Colors of Provence

2024: July 23-Aug 2, November 12-22, November 19-29

The Inclusions:

Roundtrip International Airfare
1 Checked Bag and 1 Carry-On Per Person
Custom Destinations Tour Director
Motor-coach Transportation in France
24 Meals (9 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 9 Dinners, plus the airline usually provides meals on both flights)
1-Night Hotel Accommodations Pre-cruise with Porterage
1-Night Hotel Accommodations Post-cruise with Porterage
Visit and Samples at The Golden Cauldron
Free-time
From Lavender Fields to Distillery Experience
Yoga in the Vines and Wine Tasting in Wine Cellar
7-Night River Wine Cruise
Beer and Wine at Lunch and Dinner on the Ship
Various Excursion Options During Cruise
Beaujolais Region Wine Tasting
Red Wine and Chocolate Pairing / Tasting Experience
Illuminations Cruise (Avignon)
Metro Ride
Intimate Wine Tasting in Real Lyonnais Home
Taxes and Gratuities (Including: Drivers, Tour Guides, Tour Director, and Housekeeping)

The Itinerary:

From romantic cities to foodie havens and artistic epicenters, this journey is sure to enliven all your senses. Take in the aromas in a lavender field, savor in the beauty of legendary vineyards, and imbibe in local vintages like those from Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône. You can even become an expert in all things culinary: go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffles and learn how to pair chocolate with wine.

This tour will leave you wanting more of the famous French gastronomy, wine, smells, and colors.

Day 1: Today, transfer to ____________ Airport for the overnight flight to Colombier-Saugnieu, France.

Day 2: Late this morning and after a layover in Dublin, we arrive at the Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport where we will meet our motor-coach. In departing the airport, we head straight for this evening’s hotel.

En route, we will make a stop in Montélimar to give our legs a nice stretch. Being part of the Auvergne-Rhône Region, this welcoming city is in north Provence, southeastern France and is known as the Gateway to Provence. It offers a rich and varied landscape and heritage. Though this is true, Montélimar is most famed for its nougat production, and is the uncontested capital of this sweet treat. We will visit a small artisanal shop (The Golden Cauldron, or as the French call it, Le Cauldron d’Or) that prides itself on tradition. Here, learn the story of nougat and sample the sweet treat.

Then, take some free-time to explore the local area including Les Allées Provençale which are roadways located next to a park.

Later this afternoon, we make our way to the hotel. Upon checking-in, you will have free-time before dinner. The hotel offers a pool and a bowling alley. Then, dinner will be at the hotel. (D)

Day 3: After breakfast, we head to a lavender distillery and aromatic plant farm. It is here that we will be fully immersed into a world full of colors, scents, and well-being. This experience will give us the opportunity to hear a presentation of the estate and its history and visit lavender and lavandin fields to view a sickle cutting demonstration. In addition, there will be a discovery tour of the distillery where there will be an explanation of the distillation processes, a short video screening, and a scent workshop.

Next, we continue on our journey of colors, scents, and well-being. Among the vines of a local castle turned winery, we will participate in a yoga class. Our class takes place in the beautiful wooded areas of the property. Our location will be conducive to breathing and relaxation. Our senses will be heightened and piqued as we breathe in the aromas of the lavender and grapes, take in the sights of the red cherries hanging so sweetly on the trees, and hear the song of nature. At the end of class, our final sense will be tickled with wine tasting in the wine cellar.

Then, we depart for Arles where we will embark onto our floating hotel for the next seven nights so we can make our way up the Rhône River.

This evening, there will be a Welcome Aboard Wine Tasting. (B, D)

Day 4: The day starts after an onboard breakfast. Today, we focus on exploring Arles which is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in France. It enchants all with its tantalizing history as it was a former Roman center of trade. The morning offers three excursions to choose from: Join a guided walking tour where you will visit the Roman ruins of Arles (such as the Roman Amphitheater and the Church of Saint Trophime which is famous for its Romanesque architecture). Alternatively, you can enjoy a bike ride along the Rhône, through town to the Langlois Bridge which is a famous subject for several Vincent van Gogh paintings. Or, 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.

This afternoon, you can choose from two excursions: Visit the enchanting medieval fortress the Castle of Tarascon – a fortress designed to protect but surprises all with its elegant interior which is fit for royalty. Or, venture to the medieval village, Les Baux de Provence and then delve deeply into the Carrières des Lumières where you will be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound, and history projected on the former limestone quarry walls of caves.

In the evening, enjoy a short cruise to Avignon where you will see Pont d’Avignon illuminated against the night sky. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14^th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent to today’s Vatican. Choose one of the three excursions to partake in: 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, visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macaroons, cheese and wine, and tapenades. Or, enjoy a bike tour through the city.

This afternoon presents itself with two more excursion options: Visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Or, visit a winery in the famed Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region where viticulture has been promoted since the 14^th century. The unique soil composition here has earned the area a reputation for producing distinctive wines that are now popular the world over. Join a specialist from the winery on a private tour of the wine cellars and vineyards, an exclusive opportunity to learn about centuries-old winemaking methods. Following your tour, enjoy a tasting of the vineyard’s specialty wines. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Today, go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffles with a farmer and his trusty canine companion.

Later, be treated to a delicious pairing of red wine and chocolate at the 15^th-century Le Château de

Tournon, located on the banks of the Rhône, in the heart of town. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Continue exploring by choosing one of the three excursions: Walk through the steep vineyards as you learn about the history and techniques of winemaking in this area. Following the guided tour, join your host for a tasting of the Hermitage wines for which this region is celebrated. Alternatively, take an exclusive private 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. For a more active adventure, 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 8: 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. This morning offers the choice between three excursion options: 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. Alternatively, for those wishing to be more active, you can take a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. Or, take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route.

This afternoon, cruise to the old town of Lyon. Upon arrival, explore Lyon by choosing one of the two excursions: Enjoy 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. (B, L, D)

Day 9: As our last full day on our cruise, the day presents two excursions to choose from: enjoy free-time in Lyon. Or, travel to the Beaujolais wine region which is 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 10: This morning, we bid adieu to our floating hotel. Though this is true, the fun does not stop.

After disembarkation, our bus will bring us to the city center where we will have some free-time to explore all that is Lyon.

This afternoon, we will meet at the Metro Station. Using the public mode of transportation, we will take the Metro to our private wine tasting in an authentic 1800s silk factory turned home in the historic Croix-Rousse neighborhood which ensures us that we will have an authentic escape from the locations where the masses go on tour. Our intimate wine tasting masterclass experience will consist of wines from various regions in France (Beaujolais, Northern Rhône, and Burgundy) and will be taught by an expert teacher in her real Lyonnais home. A local cheese and charcuterie board will also be provided. This tasting is sure to allow you to discover all of the wine regions that surround the beautiful city of Lyon all in one afternoon.

After, leveling up your knowledge of French wines, we walk to the bottom of the Croix-Rousse hill. The Croix-Rousse was formerly the neighborhood of Lyon’s silk manufacturers. As a major hub of textiles in Europe, this historic neighborhood was (and continues to be) a hive of activity. Today’s visitors are invited to explore the area to discover its true essence and the many buildings specially built to house the weaving looms that are weaved through a maze of traboules (secret covered passageways) and stairwells. The slopes here have maintained a real neighborhood spirit and the residents are proud of their district. Here, the past and present cohabit on a daily basis. At the bottom of the hill, our bus will once again meet us.

From here, we will go to the hotel to check-in. Then, we have a little bit of free-time (perhaps to sleep off the wine) before we head out to dinner.

Dinner this evening will be served family-style in a local wine cellar. (B, D)

Day 11: This morning, we make our way back to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport for our late morning flight back home. We’ll fly the skies still mesmerized by the colors of Provence, the aromas of food, wine, and lavender, and the experiences we had both on land and on water. (B)

The Cost:

From $10,910 pp Double Category E, $11,274 pp Double Category D, $12,005 pp Double Category CB