Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Nice
You'll arrive in Nice and get picked up from the airport, then head to your hotel in the city center for a three-night stay. Once you're settled, the rest of the day is yours to relax and get oriented to the area.
- Day 2
Nice to Monaco and Monte Carlo
This morning you're heading to Monaco to see what the jet-set lifestyle looks like around Monte Carlo and the Grand Prix track. A guided tour takes you through both Monaco and Monte Carlo, so you'll get a real sense of how these famous areas connect.
Included Activities
- City tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo
Landmarks Grand Prix Circuit - Day 3
Nice
You've got the whole day to spend however you like along Nice's waterfront and beaches. Your tour director is on hand if you want suggestions or help organizing activities, but this is your time to wander and do what sounds good to you.
Optional Activities
- Visit to Saint-Paul de Vence (extra expense)
Landmarks Saint-Paul de Vence - Day 4
Nice to Arles
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Arles and board the Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. The captain and crew welcome you on board with a warm greeting, and later you'll sit down for dinner together to kick off the river cruise portion of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on board)
- Day 5
Arles
Start your day with a guided tour through Arles, walking past the 2,000-year-old Amphitheatre and other UNESCO-listed monuments that showcase the city's Roman history. Your guide shares stories about Vincent van Gogh's years here and the specific locations that inspired his paintings around town. After the tour finishes, you'll have free time to wander Arles on your own, poking into side streets and getting a feel for the place at whatever pace works for you.
- Meals
- Dinner (A Provençal dinner hosted by chef Fabien Morreale)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles
- Visit Arles Amphitheatre
Optional Activities
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh: painting workshop (extra expense)
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence (extra expense)
- Provencal Soap Making Workshop (extra expense)
- Olive Farm Visit (extra expense)
Landmarks Arles Amphitheatre Arles - Day 6
Avignon
Avignon's medieval past comes alive with a walking tour that focuses on the Palais des Papes, that ornate Gothic building where seven Popes lived back in the 1300s. You'll check out the local market during the day, then catch a classical concert in the evening. If you're interested, optional activities include canoeing, a Pont du Gard tour, or wine tasting at Châteauneuf du Pape.
- Meals
- Dinner (Classical concert in Avignon)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon with market visit
Optional Activities
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon
- Guided tour of the Pont du Gard (extra expense)
- Visit to Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting (extra expense)
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont du Gard Châteauneuf du Pape 
- Day 7
Viviers
The boat arrives in Viviers, a medieval town where pastel buildings line the narrow cobblestone streets. You'll walk through the Old Town with a guide and get a feel for how people lived here centuries ago. There's an optional paid visit to the Chauvet Pont D'Arc cave if that interests you.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers
Optional Activities
- Visit to Chauvet Pont D'Arc (extra expense)
Landmarks Chauvet Pont D'Arc 
- Day 8
Tournon
As you sail down the Rhône River toward Tournon, you'll spot a 16th-century castle overlooking the village. Once there, you can either take a guided tour with wine tasting or join an EmeraldACTIVE hike through the surrounding vineyards, depending on what appeals to you.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon with wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through the vineyards
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 9
Vienne
You're in Vienne now, an important town with a long history going back to Gaul and Roman times. The walking tour shows you monuments from both eras, and later you'll sample cheese and olives back on the ship while you relax.
- Meals
- Snack (Cheese and olive tasting on board)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne
- Day 10
Lyon
Lyon is up next, France's third-largest city and a former Roman capital known for its food scene. The walking tour includes the UNESCO-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviière, and you can choose between a guided walk or guided bike tour. Optional day trips to Pérouge's or a Lyon by Night experience are available too.
Included Activities
- Tastes of Lyon
Optional Activities
- Guided bike tour of Lyon
- Excursion to Pérouges (extra expense)
- Lyon by Night (extra expense)
Landmarks Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière Pérouges 
- Day 11
Lyon to Porto
After breakfast you're disembarking the Star-Ship in Lyon and heading to Porto to board the Emerald Radiance Star-Ship, a contemporary vessel. You'll meet the staff on this ship and get ready for the second part of your river cruising adventure through Portugal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 12
Douro Valley Sailing
You're sailing through the Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage area famous for two thousand years of wine production. The landscape fills with vineyards and small quiet villages as you cruise. Tonight there's a welcome dinner and cocktail reception, plus an optional Portuguese cooking demonstration if you want to join.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner and cocktail reception)
Optional Activities
- Portuguese cooking demonstration on board
Landmarks Douro Valley - Day 13
Douro Valley Excursions
The day starts at Quinta do Tedo, an 18th-century vineyard that uses traditional methods and focuses on environmental sustainability. You can choose between a guided vineyard walk or a kayak trip along the river. Later the boat sails toward Vega de Terrón while you're on board.
Included Activities
- Visit to Quinta do Tedo with wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Kayak experience in Pinhão
- Guided active walk through the vineyards
Landmarks Quinta do Tedo - Day 14
Salamanca
You're traveling to Salamanca, called the 'Golden City' because of its Roman origins and golden stone. The walking tour covers the Plaza Mayor with its galleries and arcades, Casa de las Conchas decorated with over 300 shells, and the university that's been around since 1218, one of Europe's oldest. There's an optional Tuna music band performance in the evening if you're interested.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Salamanca
Optional Activities
- Tuna music band in Salamanca
Landmarks Plaza Mayor Casa de las Conchas University of Salamanca 
- Day 15
Castelo Rodrigo and Régua
From Pocinho you're heading to the medieval town of Castelo Rodrigo to see its fortress and try local products. After lunch back on the ship, you'll take a Port wine cocktail lesson while sailing toward Régua. An optional archaeological tour by 4x4 at Côa Valley Museum is available if you want to go deeper into the region's history.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Tour to Castelo Rodrigo
Optional Activities
- Archaeological tour by 4x4 at the Côa Valley Museum (extra expense)
Landmarks Castelo Rodrigo Côa Valley Museum 
- Day 16
Lamego
Lamego, a Baroque village, is where you'll see the Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies overlooking the town. If you're up for it, you can walk down 686 steps from the Sanctuary to the main square. A rural lunch happens at Quinta da Pacheca, a top Douro estate, and back on board you'll learn mosaic tile painting. Visiting Mateus Manor House is optional.
- Meals
- Lunch (Rural lunch at Quinta da Pacheca)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lamego
Optional Activities
- Walk down the steps of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
- Visit to Mateus Manor House (extra expense)
Landmarks Shrine of Our Lady of Remedies Quinta da Pacheca Mateus Manor House - Day 17
Porto
Porto sits where the Douro River meets the sea, mixing modern and old architecture with a strong history tied to Port wine exports. The guided tour includes two castles, Castelo da Foz and Castelo do Queijo, which overlooks the ocean. You'll choose either a guided walk through the vibrant local neighborhoods or a cruise through the city. Optional activities include a bike tour to the Atlantic or a visit to Quinta da Aveleda.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Porto
Optional Activities
- A cruise through Porto
- Guided active walk in Porto
- Visit to Quinta da Aveleda (extra expense)
- Guided bike tour to the Atlantic (extra expense)
Landmarks Castelo da Foz Castelo do Queijo Quinta da Aveleda - Day 18
Departure from Porto
After breakfast, you're saying goodbye to the Star-Ship and the people you've met, heading home with memories of sun-soaked vineyards and two weeks of river cruising through France and Portugal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
