A River Cruise through Burgundy and Provence...the Roman sites of Vienne and a jeep safari among the...
Transcript of A River Cruise through Burgundy and Provence...the Roman sites of Vienne and a jeep safari among the...
A River Cruise through Burgundy and Provence
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ITINERARYDay 1 Welcome to Lyon
Day 2 Lyon Past and Present
Day 3 Flavors of Burgundy
Day 4 Roman Vienne
Day 5 Arles and the Camargue
Day 6 Medieval Gems: Avignon and Viviers
Day 7 Tournon and the Rhône Valley
Day 8 Departure
The Rhône River wends through the heart of Lyon, meeting the Saône River there
before heading south to Provence and the Mediterranean Sea. Along its banks
lie towns and villages that tell the history of southern France, from the Roman
Empire to the great artistic movements of the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Experience this beautiful region of France on a river cruise from the vineyards
of Burgundy to the Camargue wetlands aboard the MS Camargue, stopping to
explore historic cities and Provençal towns.
Taste the flavors of Burgundy on a city tour of Mâcon and join a guide to discover
the rich history of Arles and the medieval streets of Tournon. In every port of
call, you’ll have your choice of optional excursions—including a guided tour of
the Roman sites of Vienne and a jeep safari among the native white horses and
flamingos of the Camargue. As you glide along the Saône and Rhône rivers from
one picturesque place to the next, enjoy ever-changing views along the water’s
edge from the comfort of an elegant riverboat.
A River Cruise through Burgundy and Provence
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DAY 1 Welcome to LyonArrive in Lyon and transfer to the quay in the early evening to board the MS Camargue. Settle into your cabin and join the crew for a welcome cocktail and dinner. (D)
DAY 2 Lyon Past and PresentFrance’s third largest city, Lyon is a hub of culture and cuisine poised at the junction of the Saône and Rhône rivers. Set out today to discover Lyon’s heritage, from its origins as the Roman city of Lugdunum to today. Your tour begins on the roof of the hilltop Fourvière Basilica, which commands a breathtaking view of Lyon. Step inside this ornate 19th-century church, adorned with mosaics and frescoes and built on the ruins of the ancient Roman forum. Descend to Lyon’s Old Town for a guided walking tour that includes the city’s traboules, covered passageways built as far back as the fourth century to allow easier access to the river. The traboules wind through buildings and courtyards, revealing vaulted ceilings, medieval staircases and Renaissance architecture. Enjoy free time to wander through the Saint-Jean district, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old city. Return to the riverboat for lunch and cruise north into Burgundy this afternoon. Dock in Mâcon and gather for a festive evening on board. (B, L, D)
DAY 3 Flavors of BurgundyBegin the day with a guided walking tour of Mâcon’s historic center. Visit the Cathédrale Saint-Vincent, the town hall and the Musée des Ursulines, a fine arts museum set in a former convent. Along the way, stop to sample local products, including some of the vintages of southern Burgundy. After time to explore on your own, return to the ship for lunch. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to the Cluny Abbey, founded in 910 by William the Pious. This Benedictine abbey had enormous influence in its heyday and remained the largest Christian church until St. Peter’s Basilica was built in Rome. As you sail toward Vienne this evening, enjoy dinner and entertainment on board. (B, L, D)
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DAY 4 Roman VienneThe Rhône was an important conduit for the Romans, and while many of the towns along its banks boast vestiges of the Roman era, Vienne has the most impressive ruins in all of France—with more than 40 ancient sites discovered to date. Spend the day exploring this stunning town on your own, discovering medieval churches, a first-century temple and a large Roman amphitheater that still holds crowds for a renowned annual jazz festival. With a capacity of 13,000 spectators, the theater was one of the largest in the Roman Empire. If you wish, opt to take a guided walking tour of the city, its cathedral and its Roman sites. Return to the boat on foot and sail south this evening toward Arles. (B, L, D)
DAY 5 Arles and the CamargueStroll from the boat into the heart of beautiful Arles, a town famous for its art, architecture and archaeology. On a guided walking tour, visit the city’s important Roman sites, including an amphitheater set in the center of the old town, a theater and Roman baths, and see parts of the city immortalized by Van Gogh. Later, journey to nearby Tarascon for a visit to the 18th-century country estate of an olive oil producer. Take a hayride in the olive orchards, learn about the production process and sample the estate’s oils. Return to Arles in the late afternoon. You may choose to explore the Camargue, a protected wetland area south of Arles that is home to indigenous white horses, bred black bulls, flamingos and salt flats. Take a tour of these picturesque marshes and visit a manade, a bull-breeding farm, or hop into a jeep with local guides for a safari, watching for birdlife and wild horses in different regions of the park. Soak up the spirit of Provence tonight during a folkloric performance on board. (B, L, D)
DAY 6 Medieval Gems: Avignon and Villiers
Spend the morning in Avignon, the capital of the Christian world in the 14th century. Meander through the cobbled lanes of the walled old city on your own, discovering Gothic and Roman churches; the bustling Place de l’Horloge, built upon the ancient Roman forum; and the Papal Palace, home of the pope for nearly 70 years and later the center of a rival papacy during the Great Schism. If you wish, enjoy an optional guided walking tour of the old city that includes a visit to the Papal Palace. Walk back to the boat and sail north to Viviers in the Ardèche region in northern Provence. Step back in time in this charming medieval town, exploring its warren of narrow streets on your own or on an optional guided tour. See the striking Renaissance façade of the House of Knights, visit one of the oldest cathedrals in France, and take in the view of this age-old stone town from the Belvedere. (B, L, D)
EXPEDITION EXPERTAlice ShortAlice Short is a senior editor at the Los Angeles Times. Throughout her career, as a reporter and editor, she has showcased her expertise on an extraordinarily broad range of subjects.
She spent seven years as assistant managing editor for features, overseeing travel, books, fashion, food, home and health, before her departure in January 2016 to work as a freelance writer.
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ACCOMMODATIONS
7 NIGHTS MS Camargue The 54-cabin MS Camargue is a stylish riverboat with three decks, including a sundeck, a restaurant surrounded by windows and a bar and lounge. Comfortable exterior cabins feature en suite bathrooms with showers, Wi-Fi, television and large windows.
DAY 7 Tournon and the Rhône Valley
Cruise north this morning, taking in lovely vistas of the Rhône Valley. After lunch, dock at Tournon, nestled amid terraced vineyards in the heart of the valley. Perched on a granite outcrop above the town, the town’s château dates to the 10th century and now houses a museum. On a guided walking tour, visit the museum’s permanent collection, which traces the history of navigation on the Rhône. Stroll the historic streets below the castle and cap off the tour with a sampling of regional products and wines. Return to the boat at your leisure. This evening, toast your Rhône adventure during a gala farewell dinner on board. The boat makes its way toward Lyon later tonight. (B, L, D)
DAY 8 DepartureAfter a final breakfast on board, disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
DATES & PRICINGDATES PRICING SINGLE SUPPLEMENT DEPOSIT
July 3-10, 2020 $3,995 lower deck $1,000 $500
$4,295 upper deck
WHAT IS INCLUDEDComprehensive educational program by content experts and professional on-site guides
All accommodations and meals as outlined in the itinerary
All ground transportation within the itinerary unless otherwise indicated
All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary
Entrance fees
Gratuities to porters, drivers and guides for all included arrangements
The assistance of an ATA expedition manager for comprehensive logistical and customer service management on the expedition
Wireless listening devices
The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights or other services
Comprehensive pre-departure information about the destination and what to expect on the expedition, including a suggested reading list
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDEDU.S. domestic or international airfare or other transportation from your home to the departure point of the trip and from the end point of the trip to your home
Travel and trip cancellation insurance
Passport, visa, airport departure and baggage fees
Meals not specified in the itinerary, and food and beverages not part of the included meals
Personal items such as telephone, fax and internet charges, laundry, room service and alcoholic or other beverages not specified as included
Gratuities for non-group services
Expenses you may incur resulting from delays due to bad weather, road conditions, sickness, government action and flight delays
Expenses incurred in making individual travel arrangements in conjunction with the trip, and sightseeing not included in the itinerary
Transfers to and from airports for those arriving or departing according to the designated itinerary
LAND COSTPrices are listed in U.S. dollars and are based on a person sharing a room with another. Although we do our best to maintain the
listed price, because our prices are set over a year in advance, we reserve the right to increase costs due to circumstances beyond
our control, tariffs, taxes and VAT received after prices are published and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. The
land cost is based on a minimum number of guests as described on the trip page.
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Meal Key: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, T=Tasting, R=Reception