Day 1: ARRIVE IN COTE D'AZUR, FRANCE. Welcome to France! Time at leisure to get acquainted with your new surroundings.
Day 2: COTE D'AZUR-PORT ST. LOUIS (EMBARKATION).
This morning, enjoy free time before transferring by motorcoach to Port St. Louis in the Provence region, where you'll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception and enjoy tranquil scenes as you gently sail through Camargue Regional National Park northward to Arles. (B,D)
Day 3: 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 church of St.Trophime; "Les Alyscamps," the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. 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 4: AVIGNON.
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 Chateauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 5: CRUISING-VIVIERS.
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 6: TOURNON/TAIN L'HERMITAGE-VIENNE.
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhone 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 7: LYON.
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 FOURVIERE HILL; explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways; Place des Terreaux, and 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. (B,L,D)
Day 8: MACON-TOURNUS-CHALON-SUR-SAONE.
Wake up this morning on the River Saone in Macon, a city that plays an important part in the wine trade. There's some free time for exploring after breakfast, then enjoy a short cruise to Tournus. Here the cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum's folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. Before dinner, arrive in Chalon-sur-Saone. (B,L,D)
Day 9: CHALON-SUR-SAONE (DISEMBARKATION)-BEAUNE-PARIS (EMBARKATION). After breakfast, say goodbye to your crew on the Avalon Scenery and head for Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Cote d'Or area, which produces the Burgundy region's finest vintages. Its most famous historical site, the Hotel 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," where you board the Avalon Creativity docked on the River Seine. This evening, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)
Day 10: PARIS.
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, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, 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. (B,L,D)
Day 11: PARIS-CONFLANS.
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine, passing through suburban Paris. This afternoon, dock at Conflans-and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or Napoleon and Josephine's CHATEAU de MALMAISON just outside Paris. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it "the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation." (B,L,D)
Day 12: VERNON.
This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet's house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of BIZY CASTLE with its magnificent courtyard. There's still time to stroll through this delightful city on your own before your ship departs for Rouen. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)
Day 13: ROUEN.
Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy and an important commercial city. It is perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK dating back to the 16th century. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet's paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or you can join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur or to the busy port city of Le Havre with its contemporary architecture. (B,L,D)
Day 14: ROUEN. Make your choice today between an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches-with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery-or a "Taste of Normandy" for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important products are dairy, apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is Calvados, a strong alcoholic apple brandy. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. (B,L,D)
Day 15: LES ANDELYS.
The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing Chateau Gaillard at Les Andelys. Built by England's King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the chateau is truly a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture. Explore on your own and enjoy this last day in France in this delightful small town. (B,L,D)
Day 16: PARIS
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Arles
Enjoying more than 300 days of sunshine a year Arles is regarded as the land of light. Both Picasso and Cezanne tested their artistic flair in Arles but it was Vincent Van Gogh who completely fell in love with this region and created over 200 pieces in just one year. Despite Van Gogh creating so many of masterpieces in Arles none of his works have remained in the area.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 35kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Van Gogh Foundation, Bullfighting Arena, Roman Baths
Avignon
Take your time wandering about the streets of Avignon, The ancient streets, the courtyards of the private mansions, the renovated facades will all charm you! One of the most elegant streets is the rue Joseph Vernet, adjacent to the Calvet museum and the Requien Museum. Don't miss the Antiquaire quarter, the Place de l'Horloge or the Chemin de Ronde which will take you to the Rocher des Doms. From the top of the ramparts you can understand why the site was chosen for a fort: Avignon stands high above the immense plains of the Rhône River and is the strategic point of the whole valley.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 8kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest
Palace of the Popes, Opera House, Museum of Painting and Sculpture, Pont d'Avignon
Viviers
Viviers consists of a lower town, where tradesmen and artisans once lived, and an upper or religious town that was the seat of a bishop during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance The upper walled town is an attractive warren of narrow cobbled streets with stone houses, a cathedral, and a castle terrace that offers spectacular views of the rooftops and river below.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 85kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest The House of the Knights, Roman Bridge, The Tower of the Michaelmas
Tournon
A pretty town with wide tree-lined avenues it is proud of its historical heritage and 11th-16th-century chateau which houses a museum of local history. To the north of the Grand Rue on Place St Julien lies Collegiale St Julien with its imposing bell tower. It serves as an example of the Italian influence on architecture in the area in the 14th-century.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport -92kms Currency - Euros (EUR)
Places of Interest Collegiale St Julien, Vallee du Doux
Vienne
No other city in the Rhône Valley offers such a concentration of architectural history as Vienne. Located in a natural basin of land between the river and the hills, this site was recognised for both its strategic and aesthetic advantages by the Romans, who vastly expanded the existing village when they invaded the area in the 1st century BC.Vienne was known in Roman times as 'Vienne the Beautiful', possibly due to the fact that its riverside position on the East bank of the Rhône made it a major port for wine. The wine in this region is outstanding and Romans may have enjoyed a glass or two while watching the evening's entertainment at one of the town's two theatres.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 25kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Roman Theatre, Temple d'Auguste et Livie, Le Palais Ideal
Lyon
Two thousand years of history have left their mark on the cityscape. Lyon's rich heritage resources reflect the different eras and tell the story of the city. Lyon's listing by UNESCO as a World Heritage site gives recognition to two exceptional features: "continuity of urban development" -the listed site covers a territory of 500 hectares (1235 acres) where the entire history of the city can be seen, from the founding of the Roman city of Lugdunum. And as "an outstanding illustration of city planning over the centuries" in this continually populated and active territory.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 7kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Lyon National Opera House, Tete d'Or Park, Fourviere Hill, Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon)
Chalon-sur-Saone
Chalon is a sizeable port and bustling industrial centre on a broad meander of the Saône. Its old riverside quarter does have an easy charm, and it makes a good base for exploring the more expensive areas of the Cote d'Or. It's a thriving business centre, and trade fairs frequently take over the town, but more festive occasions are also an important part of its appeal and good reasons to stop if you're around at the right time. The pre-Lent carnival (February or March) features a parade of giant masks and a confetti battle, and there's a national festival of street artists and theatre in July.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 100kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Maison de Vins (Wine House), Niepce Museum, Chalon Rose Garden
Beaune
Beaune is the capital of Burgundy's wine country, with walled fortifications and innumerable shops, restaurants, and cafés for the hordes of tourists and oenophiles who come to savor medieval atmosphere and sample wines from the region's world-class vineyards. The city is home to the Hôtel-Dieuof theHospices de Beaune, a hospital from the Middle Ages (now a museum) that was built in 1443 to care for sick and starving residents of the town. You can still see the rooms and beds where patients received care until the 20th Century, and the building itself is a beautifully preserved Gothic masterpiece with an arcaded courtyard and a multicolored tile roof.
Country - France Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 132kms Currency - Euro (EUR)
Places of Interest Musee du Vin de Bourgogne (Burgandy Wine Museum), Musee de l'Hotel-Dieu (Hospital Museum), Opera Night Disco
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Avalon Waterways
Now that you know why river cruising should be your next vacation, you need to decide which cruise company to choose. Thats easy, When you travel with Avalon Waterways, you can relax in the knowledge that you've made the best choice. Newest Ships
Avalon sets a new standard in river cruising Europe's newest ships; you cruise in amazing, one-of-a-kind travel comfort. Sleek and elegant, they are part of a new generation of river cruisers, with state-of-the-art technology. These ships offer larger accommodations with hotel-style beds, private facilities, satellite television, and much more, including email or internet access, and floor to ceiling sliding glass doors in many staterooms. Travellers will enjoy a fitness centre, hair salon and massage services.
The Most Enriching Experiences
Our Enrichment Program is among the best in river cruising. Experienced local guides will take you on sightseeing tours of wonderful towns and cities, plus you can spend the evening on shore, if the schedule permits. In addition to fascinating sightseeing on each itinerary, you can choose from a few optional outings, and there's always time to make your own discoveries as well. Back on board, you'll enjoy interactive presentations with area experts, wine tastings, local entertainment, and more. Look on each cruise itinerary page to see the Included Features and Special Highlights listed for each vacation.
Created for the English Speaking Market
These new ships are built for the English Speaking Market, with non-smoking interiors and English speaking crew. They feature larger staterooms than most other river cruise vessels with comfortable beds and large windows to view the passing scene. Meals are European cuisine tailored to western tastes with coffee and tea available at no extra charge throughout the day. The Enrichment Program is geared towards those that like to travel with lively itineraries, time for individual discovery, and onboard entertainment.
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Whether you savour time-tested recipes or experiment more boldly, with Avalon you'll taste the true flavours of Europe, Egypt and China. Meals enjoyed in the company of your travelling companions are a major part of your vacation experience. On Avalon's ships, you'll enjoy open seat dining with one sitting, wine included with all onboard dinners, and panoramic views from your restaurant.
Quality Hotels
On several itineraries, you'll either begin or end your experience with a stay on land. We understand the importance of hotel quality to your vacation; that's why any hotels included in your itinerary are rated first class (F) or above (SF). Look for the exact ratings on the itinerary pages.
Unbeatable Value
We include all the main features of a destination without extra cost. Our volume buying power saves you money. And we handle all the logistics and details, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your cruise. Plus we provide all meals on board, a rich land excursion program and much more!
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Avalon - Europe River Cruises
All European river cruise ships feature elegant interiors with abundant glass, polished metal, and vibrant colors, modern designs with contemporary appointments, state-ofthe-art technology, personalized service, fine dining, remarkable amenities, and spacious outside staterooms.
Avalon Waterways offers the most modern river cruising fleet on Europe's legendary rivers.
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