From its days as the capital of the Roman Empire in the 4th century to its selection as the European Capital of Culture in 2010, Istanbul has been a significant city and major crossroad between East and West for thousands of years. Its geopolitical location has created a vibrant metropolis rich with a wide range of cultural attractions. Joseph investigates the city's past and meets Istanbul's diversity head on in the bazaars, restaurants, churches, mosques and alleyways of Istanbul's many historic neighborhoods.

From its days as the capital of the Roman Empire in the 4th century to its selection as the European Capital of Culture in 2010, Istanbul has been a significant city and major crossroad between East and West for thousands of years. Its geopolitical location has created a vibrant metropolis rich with a wide range of cultural attractions. Joseph investigates the city's past and meets Istanbul's diversity head on in the bazaars, restaurants, churches, mosques and alleyways of Istanbul's many historic neighborhoods.

For hundreds of years St. Moritz has been a Swiss resort with the emphasis on "the Ritz" -- a place where the royal, wealthy and famous can recreate in luxury and where the term "Champagne Climate" refers to more than the 300 plus days of sunshine each year. Joseph travels to St. Moritz in the Engadine Region of Switzerland to discover the Romansch soul beneath the five-star hotels, the sparkle of high-end shops and the Rolls-Royce fashions. Along the way he gets above the St. Moritz's surface attractions by trekking into the Rhaetian Alps above 6,000 feet where there's mountain peaks, alpine meadows and "everyone is a friend."

For hundreds of years St. Moritz has been a Swiss resort with the emphasis on "the Ritz" -- a place where the royal, wealthy and famous can recreate in luxury and where the term "Champagne Climate" refers to more than the 300 plus days of sunshine each year. Joseph travels to St. Moritz in the Engadine Region of Switzerland to discover the Romansch soul beneath the five-star hotels, the sparkle of high-end shops and the Rolls-Royce fashions. Along the way he gets above the St. Moritz's surface attractions by trekking into the Rhaetian Alps above 6,000 feet where there's mountain peaks, alpine meadows and "everyone is a friend."

Surrounded by Switzerland's mountain landscape, it's easy to see why the Swiss understand the value of nature. It is not a luxury reserved for a few, but a treasure shared by all. Joseph travels into the Grindelwald Valley to experience the grandeur of Switzerland's most typically-Swiss region - the Jungfrau. Constantly shadowed by the towering heights of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks, all above 12, 000 feet, Joseph partakes of Swiss mountain culture at local street fairs and festivals. He gets to take part in a cheese-making demonstration and run with the goats through the streets of Wengen, a car-free mountain town. To get an up-close experience with the peaks he hikes to the Gleckstein, a mountain hut for climbers, and literally tops off his adventure with a train journey to the highest train station in Europe, the Jungfraujoch.

Surrounded by Switzerland's mountain landscape, it's easy to see why the Swiss understand the value of nature. It is not a luxury reserved for a few, but a treasure shared by all. Joseph travels into the Grindelwald Valley to experience the grandeur of Switzerland's most typically-Swiss region - the Jungfrau. Constantly shadowed by the towering heights of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks, all above 12, 000 feet, Joseph partakes of Swiss mountain culture at local street fairs and festivals. He gets to take part in a cheese-making demonstration and run with the goats through the streets of Wengen, a car-free mountain town. To get an up-close experience with the peaks he hikes to the Gleckstein, a mountain hut for climbers, and literally tops off his adventure with a train journey to the highest train station in Europe, the Jungfraujoch.

Throughout Guatemala, Easter Week (Semana Santa) is celebrated as the most significant and festive season on every religious and social calendar. Joseph travels to Guatemala City, Antiqua and Lago de Atitlan and discovers that while the observance is rich in Roman Catholic ceremony and tradition, at the same time it leaves room for the popular devotion and beliefs of the indigenous Mayan culture. In addition, the communal creation of hundreds of beautiful alfombras -- flower-strewn, multi-colored "carpets" -- that line the streets in front of the religious processions is something to behold. The pomp, color, emotion and devout expression all combine to create an once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

Throughout Guatemala, Easter Week (Semana Santa) is celebrated as the most significant and festive season on every religious and social calendar. Joseph travels to Guatemala City, Antiqua and Lago de Atitlan and discovers that while the observance is rich in Roman Catholic ceremony and tradition, at the same time it leaves room for the popular devotion and beliefs of the indigenous Mayan culture. In addition, the communal creation of hundreds of beautiful alfombras -- flower-strewn, multi-colored "carpets" -- that line the streets in front of the religious processions is something to behold. The pomp, color, emotion and devout expression all combine to create an once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

Joseph starts his Ireland adventure in the town of Shannon and then heads southwest to the Dingle Peninsula. While on the Peninsula he uncovers a few important Irish secrets like how to draw a proper pint, spout a wee bit of Gaelic without getting tongue-tied, how to root for your horse home at the Dingle races and which pub has the best Irish soda bread and stew. Then he heads to the Puck Festival in Killorglin on the Ring of Kerry for some Irish merrymaking. Joseph also learns about the Irish emigration to America and hears the story of the Blasket Islanders - a modern-day Irish migration saga.

Joseph starts his Ireland adventure in the town of Shannon and then heads southwest to the Dingle Peninsula. While on the Peninsula he uncovers a few important Irish secrets like how to draw a proper pint, spout a wee bit of Gaelic without getting tongue-tied, how to root for your horse home at the Dingle races and which pub has the best Irish soda bread and stew. Then he heads to the Puck Festival in Killorglin on the Ring of Kerry for some Irish merrymaking. Joseph also learns about the Irish emigration to America and hears the story of the Blasket Islanders - a modern-day Irish migration saga.

The mystery and majesty of tea is explored when Joseph spotlights the culture of this royal beverage on Taiwan. During this adventure he travels to Lujang to join in the creation of traditional tea snacks, visits an Assam tea farm in Nantou, participates in a formal tea ceremony in Tainan and tops it all off with a visit to the annual Lantern Festival in Chiayi. Along the way he meets the masters of Taiwan's pottery, tin-sculpting and lantern-making arts.

The mystery and majesty of tea is explored when Joseph spotlights the culture of this royal beverage on Taiwan. During this adventure he travels to Lujang to join in the creation of traditional tea snacks, visits an Assam tea farm in Nantou, participates in a formal tea ceremony in Tainan and tops it all off with a visit to the annual Lantern Festival in Chiayi. Along the way he meets the masters of Taiwan's pottery, tin-sculpting and lantern-making arts.

Only 2% of the Taiwan population belongs to an ethnic minority group. Of the 14 aboriginal groups that exist on Taiwan the Tao people live on Orchid Island while the Ami people were the original inhabitants of Green Island. Joseph travels to Green Island to enjoy its natural pleasures such as one of the world's only ocean hot baths and rides on a moped through the island's dramatic volcanic landscape. On Orchid Island he has cultural encounters with the Tao people sampling their special foods, staying in traditional dwellings and participating in the rituals and customs associated with the hunt, capture and serving of flying fish.

Only 2% of the Taiwan population belongs to an ethnic minority group. Of the 14 aboriginal groups that exist on Taiwan the Tao people live on Orchid Island while the Ami people were the original inhabitants of Green Island. Joseph travels to Green Island to enjoy its natural pleasures such as one of the world's only ocean hot baths and rides on a moped through the island's dramatic volcanic landscape. On Orchid Island he has cultural encounters with the Tao people sampling their special foods, staying in traditional dwellings and participating in the rituals and customs associated with the hunt, capture and serving of flying fish.