Itinerary
- Day 1
Nice
You'll arrive in France and have the afternoon and evening to yourself along the Mediterranean coast. The French Riviera stretches from Toulon eastward toward Italy, so you've got time to wander around, grab a meal, or just settle into the area. It's a nice introduction to the region before things get going.
- Day 2
Nice
A guided tour takes you through Nice's old city, where the narrow streets and baroque churches haven't changed much since the 1700s. You'll walk through Vieux Nice and get a feel for the architecture and layout. After the tour wraps up, you'll have free time to check out cafes, shops, or the seafront on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Nice
- Explore Vieux Nice (Old City) with narrow, winding streets and baroque churches
Landmarks/POIs Vieux Nice (Old Town) - Day 3
Nice to Arles
You'll board your Avalon Suite Ship and head to Arles by motorcoach. Once there, you'll settle into your cabin and the ship stays docked overnight so you can get comfortable with your new floating home before the river cruise officially begins.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorcoach transfer to board Avalon Suite Ship
- Day 4
Arles
Three options let you choose how to spend your time in Arles. You can join an early morning power walk with your Adventure Host, take a painting workshop where you'll try van Gogh techniques, or do a guided walking tour of the Roman Amphitheater and the city. Later, stop by Le Café Van Gogh for wine before the ship sails to Avignon in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Power Walk in Arles with Adventure Host (choice activity)
- Painting Workshop learning techniques of Vincent van Gogh (choice activity)
- Guided Walking Tour of Arles including Roman Amphitheater (choice activity)
- Free time to visit Le Café Van Gogh
- Lecture about wine hosted by Master of Wine
Landmarks/POIs Roman Amphitheater of Arles Le Café Van Gogh - Day 5
Avignon
In Avignon, you'll pick between a guided sightseeing tour focusing on the fortress ramparts and the Palace of the Popes, or head out to the famous wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône wine region. By evening, you'll be back on the ship for live entertainment as you settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon including ramparts and Palace of the Popes (choice activity)
- Trip to wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape (choice activity)
- Live onboard entertainment
Landmarks/POIs Palace of the Popes Avignon Ramparts Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 6
Avignon to Tain l'Hermitage
The ship sails to Viviers and you'll choose between a walk up to the hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host or a guided tour through the old town's pale-stone buildings and medieval streets. That evening, your Master of Wine hosts a food and wine pairing dinner onboard, so you'll dine while sailing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by Master of Wine)
Included Activities
- Walk to Viviers' hilltop Cathedral with Adventure Host (choice activity)
- Guided Walking Tour of Viviers including Romanesque cathedral and Old Town (choice activity)
- Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by Master of Wine
Landmarks/POIs Viviers Cathedral - Day 7
Tain l'Hermitage to Lyon
Starting in Tournon, you can take a morning hike with your Adventure Host or join a guided walking tour that covers the 16th-century castle and the town's position along the Rhone. The ship heads to Lyon early afternoon, and while you're sailing, you'll have a chocolate and wine tasting hosted by your Master of Wine onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning hike in Tournon with Adventure Host (choice activity)
- Guided Walking Tour of Tournon including 16th-century castle (choice activity)
- Onboard chocolate and wine tasting hosted by Master of Wine while sailing to Lyon
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle - Day 8
Lyon to Tournus
Lyon offers three activity choices: a bike tour that crosses bridges and follows both rivers, a guided sightseeing tour from Fourvière Hill with churches and Old Town views, or a trip out to the Beaujolais wine area. Live entertainment happens onboard as you sail toward Tournus later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour of Lyon's architectural district with Adventure Host (choice activity)
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Lyon from Fourvière Hill, Old Town, and Place des Terreaux (choice activity)
- Guided tour to Beaujolais area learning about its light and pleasant wine (choice activity)
- Live entertainment while sailing to Tournus
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Hill Place des Terreaux Beaujolais Wine Region - Day 9
Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
You'll travel into the Mâconnais region to tour its famous Chardonnay vineyards and do a wine tasting in a real medieval castle's cellars. Afterward, a cheese and wine tasting hosted by your Master of Wine rounds out the afternoon. This evening brings live entertainment onboard as the ship moves along.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Mâconnais region Chardonnay vineyards with wine tasting in medieval castle cellars
- Cheese and wine tasting hosted by Master of Wine
- Live entertainment onboard
Landmarks/POIs Mâconnais Wine Region - Day 10
Chalon-sur-Saône to Lyon
Breakfast wraps up your river cruise experience this morning, and then you'll head to the airport with enough time to catch your flights home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
