Itinerary
- Day 1
Lyon
You'll board the ship in Lyon at 4:00 p.m. and get settled into your cabin as the vessel starts moving toward Avignon. The crew welcomes you with a cocktail and brief introduction once everyone's on board.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Welcome cocktail and crew introduction
- Day 2
Avignon
This morning involves cruising through the Rhône Valley, then you'll take a guided tour of the Papal Palace, a Gothic fortress from medieval times that shows the Church's historical power. After that, you have free time to walk around Avignon and check out the Christmas decorations and holiday atmosphere the city has going on.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of the Papal Palace
Optional Activities
- Explore Avignon during free time
Landmarks Papal Palace - Day 3
Avignon - Arles
The morning cruise toward Arles includes a presentation about Christmas traditions in Provence and the 13 Desserts, plus you'll get to taste some traditional holiday treats. In the afternoon, head to the hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence to see the Santon Museum with its traditional nativity scenes, then tour Arles and walk through the International Santonniers Fair with over 100 nativity figurine exhibitors. The ship continues cruising overnight toward Tain-l'Hermitage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Presentation and tasting of the 13 Desserts of Provence
- Guided tour of Les Baux-de-Provence
- Visit to the Santon Museum and traditional Provençal nativity scene
- Guided tour of Arles
- Exploration of the International Santonniers Fair
Landmarks Les Baux-de-Provence Santon Museum Arles - Day 4
Tain-l'Hermitage
Once you arrive at Tain-l'Hermitage, you'll visit the Valrhona Chocolaterie to learn how chocolate gets made from cacao all the way to the finished product, followed by a tasting. Later, the Maison Chapoutier wine cellar is next, where you can explore seven generations of biodynamic winemaking and taste some wines. Back on the ship, there's a festive gala dinner in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Gala dinner - Refined French cuisine)
Included Activities
- Tour of the Cité du Chocolat (Valrhona Discovery Center) with tasting
- Tour of Maison Chapoutier wine cellar with wine tasting
- Gala dinner and evening celebration
Landmarks Cité du Chocolat (Valrhona Discovery Center) Maison Chapoutier - Day 5
Lyon
Have your final buffet breakfast on board, then disembark in Lyon at 9:00 a.m. This marks the end of your tour services.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast on board)
