

Not a YT video, but if you have Amazon Prime there’s a great show called “ A Taste of Travel” that I binge watched.