Itinerary

1. Day1

   CANADA - LYON

   Board your flight.Overnight on board your flight.

   
   
2. Day2

   LYON (ARRIVAL & EMBARKATION) (-/-/D)

   On arrival transfer to port. Check in begins at 4:00pm. This afternoon you
   embark the vessel and get settled into your cabin. This evening, enjoy a
   Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially prepared Welcome Dinner.
   
   
3. Day3

   MACON (B/L/D)

   After breakfast today you will have the day in Macon, located in southern
   Burgundy. This is a wine producing region that makes some of the world’s
   most expensive wines. You can spend the morning exploring the city, and
   perhaps you will join the optional shore excursions to the wine museum
   that is dedicated to the history and production of Burgundy wines.
   Another optional excursion is a trip to the Cluny Abbey which is dedicated
   to St. Peter and was once home to over 10,000 monks. This afternoon is
   perfect for you to experience medieval Europe
   Overnight onboard
   
   

   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Macon with Wine Museum tour

   With its pastel buildings and tiled roofs, Mâconnais has a Mediterranean

   charm. From Mâconnais we will tour the Beaujolais and Mâconnais wine

   regions. We will make our way through the vineyards which grace the

   area, as well as the castles and stately homes which bear witness to the

   wealth of the region. A highlight of this excursion is the visit to Georges

   Duboeuf’s Hameau du Vin. In the unique setting of a 19th-century railway

   station, you can marvel at the wine making process: the transporting of

   grapes and wine, the winemaker’s tools and trade, the cellars, the

   winemaking processes, bottling and corking. Finish the visit with a tasting

   of Beaujolais wines, in a room housing a barrel organ called a

   “bouteillophone”.
   
   

   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Guided tour to Cluny Abbey

   The Abbey of Cluny in Burgundy was the center of a major monastic

   movement in the Middle Ages. Its church was the largest Christian

   building in the world until St. Peter’s Basilica was rebuilt in Rome in the

   16th century. Although most of the great Abbey of Cluny is in ruins, you

   can still see remnants showing the size and glory the abbey possessed at

   its zenith and imagine it as it once was. Today, one transept of the

   12th-century abbey church remains, along with the 15th-century abbots’

   residences and 18th-century convent buildings. The site also includes

   beautiful gardens and a museum with Romanesque artifacts. Your guide

   will show you around the ancient Benedictine abbey. This church, with its

   unusual dimensions, was completed under the abbacy of Pierre the

   Venerable and consecrated in 1130. Its principal architect was Hézelon de

   Liège. The idea for its construction is said to have originated from a monk’s

   dream.
   
   
4. Day4

   CHALON SUR SAONE - TOURNUS (B/L/D)

   Today you can continue to explore the famous wine region with a half day
   stop in Chalon sur Saone. Here you can find half-timbered houses that
   overlook the town square, local art galleries, specialty shops, and even a
   museum dedicated to photography. In the countryside you can find
   famous vineyards such as Pommard and Puligny, a true delight to wine
   lovers. After returning to the ship you will sail towards Tournus and enjoy
   a brief stop to soak in the scenic landscapes surrounded by medieval towns
   of Brancion and Cormatin which you can visit and tour if you
   choose to join the optional excursion.
   Overnight onboard
   
   
   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Burgundy excursion to Beaune with
   wine tasting
   After breakfast, take a scenic drive along France’s Burgundy wine route
   through Pommard, Volnay and Meursault. In Beaune, the wine capital of
   Burgundy, you will enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful Hôtel-Dieu,
   founded as a hospice in 1443. Today, it covers a large area of the town
   with its museum, three courtyards, outbuildings, 15th-century bastion and
   hundreds of meters of cellars, which are notable for containing the
   personal reserve of the Hospices. The four buildings open to the public are
   situated around the Court of Honor and represent the Hôtel-Dieu of
   former times. The great Salle des Pauvres (”hall of the poor”), is decorated
   with multi-colored beams which are unique in the world. Serenity reigns
   here which will leave no one unmoved. The rooms overflow with
   treasures: statues, furniture, pottery, paintings, tapestries and more. The
   kitchen has been restored to look exactly as it did in the 19th century. The
   polyptych of “The Last Judgement”, a masterpiece by the Flemish painter
   Rogier Van Der Weyden, is particularly well presented. Later, enjoy a wine
   tasting experience at one of Beaune’s famous cellars.
   
   
   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Excursion to Brancion and Cormatin
   We leave Chalon-sur-Saône and drive to Brançion for a short photo stop
   before continuing to the Castle of Cormatin. Behind its understated
   exterior lies inestimable splendor. The castle is undoubtedly one of the
   most sumptuous castles in Burgundy, and, in addition, it boasts a
   Renaissance garden. The sculpted yews break up the symmetry as you
   enter this moated château. The rich, colorful interior reflects the French
   and more particularly, the Parisian fashion during the reign of Louis XIII.
   Built between 1605 and 1629 by the du Blé family, it chronicles the history
   of the arts at this time in France. The formal Renaissance garden has the
   “fountain of life” at its center. Beyond this is a maze with a charming
   wrought-iron aviary. From the top of this you can get an overview of the
   park.
   
   
5. Day5

   LYON (B/L/D)

   This morning you will wake up in Lyon, the third largest city in France that
   is at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers. It is also a UNESCO
   World Heritage city that is well known for its cuisine and historical and
   architectura landmarks such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere
   and Old Lyon. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon onboard as the vessel sails
   through the picturesque countryside.
   Overnight onboard
   
   
   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: City tour of Lyon
   Lyon not only marks the meeting of the Saône and Rhône Rivers, but it is
   also the gastronomic capital of France. Its rich, ancient history includes
   Roman ruins and early Christian sites. The city tour begins with a coach
   trip to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. The well-known
   pilgrimage church stands on a hill, offering an unforgettable view of the
   city. After you’ve had a look around on your own and enjoyed a drive
   along the banks of the Sâone, with views of various sights including the
   Cathedral of St. John and the Palace of Justice, you will have the
   opportunity to explore Lyon’s Old Town. Take a gentle stroll through the
   Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the famous Roman theatre
   and buildings showing the influence of the Italian Renaissance.
   
   
6. Day6

   AVIGNON (B/L/D)

   Today you will have a full day in Avignon, a Provencal city that is home to
   the Papal Palace which was once the seat of Western Christianity in the
   14th century. Perhaps you will choose to further explore this landmark
   which was home to six papal conclaves before it returned to Rome on an
   optional excursion. This area is also known for the Pont du Gard which is
   a three-level aqueduct that was constructed over 2000 years ago by the
   romans, and even today it is known as an ancient architectural
   masterpiece.
   Overnight onboard
   
   
   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Avignon walking tour with Papal Palace
   Today’s excursion is a guided walk through Avignon, also known as the
   “City of Popes” due to the role the city played in the Avignon conspiracy
   of the 14th century, when a pope abandoned Rome and fled to Avignon.
   Avignon’s lavish Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), is a fortress,
   church and palace all in one and was considered the center of the
   Christian world during the 14th century. From 1309 to 1377, seven popes
   resided in this impressive building, one of the world’s most fascinating
   examples of Gothic architecture. Another must-see is the Pont d’Avignon,
   a ruined 12th-century bridge that once spanned the Rhône and is
   immortalized in a folk song about dancing on the bridge.
   
   
   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Excursion to Pont du Gard and Uzes
   The Pont du Gard is the greatest surviving stretch of a fifty-kilometer-long
   (thirthy one mile) aqueduct, built by the Romans in the middle of the first
   century to supply fresh water to the city of Nimes. With just a
   seventeen-meter difference in altitude between beginning and end, the
   aqueduct was quite an achievement for its time.Some miles further on,
   near the start of the aqueduct, lies the city of Uzès. This lovely old town
   perches on a hill above the River Alzon. Half a dozen medieval towers rise
   above its tiled roofs. The most fetching is the windowed, Pisa-like Tour
   Fenestrelle, tacked onto the cathedral. The narrow lanes are lined with
   Renaissance and Neoclassical houses which were once the residences of
   the 17th- and 18th-century bourgeoisie, who had grown rich on textiles.
   
   
7. Day7

   AVIGNON - ARLES (B/L/D)

   Today you will be able to spend the day in Arles, a city on the Rhone River
   that is famed for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh. A you walk through
   the town; many settings may seem familiar as some of Van Gogh’s
   best-known pieces reflect the same beauty that you will experience and
   be inspired by. An optional excursion today can take you outside of town,
   to the Camargue Nature Park. This is a park that spans over 86,000
   hectares and is known for its unique flora and fauna, including semi-wild
   bulls and white Camargue horses.
   Overnight on board
   
   
   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Arles walking tour
   Arles boasts a rich history. It was founded by the Gauls, who made it their
   capital. During the course of centuries, Arles was home to archbishops,
   became part of the Kingdom of the Franks and, later on, capital of the
   Kingdom of Burgundy. During our two-hour city walk, pass many ancient
   or Roman sights and monuments and see why UNESCO has chosen to
   declare Arles a World Heritage Site. A visit to the Roman arena is a must
   while in Arles. Why not take a break in the café that served as the model
   for Vincent Van Gogh’s “Café Terrace at Night”? While strolling through
   the city, you might even meet pilgrims walking the Way of St. James, which
   begins in Arles!
   
   

   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Excursion to Camargue Nature Park

   The Camargue is like its own little country. Once you’re a few minutes

   south of Arles, you enter the unique atmosphere of the area, with its series

   of long, level roads criss-crossing the marshes and farmlands. For the

   protection of the exceptional fauna and flora, part of the Camargue was

   listed as a nature reserve as early as 1927. In 1970, the whole Island of

   Camargue (the delta of the Rhône River) was listed as the Regional Nature

   Park of Camargue. It is home to an astonishing range of wildlife, including

   the renowned Camargue bulls and horses that live in semi freedom, and

   many hundreds of species of birds. You will also visit Saintes Maries de la

   Mer, located on the Mediterranean Sea where the Rhône joins the ocean.

   This village is steeped in history and boasts stunning beaches which meet

   the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
   
   
8. Day8

   CHATEAUNEUF DU RHONE - LE POUZIN (B/L/D)

   This morning you have an opportunity to view the Ardeche Gorge, a
   natural wonder of the area where the gorges are a canyon that has been
   hollowed out of the limestone plateau- a truly remarkable site. The vessel
   will remain for a short time in Le Pouzin and you will have the chance to
   explore the Ardeche Gorge on an optional excursion. As you return to the
   vessel this evening you will enjoy a Gala Dinner with the Captain.
   Overnight on board
   
   
   OPTIONAL EXCURSION: Excursion to the Ardeche Gorge
   The Ardèche Gorge is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Europe, its
   spectacular limestone cliffs tower up to 1,000 ft above the meandering
   river below. The entrance to the Ardèche Gorge is through the famous
   Pont d’Arc near Vallon which, at 192 feet is, according to the Natural Arch
   and Bridge Society, “the largest natural bridge in Europe”. You will take
   the famous Gorge Trail, from which you can see the harmonious
   meanderings of the river. Beautiful viewpoints such as the Pont d’Arc and
   Serre de Tourre offer the greatest views onto the canyon and the river
   Ardèche.
   
   
9. Day9

   LYON (DISEMBARKATION & DEPARTURE) (B/-/-)

   Enjoy breakfast on board before you disembark this morning. Transfer to
   the airport in time for your departure flight back home.
   
   
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