Combine two exciting river cruises and get a taste of the variety that France has to offer-not only in scenery but in food and drink! The Seine river and the picturesque Normandy region, and the charming and historic cities along the Saone and Rhone Rivers. Apple cider and Calvados in the north, fine wines and cognac in the south. Apple trees in Normandy, vineyards in Provence. From the big city of Paris to the elegant Cote d'Azur. All this and more are yours to discover on this comprehensive 17-day river cruise vacation.

INCLUDED FEATURES

Cruise:
Deluxe 14-night cruise from Paris to Paris and Chalon-sur-Saone to Arles, or Arles to Chalon-sur-Saone and Paris to Paris in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds

Paris:
Guided sightseeing

Conflans:
Choice of guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise or Saint-Germaine-en-Laye

Vernon:
Choice of guided excursion to Giverny or Bizy Castle

Rouen:
Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit the Cathedral; choice of excursion to Normandy landing beaches or "A Taste of Normandy"

Les Andelys:
Orientation; visit Chateau Gaillard

Beaune:
Orientation walk

Lyon:
Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourviere Hill

Tournon:
Orientation walk; Hotel Dieu

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 is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
  
  

  MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

  Buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Cote d'Azur (plus Provence region on WPAE); superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, and Captain's dinner; quality wines from Europe'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

  Cote d'Azur Boscolo Plaza, Nice (SF)

  INSIDE VISITS

  Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

  Itinerary
  

  Day 1

  (Mon.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

  Day 2 Paris, France (Embarkation)

  (Tue.) Welcome to Paris, France's capital on the River Seine. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (D)

  Day 3 Paris

  (Wed.) 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, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world's most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D)

  Day 4 Paris-Conflans

  (Thu.) Enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine. This afternoon, dock at Conflans-and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or the guided visit to SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, which boasts a 14th-century chateau with views over the Seine Valley toward Paris. (B,L,D)

  Day 5 Vernon

  (Fri.) This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet's house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of BIZY CASTLE with its magnificent courtyard. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)

  Day 6 Rouen

  (Sat.) Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy, perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet's paintings. (B,L,D)

  Day 7 Rouen

  (Sun.) Make your choice today between an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches-with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery-or a "Taste of Normandy" for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. This afternoon we explore the Calvados region, famous for apple brandy and cider. (B,L,D)

  Day 8 Les Andelys

  (Mon.) The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing CHATEAU GAILLARD at Les Andelys. Built by England's King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the chateau is truly a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture. (B,L,D)

  Day 9 Paris (Disembarkation)-Beaune-Chalon-sur-Saone (Embarkation)

  (Tue.) After breakfast today, bid farewell to the crew of the Avalon Creativity and head south into Burgundy. Beaune owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Its most famous historical site, the HOTEL-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 to Chalon-sur-Saone, where you'll board the Welcome aboard the Avalon Scenery. Before dinner, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D)
  
  

  Day 10 Chalon-sur-Saone-Tournus-Macon

  (Wed.) This morning, explore the NICEPHORE NIEPCE photography museum in Chalon-sur-Saone at your own pace. After lunch, enjoy free time in Tournus. 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 Macon. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (B,L,D)

  Day 11 Beaujolais Region-Lyon

  (Thu.) Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhone. 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. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. An optional dinner gives gourmets insight into the local haute cuisine. (B,L,D)

  Day 12 Lyon

  (Fri.) A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. (B,L,D)

  Day 13 Tournon/Tain l'Hermitage-Viviers

  (Sat.) The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhone and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Charming Viviers developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D)

  Day 14 Avignon

  (Sun.) Avignon, also referred to as the "City of Popes," was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. Optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)

  Day 15 Arles

  (Mon.) 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. (B,L,D)

  Day 16 Arles (Disembarkation)-Cote d'Azur

  (Tue.) After breakfast, transfer by motorcoach along the Cote d'Azur. An afternoon stroll through Nice's narrow winding streets will acquaint you with the OLD TOWN of this sophisticated city. (B)

  Day 17 Cote d'Azur

  (Wed.) Your homebound flight from Nice arrives the same day. (B)