Menerbes is one of those hilltop villages in France that attracts artists, dreamers and ad writers like Peter Mayle wanting to escape the corporate cubicle. It's surrounded by some of Provence's most beautiful countryside and guarded by a wall and towers like you see to the right. Take a look at some of the charm that oozes from Menerbes with our Menerbes Pictures, then plan a trip with our Menerbes Travel Guide.

Also see: Provence Map and Travel Essentials | Colors of Provence | A Week in Provence

December is when you slaughter your pig and make all manner of yummy preserved protein like salami and prosciutto here in northern Tuscany, a tradition that was once vital to get rural families through the long, hard, winter. I've recently been able to watch and photograph the artisan products being produced from the pig you see above. If all you've eaten is American industrial pig (the other flavorless white meat), the flavor of a pig raised humanely and finished on chestnuts will absolutely astound you.

Picture of a Pig in Tuscany © 2009 by James Martin, licensed to about.com.

Yeah, I couldn't believe it when the news came in either:

According to the Eurail Group this vibrant Mediterranean nation has climbed the charts to become the second most popular country of choice for Pass holders, while the One Country Pass available for Italy is currently the best selling Eurail Pass overall. ~
Eurail: Italy Pass Tops Sales & Popularity Charts

The reason I'm surprised is that Italian trains, especially the "slower" regional ones, are pretty inexpensive, even with the new prices that came out this month. If you plan right, you may not need a rail pass in Italy.

If you read our article Rail Passes - Are Rail Passes Guaranteed to Save You Money? you'll find that the answer to the question posed is "no, they don't always save you money."

You see, if you take shorter trips on regional trains in Italy like we do all the time, you might pay €8 or less for a round trip ticket. With a Eurail Italy Pass, you need over $60 a day in travel to break even, even with the current discount.

So, plan your travel well. If your itinerary in Italy includes at least three very long journeys, then go for a pass, it will save you money and hassle. By a long journey I mean Rome to Milan or Naples to Sicily, that sorta distance.

Now for the good news: until the end of the month (or the end of the year!) you can get a Eurail Italy Pass for 20% off (check prices).

Here are some resources to help you plan your Italian Rail Vacation:

• Choose the Right Rail Pass
• Italy Rail Map
• Interactive Map of Italy's Best Travel Destinations
• Tuscany Rail Map
• How to Travel on Italian Trains

Let's get one thing out of the way first: in my dotage I've become a bit of a wimp, meaning I wouldn't even try to go up a steep hill in a bike. But no worry in Lisbon. They've come up with a route that doesn't make you go up any hills at all.

The ride lasts approximately 3½ hours and we stop at some of the highlights in this exciting, cosmopolitan and historical city. There are no hills - the ground is either flat or slightly downhill so this tour is suitable for everyone.

Way to go. Check them out: Lisbon Bike Tour: Filipe Palma

Problem is...you won't be burning off many calories, so you won't be able to eat to excess...

For the real low calorie experience, try looking at some of our Lisbon Pictures.