Flavors of Burgundy and Provence (Nice to Paris) 2009
Speak to a friendly River Cruise Specialist, call 1-800-342-0019
Dates & Prices
Only with AffordableTours.com, receive 10% Off this Cruise - GUARANTEED! That's right, only with AffordableTours.com you can subtract 10% from any brochure cruise only price listed below!
| Start Date | End Date | Cat1 | Cat2 | Cat3 | Cat4 | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Nov 29, 2009 | Thu, Dec 10, 2009 | $2858 | $2758 | $2708 | $2209 | Quote |
Questions? call 1-800-342-0019
Itinerary
See France at its scenic best on this charming getaway. Guided sightseeing acquaints you with vibrant Paris and with Nice, the "Queen of the Riviera," while a deluxe 7-night cruise along the Saône and Rhône Rivers takes you into the heart of this beautiful country. Enjoy orientation walks in Mâcon and Tournon; a Burgundy wine tasting in medieval Beaune; and see the sights with Local Guides in Avignon, Arles, and Lyon, France's gastronomic capital. Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to learn about and to taste the sumptuous wines and local cuisine.
Special River Cruise:
The November 29 river cruise will include special Christmastime features.
Day 1(Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Nice, France
(Mon.) Welcome to France! Time at leisure to 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)
(Tue.) 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 to Arles, where the crew of your river cruise vessel awaits to welcome you on board! (B,D)
Day 4 Arles
(Wed.) 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 Alyscamps," 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. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Avignon
(Thu.) The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Also 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 of 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. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Cruising - Viviers
(Fri.) A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you glide gently 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. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Tournon/Tain L'Hermitage - Vienne
(Sat.) The twin cities of Tournon and Tain L'Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River 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. This afternoon, enjoy Vienne, another charming little town surrounded by steep hills. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Lyon
(Sun.) Lyon is France's second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, 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 much renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the city from FOURVIÈRE HILL and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways, 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 insight into the local haute cuisine. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Mâcon - Tournus
(Mon.) Playing an important role in the wine trade, Mâcon, situated on the River Saône, has a rich history. See the OLD SAINT VINCENT, the cathedral founded in the 6th century and now a symbol of the city; La Charité the Town Hall; and the Half-Timbered House, dating from the 15th to 16th centuries. A number of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, are available. This evening, free time to explore the lovely town of Tournus. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Chalon-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." (B)
Day 11 Paris
(Wed.) Paris' famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to 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 that includes some of the world's most famous cabaret shows. (B)
Day 12 Paris
(Thu.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
Questions? call 1-800-342-0019
What's Included
Cruise:
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Chalon-sur-Saone to Arles or Arles to Chalon-sur-Saone in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
Paris:
Guided sightseeing
Beaune:
Orientation walk
Chalon-sur-Saone:
Welcome reception
Macon:
Guided walking tour
Lyon:
Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourviere Hill
Tournon:
Orientation walk
Viviers:
Guided walk; visit the cathedral
Avignon:
Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
Arles:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater
Nice:
Orientation walk of OLD TOWN
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
SUPERIOR HOTELS
Paris Le Meridien Montparnasse (SF), Nice Area Boscolo Plaza (SF)
MEALS
Buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Nice; superb dining with all meals on board, including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, Captain's dinner, one sitting with open seating arrangements; quality wines from France's most famous wine regions with every dinner on board
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Airport transfers are included with air and river cruise price.
NOTES:
Pricing Categories for Itinerary is as follows:
Upgrades are available upon request.
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Chalon-sur-Saone to Arles or Arles to Chalon-sur-Saone in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
Paris:
Guided sightseeing
Beaune:
Orientation walk
Chalon-sur-Saone:
Welcome reception
Macon:
Guided walking tour
Lyon:
Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourviere Hill
Tournon:
Orientation walk
Viviers:
Guided walk; visit the cathedral
Avignon:
Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
Arles:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater
Nice:
Orientation walk of OLD TOWN
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
SUPERIOR HOTELS
Paris Le Meridien Montparnasse (SF), Nice Area Boscolo Plaza (SF)
MEALS
Buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Nice; superb dining with all meals on board, including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, Captain's dinner, one sitting with open seating arrangements; quality wines from France's most famous wine regions with every dinner on board
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Airport transfers are included with air and river cruise price.
NOTES:
- Port charges: $98 per person.
- Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
Pricing Categories for Itinerary is as follows:
| Cabin 1 | Cat. P |
| Cabin 2 | Cat. A |
| Cabin 3 | Cat. B |
| Cabin 4 | Cat. E |
Upgrades are available upon request.
Questions? call 1-800-342-0019
1-800-342-0019
1-281-269-2600
Mon-Fri 8am-10pm ET
Sat-Sun 10am-6pm ET
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