Detailed Itinerary

Day 1, Tue. DEPART USA.
Board your overnight flight to France.

Day 2, Wed. ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE.
Take the balance of the day to relax or explore the "City of Lights".

Day 3, Thu. PARIS.
See the most famous sights of Paris on this morning's tour: Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, pass the reknowned Louvre Museum, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees and much more. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the many museums, galleries and other attractions that the city has to offer. (B)

Day 4, Fri. PARIS.
Enjoy a full free day to explore the most romantic city in the world. Stroll through the Jardin de Tuilleries, gaze at impressionist masterpieces at Musee D'Orsay, or visit the top of the Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair. Paris at night sparkles with possibilities for every taste. (B)

Day 5, Sat. PARIS - LYON.
Savor your last morning in Paris, then board the TGV train, where you'll be transported at top speed (up to 186 mph) in smooth, quiet comfort to Lyon where the ship awaits you. Gather this evening on board for cocktails and a Welcome Dinner. (B,D)

Day 6, Sun. LYON - TREVOUX.
Lyon not only marks the meeting of the Soane and Rhone Rivers, but is also the gastronomic capital of France. Its rich ancient history includes Roman ruins and early Christian sites. This morning's tour includes a stunning panoramic view of the entire city from the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere. You'll also explore the Renaissance charm of Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) with its cobble stone streets. Return to the ship for lunch, and relax as we sail on north along the Saone River to the small town of Trevoux. Enjoy free time this evening to explore the town on your own. (B,L,D)

Day 7, Mon. TREVOUX - VIENNE.
This morning's tour will take you behind the village walls of Trevoux and through Beaujolais, the Pay D'Or, or "land of the golden stones" so named for the ochre limestone of its homes and castles. Enjoy a visit with a local wine maker along this wine road or route du vin, where you'll taste the world reknowned Beaujolais Nouveau before returning the ship. From there we cruise south from the Saone to the Rhone River and on to Vienne. This evening stroll along the sidewalk cafes of this rural walking town. (B,L,D)

Day 8, Tue. VIENNE - TOURNON.
Situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne, like Lyon has a significant Roman history, which is highlighted by its marvelously preserved ruins and remains. During this morning's walking tour you will see the 1st-century Roman Temple of Augustus, and the medieval churches of St. Andre-Le-Bas and Abbey St. Pierre, before we cruise on to Tournon and Tain L'Hermitage. These twin towns face each other across the Rhone River and are linked by a 19th-century suspension bridge. The fertile soil and ideal climate of the region has made Tain L'Hermitage the premier producer of the Cote du Rhone wines. Enjoy free time this afternoon to visit the 16th-century castle which is now a town hall, or visit the chocolate shop for a taste of the confections once produced in Tournon's famous factory. After dinner on board you will enjoy a wine tasting. (B,L,D)

Day 9, Wed. TOURNON - CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE.
On this morning's adventure, you will travel via steam train from the vineyards of the valley to the woods of Ardeche along the Doux River. Deemed "Monuments Historiques", these 19th-century locomotives are virtual time capsules. Enjoy lunch back onboard the ship as we cruise to Chateauneuf-du-Pape this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 10, Thu. CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE - AVIGNON.
Origin of its world famous namesake wine, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, or "new castle of the Pope," is also home to the remains of the fortress which gives the village its name. On this morning's walking tour, see the remains of this 14th-century palace which was built as a summer residence for Popes during their exile to Avignon, as well as the many squares and beautiful fountains that this medieval village has to offer. Enjoy a wine tasting before returning to the ship where we'll cruise to nearby Avignon over lunch. Your afternoon tour of the "City of Popes" will take you through the narrow streets and elegant squares to the Papal Palace, which served as fortress, church and residence to the Popes that once governed the Christian world. (B,L,D)

Day 11, Fri. AVIGNON - ARLES.
Arrive early this morning in Arles, a Mediterranean city situated at the mouth of the Rhone delta. Bathe in the Provencal morning light as you imagine how Vincent Van Gogh worked to capture the richness of every hue on this morning's walking tour. While Van Gogh's homes are no longer standing, you may glimpse the locales and vistas that inspired "Starry Night" or "Terrace de cafe le Soir" as you pass Constantine's Baths, the Romanesque catherdral and the Roman Amphitheater, which is still in use today. This afternoon you'll take an excursion via motorcoach to the villages of St. Remy & les Baux. During your tour of St. Remy, birthplace of Nostradamus, and also where Van Gogh retired to the asylum St. Paul de Mausolee, you will enjoy the rich floral colors and amazing views from this village perched on the hill. (B,L,D)

Day 12, Sat. ARLES - BARCELONA.
This morning after breakfast, transfer to Barcelona, capital of the Spanish region of Catalonia. Along the way, we'll pass through the Camargue on the southern coast and trace the ancient trade route linking the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas. As we approach the Pyrenees, we'll stop in the medieval city of Carcassone, which is surrounded by a double ring of walls, a world UNESCO heritage site, complete with 52 towers that stretches for more than two miles around this strategic import city. Here, you will have free time for lunch and some exploring on your own. (B)

Day 13, Sun. BARCELONA.
Your full day in Barcelona begins with a driving tour to the top of Montjuic Hill where you'll catch glorious views of the city below, as we see Palau Nacional (the National Palace), the Olympic Complex. Next, we'll tour Placa Catalonia, and Las Ramblas, the promenade and center of Barcelona life. Later we'll see the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, designed by artist and architect Antonio Gaudi and still unfinished to this day, and take a walking tour of the Barrio Gotico (Gothic Quarter), King's Square, and Tinell, the Royal Palace. (B)

Day 14, Mon. BARCELONA.
Your last full day in Barcelona is yours to enjoy. Join us in the morning for the optional tour of Gaudi's Parc Guell, where you'll see some of his most captivating sculptures and architectural structures, return on your own to the markets of Las Ramblas or visit one of the many museums. This evening, join us for an optional dinner show featuring Flamenco dancers, or strike out on your own, perhaps across the port for seafood in Barceloneta.

Day 15, Tue. DEPART BARCELONA.
Your splendid vacation comes to an end as you transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.