Provence remains one of France's most romantic destinations, especially outside the overcrowded summer months. The region offers something for everyone — the active traveler, the shopper, the history buff — but this itinerary will appeal especially to lovers of great food and wine.

This week in Provence introduces you to some of the region's best wineries and restaurants, in addition to historic treasures such as the immense Roman theater in Orange and the awe-inspiring Pont du Gard aqueduct.

First experience Provence's urban charms in atmospheric Avignon, then unwind with a stay in an unspoiled tract of countryside to the north. Finish in Lyon or the Beaujolais countryside, the gastronomic heart of France.