Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to learn about and to taste France’s sumptuous wines and local cuisines. Guided sightseeing acquaints you with vibrant Paris and with Nice, the “Queen of the Riviera,” while a deluxe 7-night cruise along the Saône and Rhône Rivers takes you into the heart of this beautiful country. Enjoy orientation walks in fascinating Beaune and medieval Tournon, and see the sights with Local Guides in Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, as well as in Avignon and Arles.
Wine River Cruise Departures
Departures on August 21 and October 30, 2010 are offered as exclusive Wine-Theme River Cruises, including special lectures and tastings, available at no additional cost.
Day 1
(Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2Paris, France
(Sun.) Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!
Day 3Paris
(Mon.) 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, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife that includes some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (Breakfast)
Day 4Paris–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation)
(Tue.) After breakfast, drive south past the forest of Fontainebleau, favorite hunting grounds of a long line of French kings, and into Burgundy. Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area—which produces the region’s finest vintages—owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Its most famous historical site, the HÔTEL-DIEU charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France’s architectural highlights. Enjoy a TASTING of Burgundy wines before continuing south to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5Chalon–Tournus–Mâcon
(Wed.) A GUIDED WALK after breakfast today shows you the highlights of this quaint French town situated on the Saône River. Explore the NICÉPHORE NIÉPCE photography museum at your own pace before returning to your ship in time for its departure for Tournus. After lunch, enjoy free time in this lovely town. The cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. Later, cruise to Mâcon, a city with a rich history that plays an important role in the wine trade. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6Beaujolais Region–Lyon
(Thu.) Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. 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 FOURVIÈRE HILL and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place Terraux, and the 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. An optional dinner gives gourmets insight into the local haute cuisine. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7Lyon
(Fri.) A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers
(Sat.) The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River 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. Another charming town, Viviers, was developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9Avignon
(Sun.) 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 Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10Arles
(Mon.) 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. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11Arles (Disembarkation)–Côte d’Azur
(Tue.) After breakfast, transfer by motorcoach along the Côte d’Azur to Nice. An afternoon stroll through Nice’s narrow, winding streets will acquaint you with the OLD TOWN of this sophisticated city, also known as the “Queen of the Riviera.” This evening an optional excursion to Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco is available. (Breakfast)
Day 12Côte d’Azur
(Wed.) Your homebound flight from Nice arrives the same day. (Breakfast)
INCLUDED FEATURES
Cruise:
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles or Arles to Chalon-sur-Saône in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
Paris:
Guided sightseeing
Beaune:
Orientation walk; Hôtel Dieu
Lyon:
Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill
Tournon:
Orientation walk
Viviers:
Guided walk; visit the cathedral
Avignon:
Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
Arles:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater
Nice:
Orientation walk of Old Town
Notes:
- In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.
- Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Côte d'Azur; superb dining with all meals on board featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain's reception, and farewell dinner; quality wines from France's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Paris Le Méridien Montparnasse (SF) or Hilton Arc de Triomphe (SF), Cote d’Azur Boscolo Plaza, Nice (SF)
View the following dates and prices to find just the right date for your vacation. Below you'll find the date you'll depart, the date the vacation starts and date you'll return.
Once you've selected your date, you'll move to the next step to get an airfare quote and to begin booking your vacation. When you book your flights with us, you'll find we offer competitive and hassle-free airfares, plus you'll receive free airport transfers, flights coordinated with vacation dates and you'll avoid strict Internet terms and conditions.
The price listed does not include your airfare. We can supply airfares or provide cruise line provided.
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8/7/2010 |
8/8/2010 |
8/18/2010 |
$3,319.00 |
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8/12/2010 |
8/18/2010 |
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Cruise taxes, fees, fares and port charges:
$98
Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
Extra nights per person in Paris:
in single room $440, in twin room $259
Extra nights per person in Nice:
in single room $350, in twin room $220
Cruise-Only Option From $2,049
Day 4 Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation) - Day 11 Arles (Disembarkation)
Cruise-only option allows you to participate in just the river cruise portion of the vacation, removing the overnight stays at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary.
Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck.
To upgrade to a higher category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:
Category / Scenery Decks / Price
B / Sapphire Deck / $499
A / Sapphire Deck / $549
P / Royal Deck / $649
Jr. Suite / Royal Deck / $1,199
Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your vacation may be available at our low prices.
Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices:
Air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional $250 non-refundable deposit is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e., air-inclusive vacation.) However, once your airfare is confirmed and Globus has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.
We also accept your reservation on a land-only basis:
While booking your vacation air-inclusive gives you various advantages, you can also choose the land-only option. But remember, airlines’ special fares generally apply to very brief periods. (Our low air-inclusive fares apply throughout the year.) Plus, to get these “deals” you often are required to pay full fare at the time of booking.
Taxes & fees
Taxes and fees are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full land and air deposit are received.
Applicable Taxes and Fees (Airfare & Charges Not Included in the Price)
Not Included In Your Vacation Price (Air-Inclusive, Land-Only or Cruise-Only)
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities: port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships’ crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; excess baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature.
