Itinerary
- Day 1
French Riviera
You arrive in France and have the day to yourself along the French Riviera. The Mediterranean coastline stretches out from Toulon toward Italy, giving you plenty of space to wander around and get a feel for the region at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Discover the beauty of the French Riviera
- Day 2
Nice
A guided tour takes you through Nice, starting in Vieux Nice where narrow streets wind between baroque churches that look much like they did back in the 1700s. You'll walk through the old city and get a sense of how this part of the Riviera has held onto its character over the centuries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing in Nice
- Explore Vieux Nice (Old City) with narrow streets and baroque churches
Landmarks/POIs Vieux Nice (Old Town Nice) - Day 3
Nice to Arles
A motorcoach picks you up and takes you to your Avalon Suite Ship. You'll board and then sail toward Arles, docking there for the evening so you can settle in and get oriented on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorcoach transfer to board Avalon Suite Ship
- Day 4
Arles
Head to the Adventure Center in the morning to pick what you want to do. Options include a power walk with your Adventure Host, a painting workshop focused on Van Gogh's techniques, or a guided walking tour of Arles with its Roman Amphitheater. Later, stop at Le Café Van Gogh for wine before the ship sails to Avignon. There's also an optional lecture about wine from your Master of Wine if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Power Walk in Arles with Adventure Host OR Painting Workshop (learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh and create your own painting) OR Guided Walking Tour of Arles including Roman Amphitheater
- Free time at Le Café Van Gogh
- Sail to Avignon
Optional Activities
- Lecture about wine hosted by Master of Wine
Landmarks/POIs Roman Amphitheater of Arles Le Café Van Gogh - Day 5
Avignon
In Avignon, you can choose between a guided tour of this fortress city with its ramparts and the Palace of the Popes, or head to the wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for tastings from the Rhône region. After your choice of activity, come back for live entertainment onboard in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon with ramparts and Palace of the Popes
Optional Activities
- Trip to wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Palace of the Popes Ramparts of Avignon Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 6
Viviers
The ship sails leisurely to Viviers in the morning. You can either walk up to the hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host or take a guided tour through this charming village with its pale-stone buildings and Old Town showing Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. That evening, join a food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine, then sail overnight to Tain l'Hermitage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with Adventure Host OR Guided Walking Tour of Viviers including Romanesque cathedral and Old Town
- Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by Master of Wine
Landmarks/POIs Viviers Cathedral - Day 7
Tournon to Lyon
You start in Tournon where you can choose between a morning hike with your Adventure Host or a guided walking tour of this medieval city and its 16th-century castle. In the early afternoon, the ship cruises to Lyon. If you'd like, there's an optional chocolate and wine tasting hosted by your Master of Wine while you're sailing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning hike in Tournon with Adventure Host OR Guided Walking Tour of Tournon including 16th-century castle
- Cruise to Lyon
Optional Activities
- Onboard chocolate and wine tasting hosted by Master of Wine
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle - Day 8
Lyon
In Lyon, pick between biking through the architectural district along the bridges and riverbanks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, or taking a guided tour from Fourvière Hill that shows you churches and the Old Town's medieval alleyways with cafés and monuments. You can also opt for a tour of the Beaujolais wine region. Later there's live entertainment before sailing overnight to Tournus.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour of Lyon's architectural district with Adventure Host OR Guided Sightseeing Tour from Fourvière Hill with Old Town exploration
- Sail to Tournus
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Beaujolais wine region
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Basilica Place des Terreaux Beaujolais Wine Region - Day 9
Chalon-sur-Saône
You travel into the Mâconnais wine region to learn about the Chardonnay vineyards and do a tasting in a medieval castle's cellars. Later, a cheese and wine tasting with your Master of Wine rounds out the afternoon. The evening brings live entertainment onboard before you dock in Chalon-sur-Saône.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Mâconnais region for Chardonnay vineyards tour and wine tasting in medieval castle cellars
- Cheese and wine tasting hosted by Master of Wine
Landmarks/POIs Mâconnais Wine Region - Day 10
Chalon-sur-Saône to Paris
A drive takes you to Beaune to see the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital from 1443, which holds Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgment. Afterward, you'll take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune (built 1443) with Van der Weyden's Last Judgment painting
Landmarks/POIs Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital - Day 11
Paris
In Paris, you have two guided options: a walking tour through Palais-Royal, the Louvre pyramid, Île de la Cité, the Left Bank and Latin Quarter, or a city tour hitting major sites like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and Champs-Élysées. After your tour, free time lets you stroll through neighborhoods, sit at cafés, explore museums, or visit the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Walk of Paris featuring Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, Île de la Cité, Left Bank, and Latin Quarter OR Guided City Tour featuring Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and Champs-Élysées
Optional Activities
- Explore exhibits at the Louvre
- Visit Montmartre's Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur
Landmarks/POIs Palais-Royal Louvre Museum Île de la Cité Left Bank (Rive Gauche) Latin Quarter Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Opéra Garnier Champs-Élysées Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur - Day 12
Paris
Your trip concludes this morning with breakfast before departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
