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River Cruises in the South of France ~
Paris
- Riviera
See
Paris, then explore Burgundy and Provence, and
discover the ancient heritage
of Roman Arles and medieval Avignon.
Cruise
the Rhone river down to Southern France on an elegant 138-passenger river boat.
Complete program: 11 days/10 nights (river cruise - 7 nights) plus an optional
3-day Provence package. Your
adventure begins with two overnights in Paris and a guided panoramic tour of the
“City of Light.” Then, on your way south to the Mediterranean, you will
sail on a magical river cruise through Burgundy and Provence where ancient history,
spectacular scenery and sumptuous cuisine will delight you. On this cruise, you
will float past quaint hilltop villages and bustling towns, as well as lush vineyards
and sundrenched landscapes made famous by great artists such as Van Gogh, Gauguin
and Cézanne. You will also explore regions filled with famous 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 fabulous journey
will end on the famed "Côte d’Azur" (better known as the
French Riviera). This
cruise vacation has it all: historic sites, rustic scenery, charming towns, world-class
gastronomy and more! 
TYPICAL
ITINERARY
(actual program may vary) B
= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner Day
1 - Sunday*: Paris.
Day of arrival. Start exploring the "City of Light" at your own leisure.
Please note! The reverse program starts on Monday. Day
2 - Monday: Paris.
Today, your city sightseeing tour shows you the highlights of this beautifull
city: magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum with its iconic glass
pyramid, the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées and,
of course, the Eiffel Tower. B Day
3 - Tuesday: Paris, Beaune, Chalon sur Saône, Tournus
(embarkation in Chalon). After breakfast, drive south to Burgundy and reach Beaune,
at the center of the Côte d'Or wine region, which produces some of the finest
vintages in the world. Visit the Hospices de Beaune, a medieval charity hospital,
one of France's architectural highlights. Enjoy a tasting of Burgundy wines before
continuing to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you will board the river cruise ship.
Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception as the boat departs for Tournus.
BD Day
4 - Wednesday: Tournus, Mâcon. After
breakfast a local expert will show you the highlights of this delightful town,
one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, complete
with a superb abbey dating back to the 10th century. Time at leisure to stroll
through the quaint streets or to explore the arts and crafts shops near the abbey.
After lunch. on to Mâcon, a city that plays an important role in the wine
trade. Choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar. BLD Day
5 - Thursday: Lyon. Enjoy
a leisurely morning cruise through the Beaujolais region and take in the rolling
scenery. Next is Lyon, 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. This bustling city
features Roman ruins, excellent museums and beautiful renaissance architecture.
Survey the city from Fourvière Hill (with its ornate Notre Dame de Fourviere
basilica ) and explore the Old Town, a World Heritage site with its maze of medieval
passageways known as "traboules." BLD Day
6 - Friday: Lyon. Day
at leisure to explore this fascinating city. Early risers might like to visit
the local produce market. Your cruise director will have plenty of suggestions
for things to do during that day. BLD Day
7 - Saturday: Tournon/Tain l'Hermitage, Viviers.
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain lie nestled among lush 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.
Viviers, another charming town, was developed around its Romanesque cathedral,
and the Old Town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.
Please note! A visit to the charming little town of Vienne is included on the
reverse itineraty. BLD Day
8 - Sunday: Avignon.
The fortified city of Avignon, also referred to as the "City of Popes,"
was the center of the Catholic church in the 14th century, and the city's landscape
is dominated by the imposing Popes' Palace. A photo of the bridge named after
the popular nursery rhyme, "Sur le Pont d'Avignon" is a must, of course.
Optional outings to the massive Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, or to the famed
wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. BLD Day
9 - Monday: Arles, Camargue, Port St. Louis.
Before reaching Camargue, the "wild" Rhone River delta, we stop in Arles
today. This quaint provincial town was once known as the "Little Rome of
Gaul." Visit the Roman amphitheater and the beatiful church of St. Trophime.
But, Arles is also famous for another important reason. Vincent Van Gogh, the
famous post-Impressionist artist, was inspired by the blue skies and the bright
sunshine of Provence. He spent a couple of years there (1888/89) and produced
some 300 works of art. Some of the subjects he painted (such as "Cafe Terrace
at Night" - now Café Van Gogh located on Place du Forum) can still
be seen. Depart Arles before dinner and enjoy the tranquil scenery of the Camargue
Regional Nature Park as you sail to Port St. Louis, the final destination of the
cruise. BLD Day
10 - Tuesday: Port St. Louis , French Riviera
(disembarkation in Port St Louis). After breakfast, a comfortable motor coach
ride takes you along the Côte d'Azur for the last night of the program.
B Day
11 - Wednesday: French Riviera. The
program ends with breakfast this morning. B On
alternate weeks, program will be in the reverse direction. This itinerary is subject
to change without notice.
In the event of water level problems or any other issues of a technical nature,
it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motor coach or to alter the program. *Day
1 - Sunday or Monday departures: The Paris
to Monaco program begins on Sunday and ends on Wednesday. The Monaco to
Paris reverse program begins on Monday and ends on Thursday. Both programs
have the same total duration of eleven days. [top] OPTIONAL
POST-CRUISE ITINERARY IN PROVENCE
(at
the end of the Paris to Port St Louis program only) Day
10 - Tuesday: Port St Louis, Camargue, Provence
(disembarkation in Port St Louis). After breakfast, drive through the marshlands
of Camargue encircled on three sides by the Petit Rhône, the Grand Rhône
and the Mediterranean. With more than 400 species of birds, including pink flamingos,
this region is heaven for bird watchers. It is also home to the native Camargue
white horses and black bulls. Discover Aigues Mortes with its impressive medieval
towers and fortifications, surrounded by salt marshes. This afternoon, visit the
Nimes Coliseum, the best preserved of the Roman era, and the Roman gardens, before
continuing on to Saint Rémy de Provence. B Day
11 - Wednesday: Saint Rémy. Today,
explore the small, quaint city of Saint Rémy de Provence, rich in history
and tradition. Visit the ancient Roman town of Glanum nearby and the St Paul de
Mausole monastery, the asylum where Van Gogh spent some time recovering from his
mental illness (a few reproductions of his works are scattered around the nearby
countryside, where he set up his easel and got his inspiration). B Day
12 - Thursday: Aix en Provence, French Riviera. This morning is dedicated
to Aix en Provence, the home town of famous post-Impressionist Paul Cezanne, and
one of France's most elegant cities. Stroll along fashionable Cours Mirabeau shaded
by ancient plane trees and discover colorful plazas, cosmopolitan cafés
and the famous fountains of Aix. After lunch, head east and, on the way to the
Côte d'Azur, catch a view of Cézanne's renowned Mont St Victoire
(which he painted many times from different angles and under varying intensities
of sunlight). B Day
13 - Friday: Riviera. The
program ends with breakfast this morning. B
[top]
Highlights
- Guided
sightseeing in Paris
- Beaune
walking tour, Hôtel-Dieu and tasting of Burgundy wine
- Guided
sightseeing in Tournus. Visit the Abbey of St. Philibert
- Guided
sightseeing in Lyon. Picture stop on Fourvière Hill
- Walking
tours in Tournon and Viviers
- Guided
sightseeing in Avignon. Visit the Palace of the Popes
- Guided
sightseeing in Arles. Visit the Roman amphitheater
Included - Meals
as specified
- Shore
excursions with local guides
- Headsets
for shore excursions
- Complimentary
Wi-Fi access
- Coffee
self-serve beverage station
- Premium
L'Occitane bath amenities
- Full
buffet breakfast with sparkling wine
- Made-to-order
egg station at breakfast
- Complimentary
soft drinks with lunch
- Four-course
dinners with open seating
- Choice
of appetizers, soups and salads
- Nightly
option of entree, dessert or cheese
- Complimentary
regional wines at dinner
- Free
soft drinks or beer with dinner
- Non-smoking
interior
- English-speaking
crew
- Onboard
lectures, activities and nightly entertainment
- Room
service available
Not
Included - Crew
gratuities (suggested 115-120 euros per passenger)
- Personal
expenses
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" above
River
Boat Features - Number
of Decks: 3 + sun deck
- Sky
deck with lounge chairs, shade system and whirlpool
- Number
of Categories: 5
- Maximum
Passengers: 138
- Staterooms:
67 (size: 172 sf)
- Suites:
2 (size: 258 sf)
- Panoramic
windows throughout the cruise ship
- French
balconies in the suites and categories A, B and P
- Fitness
center and hair salon
- Large
bathrooms and showers with glass doors
- Flatscreen
satellite TV with movie channels
- Elevator
[top]
2012
Dates & Prices
(in US$) Prices
are per person double occupancy in category E on the Indigo deck. Departure from
US one day earlier. Paris/Monaco | Price | Monaco/Paris | Price | | Mar
25 | $2,589 | Apr
2 | $2,689 | Apr
8 | $3,239 | Apr
16 | $2,689 | Apr
22 | $3,539 | Apr
30 | $2,689 | May
6 | $3,679 | May
14, 28
Jun 11, 25 | $3,779 | May
20
Jun 3, 17 | $3,779 | Jul
9, 23
Aug 6, 20 | $3,659 | Jul
1, 15, 29
Aug
12 | $3,659 | Sep
3, 17 | $3,879 | | Aug
26 | $3,779 | Oct
1 | $3,659 | | Sep
9 | $3,879 | Oct
15 | $3,579 | | Sep
23 | $3,779 | Oct
29 | $3,189 | | Oct
6 | $3,659 | | | Oct
21 | $3,339 |
To
upgrade to a higher category, add the following amounts per person:
Suite | $1,299 | Category
P | $699 | | Category
A | $599 | | Category
B | $549 |
Port
Charges: Add $105 per person.
Post-Cruise Provence Tour: Add $880
per person.
Cruise
Only: Subtract $840 per person.
Airfare: Contact
us for prices. Specials
Book
by February 28, 2012, and receive $600 off per couple on cruise+air or $300 off
per couple on cruise only.
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