Discover a world of iconic cities, inspiring culture, wistful countryside and memorable cuisine. Travel through the lush green landscapes, atmospheric cities including Paris and Monte Carlo. Connect the two with a luxury cruise on ms AmaDagio.
Day 1. Arrive Paris
Be met on arrival in Paris and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy time at leisure, before tonight’s Welcome Reception with your Tour Director and fellow guests.
Day 2. Paris, Freedom of Choice Touring
After breakfast, discover the sights and attractions of the French capital with a choice of touring activities. Tonight, enjoy a lovely Welcome Dinner cruise along the Seine River for a unique look at the city. Afterwards, embark on a Paris Illuminations Tour and see why Paris is known as the City of Light.
Day 3. Paris at Leisure
This morning following breakfast enjoy a full day at leisure in Paris.
This evening, you may like to visit the famous Moulin Rouge, the historic cabaret and birthplace of the can-can (own expense).
Day 4. Paris, Lyon
This morning journey in style aboard the high-speed TGV train from Paris to Lyon. Marking the confluence of the Saône and Rhône Rivers, Lyon is a beautiful city famous for excellent cuisine, and widely regarded as the gastronomic centre of France. Board the luxurious MS AmaDagio, your home for the next seven nights. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Dinner and Drinks with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Day 5. Lyon - Trévoux, Freedom of Choice Touring
After breakfast today, choose your touring activity. Take a guided tour of Lyon or enjoy a fascinating cooking demonstration. Returning to your ship for lunch, relax on board as you cruise along the Saône River to the small historic town of Trévoux. Here, enjoy a walk that takes you to a selection of the pretty town’s most attractive landmarks.
Day 6. Trévoux - Vienne
Today, a morning tour takes you behind through beautiful Beaujolais. Visit a wine-maker in this celebrated region of France and sample the world-renowned Beaujolais wine. Then return to your ship and continue cruising south from the Saône to the Rhône River, towards Vienne. This evening perhaps take a stroll through this picturesque rural town.
Day 7. Vienne - Tournon
Located between the famed wine-producing regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne has a strong Roman history, which is highlighted by its marvellously preserved ruins. This morning following breakfast, take a mini-train tour, during which you’ll see the Roman Temple of Augustus and the medieval churches of St Andre-Le-Bas and Abbey St Pierre.
Day 8. Tournon, Freedom of Choice Touring, Viviers
After breakfast today, disembark your ship and select your activity. You may enjoy the opportunity to sample and learn a bit more about the wines of the region with a wine tasting; alternatively, travel to Boucieu-le-Roi and enjoy a visit to a goat farm, followed by the chance to sample locally-produced goat’s cheese. Then return to your ship for lunch as you cruise to Viviers. After dinner, enjoy a ‘ghost walk’ through the largely abandoned medieval town that once had more than 30,000 inhabitants.
Day 9. Viviers, Grignan, Avignon, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning, enjoy an excursion to Grignan, where you’ll see a magnificent Renaissance castle. Then, cruise to Avignon, the ‘City of Popes’. Here, choose from our two Freedom of Choice Touring options. Perhaps take a guided tour through the narrow streets and elegant squares to the Papal Palace, which served as a fortress, a church and a residence to the Popes that once governed the Christian world. Alternatively, visit Pont du Gard, an incredible Roman aqueduct. Built around 19 BC, this feat of engineering carried millions of gallons of water to the fountains, baths and homes of Nîmes. You’ll then visit the town of Uzès, which boasts a beautiful castle, medieval streets and a lovely town square.
Day 10. Les Baux, Arles
Take an excursion to the village of Les Baux this morning. Enjoy the rich floral colours and views from this hilltop village, and visit a working olive mill and farm for a tour and tasting revealing the history of this Provençal tradition. Return to your ship for lunch before a fascinating walking tour of historic Arles, famed for Roman ruins and an association with Vincent Van Gogh. Discover the locales and vistas that inspired the artist to create works such as ‘Starry Night’ or ‘Terrace de café le Soir’. See the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre, the Baths of Constantine, the Romanesque Cathedral, Church of Saint-Trophime and more.
Day 11. Arles, Disembark Ship, Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo
After breakfast, disembark your ship for the final time in Arles. Travel to the famous coastal city of Cannes for a walking tour, then continue to Nice, where you’ll stop for a guided tour. Later this afternoon, continue to the glamorous principality of Monte Carlo in Monaco and check in to your hotel. Bordering the French town of Beausoleil, Monte Carlo offers a host of attractions to visitors, not least the beach resort of Larvotto, and the popular casino.
Day 12. Monte Carlo Sightseeing
A guided tour of Monte Carlo today includes the spectacular Prince’s Palace of Monaco, the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. Explore this incredible site, including the lavish State Apartments, which feature 15th century frescoes and many spectacular rooms, such as the ostentatious Louis XVth lounge. You’ll also visit the Private Collection of Antique Cars of Prince Rainier III, which features over 100 unique vehicles, some of which date back to the early 1900’s. After your tour, enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 13. Monte Carlo at Leisure
Enjoy an entire day at leisure in Monte Carlo today. Perhaps relax on the beach or try your luck at the famous casino. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner with your fellow guests.
Day 14. Depart Nice
This morning after breakfast, return to the lovely city of Nice, where your tour ends with a transfer to the airport.
