Program 664: Tblisi; Bruges; Milan

Discover three distinctly different kinds of European cities on the next Travel with Rick Steves:    

A young "digital nomad" tells us why Tblisi, in the Republic of Georgia, is ideal as a home base for working abroad.

A Belgian tour guide points out what visitors enjoy most when exploring the medieval town center of Bruges.

And guides from Italy recommend cocktails and people-watching among the high-fashion café society of Milan. 

• Mike Swigunski, author of "Global Career: How to Work Anywhere and Travel Forever" (self-published)
• Nico Favoreel, tour guide based in Bruges, Belgium
• Italy-based tour guides Alfredo Vitale and Donald White  

• Mike Swigunski shares his tips for working from overseas in his self-published book "Global Career: How to Work Anywhere and Travel Forever."
• The New York Times writes about gourmand appeal of Tbilisi.
• Rick's former publicist wrote on Rick's blog about the Republic of Georgia as "Europe's ultimate back door" destination a few years ago.
• Nico Favoreel posted on Facebook a short tour of a mostly-empty central Bruges during the early months of the pandemic.
• The Rick Steves online guide to Bruges. https://www.ricksteves.com
• Alfredo Cafasso Vitale offers private tours in Naples and Italy's Campania region, and hosts the Cooking with Alcavi page on Instagram.
• The Rick Steves destination guide to Milan.
• Information for making reservations to view Da Vinci's "The Last Supper."
• English-language guide to performances at La Scala in Milan.

• "We had the most delightful time in Bruges. We hiked through the beautiful riverside park to the old medieval gate of the city. Our host at the Hotel Marcel referred us to a very quaint little restaurant just outside the gate called De Achtste Dag Buurtcafe in Werfstraat 3. It is in a beautiful old mansion full of wonderful antiques and a hostess that made us feel right at home. (Jim in Colorado Springs, Colorado)
• "Bruges is one of my favorite European cities. I love the old city center and architecture.  One of my favorites there is a short walk from the busy old town and feels like a step back in time. The Princely Beguinage Ten Winjgaerade consists of a church and about 30 houses built in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. The simplicity of the architecture, the uniformity of all the buildings being white, and the serene atmosphere of the complex transported me to another time."  (Katheryn in Decorah, Iowa)
• "My friend and I spent three lovely days in Bruges at the end of a bicycle/barge trip. As we traveled from Amsterdam to Bruges, the architecture got older and more interesting and Bruges was the highlight!" (Marti in Atlanta, Georgia) 
• "The best fashion viewing is at aperitivo time in Milan. My favorites are the Bulgari hotel and the Dolce Gabbana establishments. Killer outfits on the patrons and more upscale treats to go with your drink. Go at 7pm to get a seat then watch the show as the natives come in a bit later.  Views are at Rinascente department store on the top level, where you are eye to eye with the sculpture at the top of the Duomo." (Lynn, Kew Gardens, New York)

• I Solisti Veneti, "'Andante' from 'Concerto for Two Mandolins and Viola' (Antonio Maria Giuliani)," Relax with the Classics, vol. 4 (collection) / LIND Institute
• La-33, "Que Rico Boogaloo," Baila (collection) / Putumayo 
• Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel, cond., "'Procession of the Sardar' from 'Caucasian Sketches' (Ippolitov-Ivanov)," Russian Nights / Telarc
• USSR Radio and TV Large Symphony Orchestra, Djansug Kakhidze, conductor, "'Maiden's Dance' from 'Gayane, Act II' (Khachaturian)," Gayane: A Ballet in Three Acts / Melodiya (1980)-Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
• Paul Winter Consort, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, "Singing to the Mountains," Miho - Journey to the Mountain / Living Music 
• LeGoGo Beats, "Kavkaz New," (single) / Records DK
• * LeGoGo Beats, "Kavkaz New," (single) / Records DK
• Megashira, "At Last," Saint-Germain des Pres Café (collection) /  Wagram
• John Doan, "Bransles de Village," The Renaissance Album (collection) / Windham Hill
• Eddie Jobson, "Ballooning Over Texas," Piano One (collection) / Private Music-RCA
• Wim Mertens, "Close Cover," In Search of Angels (soundtrack) / Windham Hill
• Jazzamor, "Nuit magique," Euro Groove (collection) / Putumayo
• Daan, "Housewife," Simple / Daan
• Deeds Carillon, Don Cook, carillonneur, "Selections from the Repertorium of Johannes De Gruytters," Bells of Dayton / (self-released) 
• Ralph Rousseau, "Chaconne La Buisson," Chansons d'amour / Challenge Classics
• * Django Reinhardt, "Nuages," Paris By Night (collection) / EMI
• Paul Speer, "Mediterranean Highway," Oculus / Rainstorm Records (paulspeer.com)
• Thievery Corporation, "Barrio Alto," ESL Soundtracks - Modular Systems (collection) / Eighteenth Street Lounge Music
• Fiamma Fumana, "Check In," Euro Groove (collection) / Putumayo
• Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala (Riccardo Muti, cond.), "Va pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, from the opera 'Nabucco' by Verdi)," Aria: A Passion for Opera (collection) / EMI Classics
• Soul 'n' Soda, "Mokkascience," Nikki Beach vol. 1 (collection) / Loungism Recordings
• Intro to Chris Rea, "On the Beach," KKSF Sampler for AIDS Relief, vol. 5  (collection) / (custom)
• Il Canto Gregoriano di Milano, "In a Landscape, for piano or harp," A Choir of Angels / Civic Classics
• Jellyfish, "Appreciation (radio mix)," Cafe del Mar, vol. 5 (collection) / MCA

* indicates filler music used during breaks

• Rick notes at 7:13 that Mike Swigunski has lived in Tibilisi for about a year now.  Mike confides off-air (Jan. 2022) that he intends to continue to live there for at least another year.
• At 32:58, caller Marti says she plans to travel to Bruges "this year."
• Caller Lynn mentions the Bulgari Hotel and the Dolce Gabbana cafe as recommended places for a cocktail, appetizers, and people watching, starting at 46:51, and later, Bar Basso (where the aperitivo originated). 
• Rick mentions that the segment B and C interviews were recorded "just prior to the global pandemic," at 32:42 and at 49:41.
• The three haiku, read at 57:23, are all about warm, inviting beaches.

Beachfront Haiku Awards  

Adventure beckons.
Umbrella rainbow. Sparkling
Waves. Warm sand. Cold Beer.

— Staci Backauskas, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Heavenly footprint
Coral reef turquoise lagoon
Baskets, shark teeth, shells.

Sapphire, indigo
Lapis, turquoise, cobalt blue
Water is heaven.

— Sandra Van Dam Anderson of Tucson