Program 578b: Walking Ljubljana; Munich and Bavaria; Wild Animals

Discover the laid-back charm of Slovenia's capital, where the hardest thing you'll have to do is learn how to spell the name of the city.

Celebrate Oktoberfest in Bavaria, with a local guide to Munich and southern Germany.

And hear why even the creepiest snakes and critters deserve a little respect.

It's all on the next Travel with Rick Steves.

• Barbara Jacopič, tour guide based in Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Cameron Hewitt, co-author of the Rick Steves Eastern Europe / Central Europe guidebooks
• Munich-born tour guide Daniela Wedel
• Adventure traveler Marty Essen, author of "Endangered Edens" (Encante Press)

• The Rick Steves guide to Ljubljana.
• The official Oktoberfest website in Munich.
• The historic Hofbrauhaus in Munich calls itself the world's most famous tavern. Daniela also recommends the Augustiner Biergarten.
• Daniela Wedel features her photography at Nomad's View on Facebook.
• You can view Rick's TV special "The Story of Fascism in Europe" online.
• Marty Essen includes photos from his travels and information about his "Around the World in 90 Minutes" presentation on his website. His eco-tourism books include "Endangered Edens" and "Hits, Heathens, and Hippos."

• "Ljubljana is one of my favorite cities, and I have been to 50 countries! It is so walkable and authentic." (Joyce in Kirkland, Washington)
• "What are the taste treats of this region 'not to miss'? I remember the spicy grilled sausages and the seasonal fruits and veggies there. Are there special tastes from your experience we should all plan on trying?" (e-mail from J.B. in Titusville, Florida)
• "My wife and I will be on a tour in Munich soon. Could you recommend another beer hall where we could experience the people and culture of Munich a bit away from the touristy feeling of the Hofbrauhaus Beer Hall?" (Doug in Bristol, Maine)
• Caller looking for child-friendly museums and activities around Munich for a trip with her six-year-old daughter. (Amanda in Concord, California)
• Caller is taking 16-year-old grandson to Bavaria. "He wants to visit Dachau. Is there easy public transportation from Munich to Dachau? Any advice for helping a teenager experience Dachau or any concentration camp?" (Katheryn in Decorah, Iowa)
• (In program 578b extra) "How often have you had surprise interactions with poisonous snakes when you were concentrating on your work instead of your surroundings?" (e-mail from Carel in Washburn, North Dakota)

• Pianist David Fray, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, "Keyboard Concerto in A-III: Allegro ma non tanto (BWV 1055 - J.S. Bach)," J. S. Bach: Keyboard Concertos / EMI Classics
• Neisha, "Malo tu, malo tam," Neisha / Nika Records (Slovenia)
• Vatra, "Bunjevacko Kolo," Deep Polka (collection) / Smithsonian Folkways
• Begonia Olavide, Hespèrion XXI, Jordi Savall, cond., "Cuando el rey Nimrod," Esprit des Balkans (collection) / Ali Vox
• Xavier Puertas, Hespèrion XXI, Jordi Savall, cond., "Biljana," Esprit des Balkans (collection) / Ali Vox
• Martin Marion, "Ljubljena Ljubljana," Zmajcek Drago In Ljubljena Ljubljana / (self-released)
• * Magnifico and Turbolentza, "Zh Ne Sui Pa Pur Tua," Gypsy Groove (collection) / Putumayo
• CEZ_CEO_2133_00401_All_our_Yesterdays_APM
• The Bavarian Band, "The Wood Horn Sounds," Bavaria - 15 All-Time Favorites (collection) / Madacy Records
• Markus Strasser, "Auf da Bergweid," Banjo Bavaria / Klarok Records
• Bavarian Band, "The Way to the Heart," Bavaria - 15 All-Time Favorites (collection) / Madacy Records
• Bavarian Alpine Group, "Wackersberger Polka," All the Best from Bavaria (collection) / Music Factory
• Kreuther Trio, "Obermueller Holbwalzer," Landler und Bayrische aus dem bayrischen Oberland / Bogner Records
• Munich Beerfest Band, "Wir Machen Durch Bis Morgen Fruh," Germany: 28 Beer Drinking Favourites (collection) / K-Tel
• * Country Fair, "Der Froliche Wandersmann," Oktoberfest / Columbia River Entertainment
• Munchener Bach Orchester, Karl Richter, conductor, "Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, III: Allegro (J.S. Bach)," Bach: 6 urg Concertos, 4 Ouvertures, Tripel Concerto BWV 1044 / Deutsche Grammophon
• Chatham Baroque, "Sonata Quarta in D Major (Schmeizer)," Bach & Before / (self-released)
• Jurgen Birlanger, featuring Bavarian Project, "I Am From Bavaria," I Am From Bavaria / Vista Music
• Bona Fide, "The Hippo," The Poe House / N-Coded Music
• Katia and Marielle Labèque, piano, "Le Carnaval des Animaux-Intro: Lion (Saint-Saens)," Carnival! A benefit for the Rainforest Foundation International (collection) / RCA Victor
• Dave Harris and the Powerhouse Five, "The Penguin," Cocktail Mix vol. 1: Bachelor's Guide to the Galaxy (collection) / Rhino
• Amampondo, "Wandenza," The Big Bang (collection) / Ellipsis Arts

* Indicates filler music used during internal breaks on the broadcast

• Rick mentions "getting ready for Oktoberfest" in the billboard, at 18:45, and at 20:39 to "kick off the Oktoberfest season." He adds that "things are pretty casual" in southern Germany in the billboard.
• At 16:02, Rick notes that Ljubljana was named a "green capital" of Europe in 2016. Barbara describes some of the projects to make the city of Ljubljana greener in the past 15 years. At 18:18, she adds that the city's mayor was "just re-elected" and they are waiting for him to fulfill his promise to swim in the city's river "this year," to show how much cleaner it now is.
• In his introduction to segment B, at 20:43, Rick remarks that Munich is often called "Germany's most livable city" and that Oktoberfest is "going on right now." (In 2024, it runs Sept. 21–Oct. 6.)
• At 26:50 into segment B, Rick and Daniela compare Bavaria to Texas as culturally distinctive regions of their countries, with more-conservative elements outside the major cities.
• At 30:53, Daniela notes Munich still has warm weather in late September/early October, ideal for sitting outside.
• At 41:06, Rick mentions the TV special he released on the history of fascism in Europe, when talking about visiting Dachau to caller Katheryn. At 41:24 he mentions that a new center that explains the Holocaust has opened in the center of Munich.
• Rick notes at 45:36 that the ski lifts in Bavaria carry nature-lovers up the slopes in the summer season, when people can ride downhill on luge "go-karts."
• At 47:45, Marty Essen says hundreds of new species are still being discovered every year in Borneo.
• In the reset at 50:10, Rick mentions that Marty's latest book book is "Hits, Heathens, and Hippos."