Tour Duration: 16 days Tour Code: WLP-E2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$5771 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
COTE D'AZUR, FRANCE Welcome to France! Time at leisure to get acquainted with your new surroundings.
2
COTE D'AZUR-PORT ST. LOUIS This morning, enjoy free time before transferring by motorcoach to Port St. Louis in the Provence region, where you'll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception and enjoy tranquil scenes as you gently sail through Camargue Regional National Park northward to Arles. (B,D)
3
ARLES 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)
4
AVIGNON 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 Chateauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)
5
CRUISING-VIVIERS 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)
6
TOURNON/TAIN L'HERMITAGE-VIENNE The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhone 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)
7
LYON 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 Fourviere Hill; explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways; Place des Terreaux, and 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)
8
MACON-TOURNUS-CHALON-SUR-SAONE Wake up this morning on the River Saone in Macon, a city that plays an important part in the wine trade. There's some 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-Saone. (B,L,D)
9
CHALON-SUR-SAONE (DISEMBARKATION)-BEAUNE-PARIS(EMBARKATION) After breakfast, say goodbye to your crew on the Avalon Scenery and head for Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Cote d'Or area, which produces the Burgundy region's finest vintages. Its most famous historical site, the Hotel-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," where you board the Avalon Creativity docked on the River Seine. This evening, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)
10
PARIS 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, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world's most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D)
11
PARIS-CONFLANS After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine, passing through suburban Paris. This afternoon, dock at Conflans-and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or Napoleon and Josephine's CHATEAU 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." (B,L,D)
12
VERNON This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet's house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of BIZY CASTLE with its magnificent courtyard. There's still time to stroll through this delightful city on your own before your ship departs for Rouen. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)
13
ROUEN Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy and an important commercial city. It is 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 guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock dating back to the 16th century. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet's paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or you can join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur or to the busy port city of Le Havre with its contemporary architecture. (B,L,D)
14
ROUEN Make your choice today between an included 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 a more 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. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. (B,L,D)
15
LES ANDELYS The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing Chateau Gaillard at Les Andelys. Built by England's King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the chateau is truly a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Explore on your own and enjoy this last day in France in this delightful small town. (B,L,D)
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PARIS (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave before 8 am. (B)
CRUISE: Deluxe 14-night cruise from Port St. Louis to Chalon-sur-Saone and Paris to Paris in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds (CATEGORY E) PORT ST. LOUIS: Welcome reception ARLES: Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater AVIGNON: Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes VIVIERS: Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral TOURNON: Orientation walk LYON: Guided sightseeing, picture stop on Fourviere Hill BEAUNE: Orientation walk, see the Hotel-Dieu PARIS: Welcome reception; guided sightseeing CONFLANS: Choice of guided excursions to Auvers-sur-Oise or Chateau de Malmaison VERNON: Choice of guided excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle ROUEN: Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral; choice of excursions to Normandy Landing Beaches or "A Taste of Normandy" LES ANDELYS: Orientation, see Chateau Gaillard MEALS: Full buffet breakfast (B) in Cote d'Azur; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain's reception and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe' most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the cruise description.
Meals Breakfast - 15 Lunch - 12 Dinner - 14
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
89
EUR
Name:GRACE, GLAMOUR, GLITTER - AN EVENING IN MONACO Location:MONACO Details:Two words which evoke a magical dream world. Monte-Carlo. We will try to help you discover the many facets of the Principality of Monaco. Monaco's exceptional location, between mountain and sea, its gardens, all qualities which make it the ideal destination for a romantic evening in an unforgettable setting. In 1997, Monaco was dressed up to the nines for the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi Family Dynasty. We will start our evening with a dinner overlooking the bay of Monaco, and old Monte Carlo.
39
EUR
Name:EXCURSION TO NICE Location:NICE Details:Nice - the "Queen of the French Riviera" is also nicknamed "Nice la Belle", which means Nice the Beautiful. Vieux Nice, the old city, is an area which has changed little since the 1700s. Discover the narrow, winding streets of its history, and its baroque churches. The area of today's Nice is believed to be among the oldest human settlements in Europe. One of the archaeological sites, Terra Amata, displays evidence of a very early usage of fire. Around 350 BCE, Greeks of Marseille founded a permanent settlement and called it Nikaia, after Nike, the goddess of victory.
44
EUR
Name:LES BAUX AND THE OLIVE GROVES OF LES ALPILLES Location:ARLES Details:To the east of Arles lie the limestone hills known as the Alpilles. They are the heart of Provence: between the Luberon and the Mediterranean Sea their jagged white peaks jut into the blue sky. The chain is home to many picturesque Provencal villages. Its most famous is Les Baux-de-Provence. All along the chain of blue hills can be seen olive groves and rich vineyards. The valley of Les Baux is now known for its olive oil and its green cracked olives. The wines from the wine cellars in Les Baux are among the best Cotes-du-Rhone. The Montagnette, a smaller chain of limestone hills, has picturesque landscapes where you can smell the Provencal herbs, thyme and rosemary.
36
EUR
Name:AFTERNOON EXCURSION TO THE PONT DU GARD AND THE CITY OF UZES Location:AVIGNON Details:No other building in southern France is as famous as the Roman Aqueduct of the Pont du Gard. After a photo-stop, we continue towards Uzes, set in the severe yet charming garrigues countryside, overlooking the Alzon Valley. Take your time to stroll this charming city before your local expert accompanies you back to Avignon.
36
EUR
Name:THE "TRABOULES" AND THE SILK OF LYON Location:LYON Details:Perhaps you have heard about the "traboules" of Lyon. But do you know the meaning of the word? And have you ever "trabouled" through Vieux Lyon or the slopes of the Croix-Rousse? This tour will tell you all about the famous hidden passageways and the city's efforts to preserve them. The passageways were used mostly by the silk weavers to protect their goods from rain while crossing the city.
41
EUR
Name:LE BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU EST ARRIVE Location:LYON Details:Beaujolais wine is merely fun, not quite distinguished. But the countryside is lovely: rugged hills and winding roads, villages with ancient stone churches, forest ridges touched at sunset by tendrils of fog. It's like the wilder parts of Napa, but with church bells and chateaux. This excursion is not only about wine tasting, it is about the origin of wine, the golden stone hills, as the inhabitants call them, when the yellowish sedimentary rock glows in the evening light of a near sunset.
39
EUR
Name:CORMATIN - PALACE OF A FAIRY TALE TIME Location:MACON Details:Cormatin is one of those secret sites that you find only if you leave the beaten track. It is an impressive but intimate water castle that stands in a beautiful park. Fireplaces, ceilings and panelling, tapestries and furniture of the period add to this evocation of life during the time of the "Three Musketeers". The drive there itself familiarises you with the beautiful countryside of this part of France, where white Charolais cattle graze peacefully and where villages take on picture-book aspects with flowers in the front yards and narrow lanes, and where people still have the time to stop and chat.
41
EUR
Name:CHARDONNAY & MACONNAIS - WINE TASTING Location:MACON Details:Hardly any other white wine is so popular world-wide than the Chardonnay. This area located between Lyon and Macon is home to a whole variety of this fine and buttery white variety. But also the landscape has a lot to offer - rolling hills, covered with vineyards along the banks of the river Rhone, every now and then dotted with one of the countless castles of France. Explore the home of the Chardonnay grapes and taste some of its famous product of recent years.
33
EUR
Name:EVENING DRIVE OF PARIS Location:PARIS Details:Paris the "City of Light". Join us on a drive through the illuminated capital of France. See the Opera, the glass pyramid of the Louvre, the bustling Champs Elysees, the Arch of Triumph and last but not least the Eiffel Tower.
49
EUR
Name:MONA LISA'S SMILE AND THE LOUVRE MUSEUM Location:PARIS Details:"Open to all since 1793" The Louvre Museum has embodied the concept of a truly "universal" institution. The priceless artworks housed in the Louvre are held for the benefit of present and future generations. The 35 000 works of art include such famous master pieces as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo. Our local expert will bring them to life as we have a look at the most important pieces of the various collections.
62
EUR
Name:THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES Location:PARIS Details:Started as a hunting lodge and gentlemen's chateau, the young Sun King Louis XIV took over and transformed this Palace into the most splendid building and court of its time. A court that over times hosted a lot of famous and sometimes not so well-known people; Madame Pompadour, Marie Antoinette, and others; Visit the staterooms, the famous Hall of Mirrors, where several treaties were signed. Listen to the stories as you stroll through the apartments of the king and the queen. And enjoy some free time in the vast baroque gardens.
43
EUR
Name:THE ARTIST'S QUARTER OF MONTMARTRE Location:PARIS Details:Join our local expert on a short walking tour of the lanes and squares around Sacre Coeur Church. Admire a spectacular view over the roofs of the City of Light and love. Listen to the stories, and admire the artwork of the artists at Place du Tertre where some of the French impressionists started their career. There is free time before your local expert provides a short orientation of the city on the way back to the hotel.
167
EUR
Name:AN EVENING AT THE MOULIN ROUGE Location:PARIS Details:"The Moulin Rouge Theatre is the epitome of French cabaret shows. Enjoy a dinner at the Moulin Rouge before you admire the colourful show "Feerie" featuring more than 100 artists and dancers, and more than 1000 costumes."
53
EUR
Name:VISIT TO HONFLEUR Location:ROUEN Details:The estuary of the Seine has always exercised its fascination on numerous artists, painters, writers and musicians such as: William Turner, Johan Bartold Jongkind, Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Charles Baudelaire and Erik Satie. Honfleur is a medieval town and it reveals her riches to all those who take the time to look. The old town hall, the former Salt Halls, St. Catherine's Church and old docks are inviting places for a stroll or to have a cafe au lait or simply to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this picturesque city. Our local experts guide you through the secrets of this jewel of Normandy.
Optional Excursions
