Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll land at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport where a Uniworld representative meets you for your transfer to the ship. If you've arranged group transfer or purchased a private one, you're all set for the handoff.
- Day 2
Seine Valley
The morning opens up with choices in northern France. You can take a scenic hike, visit Château de La Roche-Guyon perched on a hilltop with Seine views, or skip ahead to Monet's Gardens. For the afternoon at Giverny, either bike from Vernon or take the coach option to see Monet's Gardens yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Château de La Roche-Guyon - visit and gardens tour
- Let's Go: Hike on the Crests Trail
- Monet's Gardens at Giverny
- Let's Go: Bike Ride from Vernon to Giverny
- Coach transfer to Giverny
Landmarks/POIs Château de La Roche-Guyon Monet's Gardens at Giverny - Day 3
Rouen
Walk through Rouen's medieval quarter where you'll see the cathedral Monet painted many times and the site of Joan of Arc's martyrdom. Pick between a guided tour covering Richard the Lionheart, Flaubert, and Monet's local connections, or visit a Camembert cheese farm instead. Later, head to Rouen Cathedral for a private concert.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Private Concert at the Rouen Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Rouen Walking Tour, the Dukes of Normandy's Capital
- Camembert Cheese Farm visit
Landmarks/POIs Rouen Cathedral - Day 4
Caudebec-en-Caux
From Caudebec-en-Caux, you have two very different paths. Either walk through Honfleur, the seaside harbor town known for its painters, or golf at the clifftop course near Étretat with dramatic coastal views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Honfleur Walking Tour
- Let's Go: Golfing in Étretat
Landmarks/POIs Honfleur Étretat - Day 5
Normandy Beaches
This is a full-day visit to the Normandy beaches where you'll choose between American, British and Commonwealth, or Canadian sectors with D-Day focus. After exploring the sites, you'll participate in a private memorial ceremony honoring Operation Overlord.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Normandy Beaches: Highlights of American Sites
- Normandy Beaches: Highlights of British & Commonwealth Sites
- Normandy Beaches: Highlights of Canadian Sites
- Private memorial ceremony for Operation Overlord
- Day 6
Versailles
You'll enter the private rooms at Versailles, the palace built by the Sun King. Here you can see how France's rulers actually lived across the centuries through the palace's lavish spaces.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Versailles Palace Secret Apartments - guided tour
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Versailles - Day 7
Paris
In Paris, there's flexibility whether this is your first visit or a return trip. Choose a panoramic overview of the city or take a guided walk through the Latin Quarter or another beloved neighborhood you prefer.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Paris City Tour - panoramic overview
- Paris Walking Tour of the Latin Quarter
Landmarks/POIs Latin Quarter - Day 8
Paris to Champagne
You'll leave the S.S. Joie de Vivre and head to Paris Gare de Lyon Station for a champagne reception before boarding the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train. Settle into your cabin as you cross the French countryside toward Champagne region, then join a vineyard tour with AOC-protected champagne tasting.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer from ship to Paris Gare de Lyon Station
- Champagne drinks reception
- Exclusive guided vineyard tour with champagne tasting
Landmarks/POIs Champagne Region - Day 9
Alps to Vienna
The train winds through the Alps and Austrian countryside toward Vienna. Relax in your cabin with your attendant or sit in the Bar Lounge Car watching the views roll past. By evening you'll arrive in Vienna for dinner and a private classical concert with the Vienna Supreme Orchestra.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Sumptuous dinner in Vienna)
Included Activities
- Train journey through the Alps
- Sumptuous dinner in Vienna
- Private classical concert - Vienna Supreme Orchestra
Landmarks/POIs Vienna - Day 10
Vienna
In Vienna, you'll check out the elaborate palaces, iconic coffee houses, and cultural sites. After lunch, join a confectionary masterclass with the train's Head Pastry Chef. That evening, take an underground train through Postojna Caves where a saxophonist plays as you travel through the cave formations.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Confectionary masterclass with Catering Manager and Head Pastry Chef
- Postojna Caves - underground train exploration with live saxophonist performance
Landmarks/POIs Postojna Caves - Day 11
Belgrade
Belgrade opens with a private look at Tito's blue train from Yugoslavia's past. You'll eat a traditional Serbian meal, visit the city's oldest brewery to sample Rakija and hear stories about Belgrade's history. Before reboarding, explore the streets to discover more of the city's culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Traditional Serbian feast at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Exclusive exploration of Tito's blue train
- Traditional Serbian feast at local restaurant
- Rakija tasting and brewery visit at city's oldest brewery
- Belgrade street exploration
Landmarks/POIs Belgrade - Day 12
Sofia
Spend your morning relaxed in the Bar Lounge Car as the train heads toward Bulgaria. In Sofia, one of Europe's oldest cities, you'll see Roman Serdica ruins, the City Garden with the National Theatre, and the Presidential Palace. Later, descend into Alexander Nevsky Cathedral's crypt for a private performance by the Vanya Moneva Choir.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Roman Serdica ruins
- City Garden visit with National Theatre Ivan Vazov
- Presidential Palace and landmarks tour
- Private performance in Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Crypt - Vanya Moneva Choir
Landmarks/POIs Roman Serdica City Garden Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Presidential Palace - Day 13
Istanbul
The train pulls into Istanbul, the city that bridges Asia and Europe. You'll transfer to the Four Seasons Sultanahmet for a one-night stay in the city center. Spend the rest of the day exploring on your own pace, then join the Farewell Dinner on the Bosphorus banks this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell Dinner on the Bosphorus)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Four Seasons Sultanahmet hotel
- Farewell Dinner on the Bosphorus
Optional Activities
- Leisure exploration of Istanbul
Landmarks/POIs Bosphorus - Day 14
Istanbul Departure
Check out of your hotel in Istanbul. Your transfer to the airport happens next, whether you've arranged group transfer or purchased a private one, for your flight home.
