Southern France Serenade 2010 (Lyon to Lyon)

Day 1: Lyon
Fly into Lyon. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your ship.* After boarding, take free time to explore the city’s Old Town area—or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. We dine aboard and depart early this evening. (D)

Day 2: Tournus & Beaune
This morning we stop in Tournus for some free time to stroll through the town’s narrow streets and Romanesque abbey. Or, take an optional morning excursion to Cluny to see the ruins of its medieval abbey. Return aboard for lunch and then proceed to Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy. Enjoy an afternoon guided tour of the gracious Hôtel Dieu, originally founded as a hospice in 1443, where you learn about local viticulture and sample some of the wines at one of Beaune’s famous cellars. Rejoin your ship at Chalon and dine aboard as you set sail through Burgundy. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Mâcon
Awaken in Mâcon, the southernmost town of the Burgundy region. With its pastel buildings and tiled roofs, Mâcon has a Mediterranean charm and, like many other towns in the region, it is best known for its local wine. From here we will tour the Beaujolais and Mâconnais wine regions, enjoying wine tasting as we go. Return aboard for a late lunch and relaxing scenic cruising for the remainder of the day and evening. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Viviers & Saint Remèze
Cruise through the morning, arriving after lunch in the quaint mountain town of Viviers. Embark on an afternoon tour of the beautiful Ardèche region on the Rhône River. Stop in Saint Remèze for a visit to the Lavender Museum, where you learn about the history and cultivation of this aromatic and versatile member of the mint family. Return aboard for dinner and then take an evening stroll through picturesque Viviers with your Program Director. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Arles
Arrive during breakfast and meet your guide for a walking tour of Arles with its variety of architectural highlights. Experience the city’s vibrant colors and the striking quality of light that have inspired so many artists. Arles is also the site of some impressive Roman ruins, including Les Arènes, an arena that seats 20,000 and is still in use, as well as Romanesque monuments such as the 15th-century Church of Saint-Trôphime. Return aboard for lunch followed by afternoon free time to explore or shop for handcrafted gifts. Or, take an optional excursion to Les Baux de Provence, an ancient village set in the rocky Alpilles mountains and crowned with a ruined castle. Dinner is served as we set sail for Avignon; we arrive there late this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Avignon
This morning, set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed “City of Popes” because it was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377. Stroll through the historic center, stop at the picturesque Pont d’Avignon and walk the Place de l’Horloge. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through this rambling maze of Gothic architecture which served as papal residence, fortress, church and palace. You can join the optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine, or choose an optional excursion to Pont du Gard to see one of the world’s best-preserved Roman aqueducts. Lunch and dinner served aboard; we depart late this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Scenic Cruising
Enjoy a rare, rejuvenating day of cruising through the lovely Provençal countryside. Sail past towns, villages and Roman ruins as we slowly make our way back toward Lyon. Relax on the sun deck, take photos of the unforgettable scenery or participate in one of the day’s lectures or interactive workshops. Sample the famous cuisine of Southern France during lunch and dinner.(B, L, D)

Day 8: Lyon
After breakfast, disembark and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, extend your France experience with 3 romantic nights in the City of Light. (B)

This relaxing—and fascinating—8-day river cruise takes you from bustling Lyon through the pastoral wonders of Southern France and back again. Get to know the Burgundy wine regions of Beaujolais and Mâconnais. See charming riverside towns and natural wonders like the scenic Ardèche, and learn about winemaking and the many uses of lavender. Study Roman ruins in Arles, and see some of the locales that so inspired Vincent van Gogh and other Impressionists. And visit the famous bridge and historic Papal Palace in the “City of the Popes,” Avignon. Perhaps best of all, sample Burgundy varietals and enjoy the delicious regional cuisine of Southern France. À votre santé!

• Daily Shore Excursions
• 6 included guided tours
• All meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners
• Port Charges

Cruise: A standard cabin onboard the MS Maribelle

• Pre-Extension: Lyon
  2-night pre-extension in Lyon - $499 per person
  
  Begin your journey with two nights in historic Lyon, France. Enjoy the architecture, atmosphere and hearty cuisine of Vieux Lyon.
• Post-Extension: Paris
  3-night post-extension in Paris - $699 per person
  
  Extend your journey with three nights in Paris. Experience the romance of France’s capital city with visits to the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, walk along the Champs Elysées, or visit one of the city’s noted museums. Be sure to take an unforgettable evening cruise on the Seine.

• *Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises. Please note, Viking can only offer air to guests traveling from the U.S. or Canada.
• 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.