Program 300: Andrew McCarthy On Location; Fred Plotkin At the Opera; Open Phones-Ask Rick

Follow the lead of a seasoned traveler, and you'll discover new ways to make your next vacation terrific. Andrew McCarthy will share how actors on location find ways to connect with the locals, and Fred Plotkin illustrates how to plug into the excitement at some of his favorite opera venues in Europe. Also, Rick helps listeners planning trips to Barcelona and Paris.

• Actor/director and travel writer Andrew McCarthy, co-editor of "Lights, Camera, Travel" (Lonely Planet) and author of "The Longest Way Home" (Free Press)
• Fred Plotkin, author of "Opera 101:  A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera" (Hyperion)

            Matsuyama castle  

            Highlighted by rising sun

            Early morning jog

                        —Alissa Gerasimenko, in Matsuyama, Japan

            We came to Japan

            Brought summer sunshine with us

            It’s all used up now

                        —Richard Elsley, Thousand Oaks, California

            Rain in Tokyo

            Umbrellas bobbing to pass

            Faces there, then gone!

                        —Mike Kleer, Vashon Island, Washington 

            Went to Tokyo once

            Lived off beer vending machines

            Got lost on subway

                        —Matt Miller, Spokane, Washington