Program 767: Eastern European Folklore; Unknown Balkans; Milan

A historian discusses some of the most salient narratives about themselves that eastern Europeans have been passing down through generations of folklore. Then a Bulgarian tour guide lets us in on why the smaller Balkan countries of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia are emerging as "back-door" destinations. And tour guides from Italy share tips for people-watching among the chic and sleek in Milan's fashionable café scene — and the cocktails to enjoy while doing so.

• Jacob Mikanowski, author of "Goodbye Eastern Europe: An Intimate History of a Divided Land" (Pantheon)
• Stefan Bozadzhiev, tour guide based in Sofia, Bulgaria
• Alfredo Vitale and Donald White, tour guides based in Italy

• Jacob Mikanowski is the author of "Goodbye Eastern Europe."
• Jacob spoke further with Rick about the "Vampires of Eastern Europe" on Travel with Rick Steves program #732 in October 2023, and they discuss recent challenges in the eastern half of Europe on program #746 from March 2024.
• Stefan Bozadzhiev blogs about Bulgaria travel on Facebook, and offers tours of Bulgaria and neighboring countries through Lyuba Tours, based in Sofia.
• Rick blogs about visiting Kosovo, and he explored first impressions of Albania on Travel with Rick Steves program #372 in 2014. He also got impressions of visiting Macedonia before it officially was renamed "North Macedonia" from Australia-based tour guide David Willett on Travel with Rick Steves program #484 in 2017.
• 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.

Pgm #664 By the Water 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, Tucson, Arizona