Program 744: Falling for Saturn; Heart of Martin Sheen; Florentine Favorites

Actor Martin Sheen shares how his travels in the developing world, opened his eyes, and his heart, to the needs of others.

Astronomer Philip Plait tells us why he fell in love with Saturn, after viewing it through a telescope when he was a child. He updates us on some of the amazing things we've been learning about the planet in recent years.

And discover where to find the best food in Florence, on the next Travel with Rick Steves.

• Astronomer Philip Plait, author of "Under Alien Skies" (W. W. Norton)
• Actor Martin Sheen
• Florence, Italy-based tour guide Toni Mazzaglia

• 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, including a look at astronomical events for 2024.
• Saturn's hexagon, explained.
• Philip Plait spoke with Rick about a "Sightseer's Guide to the Solar System" on Travel with Rick Steves program #736 in December 2023.
• Martin Sheen and his son Emilio Estevez's movie "The Way" was originally released in 2010. The revised 2023 version, which includes a conversation with Rick at the end, is available to watch on multiple streaming services.
• Information about Martin Sheen's career, personal life, and political activism is included on his Wikipedia page.
• Martin Sheen spoke further with Rick about the influence of his travels on his view of the world on Travel with Rick Steves program #715 in May 2023. Martin's son Emilio Estevez joined in on program #713.
• Toni Mazzaglia operates the Taste Florence walking tours to food and wine venues in Florence.
• The Rick Steves online guide to Florence, Italy.
• Toni spoke with Rick about the "Flavors of Florence" on Travel with Rick Steves program #707 in March 2023.

• Saint-Germain, "What You Think About," Tourist / Blue Note
• Vitamin String Quartet, "Santorini," Olympus: The String Quartet Tribute to Yanni / Vitamin Records
• St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, "The Planets: Saturn (Holst)," Dalí: Música Surreal (collection) / Museum Music
• Merchants of Moonshine, "Texas Toast," More Than Whiskey / (self-released)
• Marion Verbruggen, recorder, "'Praeludium' from Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 (J. S. Bach)," A Decade of Excellence (sampler) / Harmonia Mundi
• * Jeno Jano, "Moonlight Sonata, 1st Movement (Beethoven)," Kahlo, Passion and Music (collection) / Museum Music
• English String Orchestra, William Boughton cond., "Moths and Butterflies Dance," Music for a Devoted Gardener (collection) / Westminster Abbey Heritage Collection-River Records
• Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, "Seguidilla (from 'Carmen') (Bizet)," Bella España (collection) / Telarc
• Desmond Williams, "Comeback Dub," ESL Soundtracks: Modular Systems (sampler collection) / ESL
• SON_SCDV_0984_00701_Arctic_Explorers_A_APM
• Tyler Bates, "Pamplona," The Way (soundtrack) / Tyler Bates Music - Milan Entertainment
• Intro to Linda Ronstadt, "La Barca de Guaymas," Canciones de Mi Padre / Asylum
• New London Consort, cond. by Philip Pickett, "Dum pater familias," The Pilgrimage to Santiago / L'Oiseau-Lyre
• * Tyler Bates, "Ventura," The Way (soundtrack) / Tyler Bates Music - Milan Entertainment
• Cincinnati Pops, Paul Patterson, mandolin, Erich Kunzel, cond., "'Allegro' from 'Mandolin Concerto' (Vivaldi)," Bella Tuscany (collection) / Telarc
• KOS_KOL_0015_01801_Bella_Chitarra_APM
• Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, Marco Boni, cond., "Souvenir de Florence in D minor, Op. 70-IV - Allegro vivace (Tchaikovsky)," Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings; Souvenir de Florence / PentaTone
• Bartender, David Tordi, vocal, "Don Raffe," 100% Recycled Music / (self released)
• SON_SAS_0056_01201_Serenata Fiorentina_APM
• Con Sordino, "Butterfly Waltz," Music for a Devoted Gardener (collection) / Westminster Abbey Heritage Collection-River Records

* Indicates filler music used during breaks between segments

• At 9:04, Rick asks Phil about the significance of the Cassini Space Probe mission to Saturn that started in 2004.
• At 36:55, Rick notes that he's included in the re-release of Martin Sheen's movie "The Way," which is available to view on streaming services.
• Rick says at 41:00 that a typical food tour runs around four hours and costs around US$100.
• Toni points out at 42:00 that she's been running tours in Florence's San Lorenzo neighborhood for around 21 years now.
• At 54:25, Rick says he finds the "Things to Do" category on Tripadvisor to be the most valuable listings on that site. Toni adds that since partnering with Viator, Tripadvisor now shows pop-up windows for their own tour products.
• At 56:26, Toni reminds Rick about the Golden View Open Bar on the riverfront in Florence's Oltrarno neighborhood. She then recommends Perché No! for gelato.