Your Itinerary
Tour begins: 6:30 PM, InterContinental Barcelona. A transfer is included from Barcelona Airport and Barcelona França and Barcelona Sants train stations to InterContinental Barcelona, located in the cultural Montjuïc neighborhood, close to art museums, parks, and historic exhibition grounds. Join us for a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 : A museum visit and a taste of Barcelona
A choice of sightseeing activities in Barcelona today includes a locally guided walking tour of landmark sites or a coach tour of the city. Both excursions include a visit to a museum and a taste of tapas for lunch, followed by free time to experience this city as you wish. Barcelona sparkles with a vibrant, whimsical spirit, defined in part by the distinctive architecture of Antoni Gaudí, whose eye-catching creations leave their mark throughout the city and truly make it a delight to explore.
Day 3 : Montserrat's Madonna & a sparkling Cava
Venture out of the city today on the excursion that piques your interest the most. Drive amidst the dramatic scenery of the Catalan countryside for a visit to the Montserrat Monastery to see the Black Madonna at the historic Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. Or, visit a local cava producer for a tour and a tasting lunch. Cava is Catalonia's famous traditional-method sparkling wine, with roughly 95% produced in the Penedès region just outside Barcelona. The remainder of the day is at leisure in Barcelona.
Day 4 : Embark your riverboat in Arles
Ride the TGV train from Spain to France, as you prepare to board your riverboat for your Rhône River cruise. Your riverboat will be docked in ancient Arles, where Vincent van Gogh was inspired to paint, where Romans built a magnificent that still stands today, and where sightseeing activities indulge your spirit for discovery. Meet your captain and crew before a welcome reception and dinner onboard ship.
Day 5 : Arles, Tarascon Castle & a bike ride in the country
A choice of shore excursions today includes a locally guided walking tour of Arles with an opportunity to go inside the Roman arena. Built in 90 AD, the amphitheatre held over 20,000 spectators to view chariot races and hand-to-hand gladiator battles and is still in use today. Alternatively, choose a visit to medieval Tarascon Castle and the Soleido Museum, a mecca for the ancestral manufacturing of colorful, iconic Provençal fabrics. For a more active choice, you can embark on a rigorous 2-hour / 14-mile ride in the countryside surrounding Arles. View fields of olive groves and stop to see the ruins of the Roman Barbegal aqueduct and mill. Your riverboat charts a course for Avignon this evening.
Day 6 : Avignon, your way
A center for religious power centuries ago, the walled city of Avignon entices with a mix of cultural sights. Discover the city your way on a choice of excursions. Join a local guide for a walking tour and a tour of the Palais des Papes, where Roman popes ruled for some 70 years during the 14th century. Learn about the history of the city on an expertly guided tour of landmark sites. Or, ride aboard a mini train that provides an overview of city sights. For onboard fun, join in a lavender workshop with a local artisan, before a wine tasting excursion in the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape region.
Day 7 : Truffles or Secrets of Viviers
Whet your appetite for a taste of truffles today on a walking tour of Grignan with a visit to a truffle farm. Or, discover the secrets of Viviers as your expert local guide reveals hidden gems throughout this remarkably well-preserved medieval city with insights about its historic mansions and France's smallest cathedral that is located here. Enjoy lunch onboard the riverboat and enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise.
Day 8 : Roman gems in Vienne
Wake up in Roman inspired Vienne for a choice of experiences. Drive to the Rhône Valley for a visit to a château and taste of local wines; this region of France is renowned for its blended Syrah grapes, including Côte-Rôtie, considered one of the most sought-after red wines in the world. Alternatively, join a local guide for a visit to the living Gallo-Roman Museum; one of the most important archaeological sites in France devoted to Gallo-Roman civilization, it is home to an ancient baths, workshops, dwellings, and shops that offer a comprehensive overview of the richness of this civilization.
Day 9 : Beaune & Burgundy
Pursue your interests this morning on a choice of excursions that range from a walking tour of Beaune with a visit inside its ancient charitable hospital, or a bicycling journey through the heart of Burgundy's celebrated vineyards with a local guide and a tasting. After lunch in Beaune or onboard ship, drive to Burgundy for a wine tasting at a family-owned château in Mercurey.
Day 10 : Tournus & a biking adventure
Wake up in Tournus today, renowned for its stunning Romanesque architecture, Mediterranean-style old town, exceptional gastronomy, and rich riverside charm. A locally guided walking tour takes you through its old town following in the footsteps of the medieval monk Garlannus to the Abbaye Saint-Philibert, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, where narrow medieval streets, colorful facades, traditional traboules (covered passageways), artisan workshops, and scenic views along the banks of the Saône River make it most enjoyable. This afternoon if you're game, you can ride aboard a bicycle and race the riverboat as it cruises to Macon, where dinner is a private affair at a local venue.
Day 11 : Artisans of Trévoux & Château de Cormatin
Your riverboat arrives in in the charming medieval town of Trévoux early this morning, located along the Saône River just north of Lyon. Artisans and craftsmen have plied their trades here for centuries and ancient stone carvers have left their mark on many sculpted building façade. View the workshops and galleries that line the town's narrow streets and traboules, before visiting a stone carving shop to learn more about this time-honored practice. Or, drive to Cormatin for a visit to Château de Cormatin, an impressive 17th-century castle and garden inside and out. Return to the riverboat for an afternoon cruise to Lyon with a special dinner onshore.
Day 12 : Specialties of Lyon
Welcome to France's gastronomic capital, Lyon, celebrated for its traditional bouchons and Michelin-starred dining. Foodies will enjoy experiencing the culinary treats this city is known for on a locally guided secret food tour with a local guide who's clearly in the know. History buffs can find their passion on a historical walking tour that reveals the secrets of the Resistance movement in Lyon. Both excursion choices are available to you today. After lunch, everyone can toast the town during a wine tasting of Beaujolais wines, locally grown and produced just outside of the city. Back onboard, a farewell dinner is followed by local entertainment in the lounge.
Tour ends: Lyon. Disembark ship by 9:00 AM. Fly home anytime. Transfers are included from the riverboat to Lyon Airport or train station. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.