Hear why one writer chooses to invest the time in crossing America by train instead of hopping a quick flight. Then discover what taking high-definition photos of Earth from space revealed to a veteran astronaut. And get inspired to view the Renaissance treasures of Florence.

• Author Eric Weiner
• Astronaut and author Commander Chris Hadfield
• Tuscany-based tour guide and art historian Anna Piperato

• Eric Weiner described for Afar magazine how an Amtrak train trip across America can give you that extra time you're always complaining you don't have.
• Eric talks to Rick about his book "The Socrates Express" on Travel with Rick Steves program #611 from August 2020.
• Chris Hadfield has published a photo book of Earth scenes he took from the International Space Station, called "You Are Here." It is available from the ChrisHadfield.ca website.
• NASA provides live high-definition photos of Earth from the arm of the International Space Station.
• Art history scholar Anna Piperato is based in Siena and leads tours of Tuscany, including Florence.
• Rick's online guide to the sights of Florence.
• You can hear more conversations with Rick on the artists and treasures of Florence in the Travel with Rick Steves program archives. William E. Wallace talks about "Michelangelo's Florence" on Travel with Rick Steves program #265a from March 2013. So does Miles J. Unger on program #481a from April 2020.
• You can also search for Rick's earlier interview with Salman Rushdie about his book, "The Enchantress of Florence" on Travel with Rick Steves program #142a from January 2010 on Soundcloud.