Burgundy & Provence 2010 (Paris to Côte d'Azur with Provence Extension)

Day 1: Depart
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2: Paris, France
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!

Day 3: 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, 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 4: Paris–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation)
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 5: Chalon–Tournus–Mâcon
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 6: 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 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 7: 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 8: Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers
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 9: 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 Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 10: 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 11: Arles (Disembarkation)–Provence Region
After breakfast, disembark and follow the remaining stretch of the Rhône into its delta—the Camargue—famous for its wild horses and pink flamingos. Visit the city of AIGUES-MORTES with its impressive towers and defensive walls, embedded in a melancholy landscape of pools, marshes, and salt pans. (B)

Day 12: Provence Region
Your day starts with a guided tour of Nîmes, heart of the Provence region and a city of arts and culture. Time at leisure to explore on your own. This evening you might like to join an optional excursion to taste some of the local specialties this region has to offer. (B)

Day 13: Provence Region - Cote d'Azur
This morning is dedicated to Aix-en-Provence, one of France’s most elegant cities. Shaded Cours Mirabeau, colorful squares, and famous cafés and fountains can be discovered on a stroll around the city. After lunch, head east past Cézanne’s Mount St. Victoire to the Côte d’Azur. This evening an optional excursion to Monte Carlo in the tiny Principality of Monaco is available. (B)

Day 14: Côte d’Azur
Your homebound flight from Nice arrives the same day. (B)

• Paris: Guided sightseeing
• Beaune: Orientation walk; Hôtel Dieu
• Lyon: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière 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
• Provence Region Extension: Excursion to Camargue; visit Aigues-Mortes; Nîmes guided sightseeing; lunch stop in Aix-en-Provence

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 Tournon and 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.

• Buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Côte d’Azur (plus Provence region on WCAE);
• Superb dining with all meals on board featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), 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
• 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 Méridien Montparnasse (SF) or Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF)
Cote d’Azur: Boscolo Plaza, Nice (SF)
Provence Region Extension: Imperator Concorde (F) at Nîmes
Cruising: A Category E outside cabin on the Indigo Deck onboard the Avalon Scenery

Extra nights per person in Paris:
in single room $440, in twin room $259

Extra nights per person in Nice:
in single room $350, in twin room $220

• Wine River Cruise Departures: Departures on August 21 and October 30, 2010 are offered as exclusive Wine River Cruises, including special lectures and tastings, available at no additional cost.
• 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 becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please call for single accommodation. Triples not available.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more details.

* 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.