| Day 1 | DEPART USA/CANADA
Overnight flight to France |
| Day 2 | PARIS, FRANCE - EMBARKATION
Arrive in Paris and embark on your luxurious ship. Meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Aboard Wine Toast. The ship cruises overnight. (D) |
| Day 3 | VERNON
This morning, enjoy a scenic cruise along the Seine to the provincial town of Vernon. You will visit the nearby village of Giverny to tour the famous house and gardens of master Impressionist Claude Monet. The artist lived here for more than four decades, immortalizing the flowers, footbridges and stone structures of his country estate in some of his most famous paintings, including the much beloved Water Lillies series. This afternoon’s agenda includes an onboard wine lecture and tasting. We moor overnight in Vernon. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | ROUEN
In the morning, feast your eyes on the gorgeous passing scenery as you enjoy an onboard wine lecture and tasting. Arrive in Rouen in the afternoon, where you will have a tour this medieval city, the historic capital of Normandy. Walk through the Old Town to the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and visit the square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Afterwards, visit a local winery to sample different wines from France’s various wine regions. Tonight, join your fellow guests on board for a sumptuous Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs Dinner with wine pairing. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | ROUEN – NORMANDY BEACHES
Today, you will have the choice of three different excursions. “D-Day Remembered” is a full day excursion tracing the events of June 6th 1944. The first excursion is to the US sector, Omaha and Utah beaches. Your first stop will be Arromanches, with free time to visit the museums and have lunch before visiting St.Laurent-sur-Mer, the US Cemetery at Omaha Beach. The last stop of your excursion is the Ranger monument at Pointe du Hoc before returning to the ship in Rouen. If you prefer, you may tour the Gold, June & Sword beaches in the British and Canadian sectors. Your first stop will be Arromanches, with free time to visit the museums and have lunch before visiting the Juno Beach Centre. The last stop of your excursion is the Pegasus Monument in Ranville. As an alternative to the “D-Day Remembered” excursions, opt for the “Taste of Normandy” excursion, which includes a tour to a Calvados distillery and a tasting of Normandy’s famous cider and the apple brandy Calvados. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | ROUEN – LES ANDELYS
This morning you have a choice of two different tours. The first option is to visit the village of Honfleur, located on the southern bank of the Seine across from Le Havre. This historic port, with its picturesque houses with slate-covered facades, was a favorite subject of artists such as Courbet, Boudin and Monet. Honfleur’s 15th-cenutury Sainte-Catherine church, with its detached bell tower, is the largest wooden church in France. Alternatively, you may visit the Fécamp Monastery for a tasting of Bénédictine, an herbal brandy-based liqueur created by the monks in the 16th century. Today, the beverage continues to be made by a private company on the grounds of the abbey. This afternoon, cruise the Seine as you enjoy an onboard wine tasting. The ship arrives tonight in Les Andelys and moors overnight. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | LES ANDELYS
A morning stroll on the riverside offers beautiful views of the Seine Valley, centuries-old half-timbered houses and the ruins of Chateau-Gaillard perched above the town. The once-massive stronghold of Richard the Lionhearted was completed in 1198, and consisted of three different enclosures divided by dry moats. More active guests may wish to hike up the hill to tour the ruins of this historic castle. Your ship departs after lunch for Paris while you attend an onboard wine lecture and tasting. This evening, mingle with your fellow guests on board at the Captain’s Gala Dinner. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | PARIS
The morning is yours to enjoy however you wish, perhaps to visit one of Paris’ most spectacular museums – the Musee D’Orsay. Located on the Seine’s Left Bank, the museum was built in the former Gare (railway station) d'Orsay and houses an extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Later this afternoon, you will also enjoy a special Champagne tasting. The ship moors overnight in Paris. (B,L,D) |
| Day 9 | PARIS - DISEMBARKATION
After disembarkation this morning, guests with a Paris extension will have a panoramic tour of this historic and beautiful city. Enjoy some free time to explore the city and have lunch on your own, then rejoin the group for a visit to the Wine Museum of Paris. In the museum's dense limestone cellars, you will learn the history of French winemaking techniques and sample wine from the museum's own vineyard in the South of France. After touring the museum, you will transfer to your hotel. (B) |
| Day 10 | PARIS
Today is yours to enjoy as a free day in the “City of Lights,” where a multitude of landmarks, museums, cafes and shops beckon. If you wish, join one of several optional tours that are also available. (B) |
| Day 11 | DEPART PARIS
Your river cruise vacation comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B) |
| Day 1 | DEPART USA/CANADA
Overnight flight to France |
| Day 2 | PARIS, FRANCE - EMBARKATION
Arrive in Paris and embark on your luxurious ship. Meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Aboard Wine Toast. The ship cruises overnight. (D) |
| Day 3 | VERNON
This morning, enjoy a scenic cruise along the Seine to the provincial town of Vernon. You will visit the nearby village of Giverny to tour the famous house and gardens of master Impressionist Claude Monet. The artist lived here for more than four decades, immortalizing the flowers, footbridges and stone structures of his country estate in some of his most famous paintings, including the much beloved Water Lillies series. This afternoon’s agenda includes an onboard wine lecture and tasting. We moor overnight in Vernon. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | ROUEN
In the morning, feast your eyes on the gorgeous passing scenery as you enjoy an onboard wine lecture and tasting. Arrive in Rouen in the afternoon, where you will have a tour this medieval city, the historic capital of Normandy. Walk through the Old Town to the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and visit the square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Afterwards, visit a local winery to sample different wines from France’s various wine regions. Tonight, join your fellow guests on board for a sumptuous Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs Dinner with wine pairing. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | ROUEN – NORMANDY BEACHES
Today, you will have the choice of three different excursions. “D-Day Remembered” is a full day excursion tracing the events of June 6th 1944. The first excursion is to the US sector, Omaha and Utah beaches. Your first stop will be Arromanches, with free time to visit the museums and have lunch before visiting St.Laurent-sur-Mer, the US Cemetery at Omaha Beach. The last stop of your excursion is the Ranger monument at Pointe du Hoc before returning to the ship in Rouen. If you prefer, you may tour the Gold, June & Sword beaches in the British and Canadian sectors. Your first stop will be Arromanches, with free time to visit the museums and have lunch before visiting the Juno Beach Centre. The last stop of your excursion is the Pegasus Monument in Ranville. As an alternative to the “D-Day Remembered” excursions, opt for the “Taste of Normandy” excursion, which includes a tour to a Calvados distillery and a tasting of Normandy’s famous cider and the apple brandy Calvados. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | ROUEN – LES ANDELYS
This morning you have a choice of two different tours. The first option is to visit the village of Honfleur, located on the southern bank of the Seine across from Le Havre. This historic port, with its picturesque houses with slate-covered facades, was a favorite subject of artists such as Courbet, Boudin and Monet. Honfleur’s 15th-cenutury Sainte-Catherine church, with its detached bell tower, is the largest wooden church in France. Alternatively, you may visit the Fécamp Monastery for a tasting of Bénédictine, an herbal brandy-based liqueur created by the monks in the 16th century. Today, the beverage continues to be made by a private company on the grounds of the abbey. This afternoon, cruise the Seine as you enjoy an onboard wine tasting. The ship arrives tonight in Les Andelys and moors overnight. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | LES ANDELYS
A morning stroll on the riverside offers beautiful views of the Seine Valley, centuries-old half-timbered houses and the ruins of Chateau-Gaillard perched above the town. The once-massive stronghold of Richard the Lionhearted was completed in 1198, and consisted of three different enclosures divided by dry moats. More active guests may wish to hike up the hill to tour the ruins of this historic castle. Your ship departs after lunch for Paris while you attend an onboard wine lecture and tasting. This evening, mingle with your fellow guests on board at the Captain’s Gala Dinner. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | PARIS
The morning is yours to enjoy however you wish, perhaps to visit one of Paris’ most spectacular museums – the Musee D’Orsay. Located on the Seine’s Left Bank, the museum was built in the former Gare (railway station) d'Orsay and houses an extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Later this afternoon, you will also enjoy a special Champagne tasting. The ship moors overnight in Paris. (B,L,D) |
| Day 9 | PARIS - DISEMBARKATION
Disembark your cruise in Paris. (B) |
