Curious Traveler

How did Dublin get its name? Who was Maewyn Succat? How did the harp become a symbol of Ireland, and why do the harps on Irish coins and Guinness beer look different? What is the curious history of the Book of Kells, and how did it make its way into Trinity College's Longroom Library?

Who were the Habsburgs, Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph and Sisi? What is the Ringstrasse? Where did Mozart perform as a 6-year-old prodigy? When and why did Austria shrink to a tenth of its size? What do the eagles on the rooftop of St. Stephen's Cathedral symbolize?

Yorkshire is replete with rolling hills, quaint stone cottages, and sprawling country estates. Why are country estates named Castles and Abbeys? What is The Shambles, and how did it get its name? Why is one of the largest medieval Gothic cathedrals in Europe in the small town of York?

Why is there a giant church complex, the DomQuartier, in this tiny Alpine town, and why is there an equally giant medieval fortress high above it? Who lived in Mirabell Palace, and Hellbrunn Palace? Why is Getreidegasse so charming? And how do you solve a problem like Maria?

How did this UNESCO town in Mexico get such a curious name? Why do so many mansions exist here? What do postcards have to do with the town's soaring Gothic church? Why is there an art school in a former convent? And how did the town become a magnet for retired American military on the G.I. Bill?

Why did the Scottish kings live in Edinburgh, and why don't we have Scottish kings anymore? Why was Edinburgh Castle built upon Castle Rock? What's the connection between Edinburgh and Harry Potter? What is so royal about Edinburgh's Royal Mile? Who is Arthur, and why does he get his own Seat?

Why is a European Christmas Market also called Weihnachtsmarkt or a Christkindlmarkt? Why do you find Christmas Markets mostly in German-speaking countries? What is the curious history of the Advent Wreath, of Silent Night, and a creepy Christmas character named Krampus? And who is Krapfen?

You may not be able to live like a royal, but wouldn't it be nice to shop like one? Let's explore the curious world of Royal Warrants, a special designation given to only the best shops and services, literally fit for a king (or queen, or prince, or princess). Kind of like knighthood for a shop.

Who is buried under Glasgow Cathedral, and why? Who is Saint Mungo, and why is he so big? Why does Glasgow City Chambers look like a palace? How did this seaport town become a center for Scottish Enlightenment? And how did Charles Rennie Mackintosh's creativity leave a permanent mark on this city?

Why did the English choose Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg, Virginia as their early American settlements? Why did King William III and Queen Mary II establish a university here? What was life like for the early colonists here? What crazy concoctions are to be found in a colonial apothecary?

After nearly 500 years, French is still the official language of Quebec City. How has this UNESCO World Heritage Site retained its "Frenchness" over time? Why does the Château Frontenac hotel look like a French castle? What's so curious about Rue Saint-Jean, Place Royale, and Petit-Champlain?