Arrive in Paris and check into your hotel.,
Enjoy a morning tour taking in the signature sites of Paris, including the awe-inspiring Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, and iconic Eiffel Tower. You'll also stroll the Champs-Élysées with its cinemas, sidewalk cafés, and luxury specialty shops. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore such landmarks as the Louvre museum with its famous glass pyramid, or to enjoy a fresh flaky croissant at one of the city's legendary cafés. (B),
Enjoy a full day at your leisure to explore some of the city's legendary sites more in-depth. In the evening, visit Montmartre, long known as the city's premier artists' enclave. During the mid to late 1800s, artists also began calling Montmartre home. Pissarro and Jongkind were two of the first to live there, followed by other notable artists, including Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Pablo Picasso. You'll be taken on an evening illumination tour, discovering why Paris is renowned as the "City of Light". (B),
Check out of your Paris hotel and head to the train station to board the TGV high-speed train through the French countryside to Lyon. Once in the "food capital of France", marvel at the famous indoor market hall Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse, named after the late chef renowned for his Michelin-starred L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges restaurant. There you'll have a chance to sample of the delicacies offered by butchers, bakers, chocolatiers, and cheesemongers while taking in the colorful sights and enticing aromas around you. Afterward, embark the ship in Lyon for your Colors of Provence cruise. (B,D),
Check out of your Paris hotel and head to the train station to board the TGV high-speed train through the French countryside to Lyon. Once in the "food capital of France", marvel at the famous indoor market hall Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse, named after the late chef renowned for his Michelin-starred L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges restaurant. There you'll have a chance to sample of the delicacies offered by butchers, bakers, chocolatiers, and cheesemongers while taking in the colorful sights and enticing aromas around you. Afterward, embark the ship in Lyon for your Colors of Provence cruise. (B,D),
Check out of your Paris hotel and head to the train station to board the TGV high-speed train through the French countryside to Lyon. Once in the "food capital of France", marvel at the famous indoor market hall Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse, named after the late chef renowned for his Michelin-starred L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges restaurant. There you'll have a chance to sample of the delicacies offered by butchers, bakers, chocolatiers, and cheesemongers while taking in the colorful sights and enticing aromas around you. Afterward, embark the ship in Lyon for your Colors of Provence cruise. (B,D),
Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city's historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city's unique covered walkways, known as "traboules". During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time or join a guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind. (B,L,D),
Travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d'Or or "land of the golden stones". Indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. After rejoining the ship, enjoy the afternoon at your leisure before sailing to Vienne. (B,L,D),
Travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d'Or or "land of the golden stones". Indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. Once back on board, take in the views during a scenic cruise to Vienne, where you will have time to explore on your own.(B,L,D),
Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. (B,L,D),
Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Take a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet or a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route. During the evening, be treated to a delicious pairing of red wine and chocolate at the 15th-century Château de Tournon, located on the banks of the Rhône, in the heart of town. (B,L,D),
The imposing 16th-century Castle and Roman ruins that dot the countryside of Tournon are a photographer's dream. Visit the Hermitage and St. Joseph's vineyards. Consider the optional excursion to the Ardeche region, one of the area's natural wonders, via the nostalgic steam locomotive "Le Mastrou". (Operates May 12 - September 15)
Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. (B,L,D),
The imposing 16th-century Castle and Roman ruins that dot the countryside of Tournon are a photographer's dream. Visit the Hermitage and St. Joseph's vineyards. Consider the optional excursion to the Ardeche region, one of the area's natural wonders, via the nostalgic steam locomotive "Le Mastrou". (Operates May 12 - September 15)
Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants. For art lovers, you'll wish to visit Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Vincent van Gogh once lived and painted. Afterwards, go to the Carrières de Lumières, where you'll be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound, and history projected on the walls of caves. Alternatively, venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux-de-Provence, followed by a visit to an olive farm where you'll learn about age-old Provençal traditions from a master olive miller as well as sample the olive oil. Or for a different adventure, journey to Aigues-Mortes, known for its well preserved medieval walls and guard towers, followed by a visit to the beautiful Camargue National Park, a protected natural territory with more than 400 different species of birds. During the afternoon, you can join a walking tour of Arles highlighting top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater; or take a guided bike tour to the Roman ruins. And for those who wish to delve further into Van Gogh's Arles, join a special walking tour along with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. (B,L,D),
Disembark the ship in Arles and head to Nîmes. See the highlights of this delightful town with one of the finest collections of Roman buildings in France before boarding the high-speed train to Barcelona and checking into your hotel. (B),
Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants all with its tantalizing history, formerly a Roman center of trade. In the morning, venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux-de-Provence, where you can enjoy your choice of three different excursions. Experience the Carrières de Lumières, where you will be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound, and history projected on the walls of a former limestone quarry set to music. You can also visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provençal tradition and enjoy a tasting. The master olive miller will lead you on a walk through the grove and explain how olives are cultivated, harvested, and pressed to produce the Mediterranean's nectar, olive oil. Alternatively, explore Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the location where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous paintings, including Starry Night. Later in the day, join a guided walking tour where you'll visit the Roman ruins of Arles such as its Roman Amphitheater and the Church of Saint Trophime, famous for its Romanesque architecture. Alternatively, you can enjoy a bike ride along the Rhône, through town to the Langlois Bridge, a famous subject from several Vincent van Gogh paintings. And for those who wish to delve further into Van Gogh's Arles, join a special walking tour along with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. (B,L,D),
Les Baux de Provence is a small village and commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône département in southern France, in the former province of Provence. It has a spectacular position in the Alpilles mountains, set atop a rocky outcrop crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south. Its names refers to its site - in Provençal, a bau is a rocky spur. It is still a shadow of its former self; its present population of around 500 is a fraction of its peak population of over 4,000, and many of its buildings (including the castle) are picturesque ruins.
Disembark the ship in Arles and head to Nîmes. See the highlights of this delightful town with one of the finest collections of Roman buildings in France before boarding the high-speed train to Barcelona and checking into your hotel. (B),
Disembark the ship in Arles and head to Nîmes. See the highlights of this delightful town with one of the finest collections of Roman buildings in France before boarding the high-speed train to Barcelona and checking into your hotel. (B),
Disembark the ship in Arles and head to Nîmes. See the highlights of this delightful town with one of the finest collections of Roman buildings in France before boarding the high-speed train to Barcelona and checking into your hotel. (B),
Bid farewell to Arles and prepare for your flight home. (B), Disembark your ship in Arles and board the TGV high-speed train to the city that inspired Antoni Gaudí and is certain to inspire you. (B),
Barcelona, the bustling capital of Catalonia, is an artist, architect, foodie, historian, and culturist's dream. Tour the cobblestoned lanes of the Gothic Quarter in the medieval city center and Las Ramblas. Visit Montjuïc Hill and see some imaginative architectural creations, highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Works of Antoni Gaudí", including La Sagrada Família. (B),
Join an excursion to the mountain Montserrat, which is home to the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat, located about 30 miles from Barcelona. Once there, you'll ride a scenic funicular to the top of the mountain and experience an indescribable view of the Catalonia landscape. The monastery, officially founded in 1025, soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin Mary. The whole of Montserrat is built around facilitating the worship of the Black Madonna in the Basilica. While here, you'll see the famous Black Madonna sculpture, which sits at the back of the church, above the altar area. The stairway leading to the statue, plus the room and altar in which the statue sits are ornate, golden, and pay tribute to the wonder that is the Virgin herself. (B),
Join an excursion to the mountain Montserrat, which is home to the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat, located about 30 miles from Barcelona. Once there, you'll ride a scenic funicular to the top of the mountain and experience an indescribable view of the Catalonia landscape. The monastery, officially founded in 1025, soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin Mary. The whole of Montserrat is built around facilitating the worship of the Black Madonna in the Basilica. While here, you'll see the famous Black Madonna sculpture, which sits at the back of the church, above the altar area. The stairway leading to the statue, plus the room and altar in which the statue sits are ornate, golden, and pay tribute to the wonder that is the Virgin herself. (B),
Bid farewell to Barcelona and prepare for your homeward flight. (B),
Itinerary subject to change without notice. Please confirm itinerary at time of booking.