Group Travel

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Seven Day Provence River Cruise

CRUISE ABOARD THE M.S. ‘PROVENCE’ FROM TOURNON TO THE WALLED TOWN OF AIGUES-MONTES ON THE RIVER RHÔNE

Provence River Cruise Includes

• 6 nights in an outside cabin
• All meals, including wine at the table, aboard ship
• Sightseeing program as detailed in the day-by-day itinerary, including:
  
  • Château de Grignan – much frequented by Mme de Sévigné
    
  • Côtes du Rhône – private wine tasting
    
  • Avignon – southern medieval city – Papal
    
  • Palace Arles – soul of Provence – superb Roman remains
    
  • Saint Rémy de Provence – heart of Provence – Mausoleum
    
  • Aigues-Mortes – enclosed medieval city in the Camargue

ITINERARY

The M.S. Provence invites you on a voyage of discovery of the blissfully sunny Provence region and the enchanting Camargue.

Savor the fine wines of these regions, gourmet meals, and wonderful French cheeses. The itinerary takes you between Tournon on the misty river Rhône to the fabled medieval town of Aigues-Mortes, located on the Rhône-Sète canal on the edge of the wild and mysterious Camargue Regional Park.

SATURDAY
Transfer from the Hôtel Le Méridien Part-Dieu in Lyon at 4:00 p.m. by coach to the village of Andance (alternate weeks in Nimes, Hôtel Imperator Concorde). Welcome on board with cocktails. Cruise to the graceful old town of Tournon, facing the vineyards of Tain l’Hermitage. Sunday Visit Tournon, followed by a private wine tasting in the famous Côtes du Rhône vineyards. Beautiful cruise alongside the vine-clad hills to Viviers. Monday Excursion to the medieval Château de Grignan (forever associated with Madame de Sévigné). Cruise along the canalized Rhône to the charming village of Roquemaure.

TUESDAY
Cruise past the famous vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to the legendary city of Avignon. Take a walking tour of this magnificent city with its massive stone ramparts, the impressive Papal Palace, the Place du Palais and the old town. Musical entertainment on board in the evening.

WEDNESDAY
Excursion to St. Rémy de Provence, a charming town with its typical boulevards lined with plane trees where Van Gogh painted. Cruise to the old town of Arles by way of Tarascon.

THURSDAY
On a walking tour of Arles, one of the most enchanting of all Provencal towns, see the Roman theater, amphitheater, and elegant 12th century church of St. Trophime with its famous cloisters. Cruise from St. Gilles through the wild beauty of the Camargue Regional Park with myriad flamingoes, white horses and bulls, to the walled town of Aigues-Mortes. Enjoy a walking tour of this extraordinary medieval town. Farewell gala dinner on board.

FRIDAY
Coach transfer to the Hôtel Concorde Imperator in Nimes (or Lyon, alternate weeks) arriving around 11 a.m.

NOTE: The route is run in reverse on alternate weeks. Excursions/mooring places and the route can be modified due to unforeseen circumstances.

THE ‘PROVENCE’
The most recent addition to the river cruising fleet, M.S. Provence is a graceful, custom-built vessel which carries 50 passengers in the utmost comfort. There are 23 spacious suites and large, tastefully decorated public areas on the main deck.

The panoramic forward bar and the 7,500 sq.ft. sun deck – complete with fitness and recreation area, plus 2 jacuzzi’s – afford superb vistas of the scenery and sites of this wonderful area.

Leave your suit and tie and your evening wear at home and relax in casual comfort – the crew provides the formal service, you are free to be comfortable and informal.

Specifications

• Length / Width: 292’ x 31’
  
• Crew: 15 members
  
• Passengers: 50
  
• Cabins: Total 27 outside cabins.
  
• Main Deck - 8 twin/double suites.
  
• Lower Deck - 15 twin suites, 4 single cabins.
  
• Panoramic bar, lounge, dining room.
  
• Sun deck: 2 jacuzzis, exercise equipment.
• Air conditioning/Central heating throughout. Coach for excursions.

NOTE: The route is run in reverse on alternative weeks and excursion days and mooring places may change.

DEPARTS WEEKLY
From the Hôtel Le Méridien Part-Dieu in Lyon or Hôtel Concorde Imperator in Nimes: Saturday 4:00 p.m. 

For more information on this exciting experience, please contact:

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