Rick Steves – Eating in Italy: A Cultured Conversation

The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series

Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates  Art of Living Interview series on radio and podcast.  I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today’s show is part of our Smithsonian Associates interview series. We have an excellent program about travel in these days post-pandemic, other cultures, food, and specifically the food of Italy, as we talk to Rick Steves about his new book, co-authored by Rick Steves and Fred Plotkin, Italy for Food Lovers. 

Thank you so much for listening. We’ve got a great guest today in Rick Steves, who, after reading his new book, ‘ Italy for Food Lovers.  I’ve been looking forward to speaking with him for a while and whom I’ll introduce in just a moment…But, quickly, if you missed any episodes, last week was our 690th episode, when I spoke to author and Smithsonian Associate Dr. Eric Chudler and his new book, Neuropedia: A Brief Compendium of Brain Phenomena.  Two weeks ago, I spoke with first-time author Danny Olmes about his new book, Memoirs of an Ordinary Guy: The Everyday Experiences that Changed My Life.  Wonderful subjects for our Not Old Better Show audience…If you missed those shows, along with any others, you can go back and check them out with my entire back catalog of shows, all free for you, there on our website, NotOld-Better.com

As I’ve said so many times, I’m so grateful for what I get to do, talking to so many wonderful people…many of whom we don’t know but should.  Today our guest, Rick Steves, is someone we do know, and love, and we are so impressed with his approach to the family of humanity. 

Our guest today, Smithsonian Associate Rick Steves, is a popular expert on European travel, and PBS star, and, along with Fred Plotkin, has written the new book,  Italy for Food Lovers.  Rick Steves, America’s most respected authority on European travel, empowers Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable and culturally broadening.  Rick Steves will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up…please check our website for more information about Rick Steves at Smithsonian Associates, the title of Rick’s presentation is Rick Steves on Eating in Italy: A Cultured Conversation with Fred Plotkin.

Italy and its superb cuisine draw hungry visitors from all over the world. They come to savor famous foods such as pasta, pizza, gelati, and sun-kissed fruits and vegetables. But then they are dazzled by the depth and variety of glorious local dishes and wines from Italy’s 20 regions.

Smithsonian Associate Rick Steves is a specialist in Italian cuisine and culture. We’ll talk about many of Italy’s secret culinary pleasures. Today Rick and I discuss the unique ways in which Italy’s cuisine developed, the food specialties of Italy’s different regions, and what travelers miss if they only visit Rome, Florence, and Venice. And their shared insights about Italy’s hidden gems ensure that a trip to Italy is unforgettable. As well as delicious. 

Smithsonian Associate Rick Steves works closely with several advocacy groups and makes regular financial contributions to more than 170 organizations, including annual contributions to Bread for the World.   I am so impressed with all that Rick Steves does.

Please join me in welcoming to The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series on radio and podcast, Smithsonian Associate Rick Steves. 

My thanks to the author and Smithsonian Associate Rick Steves and his new book, Italy for Food Lovers.  Rick Steves will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up, so please check out our show notes today for more details about Rick Steves at Smithsonian Associates.   My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show.  My thanks to you, my wonderful Not Old Better Show audience on radio and podcast…please be well and be safe, which I’m mentioning in every show because I want to bring attention to the issue of assault rifles, which aren’t safe, in anyone’s hands but the military and law enforcement.  Assault rifles are killing our children and grandchildren in the very places they learn: schools!  Please, let’s work together to eliminate assault rifles, and let’s do better.  Let’s talk about Better…the Not Old Better Show on radio and podcast, Smithsonian Associates Inside Science Interview Series.