Marseille

This overnight excursion takes you through the famously scenic countryside of Provence to the esteemed wine regions of the Southern Rhône. Begin your oenophile experience at the vineyards of the Alain Jaume family, who have been producing wines since 1826 in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. Explore the vineyards and cellars and enjoy an extensive tasting of their wines accompanied by a delicious lunch. Then continue to Domaine de la Longue Toque, a Gabriel Meffre estate in the heart of the Gigondas appellation.

Illuminated by the brilliant sunlight that has inspired artists for centuries, vivid colors come to life as you explore the towns of the Luberon region of Provence, renowned for its lavender fields that flourish in the height of summer. A Renaissance castle and trendy boutiques greet you in Lourmarin, a town that has intrigued authors from Albert Camus to Peter Mayle. The red village of Roussillon pays homage to the vast ochre quarry on which it sits.

Travel from the coast through shifting landscapes up into Les Alpilles, a small range of low limestone mountains, to two medieval villages located inside what is today a regional park. At the first stop, Les Baux de Provence, your guided visit begins at the top: the town’s 11th-century chateau-fortress, perched on a high rocky outcrop. Its ruins and high walls offer exceptional views over the mountains, the valley below and over the Camargue.

Spend the day in and around Avignon, the seat of the Holy See between 1309 and 1377 and a city that remained under papal control until the French Revolution. This excursion begins with a scenic drive to the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, just north of Avignon, an area that is one of France’s most venerable grape-growing regions. The name comes from the popes’ summer residence and some vines in the surrounding vineyards date to the papal era.