Program 377: Cruising the Bosphorus; Adriatic Coast; French Impressionism

On the next Travel with Rick Steves, we'll hear how the busy shipping canal that separates the European side of Istanbul from Asia, is a sentimental favorite among Turks.  We'll learn why the Adriatic coast of Croatia, shows up at the top of so many "must see" lists.  And we'll get inspired to enjoy Impressionist art in and around Paris, where it originated in the 19th century.  

Discover the many kinds of beauty you can experience all around the world, each week on Travel with Rick Steves.

• Yaren Turkoglu, tour guide based in Istanbul
• Marijan Kriskovic, tour guide from Croatia and Slovenia
• Ben Curtis, tour guide specializing in the Balkans, associate professor of political science at Seattle University, and author of "A Traveler's History of Croatia" (Interlink) and "The Habsburgs: The History of a Dynasty" (Bloomsbury). 
• Elisabeth van Hest, tour guide based in Paris
• Graham Robb, author of "The Discovery of France," "Parisians," and "The Discovery of Middle Earth" (W. W. Norton)

• Yaren Turkoglu is a guide for SRM Travel in Istanbul. 
• The third bridge over the Bosphorus is scheduled to be built by May 2015.
• A fresh, warm simit from a streetside vendor is a popular and cheap treat in Istanbul. 
• Dolmabahce Palace is an elegant site on the European side of the Bosphorus in Istanbul. 
• Trip Advisor hosts discussions for finding the best baklava shops in Istanbul's Kadikoy neighborhood, and for visiting the Ortakoy neighborhood.
• Rick summarizes "Croatia's coastal delights."
• Ben Curtis is the author of "A Traveller's History of Croatia" and "The Habsburgs: The History of a Dynasty."  
• Must-see venues for Impressionist art in Paris include the Orsay Museum, the Orangerie in the Tuileries Gardens,  the Marmottan Museum, and the Rodin Museum.
• The Picasso Museum in Paris is scheduled to re-open on October 25, 2014, after being closed for several years of renovations.   
• The Claude Monet Foundation operates his house and gardens at Giverny, which is open daily for visitors from April 1 to November 1. 
• Rick writes about Monet's Gardens in Giverny.
• Graham Robb's works are listed on his publisher's site at W. W. Norton.
• "The Discovery of France" won a number of prestigious awards when it was first released in 2007.  Graham Robb has since written "Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris."

• Caller seeks advice for a two-week "island hop" around the islands of Croatia, starting in Dubrovnik. "Which islands would you recommend and how would you maximize your experience? Would you rent a car?"  (Kathy in Toronto)
• Caller describes a visit to Korcula "a couple of summers ago." "The island of Korcula was our favorite place in Croatia.  One of my most memorable travel days ever, was the day we rented a scooter and spent the day exploring hidden coves and tiny villages. So much fun!"   (Marcia in Spokane, Washington)
• "We recommend the small coastal town of Baska Voda, about an hour south of Split, for its relaxed feel.  It’s easy to walk along the promenade to several beaches, mostly local vacationers, accessible marinas and gorgeous mountain backdrop."  (Jerilyn in Watsonville, California)
• Caller inquires about additional Impressionist and post-Impressionat art venues in Paris.  Discussion centers on the remodeled Picasso Museum.  (Frank in New Port Richey, Florida)
• "We particularly enjoyed the Musee Marmottan Monet.  The fairly long bus ride to the museum was a treat, passing by the Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde, and the Grand Palais.  The Marmottan is a beautiful mansion with an excellent collection of Monet and Berthe Morisot paintings.  Here you can see the painting by Monet called 'Impression Soleil Levant,' that was the origin of the term 'Impressionism.'"   (Kristen in Delray Beach, Florida)
• "Monet's Garden in Giverny is a must for Monet lovers. You can see the exact places where many of Monet's paintings were done, and you get the better sense of why certain paintings were painted the way they are.  It's one of the most memorable place I visited."   (Joanne in Tustin, California)

• Cecile Ousset, "Ballade No. 3 in A-flat (Chopin)," Essential Chopin, disc 1 (collection) / EMI Classics
• Istanbul Oriental Ensemble, “Ates Basinsa,”  Caravanserai / Network (Germany)
• Turk Sanat Muziki, "Kanun Taksimi Taner Sayacoiglu," Nevzat Atlig:  Klasik Türk Müzi?i / EMI-Kent
• Istanbul Oda Orkestrasi (Istanbul Chamber Orchestra), “Ruzgar Uyumus,”  Istanbul Oda Orkestrasi / Imaj Muzik (Turkey)
• Fazil Say, “‘Summertime’ Variations,” 1001 Nights in the Harem / Naïve
• Burcu Gunes, "Ashk Yarasi," Turkish Supreme (collection) / Podis-Polygram
• * Istanbul Oriental Ensemble, "Aksin Darabi," Caravanserai / Network (Germany)
• Klapa Split, “Kad Si Bila Mala Mare,” Biseri Jadrana / Scardona
• Koçani Orkestar, “Fantasia for Clarinet,” Electric Gypsyland (collection) /  Six Degrees
• Lado, “Kolo Igra, Tamburica Svira,” Kolo Igra, Tamburica Svira, vol. 1 / Best Music
• Begonia Olavide, Hespèrion XXI, Jordi Savall, cond., "Cuando el rey Nimrod," Esprit des Balkans (collection) / Ali Vox
• Vatra, "Bunjevacko Kolo,"  Deep Polka (collection) / Smithsonian Folkways
• * Xavier Puertas, Hespèrion XXI, Jordi Savall, cond., "Biljana," Esprit des Balkans (collection) / Ali Vox
• Travnicek Quartet, "String Quartet in F major, No. 35, II: Assez vif (Ravel),"  Impressionist Masterminds (collection) / X5 Music Group
• London Symphony Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas, cond., "La Boite a Joujoux, I:  Prelude (Debussy)," Almanac 1992 Highlights of the Year (sampler) / Sony
• Pascal Rogé, "Avant-derniéres pensées (Satie)," After the Rain:  The Soft Sounds of Erik Satie / London Records
• Christopher Parkening, "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair (Debussy)," The Great Recordings / EMI Classics
• Tblisi Symphony Orchestra, Jansug Kakhidze cond., "Prelude a la apre-midi d'une faune, L 86 (Debussy)," Impressionist Masterminds (collection) / X5 Music Group
• Peter Schmalfuss, "Children's Corner, L113-I:  Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum (Debussy)," Impressionist Masterminds (collection) / X5 Music Group
• Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, Michel Plasson, conductor, “Gnossienne no. 3 (Satie),"  Satie:  Orchestral Works / EMI Classics
• Peter Sterling, "In Monet's Garden," Chrystal Tones and Friends CD Music Sampler (sampler) / Chrystal Tones Media
• Krystian Zimerman, Polish Festival Orchestra, “Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Opus 21, II: Larghetto (Chopin),” Chopin:  Piano Concertos No. 1 and 2 / Deutsche Grammophone

• Rick asks Yaren to describe an ideal romantic summer evening setting near the Bosphorus at 16:39.
• In Frank's call, starting at 47:44, Rick and Elisabeth talk about the Picasso Museum re-opening after extensive renovations.  (They don't mention the scheduled reopening date is in October 2014).
• Caller Kristin, at 48:50, says how she enjoyed seeing the Marmottan Museum "last May."  At 49:33 she says she's going back again "this year" to see more.