Compare Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers - Cruise Only by Avalon Waterways
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days |
| Price From | Check price |
| Price Per Day | Check price |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise |
| Lodging Level | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | |
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
| Description | Take a wondrous European river cruise through beautiful France along the guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! This French vacation on the Rhône and Saône Rivers begins with two nights in Paris. In the “City of Lights”—home to Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum—you’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city’s must-see sights. Taste Burgundy wines on board your ship, and take an excursion to the Chardonnay wine area. You’ll visit Lyon—France’s gastronomic capital at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Visit the picture-postcard fountain of Place des Terreaux, or visit the Beaujolais region for wine tasting. You’ll explore the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle, followed by a wine and chocolate tasting. Sail to Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes, and visit the Châteauneuf du Pape wine region for wine tasting. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.A Master of Wine will travel with you on this cruise and will hold lectures, tastings and share food and wine pairing expertise on this French wine country vacation of a lifetime. |
Day 1
ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (EMBARKATION)—SEURRE Embark your Suite Ship® in St. Jean de Losne and take a brief evening cruise to Seurre. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN SEURRE(D)
Day 2
MACON Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Mâcon along the majestic Saône River. DISCOVERY Onboard lecture hosted by your Master of Wine.DISCOVERY Take an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar.Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trévoux this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX (B,L,D)
Day 3
LYON Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of FranceSail for lovely Lyon this morning. DISCOVERY Enjoy a delicious Wine and Cheese tasting hosted by your Master of Wine on board your ship.CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. Later on board your ship, be our guest for aWWII & French Resistance Lecture, and enjoy live entertainment after dinner.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON (B,L,D)
Day 4
LYON French Food and Wine—La Vie En Rose in Lyon DISCOVERY Take an excursion to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.Enjoy a free day in Lyon, or choose a Guided Optional Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France! An optional wine blending workshop is also available.Your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals. DISCOVERY Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine.EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON(B,L,D)
Day 5
TOURNON/TAIN L’HERMITAGE A Rendezvous with Castle Views and VineyardsDISCOVERY Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage Afterwards, enjoy a wine tasting paired with chocolate at the Cité du Chocolat at Valrhona, OR:ACTIVE Hike in the vineyards and take in the breathtaking views from the hills (weather permitting).VIVIERS World History in a Charming French Country VillageCLASSIC Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.EVENING CRUISE TO AVIGNON(B,L,D)
Day 6
AVIGNON The City of Popes in Picturesque ProvenceCLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes, OR:DISCOVERY Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.Alternatively take a guided Optional Excursions to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES(B,L,D)
Day 7
ARLES Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh.Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) to immerse yourself in a truly unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.Take advantage of any free time remaining with a stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, to relax and watch the world go by. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES(B,L,D)
Day 8
ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
