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12 Days Flavors of Burgundy & Provence Tour Package
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Priced From: $2,059 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: Apr - Nov /08
This 12-day vacation begins with one night in Nice, the “Queen of the French Riviera.” Transfer by motorcoach to Arles, capital of the Provence region, where you board your elegant ship. You’ll enjoy sightseeing with Local Guides in Arles, Avignon with its bridge made famous by the popular song, and Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, as well as orientation walks in Tournon and Mâcon. As you cruise gently northward up the Rhône and Saône Rivers, there’s time to explore on your own, and to taste the grand wines and sumptuous cuisines of the region. Disembark in Chalon-sur- Saône and make a stop in Beaune in the center of the Burgundy region before continuing north to Paris. Guided sightseeing acquaints you with France’s capital, where you spend two nights.
Itinerary
Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
 Day 2 Nice, France
Welcome to France! Time at leisure lets you get acquainted with the “Queen of the Riviera.” This evening, an optional excursion to Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco is available.
Day 3 Nice–Arles (Embarkation)
This morning, enjoy a guided stroll through the narrow, winding streets of the Old Town. After lunch, transfer by motorcoach along the Côte d’Azur into the Provence Region and to Arles, where the crew of your river cruise vessel waits to welcome you aboard! (BB,D)
Day 4 Arles
On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the “Little Rome of Gaul.” See the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER, the church of St. Trophime, and “Les Alycamps,” the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of the Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The “Foundation Vincent Van Gogh” is a tribute to the artist. (FB,L,D)
Day 5 Avignon
The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Referred to as the “City of Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose “PALACE OF THE POPES.” A photo of the bridge from the popular song is a must, and optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (FB,L,D)
Day 6 Cruising–Viviers
A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you cruise by. The charming town of Viviers was developed around its Romanesque cathedral, and the Old Town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (FB,L,D)
Day 7 Tournon/Tain L’Hermitage–Vienne
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain L’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhône and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France’s oldest medieval cities. Vienne is another charming little town surrounded by steep hills. (FB,L,D)
Day 8 Lyon
Lyon is France’s second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 B.C., the city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century, and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and Renaissance architecture delight visitors. Survey the city from FOURVIÈRE HILL; explore Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways; and see Place Terraux and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the “Beaujolais Nouveau” is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. An optional dinner gives gourmets an insight into the local haute cuisine. (FB,L,D)
Day 9 Mâcon–Tournus
Playing an important role in the wine trade, Mâcon, situated on the River Saône, has a rich history. See the Old St. Vincent, the cathedral founded in the 6th century that is now a symbol of the city; La Charité; the Town Hall; and the Half-Timbered House, dating from the 15th-16th centuries. A number of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, are available. This evening, enjoy free time to explore the lovely town of Tournus. (FB,L,D)
Day 10Chalons-sur-Saône–(Disembarkation)–Beaune–Paris
(Tue.) After breakfast, head for Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area which produces the Burgundy region’s finest vintages. Its most famous historical site, the Hôtel-Dieu charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement, and is one of France’s architectural highlights. After lunch, continue north past the forest of Fontainebleau to Paris, the “City of Light.” (FB)
Day 11 Paris
Paris’ famous sights are living history: magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid contrasting its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (BB)
Day 12 Paris
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (BB)
Highlights
NICE
Orientation walk of Old Town
ARLES
Welcome reception
Guided sightseeing
Visit the Roman Amphitheater
AVIGNON
Guided sightseeing
Visit Palace of the Popes
TOURNON
Orientation walk
LYON
Guided sightseeing
Picture stop at Fourvière Hill
MÂCON
Guided walking tour
BEAUNE
Orientation walk
PARIS
Guided sightseeing
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
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Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
11/08
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