Itinerary
- Day 1
Lyon
You'll arrive in Lyon at 5:00 p.m. and head straight to the Amadeus Provence to get settled into your cabin. Your guide will welcome the group and run through what to expect over the coming days. After dinner on board, the ship pushes off at 10:00 p.m., heading north on the Saône River toward Burgundy as you settle in for the evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Welcome introduction and tour overview
- Welcome Dinner on board
Landmarks/POIs Saône River - Day 2
Cluny
The ship docks in Mâcon, and you'll collect e-bikes for a day of cycling through Southern Burgundy. The route takes you past the Rock of Solutté and Château de Berzé-le-Châtel with their nice views. Later you'll reach Cluny to walk through the 11th-century abbey ruins with a guide who explains the Benedictine history. You can either cycle back to Mâcon or use the support vehicle if you need a break.
- Meals
- Lunch (Comprehensive service during full-day excursion including drink stops and picnics), Dinner (Multi-course dinner on board with menu choices)
Included Activities
- E-bike cycling tour from Mâcon to Cluny
- Guided tour of Cluny Abbey and monastic complex
Optional Activities
- Return to Mâcon by support vehicle (alternative to cycling back)
Landmarks/POIs Rock of Soluté Château de Berze-le-Châtel Cluny Abbey - Day 3
Tournus
From Chalon-sur-Saône, you'll cycle dedicated green paths connecting three towns: Chalon, Cormatin, and Tournus. Along the way, charming villages and Romanesque churches dot the landscape. The 17th-century Château de Cormatin and its English-style gardens are on the agenda, then you'll climb toward Brancion fortress for views across the Saône Valley. After descending into the valley, you'll reach Tournus and the Priory Church of St. Philibert before heading back to the ship.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch break during cycling excursion; comprehensive service including drink stops and picnics), Dinner (Multi-course dinner on board with menu choices)
Included Activities
- E-bike cycling tour through Chalon-Cormatin-Tournus triangle
- Guided tour of Château de Cormatin
- Cycling past Brancion fortress with panoramic views
- Visit to Priory Church of St. Philibert in Tournus
Optional Activities
- Support bus assistance for climbing portions of the route
Landmarks/POIs Château de Cormatin Brancion Fortress Priory Church of St. Philibert - Day 4
Lyon
A late breakfast waits on board as the ship sails back toward Lyon. By afternoon, you'll explore the city on foot with a guide who walks you through Renaissance architecture in St. Jean, including the narrow traboules passageways locals know well. The tour covers 19th-century neighborhoods and explains how Lyon became a major trading center and UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Late breakfast on board), Dinner (Multi-course dinner on board with menu choices)
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Lyon
- Exploration of St. Jean district and Renaissance houses
- Walking tour including traboules passages
Landmarks/POIs St. Jean District Rhône River - Day 5
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Early morning docking in Avignon puts you on e-bikes by breakfast time, cycling through fruit and vegetable growing regions. You'll head south along the Rhône toward Châteauneuf-du-Pape for lunch and a wine tasting where you'll learn about the region's red wines. The return route passes one of the Rhône's largest islands and brings you to the iconic Pont d'Avignon. After exploring Avignon's medieval streets and the former popes' residence, dinner and an evening stroll through historic alleys wrap up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on board before excursion), Lunch (Lunch during cycling excursion), Dinner (Multi-course dinner on board with menu choices; free-flowing hand-selected wines from best wine regions)
Included Activities
- E-bike cycling tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
- Cycling past Pont d'Avignon
- Guided city tour of Avignon
- Exploration of Avignon's historic narrow streets
Landmarks/POIs Châteauneuf-du-Pape Pont d'Avignon Cathedral Rock - Day 6
St. Rémy-de-Provence - Carrières de Lumières
The ship docks in Arles, and from there you'll cycle to St. Rémy-de-Provence to visit the former monastery clinic where Vincent Van Gogh stayed. Lunch comes next, followed by a trip to the Carrières de Lumières art center in the Alpilles mountains, which features rotating exhibitions of famous artists' work. Cycling back takes you through Provençal villages and past wheat and sunflower fields. If you're interested, you can explore Arles' Romanesque Cathedral or grab drinks at Café de la Nuit, the spot Van Gogh painted.
- Meals
- Lunch (Delicious lunch in St. Rémy-de-Provence), Dinner (Multi-course dinner on board with menu choices; free-flowing hand-selected wines from best wine regions)
Included Activities
- E-bike cycling tour from Arles to St. Rémy-de-Provence
- Visit to St. Rémy-de-Provence
- Visit to Carrières de Lumières art center
- Cycling through Provençal villages and countryside
Optional Activities
- Evening exploration of Saint Trophime Cathedral after dinner
- Visit to Café de la Nuit (immortalized by Van Gogh)
Landmarks/POIs St. Rémy-de-Provence Carrières de Lumières Alpilles Mountains Arles Amphitheater Saint Trophime Cathedral Café de la Nuit - Day 7
Ardèche Gorge
Today brings an e-bike adventure to the Ardèche Gorge, one of the nicest cycling routes on this trip. Your guide shares information about UNESCO World Heritage cave systems and Stone Age settlements in the area. You'll cycle through lavender fields and holm oak forests on a high plateau, then follow a scenic road with winding cliffs and caves that offer panoramic views. Back on the ship by afternoon, you can relax on the sundeck or head to the onboard spa.
- Meals
- Lunch (Comprehensive service during full-day excursion including drink stops and picnics), Dinner (Multi-course dinner on board with menu choices; free-flowing hand-selected wines from best wine regions)
Included Activities
- E-bike cycling to Ardèche Gorge
- Guided tour explaining UNESCO World Heritage cave systems and Stone Age settlements
- Cycling through garrigue landscape with lavender fields and holm oak forests
- Scenic views of Ardèche Gorge and winding cliffs
Optional Activities
- Afternoon relaxation on sundeck
- Onboard spa facilities
Landmarks/POIs Ardèche Gorge Ardèche Cave Systems - Day 8
Lyon
The ship returns to Lyon in the morning. After breakfast on board, you'll disembark around 9:00 a.m. to finish your trip. If you arrived by plane, airport transfers can be arranged for an additional fee. Those who drove can get help coordinating your return to the parking garage.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Delightful breakfast on board)
Included Activities
- Breakfast on board
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer service (additional cost)
