Itinerary
- Day 1
Lyon
You'll arrive in Lyon and board your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, which sits right at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. After getting settled on board your contemporary ship, the afternoon is yours to explore the surrounding area at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Lyon by Night tour
- Day 2
Lyon
France's third-largest city gets explored on a guided tour that covers its Roman history and food culture. You'll see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière and walk through historic cobblestone streets. If you'd rather, there's a guided bike tour option instead to take in the city's highlights from two wheels.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon
- Guided bike tour of Lyon
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Pérouges
Landmarks Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière - Day 3
Lyon to Mâcon
After breakfast you head out sailing on the Saône river toward Mâcon, taking it easy as you float along. Once there, you'll explore the Beaujolais wine region and taste some of the local Gamay wines that the area is known for. These wines have that fruity, vibrant character that makes Beaujolais distinctive, so you'll get to sample what makes them special.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting
Landmarks Beaujolais wine region - Day 4
Tournon
You'll arrive at Tournon, a village on the Rhône that's dominated by a 16th century castle perched above. There's a guided tour of the village that covers the cultural heritage and historic watchtowers, or you can go for a guided hike through the local vineyards instead. The wines produced here are some of Europe's best, so either way you're getting into serious wine country.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon
- Guided hike through the vineyards
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 5
Viviers
Viviers is your next stop, a medieval town with one of France's oldest cathedrals. You'll take a guided walking tour through town seeing the monuments, ornate windows, and fancy facades. There's also an EmeraldPLUS lecture on Art and Culture in Southern France, and if you're interested, you can visit Chauvet Pont d'Arc (the prehistoric cave with ancient paintings).
- 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 6
Avignon
In Avignon, your guided walking tour covers the history from Celtic times through when seven Popes lived here in succession. You'll see the UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes and the famous Pont d'Avignon. This evening there's a Provençal dinner prepared by Top Chef finalist Fabien Morreale followed by a classical concert. Optional activities include canoeing or visiting Pont du Gard and Châteauneuf du Pape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Provençal dining experience on board)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon
- Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale
- Classical concert in Avignon
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense)
- Visit to Châteauneuf du Pape with wine tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon - Day 7
Arles
Arles is your stop today, a former Phoenician trading port that became a major Roman stronghold and now holds several UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments. Your guided tour takes you to the iconic 2,000-year-old Arles Amphitheatre and historic sites connected to Vincent van Gogh. After that, you'll have free time to explore on your own before heading back to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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 8
Arles to Marseille
After breakfast you say goodbye to everyone and leave the Star-Ship for your transfer to Marseille airport. You're heading home with memories of the French countryside, great food, and all the towns and wine regions you've seen along the rivers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
