Program 336: Waters of Rome; Ferenc Mate at Sea; Outdoor France

From its ornate fountains, to a shrine for the Venus of the Sewers, the waters of Rome can provide you with a refreshing way to explore the ancient capitol of the world. 

On this week's Travel with Rick Steves, we'll also hear how sailing the dangerous waters around Canada's Vancouver Island sets the scene for the first of the Dugger mystery novels from Ferenc Máté  ( FAIR_ence  MAH-tay ).  And we explore getting some serious fresh air and exercise, in the great outdoors of France. 

Go with the flow, on the next Travel with Rick Steves. 

• Francesca Caruso, tour guide based in Rome
• Gene Openshaw, co-author of Rick Steves' "Europe 101" art history book
• Ferenc Máté, vintner and author of the novels "Sea of Lost Dreams" (W. W. Norton) and "Ghost Sea" (Penguin)   
• Virginie Moré, tour guide based in Brittany, France

• Francesca Caruso's website includes her contact information. 
• There was a shrine built to the "Venus of the Sewer" in the Roman Forum.
• The fourth-century Basilica di San Clemente in Rome is known for its 12th century mosaic, and its underground tour of a first century AD Roman street scene. 
• Wikipedia has a list, with photos, of major fountains in Rome.
• There's a two-minute video trailer to Ferenc Máté's novel "Sea of Lost Dreams" on You Tube.
• Ferenc's book "Ghost Sea" takes place among the Kwakiutl people in the remote northern coast of Canada's Vancouver Island.  Penguin Books includes an interview with Ferenc about the book on its website. 
• Rick and Ferenc mention the Native masks and totem collections at the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, and the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria.
• There are hundreds of designated "GR" footpaths for longer hikes in France.  Many have accommodations along the way. 
• The official website of the Tour-de-France bicycle race has an English language section for American visitors, and shows each year's route.
• An online list of ski areas at Chamonix includes web cam views.
• Trip Advisor has user reviews of the Cirque de Gavarnie hiking route in the Pyrenees near Lourdes.

• Interested in options for a cycling trip that includes visits to wineries in France.  (Nicole in Victoria, British Columbia)
• "My husband is an avid cyclist and has dreamed of riding a portion of the Tour de France for his 50th birthday in a few years. I know it changes each year. Any suggestions on a good 60-100 mile ride?"   (Karen in Greenville, Texas)
• Asks about skiing locations in France.  "I've skied four days in Chamonix, a week in Les Menuires and two weeks in Val D'Isere/Tignes, and loved it!  Where's next for me?"    (Paul in Kailua, Hawaii)
• "More visitors to southern France should consider hiking in the Pyrenees. We discovered the famous Cirques Calcaries de Gavarnie, Estaube et Tremouse during a stay in Lourdes last summer.  We hired a wonderful local guide and joined a small group for a day excursion, and visited all three cirques in one day."  (Ed in Sanford, Florida) 

• I Solisti Veneti, "'Largo' from 'Violin Concerto in D, op. 11, no. 1 (Vivaldi)," Relax with the Classics vol. 2:  Adagio (collection) / LIND Institute   
• NBC Symphony Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini, conductor, “The Fountains of Rome:  The Villa Medici Fountain at Sunset  (Respighi),”  Italian Orchestral Music / RCA  (1949 performance)  
• Angela Gheorghiu, "Piacer d'amor (Johann Paul Martini)," My World / London
• Christopher Parkening, "'Fugue' from 'Prelude and Fugue No. 4 in E' (M. Castelnuovo-Tedesco)," The Great Recordings, disc 2 / EMI Classics
• * Tin Hat Trio, "Fire of Ada," Memory is an Elephant / Angel
• Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel, cond., "New Hampshire Hornpipe (from the film 'On Golden Pond')," Sailing / Telarc
• Cha-das-ska-dum Which-ta-lum, "Terra," Arctic Refuge:  A Gathering of Tribes  (collection) / Soundings of the Planet
• The Women's Philharmonic Orchestra, Jo Ann Faletta, cond. with Gillian Benet, harp, "Concertino for Harp and Orchestra:  Allegretto, (Garmaine Tailleferre)," The Women's Philharmonic:  Boulanger, Tailleferre, Mendelssohn, Schumann / Koch International Classics
• Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (Erich Kunzel, cond.), with Roger Williams, piano, "Ebb Tide," Sailing / Telarc
• David M. Patrick on the organ of Gloucester Cathedral, "'Impromptu' from 'Pieces des Fantasies, suite no. 3, op. 54 no. 2 (Louis Vierne)," French Organ Masterworks / ASV Living Era
• * Johnny Pearson and Orchestra, “Sleepy Shores (Playas Somnolientas),” Playas Somnolientas / EPSA Music  (Argentina) 
• F. Barcellini, "Chanson de Forains (from the Jacques Tati film 'Jour de Fête'),"  Music from the Films of Jacques Tati / Phillips-PolyGram (France)
• Dave Harris and the Powerhouse Five, "The Penguin," Cocktail Mix vol. 1:  Bachelor's Guide to the Galaxy (collection) / Rhino
• Gotan Project, "Triptico," Buddha Bar, vol. III, disc 2 (collection) / George V Music (France)
• Raft, "Sea, Sun and Sensy," Madagascar / Universal
• Au P'tit Bonheur, "Le Vaurien," Le mal de vivre / Polydor (France)
• Laurent Voulzy, "Le Reve du pêcheur," Caché Derrière / Ariola-BMG France
• Josem, "John C Tutti Danse-image 2," Josem:  20 ans / (self-released) (France)

• At 52:25, caller Paul mentions winter ski access at the high point of the Chamonix ski area.

Anguilla Haiku Awards

sugar in water

to tempt you sweet little bird

you capture our hearts

minnow scatter like

confetti as the houndfish

glistens on the scene

all strut and bustle

jaunty plumed tail, cockscomb crown

this lot. your kingdom

frigate bird flying

above, elegant. Below

soaring sting ray sails

I always seek you

broad-shouldered, bright-belted knight

of the starry sky."

— Christine Kouwenhoven,  Baltimore