Grand France 2011 (Paris to Cote d'Azur)

Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France (Embarkation)
(Tue.) Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)

Day 2 Paris
(Wed.) 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 3 Paris–Conflans
(Thu.) 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 CHÂTEAU 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 4 Vernon
(Fri.) 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. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Rouen
(Sat.) Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy, 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. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Rouen
(Sun.) 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 agricultural region, of which Calvados, famous for apple brandy and cider, is a part. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Les Andelys
(Mon.) 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 medieval military architecture. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Paris (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation)
(Tue.) After breakfast today, bid farewell to the crew of the Avalon Creativity and head south into Burgundy. Beaune 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 to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you’ll board the Avalon Scenery. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)

Day 9 Chalon-sur-Saône–Tournus–Mâcon
(Wed.) This morning, explore the NICÉPHORE NIÉPCE photography museum in Chalon-sur-Saône at your own pace. After lunch, enjoy free time in Tournus. 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 choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (B,L,D)

Day 10 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 11 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 12 Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers 
(Sat.) The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhône and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Charming Viviers developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D)

Day 13 Avignon
(Sun.) Avignon, also referred to as the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. Optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 14 Arles
(Mon.) 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. (B,L,D)

Day 15 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 16 Côte d’Azur
(Wed.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

• CRUISE: Deluxe 14-night cruise from Paris to Paris and Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• PARIS: Welcome reception; guided sightseeing
• CONFLANS: Choice of guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise or Château de Malmaison
• VERNON: Choice of guided excursion to Giverny or Bizy Castle
• ROUEN: Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the Cathedral; choice of excursion to Normandy landing beaches or “A Taste of Normandy”
• LES ANDELYS: Orientation, see Château Gaillard
• 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. Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
• ARLES: Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater

This fantastic vacation showcases France’s exciting variety. Embark in Paris and head northwest along the Seine into the picturesque Normandy region. Dock at Conflans and choose between a guided excursion to Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison. Next up: your choice of a guided visit of Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or remarkable Bizy Castle. On to Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen, where you choose between an included excursion to the poignant Normandy landing beaches or a fascinating “Taste of Normandy.” Continue to dramatic Château Gaillard at Les Andelys, with free time to explore this medieval town on your own. Return to Paris, where you’ll disembark and travel south to captivating Beaune for a wine tasting. In Chalon-sur-Saône, board your second cruise ship and sail on to 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 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

Cote D'Azur: Fairmont Monte Carlo (D)
Crusing: Category E cabin onboard Avalon Creativity and Avalon Scenery.

Extra nights per person in Paris:
Departures April 4 - May 2 & July 11 - Aug 22: in single room $305, in twin room $165
Departures May 16 - June 27 & Sept 5 - Oct 17: in single room $350, in twin room $185
Departure Aug 22: in single room $480, in twin room $250

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

• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• Cabin upgrades are available.
• Port charges of $196 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 check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
• 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.