Itinerary
- Day 1
French Riviera
Start your French Riviera adventure with the whole day free to check out the Mediterranean coast. The region stretches from Toulon all the way to the Italian border, so you'll have plenty of options for how you want to spend your time here. Whether you want to relax on the beaches or wander through coastal towns, it's up to you.
Optional Activities
- Explore the French Riviera beaches and coastal areas
- Day 2
Nice
Join a guided tour through Nice's old city with a local guide who knows the area well. You'll walk through narrow, winding streets that haven't changed much since the 1700s and see baroque churches scattered throughout Vieux Nice. The combination of tight alleyways and historical architecture really gives you a feel for what this part of Nice has been like for centuries.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing in Nice
- Explore Vieux Nice - narrow streets and baroque churches
Landmarks/POIs Vieux Nice (Old Town) - Day 3
Nice to Arles
A motorcoach picks you up and takes you to the Avalon Suite Ship for boarding. After getting settled into your cabin, the ship sails to Arles where you'll spend the night docked. This gives you time to rest before the river cruise activities begin tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorcoach transfer to board Avalon Suite Ship
- Day 4
Arles
Arles offers several ways to experience the city depending on what interests you most. You can do a power walk with an Adventure Host, join a painting workshop to learn Van Gogh techniques, or take a guided walking tour. Later, you'll see the Roman Amphitheater and have free time at Café Van Gogh. By evening, the ship sails toward Avignon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Power Walk in Arles with Adventure Host (option 1)
- Painting Workshop - learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh (option 2)
- Guided Walking Tour of Arles including Roman Amphitheater (option 3)
- Free time at Café Van Gogh
Landmarks/POIs Roman Amphitheater of Arles - Day 5
Avignon
Explore Avignon's famous ramparts and visit the Palace of the Popes with its impressive architecture. If you want to go further, optional excursions take you to Pont du Gard (an ancient Roman aqueduct) or wine cellars at Châteauneuf-du-Pape. You'll have free time to walk around the city, see galleries and theaters, and by evening there's live entertainment on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon and Palace of the Popes
- Explore Avignon independently - art, culture, theatre, and museums
- Onboard live entertainment
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Pont du Gard (ancient Roman aqueduct)
- Guided Optional Excursion to Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine cellars
Landmarks/POIs Palace of the Popes Pont du Gard Pont Saint-Bénézet - Day 6
Viviers
The ship sails at a relaxed pace to the small French village of Viviers. You can either hike up to the hilltop Cathedral with an Adventure Host or join a guided walking tour through town. Either way, you'll see the pale-stone buildings and Romanesque cathedral that show off the village's mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with Adventure Host (option 1)
- Guided Walking Tour of Viviers - Romanesque cathedral and Old Town (option 2)
Landmarks/POIs Viviers Cathedral - Day 7
Tournon to Lyon
In Tournon, choose between hiking through this medieval city along the Rhone with an Adventure Host or taking a guided walking tour to see the 16th-century castle and other historical sites. During the early afternoon, the ship heads to Lyon where you'll stay overnight, giving you time to settle in before exploring tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning hike in Tournon with Adventure Host (option 1)
- Guided Walking Tour of Tournon - medieval city and 16th-century castle (option 2)
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle - Day 8
Lyon
Lyon has two main options for the day. You can cycle through the architectural district, crossing bridges and following the riverbanks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, or join a guided tour starting from Fourvière Hill that visits churches and the Old Town's medieval alleyways plus Place des Terreaux. Free time lets you bike around on your own. Later the ship sails to Tournus with evening entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour of Lyon's architectural district with Adventure Host (option 1)
- Guided Sightseeing Tour - Fourvière Hill, Old Town, Place des Terreaux (option 2)
- Free time biking through Lyon's town squares and riverbanks
- Live entertainment while sailing to Tournus
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Hill Place des Terreaux - Day 9
Mâconnais Wine Region to Chalon-sur-Saône
Head inland to the Mâconnais wine region, known for its Chardonnay vineyards. You'll tour vineyards and cellars at a medieval castle where you can taste regional wines. After returning to the ship, there's a cheese tasting paired with what should be excellent local wines, followed by live entertainment in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Mâconnais region - learn about Chardonnay vineyards
- Wine tasting in medieval castle cellars
- Cheese Tasting onboard ship
- Live entertainment onboard
- Day 10
Chalon-sur-Saône to Lyon
Your cruise ends this morning after breakfast. From here, arrange your departure to Lyon airport. Make sure any flights you book leave after 8 am so you have time to get there without rushing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
