By Rupert Parker
With the threat of the Icelandic ash cloud grounding flights it made sense to look at alternatives ways to travel.  France is easily accessible by rail and I fancied a trip to Provence.  Taking the train would also reduce my carbon footprint, so why not go the whole green hog and explore everything organic in the region?
Let the Train Take the Strain
Getting to Avignon by rail is remarkably easy and much less hassle than going by air.  It’s a two and a half hour hop to Paris on …

By Rupert Parker
The region of Abruzzo is one of Italy’s lesser know gems and is seldom visited by British tourists.  Indeed its miles and miles of sandy beaches cater for Italians, but English is seldom heard or spoken, even though there are direct flights from London’s Stansted to Pescara.  That’s part of its charm and you almost feel you’re travelling incognito as they still haven’t woken up to the idea that they can hassle British holidaymakers.  And where else can you ski in the morning and swim in the afternoon?
Pescara …