Itinerary
- Day 1
Cruise Embarkation
You'll board the Colors of Provence cruise ship and get settled into your luxury outside stateroom with a French balcony. Dinner is served onboard as you prepare for your week-long journey through Provence.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Board the Colors of Provence (Christmas) cruise ship
- Day 2
Lyon
Start in Lyon by heading to Fourvière Hill and checking out the 19th-century Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica (UNESCO World Heritage Site). After that, wander through the old town and St. Jean district to see the famous traboules, which are covered walkways unique to Lyon. You can browse the festive Christmas Markets or grab local cheeses and charcuterie at Les Halles Market. There's an optional guided bike tour available if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Fourvière Hill and Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica
- Guided walk through St. Jean district to explore traboules
- Browse Lyon Christmas Markets
Optional Activities
- Indulge in local cheeses, breads and charcuterie at Les Halles Market
- Guided bike tour through Lyon
Landmarks/POIs Notre-Dame de Fourvière St. Jean District Lyon Christmas Markets Les Halles Market - Day 3
Lyon & Beaujolais Wine Region
Head to the Beaujolais wine region, known as the Pays d'Or or 'land of the golden stones.' You'll visit a traditional winery to try France's finest vintages, learn about vineyard history and techniques, and participate in a wine tasting session.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Wine tasting at a traditional Beaujolais winery
- Learn about vineyard history and wine-making techniques
Landmarks/POIs Beaujolais Wine Region - Day 4
Vienne
Travel to Vienne, positioned between the Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône wine regions. The town features remarkably preserved Roman ruins including the Augustus and Livia Temple and the Gothic Saint Maurice Cathedral, which took over 500 years to complete. You can walk through St. Pierre Abbey, one of France's oldest surviving churches, now serving as an Archaeological Museum. Optional activities include a guided hike to Mount Pipet Monastery or a bike tour along the ViaRhôna route.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne's Roman ruins
- Visit Augustus and Livia Temple
- Visit Saint Maurice Cathedral
- Visit St. Pierre Abbey and Archaeological Museum
Optional Activities
- Guided hike to Monastery at Mount Pipet
- Guided bike tour along ViaRhôna bike route
Landmarks/POIs Augustus and Livia Temple Saint Maurice Cathedral St. Pierre Abbey Mount Pipet Monastery - Day 5
Tournon & Tain l'Hermitage
At Le Château de Tournon, you can experience wine and chocolate pairings or hike through Tain l'Hermitage vineyards followed by a winery visit and wine sampling. Throughout the day, taste Provence's traditional 13 Christmas desserts. Later, join a guided historical tour through the city with actors in Renaissance costumes reenacting centuries-old events and local legends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Presentation and tasting at Le Château de Tournon (wine and chocolate pairing)
- Guided historical tour with Renaissance-attired guides and period costume reenactments
- Taste Provence's traditional 13 desserts of Christmas
Optional Activities
- Hike through vineyards of Tain l'Hermitage
- Visit local winery for wine sampling
Landmarks/POIs Le Château de Tournon Tain l'Hermitage - Day 6
Avignon & Grignan
In Avignon, the 'City of Popes,' choose your morning activity: explore the Papal Palace and medieval UNESCO World Heritage walls on a guided walking tour, taste regional specialties like macarons and tapenades at three venues, or cycle through the city. You'll also have time to browse the festive Christmas Markets. In the afternoon, visit the impressive Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct (UNESCO World Heritage Site) or head to the hilltop village of Grignan to hunt for truffles with a local farmer and their dog.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon Papal Palace and medieval walls
- Browse Avignon Christmas Markets
Optional Activities
- Visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties (macarons, cheese, wine, tapenades)
- Bike tour through Avignon
- Visit Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct
- Visit hilltop village of Grignan
- Truffle hunting with farmer and dog in Grignan
Landmarks/POIs Palais des Papes Avignon Medieval Walls Avignon Christmas Markets Pont du Gard Grignan - Day 7
Arles & Saint Rémy de Provence
Check out Arles, a former Roman center of trade, and explore the hilltop village and ruined castle of Les Baux de Provence. Browse shops and galleries among historic ruins, then experience Carrières de Lumières, a multimedia presentation shown on quarry walls. Visit an olive farm to learn about Provençal tradition and enjoy a tasting. See Saint Rémy de Provence where Van Gogh painted masterpieces like Starry Night. You can take a guided walking tour of Arles Roman Amphitheater and Church of Saint Trophime, or bike along the Rhône to the Langlois Bridge. An optional Van Gogh walking tour with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation is available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Les Baux de Provence hilltop village and ruined castle
- Browse shops and galleries in old village
- Experience Carrières de Lumières multimedia presentation
- Visit olive farm, learn about Provençal tradition and enjoy tasting
- Visit Saint Rémy de Provence
- Guided walking tour of Arles Roman Amphitheater and Church of Saint Trophime
Optional Activities
- Bike ride along Rhône through Arles to Langlois Bridge
- Special walking tour of Van Gogh's Arles with visit to Vincent van Gogh Foundation
Landmarks/POIs Les Baux de Provence Carrières de Lumières Saint Rémy de Provence Arles Roman Amphitheater Church of Saint Trophime Langlois Bridge Vincent van Gogh Foundation - Day 8
Departure
Say goodbye to Arles and the Colors of Provence cruise. Have breakfast onboard before disembarking and getting ready for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
