


Curious Traveler
Who? What? Where? Why? When? and How? Come along and get curious on an educational & entertaining field trip for grown-ups around the world. Award-winning host & travel writer Christine van Blokland shares her insatiable curiosity for our exciting, inspiring and beautiful world in this unique travel series.
Vibes:

Curious Warsaw
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
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

Estonia’s Curious Palaces & Castles
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 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,

Curious Sussex
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
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

Curious Ghent
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
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

Curious Dublin Pubs
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?
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 Bruges
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
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

Curious Southern Wales
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.
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 Hong Kong: Culture & Traditions
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
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

Curious Manchester
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
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

Curious Cardiff
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?
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 Brussels
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?
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?

England’s Curious Great West Way
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
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

Curious Warsaw
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
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

Estonia’s Curious Palaces & Castles
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 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,

Curious Sussex
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
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

Curious Ghent
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
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

Curious Dublin Pubs
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?
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 Bruges
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
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

Curious Southern Wales
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.
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 Hong Kong: Culture & Traditions
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
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

Curious Manchester
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
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

Curious Cardiff
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?
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 Brussels
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?
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?

England’s Curious Great West Way
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
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