Program 435: Lessons from Europe; Refugee Crisis, Part 1

Fred Plotkin, author of "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler," shares ideas he gleaned from the recent Milan Expo on how the world is tackling the challenges we face in feeding a growing planet. Then guests from Greece, Turkey, and Sweden share how their countries are dealing with an overwhelming number of immigrants, including those fleeing war in Syria.

• Fred Plotkin, author of "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler" (Kyle Books)
• Håkan Frändén, tour guide from Stockholm, Sweden
• Lale Surmen Aran, tour guide from Istanbul, Turkey
• Anastasia Gaitanou, tour guide from Thessalonika, Greece

• Fred Plotkin is author of "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler" and "Opera 101."
• An overview of the 2015 Milan Expo. 
• Avaaz is the international organization Anastasia mentions that is spearheading online  petitions on behalf of refugees, including one to nominate relief volunteers for the next Nobel Peace Prize. 
• The Economist places the Nordic countries at the top of its list of fully democratic nations.  
• Lale Surmen Aran runs SRM Travel in Istanbul, which specializes in guided tours in Turkey. 
• Anastasia Gaitanou has a listing at the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations.

Delightful Marais,
An afternoon spent among
Lovers and lindens.
— Kristy Disch, Washington D. C.

I miss cobblestones,
the river and its bridges,
choosing meals by smell.
— James P-H Kotsybar, Lompoc, California

Jet lagged toddler says,
"Let's help Tokyo wake up."
Sunrise walk with Dad.
— Anthony Saint Clair, Eugene, Oregon