Burgundy - Provence River Cruise

Wine, cuisine and culture

This 154-passenger riverboat cruise on the Rhône and Saône rivers will take you past some of the most beautiful vineyards and vistas in southern France.

You will discover the sun-drenched hills of Provence, explore the wild scenery of Ardèche and enjoy the famed wine region of Burgundy. Along the way, you will see remnants of the early Roman influence and learn about the region's time-honored traditions in winemaking.

In Lyon you will have the opportunity to indulge your taste buds by sampling world-renowned cuisine and fabled local wines. In beautiful Arles, see for yourself why this city was such an inspiration to the Impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh. In Avignon, view the historic citadel with the medieval Papal Palace ("Palais des Papes"), where seven popes lived and ruled Christendom in the 14th century.

This river boat cruise is a unique blend of ancient culture, cuisine and wine appreciation. It will leave you with indelible memories.

TYPICAL RIVER CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1 - Sunday: Chalon-sur-Saône (D). Optional transfer from Lyon airport (included with cruise and air package). Welcome to Chalon-sur-Saône, one of the main centers of Burgundy's wine region. Free time after boarding the river boat to explore this quaint town on the Saône River.

Day 2 - Monday: Beaune and Burgundy Wine Tour (B, L, D). After breakfast, board a motor coach for a scenic drive along France's Burgundy wine route through Pommard, Volnay and Meursault. Arrive in Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy, for your guided tour of the Hôtel Dieu. Founded in 1443, it is a fine example of Gothic architecture with a unique colorful tile roof. Explore the well-preserved interior of this former hospital. Then enjoy wine tasting at one of Beaune's famous wine cellars. Return to the river boat for lunch. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure with dinner aboard.

Day 3 - Tuesday: Lyon (B, L, D). After a morning cruise through the picturesque countryside and lunch aboard, take an afternoon tour of Lyon, a 2,000-year-old city nestled in the heart of France's Rhône-Alpes region. (Lyon is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.) Your tour begins with a drive to the top of Fourvière Hill for some amazing views of the city. Continue with a guided visit of the Basilica of Notre Dame and a drive through town passing the magnificent St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice. Then take a walking tour through the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon (old town) with some added free time to explore on your own. You can shop for souvenirs or find a restaurant to sample some fine French cuisine. Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of the country. Dinner is served on board with additional free time this evening.

Day 4 - Wednesday: Lyon and Vienne (B, L, D). After breakfast, your morning is free to further explore this remarkable city. Depart just before lunchtime, and cruise south toward Vienne. This afternoon, take a walking tour of Vienne, a beautiful town surrounded by steep hills and filled with lush gardens. Explore its ancient Roman past when you visit the Temple of Augustus and Livia and the Roman theater. You can also visit the Cathedral of St. Maurice. Your tour ends with a mini-train ride to the top of Mount Pipet for panoramic views. Return to the river boat for dinner and an evening departure.

Day 5 - Thursday: Tournon and Viviers (B, L, D). Wake up in Tournon and board a motorcoach for your tour through Tournon to Châteauneuf-sur-Isère near Tain L'Hermitage. During your guided tour you learn more about viticulture and the region's long-standing traditions in wine-making. Enjoy a wine tasting of some famous regional wines followed by a visit to the Musée de Tain L'Hermitage, located in the oldest house in the region. Eat lunch on board the river boat as you cruise through the afternoon. Arrive in Viviers after dinner. Viviers is a quaint town set in the middle of a mountainous region. Join your cruise manager for an evening stroll through the old town, where you can see buildings dating back to the Middle Ages and some fine examples of Renaissance architecture.

Day 6 - Friday: Arles (B, L, D). Arrive during breakfast and meet your guide for a walking tour of Arles with its diverse architecture. You will see Gallo-Roman ruins, including the Church of St. Trophîme and Les Arènes, an ancient amphitheater that seats 20,000 and is still used for bullfights and plays. The city's vibrant colors and striking quality of light were an inspiration for Vincent Van Gogh, who painted Arles as a backdrop for many of his works. You will also see the café made famous by his painting "The Café Terrace." Return to the river boat for lunch followed by free time in the afternoon to shop for hand-crafted gifts or to try some local pastries. Dinner will be served as you depart.

Day 7 - Saturday: Avignon (B, L, D). This morning, set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed "City of Popes" because it was home to seven popes from 1309-1377. Stroll through the historic center, stop at the Pont d"Avignon for amazing views and walk the Place de l'Horloge. Continue to the famous Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through the rambling maze of Gothic architecture which served as papal residence, fortress, church and palace. After the tour, enjoy an afternoon at leisure exploring Avignon. You can join the optional tour to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine. Both lunch and dinner will be served on board. The river boat remains docked in Avignon overnight.

Day 8 - Sunday: Avignon (B). Morning disembarkation. Optional transfer to Marseille airport (included with cruise and air package).

On alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction. Actual port sequence and times may vary.

Please note: Schedule, excursions and activities are subject to change depending on river water levels, port accessibility and weather conditions. Excursions often include walks over cobblestones, steps and uneven ground. You must be in good physical condition to participate in the tours. For safety reasons, sun deck access may be limited during times of high water levels/low bridge clearance on the rivers.

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Included

• 7-night river cruise
• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
• Hot coffee and tea available all day
• 7 tours with English-speaking guides
• All port charges

Available at Additional Cost

• Roundtrip air from many US cities and transfers to/from the river boat
• Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (corkage fee applies to alcohol not purchased aboard the ship)
• Internet and telephone services, WiFi access, and laundry
• Health and travel insurance

Not Included

• Crew gratuities (suggested amount $80 per passenger)
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities when available
• Other items not listed in "Included" above

River Boat Features

• 77 twin staterooms/154 passengers
• 40 crew members
• Length: 365 ft.
• Sun deck and promenade deck
• Restaurant, lounge and bar with panoramic windows
• All outside cabins with river view
• Category A and B cabins (151 sq. ft.) have large windows that open
• Category C and D cabins (120 sq. ft.) have large windows
• Category E cabins (120 sq. ft.) are on the lower deck and have smaller windows
• Private bathroom and shower
• TV, phone, safe and hairdryer
• Individual climate control
• Voltage: 220V; razor outlet: 115V
  

Cruise Departure Dates (departure from USA one day earlier)

Itinerary	2008	2009
Chalon-sur-Saône to Avignon	Mar 23, Apr 6 & 20, May 18, Jun 15 & 29, Jul 27, Aug 10, Sep 7 & 21, Oct 19, Nov 2	Mar 22, Apr 5, May 3 & 31, Jun 14, Jul 12, Aug 9, Sep 6, Oct 4 & 18, Nov 1
Avignon to Chalon-sur-Saône	Mar 30, Apr 13, May 11 & 25, Jun 22, Jul 6 & 20, Aug 3 & 17, Sep 14 & 28, Oct 12 & 26, Nov 9	Mar 29, Apr 12 & 26, May 10 & 24, Jun 7 & 21, Jul 5 & 19, Aug 2, 16 & 30, Sep 13 & 27, Oct 11 & 25, Nov 8

2008 Prices

2009 Prices (US$)    Specials

Cruise Dates	Stateroom Category*
	E	D	C	B	A	CS
Mar	1,999	2,499	2,699	2,899	2,999	4,049
Apr	2,699	3,199	3,399	3,599	3,699	5,099
May, Jun	3,099	3,599	3,799	3,999	4,099	5,699
Jul, Aug	2,799	3,299	3,499	3,699	3,799	5,249
Sep, Oct 4 & 11	3,299	3,799	3,999	4,199	4,299	5,999
Oct 18 & 25	2,499	2,999	3,199	3,399	3,499	4,799
Nov	1,899	2,399	2,599	2,799	2,899	3,899

*Prices are per person double occupancy except Category CS, which are single staterooms (limited availability).

Roundtrip air and transfer packages are available starting at $1,195. Transfers to/from Lyon and Marseille airports may be purchased separately for $120 per person, per direction (available only on cruise start and end dates).

   

We have personally visited this river boat and the Burgundy and Provence regions in France where the cruise takes place. See pictures from our trips:

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