Itinerary
- Day 1
Marseille to Arles
You'll arrive at Marseille airport and connect with your Emerald Cruises team for the transfer to Arles. Once you board the contemporary Star-Ship, you'll get settled into your cabin and then join fellow guests for a welcome reception and dinner to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception and dinner)
Included Activities
- Welcome reception and dinner on board
Landmarks Arles 
- Day 2
Arles
Start your day with a guided tour of Arles' ancient amphitheatre, walking through one of the best-preserved Roman structures in France. Your guide will take you through the UNESCO-listed monuments scattered around the city, sharing stories about how the Romans built this place and what daily life looked like back then. After the tour wraps up, you'll have the afternoon and evening to yourself to wander around at your own pace. Many people spend time retracing Vincent van Gogh's steps since he lived here and painted some of his most important works during his stay. Check out the cafes and streets he painted, or just get lost in the old town and see where it takes you. The light here in the late afternoon is particularly nice if you want to photograph the medieval buildings or grab dinner at one of the local restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Provençal dinner hosted by chef Fabien Morreale)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with arena visit
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)
Landmarks Arles Amphitheatre Starry Night Over the Rhône viewpoint - Day 3
Avignon
You'll take a guided walking tour of Avignon, the fortified medieval town that served as a papal residence back in the 1300s. The tour covers the Palais des Papes with its ornate Gothic exterior and the city's role during the French Revolution. By evening, you'll attend a classical concert as part of the EmeraldPLUS program.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon
- Classical concert in Avignon
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 
- Day 4
Viviers
The ship arrives in Viviers, a medieval town with pastel-colored buildings and narrow cobblestone streets throughout the Old Town. You'll join a guided walking tour that takes you through the heart of the area and explains the region's cultural heritage. Later, there's a CD lecture on Art and Culture in the South of France.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers
- CD lecture Art & Culture in the South of France
Optional Activities
- Visit to Chauvet Pont D'Arc (extra expense)
Landmarks Viviers 
- Day 5
Tournon
You'll sail down the Rhône River toward Tournon, passing views of a 16th-century castle and ancient watchtowers along the way. Once there, you can choose between a guided walking tour of the village or an EmeraldACTIVE hike through the local vineyards to see the landscape and terrain up close.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through the vineyards
Landmarks Tournon - Day 6
Mâcon
The morning offers a relaxed sail on the Saône River as you head to Mâcon. From there, you'll get to know the Beaujolais wine region, which produces those vibrant, fruity Gamay wines it's known for. You'll participate in a Beaujolais wine tasting to try the region's signature wines firsthand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting
Landmarks Mâcon 
- Day 7
Lyon
You'll explore Lyon, a former Roman capital and one of France's largest cities, noted for its Lyonnaise cuisine. The walking tour shows you the UNESCO-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière and other architectural highlights around the city. Alternatively, you can join a guided bike tour to see the main monuments and historical sites instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour 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 Lyon 
- Day 8
Lyon to Marseille
After breakfast, you'll disembark from the Star-Ship and transfer to the airport for your departure, taking with you memories of French architecture and the vineyards you've seen along the rivers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
