The Cultured Commuter

We at The Cultured Commuter were heartbroken to learn today of the fire that ravaged our beloved Notre Dame De Paris.

We join with the city of lights in mourning this great loss for humanity and are honored to offer this, our small remembrance of a place that that is truly eternal.

In Episode 7, of The Cultured Commuter’s Great Places series John and Catherine explore the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris, a Gothic masterpiece at the heart of Paris,

This grand cathedral has often been called the people's book in stone and is an embodiment of the Gothic ideals of light, faith and an Earthly manifestation of the divine.

In Episode 6 of The Cultured Commuter’s Great Places series John and Catherine journey deep into the heart of Ancient Rome and explore the Pantheon.This extraordinary example of Roman architectural innovation was built in the first century A.D. by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and remains the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. It stands as the ideal expression of the technological genius and the power of empire which defined Imperial Rome.

In Episode 5 of The Cultured Commuter’s Great Places series John and Catherine journey deep into the gardens of Versailles, a fantasy realm with distinctly political and cultural messages.

Devised by three successive French kings as a backdrop for power and intrigue, the gardens served as a stage for public spectacle, private retreat, and were replete with hidden meanings only a savvy courtier could navigate.

In Episode 4 of the Cultured Commuter’s Great Places series John and Catherine climb the Eiffel Tower, a wonder of industrial design that has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. It is a touchstone of the eternal human struggle between old and new and an ideal metaphor for the emerging modern city.

This week, Join Catherine & John as they walk in the footsteps of those who sought their fortunes from the all-knowing oracle at Delphi,

In seeking answers from the mythic oracle they delve into the Greek cultural ideals which are the fountainhead of western civilization.

In this episode of The Cultured Commuter, John and Catherine enter the world of the Sun King of France. Join them as they explore the architectural splendor and social intrigues of the legendary palace of Versailles. From, halls of mirrors and rooms of the Gods to poisonings and court gossip - immerse yourself in all things King Louis XIV.

EP 1: The Colosseum: In this episode John and Catherine visit Imperial Rome's mightiest creation, the Colosseum. A triumph of engineering and design innovation, this grandest of public stadiums is also a mirror of Roman society and its obsession with public spectacle.