People planning a summer break to France may wish to follow in the footsteps of the Daily Telegraph's Caroline Shearing and take a wine tasting tour of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Generally considered the best wine-producing region of the Cotes-du-Rhone, Chateauneuf-du-Pape is well-known for its lush rural landscapes and papal history dating back to the early 14th century.

A number of wine tours are available, which include tastings at several of the region's chateaux and the chance to see the "caramel-coloured cobbles that sit at the base of the vines" in the region, according to Ms Shearing.

In nearby Avignon, she recommended visitors "venture away from the touristy north-west of the city to see the remains of 18th-century waterwheels and much-faded grandeur on rue des Teinturiers", as well as paying a visit to the Angladon art museum.

Visitors can also expect to pair their wines with pungent local cheeses, potatoes dauphinoise and lamb dishes that the Rhone is famous for.