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Curious Traveler

CURIOUS TRAVELER takes viewers on an enriching and entertaining "field trip for grown-ups" to some of the most intriguing European and North American cities in the world. Daytime Emmy- and Telly-winning travel, arts and entertainment journalist Christine Van Blokland brings her passion and genuine curiosity for the arts, quirky characters, storytelling, and lifelong learning to this new series. In each location, Christine explores the hidden histories in their art, architecture, museums, monuments, houses of worship and city parks. Each episode begins with Christine's list of "Curious Questions": Is the Mona Lisa really a prostitute? Is the Eiffel Tower really Egyptian? Why are there acorns all through Grand Central Terminal? Christine's previous television credits include: Let's Go!, Georgia Traveler, Let's Go! Georgiaand Better Destinations.

Curious Traveler  
  • Curious Gdansk
    Wednesday, May 1
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine explores Gdansk's history as a Baltic seaport, and how its medieval trade with Holland resulted in its Dutch architecture. Inside the exquisite Main Town Hall, she investigates the beautiful wood carvings and paintings of the council room, full of wonderful symbolism. Then she explains the Gdansk city crest, influenced by the Hanseatic League, the Teutonic Knights and the Polish kings. She also focuses on Gdansk's Neptune Fountain and the Long Market. Visits to St. Mary's Basilica, full of religious treasures, the Amber Museum, full of artistic treasures, and the WWII sites at Westerplatte Peninsula, full of heroic history, round out the visit.
  • Curious Gdansk
    Tuesday, May 7
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine explores Gdansk's history as a Baltic seaport, and how its medieval trade with Holland resulted in its Dutch architecture. Inside the exquisite Main Town Hall, she investigates the beautiful wood carvings and paintings of the council room, full of wonderful symbolism. Then she explains the Gdansk city crest, influenced by the Hanseatic League, the Teutonic Knights and the Polish kings. She also focuses on Gdansk's Neptune Fountain and the Long Market. Visits to St. Mary's Basilica, full of religious treasures, the Amber Museum, full of artistic treasures, and the WWII sites at Westerplatte Peninsula, full of heroic history, round out the visit.
  • England's Curious Great West Way
    Wednesday, May 8
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    England's Great West Way follows the ancient path from London to Bristol. We take the train and get curious at stops along the way: Stonehenge, Bath's masonic architecture, the Roman Baths and the S.S. Great Britain. We also sample some curious pub pies, learn some cockney rhyming slang, and visit a few charming villages.
  • Curious Paris
    Tuesday, May 14
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why does Paris look like Paris? Why were the Eiffel Tower and the Pont Alexandre III built for World Expos? Why is the Opera Garnier so ornate? Why is there a Romano-Byzantine Basilica atop the highest point in Paris? Why are the streets so windy in Montmartre? Why was a famous cabaret built inside a red mill: the Moulin Rouge?
  • Curious Brussels
    Wednesday, May 15
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is La Grande-Place so gilded? How did Brussels' chocolate legacy begin? Where can you walk through the pages of a comic book? How did Flanders become such a source of Master artists?
  • Curious Rome
    Tuesday, May 21
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is there a giant hole in the top of the Pantheon? And how is it still standing after more than two millennia? Why does Piazza Navona look like a racetrack? And why did it used to be a swimming pool? Where did the bronze for St. Peter's Basilica come from, and why are those windows in the dome so heavenly?
  • Curious Cardiff
    Wednesday, May 22
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is there a giant wall in the middle of Cardiff? Who built Cardiff Castle? And Coch Castle? Why does Cardiff have so many Victorian and Georgian arcades? What is a bara brith? And laverbread? (Seriously, what is it?) Where did Princess Diana give her first public speech in Welsh?
  • Curious Copenhagen
    Tuesday, May 28
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why did Shakespeare use Kronborg Castle as the setting for Hamlet? Was picturesque Nyhavn really the playground for sailors and brothels? Christiansborg Palace, Amalienborg Palace, Rosenborg Castle - why so many palaces in one small European country?
  • Curious Manchester
    Wednesday, May 29
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    How did Manchester kick-start 'Railway Mania' in the Industrial Age? What is Manchester's Water Palace? What is so curious about the architecture of the John Rylands and Chetham's Libraries? Why is a bee the symbol of Manchester? Which pub owner shooed her patrons out with a broom? Why is the National Football Museum in Manchester?
  • Curious Vancouver
    Tuesday, June 4
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who was Gassy Jack and why was he so gassy? Why was Capilano Suspension Bridge built and what do all those totem poles mean? What's so important about the Hotel Vancouver, and what does it have to do with the train station, the Queen of England, and Harry Potter? Who was Yip Sang, and why did he have his own Boy Scout Troop?
  • Curious Hong Kong: Culture & Traditions
    Wednesday, June 5
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    How did Hong Kong get its name? What is so junky about a junk boat? We get curious about the Big Buddha, the Po Lin Monastery, and the Wisdom Path on Lantau Island. Then, we head to the Kung Wo Tofu Factory to learn a centuries-old tofu-making technique. Christine also takes you inside a Tin Hau Temple, the Man Mo Temple, and a traditional Qipao dress-making shop.
  • Curious Loire Valley
    Tuesday, June 11
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    When and why were so many stunning chateaux built in such a concentrated area in central France? Why is there a river running through Chateau de Chenonceau, and what do the ladies of the castle have to do with it? Why does Chateau de Chambord have 440 rooms, yet no one ever lived there? Why is there a porcupine over the entrance to Chateau d'Amboise?
  • Curious Southern Wales
    Wednesday, June 12
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    We get curious about the stunning natural landscape of Wales. We visit Brecon Beacons National Park, Pembrokeshire National Park, St. Davids (the smallest city in Britain), Hay-on-Wye (Wales' Town of Books), the Victorian seaside resort town of Tenby, and lots and lots of curious castles.
  • Curious Venice
    Tuesday, June 18
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Where is the hidden symbol of Venice on the iconic gondola? Why are there two different saints on the gateway columns? Why is the solar system off on Torre dell'Orologio? Why does Saint Mark's Basilica look like Hagia Sophia? Why does the Doge's Palace have a Stairway of Giants, and what do those symbols mean?
  • Curious Bruges
    Wednesday, June 19
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who were the Flemish Masters, and how did they leave their mark on art history? Who stole Michelangelo's Madonna of Bruges? And who rescued her? Why does Bruges look the same as it did in the Middle Ages? What is a Beguinage? And 'Blind Donkey Alley'? And why are all the colorful buildings surrounding the Markt the same width?
  • Curious Kotor
    Tuesday, June 25
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is there a beautiful, tiny blue-domed church floating in Kotorska Bay? Why did someone build 1350 steps up the side of Kotor's mountain? Why is The Cathedral of Saint Tryphon pink? And why are the towers mismatched? Why are the streets within the fortress walls intentionally in a maze?
  • Curious Dublin Pubs
    Wednesday, June 26
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is Dublin known worldwide for its pubs? Where did traditional Irish music come from? Why are there always flowers decorating a pub? What does the word "pub" mean? What is a "snug?" A Brian Boru harp? And how did a fella named Arthur Guinness become so important?
  • Curious Oslo
    Tuesday, July 2
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why are you encouraged to walk on the rooftop of the Oslo Opera House? Why did Vikings live here, and why are their ships shaped like that? Why was the Oslo National Theatre built, and what's that secret staircase? What is the troll legend, and why did it happen here?
  • Curious Ghent
    Wednesday, July 3
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who stole the famous Ghent Altarpiece, and who recovered it? And who is restoring it? What is Prinsenhof, and why is it so pretty? Where did the famous Ghent Dragon fly in from? Why is Ghent so famous for its lace? Why is St. Peters Abbey so important to Ghent history?
  • Curious Bordeaux
    Tuesday, July 9
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who got hitched at Bordeaux Cathedral and why was it such an important moment in history? Did Parisian architecture actually come from Bordeaux? Why is Bordeaux so synonymous with wine? What was the Place de la Bourse hiding? What do all these sculptures mean at Place des Quinconces? Why were two ancient gates spared?
  • Curious Sussex
    Wednesday, July 10
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why does George IV's Royal Pavilion look so different from other British royal palaces? What happened at the Seven Sisters Cliffs? What is a Smugglers Pub? Who wouldn't sit under a dragon? Where did Sherlock Holmes retire? And what does the Guinness family have to do with a medieval hotel?
  • Curious Sorrento
    Tuesday, July 16
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why did the ancient Roman rich and famous choose to vacation here? Who opened the gate for the bad guys in the 1500s? What does the town clock tower symbolize? What's the history of majolica tile art? Why are Sorrento lemons and limoncello so famous?
  • Curious Stockholm
    Tuesday, July 23
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    What did Alfred Nobel invent that led him to create the Nobel Prize? What is Gamla Stan? What's so important about the throne inside the Royal Palace of Stockholm? What is the Djurgarden Canal, and why was it only for the Royal Family? Why did the Swedes grow grass on their rooftops, and what's the history of their folk costumes?
  • Curious French Villages
    Tuesday, July 30
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why did the famous French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc only work on one residence: the historic Roquetaillade Castle? Why is there a monolithic church in Saint-Emilion? And why did its monk sleep underground? Why is there a giant wall around the tiny village of Blaye? And why was beautiful Bourg-en-Gironde built into the side of a cliff? And how do Cadillac and Pauillac make time stand still?

 

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  • Curious Warsaw
    Tuesday, April 30
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine explores Warsaw, pre and post WWII. At the Royal Castle, she learns about Warsaw's role within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Next, she explains the history of Sigismund's Column and investigates Roman symbolism in the Lazienki Palace. After, she visits the Warsaw Rising Museum, to remember the heroes of WWII. Lastly, she attends a concert of Chopin music, and makes Polish pierogis.
  • Curious Toronto
    Sunday, April 28
    5:30 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who built a 98-room European fairytale castle & what do street lights have to do with it? What do a windmill & whisky have to do with a Canadian empire? Where can you find secret underground tunnels in Toronto? Why is a grocery store & a synagogue important to Toronto's history? When did hockey become a Canadian obsession? How did Toronto get its name? Time to get curious about Toronto!
  • Curious Warsaw
    Wednesday, April 24
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine explores Warsaw, pre and post WWII. At the Royal Castle, she learns about Warsaw's role within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Next, she explains the history of Sigismund's Column and investigates Roman symbolism in the Lazienki Palace. After, she visits the Warsaw Rising Museum, to remember the heroes of WWII. Lastly, she attends a concert of Chopin music, and makes Polish pierogis.
  • Estonia's Curious Palaces & Castles
    Tuesday, April 23
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine traces the curious history of Estonia's fine homes, built for and lived in by, not Estonians, but Baltic Germans, Scandinavians and Russians. Her journey begins at Kadriorg Palace, built by Peter the Great after he conquered Estonia, for his wife Katherine, and named it Kadriorg, which means 'Katherine's Valley'. At Alatskivi Castle, she explores the curious history of a German baron who copied Scotland's Balmoral Castle in Estonia. Then, she tours one of the grandest baroque manors in Estonia, Palmse Manor, surrounded by its splendid gardens and Lahemaa National Park. At Vihula Manor, Christine interviews an historian who is lucky enough to live in an Estonian manor house.
  • Curious Barcelona
    Sunday, April 21
    5:30 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who designed a drippy, wacky & wonderful icon? What is happening on Casa Mila's rooftop? Where did Columbus meet the King & Queen of Spain upon returning from the Americas? Why won't you find any street corners in the Eixample neighborhood? When was the Bishop's Bridge built in the Gothic Quarter? How did a Roman & Moorish arch greet visitors in 1888? It's time to get 'curiositat' about Barcelona!
  • Estonia's Curious Palaces & Castles
    Wednesday, April 17
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine traces the curious history of Estonia's fine homes, built for and lived in by, not Estonians, but Baltic Germans, Scandinavians and Russians. Her journey begins at Kadriorg Palace, built by Peter the Great after he conquered Estonia, for his wife Katherine, and named it Kadriorg, which means 'Katherine's Valley'. At Alatskivi Castle, she explores the curious history of a German baron who copied Scotland's Balmoral Castle in Estonia. Then, she tours one of the grandest baroque manors in Estonia, Palmse Manor, surrounded by its splendid gardens and Lahemaa National Park. At Vihula Manor, Christine interviews an historian who is lucky enough to live in an Estonian manor house.
  • Curious Bern
    Tuesday, April 16
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about the connection between bears and Bern, and the city's founder, Berthold V. In Bern's Old Town, she takes viewers inside its historic clock tower, the Zytlogge, to see its Renaissance mechanisms still tick-tocking away. Then, she follows Bern's subterranean stream, which surfaces quite prettily in Bern's historic fountains, each its own work of art. Then it's over to Munsterplatz and Bern Minster for the 16th century history of how the Protestant Reformation impacted Bern. Then, after all that exploring, she takes a breather on the Einstein Bench, in the picturesque Rose Garden, overlooking beautiful Bern.
  • Curious Tyrol
    Sunday, April 14
    5:30 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who built a chapel on the edge of an Alpine cliff? What does a pagan beast and a Catholic tradition have to do with a children's parade? Where can you dance the Schuplattler? And eat an 'Imperial Mess'? Why did the Luftlmalerei tradition start? When did Emperor Franz Joseph & Empress Sissi sleep in a snowy retreat? How do you make an igloo? Yodel-Lay-Hee-Hoo, it's time to get curious about Tyrol!
  • Curious Bern
    Wednesday, April 10
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about the connection between bears and Bern, and the city's founder, Berthold V. In Bern's Old Town, she takes viewers inside its historic clock tower, the Zytlogge, to see its Renaissance mechanisms still tick-tocking away. Then, she follows Bern's subterranean stream, which surfaces quite prettily in Bern's historic fountains, each its own work of art. Then it's over to Munsterplatz and Bern Minster for the 16th century history of how the Protestant Reformation impacted Bern. Then, after all that exploring, she takes a breather on the Einstein Bench, in the picturesque Rose Garden, overlooking beautiful Bern.
  • Curious Krakow
    Tuesday, April 9
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine takes viewers through the beautiful streets and layers of Krakow, to learn its Medieval, Renaissance and Enlightenment history, when it was an intellectual and cultural center of Europe. She gets a special tour of Copernicus' alma mater: Jagiellonian University and Collegium Maius, from the University's Dean. Next, she takes us inside the Krzysztofory Palace Museum, set inside a 17th century baroque palace, to learn about Kraków's UNESCO-status Nativity scenes, and to learn the legend of the Lajkonik. Then, it's up to Wawel Castle, perched high upon a hill, then back down to Old Town for the annual Wawel Dragon legend and parade.
  • Curious Sicily and Sardinia
    Sunday, April 7
    5:30 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who is on the Sicilian flag, and why does she have three legs? What does the island of Mozia have to do with the English alphabet? Where can you find a temple to Venus? Why did you have to be outside Cagliari's city walls before sunset? When was the number 5 so important to the village of Savoca? How does an arancini teach us Sicilian history? It's time to get curious about in Sicily & Sardinia!
  • Curious Krakow
    Wednesday, April 3
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine takes viewers through the beautiful streets and layers of Krakow, to learn its Medieval, Renaissance and Enlightenment history, when it was an intellectual and cultural center of Europe. She gets a special tour of Copernicus' alma mater: Jagiellonian University and Collegium Maius, from the University's Dean. Next, she takes us inside the Krzysztofory Palace Museum, set inside a 17th century baroque palace, to learn about Kraków's UNESCO-status Nativity scenes, and to learn the legend of the Lajkonik. Then, it's up to Wawel Castle, perched high upon a hill, then back down to Old Town for the annual Wawel Dragon legend and parade.
  • Estonia's Curious Culture & Traditions
    Tuesday, April 2
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    In Estonia, Christine travels to the Setomaa region, visits an Seto Orthodox church, meets the indigenous Seto people, and learns about their polyphonic singing tradition and traditional folk costumes. In the Peipsi region, she visits the Onion Route, learns about Russian Old Believers, and creates traditional arts and crafts. In Voromaa, she cleanses her spirit in a UNESCO Estonian smoke sauna.
  • Estonia's Curious Culture & Traditions
    Wednesday, March 27
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    In Estonia, Christine travels to the Setomaa region, visits an Seto Orthodox church, meets the indigenous Seto people, and learns about their polyphonic singing tradition and traditional folk costumes. In the Peipsi region, she visits the Onion Route, learns about Russian Old Believers, and creates traditional arts and crafts. In Voromaa, she cleanses her spirit in a UNESCO Estonian smoke sauna.
  • Curious Dijon & Beaune
    Tuesday, March 26
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine explores Dijon and Beaune in France. Highlights include Dijon's Old Town and its architectural treasures, Notre-Dame du Dijon, an owl legend, Palais des Etats de Bourgogne, Philippe le Bon Tower, Cite de la Gastronomie. In Beaune, she makes the region's famous mustard at Fallot Mustard Mill and visits the Hotel Dieu Museum/Hospices de Beaune and luxuriates in the historic Hotel le Cep.
  • Curious Dijon & Beaune
    Wednesday, March 20
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine explores Dijon and Beaune in France. Highlights include Dijon's Old Town and its architectural treasures, Notre-Dame du Dijon, an owl legend, Palais des Etats de Bourgogne, Philippe le Bon Tower, Cite de la Gastronomie. In Beaune, she makes the region's famous mustard at Fallot Mustard Mill and visits the Hotel Dieu Museum/Hospices de Beaune and luxuriates in the historic Hotel le Cep.
  • Netherlands' Curious Unesco
    Tuesday, March 19
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about UNESCO sites in the Netherlands. At the Kinderdijk Windmills, she shares how early residents made their below-sea-level lands habitable. Then, to the Colonies of Benevolence, a 19th century social experiment to help the poor. At Beemster Polder, she explores a town that was once at the bottom of a lake. Finally, she explores the midcentury marvels at Van Nelle Factory.
  • Curious Innsbruck
    Sunday, March 17
    5:30 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who lived in Ambras Castle because she wasn't allowed to live in Hofburg Palace? What was a copper-capped balcony built for? Where can you find some castle-loving peacocks? Why are so many Austrian window shutters red and white striped? When did some giants move out of a palace, to make way for Marie Antoinette? How fast does a bobsled go? Hold on tight, it's time to get curious about Innsbruck!
  • Netherlands' Curious Unesco
    Wednesday, March 13
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about UNESCO sites in the Netherlands. At the Kinderdijk Windmills, she shares how early residents made their below-sea-level lands habitable. Then, to the Colonies of Benevolence, a 19th century social experiment to help the poor. At Beemster Polder, she explores a town that was once at the bottom of a lake. Finally, she explores the midcentury marvels at Van Nelle Factory.
  • Curious Aix-En-Provence & Arles
    Tuesday, March 12
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about Aix-en Provence: why it's known as the City of a Thousand Fountains, visits Cezanne's Atelier & a mansion in the historic Mazarin District, then learns the curious connection between a king & the calisson. In Arles, she visits the exact spots where van Gogh painted, then Arles' Roman Arena, and learns what a 'vomitorium' was (not as gross as you think.)
  • Curious Aix-En-Provence & Arles
    Wednesday, March 6
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about Aix-en Provence: why it's known as the City of a Thousand Fountains, visits Cezanne's Atelier & a mansion in the historic Mazarin District, then learns the curious connection between a king & the calisson. In Arles, she visits the exact spots where van Gogh painted, then Arles' Roman Arena, and learns what a 'vomitorium' was (not as gross as you think.)
  • Switzerland's Curious Castles
    Tuesday, March 5
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about the castles of Switzerland: In Chateau de Chillon, she explores its unique architecture and discovers secret passageways. In Chateau de Gruyeres, she learns about the legend of the 'Gru', and the many phases the castle went through under different rulers; and at Schloss Thun, she explores a medieval hall, and tells the legend of the creature who lives in its attic.