Cruise
through Provence plus Paris and Barcelona
Start
your vacation with three days in romantic Paris, then travel in style on the TGV
(high-speed train) to Lyon, France's gastronomic capital. From here, cruise on
a 122-passenger river boat through beautiful wine regions where such famous
wines as Beaujolais, Côtes du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape are produced.
Explore ancient Avignon and visit Mediterranean Arles, the city Vincent Van Gogh
captured in many of his masterpieces. Disembark and continue to the medieval city
of Carcassonne, a world UNESCO heritage site close to the Pyrenees. Enjoy the
grand finale of your vacation with three days in fascinating Barcelona.
TYPICAL
CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
B
= Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day
1 - Tuesday: Depart USA.
Board your overnight flight to France.
Day
2 - Wednesday: Paris.
After your arrival, take the rest of the day to relax or explore the "City
of Light."
Day
3 - Thursday: Paris
(B). See the most famous sights of Paris on this morning's panoramic tour: Notre
Dame Cathedral, the renowned Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Opéra,
Madeleine, Champs Elysées and much more. The remainder of the day is yours
to explore the many museums, galleries and other attractions that the city has
to offer.
Day
4 - Friday: Paris (B).
Enjoy a full day on your own to explore the most romantic city in the world. Stroll
through the Jardin de Tuileries, gaze at Impressionist masterpieces at Musée
d'Orsay, or visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair.
Paris at night sparkles with possibilities for every taste.
Day
5 - Saturday: Paris - Lyon (B,D). Savor your last morning in Paris,
and then board the TGV train. You'll be transported at top speed (up to 186 mph)
in smooth, quiet comfort to Lyon, where the river boat awaits you. Gather this
evening on board for cocktails and a Welcome Dinner.
Day
6 - Sunday: Lyon - Trévoux
(B,L,D). Lyon marks the meeting of the Saône and Rhône Rivers and
is also the gastronomic capital of France. Its rich ancient history includes Roman
ruins and early Christian sites. This morning's tour includes a stunning panoramic
view of the entire city from the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. You'll
also explore the charm of Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) with its cobblestone streets.
Return to the river boat for lunch and relax as you cruise north along the Saône
River to the small town of Trévoux. Enjoy free time this evening to explore
the town on your own.
Day
7 - Monday: Trévoux - Vienne (B,L,D).
This morning's tour will take you behind the village walls of Trévoux and
through Beaujolais, the Pays d'Or, or "land of the golden stones," so
named for the ochre limestone of its homes and castles. Enjoy a visit with a local
winemaker along this wine road, where you'll taste the world renowned Beaujolais
Nouveau before returning the river boat. From there, cruise south from the Saône
River to the Rhône River and on to Vienne. This evening, you can stroll
along the sidewalk cafes of this rural town.
Day
8 - Tuesday: Vienne - Tournon (B,L,D). Situated between the wine regions
of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône, Vienne, like Lyon, has a significant
Roman history, which is highlighted by its marvelously preserved ruins and remains.
During this morning's walking tour you will see the 1st-century Roman Temple of
Augustus, and the medieval churches of St. André-Le-Bas and Abbey St. Pierre,
before we cruise on to Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage. These twin towns face each
other across the Rhône River and are linked by a 19th-century suspension
bridge. The fertile soil and ideal climate of the region has made Tain l'Hermitage
the premier producer of Côtes du Rhône wines. Enjoy free time this
afternoon to visit the 16th-century castle, which is now a town hall, or visit
the chocolate shop for a taste of the confections once produced in Tournon's famous
factory. After dinner on board you will enjoy a wine tasting.
Day
9 - Wednesday: Tournon - Châteauneuf-du-Pape (B,L,D).
On this morning's adventure, you will travel via steam train from the vineyards
of the valley to the woods of Ardêche along the Doux River. Deemed "Monuments
Historiques," these 19th-century locomotives are virtual time capsules. Enjoy
lunch back on board the river boat as you cruise to Châteauneuf-du-Pape
this afternoon.
Day
10 - Thursday: Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Avignon
(B,L,D). Origin of its world-famous namesake wine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape,
or "new castle of the Pope," is also home to the fortress that gives
the village its name. On this morning's walking tour, see the remains of this
14th-century palace, which was built as a summer residence for Popes during their
stay in Avignon, as well as the many squares and beautiful fountains that this
medieval village has to offer. Enjoy a wine tasting before returning to the river
boat where you'll cruise to nearby Avignon over lunch. Your afternoon tour of
the "City of Popes" will take you through the narrow streets and elegant
squares to the Papal Palace, which served as fortress, church and residence of
the Popes in the 14th century.
Day
11 - Friday: Avignon - Arles (B,L,D).
Early this morning arrive in Arles, a Mediterranean city situated at the mouth
of the Rhône River delta. On this morning's walking tour, bask in the Provençal
morning light as you imagine how Vincent Van Gogh worked to capture the richness
of every hue. While Van Gogh's home is no longer standing, you may glimpse the
locales and vistas that inspired "Starry Night" or "Terrace de
Café le Soir" as you pass Constantine's Baths, the Romanesque cathedral
and the Roman amphitheater, which is still in use today. This afternoon you'll
take an excursion via motor coach to the villages of St. Rémy and Les Baux
de Provence. St. Rémy was the birthplace of Nostradamus and also where
Van Gogh spent some time in the asylum St. Paul de Mausole. During your tour of
Les Baux, you will enjoy the rich colors and amazing views from this village perched
at the top of a hill.
Day
12 - Saturday: Arles - Barcelona (B). This morning after breakfast,
transfer to Barcelona, capital of the Spanish region of Catalonia. Along the way,
you'll pass through the Camargue on the southern coast of France and trace the
ancient trade route linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. As we
approach the Pyrenees, we'll stop in the medieval city of Carcassonne. A double
ring of walls, complete with 52 towers, stretches more than two miles around this
strategic city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will have free time for
lunch and some exploring on your own.
Day
13 - Sunday: Barcelona (B).
Your full day in Barcelona begins with a panoramic tour to the top of Montjuic
Hill where you'll catch glorious views of the city below, as we drive by the National
Palace and the Olympic Complex. Next, you'll tour Plaça Catalunya and Las
Ramblas, the promenade and center of Barcelona life. Later you'll see the Templo
Expiatorio de la Sagrada Família, designed by artist and architect Antonio
Gaudí and still under construction, and take a walking tour of the Barrio
Gótico (Gothic Quarter), King's Square, and the Royal Palace.
Day
14 - Monday: Barcelona (B).
Your last full day in Barcelona is yours to enjoy. You can take an optional tour
of Gaudí's Parc Güell, where you'll see some of his most captivating
sculptures and architectural structures. Return on your own to the markets of
Las Ramblas or visit one of the many museums. This evening, enjoy an optional
dinner show featuring Flamenco dancers, or strike out on your own, perhaps across
the port for seafood in Barceloneta.
Day
15 - Tuesday: Depart Barcelona (B).
Transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.
On
alternate weeks, cruise will be in the reverse direction.
This itinerary is
subject to change without notice.
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Included
- 3
nights hotel accommodation in Paris including daily buffet breakfast
- TGV
(high-speed train) from Paris to Lyon
- 7-night
deluxe river cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom
- Superb
dining with all meals included during your cruise
- Wines
from France's great wine regions with every dinner on board the ship
- Cocktail
reception, welcome dinner and captain's gala dinner
- Motor
coach from the river boat in Arles to Carcassonne and on to Barcelona
- 3
nights hotel accommodation in Barcelona including daily buffet breakfast
- Daily
sightseeing program as outlined in the itinerary
- Special
highlights including folklore dances, lectures, theme dinners, on board music
performances, and afternoon and evening piano music
- Services
of a professional cruise director
- All
transfers with the purchase of cruise and air package
- All
local taxes
Available
at Additional Cost
- Roundtrip
air from many US cities and transfers to/from the river boat
- Optional
activities
- Soft
drinks and alcoholic beverages (wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with
dinner only)
- Health
and travel insurance
Not
Included
- Crew
gratuities (suggested 15 euros per person per day)
- Personal
expenses
- Other
items not listed in "Included" above
River
Boat Features
- 30
English-speaking crew members
- Length:
360 ft.; width: 38 ft.
- Restaurant,
panoramic lounge with a dance floor and bar
- Onboard
boutique located in the entrance hall.
- Library
with an extensive selection of books for you to enjoy during your leisure time
on board the ship.
- Wellness
area with fitness room, indoor swimming pool, sauna and solarium.
- Whirlpool
on the sun deck.
- Non-smoking
environment (smoking only outdoors on sun deck)
Staterooms
- 57
deluxe double staterooms (130-140 sq.ft. outside cabins). Category
A, B and C staterooms have hotel-style beds that can be set up as two twin beds
or one queen bed. Category D staterooms have twin beds.
- 2
junior
suites (205 sq.ft.) with queen beds
- 1
triple (180 sq.ft.) stateroom with two twin beds (or one queen) plus a sofabed
- 1
single (115 sq.ft.) stateroom.
- Staterooms
feature panoramic windows and are equipped with TV, minibar, safe, hairdryer and
air conditioning
- Junior
suites are extra-spacious and feature a comfortable sitting area and a sizable
bathroom with both a bathtub and shower.
Cruise
Dates and Prices (Guaranteed departures)
Cruise
Only = 7 nights beginning on Day 5 of the above itinerary
Cruise & Land
= cruise + 3 nights in Paris + 3 nights in Barcelona
Depart
USA | Start
City | Cruise
Only* | Cruise
& Land* | Air,
Cruise
& Land** |
2008 |
Apr
29 | Paris | $2,299 | $3,499 | $4,229 |
May
6 | Barcelona | $2,299 | $3,499 | $4,349 |
Jun
10 | Paris | $2,299 | $3,499 | $4,549 |
Jun
17 | Barcelona | $2,299 | $3,499 | $4,549 |
Aug
5 | Paris | $2,199 | $3,399 | $4,449 |
Aug
12 | Barcelona | $2,199 | $3,399 | $4,449 |
Sep
2 | Paris | $2,299 | $3,499 | $4,549 |
Sep
9 | Barcelona | $2,299 | $3,499 | $4,549 |
Oct
14 | Paris | $2,299 | $3,499 | $4,399 |
2009 |
May
5 | Paris | $2,399 | $3,719 | $4,519 |
May
12 | Barcelona | $2,399 | $3,719 | $4,519 |
Jun16 | Paris | $2,399 | $3,719 | $4,819 |
Sep
8 | Paris | $2,499 | $3,819 | $4,919 |
Sep
15 | Barcelona | $2,499 | $3,819 | $4,919 |
Sep
22 | Paris | $2,499 | $3,819 | $4,919 |
Sep
29 | Barcelona | $2,499 | $3,819 | $4,919 |
Oct
6 | Paris | $2,499 | $3,819 | $4,619 |
Oct
13 | Barcelona | $2,399 | $3,719 | $4,519 |
Oct
20 | Paris | $2,399 | $3,719 | $4,519 |
*Prices
are per person double occupancy in Category D. To change to a different Category,
adjust as follows:
Category | Boat
Deck | Amount
Per Person |
Jr.
Suite | Ruby | +
899 |
A | +
499 |
B | Emerald | +
199 |
C | +
99 |
Single | +
599 |
Triple | -
500 for 3rd person |
**Included
airfare from New York is estimated and does not include taxes, fees or fuel surcharges.
Actual airfares from all gateways will be advised at time of booking.
Single
supplements
-
Cruise Category A - D: 50% of twin price
- Cruise Jr. Suite: 100% of twin price
-
Land: $720
Port
Charges (per person): 2008
- add $91: 2009 - add $98
We
have personally visited the regions of France and Spain where this cruise and
tours take place. See pictures from our trips:
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