So you’re planning a vacation and you want–gorgeous scenery, medieval architecture, jazz music and fine wine. Just where can you find all of these rolled into one trip? A European river cruise is the answer.
Avalon Waterways’ “Burgundy & Provence” river cruise will take you down the Saône and Rhône rivers that flow through France, where you’ll find some of the most picturesque landscape in the world. Miles of lush, rolling hills of vineyards, spotted with cities filled with historic Roman architecture and medieval buildings will delight renaissance lovers and photographers. The vintners along the Rhône River were frontiers in establishing the wine trade—which then established the lively cities along the way.
Burgundy wine tasting is a favorite with cruisers
Your vacation will begin in Paris and then head south down the Saône and the Rhône rivers, which run into the Mediterranean Ocean and ends in Côte D’Azur. With 14 cities to visit, you’re sure to get your fill of photo opportunities, entertainment, wine tasting and culinary delights on this 11-day vacation.
Two days Paris, 7-day river cruise, plus two days in Côte d’Azure
Avalon Scenery on the Rhône River in Lyon, France
After a one-night stay in a luxury hotel and two days to explore Paris—“The City of Lights,” the train will take you to your ship, the Avalon Scenery. But first, the train will stop at Dijon and Beaune to visit the Hôtel-Dieu and enjoy a wine tasting. The ship then embarks from Chalon-sur-Saône for your seven-night river cruise. During your time onboard, you’ll have the opportunity to enhance your cultural experience by watching presentations by local chefs, entertainers, artisans and learn from the experts of the region. The more you know about the region, the more you’ll appreciate what’s onshore—and learn what not to miss when exploring this lush, wine-growing region.
Viviers, France
Customize your vacation online
Avalon offers what they call “Avalon CHOICE®” which is a personalized river cruise vacation. Onboard activities and onshore excursions can be pre-planned to create your custom cruise experience. The best part is that all of is that all these activities and excursions are included in the cost of the cruise!
While visiting each of the port cities: Tournus, Mâcon, Lyon, Vienne, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, Arles, and Port St. Louis, you can:
- take the guided or sightseeing excursions
Cathedral Fourvière in Lyon
- visit historic buildings, cathedrals and museums (See Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower)
- watch local chef presentations
- try the local wines (Beaujolais is the wine of the region)
- taste the local specialty chocolates in Tournon
- attend presentations to learn “all about the French”
- explore on your own or relax at your leisure
—you create your own personalized plan for each day. Do everything, or nothing at all! It’s your choice!
Do you love Jazz music?
Jazz music is traditional in this French region, and Avalon has lined up a special Jazz cruise with this itinerary for June 30-July 10, 2014 with special music features at no additional cost. On the Jazz Cruise, you’ll attend the annual Jazz Festival in Vienne, and a Strauss concert in Vienna and visit the countryside where “the hills are alive with the sound of music.” Because of its popularity, CruiseExperts.com has already reserved a block of rooms on this hot-selling cruise. (Call us today to guarantee your spot!)
If 11 days is not long enough to take in all that this beautiful French province has to offer, why not add on a week in London and/or Paris, or several nights in Provence or Nice. With all the museums, historic buildings and cultural experiences these cities have to offer, it’s well worth it to stay longer, if you have the time.
Whether your vacation is 11 days or 21 days, your entire trip can be planned by a CruiseExpert.com agent–we can even help with your airfare.
Want more information?
Let our knowledgeable agents at CruiseExperts.com help you. We can help you find the European river cruise that is right for you. We are here to answer any questions you may have about all your European river cruising options. Call us at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visit our website, www.CruiseExperts.com.