Our travel group took a wonderful trip to the French Riviera in September. The best thing about the trip were the guides: Jean Bardot, of the American University of Paris, and wine and food expert Patrick Bulteau. They are leading a trip to Provence from May 25-June 7 that will combine the history and spectacular scenery of Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Roman ruins and Van Gogh's art in Arles with wine tasting in the Rhône Valley. For more information, go to http://www.travelswithJeanandPatrick.com or call (775) 354-9243.

It's got the beat: This shirt is a recordable drum

Talk about taking your show on the road.

Transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2: A sail on sale

Cruising can be a bargain, and one of the classic journeys is a transatlantic crossing. It's not a trip for everyone, though. You’re at sea the whole week, and the North Atlantic can be stormy. (Dramamine, anyone?). But for Anglophiles who crave afternoon tea, formal dancing in the Queens Room and top-flight lecture programs, a crossing on Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 can be just the ticket — and very affordable, thanks to this offer.

Laguna Beach: A little toasting and a little tasting at Uncorked

Laguna Beach will pop its cork at a new foodie event on March 10 that could unleash your inner Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.

Las Vegas: Circus Circus is more animated than ever

And now, it’s time to shine a little bit of light on the other end of the Las Vegas Strip -- you know, the other end that doesn’t include the Aria, Mandarin Oriental and the Cosmopolitan.

Europe: Escape to London and Paris with hotel and air package

London will be rocking this summer, and Paris is always abuzz, but in the spring or fall? You get to see a city as a truer version of itself. This deal from Gate 1 gives you both cities at a good price.

San Francisco: City by the Bay is abloom with floral festivals

Talk about flower power. From February through April, San Francisco and environs, the historic home of hippiedom, busts out in blooms. Here are dates and details for several Bay Area floral displays and festivals:

Element hotels: Eco-friendly lodging has a wallet-friendly deal

This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details.

The ethics of disaster tourism: What is the right thing to do? [Updated]

Removal of fuel from the Costa Concordia, which ran aground last month off Tuscany, began last week and officials say that after it’s gone, it may take seven to 10 months to refloat the ship.

Santa Fe, N.M.: A hotel package for chocolate fanciers

Chocolate fanciers visiting Santa Fe can savor a lodging package tailored to their passion at the Inn on the Alameda, a small, well-regarded hotel in New Mexico’s colorful capital.

Yosemite National Park: Major road to be closed for repairs

Here’s a traffic alert for California’s Yosemite National Park: A section of a major route there will be shut down for more than a month to repair damage caused by a Jan. 22 rockslide.