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

Day 1 Arrive in Côte d’Azur, France
(Mon.) Welcome to France! Time at leisure to get acquainted with your new surroundings.

Day 2 Côte d’Azur–Arles (Embarkation)
(Tue.) This morning, enjoy free time before transferring 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 3 Arles
(Wed.) 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 4 Avignon
(Thu.) 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 5 Cruising–Viviers
(Fri.) 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 6 Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Vienne
(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. This afternoon, enjoy Vienne, another charming little town surrounded by steep hills. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Lyon
(Sun.) 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 8 Mâcon–Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône
(Mon.) Wake up this morning in Mâcon on the Saône River, a city that plays an important role in the wine trade. There’s 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 9 Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Paris
(Tue.) After breakfast, 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.” (B)

Day 10 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 that includes some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B)

Day 11 Paris
(Thu.) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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

Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to learn about France and to taste its sumptuous wines and cuisine. Your adventure begins with an overnight on the stunning Côte d’Azur, then travel to Arles in the Provence region to board your ship and sail north up the scenic Rhône and Saône Rivers. Along the way, explore Avignon, charming Viviers, medieval Tournon, Vienne, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as Mâcon, Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saône, and fascinating Beaune. Your vacation ends in Paris with two overnights, guided sightseeing, and free time to explore the remarkable “City of Light” on your own!

• Full buffet breakfast (B) in Côte d’Azur and Paris; superb dining with all meals on board 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

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

Extra nights per person in Côte d’Azur:
in single room $340, in twin room $178, in triple room $148

Extra nights per person in Paris:
Departures April 3 - May 1 & July 10 - Aug 21: in single room $305, in twin room $165
Departures May 15 - June 26 & Sept 4 - Oct 30: in single room $350, in twin room $185

• 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 call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• 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.