Colors of Provence ~ AmaCello

Day 1: Lyon - Embarkation 

Board your cruise in Lyon. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers as the ship moors overnight. (D)
 

Day 2: Lyon

City tour OR Lyon bike tour OR Free time

Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time or join a guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind. (B,L,D)
 

Day 3: Collonges - Vienne

Beaujolais excursion and tasting

Travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones.” Indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. Later, set sail for Vienne, where you’ll enjoy free time to explore the town. (B,L,D)
 

Day 4: Vienne - Tournon

"Footsteps of Ancient Romans” walking tour OR ViaRhôna bike tour OR Mount Pipet hike

Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. (B,L,D)
 

Day 5: Tournon

Steam train ride OR Red wine & chocolate tasting OR Tain-l'Hermitage hike and wine tasting OR Bike tour

You have a choice of three excursions. Take a train ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux, stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, cycle through the French countryside or take a hike through the vineyards of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the wines. (B,L,D)
 

Day 6: Avignon

Walking tour and Papal Palace OR Pont du Gard OR Tastes of Provence
Grignan excursion and truffle farm visit OR Avignon bike tour

Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Depending on your interests, you have three choices of excursions. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Or if you prefer, visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macarons, cheese and wine, and tapenades. During the afternoon, you can enjoy free time in Avignon, go on a bike tour, or go to the magnificent hilltop village, Grignan. After visiting this enchanting Provençal town, go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffles with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. (B,L,D)
 

Day 7: Arles

Les Baux and olive farm excursion OR Van Gogh Asylum and Carrières de Lumières OR Camargue and Aigues-Mortes 
Arles walking tour OR Van Gogh walking tour OR Arles bike tour 

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants. For art lovers, you’ll wish to visit Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Vincent van Gogh once lived and painted. Afterwards, go to the Carrières de Lumières, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound and history projected on the walls of caves. Alternatively, venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux de Provence, followed by a visit to an olive farm where you’ll learn about age-old Provençal traditions from a master olive miller as well as sample the olive oil. Or for a different adventure, journey to Aigues-Mortes, known for its well preserved medieval walls and guard towers, followed by a visit to the beautiful Camargue National Park, a protected natural territory with more than 400 different species of birds. During the afternoon, you can join a walking tour of Arles highlighting top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater; or take a guided bike tour to the Roman ruins. And for those who wish to delve further into Van Gogh’s Arles, join a special walking tour along with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. (B,L,D)
 

Day 8: Arles - Disembarkation

Disembark your ship in Arles. (B)
 

Day 1: Arles - Embarkation 

Board your cruise in Arles. This evening, meet your fellow passengers for a Welcome Dinner. (D)
 

Day 2: Arles - Avignon

Les Baux and olive farm excursion OR “Artist Experience” Van Gogh Asylum and Carrières de Lumières
Arles walking tour
Avignon Illuminations Cruise

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants. For art lovers, you’ll wish to visit Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Vincent van Gogh once lived and painted such well-known works as “The Irises” and “Starry Night.” Many people consider Van Gogh’s Arles period to be the most creative of his career. Afterwards, go to the Carrières de Lumières, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound and history projected on the walls of caves. Alternatively, venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux de Provence, followed by a visit to an olive farm where you’ll learn about age-old Provençal traditions from a master olive miller as well as sample the olive oil. During the afternoon, you can join a walking tour of Arles highlighting top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman Amphitheatre. After dinner, enjoy a special scenic Illuminations Cruise toward the renowned Avignon Bridge. (B,L,D)
 

Day 3: Avignon

Morning walking tour and Papal Palace OR Pont du Gard OR Tastes of Provence OR Avignon bike tour

Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Depending on your interests, you have four choices of excursions. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Or if you prefer, visit three venues around Avignon where you can taste regional specialties, including cheese, chocolate, lavender-infused drinks, wine and more. Or pedal your way along the Rhône to the island of Barthelasse, Europe’s largest river island, and stop at an authentic farm while taking in sights along the way on a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)
 

Day 4: Viviers

Grignan excursion and truffle farm visit

Head to a truffle farm and go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffle with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. Afterward, visit the magnificent medieval hilltop village, Grignan, where you’ll visit a Renaissance chateau perched on a hill surrounded by lavender fields. This enchanting Provençal town offers unique panoramic views to the north, south, east and west. Enjoy some free time to explore before heading back to the ship. (B,L,D)
 

Day 5: Tournon

Steam train ride OR Red wine & chocolate tasting OR Tain-l'Hermitage hike and wine tasting OR Bike tour

Enjoy the views from a panoramic train car as you ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the steam train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a walking tour of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the region’s celebrated Hermitage appellation. Or bike along the ViaRhôna cycling route, winding through forest and looping back through dense orchards with hills of vineyards in the distance before returning to Tournon for a short tour of the town center. (B,L,D)
 

Day 6: Vienne - Lyon

Roman ruins walking tour OR ViaRhôna bike tour OR Mount Pipet hike 
Lyon City tour OR "Les Halles" Market OR Bike Tour

Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne, with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Take a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint-Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. Later in the day, set sail to Lyon. Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” Or for those more interested in discovering why Lyon is France’s culinary capital, visit the city’s famed indoor food market, which has nearly five-dozen stalls selling countless gourmet delights—including sausage, cheese and pastries, which you will get to sample. Or take a guided bike ride to the modern urban area of La Confluence along the Saone River. (B,L,D)
 

Day 7: Lyon

Beaujolais excursion and tasting  

Enjoy morning free time in Lyon and then travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones." While there, indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. (B,L,D)
 

Day 8: Lyon - Disembarkation

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Lyon as you prepare for your flight home. (B)