Program 727: Enjoying Venice; History of Rome in 12 Buildings; Michelangelo's Rome

Two local guides working in Venice recommend their favorite ways to find serenity in the "most serene" of cities, despite its often overwhelming tourist crowds. Then Rick chats with author Phillip Barlag about a dozen buildings and plazas in Rome that offer particularly fascinating insights into the city's rich history. And author Angela Nickerson helps us imagine Rome during the Renaissance, when it was the setting for many of Michelangelo's masterpieces.

• Tour guide Elena Zampiron, based in Venice
• Tour guide Lisa Anderson, based in Northern Italy 
• Phillip Barlag, author of "The History of Rome in 12 Buildings" (New Page Books)
• Angela Nickerson, author of "Michelangelo's Rome" (Roaring Forties Press)

• The Rick Steves online guide to Venice.
• Row Venice offers private rowing lessons in the canals of Venice.
• Phillip Barlag is the author of "The History of Rome in 12 Buildings."
• He's also written "Evil Roman Emperors" and "The Leadership Genius of Julius Caesar."
• Angela Nickerson is the author of  “A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome.” She also posts advice about travel in Italy on the PiningForRome.com website.
• Angela writes about gardening, outside and in, at her MidModernMama website.

Program 727 Rome Haiku awards

A Vespa zooms down
a narrow cobblestone street
We speak in echoes

Bathed in candlelight
he lifts a glass of red wine
A smile — "here's to us"

To escape the crowds
we duck around a corner
He steals a kiss
— Mary Spadoni, Astoria, New York

temporary home
little flat in Monti, Rome
casa, ti amo
— Jeff in Denver

Afternoon sun streams
On Fountain of Four Rivers
Bravo, Bernini!
— Bruce Huang, Rockville, Maryland

Rubbed St. Peter's toe.
Climbed stairs to St. Peter's crown
I earned gelato.
— Jim Cotey, Murfreesboro, Tennessee