Itinerary
- Day 1
Arles
Your river cruise adventure kicks off in Arles, where you'll board the Essence of Burgundy & Provence and get settled into your luxury stateroom. After checking in, you'll have the afternoon and evening to familiarize yourself with the ship's amenities and meet fellow passengers before dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
Landmarks Arles - Day 2
Avignon
This morning in Arles, you can walk through the Romanesque cathedral and the Roman amphitheater on your own, or join a van Gogh walking tour that includes the Vincent van Gogh Foundation. Later, you'll head to Avignon for a guided tour of the Papal Palace and medieval walls. During the afternoon or evening, there's an optional chance to taste regional specialties like macarons, cheese, wine, and tapenades.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Arles including Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater
- Walking tour of Avignon including Papal Palace and medieval walls (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Optional Activities
- Special walking tour focused on Van Gogh's Arles with visit to Vincent van Gogh Foundation
- Guided bike tour through Arles
- Regional tasting tour around Avignon - macarons, cheese, wine and tapenades
Landmarks Romanesque Cathedral of Arles Roman Amphitheater of Arles Vincent van Gogh Foundation Papal Palace Medieval Walls of Avignon - Day 3
Grignan
After departing Arles, you'll have several options in Viviers. Take a guided tour through the medieval city to see 16th and 18th century monuments, or rent a bike and explore on two wheels. If you prefer something different, head to the hilltop village of Grignan for a truffle hunting experience with a local farmer and his trained dog.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Viviers medieval city
- Guided bike tour through Viviers
- Active walk with memorable views of Viviers
- Visit to Grignan hilltop village
- Black truffle hunting with a farmer and canine companion
Landmarks Viviers Grignan 
- Day 4
Lyon
In Vienne, you can walk through well-preserved Roman ruins on a guided tour, take a bike ride along the ViaRhône route, or hike up to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. Later in the day, the ship moves on to Lyon, where you'll visit Fourvière Hill to see the 19th-century basilica and explore the old town. The St. Jean district has interesting traboules, which are covered walkways unique to this area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided walking tour of Vienne and its Roman ruins
- Guided bike tour along ViaRhôna route from Vienne
- Guided hike from ship to Monastery at Mount Pipet
- Guided walking tour of Lyon including Fourvière Hill and Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica
- Guided walking tour through St. Jean district and traboules
- Guided bike tour through Lyon
- Vieux Lyon tasting tour of local delights
Landmarks Vienne Roman Ruins Monastery at Mount Pipet Notre-Dame de Fourvière St. Jean District - Day 5
Tournus
Join a guided tour of Mâcon to learn about local vineyards, museums, and historical sites, or make the trip to Cluny Abbey to see its Romanesque architecture, or visit the Gothic Royal Monastery of Brou instead. Later, you'll cruise toward Tournus, though there's an option to bike from Mâcon if you prefer. An optional tasting of Mâconnais white wines is available during your time here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Mâcon including local vineyards, museums and historical sites
- Visit to Cluny Abbey
- Visit to Royal Monastery of Brou
- Scenic cruising from Mâcon to Tournus
- Bike ride from Mâcon to Tournus
- White Mâconnais wine tasting
Landmarks Mâcon Cluny Abbey Royal Monastery of Brou 
- Day 6
Chalon-sur-Saône
In Tournus, a guided tour focuses on the magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Saint Philibert, or you can visit the moated Château de Cormatin with its ornate apartments and gardens from the early 17th century. Another option is the medieval village of Brancion, which has a preserved gateway, church, and market hall. Later you'll cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône, or join a bike tour if you'd rather ride.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Tournus and Benedictine Abbey of Saint Philibert
- Visit to Château de Cormatin
- Visit to medieval village of Brancion
- Scenic cruising from Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
- Bike tour from Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
Landmarks Benedictine Abbey of Saint Philibert Château de Cormatin Brancion 
- Day 7
Beaune
Start your morning in Chalon-sur-Saône with a guided city tour exploring the medieval history, then check out a local market to see and taste regional products. You also have the option to go to Beaune instead, a walled town in the Côte d'Or vineyards with cobblestone streets and the famous 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune with its distinctive mosaic-tiled roof. Later, there's a tasting of Chalonnaise wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Historic city tour of Chalon-sur-Saône
- Visit to local market in Chalon-sur-Saône
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Beaune
- Walking tour of Beaune and Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune
- Chalonnaise wine tasting
Landmarks Chalon-sur-Saône Beaune Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune 
- Day 8
Dijon
You'll say goodbye to Dijon and make your way to the airport for your flight home, bringing your river cruise through Burgundy and Provence to an end.
Landmarks Dijon 
