Program 465: German Christmas Markets; Andy Steves' Europe; Seoul

Get into the holiday spirit by hearing about Germany's many outdoor Christmas markets, then listen in as Rick's son Andy Steves describes what kind of low-cost weekend adventures young travelers are looking for in Europe. Plus, find out why Seoul's nightlife and pop culture are attracting a worldwide crowd to South Korea, and experience the "hard sell" at a street market in Cairo.

• Iris Andre, tour guide from Berlin
• Fabian Rueger, tour guide from Berlin
• Andy Steves, Rick's son and author of "Andy Steves' Europe"  (Avalon)
• Euny Hong, author of "The Birth of Korean Cool"  (Picador)

• The English-language web pages for the Nuremburg Christmas Market.
• Enjoy Berlin list five of its favorite Christmas markets in Berlin, starting with the Gendarmenmarkt, which Fabian also likes best.
• Rick spoke with a Christkind at a Christmas market in Bavaria in his Rick Steves' European Christmas special.  Rick's European Christmas special is also available in a gift pack, with an accompanying book and CD of Christmas music from the show.
• The tour company Andy Steves operates is called WSA Europe.
• Trip Advisor lists the most popular "escape games" in Budapest.
• Sandy Bell's is a popular pub for Celtic folk music in Edinburgh.  
• Andy recommends hostelworld.com to review choices for different types of hostel accommodations.   Among those Andy likes are St. Christopher's Inn in Paris and the Flying Pig in Amsterdam.
• Information on the Bundestag cultural exchange between young professionals and students in Germany and the U.S., in which caller Allison participated in, in Leipzig.
• A student writing in the British newspaper The Telegraph applauds Malia Obama for taking a gap year before starting university.
• Euny Hong's "official bloody website" includes links to her recent magazine articles and Wall Street Journal editorials.
• Euny Hong's book "The Birth of Korean Cool" was reviewed by the New York Times and by The Guardian.
• Wikipedia describes the importance of the city of Seoul, South Korea, the influence of Korean TV dramas, and Korea's most popular drink, Soju.