This 154-passenger riverboat cruise up (or down) the Rhône and Saône rivers will take you past some of the most beautiful vineyards and vistas in southern France. You will discover the sun-drenched hills of Provence, explore the wild scenery of Ardèche and enjoy the famed wine region of Burgundy. Along the way, you will see remnants of the early Roman influence and learn about the region's time-honored traditions in winemaking.
In Lyon you will have the opportunity to indulge your taste buds by sampling world-renowned cuisine and fabled local wines. In beautiful Arles, see for yourself why this city was such an inspiration to the impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh. In Avignon, view the historic citadel with the medieval Papal Palace ("Palais des Papes"), where seven popes lived and ruled Christendom in the 14th century. This tour is a unique blend of ancient culture, cuisine and wine appreciation. It will leave you with indelible memories.
Typical Itinerary (actual program may vary)
Day 1: Sunday - Chalon-sur-Saône. Welcome to Chalon-sur-Saône, one of the main centers of Burgundy's wine region. Free time after boarding the ship to explore this quaint town on the Saône River. Includes: (D).
Day 2: Monday - Beaune and Burgundy Wine Tour. After breakfast, board a motor coach for a scenic drive along France's Burgundy wine route through Pommard, Volnay and Meursault. Arrive in Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy, for your guided tour of the Hôtel Dieu. Founded in 1443, it is a fine example of Gothic architecture with a unique colorful tile roof. Explore the well-preserved interior of this former hospital. Then enjoy wine tasting at one of Beaune's famous wine cellars. Return to your ship for lunch. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure with dinner aboard. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 3: Tuesday - Lyon. After a morning cruise through the picturesque countryside and lunch aboard, take an afternoon tour of Lyon, a 2,000-year-old city nestled in the heart of France's Rhône-Alpes region. (Lyon is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.) Your tour begins with a drive to the top of Fourvière Hill for some amazing views of the city. Continue with a guided visit of the Basilica of Notre Dame and a drive through town passing the magnificent St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice. Then take a walking tour through the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon (old town) with some added free time to explore on your own. You can shop for souvenirs or find a restaurant to sample some fine French cuisine. Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of the country. Dinner is served on board with additional free time this evening. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 4: Wednesday - Lyon and Vienne. After breakfast, your morning is free to further explore this remarkable city. Depart just before lunchtime, and cruise south toward Vienne. This afternoon, take a walking tour of Vienne, a beautiful town surrounded by steep hills and filled with lush gardens. Explore its ancient Roman past when you visit the Temple of Augustus and Livia and the Roman theater. You can also visit the Cathedral of St. Maurice. Your tour ends with a mini-train ride to the top of Mount Pipet for panoramic views. Return to the ship for dinner and an evening departure. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Thursday - Tournon and Viviers (B, L, D). Wake up in Tournon and board a motorcoach for your tour through Tournon to Châteauneuf-sur-Isère near Tain L'Hermitage. During your guided tour you learn more about viticulture and the region's long-standing traditions in wine-making. Enjoy a wine tasting of some famous regional wines followed by a visit to the Musée de Tain L'Hermitage, located in the oldest house in the region. Eat lunch on board as you cruise through the afternoon. Arrive in Viviers after dinner. Viviers is a quaint town set in the middle of a mountainous region. Join your cruise manager for an evening stroll through the old town, where you can see buildings dating back to the Middle Ages and some fine examples of Renaissance architecture. Enjoy some free time before retiring for the evening.
Day 6: Friday - Arles. Arrive during breakfast and meet your guide for a walking tour of Arles with its diverse architecture. You will see Gallo-Roman ruins, including the Church of St. Trophîme and Les Arènes, an ancient amphitheater that seats 20,000 and is still used for bullfights and plays. The city's vibrant colors and striking quality of light were an inspiration for Vincent Van Gogh, who painted Arles as a backdrop for many of his works. You will also see the café made famous by his painting "The Café Terrace." Return to the ship for lunch followed by free time in the afternoon to shop for hand-crafted gifts or to try some local pastries. Dinner will be served as you depart. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Saturday - Avignon (B, L, D). This morning, set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed "City of Popes" because it was home to seven popes from 1309-1377. Stroll through the historic center, stop at the Pont d"Avignon for amazing views and walk the Place de l'Horloge. Continue to the famous Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through the rambling maze of Gothic architecture which served as papal residence, fortress, church and palace. After the tour, enjoy an afternoon at leisure exploring Avignon. You can join the optional tour to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine. Both lunch and dinner will be served on board. The ship remains docked in Avignon overnight.
Day 8: Sunday - Avignon. Morning disembarkation. Includes: (B).
2008 Departures:
Chalon-sur-Saône to Avignon: Mar 23, Apr 6, May 18, Jun 15, Jun 29, Jul 27, Aug 10, Sep 7, Sep 21, Oct 19, Nov 2
Avignon to Chalon-sur-Saône: Mar 30, Apr 13, May 11, May 25, Jun 22, Jul 6, Aug 3, Aug 17, Sep 14, Sep 28, Oct 26
Ship Features:
- 76 twin staterooms/154 passengers
- 40 crew members
- Length: 365 ft.
- Sun deck and promenade deck
- Restaurant, lounge and bar with panoramic windows
- All outside cabins with river view
- Private bathroom and shower
- TV, phone, safe and hairdryer
- Individual climate control
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices range from US$1799 to $3599 per person double occupancy, depending on room category and cruise date. Limited singles available at 150-200% of doubles prices.
Included:
- 7-night cruise
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Hot coffee and tea available all day
- 7 tours with English-speaking guides
- All port charges
Available at Additional Cost:
- Roundtrip air from many US cities and transfers to/from the ship
- Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (corkage fee applies to alcohol not purchased on board the ship)
- Internet and telephone services, WiFi access, and laundry
- Health and travel insurance
Not Included:
- Crew gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Optional activities when available
- Other items not listed in "Included" above
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Barging
Food & Wine
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
