Tourism Director Lee Sentell talks about “Sweet Home Alabama” on NPR’s Travel with Rick Steves Radio Show

What does Alabama have in common with the Highlands of Scotland and the Art of Spain?  

All three were featured this weekend on National Public Radio’s popular “Travel with Rick Steves” Radio Show.

Alabama’s longtime Tourism Director Lee Sentell was interviewed by Steves for about  15 minutes more or less touching on a wide range of Alabama tourism topics and hidden gems such as:  

• Best art festival – Fairhope
• Charming small town – Mentone
• One of a kind festival – Magic of Marble Festival in Sylacauga 
• Unique tourist attraction – Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro
• Music history – Muscle Shoals, a story about Aretha Franklin
• Alabama BBQ – Big Bob’s BBQ in Decatur and Alabama White Sauce 

Stories Abound

An entertaining program, along with providing listeners with an Alabama travel “to do” list, Sentell tells Steves the story about how the Alabama Civil Rights Trail became a reality thanks to one of its most unlikeliest supporters — Governor George Wallace.

He also describes how Alabama natural wonders and its network of state parks, helped the state overcome COVID-19’s devastating impact on tourism.

And of course, he talked about Alabama Tourism’s original 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama campaign.

The Interview

Want to hear the entire interview? Visit this week’s program at:

Program 694: Highlands of Scotland; Art of Spain; Sweet Home Alabama

Also, check out Sentell’s  book about the Civil Rights Trail and the recently opened Civil Rights Trail Market that opened in the Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport this fall.

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