The most memorable travel experiences are people to people connections,

contacts that bridge the differences between cultures and world views.

Hi, I'm Rick Steves.

Today on Travel with Rick Steves,

we have a special guest who embodies the East Meets West metaphor

and not without a price. Sir Salomon Rushdie writes some of the most significant literature

of our age. He joins us in a moment to explain the inspiration for his latest novel,

The Enchantress of Florence, in which a scoundrel from Italy challenges the world of a powerful

mogul in 16th century India.

Since we now live in this age when there is such a complicated engagement between

east and west, I thought it would be very interesting to go look at the beginning of

it.

Sometimes you look at the beginning of something, it gives you some clues for why the future turned out as it did.

And later in the hour, we'll get inspired to sail the Eastern Mediterranean.

Anthony Sandberg has logged countless Nautical miles there, and he recommends how we can rediscover the ancient roots of the Mediterranean

from a sailor's perspective. Welcome aboard for the hour ahead. It's Travel with Rick Steeves.

Travel with Rick Steeves is made possible in part by American Airlines.

Their Advantage program can help you earn miles toward your next vacation.

Details are at AA.com.

American Airlines knows why you fly.

It's not often you find an extensive bibliography in a work of fiction.

Author Salman Rushdie spent seven years researching to create the characters and situation in his novel The Enchantress of Florence.

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