Trakt for iOS
Works on iPhone and iPad.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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. After a trek up to Wawel Castle, she heads to Old Town for the annual Wawel Dragon legend and parade.
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.
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.
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.
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.
