Driving around the vineyards of Burgundy

France is an unbeatable destination for wine lovers. If you're keen on finding out more about one of its top wine-producing regions, Burgundy, you'll discover that the simplest way to do so is to fly to France and from there hire a car, which will give you the freedom to explore wineries as you choose. And while you can simply visit the vineyards that interest you in any order you please, serious wine lovers should consider driving along of one of the region's best-loved wine trails - the Routes des Grands Crus. As well as leading you through a host of wonderful wineries, this road will take you past a variety of charming towns and villages, not to mention historical landmarks.

So, it's easy to make a trip along it about far more than wine alone.Spanning approximately 60 km, the Routes des Grands Crus is easy to follow, being marked out with signs depicting a bunch of grapes on a brown background. The route is broadly divided into two individual sections, with the northern part known as the Cote de Nuits and the southern the Cote de Beaune.The former is known for its excellent red wines, while the latter is better known for its white wines. In fact, the Cote de Beaune enjoys a reputation for producing some of the world's finest dry whites.

As you travel, take the time to stop by a few of the local towns, cities and attractions. For instance, the city of Beaune is absolutely beautiful, home to a combination of historic buildings, wine stores and charming shops selling delicious pastries. Dijon, of course, is particularly famous for its mustard, which makes an excellent souvenir for friends and family back home.

In Chenove, you can see some wine presses dating back to the 15th century, while the dramatic castle in Vougeot is a wonderful place to learn all about the history of winemaking.