Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Nice
NiceIncluded Activities
- Airport transfer to hotel
Landmarks Promenade des Anglais - Day 2
Nice - Monaco
Nice - MonacoIncluded Activities
- Guided city tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo
- Visit to Prince's Palace of Monaco
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Nice walking tour - guided tour through Old Town, Place Massena, Lascaris Palace, Cours Saleya market, Matisse's inspiration sites, and Nice Opera House (2.5 hours, Moderate activity level)
- Explore Nice at your own pace
Landmarks Prince's Palace of Monaco Place Massena Lascaris Palace Cours Saleya Market Nice Opera House - Day 3
Nice
NiceOptional Activities
- Visit to Saint-Paul-de-Vence - explore medieval village with cobbled streets, centuries-old buildings, quaint squares, vaulted passageways and ancient fountains (4 hours, Easy activity level)
Landmarks Saint-Paul-de-Vence - Day 4
Nice to Arles
Nice to Arles- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Emerald Star-Ship in Arles
- Day 5
Arles
Arles- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome reception and dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with arena visit - walking tour through Roman landmarks including Roman Amphitheatre, ancient forum, and Roman baths
Optional Activities
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh with a painting workshop - explore landscapes that inspired Van Gogh, participate in a painting workshop, take home your artwork (3 hours, Moderate activity level)
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence - visit World Heritage-listed site featuring medieval village with narrow cobblestone streets, grey medieval stone buildings, and Château-Fortress des Baux with views over Alpilles Regional Natural Park (4 hours, Difficult/Active activity level)
- Lavender Distillery - from Field to Perfume - hands-on Provençal soap-making workshop using traditional techniques with olive oil, lavender, and local botanicals (3 hours, Easy activity level)
Landmarks Roman Amphitheatre of Arles Les Baux de Provence - Day 6
Avignon
Avignon- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale or Classical concert in Avignon available)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon - explore World Heritage-listed town centre, view Pont d'Avignon (12th-century bridge) and medieval architecture
Optional Activities
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon - paddle along the Rhône River from north of Avignon back towards town along calm waters, pass beneath Pont d'Avignon (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Guided tour of the Pont du Gard - visit World Heritage-listed three-level Roman aqueduct (275 metres long, 48 metres high), explore small Roman town of Uzès (4.5 hours, Easy activity level)
- Visit to Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting - explore village with 14th-century castle ruins, enjoy curated wine tasting at local vineyard (3.25 hours, Moderate activity level)
- Provençal dinner hosted by local chef Fabien Morreale - authentic dishes celebrating regional flavours prepared by Top Chef finalist (EmeraldPLUS)
- Classical concert in Avignon - private concert in historic chapel with local trio performing timeless works (EmeraldPLUS)
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard Uzès Chateauneuf du Pape - Day 7
Viviers
Viviers- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers - heritage discovery trail touching on iconic monuments including Maison des Chevaliers (Roman house with Renaissance facade)
Optional Activities
- Visit to Chauvet Pont D'Arc - explore Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum, largest decorated cave replica in the world, guided tour with local guide (2.5 hours, Moderate activity level)
Landmarks Viviers Cathedral Maison des Chevaliers Caverne du Pont-d'Arc - Day 8
Tournon
Tournon- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon - walk through local history, learn about viticulture traditions, view Roman ruins, Renaissance monuments, and world's oldest suspension bridge with cables
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through the vineyards - active hike through vineyards known for syrah, marsanne and roussanne, local guide leads from ship docking area with views of Rhone River, possible stop at local chocolate maker for tasting and shopping
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 9
Mâcon
Mâcon- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting - guided wine tasting experience at local vineyard, learn about winemaking process, sample selection of Beaujolais wines
- Day 10
Lyon
Lyon- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon - coach tour starting at Fourvières Hill, view ancient Roman Theatre, Romanesque and Byzantine Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, walk through hidden passageways (traboules), admire Renaissance-era houses
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Lyon - ride to Parc de la Tête d'Or (famous urban park inaugurated 1857, contains over 15,000 plant species), tour park, zoo, greenhouses, former vet school, courthouse, and Confluence district (requires good fitness and cycling confidence)
- Excursion to Pérouges - visit medieval walled town on hill overlooking Ain River valley known for wine and weaving, explore cobblestone streets and fascinating buildings including 15th-century fortified church, former home of princes of Savoy, Rue des Rondes, 33-metre-deep well, and Maison du Sergent de Justice (3.5 hours, Moderate activity level)
- Lyon by Night - evening stroll through illuminated streets blending centuries of history with modern vibrancy, view Old Lyon, Saône reflections, Fourvière Hill cityscape, World Heritage-listed Presqu'île central district with lit squares and fountains (2 hours, Easy activity level)
Landmarks Fourvières Hill Roman Theatre of Lyon Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière Parc de la Tête d'Or Pérouges - Day 11
Lyon to Paris
Lyon to Paris- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from ship to train station in Lyon
- Train transfer to Paris
- Day 12
Paris
Paris- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Guided bus tour of Paris - see classic Parisian highlights including magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral and Arc de Triomphe
- Seine River cruise - charming river cruise gliding past iconic Eiffel Tower, well-known gems, and picturesque riverscapes
Optional Activities
- Explore Paris at your own pace
Landmarks Notre-Dame Cathedral Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower - Day 13
Paris
Paris- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to Paris airport
