Friday Reads: A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes

A Season of Surprises at the Villa des Violettes by Patricia Sands

Paris, Always a Good Idea

For the last couple of years, all of my travels to fascinating destinations have been of the armchair variety – via lots of good books and a few good movies. But things are about to get a lot more exciting when I board an Air France flight to Paris for a two-week sojourn in la belle France. As said so well in the film Sabrina, "Paris is always a good idea." Who am I to argue?

Paris, the City of Light

Friday Reads: Mastering the Art of French Eating

Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah

Friday Reads: Death in Provence

Death in Provence by Serena Kent

Friday Reads: Letters from Paris

Letters from Paris by Juliet Blackwell

Friday Reads: Map of the Heart

Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs

Friday Reads: The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Friday Reads: Last Christmas in Paris

Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Friday Reads: The Lost Vintage

The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah

Friday Reads: Escape to the Riviera

Escape to the Riviera by Jules Wake

Friday Reads: The Paris Wedding

The Paris Wedding by Charlotte Nash

"Z" is for ZZZ's

I've never had much luck catching some ZZZ's during a trans-Atlantic flight to Europe, and a night without sleep makes the effects of jet lag feel even worse. This roomy Business Class seat aboard a Swiss flight to Zurich (enroute to Nice) converted to a flat bed, the best way to arrive refreshed at my destination.

How to Catch some ZZZ's on a Flight to Zurich

Previous A to Z Posts:
"Z" is for Zone
"Z" is for Zucchini
"Z" is for Zodiac

"Y" is for Yummy

The French have earned a reputation for fine food and examples can be seen everywhere, from posh restaurants and village markets to shop window displays. The sweet treats in this patisserie window made me stop and say "yummy"!

Yummy French Pastries

Previous A to Z Posts:
"Y" is for Ye
"Y" is for Year
"Y" is for Yacht

"X" is for eXecutive Class

While planning my latest trip to France I decided to treat myself to flights in Executive Class – what a way to travel! On my return journey, meal service on the TAP Portugal flight from Lisbon to Toronto was superb, especially the hot Cream of Sweet Potato Soup and Smoked Halibut.

Meal Service in Executive Class

Previous A to Z Posts:

"X" is for Xerophyte
"X" is for X-Bones
"X" is for Aix-en-Provence

"W" is for Waterfall

The city of Nice has a man-made waterfall in a park atop Colline du Chateau, Castle Hill. The castle no longer exists but a lookout above the waterfall offers expansive views over the city and the Baie des Anges, Bay of Angels. You can get there by taking the stairs, an elevator or the tourist train.

Waterfall on Castle Hill, Nice

Previous A to Z Posts:
"W" is for White Tower
"W" is for Wishes
"W" is for Window

"V" is for Villefranche-sur-Mer

One of my favourite Cote d'Azur towns is Villefranche-sur-Mer, located between the city of Nice and the principality of Monaco, and within walking distance of the exclusive Cap Ferrat peninsula. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a popular port of call for Mediterranean cruise ships and makes an excellent home base for exploring the Riviera coast.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

Previous A to Z Posts:
"V" is for Vicars' Close
"V" is for Vivaldi
"V" is for Van Gogh

"U" is for Universal Prayer

I was immediately drawn to this large figure reaching for the skies in front of the Palais des Papes, Palace of the Popes, in the Provencal city of Avignon. The piece entitled Universal Prayer by Senegal sculptor Ndary Lo was part of a 2017 exhibition of contemporary African art.

Universal Prayer, by Ndary Lo, Avignon

Previous A to Z Posts:
"U" is for University
"U" is for Unicorn
"U" is for Umbrella

"T" is for Tourist Train

Little tourist trains can be found in cities and towns all over the south of France and they're usually white; this similar, but more photogenic, red train operates in Monaco. Though not part of France the tiny principality is surrounded on three sides by its much larger neighbour and has a well-established place on the French Riviera.

Tourist Train, Monaco

Previous A to Z Posts:
"T" is for Thatch
"T" is for Taxi
"T" is for Trompe l'Oeil

"S" is for Sunflowers

Can there be a cheerier flower than the sunflower? Every summer these simple blooms can be spotted in roadside fields and village markets across Provence. Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh painted several versions of Sunflowers for his friend and fellow artist, Paul Gauguin, and they are among his most beloved works.

Sunflowers of Provence

Previous A to Z Posts:
"S" is for Seagull
"S" is for Souvenir
"S" is for La Serra Spa

"R" is for Roussillon

Roussillon is another of France's villages perchés, perched villages. The town invites visitors to stroll its cobbled lanes and admire colourful buildings in the sunset hues of ochre. The mairie, or town hall, is just one of many picture-perfect views to be found in the Luberon village of Roussillon.

Mairie, or Town Hall, of Roussillon

Previous A to Z Posts:
"R" is for Rolling Stones
"R" is for Red House
"R" is for Roman Ruins