Hotel at a Glance: Tuscany House Hotel

Southern New Jersey is home to one of the most historic vineyards in the United States: the Renault Winery, which dates back 150 years. That’s when French-born master vintner Louis Nicholas Renault began producing champagne here; soon enough, he was one of the largest distributors of bubbly in the United States. In 2001, the winery’s current owners added a 50-room hotel to the vineyard, naming it the Tuscany House Hotel for the way its design calls to mind the Italian countryside.

• Learn more about the winery on a 40-minute tour and tasting for two, included with some options.
• Onsite dining: Renault Gourmet Restaurant and Joseph’s Restaurant, where Executive Chef Joe DeGennaro crafts Italian entrees.
• Optional breakfast: Select options include a continental breakfast on weekdays, or breakfast at Joseph’s restaurant on weekends. At Joseph’s, choose from wheat berry french toast, tuscan omelets, and other hot offerings ($10/person for guests who do not purchase options with the included wine and breakfast package).
• Live music at Joseph’s Restaurant on weekends

Egg Harbor City, New Jersey: Pastoral Countryside and Wineries Outside Atlantic City

You’ll find the rustic town of Egg Harbor City about 20 miles inland from Atlantic City. Thanks to a microclimate and soil similar to France’s, the area supports a handful of award-winning wineries. They include Renault Winery and Sylvin Farms Winery, which offer tastings and tours.

The bright lights of Atlantic City are a quick drive away. No trip to that glittery destination would be complete without a stroll along the famous boardwalk, which stretches for 6 miles along the coast. Originally built in 1870 to keep sand out of hotel lobbies, the boardwalk grew in popularity as a place where you could drink and gamble without much trouble from the police during Prohibition, as depicted in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. The casinos are still lively, but the boardwalk has grown more family-friendly over the years; visitors are just as inclined to sit at the beach or stop at one of the many carnival rides.

It’s also worth checking out the Absecon Lighthouse, which is more than 150 years old. Climb its 228 steps to the top for sweeping views of the city skyline and the sea. Down at the base, you’ll find a replica of the original light keeper’s lonely cloister and the collection of sock puppets he created to keep him company.

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