Grand France With 2 Nights In Aix-En-Provence & 2 Nights In Nice For Wine Lovers (Southbound)

What better place to explore the best in French wines than in France itself? Embark on the Seine River portion of your cruise in Paris, and sail to Monet’s home and gardens in Vernon. In Andelys, take a picturesque walking tour or visit the castle of King Richard the Lionheart. From Caudebec, take an excursion to Normandy with your choice of a “Taste of Normandy” excursion in the pastoral landscapes, or a tour of the WWII landing beaches and Allied monuments and cemeteries. A moving experience to be sure. In Rouen, take a guided sightseeing tour in the city of Joan of Arc. Cruise to Conflans and choose a guided tour of Vincent Van Gogh’s home or the opulent Chteau de Malmaison-Napoléon and Josephine’s lavish palace. Disembark your ship in Paris and travel by high-speed train to Dijon. Transfer to Beaune and board your second Avalon Suite Ship® in St. Jean de Losne.

You’ll cruise in the company of a Master of Wine on the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Hear fascinating facts about the vintner process, and enjoy wine tastings for the perfect pairings of dinner, cheese, and chocolates. Cruise to Mcon for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar, and visit Lyon for a culinary walking tour in the gastronomic capital of France. Enjoy an onboard wine-and-cheese tasting, and visit medieval Tournon, nestled among the vineyards, for a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk through the vineyards. Cruise to beautiful Viviers in the French wine country, and visit a Chardonnay wine cellar in Avignon. Spend a day in Arles, with free time to linger in the Van Gogh café in the setting that inspired the artist. Disembark your cruise in Port-Saint-Louis, and board a high-speed train to Aix-en-Provence to begin your Monograms® vacation. Spend two nights in Aix-en-Provence and two nights in Nice, including guided sightseeing, superior accommodations, and a Local Host® in each destination to assist you throughout your stay.

Included Features:

Day 1 Paris (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Vernon-Les Andelys: Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle; choice of guided walk or guided hike in Les Andelys; onboard crêpes tasting

Day 3 Caudebec: Excursion along the ‘Normandy Abbeys Route’

Day 4 Caudebec: Choice of full-day excursions to Normandy landing beaches or ‘A Taste of Normandy’ excursion

Day 5 Rouen: Choice of guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral or bike tour

Day 6 Conflans: Choice of excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, or excursion to Napoleon and Josephine’s Chteau de Malmaison

Day 7 Paris: Choice of guided sightseeing or historic sights on ‘Heart of Paris’ walking tour

Day 8 Paris (Disembarkation)-Dijon-Beaune-St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation): High-speed train from Paris to Dijon; motor coach transfer to Beaune and visit to the Hôtel-Dieu; onboard welcome reception

Day 9 Mcon: Leisurely cruising; onboard lecture about wine; Chardonnay excursion

Day 10 Lyon: On board cheese and wine tasting; guided sightseeing, picture stop on Fourvière Hill; onboard lecture

Day 11 Lyon: Culinary tour; guided tour to Beaujolais; on board food and wine pairing dinner

Day 12 Tournon-Viviers: Choice of guided walk in Tournon with wine and chocolate tasting or hike in the vineyards (weather permitting); guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral

Day 13 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes; guided tour to Chteauneuf du Pape

Day 14 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop

Day 15 Port-Saint-Louis (Disembarkation)-Aix-en-Provence: Transfer to Aix-en-Provence; guided walking tour, visit Cathedral of the Holy Saviour

Day 16 Aix-en-Provence: Day at leisure

Day 17 Aix-en-Provence-Nice: Travel to Nice by high-speed train (First class); guided walking tour with Promenade des Anglais and the Old Town

Day 18 Nice: Day at leisure

Day 19 Nice: Your vacation ends this morning