Program 736: The Swiss; Sightseer's Guide to the Solar System; Winter in Anchorage

It's a country that's consistently rated the "best in the world." On the next Travel with Rick Steves, a former U.S. ambassador to Switzerland tells us what she thinks the Swiss have gotten right.

An astronomer helps us imagine what the views would be like on other planets in our solar system.

And a guide from Anchorage tells us why south central Alaska can be a fun place to visit in the wintertime.

• Suzi LeVine, former U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• Astronomer Philip Plait, author of "Under Alien Skies" (W. W. Norton)
• Lisa Maloney, author of "Moon Alaska" guidebook (Avalon Travel) and "Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska" (Mountaineers Books)

• Suzan G. LeVine was the United States ambassador to Switzerland from 2014–2017.
• Suzi hosted a TED talk in Bern on what we can learn from the Swiss.
• Switzerland tops the list, once again, of U.S. News and World Report's "Best Countries, 2023."
• Astronomer Philip Plait is the author of "Under Alien Skies." He also writes frequent updates for his subscription-based "Bad Astronomy" newsletter on Substack, and posts weekly articles at Scientific American.
• Phil hosted a TED talk on how to defend the earth from asteroids.
• The head of NASA's New Horizons project spoke with Rick about what they found on Pluto, on Travel with Rick Steves program #571 in July 2019.
• Lisa Maloney writes the Moon Alaska guidebook, out in its third edition. Lisa also posts articles on hiking in greater Anchorage, even in winter, on her Hiking Alaska website, and is the author of "Day Hiking South Central Alaska."

• Zurich Symphony Orchestra, Bian Zushan, cond., "The New Sound," East West Symphony and other compositions by Heinrich Schweizer / Musica Helvetica-Swiss Radio International
• L'Ensemble Raye, "Ska Tagliatelle," En frac! / Label Usines (Switzerland)
• SATV_SATVDG_0054_00701_I_Dig_Gardening_APM
• Les Armaillis du Gran Muveran, "Ranz des vaches des Ormonts," Folk Music from Western and Southern Switzerland (compilation) / Swiss Radio International
• Peenie Waalie, "Nice Time in Swiss," The Return of Peenie Waalie / Mensch Music (Switzerland)
• * Duo di Barbegno, "Valzer nel bosco," Folk Music of Switzerland-Suisse romande, Ticino (collection), Swiss Radio International
• Michel Donato and James Gelfand, "Timeless," Beyond Rubicon (collection) / Disques Rubicon
• James Asher, "This Stillness," The Best of Silver Wave, vol. 2 (collection) / Silver Wave
• Tomita, "Suite Bergamasque, No. 3: Clair de Lune (Debussy)," Snowflakes are Dancing / RCA
• Jean-Luc Ponty, "Computer Incantations for World Peace," Individual Choice / Atlantic
• MEZ_MEZ_0050_01401_II_Tempo_Che_Passa_APM
• VOY_VOY_0019_08801_Ultimatum_APM
• Orchestral intro to Jeanette MacDonald, "Beyond the Blue Horizon," San Francisco and Other Jeanette MacDonald Favorites / RCA Victor Gold Seal
• St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, "The Planets: Saturn (Holst)," Dalí: Música Surreal (collection) / Museum Music
• CEZ_UBM_2339_00101_Bering_Sea_APM
• Popshoppers, "New World Travels," At the Discotheque / Diggler
• Alaska Children's Choir piano intro to "Alaska Flag Song," Spring Fjord / (self-released, 1996)
• * Paul Winter Consort, "Beautiful Star," Wintersong / Living Music
• Symphony Nova Scotia, Howard Cable, cond., "Fancy Free for Orchestra," Opportunity Knocks / CBC Records
• SOHO_SOHOA_0105_00101_High_Spirits_APM
• Vince Guaraldi, "Skating," A Charlie Brown Christmas / Concord
• Medicine Dream, "Jalasi," Identity / (self-released)

* Indicates filler music used during breaks

• Winter in Anchorage, Alaska is the theme of the segment C topic, and wintertime is mentioned in this week's billboard, promo, the segment A open and close, and segment B end.
• In the segment A open, Rick notes that Switzerland has again been ranked the "top nation" in the world by U.S. News and World Report (ranking released in September 2023).
• At 32:15, Rick says "just recently in the news" an asteroid was targeted by American scientists. Philip Plait explains the DART mission's success.
• Lisa Maloney describes winter season activities and events in Anchorage and vicinity in the segment C interview, including the Iditarod sled dog race, starting on the first Saturday in March.
• At 51:50, Lisa cautions that in some years, Anchorage may not get snow in the early weeks of winter.