Curious Traveler

Why are the constellations backwards in Grand Central? Why does the Great Hall at the Met look like the Baths of Caracalla? Why is there a golden Diana statue in the middle of the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Why is Rockefeller Center's Atlas statue permanently grimacing at St. Patrick's Cathedral?

Why is St. Paul's Cathedral such an iconic symbol? Why do so many London neighborhoods end in -gate? Why is Temple Church round? And what did the secretive Knights Templar do here? And what does all of this have to do with Magna Carta - and why has a copy remained at Salisbury Cathedral for 800 years?

Why is there a dragon on the Welsh flag? Why does the man next-in-line for the British throne hold the title the "Prince of Wales?" What are the Walls of Constantinople doing in Wales? Who is King Longshanks? Where is Britain's smallest church? And how do you pronounce the 2nd longest place name?

Why did the French settle here? Why is there a Paris Metro Stop in the middle of the city? Why is Notre-Dame Basilica bathed in blue? Why does the Hotel de Ville look like D.C.'s Eisenhower Building? And is there really an archaeological dig going on under your feet at Place Royal?

Why is a French castle in the American Deep South? Did you know the name "Biltmore" is made up? Why did famous architects put their stamp on this small town? Why did Henry Ford, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Thomas Edison all stay in the same hotel? And, what historic role has music played in Asheville?

Why does British Columbia share its name with the District of Columbia? Why is this Canadian city named after a British Queen? Why are some sidewalks filled with purple glass? What is a Bonanza Castle? Is it pinkies up or pinkies down at teatime? Why does Victoria exhibit a strong British influence?