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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 San Miguel De Allende
    Wednesday, April 9
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    How did this UNESCO town in Mexico get such a curious name? And what do a duck and a dog have to do with it? Why are there so many grand mansions in such a small town? Why do postcards have to do with its soaring Gothic church? Why is there an art school in a former convent? And how did San Miguel de Allende become a magnet for retired American military on the G.I. Bill?
  • Curious Edinburgh
    Monday, April 14
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why did the Scottish kings live in Edinburgh, and why don't we have Scottish kings anymore? Why was Edinburgh Castle built high upon on Castle Rock? What's the connection between Edinburgh and Harry Potter? And where are the real-life inspirations for Harry Potter locations? What is so royal about Edinburgh's Royal Mile? Who is Arthur, and why does he get his own Seat?
  • Curious Edinburgh
    Wednesday, April 16
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why did the Scottish kings live in Edinburgh, and why don't we have Scottish kings anymore? Why was Edinburgh Castle built high upon on Castle Rock? What's the connection between Edinburgh and Harry Potter? And where are the real-life inspirations for Harry Potter locations? What is so royal about Edinburgh's Royal Mile? Who is Arthur, and why does he get his own Seat?
  • Curious Guanajuato City
    Monday, April 21
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is there a stone giant holding a flame, high in the hills overlooking the town? How did silver help shape this Mexican town? Why are its streets and alleys so winding, and what happened to the Guanajuato River? What does the town's main church have to do with the King of Spain? Why does the town's marketplace look like a Paris train station? And its theatre looks like the Paris Opera House?
  • Curious Guanajuato City
    Wednesday, April 23
    6:01 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is there a stone giant holding a flame, high in the hills overlooking the town? How did silver help shape this Mexican town? Why are its streets and alleys so winding, and what happened to the Guanajuato River? What does the town's main church have to do with the King of Spain? Why does the town's marketplace look like a Paris train station? And its theatre looks like the Paris Opera House?
  • Curious Austrian Christmas Markets
    Monday, April 28
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is a European Christmas Market also called Weihnachtsmarkt or a Christkindlmarkt? And what do these markets have to do with the Holy Roman Empire? Why do you find Christmas Markets mostly in German-speaking countries? What is the curious history of the Advent Wreath, of Silent Night, and a creepy Christmas character named Krampus? And is a Krampus different than a Krapfen?
  • Curious Austrian Christmas Markets
    Wednesday, April 30
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is a European Christmas Market also called Weihnachtsmarkt or a Christkindlmarkt? And what do these markets have to do with the Holy Roman Empire? Why do you find Christmas Markets mostly in German-speaking countries? What is the curious history of the Advent Wreath, of Silent Night, and a creepy Christmas character named Krampus? And is a Krampus different than a Krapfen?
  • Curious London Shops
    Monday, May 5
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    You may not be able to live like a royal, but wouldn't it be nice to shop like one? In this episode, we explore the curious world of Royal Warrants, a special designation given to only the best shops and services, literally fit for a king (or queen, or prince or princess). Kind of like knighthood for a shop. From the royal dressmakers to tiara makers to the royal cheesemonger (yes, there is such a thing); we take you across London, inside the world of the royals.
  • Curious London Shops
    Wednesday, May 7
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    You may not be able to live like a royal, but wouldn't it be nice to shop like one? In this episode, we explore the curious world of Royal Warrants, a special designation given to only the best shops and services, literally fit for a king (or queen, or prince or princess). Kind of like knighthood for a shop. From the royal dressmakers to tiara makers to the royal cheesemonger (yes, there is such a thing); we take you across London, inside the world of the royals.
  • Curious Glasgow
    Monday, May 12
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who is buried under Glasgow Cathedral and why? Who is Saint Mungo, and why is he so big? Why does Glasgow City Chambers look like a palace? How did this seaport town become a center for Scottish Enlightenment? And how did the creativity of one man, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, leave a permanent mark on this city?
  • Curious Glasgow
    Wednesday, May 14
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who is buried under Glasgow Cathedral and why? Who is Saint Mungo, and why is he so big? Why does Glasgow City Chambers look like a palace? How did this seaport town become a center for Scottish Enlightenment? And how did the creativity of one man, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, leave a permanent mark on this city?
  • Curious Williamsburg
    Monday, May 19
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why did the English choose Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia as their early American settlements? Why did King William III and Queen Mary II establish a university here? What was life like for the colonists here? What crazy concoctions are to be found in a colonial apothecary?
  • Curious Williamsburg
    Wednesday, May 21
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why did the English choose Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia as their early American settlements? Why did King William III and Queen Mary II establish a university here? What was life like for the colonists here? What crazy concoctions are to be found in a colonial apothecary?
  • Curious Quebec City
    Monday, May 26
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    After nearly 500 years, French is still the official language of this North American city. How has this UNESCO World Heritage Site retained its 'Frenchness' after all this time? Why does the Chateau Frontenac hotel look like a French castle, and what does it have to do with the Canadian railway? What's so curious about Rue Saint-Jean, Place Royal and Petit-Champlain?
  • Curious Quebec City
    Wednesday, May 28
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    After nearly 500 years, French is still the official language of this North American city. How has this UNESCO World Heritage Site retained its 'Frenchness' after all this time? Why does the Chateau Frontenac hotel look like a French castle, and what does it have to do with the Canadian railway? What's so curious about Rue Saint-Jean, Place Royal and Petit-Champlain?

 

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  • Curious San Miguel De Allende
    Monday, April 7
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    How did this UNESCO town in Mexico get such a curious name? And what do a duck and a dog have to do with it? Why are there so many grand mansions in such a small town? Why do postcards have to do with its soaring Gothic church? Why is there an art school in a former convent? And how did San Miguel de Allende become a magnet for retired American military on the G.I. Bill?
  • Curious Salzburg
    Wednesday, April 2
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is there a giant church complex, the DomQuartier, in this tiny Alpine town? And why is there an equally giant medieval fortress high above it? Who lived in Mirabell Palace? And Hellbrun Palace? Why is Getreidegassse so charming, and why are those shop signs so important? And how do you solve a problem like Maria? From the Sound of Music to Silent Night to the Sonatas of this town's beloved Mozart, it's time to get curious about Salzburg.
  • Curious Regensburg, Germany
    Monday, March 31
    3:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about Regensburg, Germany. Highlights: Regensburg's Roman roots as Radasbona; a curious window in its town hall, the Goliath House, Regensburg Cathedral & the Stone Bridge. Then she visits Eilsbrunn for the Guiness World Record holder for the oldest permanently open inn; then back to Regensburg to learn a traditional bead-stitching art form.
  • Curious Regensburg, Germany
    Monday, March 31
    8:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about Regensburg, Germany. Highlights: Regensburg's Roman roots as Radasbona; a curious window in its town hall, the Goliath House, Regensburg Cathedral & the Stone Bridge. Then she visits Eilsbrunn for the Guiness World Record holder for the oldest permanently open inn; then back to Regensburg to learn a traditional bead-stitching art form.
  • Curious Salzburg
    Monday, March 31
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Why is there a giant church complex, the DomQuartier, in this tiny Alpine town? And why is there an equally giant medieval fortress high above it? Who lived in Mirabell Palace? And Hellbrun Palace? Why is Getreidegassse so charming, and why are those shop signs so important? And how do you solve a problem like Maria? From the Sound of Music to Silent Night to the Sonatas of this town's beloved Mozart, it's time to get curious about Salzburg.
  • Curious Yorkshire
    Wednesday, March 26
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    This beautiful region of England is full of picture-perfect rolling hills, quaint stone cottages, sprawling country estates and that distinct Yorkshire dialect. Why are country estates named Castles and Abbeys? What is The Shambles, and how did it get its name? Why is one of the largest medieval Gothic cathedrals in Europe in the small town of York? How did the Quakers and chocolate shape York's history? Where and what is Herriot's country?
  • Curious Franconia, Germany
    Monday, March 24
    3:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about the Franconia region of Germany. Stops include: Nuremberg, and its medieval landmarks, including the Imperial Castle, the Schoner Brunnen fountain, the Frauenkirche church, Wurzburg Palace, Old Main Bridge, its famous poet; then she visits a Michelin-starred restaurant to experience an 'aroma library', and finally, visits one of thelegendary Franconian vineyards.
  • Curious Franconia, Germany
    Monday, March 24
    8:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about the Franconia region of Germany. Stops include: Nuremberg, and its medieval landmarks, including the Imperial Castle, the Schoner Brunnen fountain, the Frauenkirche church, Wurzburg Palace, Old Main Bridge, its famous poet; then she visits a Michelin-starred restaurant to experience an 'aroma library', and finally, visits one of thelegendary Franconian vineyards.
  • Curious Yorkshire
    Monday, March 24
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    This beautiful region of England is full of picture-perfect rolling hills, quaint stone cottages, sprawling country estates and that distinct Yorkshire dialect. Why are country estates named Castles and Abbeys? What is The Shambles, and how did it get its name? Why is one of the largest medieval Gothic cathedrals in Europe in the small town of York? How did the Quakers and chocolate shape York's history? Where and what is Herriot's country?
  • Curious Vienna
    Wednesday, March 19
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who were the Habsburgs, Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph and Sisi? And how did they shape Vienna? What is the Ringstrasse, and why are there so many oversized, ornate public buildings dotting it? Where did Mozart perform as a 6-year-old prodigy? When and why did Austria shrink to a tenth of its size? What do the eagles on the rooftop of St. Stephen's Cathedral symbolize? And why are Vienna's coffee and pastries so legendary?
  • Curious Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, Germany
    Monday, March 17
    3:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    One of the oldest and most historic medieval towns along the Romantic Road. Highlights: Bavarian storybook architecture, Town Hall, the Meistertrunk legend, St. Jakob's Church and its Reimenschneider altar, medieval walls, Rothenburg monastery museum with caryatids of virtues and vices.
  • Curious Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, Germany
    Monday, March 17
    8:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    One of the oldest and most historic medieval towns along the Romantic Road. Highlights: Bavarian storybook architecture, Town Hall, the Meistertrunk legend, St. Jakob's Church and its Reimenschneider altar, medieval walls, Rothenburg monastery museum with caryatids of virtues and vices.
  • Curious Vienna
    Monday, March 17
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who were the Habsburgs, Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph and Sisi? And how did they shape Vienna? What is the Ringstrasse, and why are there so many oversized, ornate public buildings dotting it? Where did Mozart perform as a 6-year-old prodigy? When and why did Austria shrink to a tenth of its size? What do the eagles on the rooftop of St. Stephen's Cathedral symbolize? And why are Vienna's coffee and pastries so legendary?
  • Curious Dublin
    Wednesday, March 12
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    How did Dublin get its name? And what do Vikings and a black pool have to do with it? Who was Maewyn Succat, and why is he celebrated with green beer? How did the harp become a symbol of Ireland, and why do the harps on Irish coins and Guinness beer look different? What is the curious history of the Book of Kells, and how did it make its way into Trinity College's Longroom Library?
  • Curious Upper Bavaria, Germany
    Monday, March 10
    3:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about Upper Bavaria, Linderhof Palace, Mittenwald and Munich. She explores the history of 'Mad' King Ludwig and his many castles, the Lohengrin swan knight legend, the legacy of the Wittelsbach Dynasty, the storybook village of Mittenwald, and the Bavarian tradition of luftlmalerei mural art, and how it continues in some very modern and very curious ways.
  • Curious Upper Bavaria, Germany
    Monday, March 10
    8:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about Upper Bavaria, Linderhof Palace, Mittenwald and Munich. She explores the history of 'Mad' King Ludwig and his many castles, the Lohengrin swan knight legend, the legacy of the Wittelsbach Dynasty, the storybook village of Mittenwald, and the Bavarian tradition of luftlmalerei mural art, and how it continues in some very modern and very curious ways.
  • Curious Dublin
    Monday, March 10
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    How did Dublin get its name? And what do Vikings and a black pool have to do with it? Who was Maewyn Succat, and why is he celebrated with green beer? How did the harp become a symbol of Ireland, and why do the harps on Irish coins and Guinness beer look different? What is the curious history of the Book of Kells, and how did it make its way into Trinity College's Longroom Library?
  • Curious Szczecin, Poland
    Wednesday, March 5
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about Szczecin, Poland. Highlights include: Castle of the Dukes of Pomerania, the National Museum, Stare Miasto Square, Tower of the Seven Cloaks, Kasprowicz Park, Willa Lentza Manor House.
  • Curious Allgau & Fussen, Germany
    Monday, March 3
    3:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about the beautiful Allgau region and medieval town of Fussen in Bavaria, Germany. Highlights include the St. Mang Monastery and its baroque library and Prince's Hall and Hohes Schloss, the high castle. Then she makes cheese with some Allgau cheesemakers and then does a headstand with a 5th generation cowbell blacksmith who also happens to be an expert yoga instructor.
  • Curious Allgau & Fussen, Germany
    Monday, March 3
    8:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about the beautiful Allgau region and medieval town of Fussen in Bavaria, Germany. Highlights include the St. Mang Monastery and its baroque library and Prince's Hall and Hohes Schloss, the high castle. Then she makes cheese with some Allgau cheesemakers and then does a headstand with a 5th generation cowbell blacksmith who also happens to be an expert yoga instructor.
  • Curious Szczecin, Poland
    Monday, March 3
    3:30 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about Szczecin, Poland. Highlights include: Castle of the Dukes of Pomerania, the National Museum, Stare Miasto Square, Tower of the Seven Cloaks, Kasprowicz Park, Willa Lentza Manor House.