| Day 1 | DEPART USA/CANADA
Board your overnight flight to Barcelona, Spain. |
| Day 2 | ARRIVE IN BARCELONA, SPAIN
Arrive in Barcelona and check-in to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to start exploring this beautiful city. |
| Day 3 | BARCELONA
Your full day in Barcelona begins with a driving tour to the top of Montjuic Hill where you will enjoy glorious views of the city below. Continue along the waterfront to Las Ramblas, the iconic tree-lined boulevard at the heart of the city. You will explore the Gothic Quarter, the medieval center of the city. Your tour also includes the unique architectural works of Antoni Gaudí, including Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and La Sagrada Familia, the basilica and UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been under construction for over a century. As an alternative, choose the “Tapas Tasting” tour, where you will visit tapas bars to sample local favorites and take a guided tour of the Market of la Boqueria. (B) |
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| Day 4 | BARCELONA
Enjoy a full day at your leisure, or take part in an optional excursion to Montserrat, where you will visit the famous Benedictine Abbey atop Montserrat Mountain. (B) |
| Day 5 | BARCELONA - EMBARKATION - ARLES, FRANCE
After breakfast, you will transfer from Barcelona to Arles, the gateway to Provence. Along the way, you will stop in the medieval town of Perpignan, France, close to the Mediterranean. Here, you will have free time for lunch and exploring on your own. Continue on your transfer, passing through the eerie marshland region of the Camargue before arriving in Arles and boarding your ship. This evening, meet your fellow passengers for a Welcome Dinner. (B,D) |
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| Day 6 | ARLES - LES BAUX - AVIGNON
This morning, you will arrive in Arles and board a motor coach for an excursion to the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence. The village’s castle provides a fascinating exhibit of medieval siege weaponry. As an alternative, take the “Impressionist Expressions” excursion to the Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Van Gogh painted such well-known works as The Irises and Starry Night. Later, visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provençal farming tradition. Late this afternoon, your city tour of Arles takes you to the Romanesque cathedral and the Roman Amphitheater. This evening cruise to nearby Avignon. As your ship docks, look for the Avignon Bridge, made famous by the French children’s song “Sur le pont d’Avignon” (“On the Bridge of Avignon”). Enjoy a wine lecture and tasting this evening. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | AVIGNON - VIVIERS
This morning, you will have your choice of two excursions in and around historic Avignon. Seven popes once resided in the magnificent Gothic Papal Palace, which you will visit during your city walking tour. You will also see the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As an alternative, take an excursion to the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour will also visit Uzes, a lovely Provencal town known for its castle (still occupied by the Duke of Uzes and his family), medieval streets and a picturesque town square. Enjoy free time for shopping in Uzes before returning to your ship. In the afternoon, visit the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape then cruise to Viviers. Arriving this evening, you will enjoy a “Ghost Walk” and hear tales of the town’s history and legends. The ship moors overnight in Viviers (B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | VIVIERS - TOURNON
After breakfast, you’ll have an excursion to Grignan, a magnificent hilltop village surrounded by lavender fields. The village’s Renaissance castle provides a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. Enjoy some free time to explore local shops for confections, home-made lavender soaps and other crafts. Rejoin the ship in Le Pouzine, then cruise to Tournon as you enjoy an onboard wine lecture. This evening, enjoy a winery visit in Tournon. (B,L,D) |
| Day 9 | TOURNON - VIENNE
This morning, enjoy a chocolate tasting and wine tour in Tournon. Enjoy free time this afternoon to visit the 16th-century castle which is now a town hall. You will have an onboard wine lecture this afternoon and arrive this evening in Vienne. Situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne has a significant Roman history, which is highlighted by its marvelously preserved ruins and remains. This evening, enjoy a sumptuous Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs Dinner with wine pairing. (B,L,D) |
| Day 10 | VIENNE – LYON
Vienne’s Roman past can be readily seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. This morning, you will have a guided walking tour of Vienne and see the 1st-century Roman Temple of Augustus and Livia, the ruins of a Roman theater, and the medieval churches of St. Andre-Le-Bas and Abbey St. Pierre. As an alternative, you may choose to visit the Chateau Roussillion and Pottery (when available). After lunch, your ship will depart for Lyon, arriving mid-afternoon. The ship moors overnight in Lyon. (B,L,D) |
| Day 11 | LYON – COLLONGES – BELLEVILLE – LYON
This morning, your panoramic tour of Lyon will take you to the Place Bellecour with its equestrian statue of Louis XIV, the Place des Terreaux with Bartholdi’s Fountain, and the Town Hall. Afterwards, visit Fourvière, part of the historic region designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the “Hill of Prayers,” Fourvière is famous for its iconic white Basilica of Notre-Dame, ruins of a Roman theater, and majestic views of the city below. The ship departs after noon and cruises to Collonges for your excursion through the Beaujolais wine region, the Pays d’Or (“land of the golden stones,” named for the ochre limestone used to build local homes and castles). You will visit the medieval hilltop village of Oingt and the home of a local vintner, where you will enjoy a wine tasting and vineyard tour, and learn about the history of wine production in the region. Rejoin the ship in Belleville and return to Lyon, arriving late tonight (B,L,D) |
| Day 12 | LYON - DISEMBARKATION - PARIS, FRANCE
After disembarking your ship, you will be treated to a Champagne tasting or a demonstration of Lyonnaise cooking. You will then have free time for lunch on your own before transferring to the train station to board a TGV high-speed train that will whisk you through the French countryside to Paris. Upon arrival in Paris, you will be transferred to your hotel. This evening, an optional “Montmartre & Illuminations” tour is available. (B) |
| Day 13 | PARIS
Enjoy Paris’ famous sights during this morning's guided tour where you will see the Champs Élysées, Place de la Concorde, and the Eiffel Tower. Conclude your visit at the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. The afternoon is free for you to explore the “City of Lights.” This evening, an optional “Parisian Cabaret at Paradis Latin” dinner show is available. (B) |
| Day 14 | PARIS
Enjoy your last full day in Paris at your leisure. You may also take an optional “Seine Cruise & Montparnasse Tower” tour this morning. (B). |
| Day 15 | DEPART PARIS
Your splendid vacation comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B) |
| Day 1 | EMBARKATION - ARLES, FRANCE
Board your cruise in Arles. This evening, meet your fellow passengers for a Welcome Dinner. (D) |
| Day 2 | ARLES - LES BAUX - AVIGNON
This morning, you will arrive in Arles and board a motor coach for an excursion to the hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence. The village’s castle provides a fascinating exhibit of medieval siege weaponry. As an alternative, take the “Impressionist Expressions” excursion to the Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Van Gogh painted such well-known works as The Irises and Starry Night. Later, visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provençal farming tradition. Late this afternoon, your city tour of Arles takes you to the Romanesque cathedral and the Roman Amphitheater. This evening cruise to nearby Avignon. As your ship docks, look for the Avignon Bridge, made famous by the French children’s song “Sur le pont d’Avignon” (“On the Bridge of Avignon”). Enjoy a wine lecture and tasting this evening. (B,L,D) |
| Day 3 | AVIGNON - VIVIERS
This morning, you will have your choice of two excursions in and around historic Avignon. Seven popes once resided in the magnificent Gothic Papal Palace, which you will visit during your city walking tour. You will also see the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As an alternative, take an excursion to the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your tour will also visit Uzes, a lovely Provencal town known for its castle (still occupied by the Duke of Uzes and his family), medieval streets and a picturesque town square. Enjoy free time for shopping in Uzes before returning to your ship. In the afternoon, visit the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape then cruise to Viviers. Arriving this evening, you will enjoy a “Ghost Walk” and hear tales of the town’s history and legends. The ship moors overnight in Viviers (B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | VIVIERS - TOURNON
After breakfast, you’ll have an excursion to Grignan, a magnificent hilltop village surrounded by lavender fields. The village’s Renaissance castle provides a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. Enjoy some free time to explore local shops for confections, home-made lavender soaps and other crafts. Rejoin the ship in Le Pouzine, then cruise to Tournon as you enjoy an onboard wine lecture. This evening, enjoy a winery visit in Tournon. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | TOURNON - VIENNE
This morning, enjoy a chocolate tasting and wine tour in Tournon. Enjoy free time this afternoon to visit the 16th-century castle which is now a town hall. You will have an onboard wine lecture this afternoon and arrive this evening in Vienne. Situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne has a significant Roman history, which is highlighted by its marvelously preserved ruins and remains. This evening, enjoy a sumptuous Chaîne Des Rôtisseurs Dinner with wine pairing. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | VIENNE – LYON
Vienne’s Roman past can be readily seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. This morning, you will have a guided walking tour of Vienne and see the 1st-century Roman Temple of Augustus and Livia, the ruins of a Roman theater, and the medieval churches of St. Andre-Le-Bas and Abbey St. Pierre. As an alternative, you may choose to visit the Chateau Roussillion and Pottery (when available). After lunch, your ship will depart for Lyon, arriving mid-afternoon. The ship moors overnight in Lyon. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | LYON – COLLONGES – BELLEVILLE – LYON
This morning, your panoramic tour of Lyon will take you to the Place Bellecour with its equestrian statue of Louis XIV, the Place des Terreaux with Bartholdi’s Fountain, and the Town Hall. Afterwards, visit Fourvière, part of the historic region designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the “Hill of Prayers,” Fourvière is famous for its iconic white Basilica of Notre-Dame, ruins of a Roman theater, and majestic views of the city below. The ship departs after noon and cruises to Collonges for your excursion through the Beaujolais wine region, the Pays d’Or (“land of the golden stones,” named for the ochre limestone used to build local homes and castles). You will visit the medieval hilltop village of Oingt and the home of a local vintner, where you will enjoy a wine tasting and vineyard tour, and learn about the history of wine production in the region. Rejoin the ship in Belleville and return to Lyon, arriving late tonight (B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | LYON - DISEMBARKATION
Disembark your cruise in Lyon. (B) |
