Travelscope

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.