Compare Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers - Cruise Only by Avalon Waterways vs Highlights of France and Barcelona (Barcelona) by Trafalgar
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5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | Check price | $ 3,185 |
| Price Per Day | Check price | $ 319 |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | No | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description | Take a wondrous European river cruise through beautiful France along the guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! This French vacation on the Rhône and Saône Rivers begins with two nights in Paris. In the “City of Lights”—home to Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum—you’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city’s must-see sights. Taste Burgundy wines on board your ship, and take an excursion to the Chardonnay wine area. You’ll visit Lyon—France’s gastronomic capital at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Visit the picture-postcard fountain of Place des Terreaux, or visit the Beaujolais region for wine tasting. You’ll explore the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle, followed by a wine and chocolate tasting. Sail to Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes, and visit the Châteauneuf du Pape wine region for wine tasting. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.A Master of Wine will travel with you on this cruise and will hold lectures, tastings and share food and wine pairing expertise on this French wine country vacation of a lifetime. | One of our most popular France and Spain trips, this jam-packed journey from Paris to Barcelona is a feast for every sense, from lunch with locals and elegant châteaux in the Loire Valley, to the buzz of Avignon’s Place de l’Horloge and the irresistible French Riviera. |
Day 1
ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (EMBARKATION)—SEURRE Embark your Suite Ship® in St. Jean de Losne and take a brief evening cruise to Seurre. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN SEURRE(D)
Day 2
MACON Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Mâcon along the majestic Saône River. DISCOVERY Onboard lecture hosted by your Master of Wine.DISCOVERY Take an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar.Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trévoux this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX (B,L,D)
Day 3
LYON Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of FranceSail for lovely Lyon this morning. DISCOVERY Enjoy a delicious Wine and Cheese tasting hosted by your Master of Wine on board your ship.CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. Later on board your ship, be our guest for aWWII & French Resistance Lecture, and enjoy live entertainment after dinner.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON (B,L,D)
Day 4
LYON French Food and Wine—La Vie En Rose in Lyon DISCOVERY Take an excursion to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.Enjoy a free day in Lyon, or choose a Guided Optional Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France! An optional wine blending workshop is also available.Your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals. DISCOVERY Onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine.EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON(B,L,D)
Day 5
TOURNON/TAIN L’HERMITAGE A Rendezvous with Castle Views and VineyardsDISCOVERY Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage Afterwards, enjoy a wine tasting paired with chocolate at the Cité du Chocolat at Valrhona, OR:ACTIVE Hike in the vineyards and take in the breathtaking views from the hills (weather permitting).VIVIERS World History in a Charming French Country VillageCLASSIC Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.EVENING CRUISE TO AVIGNON(B,L,D)
Day 6
AVIGNON The City of Popes in Picturesque ProvenceCLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes, OR:DISCOVERY Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.Alternatively take a guided Optional Excursions to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES(B,L,D)
Day 7
ARLES Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh.Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) to immerse yourself in a truly unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.Take advantage of any free time remaining with a stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, to relax and watch the world go by. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES(B,L,D)
Day 8
ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
Day 1: Welcome to Paris
Glittering Paris is your launchpad for an epic adventure through the highlights of France and magnificent Barcelona. Spend your first day in the 'City of Light' exploring the art, architecture and culture of this romantic city on your own. Visit a renowned gallery, shop up a storm or relax in manicured gardens watching the world go by. Later, join your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner and orientation drive past some of the city's most impressive sights, including the grand Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.
Pullman La Défense
Dinner
Day 2: Explore the Sights of Paris
Spend the morning in the company of a Local Specialist on a journey through the historic neighborhoods of Paris, to see where the locals live and shop. View the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Walk along the Seine and admire the talents of street artists and performers, amble through the scenic hilltop village of Montmartre or relax with a café au lait watching the world go by. This evening, consider soaking up the pageantry of Paris with an Optional Experience to a popular Parisian cabaret.
Pullman La Défense
Breakfast
Day 3: Chartres and Châteaux in the Loire Valley Connect with Locals
Visit Chartres, an important place of pilgrimage on the 'Way of Saint James', and see its inspiring French Gothic cathedral, renowned for its stained glass windows and two contrasting spires. We journey through the rolling landscape of the Loire Valley, past beautiful villages and castles. View the impressive Château de Chambord, a marvel of French Renaissance architecture, then visit Château de Chenonceau. Later, Connect With Locals, joining your travel companions and the de Montferrier family on their farm for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner experience with local wines.
Mercure Tours Nord
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Onwards to Lyon
Traveling through the heart of France, we arrive in the gastronomic capital of Lyon where we'll join a Local Specialist for a tour of the old city, revealing its rich cultural heritage. Wander through the traboules and marvel at the magnificent skyline from Fourvière hill, followed by free time to explore this city between two rivers.
Crowne Plaza Lyon Cite Internationale
Breakfast
Day 5: Journey to Papal Avignon and on to the French Riviera Dive Into Culture
From Lyon, we drive to Avignon, a Papal Seat in the 14th century. See the Popes' Palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and the remnants of the famous bridge immortalized in the French song – Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Later we continue to the French Riviera, arriving in the seaside retreat of southern France, favored by aristocrats for centuries. With an evening at leisure, perhaps stroll around the Bay of Angels and join the Promenade des Anglais. Or sit and enjoy a glass of wine while the sun sets and listen to the blue Mediterranean waters lap against the shore.
Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Breakfast
Day 6: Enjoy Monaco and the Cote d'Azur
A fun-filled day includes a visit to the tiny Principality of Monaco where you’ll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married. See the superyachts in the port and catch a glimpse of the famed grand prix circuit. Enjoy relaxing on the sun-kissed shores of the Côte d'Azur, retreat to the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers, or perhaps embark on an Optional Experience to the medieval hill-top village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Breakfast
Day 7: Off to Colorful Arles and Carcassonne
We travel west to the Camargue center of Arles, with its honey-colored façades and Roman ruins, enjoying some time at leisure to explore this beautiful city, or perhaps choosing an Optional Experience to gain a deeper understanding of Vincent van Gogh and local history with our resident expert. Later we continue through the landscapes of Provence, immortalized in the works of Cézanne and Van Gogh, to the fortified city of Carcassonne. A guided exploration of this exquisite, ancient town will reveal the Cité, its double ring of ramparts and 52 towers.
Tribe Carcassonne
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Pass the Pyrenees to Barcelona Dive Into Culture
Driving past the foothills of the Pyrenees, we stop in Figueres to visit the Dalí Theater and Museum where we will Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the fascinating world of Salvador Dalí. See his work in this impressive building, before arriving in Barcelona this afternoon for an included sightseeing tour. We’ll see the Columbus Monument and Antoni Gaudí's unfinished La Sagrada Família, with a Local Specialist. The evening is yours to explore this Mediterranean gem. Consider an Optional Experience to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine and entertainment, or enjoy a delicious tapas feast on your own at one of the city's fine restaurants.
Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia
Breakfast
Day 9: Discover Lively Barcelona
Spend the day soaking up the vibrant spirit of Barcelona. Perhaps pay a morning visit to mystical Montserrat to visit its Benedictine monastery and see the mysterious Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. Ramble up Las Ramblas and people-watch in the Plaça de Catalunya, explore the whimsical architecture of Gaudí dotted across the city or consider an Optional Experience to discover the fascinating Gothic Quarter. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine at a vibrant Spanish restaurant.
Barcelona Condal Mar Affiliated by Melia
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Journey Home
It's time to close the curtain on an unforgettable holiday in France and Barcelona. Say adiós to the bustling streets of Barcelona and your travel companions.
Breakfast
