|
Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to learn about France and to taste its sumptuous wines and cuisine. Your adventure begins with two overnights and guided sightseeing in Paris, the “City of Light.” Travel south to fascinating Beaune for a Burgundy wine tasting, then board your ship in quaint Chalon-sur-Saône and set sail for lovely Tournus, Mâcon, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as medieval Tournon, charming Viviers, Avignon, and Arles. Your vacation ends with an overnight in the stunning Côte d’Azur on the French Riviera.
Day 1, Sat., USA / Paris, France
Board your overnight transatlantic flight to Paris.
Day 2, Sun., Paris
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!
Day 3, Mon., Paris
Paris’ famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife that includes some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows.
Attend CME Program (B)
Day 4, Tue., Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation)
After breakfast, drive south past the forest of Fontainebleau (favorite hunting grounds of a long line of French kings) and into Burgundy. Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area—which produces the region’s finest vintages—owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Its most famous historical site, the Hôtel-Dieu charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France’s architectural highlights. Enjoy a TASTING of Burgundy wines before continuing south to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)
Day 5, Wed., Chalon/ Tournus/ Mâcon
A guided walk after breakfast today shows you the highlights of this quaint French town situated on the Saône River. Explore the NICÉPHORE NIÉPCE photography museum at your own pace before returning to your ship in time for its departure for Tournus. After lunch, enjoy free time in this lovely town. Perhaps, are worth a visit to the cloister of St. Philibert; or the Burgundy Museum’s, located in an old family mansion, Later, cruise to Mâcon, a city with a rich history that plays an important role in the wine trade. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (B,L,D)
Day 6, Thu., Beaujolais Region/ Lyon
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. Lyon is France’s second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and much renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the city from Fourviére Hill and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whisch includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significance with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place des Terreaux, and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the “Beaujolais Nouveau” is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. (B,L,D)
Day 7, Fri., Lyon
Enjoy a free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. Attend CME Program (B,L,D)
Day 8, Sat., Tournon/ Tain l’Hermitage-Viviers
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France’s oldest medieval cities. Another charming town, Viviers, was developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D)
Day 9, Sun., Avignon
The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Also referred to as the “City of Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. A photo of the bridge of the popular song is a must, and optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 10, Mon., Arles
On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the “Little Rome of Gaul.” See the church of St. Trophime; “Les Alyscamps,” the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of the Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The “Foundation Vincent Van Gogh” is a tribute to the artist. (B,L,D)
Day 11, Tue., Arles / Côte d’Azur (Disembarkation)
After breakfast, a comfortable motor coach ride takes you along the Côte d’Azur for a last night in France. Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d’Azur stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border. (B)
Day 12, Wed., Côte d’Azur
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Transfer to the airport, your homebound flight departs from Nice and arriving USA the same day. (B)
Cruise: Deluxe 7-night cruise from Chalon-sur-Saone to Arles in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
Paris: Guided sightseeing
Beaune: Orientation Walk, See The Hôtel-Dieu; Burgundy Wine Tasting
Chalon-Sur-Saône: Welcome Reception; Visit Nicéphore Niépce Museum
Lyon: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourviere Hill
Tournon: Orientation walk
Viviers: Guided Walk, Visit Old Town And The Cathedral
Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
Arles: Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Full buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Côte d’Azur; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; complimentary regional wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day.
Inside visits & special features are shown in uppercase
Airport transfers included with purchase of air
In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motor coach.
Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
Departures 2011:
| Dates | Category/Deck | Book by
Oct 31st, 2010 | Cost |
July 16 -
July 27 |
E |
Indigo Deck |
$ 4,729 |
$ 5,029 |
| B |
Sapphire Deck |
$ 5,228 |
$ 5,528 |
| A |
Sapphire Deck |
$ 5,278 |
$ 5,578 |
| P |
Royal Deck |
$ 5,378 |
$ 5,678 |
| Jr. Suite Royal Deck |
$ 5,928 |
$ 6,228 |
|
October 8 -
October 19 |
E |
Indigo Deck |
$ 4,319 |
$ 4,619 |
| B |
Sapphire Deck |
$ 4,818 |
$ 5,118 |
| A |
Sapphire Deck |
$ 4,868 |
$ 5,168 |
| P |
Royal Deck |
$ 4,968 |
$ 5,268 |
| Jr. Suite Royal Deck |
$ 5,518 |
$ 5,818 |
All Cruise departures are guaranteed.
- Cost is per person based on double occupancy.
- Government taxes and fees are not included.
- Port charges $98 are not included.
- Hotels: PARIS Le Meridien Montparnasse (SF), CÔTE D’AZUR Fairmont Monte Carlo (D)
Optional Excursions
Arles
Les Baux And The Olive Groves Of Les Alpilles
To the east of Arles lie the limestone hills known as the Alpilles. They are the heart of Provence: between the Luberon and the Mediterranean Sea, their jagged white peaks jut into the blue sky. The chain is home to many picturesque Provencal villages. Its most famous is Les Baux-de-Provence. All along the chain of blue hills, one can see olive groves and rich vineyards. The valley of Les Baux is now known for its olive oil and its green cracked olives. The wines from the wine cellars in Les Baux are among the best of Cotes-du-Rhone. The Montagnette, a smaller chain of limestone hills, has picturesque landscapes where you can smell the Provencal herbs, thyme and rosemary.
Avignon
An Afternoon In Provence
Peter Mayle and his book "A Year in Provence" made this area world famous. We follow our local expert to the town of Roussillon, once the site of a huge ochre quary. The dark orange-red of the soil and the lush green of the vegetation make a breathtaking contrast. Afterwards, we follow the road of the lavender fields to Gordes. In June and July this area is full of the violet blue of these Provencal herbs.
Wine Tasting In Chateauneuf Du Pape
When the Popes fled into exile, it was no coincidence that they chose Avignon as their retreat. We can only assume that their decision was influenced by the fact that some of France's best vineyards are in close proximity to the city. The wines from Chateauneuf du Pape have become icons among French Wines. The warm sun of the Provence region creates a heavy-bodied wine with a ruby red color, rich in taste, with a bouquet of cherries and spices. During our excursion, we will discuss the origin of the wines of this area and the special soil and climate conditions. We will travel through extensive vineyards and stop for a wine tasting in one of the oldest domains of Chateauneuf du Pape.
Lyon
The "Traboules" And The Silk Of Lyon
Perhaps you have heard about the "traboules" of Lyon. But do you know the meaning of the word? And have you ever "trabouled" through Vieux Lyon or the slopes of the Croix-Rousse? This tour will tell you all about the famous hidden passageways and the city's efforts to preserve them. The passageways were used mostly by the silk weavers to protect their goods from rain while crossing the city. The "Maison des Canuts" the silk weaver's museum or a workshop, are well worth a visit, and as the guided inside visit will be narrated by authentic "canuts", this excursion offers a fascinating insight into the silk industry.
Macon
Cormatin - Palace Of A Fairy Tale Time
Cormatin is one of those secret sites that you find only if you leave the beaten path. It is an impressive but intimate water castle that stands in a beautiful park. Fireplaces, ceilings and paneling, tapestries and furniture of the period add to this evocation of life during the time of the "Three Musketeers". The drive there itself familiarizes you with the beautiful countryside of this part of France, where white Charolais cattle graze peacefully and where villages take on picture-book aspects with flowers in the front yards and narrow lanes, and where people still have the time to stop and chat.
Nice
Grace, Glamour, Glitter - An Evening in Monaco
Two words which evoke a magical dream world. Monte Carlo. We will try to help you discover the many facets of the Principality of Monaco. Experience Monaco's exceptional location, between mountain and sea, its gardens, all qualities which make it the ideal destination for a romantic evening in an unforgettable setting. In 1997, Monaco was dressed up to the nines for the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi Family Dynasty. We will start our evening with a dinner overlooking the bay of Monaco, and old Monte Carlo.
Paris
Mona Lisa's Smile and The Louvre Museum
Open to all since 1793" The Louvre Museum has embodied the concept of a truly "universal" institution. The priceless artworks housed in the Louvre are held for the benefit of present and future generations. The 35 000 works of art include such famous master pieces as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo. Our local expert will bring them to life as we have a look at the most important pieces of the various collections.
An Evening at The Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge Theater is the epitome of French cabaret shows. Enjoy a dinner at the Moulin Rouge. After dinner, enjoy the show "Feerie," featuring more than 100 artists and dancers, and more than 1,000 costumes.
The Artist's Quarter of Montmartre
Join our local expert on a short walking tour of the lanes and squares around Sacre Coeur Church. Admire a spectacular view over the roofs of the City of Light and Love. Listen to the stories and admire the artwork of the artists at Place du Tertre, where some of the French impressionists started their career. There is free time before your local expert provides a short orientation of the city on the way back to the hotel.
|
