Itinerary
- Day 1
Geneva to Lausanne
You'll arrive in Geneva and then transfer through the Swiss countryside to Lausanne, which sits right on Lake Geneva with terraced vineyards all around it. This is when you'll meet your tour director and the other travelers, so expect to get oriented and settled in for your 4-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from Geneva airport to Lausanne
Landmarks Lake Geneva - Day 2
Lausanne
A guided walking tour takes you through historic Lausanne, walking the waterfront area. After that, you'll board a boat for a cruise across Lake Geneva with views of the mountains and shoreline. Later you'll visit Chateau Chillon, the medieval castle that sits on the lake's edge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lausanne
- Lake Geneva cruise
- Visit to Chateau Chillon
Landmarks Chateau Chillon Lake Geneva - Day 3
Montreux - Gstaad - Glacier 3000
You're taking a scenic train from Montreux up to Gstaad in the Swiss Alps, so you'll get panoramic mountain views the whole way. Once there, a cable car takes you to Glacier 3000 where you can do the Peak Walk by Tissot and check out Alpine animals at the Glacier Garden.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train from Montreux to Gstaad
- Cable car to Glacier 3000
- Peak Walk by Tissot
- Glacier Garden visit
Landmarks Gstaad Glacier 3000 
- Day 4
Lausanne
This day is free for you to plan. Wander through Lausanne's medieval center with its narrow streets, cafes, and shops. If you're interested, the 12th-century cathedral is one of Switzerland's finest early Gothic structures, or you could head to the Olympic Museum and lakeside Olympic Park instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Gruyere & Maison Cailler (extra expense)
Landmarks Lausanne Cathedral Olympic Museum - Day 5
Lausanne to Lyon
Start with breakfast in Lausanne, then transfer to Lyon where you'll board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. This luxury river vessel becomes your home for the next part of your journey along the waterways.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Lyon by Night
- Day 6
Lyon
Lyon's a major food destination in France and has serious Roman history behind it. You can pick between a guided city tour that covers UNESCO sites like the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, or hop on a bike tour if you want to see things from two wheels. After that, the afternoon is yours to walk around the historic cobblestone streets on your own.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon
- Guided bike tour of Lyon
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Pérouges
Landmarks Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviève - Day 7
Macon - Beaujolais Wine Region
The morning is relaxed as you sail on the Saone River to the town of Macon. From there you'll explore the Beaujolais wine region, which is known for its fruity wines made from Gamay grapes. You'll participate in a wine tasting to learn about this single-grape wine region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting
Landmarks Beaujolais Wine Region - Day 8
Tournon
You arrive at Tournon, a village on the Rhone dominated by a 16th-century castle with old watchtowers. Choose between a guided tour showing the village's cultural heritage or an EmeraldACTIVE hike through local vineyards where grapes grow for some of Europe's best wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through the vineyards
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 9
Viviers
Viviers is a medieval town with one of France's oldest cathedrals. You'll go on a guided walking tour that highlights the city's monuments, ornate windows, and decorative facades. Later there's a CD lecture about art and culture in southern France.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers
- CD lecture Art & Culture in the South of France
Optional Activities
- Visit to Chauvet Pont D'Arc (extra expense)
Landmarks Viviers Cathedral - Day 10
Avignon
In Avignon, you'll see the UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes and the ancient Pont d'Avignon that crosses the Rhone. This city has roots from Celtic times through its papal period and the French Revolution. By evening you'll have a Provencal dinner prepared by Top Chef finalist Fabien Morreale, followed by a classical concert right in Avignon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon
- Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale
- Classical concert in Avignon
Optional Activities
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon
- Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense)
- Visit to Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon 
- Day 11
Arles
Head to Arles, which started as a Phoenician trading post and became an important Roman city. A guided tour takes you through UNESCO World Heritage sites including the Arles Amphitheatre (over 2,000 years old) and locations connected to Vincent van Gogh. Spend the rest of your day exploring freely before heading back to the Star-Ship in the evening.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with arena visit
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh: painting workshop
- Provencal Soap Making Workshop
Landmarks Arles Amphitheatre 
- Day 12
Arles to Nice Airport
After breakfast you'll leave the ship and transfer to the airport, heading home with memories of the French countryside and the food you've had along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast
