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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 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 Greece
    Wednesday, July 17
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who left some ancient treasures in a magical cave? What does the measurement of time have to do with the Olympics? Where can you find a bit of Egypt and Venice in Crete? Why is an olive wreath put on the head of a champion and why was there a jar of olive oil at Zeus' feet? When was Chania the home to Minoans? How did a lion g to the top of a Greek mountain? It's time to get curious about Greece!
  • Curious Greece
    Tuesday, July 23
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who left some ancient treasures in a magical cave? What does the measurement of time have to do with the Olympics? Where can you find a bit of Egypt and Venice in Crete? Why is an olive wreath put on the head of a champion and why was there a jar of olive oil at Zeus' feet? When was Chania the home to Minoans? How did a lion g to the top of a Greek mountain? It's time to get curious about Greece!
  • Curious Innsbruck
    Wednesday, July 24
    6:00 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!
  • Curious Innsbruck
    Tuesday, July 30
    6:00 am 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!
  • Curious Sicily and Sardinia
    Wednesday, July 31
    6:00 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 Sicily and Sardinia
    Tuesday, August 6
    6:00 am 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 Tyrol
    Wednesday, August 7
    6:00 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 Tyrol
    Tuesday, August 13
    6:00 am 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 Barcelona
    Wednesday, August 14
    6:00 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!
  • Curious Barcelona
    Tuesday, August 20
    6:00 am 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!
  • Curious Toronto
    Wednesday, August 21
    6:00 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 Toronto
    Tuesday, August 27
    6:00 am 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 Lisbon
    Wednesday, August 28
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who were the Portuguese explorers of the Age of Discovery? What do some monks have to do with an iconic Portuguese pastry? Where can you find a bright yellow welcome mat? Why is a Lisbon castle dedicated to the patron saint of England? When did a special type of cross become a symbol of Portugal? How do some tiny little tiles tell the big history of Portugal? Time to get curious about Lisbon!
  • Curious Lisbon
    Tuesday, September 3
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who were the Portuguese explorers of the Age of Discovery? What do some monks have to do with an iconic Portuguese pastry? Where can you find a bright yellow welcome mat? Why is a Lisbon castle dedicated to the patron saint of England? When did a special type of cross become a symbol of Portugal? How do some tiny little tiles tell the big history of Portugal? Time to get curious about Lisbon!
  • Curious Bergen
    Wednesday, September 4
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who lived in a Victorian home named for a troll, with a little man cave down by the lake? What is the oldest church & building in Bergen? Where can you stroll through 1800s Bergen & meet a curious character or two? Why was King Hakon's Hall built & who wasn't invited to dance there? When was Bryggen an important port? How does a simple fish soup tell the story of Norway's fishing heritage?
  • Curious Bergen
    Tuesday, September 10
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who lived in a Victorian home named for a troll, with a little man cave down by the lake? What is the oldest church & building in Bergen? Where can you stroll through 1800s Bergen & meet a curious character or two? Why was King Hakon's Hall built & who wasn't invited to dance there? When was Bryggen an important port? How does a simple fish soup tell the story of Norway's fishing heritage?
  • Curious Braga
    Wednesday, September 11
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who was born in Guimaraes Castle and founded a nation? What are the curious symbols all over the Torre de Menagem? Where can you find a beautifully blue Baroque palace? Why are there about 600 steps, 5 levels & so, so many zigzags leading up to Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary? When was Braga Cathedral built, and what did the Romans do here? How did a rooster come to be a symbol of Portugal?
  • Curious Braga
    Tuesday, September 17
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who was born in Guimaraes Castle and founded a nation? What are the curious symbols all over the Torre de Menagem? Where can you find a beautifully blue Baroque palace? Why are there about 600 steps, 5 levels & so, so many zigzags leading up to Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary? When was Braga Cathedral built, and what did the Romans do here? How did a rooster come to be a symbol of Portugal?
  • Curious Lofoten, Norway
    Wednesday, September 18
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who discovered the world's longest Viking longhouse? What are the giant, triangular wooden huts called "hjells" used for? Where can you find the Devil's Stairs? Why is there a giant stadium on a tiny little island? When did a house painted red mean one thing, but a house painted yellow mean another? How did one tiny fish ensure a nation's survival, from the Viking Age through the Middle Ages?
  • Curious Lofoten, Norway
    Tuesday, September 24
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who discovered the world's longest Viking longhouse? What are the giant, triangular wooden huts called "hjells" used for? Where can you find the Devil's Stairs? Why is there a giant stadium on a tiny little island? When did a house painted red mean one thing, but a house painted yellow mean another? How did one tiny fish ensure a nation's survival, from the Viking Age through the Middle Ages?
  • Curious Historic Villages of Portugal
    Wednesday, September 25
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who was born in Belmonte & became a famous Portuguese navigator? What is the 'Eternal Kiss' & what does a grouchy mom have to do with it? Where did St. Francis of Assisi stop to rest during his pilgrimage along the St. James' Way? Why is a frilly window in a medieval castle so important? When was a secret tunnel built under a hilltop town? How did three different kings contribute to one castle?
  • Curious Historic Villages of Portugal
    Tuesday, October 1
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who was born in Belmonte & became a famous Portuguese navigator? What is the 'Eternal Kiss' & what does a grouchy mom have to do with it? Where did St. Francis of Assisi stop to rest during his pilgrimage along the St. James' Way? Why is a frilly window in a medieval castle so important? When was a secret tunnel built under a hilltop town? How did three different kings contribute to one castle?
  • Curious Northern Norway
    Wednesday, October 2
    6:00 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who was the first tourist to visit the northernmost point in Europe? What is a bunad? And what is its role on National Day? Where is there a fjord named after a troll (and are there any trolls there)? Why are street signs in both Norwegian & Russian in Kirkenes? When did king crabs move to Norway and why? How is the tradition of ice sculpting carried on in an Arctic hotel? Brrr...
  • Curious Northern Norway
    Tuesday, October 8
    6:00 am on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who was the first tourist to visit the northernmost point in Europe? What is a bunad? And what is its role on National Day? Where is there a fjord named after a troll (and are there any trolls there)? Why are street signs in both Norwegian & Russian in Kirkenes? When did king crabs move to Norway and why? How is the tradition of ice sculpting carried on in an Arctic hotel? Brrr...

 

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  • 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 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 Lucerne
    Sunday, June 30
    5:30 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Christine gets curious about Lucerne's Chapel Bridge, its ornately painted city squares, including the Weinmarkt, its many beautiful fountains, the Musegg Wall, the Wildenmann and the Mannliturm. Then it's up to the Swiss Alps aboard the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, to learn the history of the St. Gotthard Pass, some dragon lore, and the curious connection between Pontius Pilate and Mount Pilatus.
  • 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 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 Northern Norway
    Sunday, June 23
    5:30 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who was the first tourist to visit the northernmost point in Europe? What is a bunad? And what is its role on National Day? Where is there a fjord named after a troll (and are there any trolls there)? Why are street signs in both Norwegian & Russian in Kirkenes? When did king crabs move to Norway and why? How is the tradition of ice sculpting carried on in an Arctic hotel? Brrr...
  • 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 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 Historic Villages of Portugal
    Sunday, June 16
    5:30 pm on UEN-TV 9.1
    Who was born in Belmonte & became a famous Portuguese navigator? What is the 'Eternal Kiss' & what does a grouchy mom have to do with it? Where did St. Francis of Assisi stop to rest during his pilgrimage along the St. James' Way? Why is a frilly window in a medieval castle so important? When was a secret tunnel built under a hilltop town? How did three different kings contribute to one castle?
  • 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 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 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 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?