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

Day 1 (Sun) Paris. Travel to Paris where you will be met and transferred to the Le Meridien Montparnasse for two nights.

Day 2 (Mon) 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, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age. The city is well known for its colourful nightlife that includes some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B)

Day 3 (Tue) Paris - Beaune - Chalon-sur-Saône. After breakfast, drive past the forest of Fontainebleau, the favourite 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, ageing 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 will be transferred to your cruise ship. (B,D)

Day 4 (Wed) Chalon - Tournus - Mâcon. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 5 (Thu) Beaujolais region - Lyon. Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. 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 6 (Fri) Lyon. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 7 (Sat) Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage - Viviers. 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. (B,L,D)

Day 8 (Sun) 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 9 (Mon) 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 10 (Tue) Arles - Côte d’Azur. After breakfast, disembark your cruise ship and transfer by coach along the Côte d’Azur to the Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo. Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d’Azur stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border. (B)

Day 11 (Wed) Côte d’Azur. Transfer to the airport or station for your journey to the UK. (B)