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~
River Cruises in the South of France ~
Lyon
- Provence
Explore
Provence and Burgundy and
discover the ancient heritage of Roman Arles and
medieval Avignon.
Cruise
the Saone and Rhone rivers down to Southern France on an elegant 132-passenger
river boat (8 days - 7 nights). Float
through Burgundy and Provence on a magical river cruise where ancient history,
spectacular scenery, gourmet cuisine and fine wines are a treat for all senses.
On this cruise, you will sail past quaint hilltop villages and bustling towns,
as well as lush vineyards and sundrenched landscapes made famous by great post-impressionist
painters such as Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Paul Cézanne. You will
also explore regions filled with World Heritage sites: Avignon with its imposing
Palais des Papes; Arles, immortalized in Van Gogh's paintings; and Lyon, the gastronomic
capital of France. This
river cruise is absolute heaven for history buffs, gastronomes, wine connoisseurs
and travelers interested in seeing locations that inspired great artists. 
TYPICAL
RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary) BB
= Buffet Breakfast, CB = Continental Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner Day
1 - Sunday: Marseille. Arrive
at Marseille International Airport for your transfer to the ship docked in Arles.
D Day
2 - Monday: Arles. Vincent Van Gogh found inspiration in the charming
town of Arles where he spent a period of intense work under the bright sunny skies
of Provence. He actually produced more than 300 paintings and drawings in 15 months,
including the famous Starry Night. On this tour you will walk in the artist's
footsteps as well as discover some fascinating Roman monuments: a small coliseum,
an amphitheater and emperor Constantine's baths. BB, L, D (captain's welcome gala) Day
3 - Tuesday: Avignon.
This walled-in medieval city, a World Heritage site, is full of history and culture
and you will capture all of that on your walking tour of the "City of the
Popes." The walking tour starts at the ramparts and continues on to Clocktower
Square. Along the way, enjoy the views of the colorful cafés and the architecture
of the city hall, the opera and the classical mansions. Next is the Popes' Palace
with its maze of galleries, chambers,and chapels. Time at your own leisure in
the afternoon. BB, L, D Day
4 - Wednesday: Viviers.
Lovely Viviers, developed around its Romanesque cathedral, has retained much of
its historic charm. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the medieval streets of this
delightful town on your way to a beautiful organ concert. BB, L, D Day
5 - Thursday: Tournon, Tain l'Hermitage.
Nestled among famous vineyards, the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage
provide the perfect setting for wine afficionados. Enjoy a wine tasting today
and indulge in some of the best Côtes du Rhône wines. Then cross the
Marc Seguin suspension bridge and visit Tournon and its historic castle. BB, L,
D Day
6 - Friday: Lyon.
France's second largest city, is the country's lively and creative capital of
gastronomy. The tour starts with a drive up to the Notre Dame de Fourvière
basilica, Lyon's hallmark. From this high point, enjoy the dramatic view over
the city. This visit is followed by a panoramic tour going by Terreaux Square,
the fine arts museum, and the avant garde opera house. The afternoon is spent
at leisure to further explore the city on your own. BB, L, D (captain's farewell
gala) Day
7 - Saturday: Chalon sur Saône (Beaune).
Located in the heart of Burgundy, Chalon sur Saône is an important center
for France's wine trade. From here, you will journey to nearby Beaune to visit
the famous Hospices de Beaune, founded in 1443, as a charitable hospital. Marvel
at the multicolored tile roof in the Dutch Gothic architectural style, which has
become one of the symbols of Burgundy. Next, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the
open-air food market. BB, L, D Day
8 - Sunday:
Disembark the ship in Chalon and transfer to the Lyon airport. CB or BB
On
alternate weeks, cruise will be
in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is subject to change without notice.
Note:
Jul 8 & 22, 2012 departures have a special family program. Contact
us for details.
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Highlights
- Roman
and "artistic" Arles
- Medieval
Avignon
- Cotes
du Rhone wines
- Lyon,
the gastronomic capital of France
- Beaune,
at the heart of Burgundy
Included -
7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom
- All
meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
- 7
breakfasts, 6lunches, 7 dinners
- Complimentary
fine European wines, choice of beer, and soft drinks during dinner onboard; bottled
water in your stateroom and 24-hour coffee and tea
- 6
shore excursions, fully hosted by English-speaking local guides
- State-of-the-art
Quietvox portable audio headset system on all shore excursions
- Onboard
entertainment
- Signature
lecture: "Vincent van Gogh's Troubled Destiny"
- Captain's
Welcome Gala and Farewell Dinner
- An
experienced cruise manager and attentive, all English-speaking staff
- Transfers
on arrival and departure days
Not
Included - Crew
gratuities (suggested 115-120 euros per passenger)
- Personal
expenses
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" above
River
Boat Features - The
lavishly appointed riverview staterooms have hotel-style beds draped in fine linens,
a vanity, built-in closets, hair dryer, safe, individual thermostat for air conditioning
and heat, direct-dial telephone, flat-screen TV, bottled water and a bottle of
wine upon arrival; a bathroom with L'Occitane bath and body products, magnifying
mirror, waffle bathrobes and slippers; plus a refrigerator; daily fruit and cookie
plate, laundry service with ironing facilities, shoe shine, and morning coffee,
tea, and continental breakfast
- Free
Internet access and Wi-Fi in public areas
- Beautiful
panoramic main lounge, full-service bar, cozy library/game room, and elegant restaurant
- Sun
deck with chess and shuffleboard, fitness room, sauna, Jacuzzi, massage treatments
and boutique
- 24-hour
specialty coffee and tea bar
- 24-hour
reception service
- Length:
361 ft (110 m)
- Width:
37.5 ft (11.40 m)
- Number
of Decks: 3 + sun deck
- Number
of Categories: 3
- Maximum
Passengers: 132
- Staterooms:
65 (sizes: Category 1 - 140 sf, category 2 & 3 - 151 sf)
- Suite:
1 (size: 217 sq ft)
- Currency
onboard: Euro
- Elevator
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Dates
& Prices (in US$) Prices
are per person double occupancy in Category 3 2012
Start Date | Cruise
Price | Port
Charges
Fuel Surchg | Airfare | Mar
25* | $2,499 | $126 | | Apr
1 | $2,699 | Apr
8* | $2,799 | Apr
15 | $2,899 | Apr
22* | $3,099 | | Apr
29 | $3,199 | May
6*, 13, 20* | $3,349 | May
27
Jun
3*, 10, 17*, 24 | $3,299 | Jul
1*, 8, 15*, 22, 29*, Aug 5, 12*, 19
| $3,049 | | Aug
26* | $3,249 | Sep
2, 9*, 16, 23*,
30, Oct 7* | $3,499 | | Oct
14 | $3,249 | | Oct
21* | $3,099 | | Oct
28 | $2,799 | | Nov
4* | $2,599 |
*
Cruise operates from Chalon sur Saone to Arles on these dates. To
upgrade to a higher category, add the following amounts per person: Suite | $1,795 | Category
1 | $995 | Category
2 | $495 |
Specials
2012
early booking discounts: Contact
us for details - Book
and deposit by Feb 29, 2012, to save $300 per couple OR
- Pay
in full at time of reservation to save $800 per couple on cruise plus air package.
Selected departure dates; offer expires Feb 29, 2012.
- Single
supplement waived on selected departures (suites not included).
Note:
Offers are subject to availability at time of reservation and are capacity controlled.
Other restrictions may apply. The cruise company reserves the right to withdraw
this offer at any time.
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