Day One

Depart on our overseas flight for Nice.

Day Two

Welcome to Nice, a fascinating city on the French Riviera and the sun-kissed capital of the Côte d’Azur. You will be transferred from the airport to your centrally located hotel, where a three-night stay is yours to enjoy.

Day Three

Today, you will be taken to Monte Carlo to learn about the jet set lifestyle that can be found in Monaco, an area that has famously been portrayed in a handful of successful movies and the home to one of the most recognisable Grand Prix tracks in the world. (B)

Included Excursion
A city tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo

Day Four

Today is yours to spend enjoying tour seaside surrounds at leisure, and your tour director will be available to help you plan your day. (B)

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Visit to Saint-Paul de Vence (extra expense)

Day Five

After breakfast, you will get transferred to your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Arles, where a warm welcome awaits from your captain and crew. Tonight, enjoy a dinner on board. (B,D)

Day Six

Revel in the glory of the Roman Empire today during an insightful visit to Arles, including its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments. Visit Arles Amphitheatre, a 2,000-year-old structure where thousands of spectators once gathered to watch heart-pounding chariot races.

Enjoy learning about the time spent by Vincent van Gogh in the city, taking inspiration from his surroundings and using them to create many of his most iconic pieces of art, including ‘Starry Night Over the Rhône’. Then, enjoy some time to explore the beauty of Arles at your leisure. (B,L,D)

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Arles with arena visit

EmeraldPLUS
A Provençal dinner hosted by chef Fabien Morreale

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In the footsteps of Van Gogh: painting workshop (extra expense)

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Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense)

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Provencal Cosmetics Workshop (extra expense)

Day Seven

Avignon has a long and storied history. This fortified town is the former residence of seven consecutive Popes in the 1300s who fled Rome to escape from the political pressures of the Roman Empire. The city went on to become an important location during the French Revolution.

Embark on a guided walking tour to witness its illustrious past, including the ornate Gothic exterior of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes, built by the Popes over two decad es. This evening you are invited to join the unique experience of a classical concert in Avignon as part of our EmeraldPLUS program. (B,L,D)

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Avignon

EmeraldPLUS
Classical concert in Avignon

EmeraldACTIVE
Canoeing excursion in Avignon

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Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense)

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Visit to Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting (extra expense)

Day Eight

A snapshot of quintessential France awaits your arrival in Viviers, a town that perfectly encapsulates the medieval days of the region. Pastel colored buildings gently faded by the sun line narrow cobblestone streets, and the heart of the Old Town is yours to explore today during a guided walking tour. (B,L,D)

EmeraldPLUS
CD lecture Art & Culture in the South of France

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Viviers

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Visit to Chauvet Pont D’Arc (extra expense)

Day Nine

As we sail down the gently twisting Rhône River into Tournon, you’ll be treated to an extraordinary view of a 16th-century castle overlooking the village and a pair of ancient watchtowers adorning the surrounding rural landscape.

Today, embark on a guided tour of Tournon and learn about its illustrious history and the culture of the people who call it home. If you would like to explore more of the region’s natural beauty, then you may instead choose to embark on an EmeraldACTIVE hike through some of the local vineyards. (B,L,D)

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Tournon

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided hike through the vineyards

Day Ten

Today we enjoy a relaxed morning sailing on the Saone river until we reach the lovely town of Macon. Here we will discover the Beaujolais wine region, renowned for its vibrant, fruity wines with Gamay grape variety. The extensive planting of the Gamay grape makes Beaujolais wine region one of the several regions on the planet to focus on a single grape variety. Red wine accounts for 99% of the total wine production of the region. (B,L,D)

Included Excursion
Beaujolais wine tasting

Day Eleven

As one of the largest cities in France and a former Roman capital, many of the most important moments in French history have taken place in Lyon. But it’s Lyonnaise cuisine that has really put this city on the map, delighting gastronomists from around the world.

Join your local guide for a walking tour of the city, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. If you’re feeling more active, then you may instead choose to embark on a guided bike tour, touching on its most prominent architectural wonders and moments from history. (B,L,D)

Included Excursion
Guided tour of Lyon

EmeraldACTIVE
Guided bike tour of Lyon

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Excursion to Pérouges (extra expense)

Day Twelve

After breakfast, bid farewell to your contemporary Star-Ship in Lyon and relax as you transfer to Paris by train, where a distinctive Parisian atmosphere will be waiting to welcome you. Your itinerary includes a two-night stay in a well-appointed hotel. (B)

Day Thirteen

Today, the wide and opulently adorned Parisian streets will be yours to stroll down with your local guide, as you visit highlights that include the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Arc de Triomphe. Continue on to explore the Seine River during a charming cruise, before finishing at the Eiffel Tower. (B)

Included Excursion
A guided tour of Paris and a Seine river cruise

Day Fourteen

Depart for home (B)