Spectacular South of France & Delightful Douro 2026

Itinerary

1. Day 1

   Lyon

   Lyon Show on map

   

2. Day 2

   Lyon to Mâcon

   Lyon to Mâcon Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Guided visit to Château de Cormatin with exploration of gilded rooms, moat, water features, and manicured gardens
   • Cooking demonstration at Michelin starred restaurant Georges Blanc in Vonnas with story of Maison Blanc and preparation of classic regional dishes
   • Truffle tasting at a local farm near Cortevaix including truffle butter and chocolate mousse with truffles paired with French white wine
   • Guided tour of Cluny and Cluny Abbey including 10th-century Benedictine Abbey, Romanesque and Gothic architecture, and monastery buildings

   Landmarks
   Château de Cormatin
   Cluny Abbey

3. Day 3

   Vienne

   Vienne Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Walking tour of Vienne including guided visit to Roman Theatre built for 10,000 spectators, gardens, ancient walls, cathedral, and Renaissance streets with free time to explore
   • Cycling tour of Vienne and Saint-Romain-en-Gal on easy 19 km route exploring Roman ruins, Temple of Augustus and Livia, Rhône River islands, and Gallo-Roman museum mosaics

   Landmarks
   Roman Theatre of Vienne
   Temple of Augustus and Livia

4. Day 4

   Tournon

   Tournon Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Aperitif on the terrace of Tournon Castle
   • Dessert buffet of indulgent French pastries from a local pâtissier

   Optional Activities

   • Walking tour of Tournon with visit to castle built between 10th and 16th centuries, with option to cross France's oldest suspension bridge to Tain l'Hermitage to visit Valrhona chocolatiers
   • Hiking through the sloping vineyards overlooking the Rhône River above Tournon learning about local wine production with tasting
   • Cycling along the picturesque banks of the Rhône River past charming villages to nearby village of Glun

   Landmarks
   Tournon Castle

5. Day 5

   Avignon

   Avignon Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Walking tour of Avignon including visit to historic city walls and Pope's Palace (Palais des Papes), home to the Papacy in the 14th century
   • Guided tour to the ancient Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard dating to the first century designed to carry water to the city of Nîmes
   • Kayaking on the Gardon River beneath the World Heritage-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct
   • Exclusive Scenic Enrich gala dinner with classical concert from trio of musicians in the Pope's Palace dining room when the site is closed to the general public

   Landmarks
   Palais des Papes
   Pont d'Avignon
   Pont du Gard

   

6. Day 6

   Avignon

   Avignon Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Excursion to Gordes, one of France's most beautiful villages, and picturesque Sénanque Abbey (exterior visit only on Sundays)
   • Shop with a chef and Scenic Culinaire experience visiting local market to taste best regional ingredients, then interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire cooking school learning regional recipes
   • Lavender Museum visit with guided tour of beautiful village of Roussillon learning how lavender is grown, harvested and utilised in the region
   • Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape village sampling the region's celebrated Côte du Rhône wines

   Landmarks
   Gordes
   Sénanque Abbey
   Roussillon
   Châteauneuf-du-Pape

7. Day 7

   Arles

   Arles Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Guided walking tour of Arles visiting the ancient Roman amphitheatre Arènes d'Arles, a 20,000-seat arena still in use today
   • Journey to medieval village of Les Baux with visit to Carrières de Lumières, a 7,000 square-metre site hosting immersive visual and musical installation highlighting works of notable artists
   • Ancestry of the Kitchen experience at local olive farm learning techniques of olive oil production and traditional Provençal recipes with tasting
   • Discovery of Lavender experience from field to perfume at organic farm learning production of essential oils from lavender, thyme, rosemary and herbs (typically late June to mid-August), with creation of own lavender perfume to take home
   • On-board painting class learning about artistic heritage of the region inspired by Vincent Van Gogh

   Landmarks
   Arènes d'Arles
   Les Baux
   Carrières de Lumières

   

8. Day 8

   Viviers

   Viviers Show on map

   Optional Activities

   • Walking tour of Viviers with local guide exploring monuments and architectural treasures including Cathedral of St. Vincent built in 11th century with 18th-century Gothic style and Renaissance façade, with free time to explore
   • French Resistance walking tour of Viviers learning stories of resistance fighters and their heroic missions during Nazi Occupation of France
   • WWII in Viviers walking tour tracing the town's history and role in the 1944 Battle of Montélimar that helped liberate southern France
   • Ardèche Nature Park excursion exploring mountains and medieval fortress ruins, then immersion in Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum, the largest decorated Palaeolithic cave replica in the world
   • Explore the caves in Ardèche Nature Park including Madeleine Caves with intricate rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, and underground lakes
   • Excursion to Grignan de Provence with local guide exploring the beautiful provincial town, viewing the castle and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour with free time to explore

   Landmarks
   Cathedral of St. Vincent
   Caverne du Pont-d'Arc
   Madeleine Caves
   Grignan Castle

   

9. Day 9

   Lyon

   Lyon Show on map

   Included Activities

   • Scenic Enrich: Acapella choir performance in Trinity Chapel, a grand Baroque building built in the 17th century with Carrara marble interior

   Optional Activities

   • French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire

   Landmarks
   Trinity Chapel

10. Day 10

    Lyon

    Lyon Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Lyon discovering historic significance traversing hidden traboules and secret passageways dating back to the fourth century with visit to Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière offering views across Lyon
    • Excursion to Pérouges, medieval walled village atop hill overlooking Ain River, beautifully preserved with vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways and market square centred around centuries-old lime tree
    • Silk painting workshop learning about Lyon's five-century heritage of silk production and 19th-century silk weaving industry with hands-on silk painting experience

    Landmarks
    Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière
    Pérouges

11. Day 11

    Lyon to Porto

    Lyon to Porto Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Flight from Lyon to Porto

    

12. Day 12

    Porto to Pinhão

    Porto to Pinhão Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Azulejos painting workshop creating your own hand-painted tiles
13. Day 13

    Pinhão to Barca d'Alva

    Pinhão to Barca d'Alva Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Visit to village of Provesende with exploration of church, old bakery, traditional handicraft demonstration, and historic manor house Morgadio da Calçada with tasting of delicious bola

    Landmarks
    Provesende

14. Day 14

    Barca d'Alva to Pocinho

    Barca d'Alva to Pocinho Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Full day excursion to Salamanca visiting the city's two cathedrals, local market for tasting delicacies, with free time to explore and lunch at your leisure
    • Visit the village of Freixo de Espada à Cinta with guided tour of local silk museum learning about handcrafted silk processing traditions, followed by visit to local Quinta (estate) for tasting of regional produce, returning to ship for lunch

    Landmarks
    Salamanca
    Freixo de Espada à Cinta

15. Day 15

    Pocinho to Régua

    Pocinho to Régua Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Transfer by coach to Côa Valley Museum, the largest open-air Paleolithic rock art site in the world, opened in 2010, with pre-historic workshop
    • Visit the small village of Freixo Numão learning about traditional local life before visiting Casa Painova estate to see family home and demonstration of sugared almond production with tasting of almonds and local products

    Landmarks
    Côa Valley Museum
    Freixo Numão

    

16. Day 16

    Régua to Porto

    Régua to Porto Show on map

    Included Activities

    • Scenic Enrich: Classical concert in São Francisco Church, a 13th-century Gothic church with gilded interiors and breathtaking altars

    Optional Activities

    • Excursion to Lamego by coach visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies with zigzagged staircase decorated in traditional blue and white tiled mosaics, option to walk down staircase or journey via coach, with tasting of local produce at nearby Bodega and free time to explore town
    • Kayaking along the Pinhão River, a tributary of the Douro River, exploring the beautiful region from kayak perspective past impressive landscapes
    • Transfer by coach to Mateus Palace, considered one of the best examples of Baroque civil architecture in Portugal with ornamental pond reflecting the palace's silhouette

    Landmarks
    Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
    Mateus Palace
    São Francisco Church

17. Day 17

    Porto

    Porto Show on map

    Optional Activities

    • Guided tour of Porto discovering rich culture and history including visit to iconic Palácio da Bolsa with free time to explore historic Bolhão Markets
    • Excursion to Guimarães, seat of the first King of Portugal, visiting the World Heritage-listed city and impressive Ducal Palace with free time to explore the city
    • Transfer by coach to Quinta da Aveleda, a 150-year-old wine producer, for tour, tasting, and visit to enchanting gardens

    Landmarks
    Palácio da Bolsa
    Bolhão Market
    Guimarães
    Ducal Palace
    Quinta da Aveleda

18. Day 18

    Porto

    Porto Show on map