Burgundy & Provence (Côte d'Azur to Paris) 2011

Day 1 (Mon) Côte d’Azur. Travel to Nice where you will be met and transferred to the Côte d’Azur for one night at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo.

Day 2 (Tue) Côte d’Azur - Arles. This morning, enjoy free time before travelling by coach to Arles in the Provence region where you'll board your cruise ship. (B,D)

Day 3 (Wed) Arles. On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of 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 Amphitheatre. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The ‘Foundation Vincent Van Gogh’ is a tribute to the artist. (B,L,D)

Day 4 (Thu) Avignon. 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 centre of the Catholic Church in the 14th century and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose Palace of the Popes. See the bridge, made famous by the popular song, and optional excursions to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 5 (Fri) Cruising - Viviers. A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you cruise. The charming town of Viviers was developed around its Romanesque cathedral, and the old town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman and medieval influences. (B,L,D)

Day 6 (Sat) Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage - Vienne. 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. This afternoon, enjoy Vienne, another charming little town surrounded by steep hills. (B,L,D)

Day 7 (Sun) Lyon. Lyon is France’s second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43BC, the city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial and industrial activities. Roman ruins, 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 des 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. (B,L,D)

Day 8 (Mon) Mâcon – Tournus – Chalon-sur-Saône. Wake up this morning in Mâcon on the Saône River, a city that plays an important role in the wine trade. There’s free time for exploring after breakfast, then enjoy a short cruise to Tournus. Here, the cloister of St Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. Before dinner, arrive in Chalon-sur-Saône. (B,L,D)

Day 9 (Tue) Chalon-sur-Saône - Beaune - Paris. After breakfast, disembark your cruise ship and head for Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area which produces the Burgundy region’s finest vintages. 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. After lunch, continue north past the forest of Fontainebleau to Paris, the ‘City of Light’. Your hotel for two nights is the Le Meridien Montparnasse. (B)

Day 10 (Wed) Paris. During your included sightseeing tour of Paris, see magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its Renaissance style architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opèra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age. The city is well known for its colourful nightlife, which includes some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B)

Day 11 (Thu) Paris. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK. (B)