Program 756: Resurrecting Roman Rubble; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; European Travel Serendipity

Place yourself in the middle of the Roman Empire, on the next Travel with Rick Steves.

A self-described "Rome nerd" tells us how he resurrects rubble from two thousand years ago, to imagine what it was like to live there.

A guide from Bulgaria sings the praises of its cultural capital, Plovdiv, which many believe is one of the oldest cities in the world.

And listeners tell us of the serendipity they've found in their own travels to Europe.

• Phillip Barlag, author of "The History of Rome in 12 Buildings" (New Page Books)
• Stefan Bozadzhiev, tour guide based in Sofia, Bulgaria

• Phillip Barlag is the author of "The History of Rome in 12 Buildings."
• He's also written "Evil Roman Emperors" and "The Leadership Genius of Julius Caesar."
• The opening episodes of Phillip's podcast "The 'Greats' of History" examine the lives of prominent figures from ancient Egypt.
• Stefan Bozadzhiev blogs about Bulgaria travel on Facebook and offers tours of Bulgaria through Lyuba Tours, based in Sofia.
• The Rick Steves online guide to Bulgaria.
• Rick recommends visiting the Memorial Museum in Caen when touring the nearby D-Day landing sites in Normandy, France.

• "I wanted to visit Sissinghurst Gardens on a Sunday afternoon while staying in Canterbury and ended up hiring a driver to take me, who treated me to a back door tour on narrow lanes and through small villages I've only seen in my British TV shows!" (Judith in Atlanta)
• Caller is traveling to France this September, based in Honfleur for a few days. "We've decided on visiting Omaha Beach and both the American and German cemeteries. What do you recommend as the other must-see D-Day and Battle of Normandy sights to take in over two days?" (Jerry in Mountain View, California)
• Joys of small-town Europe. Caller stayed in Chianti, central Tuscany. Had lunch in someone's home that overlooked their family vineyard. Also Alsace in France; Franconia in Germany. Suggests using Google Maps for unknown spots, and local texting apps to make up for language deficiencies. "It helps making reservations at smaller spots as well." (Barrett in Dallas)
• Shares family's experience living in Portugal for two years. "We were a family of five (three daughters, ages 15, 11, and 5). Lived in Cascais. Originally from Texas so that was a huge downsize. Grocery shopping was different. Kids loved the pastel de natas. It was the best decision we ever made, and our girls are the better for it." (Jennifer in Rockwall, Texas)

• Empire Brass, "Sonate XIII, from Canzone e Sonate (Gabrielli)," Bella Tuscany (collection) / Telarc
• Berkovitza Folk Brass Orchestra, "Romano Vogi," Selected Humans / (self-released, from Berkovitza, Bulgaria)
• Alex North Orchestra, "Training the Gladiators (Main Title-part 1)," Spartacus (original film soundtrack) / JB Production CH
• KOS_KOL_0015_01801_Bella_Chitarra_APM
• BRU_BR_0404-2_01301_First_Civilisations_Festival_II_APM
• Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Erich Kunzel, cond, "Love Theme from Spartacus," Russian Nights / Telarc
• * David Arkenstone, "No Rain, No Rainbows," Echoes of Light and Shadow / Domo Records
• Yulangelo, "For the Times, Dear Mother, Sunrise to Sunset (traditional Bulgarian song)," Vyatar Echi / (self-released) (Bulgaria)
• Kalman Magyar, "Recenica (Bulgaria)," Exposed / Hungaria Records (Hungary)
• SON_SAS_0064_03001_Elenino_Horo_APM
• Petar Ralchev, "St. Lazarus' Day Dance," Petar Ralchev / Gega (Bulgaria)
• MUZ_MUZ_0055_00901_Seven_Eight_Hop_APM
• Bumcello, Taraf DeHaidouks, "Cuculetsu," Electric Gypsyland (collection) / Six Degrees
• Cosmic Voices from Bulgaria, "Anthem of European Union ('Ode to Joy') (Beethoven)," European National Anthems / KVZ Music
• Massimo Farao Trio, "Ode to Joy," The Classic Jazz Lounge / Azzurra Music
• * Fanfara Tirana, "Merre lehte (Take it Easy): Neighbors' Music is Cool, Part 1," Brass Noir: On the Trans-Balkan Highway (collection) / Piranha
• SOHO_SOHOA_0105_00101_High_Spirits_APM
• Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse (Michel Plasson, cond), "Parade-Final (Satie)," Satie: Orchestral Works / EMI Classics
• CEZ_CEO_2069_00101_Les_Cercles_du_Pouvoir_APM
• Alain Goraguer, "Les Lavandières Du Portugal," Go-Go-Goraguer / Sunnyside

* Indicates filler music used during internal breaks on the broadcast

• In the segment A reset at 12:52, Rick notes that Phillip Barlag's "latest" book title is "Evil Roman Emperors."
• In a segment B reset at 32:00, Rick mentions that Lyuba Tours has "upcoming dates" for tours in Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and North India.
• At 35:40, Rick says that these seems like "good times" in Bulgaria's history. Stefan amplifies that idea by referring to Bulgaria's connection with the EU and NATO as being "the right path" in "these troubled times."
• At 43:45, caller Jerry says he and his wife will be traveling to Belgium and France "this fall" and asks about D-Day sites in Normandy.
• At 54:16, caller Jennifer says her family relocated to Portugal "about ten years ago…in 2013."