Itinerary:
Depart the USA for Paris on an overnight flight with in-flight meals.
Arrive this afternoon in Paris and travel to Caen for a private walking tour of Caen. Caen is a charming city that survived the massive Battle of Normandy. Admire the 11th century medieval castle built by William the Conqueror and explore St Peter's Church which has been beautifully restored after World War II. Enjoy a welcome drink before dinner.
Today, explore Omaha Beach, the
American Cemetery and Arromanches
artificial harbor where you will learn
historical facts about WWII and the D-Day
invasion.
Travel through scenic Normandy en
route to the medieval Mont-St-Michel on
a full-day trip from Caen. Discover the
UNESCO World-Heritage-listed island and
its iconic Gothic abbey with a guide, and
listen to fascinating history and legendary
stories about the site. Enjoy ample time
to explore the island, and admire views of
the surrounding bay before traveling back
to your hotel in Caen.
This morning, travel by high-speed rail
from Caen to Lyon! Sit back and enjoy
the beautiful scenery en route to Lyon,
France; spectacular in both scenery and
engineering. In Lyon embark the Amadeus
Provence and make yourself comfortable
in your cabin, which will be your luxurious
home for the coming week. In the evening,
join fellow travelers for a Welcome
Cocktail and delectable Welcome Dinner.
In the morning, your ship arrives in Mâcon,
located in southern Burgundy. With a
history stretching back more than 2,000
years, Mâcon is an architectural treasure
trove and a gateway to the vineyards of
the Côte Mâconnais. This historic wine
region produces some of the finest and
most expensive wines in the world. Enjoy a guided tour and admire the peaceful
vineyards of the Beaujolais and Mâconnais
wine regions. A highlight is the visit to
the “Hameau Duboeuf“ wine museum,
featuring the history and production
of Burgundy wines, and a wine tasting.
After lunch on board, join the afternoon
excursion to Cluny Abbey, which was
founded in 910 and was home to over
10,000 monks at its height, or visit Château
de Pierreclos with its romantic wine cellars
and vineyard. Enjoy dinner on board in the
evening.
Continue exploring the Burgundy wine
region in Chalon-sur-Saône, where
half-timbered houses overlook a square
teeming with art galleries and specialty
shops. Enjoy a scenic drive through the
Burgundy wine route on the morning tour.
Your bus will stop in Beaune, where you
will see the beautiful Hôtel-Dieu and enjoy
a wine tasting at one of Beaune’s famous
cellars. After lunch on board, unwind and
admire the scenery as the vessel continues
along the Saône or, alternatively, join
the afternoon excursion, which departs
from Chalon-sur-Saône overland for the
medieval towns of Brançion and Cormatin.
The Château de Cormatin is a beautiful
castle with magnificent French gardens. It
was built in the 17th Century with the aim
to impress. Rejoin your vessel in time for
dinner on board.
Today your AMADEUS vessel returns
to Lyon, which is known not only for
its architectural beauty but also for its
gastronomic excellence. On the guided tour, discover this UNESCO World Heritage site with its most famous landmarks including the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the charming Renaissance Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), or join the excursion to the covered food market of Paul Bocuse and sample the local delicacies. At midday, the ship leaves Lyon.
Spend the day exploring the Provençal city of Avignon and discovering its momentous history. In the morning, take part in a guided walking tour of Avignon, the seat of the Catholic popes from 1309 to 1377. Admire the grand Palace of the Popes, one of the world’s most fascinating examples of Gothic architecture and the Pont d’Avignon. After lunch, join the excursion to the hilltop town of Uzès and to the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct and great masterpiece of engineering. In the evening, dinner is followed by entertainment by a local music band. We depart for Arles this evening.
Old Arles is a delight to wander in and explore. No wonder it once captured the imagination of the brilliant Impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh. Learn more about its rich history during the morning tour. Inside the Roman amphitheater, get a good impression of what being a spectator of gladiator fights was like at the end of the first century. This afternoon, recharge in the tranquility of unspoiled scenery by joining the excursion to the natural beauty of the Camargue’s salt marshes, home to the renowned Camargue bulls and wild white horses. This nature preserve is also one of the few European habitats which supports the greater flamingo. After a full day in Arles, your vessel will continue cruising the Rhône River.
You can choose to spend a day on board or join a morning guided tour the Ardèche Gorge, another natural wonder of this area. Visit the “Grand Canyon of Europe,“ where spectacular limestone cliffs tower over the meandering river below. France is a leading producer of black truffles, so the alternative is an exploration of the world of truffles with a visit and tasting to a local truffle farm. Rejoin the vessel in Le Pouzin in time for lunch. This afternoon, relax on board as your ship makes its way back up the waterways of the Provence. This evening, celebrate your cruise experience at the Captain’s Gala Dinner.
After breakfast, bid the Rhône River Au Revoir and fly home from Lyon or participate in our optional 3-night Paris post tour.
Optional Tours: (Brochure Click Here)
Paris Post-Tour (3 Nights $799.00)
• 3 nights accommodation in a first class hotel in Paris, with breakfast included each morning
• All transfers included
• Guided City tour of Paris
• Enjoy all the sights, including Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.
Pricing: (Deck & Pricing: includes air, taxes & fees)
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