Travel the Globe from South Korea to Ireland in Season 9 of Joseph Rosendo's Travelscope

901 - South Korea – A Winter Journey : Joseph returns to South Korea for a second time, discovering that, the countryside is where true treasures await you. From UNESCO world heritage temples to Olympic venues, from historic towns to great food, he explores a world of surprises. Of course, the greatest treasures of all are always the people and the gracious warm-hearted welcome they offer.

902 - Hungary, Austria and Germany - Sampling the Danube’s Delights : Joseph samples the delights along the Danube, Europe’s second-longest river while traveling from Budapest, Hungary, through Austria to Nuremberg, Germany. The watery avenue rivals Paris’ Champs-Élysées in its offering of 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.

903 - The Cook Islands – Cultural Paradise : Many travels assign "paradise" to a host of places that don't always deliver, but, the Cook Islands is truly a traveler’s paradise. With its turquoise waters, sugar-white beaches, colorful history, special island lifestyle and a unbelievable hospitality, the islands offer 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 educate visitors as well as entertain them. Joseph discovers that by offering visitors 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 its residents' focus makes the Cook Islands a special Pacific island visit.

904 – Peru — the Amazon and Beyond: 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 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 what we’ve lost and the need to protect and preserve what is left. Experiencing it is a thrill.

905 – Armenia — Ancient History and Modern Traditions, Part 1: 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 Mount Ararat, the final resting place of Noah’s ark. 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, visiting roadside fruit stands, riverside wine stalls and bustling markets along the way. Joseph is also welcomed into local homes to witness traditional artisans at work and joins in religious and communal celebrations that inspire, enlighten and reveal the Armenian heart and soul.

906 – Armenia — Ancient History and Modern Traditions, Part 2: 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 Mount Ararat, the final resting place of Noah’s ark. 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 2, Joseph visits ancient burial sites and historic churches, as well as the markets and homes of present-day Armenians. He joins in religious and communal celebrations that offer a view into the Armenian heart and soul. Each visit to an archeological site offers viewers insights into how the Armenians of the distant and near past lived and how their lives reflect on the present.

907 – France: Following the Rhone: Joseph follows the Rhone River on its 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, 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!

908 – Ireland: Coast to Coast: From Dublin and the Ancient East to Belfast and the Wild Atlantic Way, there is always something to please and surprise you in Ireland. On his explorations Joseph is reminded that wherever you are in Ireland one thing is constant – a warm-hearted Irish welcome. Indeed, Irish people, who in spite of struggles and troubles, have a joy of life that proves the human spirit has no borders or boundaries. Perhaps, Irish writer James Joyce said it best: “I feel more strongly with every recurring year that our country has no tradition which does it so much honour and which it should guard so jealously as that of its hospitality.” On Joseph’s latest Irish adventure you’ll discover with him that whether north or south, east or west, wherever you are in Ireland, it is the best!

909 – France — Bordeaux: A celebration of wine, food and good times. In his latest French adventure, Joseph tours the UNESCO World Heritage city 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!

910 – Taiwan’s Penghu Islands: Joseph returns to Taiwan for an exciting island adventures that bridge the gap between Taiwan’s past and its present. Through personal encounters, Joseph reveals the Taiwanese secret to maintaining its heritage while leading the Asian world in innovation and creativity.

911 – Portugal — From Porto to Salamanca: 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 many, still has secrets to reveal.

About KQED Public Television

KQED Public Television, one of the country’s most popular public television stations, brings the values of public media to homes around the Bay Area with EMMY® Award–winning programming that inspires, informs and entertains. KQED produces local series like Check, Please! Bay Area, Truly CA, San Francisco Opera and ImageMakers, as well as popular programs for national broadcast such as Jacques Pepin: Heart & Soul and Film School Shorts. KQED also distributes programming, including Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope, Roadtrip Nation and Joanne Weir Gets Fresh, to public media stations across the country. KQED Public Television channels are KQED 9 (San Francisco/Bay Area, also available in HD), KQED Plus (Bay Area, also available in HD) and KQET (Monterey/Salinas). KQED also offers digital channels available via XFINITY and over-the-air, each with distinct quality programming: KQED World, KQED Life, KQED Kids and KQED V-me (Spanish language).

About American Public Television

APT (APTonline.org) has been a leading distributor of high-quality, top-rated programming to America’s public television stations since 1961. Since 2004, APT has distributed approximately half of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles. Among its 300 new program titles per year are prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramatic series, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies, including For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots, A Ripple of Hope, Rick Steves’ Europe, Newsline, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope, America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Lidia’s Italy, P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home, Midsomer Murders, Moyers & Company, Doc Martin, Rosemary & Thyme, BBC World News, The Rat Pack: Live and Swingin’, Johnny Mathis: Wonderful, Wonderful! and John Denver: The Wildlife Concert. APT also licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. In 2006, APT launched and nationally distributed Create® – the TV channel featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming. APT is also a partner in the WORLD™ channel expansion project including its web presence at WORLDcompass.org. For more information about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org. For more information on Create, visit CreateTV.com.

Underwritten by:
Emerald Waterways, No Jet Lag

Local Underwriting:
Available with non-compete of national underwriter

Producer:
Julie Rosendo, julie@travelscope.net

Presenting Station:
KQED, San Francisco

Publicity & PR Contact:
Teresa Conboy, teresaconboypr@gmail.com