Itinerary
- Day 1
French Riviera
You'll arrive in France and have the day to yourself along the Mediterranean coast. The shoreline runs from Toulon all the way to the Italian border, so there's plenty of ground to cover if you want to drive around or just relax by the water. It's your call how to spend the time, whether that means hitting the beaches or checking out the coastal towns in this region.
Landmarks/POIs French Riviera - Day 2
Nice
A guided tour takes you through Nice, starting in Vieux Nice where the old city keeps its character with narrow streets and baroque churches that look much like they did back in the 1700s. You'll walk through the winding alleys and see the historic architecture that makes this part of the French Riviera special. Nice earned its reputation as the Queen of the Riviera, and you'll understand why after seeing the old town up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing in Nice
- Explore Vieux Nice - narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of the old city
Landmarks/POIs Vieux Nice Nice - Day 3
Nice to Arles
You'll board your Avalon Suite Ship via motorcoach transfer. From there, the ship cruises toward Arles, and you'll spend the night docked so you can get settled in and rest up before the river activities begin tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorcoach transfer to board Avalon Suite Ship
Landmarks/POIs Arles - Day 4
Arles
Stop by the Adventure Center this morning to pick your activity for the day. You can do a power walk, join a painting workshop where you'll learn van Gogh's techniques, or take a guided walking tour of Arles that includes the Roman Amphitheater. After lunch, there's free time to visit Le Café Van Gogh for wine before the ship sails to Avignon. Later, a live jazz band performs onboard this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Power Walk in Arles with Adventure Host
- Painting Workshop - learn and create in the style of Vincent van Gogh
- Guided Walking Tour of Arles with visit to Roman Amphitheater
- Free time at Le Café Van Gogh
- Live entertainment with Jazz Band
Landmarks/POIs Roman Amphitheater Le Café Van Gogh Arles - Day 5
Avignon
A guided tour covers Avignon's fortress city, walking you through the ramparts and the Palace of the Popes. You'll also have chances to see the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge, art galleries, museums, and theaters scattered throughout the city. Optional excursions head out to either the ancient Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct or the wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape if you want something different. Evening brings live entertainment onboard the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon
- Visit to Palace of the Popes
- Explore Avignon - art, culture, theatre, museums, and Pont Saint-Bénézet
- Live entertainment onboard
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Pont du Gard - ancient Roman aqueduct
- Guided Optional Excursion to Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine cellars for wine tasting and Rhône wine region experience
Landmarks/POIs Palace of the Popes Pont Saint-Bénézet Pont du Gard Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 6
Viviers to Tournon
The ship sails leisurely to Viviers. Once there, you can either hike up to the hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host or take a guided walking tour of the pale-stone buildings, the Romanesque cathedral, and the Old Town that blends Christian, Roman, and medieval history. Before sailing to Tournon, you'll get to taste local specialties onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Viviers - explore historic buildings, Romanesque cathedral, and Old Town
- Tasting of Local Specialties onboard
Landmarks/POIs Viviers Cathedral Viviers - Day 7
Tournon to Vienne
You start in Tournon with a choice between a morning hike along the Rhone with your Adventure Host or a guided walking tour of the medieval city with its 16th-century castle. The ship then heads to Vienne with jazz entertainment during the crossing. Once there, a guided walk shows you the cathedral, the Archaeological Gardens of Cybèle, and the Roman Temple of Augustus & Livia. Later, the Vienne Jazz Festival takes over the evening with music happening in local bars and pubs around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning hike in Tournon with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Tournon - explore medieval city and 16th-century castle
- Jazz entertainment onboard during sail to Vienne
- Guided walk through Vienne - cathedral, Archaeological Gardens of Cybèle, and Roman Temple of Augustus & Livia
- Free time to attend Vienne Jazz Festival
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle Archaeological Gardens of Cybèle Roman Temple of Augustus & Livia Vienne Cathedral - Day 8
Lyon
A guided tour starts from Fourvière Hill where you get a survey of Lyon and see its many churches, then drops you in the Old Town to wander through medieval alleyways, check out lively cafés and monuments, and find the famous fountain at Place des Terreaux. Free time lets you bike through town squares, cross bridges, and ride along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. Gypsy Jazz entertainment plays this evening before the ship cruises to Tournus.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Lyon from Fourvière Hill
- Explore Old Town - medieval alleyways, cafés, monuments, and Place des Terreaux
- Free time biking through Lyon's town squares, bridges, and riverbanks
- Gypsy Jazz entertainment in the evening
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Basilica Place des Terreaux Lyon Old Town - Day 9
Mâconnais Wine Region to Chalon-sur-Saône
You'll travel into the Mâconnais region's rolling landscapes to learn about the world-famous Chardonnay vineyards there. A wine tasting takes place in the cellars of an actual medieval castle, giving you a real sense of the area. Afterward, back on the ship, there's a cheese tasting while you sail to Chalon-sur-Saône. Live entertainment happens onboard this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Mâconnais region to learn about Chardonnay vineyards and wine production
- Wine tasting in medieval castle cellars
- Cheese tasting onboard
- Live entertainment onboard
Landmarks/POIs Mâconnais Wine Region - Day 10
Chalon-sur-Saône to Lyon
Your cruise ends this morning with breakfast. You'll disembark and head to Lyon airport to depart.
- Meals
- Breakfast
