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THE FRENCH CONNECTION
AN AMAZING FOOD AND WINE SHORE EXCURSION IN PROVENCE
| STORY, PHOTOS AND TASTING BY RON JAMES |
or wine enthusiasts, almost nothing is as excit- We considered renting a car to visit some nearby wineries, but
ing as visiting a new wine region. And there are were deterred by memories of a very bad experience a couple
no wine regions that stir the soul and prime the of years earlier that turned into a cruiser’s worst nightmare.
palate like the legendary vineyards of France. The last time we cruised into this port, we rented a car for a
On our most recent Mediterranean cruise on day trip to Aix-en- Provence. After getting lost and circling Aix
Fthe Celebrity Silhouette we stopped for one for close to hour, we finally found the entrance to the old city
day stop in working-class Toulon, France’s second largest port and enjoyed a nice stroll and lunch in this charming village.
and gateway to the beautiful coastal towns and wine country Then we began a hellish two-hour ride back, filled with traffic,
of Provence. tolls and a search for a gas station. If we didn’t return the car
60 Wine Dine & Travel 2016
