The Emmy-winning series JOSEPH ROSENDO'S TRAVELSCOPE enlightens and entertains viewers with enchanting destinations and diverse cultures from across the globe. Since 2007, TRAVELSCOPE has earned four national Emmys and 11 total nominations.
Season 9 finds host Joseph Rosendo exploring new countries and also returning to favorite haunts in Europe, Asia, South America and the South Pacific. He makes his way across the European continent along the Danube River, Europe’s second-longest river, where he travels from Budapest, Hungary through Austria to Nuremberg, Germany.
Along the journey, a mosaic of magnificent cities, quaint villages, and fields and forests unfold, and each stop along the way reveals a piece of Europe’s ongoing cultural tale.
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EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: “South Korea – A Winter Journey” repeats Sunday, July 14 at Noon - On Joseph’s second visit to South Korea he discovers that apart from the many attractions of the capital city of Seoul, once you get out into the countryside many treasures await you.
From world heritage temples to Olympic venues from historic towns to great food, he finds a world of surprises. The gems are many and each has a particular charm all its own.
And, of course, the greatest treasures of all are always the people and the gracious warm-hearted welcome they offer. It’s the kind of experience that keeps one excited to find out what they would discover on their next visit to South Korea.
Episode 2: "Hungary, Austria and Germany - Sampling the Danube's Delights" repeats Sunday, July 21 at Noon - Joseph samples the delights along the banks of Europe’s second-longest river when he travels from Budapest, Hungary through Austria to Nuremberg, Germany on the Danube.
The river is a watery avenue that rivals Paris’ Champs-Élysées in offering a never-ending array of fascinating and eye-catching treasures. Along its course a mosaic of magnificent cities, quaint villages, fields and forests unfold and each stop along the way reveals a piece of Europe’s ongoing cultural tale.
It’s a region where so much has happened and the past continues to affect the present. Join Joseph in historic markets, world-heritage vineyards, swank cafes, elegant parks and along the medieval streets of Hungary, Austria and Germany’s old towns.
Episode 3: "The Cook Islands - Cultural Paradise" repeats Sunday, July 28 at Noon - While “paradise” is a word freely bantered about in the travel world, the Cook Islands is a traveler’s paradise. With its turquoise waters, sugar white beaches, colorful history, special island lifestyle and a homegrown welcome beyond belief, it is a genuine breath of fresh air in a universe of travel-brochure hyperbole.
During Joseph’s visit to Rarotonga and Aitutaki, the Cook’s most popular islands, he enjoys “tourist attractions” that choose to educate visitors as well as entertain them.
Joseph discovers that by offering the visitor authentic experiences in their beautiful land, the Cook Islanders are able to protect their heritage from commercial exploitation and perpetuate their cultural wealth by passing on their legacy to future generations.
Along with its scenic treasures the people’s cultural focus makes the Cook Islands a special Pacific island visit.
Episode 4: "Peru - The Amazon and Beyond" repeats Sunday, August 11 at Noon - Join Joseph as he ships out on a Peruvian Amazon journey from the jungle town of Iquitos, Peru and makes his way through one of the world’s wonders.
One-fifth of the world’s water and oxygen are produced in the Amazon Rainforest and thousands of species of birds, fish, reptiles, mammals and plants as well as hundreds of thousands of people thrive there.
With all the pressures from logging and mining interests, it’s also a wonder that this natural world still exists.
Joseph sets out on a discovery that includes daybreak bird watching, night safaris in search of caimans, piranha fishing, canoeing the Amazon’s tributaries, swimming with pink dolphins and close encounters with the “riverinos” — the people of the river.
In the hopes that eco-tourism can slow the flow of the region’s demise, Joseph embarks on an adventure that is fast becoming extinct.
A visit to the Amazon is a reminder of from whence we’ve come, what we’ve lost and the need to protect and preserve what is left. Experiencing it is a thrill.
Episode 5: "Armenia - Ancient History and Modern Traditions, Part 1" repeats Sunday, Sept. 8 at Noon - While today Armenia is the size of Maryland, it once stretched from the Caspian to the Mediterranean Sea and from Persia to the Caucasus.
Armenia is older than Christianity and within its ancient borders lies Mt. Ararat, the final resting place of Noah’s ark, and although now lost to Turkey, the 16,000-foot mountain still stands as a symbol of Armenian persistence.
The Armenian survival has been forged in the furnaces of war and genocide and their centuries of struggle is an integral part of their national identity, as is their language, religion and cultural heritage.
In Part 1, Joseph crisscrosses Armenia to ancient sites where some of the world’s oldest artifacts have been discovered.
From roadside fruit stands to riverside wine stalls and bustling markets, Joseph is welcomed into local homes to witness traditional artisans at work and join in religious and communal celebrations that inspire, enlighten and reveal the Armenian heart and soul.
Episode 6: "Armenia - Ancient History and Modern Traditions, Part 2" repeats Sunday, Sept. 15 at Noon - In Part 2, Joseph visits ancient burial sites, historic churches as well as the markets and homes of present-day Armenians.
He joins in religious and communal celebrations which offer a view into the Armenian heart and soul. Every archeological site offers viewers insights into how the Armenians of the distant and near past lived — and what we discover together are mirrors which reflect on the present.
Episode 7: "France - Following The Rhone" repeats Sunday, Sept. 22 at Noon - Joseph follows the Rhone River on it’s 500-mile journey through France to the Mediterranean sea and rides this watery highway to experiences that embrace the grandeurs of the past and the glories of a moment.
From the ancient ruins of Vienne to the monumental masterpieces of Avignon, from Lyon’s cityscape to Van Gogh’s sanctuary in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and his Starry nights in Arles, Joseph discovers a wealth of historic, natural and cultural riches.
He visits the bustling market of Uzès, walks across the 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard aqueduct, has dinner in an historic Lyon Bouchon, enjoys a princely concert in the Palais of the Papes in Avignon and enjoys the wines of Beaujolais, Cotes du Rhone and Provence.
The region offers him a never-ending banquet of pleasures and it becomes evident why the French particularly cherish, celebrate, protect and preserve this fabled land. Vive la France!
Episode 8: "Ireland - Coast to Coast" repeats Sunday, Sept. 29 at Noon - From Dublin and the Ancient East to Belfast and the Wild Atlantic Way, there is always something to please and surprise you. Ireland — two countries, one people — who in spite of struggles and troubles have a joy of life, which proves the human spirit has no borders or boundaries.
On his explorations Joseph is reminded that wherever you are in Ireland one thing is constant – a warm-hearted Irish welcome.
Perhaps, Irish writer James Joyce said it best when he said, “I feel more strongly with every recurring year that our country has no tradition which does it so much honor and which it should guard so jealously — as it’s hospitality.”
On Joseph’s latest Irish adventure you’ll discover along with him that North or South, East or West – wherever you are in Ireland – it is the best!
Episode 9: "France - Bordeaux" repeats Sunday, Oct. 6 at Noon - A celebration of wine, food and good times. In his Bordeaux, France adventure Joseph tours the UNESCO World Heritage town of Bordeaux and the small wine making and exporting villages that comprise the region.
Along the way he indulges in romantic castle visits, gourmet dinners and spectacular encounters with the history, art and music of the area.
This episode of is a salute to France, to the French and to Life! C’est La Vie! That’s Life!
Episode 10: "Taiwan’s Penghu Islands" repeats Sunday, Oct. 13 at Noon - Taiwan is an island country of 23 million people and the majority of them live in a handful of cities. When they seek to leave their hectic urban life behind they escape to their country’s villages, mountains, forests, and islands.
Joseph returns to Taiwan to visit the Penghu Archepeligo in the Taiwan Straits, a chain of 64 isles and islets; 20 inhabited, and 50-minutes by air from the capital of Taipei.
He explores the main and outer islands historic and natural attractions and enjoys summer fun in the sun on the Tropic of Cancer while also continuing to learn about and experience Taiwan’s cultural heritage.
Along the way, he discovers yet another side of Ilha Formosa — the beautiful isle of Taiwan.
Episode 11: "Portugal - From Porto to Salamanca" repeats Sunday, Oct. 20 at Noon - From port to paella, Joseph’s Portugal adventures reach into the country and cross over the border on an Iberian Peninsula exploration that reveals some of the unknown aspects of Portuguese life and its complementary relationship with its Spanish neighbor.
It’s a journey of discovery in a European destination that though seemingly familiar to all still has secrets to reveal.
CREDITS:
Produced by Travelscope, Inc. Distributed by American Public Television
