Program 457: Visiting Bulgaria; European Coffees; Persian Mirrors; Saints of Italy

A tour guide from Sofia discusses how Bulgaria's changed since it joined the EU, professional foodie Fred Plotkin explains why coffee varies across Europe, and writer Elaine Sciolino reveals what she learned about the public and private sides of Iran since living in Tehran as a New York Times correspondent. Plus, hear why patron saints are so important to Italian culture.

• Stefan Bozadzhiev, tour guide from Sofia, Bulgaria
• Fred Plotkin, author of "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler" (Kyle Books) and "Opera 101" (Hyperion)
• New York Times correspondent Elaine Sciolino, author of "The Only Street in Paris" (W. W. Norton) and "Persian Mirrors: The Elusive Face of Iran" (Free Press)
• Anna Piperato, Italian-American art history professor and tour guide from Siena, Italy

• Stefan Bozadzhiev's contact information is on a Bulgarian website.
• Information about Sofia, Bulgaria's capital city.
• Plovdiv, Bulgaria is considered Europe's oldest city, and has been chosen as a European Capital of Culture for 2019.  
• Rila Monastery is an important cultural site in Bulgaria, and is featured on the official Bulgarian Tourism website.
• Fred Plotkin is the author of "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler." He's also written a guide to opera appreciation called "Opera 101."
• Fred Plotkin posts about the arts on his Twitter account.
• The Telegraph writes about the "ten commandments of ordering coffee in Italy."
• "The Coffee House Club" is an institution in New York City, whose loosely-organized membership includes many famous people. 
• Elaine Sciolino is a featured expert on the New York Times Journeys tours to Iran. She wrote "Persian Mirrors: The Elusive Face of Iran" in 2005.  Her latest book, "The Only Street in Paris," will be released in paperback in November 2016.
• Recent articles written by Elaine Sciolino for the New York Times.
• NPR covered the what easing osanctions against Iran included, in January 2016. 
• Anna Piperato posts online photos of Siena.
• Information about Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Teresa of Avila, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria.