Grand France 2010 (Côte d'Azur to Paris)

Day 1: Depart
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2: Côte d’Azur, France
Welcome to France! Time at leisure to get acquainted with your new surroundings. This evening, an optional excursion to Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco is available.

Day 3: Côte d’Azur–Arles (Embarkation)
This morning, enjoy a guided stroll through the narrow winding streets of Nice’s OLD TOWN. After lunch, transfer by motorcoach to Arles in the Provence region, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D)

Day 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: Tournon/Tain l'Hermitage - Vienne
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhône 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
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; explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways; Place Terraux, 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. An optional dinner gives gourmets insight into the local haute cuisine. (B,L,D)

Day 9:  Mâcon–Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône
Wake up this morning on the River Saône in Mâcon, 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-Saône. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Paris (Embarkation)
(Tue.) After breakfast, say goodbye to your crew on the Avalon Scenery and 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,” where you board the Avalon Creativity docked on the River Seine. This evening, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D)

Day 11: 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, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Paris - Conflans
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the 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 the guided visit to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which boasts a 14th-century château with views over the Seine Valley toward Paris, and whose town center has its roots in the 11th century. It is a lively market town with many boutiques and cafés in its pedestrian areas. (B,L,D)

Day 13: 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 14: 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 15: 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. This afternoon, we explore the Calvados region, famous for the apple brandy and cider. (B,L,D)

Day 16: Les Andelys
The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing CHÂTEAU GAILLARD at Les Andelys. Built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the château 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 17: Paris (Disembarkation)
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

• Paris: Guided sightseeing
• Conflans: Choice of guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise or Saint-Germaine-en-Laye
• Vernon: Choice of guided excursion to Giverny or Bizy Castle
• Rouen: Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit the Cathedral; choice of excursion to Normandy landing beaches or “A Taste of Normandy”
• Les Andelys: Orientation; visit Château Gaillard
• Beaune: Orientation walk
• Lyon: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill
• Tournon: Orientation walk; Hôtel Dieu
• 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

Combine two exciting cruises and get a taste of the variety that France has to offer—not only in scenery but in food and drink! The Seine and the picturesque Normandy region, and the charming and historic cities along the Saône and Rhône Rivers. Apple cider and Calvados in the north, fine wines and cognac in the south. Apple trees in Normandy, vineyards in Provence. From the big city of Paris to the elegant Côte d’Azur. All this and more are yours to discover on this comprehensive 17-day vacation.

• 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, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner
• Quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements
• 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
  

Côte d’Azur: Boscolo Plaza, Nice (SF)
Cruising: A Category E outside cabin on the Indigo Deck onboard the Avalon Creativity or Avalon Scenery

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

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

Cruise-Only Option From $3,699
Day 3 Arles (Embarkation) - Day 17 Paris (Disembarkation)

Cruise-only option allows you to participate in just the river cruise portion of the vacation, removing the overnight stays at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary.

• Port charges of $196 per person are not included in the prices shown above.
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• n 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 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.