The stunningly beautiful countryside of the Rhone Valley is the backdrop for this study tour, and those who relish cultural treasures will find much to enjoy here, such as Lyon's Musee des Beaux Arts and its Renaissance Quarter, the Pont d'Avignon, the Roman and Romanesque monuments of Arle, and even the nougats of Montelimar.

However, the Rhone Valley is best known today for its internationally acclaimed wines and a cuisine that weakens the knees of foodies around the world. Wine and food will be the primary focus of this tour led by Abby Nash—wine expert and restaurateur, who taught wine and cooking at Cornell's School of Hotel Administration.

With Abby's guidance, we will visit some of the finest vineyards and wineries of the northern Rhone, whose harsh winters and warm summers favor the Syrah grape, and of the southern Rhone, whose milder winters and hot summers produce the Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a famous red blend, and some exceptional whites. This tour will include food and wine pairings and a terroir dinner. Participants in previous wine tours with Abby say they've never laughed as much and as hard. It will truly be a feast for all the senses. Bon appetite!

This program is part of Cornell Adult University’s (CAU), which offers acclaimed education vacations designed and led by Cornell faculty. Programs include off-campus travel adventures and weeklong on-campus summer courses open to all, including Cornell alumni, families, and friends.

For more information and to register, visit cau.cornell.edu, e-mail cauinfo@cornell.edu, or call 607.255.6260.