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.

Sat, May 16 6:30 P.M. Curious Antarctica, Part 2     NHPBS (11.1)

Who made it to the South Pole first? What was so heroic about Ernest Shackleton's expedition? Where do whales migrate to? Why do penguins spread their wings? When did the Antarctic Treaty prevent the building of a skyscraper, a military base or a Starbucks? How can you tell one humpback whale from another? Who What Where Why When and How.

Mon, May 18 10:00 A.M. Curious Rome     NH Create (11.4)

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.

Mon, May 18 5:00 P.M. Curious Rome     NH Create (11.4)

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.

Sat, May 23 6:30 P.M. Curious Alhambra & Malaga, Spain     NHPBS (11.1)

Who built the UNESCO-status Alhambra and why? What's underneath the Picasso Museum? Where can you find 5000 tiny arches? Why do Malaga residents call themselves 'anchovies'? When was an ancient Roman theatre used to build a Moorish palace? How did a way to keep flies out of your drink turn into a tasty Spanish tradition? So much to be curious about in the Alhambra and Malaga, Spain.

Mon, May 25 10:00 A.M. Curious Copenhagen     NH Create (11.4)

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?

Mon, May 25 5:00 P.M. Curious Copenhagen     NH Create (11.4)

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?

Mon, Jun 1 10:00 A.M. Curious Vancouver     NH Create (11.4)

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?

Mon, Jun 1 5:00 P.M. Curious Vancouver     NH Create (11.4)

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?

Mon, Jun 8 10:00 A.M. Curious Loire Valley     NH Create (11.4)

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?

Mon, Jun 8 5:00 P.M. Curious Loire Valley     NH Create (11.4)

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?

Sat, Jun 13 6:30 P.M. Curious Marrakech, Morocco     NHPBS (11.1)

Marrakech's status as an imperial city; why Marrakech is called "the red city"; the history, heritage and artisans of the legendary labyrinth of souks; Islamic, Moorish, Berber architecture in historic palaces; Koutoubia Mosque; UNESCO-status Jemaa El Fna medina; symbolism found in Islamic architecture; Le Jardin Secret: a traditional Islamic courtyard garden set within a former sultan's palace.

Mon, Jun 15 10:00 A.M. Curious Venice     NH Create (11.4)

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?

Mon, Jun 15 5:00 P.M. Curious Venice     NH Create (11.4)

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?

Sat, Jun 20 6:30 P.M. Curious Mont Saint-Michel & Rennes, France     NHPBS (11.1)

We visit the UNESCO site of magical Mont Saint-Michel: The historic abbey on top of a mountain on top of an island, whose tides recede so much that pilgrims walk across the sand to reach it.

Mon, Jun 22 10:00 A.M. Curious Kotor     NH Create (11.4)

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?

Mon, Jun 22 5:00 P.M. Curious Kotor     NH Create (11.4)

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?


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This Old House | E21 | Walpole Ranch with ADU | Welcome to Walpole
Ask This Old House | E21 | Running Power to a Shed | Ask This Old House
Bring Them Home | Bring Them Home - ASL
Great Performances | Now Hear This -
Antiques Roadshow | Castle Farms, Hour 3
Martha Graham Dance Company: We Are Our Time | Athletes of God
Henry David Thoreau | Several More Lives to Live
Lucy Worsley Investigates | Episode 1
Nature | Baby Steps | Becoming Elephant: The Orphans of Reteti
Finding Your Roots | Song of the South
History with David Rubenstein | Marie Arana
American Masters | Bella! This Woman's Place Is in the House [EAD]
White with Fear | White With Fear
The Forsytes | Episode 1
America's Stairway | America's Stairway
The Making of The American Revolution | The Making of The American Revolution
The Count of Monte Cristo | Episode 4: The Red Room
Tradfest | 'a dó'
Lover, Beloved | Lover, Beloved
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History |
NOVA | Mammal Origins
Independent Lens | The Librarians
Austin City Limits | Leon Thomas
Secrets of the Dead | The Quest for Camelot
Safe Harbors: Lighthouses of Maine | Safe Harbors: Lighthouses of Maine
A Fuller Education | A Fuller Education
North to New York: The Great Migration in NY's Capital Region | North to New York: The Great Migration in NY's Capital Region
Bigger than Africa | Bigger Than Africa
The Puzzle Lady | Episode 1