CURIOUS TRAVELER Season 6


#601 - Curious Lucerne

(86) Lucerne’s name origin, dragon lore & Pontius Pilate on Mount Pilatus, Swiss chocolate.

(397) 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 Männliturm. Then, up to the Swiss Alps aboard the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, to learn the history of St. Gotthard Pass, dragon lore and the curious connection between Pontius Pilate and Mount Pilatus.

(411) 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 Männliturm. 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.

#602 - Curious Tallinn

(86) Tallin’s UNESCO Old Town, Kiek in de Kök and Fat Margaret towers, unicorn horn powder.

(368) Christine gets curious about the legend of Kalev and the foundation of Tallinn; the story of the Danish flag falling from the sky; Tallin’s UNESCO Old Town, City Hall & Old Thomas, the medieval wall, Kiek in de Kök and Fat Margaret towers, a Russian Orthodox church, St. Catherine's Passage, and unicorn horn powder at one of the oldest medieval pharmacies in Europe.

#603 - Switzerland’s Curious Castles

(88) The great castles of Switzerland: Château de Chillon, Château de Gruyères, Schloss Thun.

(396) Christine gets curious about the castles of Switzerland: In Château de Chillon, she explores its unique architecture and discovers secret passageways. In Château de Gruyères, 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.

(504) Christine gets curious about the great castles of Switzerland: In Château de Chillon, she explores its unique architecture and location, at the edge of Lake Geneva, and discovers some

secret passageways. In Château de Gruyères, she learns the legend of the ‘Gru’, then explains the many phases the castle went through under different rulers and noble families; and at Schloss Thun, she explores a grand medieval hall, and tells the legend of the friendly(?) furry creature who lives in its soaring attic.

#604 - Curious Aix-en-Provence & Arles

(90) Cézanne in Aix, Aix's Fountains, Van Gogh in Arles, Arles’ Roman Arena, a Calisson Factory

(384) Christine gets curious about Aix-en Provence: why it’s known as the City of a Thousand Fountains, visits Cézanne’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.)

(695) In Aix-en-Provence, Christine gets curious about Cézanne's Atelier; why Aix is known as the City of a Thousand Fountains; Aix's Roman origins; the stunning Hôtel de Caumont Museum in the Mazarin district, and visits La Confiserie du Roy René, for Aix's signature candy, the calisson... and learns the quirky legend about a future queen who never smiled (until she tasted a calisson!). In Arles, she takes viewers to the exact spots where van Gogh painted some of his most famous works, and to the hospital where he stayed after he famously cut off part of his ear. Then, it’s inside the ancient Roman Arena, to learn about Arles’ Roman roots; and the incredible architecture the Romans invented.

#605 - Netherlands’ Curious UNESCO

(86) The Kinderdijk Windmills, Colonies of Benevolence, Beemster Polder, Van Nelle Factory.

(400) 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.

(547) Christine gets curious about the many UNESCO sites in the Netherlands. At the iconic Kinderdijk Windmills, she shares how the earliest residents made their below-sea-level lands habitable through ingenious engineering. Then she visits the incredible Colonies of Benevolence, a beautiful 19th century social experiment to help the poor. At Beemster Polder, she explores the incredible city planning of a town that was once at the bottom of a lake (!); and finally, shares the mid-century modern marvels of the glassy and glorious Van Nelle Factory.

#606 - Curious Dijon & Beaune

(88) Philippe le Bon Tower, Notre-Dame du Dijon, owl legend, Hôtel Dieu, Fallot Mustard Mill.

(398) 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 Hôtel Dieu Museum/Hospices de Beaune and luxuriates in the historic Hôtel le Cep.

(459) Christine explores the French region of Burgundy in Dijon and Beaune. Highlights include: Dijon’s Old Town and its hidden architectural treasures, Notre-Dame du Dijon, Dijon’s 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, visits the multicolored rooftop at the Hôtel Dieu Museum/Hospices de Beaune and luxuriates in the historic Hôtel le Cep.

#607 - Estonia’s Curious Culture & Traditions

(90) Seto Lelo Polyphonic singing, Estonian folk costumes, Russian arts & crafts, smoke saunas.

(398) 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 Võromaa, she cleanses her spirit in a UNESCO Estonian smoke sauna.

(661) Christine explores the many wonderful traditions and cultures of Estonia. She takes viewers to the Setomaa region, to meet the indigenous Seto people, and learn about the UNESCO-status Seto Lelo polyphonic singing tradition, traditional folk costumes, and attends a Seto Orthodox church service and visits an open-air museum. In the Peipsi region, on the border

between Estonia and Russia, Christine visits the Onion Route, learns about Russian Old Believers, and creates traditional Russian arts and crafts. In Võromaa, she cleanses her spirit in a

traditional Estonian smoke sauna, which has its own UNESCO status, and is accompanied by Mother Nature herself.

#608 - Curious Kraków

(89) Kraków’s Copernicus, Rynek Glówny, Wawel Castle, Collegium Maius and Wawel Dragon parade.

(400) Christine ventures through the beautiful streets of Kraków to learn its Medieval, Renaissance and Enlightenment history. She tours Copernicus’ alma mater, Jagiellonian University and Collegium Maius, and learns about the Lajkonik legend at the Krzysztofory Palace Museum, and UNESCO Nativity scenes. After a trek up to Wawel Castle, she heads to Old Town for the annual Wawel Dragon legend and parade

(648) Christine takes viewers through the beautiful streets and layers of Kraków, 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.

#609 - Curious Bern

(81) Bern’s Old Town, Zytglogge, Kindlifresserbrunnen, Bern Minster, Einstein’s bench.

(389) Christine gets curious about bears, Bern, and the city’s founder, Berthold V. In Old Town, she tours the Zytlogge clock tower and its Renaissance mechanisms. Then, she follows Bern's subterranean stream, which surfaces in historic fountains. In Münsterplatz and Bern Minster, she learns how the Protestant Reformation impacted Bern. Later, she rests on Einstein’s Bench in the Rose Garden.

(642) 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 Münsterplatz 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.

#610 - Estonia’s Curious Palaces & Castles

(62) Kadriorg Palace, Alatskivi Castle, Palmse Manor, Vihula Manor.

(395) Christine traces the history of Estonian homes made for Baltic Germans, Scandinavians and Russians. She visits Kadriorg Palace, built by Peter the Great, and named for his wife

Katherine. Next, she explores the curious history of Alatskivi Castle and tours Palmse Manor, surrounded by Lahemaa National Park. At Vihula Manor, Christine interviews a historian who lives in an Estonian manor house.

(692) 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.

#611 - Curious Warsaw

(84) Warsaw Royal Castle, Sigismund’s Column, Lazienki Palace, Frederic Chopin, Pierogis.

(400) 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.

(727) Christine explores the perseverance of Warsaw, before and after WWII. Beginning with the splendor of its Royal Castle, and the kings who lived there, then tracing Warsaw’s role within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Next, she explains the curious history of Warsaw’s tallest monument: Sigismund’s Column, dedicated to the king who made Warsaw the capital of Poland. Next, it’s over to another luxurious palace: the Lazienki Palace and Gardens, to investigate some curious Roman symbolism. Then it’s a visit to the Warsaw Rising Museum, to remember the heroes of WWII. To wrap up the trip, she takes viewers to an elegant private concert of Chopin music, and a then a tasty visit to a traditional Polish pierogi restaurant.

#612 Curious Gdañsk

(86) Old Town, Neptune Fountain, Amber Museum, Battle of Westerplatte, St. Mary’s Basilica.

(399) Christine explores Gdañsk’s history as a Baltic seaport and its medieval trade with Holland. In Main Town Hall, she investigates the art of the council room. Then she explains the

influences of the Gdañsk city crest and visits Gdañsk’s Neptune Fountain and the Long Market. Lastly, she explores the WWII sites at Westerplatte Peninsula and the treasures of St. Mary’s Basilica, and the Amber Museum.

(662) Christine explores Gdañsk’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 Gdañsk city crest, influenced by the Hanseatic League, the Teutonic Knights and the Polish kings. She also focuses on Gdañsk’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.