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Take a delightful river cruise through France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France.
A Master of Wine will accompany you on your French river cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
Board your Avalon Suite Ship® on the Saône in Chalon-sur-Saône, and cruise to Tournus for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, which sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. See the popular Place des Terreaux with its lively cafés and monuments and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour of Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the city of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Enjoy a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. Continue your river cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world – and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.
About Masters of Wine
Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honored to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognized globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!
| TRAVEL DATE | PRICE | TYPE |
|---|---|---|
| November 13, 2023 | from $5,555 CAD | Per Person |
| DAY | DATE | PLACE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mon Nov 13 | Depart Calgary, Alberta |
| 2 | Tue Nov 14 | Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation) |
| 3 | Wed Nov 15 | Tournus |
| 4 | Thu Nov 16 | Lyon |
| 5 | Fri Nov 17 | Lyon |
| 6 | Sat Nov 18 | Tournon-Viviers |
| 7 | Sun Nov 19 | Avignon |
| 8 | Mon Nov 20 | Arles |
| 9 | Tue Nov 21 | Arles |
Depart Calgary, Alberta on November 13, 2023
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 – Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation):
Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 – Tournus:
Guided walk in Tournus; onboard lecture about wine; Chardonnay excursion
Day 3 – Lyon:
Onboard cheese and wine tasting; choice of guided sightseeing with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Day 4 – Lyon:
Culinary tour; guided tour to Beaujolais; onboard food and wine pairing dinner
Day 5 – Tournon-Viviers:
Guided walk in Tournon with wine and chocolate tasting or hike in the vineyards (weather permitting); guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral
Day 6 – Avignon:
Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes; guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape
Day 7 – Arles:
Choice of guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host
Day 8 – Arles (Disembarkation):
Your cruise ends this morning.
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