Itinerary
- Day 1
Marseille to Arles
You'll arrive in Marseille by 3 pm, then board your Suite Ship by 5 pm. After you settle into your cabin, the ship stays overnight in Arles where you can enjoy dinner aboard.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Day 2
Arles to Avignon
This morning head to the Adventure Center and pick from a power walk, painting workshop learning van Gogh techniques, or a guided walking tour of Arles with the Roman Amphitheater. Later you'll have free time at Le Café Van Gogh for wine before the ship sails to Avignon. There's also an optional lecture on wine from your Master of Wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Arles with visit to Roman Amphitheater
Optional Activities
- Power Walk in Arles with Adventure Host
- Painting Workshop - learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh and create your own painting
- Lecture about wine hosted by Master of Wine
- Stop at Le Café Van Gogh for wine
Landmarks/POIs Roman Amphitheater Le Café Van Gogh - Day 3
Avignon
You can join a guided sightseeing tour through Avignon's ramparts and the Palace of the Popes, or skip that and visit the wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône wine region instead. Back on the ship, there's live entertainment 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 for wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Palace of the Popes - Day 4
Avignon to Tain l'Hermitage
After a leisurely morning sail to Viviers, choose between hiking up to the hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host or a guided walking tour through the charming village with its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town. The evening brings an optional food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Viviers including Romanesque cathedral and Old Town
Optional Activities
- Walk up to Viviers hilltop Cathedral with Adventure Host
- Food and wine pairing dinner hosted by Master of Wine
Landmarks/POIs Viviers Cathedral - Day 5
Tain l'Hermitage to Lyon
Start your morning with either a hike in Tournon with your Adventure Host or a guided walking tour of the medieval city, 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins. The ship then cruises to Lyon in early afternoon. An optional chocolate and wine tasting with your Master of Wine happens while you're sailing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Tournon including 16th-century castle and Roman ruins
Optional Activities
- Morning hike in Tournon with Adventure Host
- Chocolate and wine tasting hosted by Master of Wine
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle - Day 6
Lyon to Tournus
You can bike through Lyon's architectural districts with your Adventure Host, or take a guided sightseeing tour from Fourviére Hill exploring churches, medieval alleyways in the Old Town, monuments, and Place des Terreaux. An optional guided tour to the Beaujolais wine region is available. Later, enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Lyon from Fourvière Hill including churches, Old Town, and Place des Terreaux
Optional Activities
- Bike tour of Lyon's architectural district with Adventure Host
- Guided tour to Beaujolais area for wine education
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Hill Place des Terreaux - Day 7
Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
Spend a leisurely afternoon cruising the Saône River, then head into the Mâconnais region to learn about famous Chardonnay vineyards and do a wine tasting in a Medieval castle's cellars. Later there's a cheese and wine tasting with your Master of Wine, plus live entertainment on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tour of Mâconnais region's Chardonnay vineyards with wine tasting in Medieval castle cellars
- Cheese and wine tasting hosted by Master of Wine
- Day 8
Chalon-sur-Saône to Vernon
You'll drive to Beaune to see the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital built in 1443, which has van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgment. Then take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris to board your Suite Ship. The ship sails overnight to Vernon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune with van der Weyden's Last Judgment painting
Landmarks/POIs Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital - Day 9
Vernon to Les Andelys to Caudebec
Visit the Adventure Center for morning activities exploring Chateau des Tourelles on foot, a guided tour of Giverny to see Monet's home and gardens, or visit Bizy Castle. While sailing, enjoy traditional French crêpes and a pastry demonstration. In the afternoon cruise to Les Andelys where you can hike to Château Gaillard ruins or take a guided walking tour. The evening brings a sail to Caudebec.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Giverny including Monet's residence and gardens
- Guided Visit to Bizy Castle
Optional Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles with Adventure Host
- Traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes with Pastry Demonstration
- Guided Hike to Château Gaillard castle ruins
- Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys
Landmarks/POIs Giverny Bizy Castle Château Gaillard - Day 10
Caudebec
Take a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, or join a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route to discover medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches built along the Seine. An optional guided excursion to the seaside town of Honfleur happens in the afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Trip along Normandy Abbeys Route with medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches
Optional Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the river with Adventure Host
- Guided Optional Excursion to Honfleur
- Day 11
Caudebec to Rouen
You have three guided tour options: explore Normandy's WWII landing beaches including Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc, visit British and Canadian commemorative sites, or tour authentic Normandy traditions with a Calvados brandy tasting. Evening entertainment happens while sailing to Rouen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches including Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and American Cemetery
- Guided Tour of British and Canadian commemorative sites including Pegasus Memorial and Juno Beach Center
- Guided Tour of Normandy traditions with Calvados brandy tasting
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Pointe du Hoc American Cemetery Pegasus Memorial Juno Beach Center - Day 12
Rouen to Conflans
Either take a guided bike tour to explore Rouen's monuments and hidden gems, or join a guided walking tour visiting the medieval quarter, 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. You'll learn about Joan of Arc's connection to the city. In the evening the ship sails to Conflans.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walking Tour of Rouen including medieval quarter, 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Guided Bike Tour of Rouen
Landmarks/POIs Notre-Dame Cathedral, Rouen - Day 13
Conflans to Paris
Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, or choose between visiting Auvers-sur-Oise to see van Gogh's home and resting place, or touring the opulent Château de Malmaison where Napoleon and Josephine lived. An optional guided excursion to the Palace of Versailles is also available. Evening cruise heads to Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise with van Gogh's home and resting place
- Guided Tour of Château de Malmaison
Optional Activities
- Relaxing bike ride along the Seine with Adventure Host
- Guided Optional Excursion to Palace of Versailles
Landmarks/POIs Auvers-sur-Oise Château de Malmaison Palace of Versailles - Day 14
Paris
Experience Paris with several options: a Seine River walk on foot, a guided walk through ancient Paris exploring Palais-Royal and the Latin Quarter, or a guided city tour covering the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Champs-Élysées. After that you'll have free time to stroll around and linger over wine in literary cafés.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Walk through Paris featuring Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, Île de la Cité, Left Bank, and Latin Quarter
- Guided City Tour of Paris including Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and Champs-Élysées
Optional Activities
- Seine River walk on foot with Adventure Host
Landmarks/POIs Palais-Royal Louvre Museum Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Opéra Garnier Champs-Élysées Île de la Cité - Day 15
Paris to London
After breakfast you'll say goodbye to your Avalon cruise. An included transfer takes you to the train station where you board a high-speed Eurostar train to London in Standard class.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 16
London
Begin exploring London with a morning guided sightseeing tour passing the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horseguards, and Buckingham Palace. Then visit St. Paul's Cathedral with its famous dome (except on Sundays).
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of London including Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus
- Visit St. Paul's Cathedral (except on Sundays)
Landmarks/POIs Houses of Parliament Big Ben Westminster Abbey Buckingham Palace Piccadilly Circus St. Paul's Cathedral - Day 17
London
You have a free day to explore London however you'd like. Consider a flight on the London Eye for views over the city, touring Windsor Castle's State Apartments, catching a West End show, dining at a traditional pub, or taking a nighttime cruise on the Thames River.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Flight on London Eye
- Tour of Windsor Castle State Apartments
- West End show
- Dinner at traditional London pub
- Nighttime cruise on Thames River
Landmarks/POIs London Eye Windsor Castle Thames River - Day 18
London
Your vacation ends after breakfast this morning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
