Blogging from A-Z April Challenge

It's almost April, and I'm taking part in the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge. Can I publish a post every day (except Sundays) between April 1st and 30th, beginning with the letter "A" and working through to "Z"?

That's the plan and over 1,500 other bloggers are doing the same.

"A" is for Art: The Thinker

Books for Armchair Travellers

My favorite novels are those that take me on a mini-vacation to places like Provence, Tuscany and the islands of Greece, immersing me in the cultures, foods and landscapes of places so different from my home.

The French Riviera

Avignon and the Pont du Gard

Avignon, July 2012 - The Avalon Scenery sailed at night and we woke up in Avignon, the City of Popes. We'd finally arrived in Provence!

Avalon Scenery double-docked in Avignon

Avalon River Cruising

I  travelled with Avalon Waterways last summer on their Burgundy and Provence cruise southbound on the Saone and Rhone Rivers. After a two-day stay in Paris we were transferred by motor coach to the town of Chalon-sur-Saone to board our ship, the Avalon Scenery.

Avalon Scenery

New River Cruise in Italy

This morning I was contemplating river cruises. I took my first voyage on the Rhone River in France last summer and now I'm hooked. But Italy is where I'm hoping to travel to next – too bad you can't do a river cruise there.

I got curious about the navigability of the Po River, Italy's longest, so I headed to Google. And to my surprise – and delight – I found a new Uniworld river cruise itinerary for 2013: Venice & the Po River.

Gondolier, Venice

French Wine, Chocolate and Music

Tournon, July 2012 - This morning we entered the Ardèche region of France, which is known for its chestnuts. We began our day with a walking tour of the town of Tournon, on the west bank of the Rhone.

Tournon sur Rhone, France