Burgundy & Provence 2011 (Paris to Côte d’Azur)

Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France
(Sun.) Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!

Day 2 Paris
(Mon.) 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 3 Paris–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation)
(Tue.) After breakfast, drive south past the forest of Fontainebleau, favorite hunting grounds of a long line of French kings, and into Burgundy. Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area—which produces the region’s finest vintages—owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. 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. Enjoy a TASTING of Burgundy wines before continuing south to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)

Day 4 Chalon-sur-Saône–Tournus–Mâcon
(Wed.) A guided walk after breakfast today shows you the highlights of this quaint French town situated on the Saône River. Explore the NICÉPHORE NIÉPCE photography museum at your own pace before returning to your ship in time for its departure for Tournus. After lunch, enjoy free time in this lovely town. The cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. Later, cruise to Mâcon, a city with a rich history that plays an important role in the wine trade. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Beaujolais Region–Lyon
(Thu.) Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. 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 Fourviére Hill and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place des Terreaux, 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. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Lyon
(Fri.) A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers
(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. Another charming town, 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 8 Avignon
(Sun.) 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 9 Arles
(Mon.) 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 10 Arles (Disembarkation)–Côte d’Azur
(Tue.) After breakfast, a comfortable motorcoach ride takes you along the Côte d’Azur for a last night in France. Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d’Azur stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border. (B)

Day 11 Côte d’Azur
(Wed.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 7-night cruise from Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• PARIS: Guided sightseeing
• BEAUNE: Orientation walk, see the Hôtel-Dieu; Burgundy wine tasting
• CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE: Welcome reception; visit Nicéphore Niépce Museum
• LYON: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill
• TOURNON: Orientation walk
• VIVIERS: Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral
• AVIGNON: Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
• ARLES: Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater

Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to learn about France and to taste its sumptuous wines and cuisine. Your adventure begins with two overnights and guided sightseeing in Paris, the “City of Light.” Travel south to fascinating Beaune for a Burgundy wine tasting, then board your ship in quaint Chalon-sur-Saône and set sail for lovely Tournus, Mâcon, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as medieval Tournon, charming Viviers, Avignon, and Arles. Your vacation ends with an overnight in the stunning Côte d’Azur on the French Riviera.

• Full buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Côte d’Azur; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; complimentary regional wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day
• Deluxe cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• Services of a professional Cruise Director
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music
• Sightseeing with Local Guides
• Headsets for all guided shore excursions
• Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges, where applicable

Paris: Le Meridien Montparnasse (SF)
Cruising: Cabin onboard Avalon Scenery
Côte d'Azur: Fairmont Monte Carlo (D)

Extra nights per person in Paris:
Departures April 9 - May 7 & July 16 - Aug 13: in single room $305, in twin room $165
Departures May 21 - July 2 & Sept 10 - Oct 22: in single room $350, in twin room $185
Departure Aug 27: in single room $480, in twin room $250

Extra nights per person in Côte d’Azur:
in single room $340, in twin room $178

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $98 per person are not included in the prices shown above.
• In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.