Compare Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches by Avalon Waterways vs Ultimate Southern France (Bordeaux, 2024) by Luxury Gold
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 2,549 | $ 8,695 |
| Price Per Day | $ 319 | $ 725 |
| Highlights |
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N/A
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Luxury |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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N/A |
| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
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| Description |
Cruising on the Avalon Luminary is the ideal way to experience the majesty, extensive history and fascinating culture of some of Europe's oldest cities along its legendary rivers. Built in 2010, the Avalon Luminary holds a maximum of just 138 passengers. Visit multiple countries and cities and unpack only once, so you spend your time experiencing and enjoying Europe rather than dealing with the logistics of travel. Enjoy a highly personalized cruise experience, spacious deluxe staterooms and suites, contemporary décor, and popular onboard amenities, including a large Sky Deck with whirlpool and Sky Bistro, lounge and a bar serving premium spirits, a complimentary Internet Corner and free Wi-Fi throughout the ship, Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, hair salon, and elevator. |
Relax and unwind on a guided tour that takes you from Monaco to France. Cruise to spectacular Saint-Tropez, marvelling at the coastal town’s ancient walls for unparalleled views of its medieval towers. Step inside the Aix-En-Provence Cathedral, a national treasure and religious landmark. Slide into the passenger’s seat of a vintage car and be chauffeured through the countryside to an acclaimed winery for a private tour. Experience Calanques National Park, journeying past towering limestone cliffs looming over turquoise waters. Indulge in a diverse range of spectacular dining experiences, from exquisite seafood dinners to Michelin hotel meals. Learn about Bordeaux's unique history from a Local Expert or take a guided bike ride to learn about the city’s sustainability efforts.The Activity Level of this tour is Dynamic, meaning this journey features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills. |
Day 1: Arrive In Paris, France (Embarkation)
Meals: Dinner
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine, the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welcome reception. Before dinner, your ship glides smoothly out of Paris.
NOTE: Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Day 2: Vernon–Les Andelys
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning in Vernon, choose between a guided visit of Giverny and a visit to Bizy Castle. Claude Monet lived at GIVERNY for almost 43 years (1883-1926), and viewed his flower and water gardens as works of art—just like his paintings. See his collection of Japanese prints, his charming house, and his biggest sources of inspiration. Or, visit BIZY CASTLE, built in 1740 and nicknamed “Normandy’s Versailles.” It is known for its famous stables—inspired by those at Versailles—and its magnificent courtyard and water garden. After lunch, join an onboard PASTRY DEMONSTRATION before your ship arrives in Les Andelys, situated on a bend of the Seine and one of the most beautiful places in France. Join a Local Guide for a GUIDED WALK of the town, visiting the PARISH CHURCH OF LE GRAND ANDELY. Imposing Château Gaillard, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart as a fortress in 1196, is seen above the town. Constructed in only a year, it is a masterpiece of medieval military architecture.
Day 3: Caudebec
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, either join an excursion along the Route des Chaumières to see some of Normandy’s charming and traditional half-timbered houses with their long, sloping thatched roofs, often sporting blue wooden doors and window shutters, or visit JUMIÈGES ABBEY, a former Benedictine Abbey church considered one of the most ancient and important monasteries in the western world. The afternoon is free to explore on your own or to join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur. Before dinner, you may wish to attend an ONBOARD LECTURE about D-Day.
Day 4: Caudebec
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Make your choice today between an included full-day 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 an in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important products are dairy, apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is CALVADOS, a strong apple brandy you’ll have the chance to taste at a local distillery. And for a touch of history, visit the famous BAYEUX TAPESTRY.
Day 5: Rouen
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy, is an important commercial city 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 included GUIDED WALK through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and take your pictures of the intricate Gros Horloge astronomical clock, dating back to the 16th century. Visit the gothic CATHEDRAL, which was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of paintings by Claude Monet. The afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Day 6: Conflans–Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast you may either join our included guided excursion to Auvers-Sur-Oise, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or to 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.” This evening, arrive in Paris.
Day 7: Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Known as one of the world’s most romantic and lively cities, Paris is a delight for all your senses. Your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent must-see sights, such as Notre dame cathedral, the unique Louvre museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel tower. Alternatively, you may wish to join a guided walk through historic iîe st. Louis with its narrow one-way streets and Iîe de la Cité, the center of Paris where the medieval city was founded and home to Notre dame cathedral. In your free time, stroll down the Champs-elysées with its lavish cafés, or perhaps visit the world-famous Louvre or Montmartre with its gleaming white Sacré Coeur basilica and bevy of artists on place du Tertre. Paris is also well known for its colorful nightlife, and an optional outing to one of the world’s most famous cabaret shows, the Moulin rouge, might make the perfect finale to your seine cruise vacation.
Day 8: Paris (Disembarkation)
Meals: Breakfast
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Day 1: Welcome to the French Riviera
Transfer to your hotel before dining waterside at Fontvieille marina. Enjoy an evening drive along the legendary Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit to the Grimaldi Palace.
Fairmont Monte Carlo.
Dinner
Day 2: Nice Sightseeing Relaxed Start
In Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, join a Local Expert touring the opulent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Continue to Nice where joining a Local Expert on a walk through the streets of Old Nice viewing the opera house, admire the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral and maybe taste some socca at the colorful food market on the Cours Saleya.
Fairmont Monte Carlo.
Breakfast
Day 3: Star-studded St. Tropez
Step into the 1950s glamour of the French Riviera in St. Tropez. Join a Local Expert to discover the boutiques, the old town and admire the yachts in the marina. Taste the local Tarte Tropézienne custard-filled, sugar-topped pastry at the bakery where it was first created. Delight this evening in an elegant Michelin Star meal at La Magdeleine.
La Magdeleine - Mathias Dandine
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Aix-en-Provence Relaxed Start
Join your Local Expert to discover the ancient Roman town. Follow in the footsteps of Paul Cézanne along the tree-lined boulevard of Cours Mirabeau and enjoy a French pastry and coffee in one of the most prestigious residences . Curate your visit at the Château La Coste open-air museum on a Guided Art Walk around the grounds or a wine-tasting experience.
La Magdeleine - Mathias Dandine
Breakfast
Day 5: Calanques National Park Relaxed Start
Indulge in another Relaxed Start before strolling or cycling the Château gardens. Then try pétanque or lounge poolside. Arriving in Cassis, board your private cruise. Pass towering limestone cliffs, fjord-like inlets and hidden beaches of Calanques National Park. Savor the evening with a gourmet seafood dinner.
La Magdeleine - Mathias Dandine
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: French Icons
Visit the village of Lourmarin to browse the stalls of its famous market. Take a seat in your vintage Citroen 2CV and embark on a chauffeured drive through the Luberon mountains, through lush vineyards and scenic villages arriving at the Domaine de la Citadelle winery to taste its wines with a picnic prepared by local chef Madame Dromer.
Maison Albar L'Imperator, Nimes
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Les Baux Relaxed Start
Visit the renowned Pont du Gard, a well-preserved Roman aqueduct. Observe how this three-level, 900-footlong bridge was built out of soft yellow limestone blocks from a nearby quarry. Stop in Avignon and admire the Palace of the Popes, the famous broken bridge and beautiful squares shaded by leafy platanes. Continue through the Alpilles National Park to the village of Les Baux de Provence.
Maison Albar L'Imperator, Nimes
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Arles and Carcassonne Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Journey on to the fortified city of Carcassonne, one of the largest surviving medieval walled cities in Europe. Explore Van Gogh's town of Arles and visit the Roman Amphitheater with a Local Expert. Journey through Camargue to your hotel in Carcassonne in the heart of the city.
Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne - MGallery, Carcassonne.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Carcassonne and the Languedoc Region Relaxed Start
After exploring Carcassonne venture into the rolling countryside to the village of Lastours overlooked by its four Cathar castles. Meet Jean-Marc Boyer, the Michelin-starred Chef of Le Puits du Trésor where you enjoy a traditional French cooking class and savor the food you have prepared accompanied by local wine. Relax on our evening cruise of the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne - MGallery, Carcassonne.
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Bordeaux
Journey to the enchanting city of Bordeaux where you will have time to explore this elegant, 18th - century jewel on the banks of the Garonne. Awaken your senses at the Bassins des Lumières Museum and enjoy an evening at leisure to get acquainted with the local cuisine and fabulous wines this area has to offer.
Le Grand Hotel, Bordeaux.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Bordeaux Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Learn about the 18th-century architecture of Vieux Bordeaux with a Local Expert. Or set off on a leisurely bike ride around the Garonne River before ending at the picturesque Jardin Public.
Le Grand Hotel, Bordeaux.
Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Depart Bordeaux
After breakfast you are transferred to Bordeaux Airport as your Luxury Gold journey comes to an end.
Breakfast
