Itinerary
- Day 1
Nice
Included Activities
- Airport transfer from Nice airport to hotel
Landmarks Nice 
- Day 2
Nice
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo including Prince's Palace of Monaco
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Nice - guided walking tour through Old Town, Place Massena, Baroque chapels, Lascaris Palace, Cours Saleya market, Matisse heritage sites, and Nice Opera House (2.5 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Monaco Monte Carlo Prince's Palace of Monaco Promenade des Anglais Place Massena Lascaris Palace Cours Saleya Market Nice Opera House 
- Day 3
Nice
Optional Activities
- Visit to Saint-Paul de Vence - medieval hilltop village with cobbled streets, centuries-old buildings, quaint squares, vaulted passageways, and fountains (4 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Saint-Paul-de-Vence - Day 4
Nice to Arles
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Transfer from Nice hotel to Arles
- Welcome dinner on board
Landmarks Arles - Day 5
Arles
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception and dinner with fellow guests)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Arles with Roman Amphitheatre, ancient forum, and Roman baths visit
Optional Activities
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh with painting workshop - explore landscapes that inspired Van Gogh and participate in a painting workshop where you create your own artwork to take home (3 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence - medieval village in Alpilles Regional Natural Park with cobblestone streets, grey medieval stone buildings, and Château-Fortress des Baux with panoramic views (4 hours, difficult/active activity level, extra expense)
- Provençal cosmetic workshop - hands-on soap-making using traditional techniques with natural ingredients like olive oil and lavender, create your own artisanal soap (3 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Roman Amphitheatre of Arles Les Baux de Provence Château-Fortress des Baux Alpilles Regional Natural Park - Day 6
Avignon
- Meals
- Dinner (Provençal dinner hosted by Top Chef finalist Fabien Morreale (EmeraldPLUS) OR Classical concert in a historic chapel (EmeraldPLUS))
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon including Palais des Papes and medieval architecture, Pont d'Avignon
Optional Activities
- Canoeing excursion in Avignon - canoe paddle north of Avignon on the Rhône River back towards town, paddle beneath the famous Pont d'Avignon (EmeraldACTIVE)
- Guided tour of Pont du Gard - World Heritage-listed Roman aqueduct (three-level, 275 metres long, 48 metres high), visit the small Roman town of Uzès (4.5 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
- Visit to Châteauneuf du Pape with wine tasting - explore the medieval village with 14th-century castle ruins, curated wine tasting at a local vineyard (3.25 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard Uzès Châteauneuf du Pape - Day 7
Viviers
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers following a heritage discovery trail including Maison des Chevaliers
Optional Activities
- Visit to Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum - explore the largest decorated cave replica in the world with a local guide (2.5 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Viviers Maison des Chevaliers Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum - Day 8
Tournon
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tournon including Roman ruins, Renaissance monuments, and world's oldest suspension bridge with cables
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through the vineyards - active hike through vineyards surrounding Tournon with spectacular views of the Rhône River, stop at a local chocolate maker for tasting (EmeraldACTIVE)
Landmarks Tournon Château de Tournon - Day 9
Mâcon
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting at a local vineyard with guide explaining winemaking process and wine selection
Landmarks Mâcon Beaujolais Wine Region - Day 10
Lyon
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Lyon starting at Fourvières Hill, viewing ancient Roman Theatre, Romanesque and Byzantine Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, walking through hidden passageways (traboules), and viewing Renaissance-era houses
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Lyon - ride to Parc de la Tête d'Or (largest urban park in France with 15,000+ plant species), zoo, greenhouses, former vet school, courthouse, and Confluence district (requires good fitness and confident cycling skills, EmeraldACTIVE)
- Excursion to Pérouges - medieval walled town on a hill overlooking the Ain River valley, known for wine and weaving, featuring 15th-century fortified church, cobblestone streets, main street Rue des Rondes, 33-metre-deep well, Maison du Sergent de Justice (3.5 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
- Lyon by Night - stroll through illuminated streets of Old Lyon and World Heritage-listed Presqu'île district, view from Fourvière Hill overlooking the sparkling cityscape, explore beautifully lit squares and fountains (2 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
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
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Train transfer from Lyon to Paris
- Dinner on board
Landmarks Paris - Day 12
Vernon
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Tour of Giverny Gardens and Claude Monet's home - visit rooms where Monet lived and worked, explore the restored elaborate gardens including the Water Garden with Japanese bridge and water lily ponds that inspired his paintings
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Giverny - self-guided bicycle ride from Vernon to Giverny (approximately 5km/3 miles each way on flat easy cycle path with picturesque river and countryside views), visit Monet's beautifully restored house and famous Water Garden (EmeraldACTIVE)
Landmarks Vernon Giverny Gardens Claude Monet's House - Day 13
Rouen
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rouen's medieval centre including Old Marketplace, Cathedral district, and Saint Maclou Quarter, learning about Viking history and Rollo, the first Duke of Normandy
Optional Activities
- Active walk in Rouen - more energetic guided exploration through historic streets and cobbled laneways known as the 'City of a Hundred Spires' (EmeraldACTIVE)
Landmarks Rouen Notre-Dame Cathedral of Rouen Saint Maclou Quarter Old Marketplace - Day 14
Honfleur
Included Activities
- Historic Normandy: Allied Landing Sites - full-day war-themed tour of D-Day Landings beaches (1944), memorials, and museums honouring bravery and sacrifice of those involved
Optional Activities
- Normandy's Maritime Past: From Vikings to La Mora - explore region's maritime heritage through detailed reconstructions, storytelling, and live demonstrations of William the Conqueror's flagship replica, Viking roots and craftsmanship (2 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Honfleur D-Day Beaches - Day 15
Honfleur
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Honfleur including St. Catherine Church (largest wooden church in France) and fresh oyster tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Honfleur - cycle past main sights, along the waterfront, through charming cobblestone squares with stories about the city and local daily life (EmeraldACTIVE)
Landmarks St. Catherine Church - Day 16
Les Andelys - La Roche Guyon
Optional Activities
- Exclusive local cider farm visit with tasting - travel to Normandy's countryside to learn how crisp cider is crafted from locally-grown apples using age-old methods, enjoy tastings of authentic local products (EmeraldPLUS)
- Hike to Château Gaillard - guided hike up to the 12th-century medieval fortress built by Richard the Lionheart, rewarded with breathtaking views across the River Seine and outstanding beauty (EmeraldACTIVE)
Landmarks Les Andelys Château Gaillard La Roche Guyon - Day 17
La Roche Guyon
Included Activities
- Visit to Château de La Roche-Guyon and Gardens - 14th-century fortified castle with restored period rooms, antique furnishings, artwork, and meticulously maintained gardens
Optional Activities
- Kayak on the Seine - active kayaking tour on calm waters passing the town, lush greenery, and limestone cliffs leading to the chateau (EmeraldACTIVE)
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh - walking tour through the charming village of Auvers-sur-Oise, visiting Van Gogh's last residence and resting place, exploring landscapes that inspired his iconic artworks and final masterpiece (3 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Château de La Roche-Guyon Vexin National Park Auvers-sur-Oise - Day 18
Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from river ship to hotel in Paris
Landmarks Paris - Day 19
Paris
Included Activities
- Guided bus tour of Paris and Seine River cruise - see Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, cruise past Eiffel Tower and other iconic landmarks
Landmarks Notre-Dame Cathedral Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower - Day 20
Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer from Paris hotel to airport
