Itinerary
- Day 1
Porto
Optional Activities
- Explore Porto after sunset
Landmarks Douro River - Day 2
Porto
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tile painting workshop on board
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Porto including Palácio da Bolsa visit and free time at 110-year-old Bolhão Markets
- Active tour of Porto including cable car ride to Dom Luis bridge, walk across bridge towards Porto Cathedral, São Bento railway station, and Rua das Flores
Landmarks Palácio da Bolsa Bolhão Markets Dom Luis Bridge Porto Cathedral São Bento Railway Station Rua das Flores - Day 3
Entre-os-Rios to Régua
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Douro Museum
Optional Activities
- Paiva walkways hike along World Heritage-listed Arouca Geopark beside rivers and across longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world
- Quinta da Aveleda visit to renowned sparkling wine producer with enchanting gardens
- Excursion to Guimarães World Heritage city with visit to 15th century palace containing historic collection of tapestries, furniture, and weapons
Landmarks Paiva Walkways Arouca Geopark Quinta da Aveleda Guimarães Douro Museum Douro River - Day 4
Régua
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Lunch on board
Optional Activities
- Varosa Valley, Tarouca & Ucanha excursion including Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca and fortified bridge of Ucanha (Portugal's first toll bridge)
- Quinta visit with olive oil tasting from 11-generation family production
- Excursion to Lamego with visit to Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, mosaic-tiled staircase, and bodega tasting of local delicacies
- Mateus Palace coach transfer to 18th century Baroque architecture with original furniture, ornate ceilings, and manicured gardens
- Port wine blending class at Quinta de Pacheca including vineyard viewing, old cellar visit, hands-on workshop, bottling, capping, and personalised labelling
Landmarks Varosa Valley Tarouca Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca Ucanha Lamego Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Mateus Palace Quinta de Pacheca - Day 5
Régua to Vega de Terrón
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Use Vitality Pool
- Book massage in wellness area
Landmarks Vinhateiro Wine Region Douro Valley - Day 6
Vega de Terrón to Pocinho
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Salamanca full day excursion including guided tour of two cathedrals (12th and 16th century), market visit with local delicacies tasting, and free time for leisure lunch
- Freixo de Espada à Cinta half-day tour with silk museum visit featuring handcrafted silk processing
Landmarks Salamanca Salamanca Cathedral (New Cathedral) Salamanca Cathedral (Old Cathedral) Freixo de Espada à Cinta - Day 7
Pocinho to Pinhão
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Côa Valley Museum visit to largest open-air Paleolithic rock art site in the world with original artefacts, digital technology, and prehistoric workshop
- Village life in Côa Valley including visit to traditional village of Freixo Numão and Casa Painova estate demonstration of sweet almond production with tastings of almonds, olives, and fruit products
Landmarks Côa Valley Museum Freixo Numão Casa Painova 
- Day 8
Pinhão
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Provesende village
- Visit Provesende church
- Visit old bakery in Provesende
- Witness traditional handicraft being made
- Visit Morgadio da Calçada manor house with bola tasting
Optional Activities
- Kayaking along Pinhão River with views of terraced vineyards, farmland and estates
- Quinta vineyard guided hike with stunning views across Douro River, winemaking process learning, and wine blend sampling
- Quinta tasting with guided walking tour learning vineyard secrets and magnificent landscapes with Port wine tasting
Landmarks Provesende Morgadio da Calçada Pinhão River Douro River - Day 9
Pinhão to Porto
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Classical concert in São Francisco Church
Landmarks São Francisco Church Douro River - Day 10
Porto
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Illumination cruise through Porto with farewell dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Aveiro with guided walking tour and cruise in brightly coloured moliceiros flat-bottomed boats unique to the city
- Excursion to Braga through green rolling countryside of Minho with guided tour past Sé de Braga Cathedral, graceful plazas, and centuries-old residences
- Wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia at Cockburn's Port cellar with guided visit and tasting
Landmarks Aveiro Braga Sé de Braga Cathedral Vila Nova de Gaia Cockburn's Port Cellar - Day 11
Porto to Lyon
Included Activities
- Flight from Porto to Lyon
- Day 12
Lyon to Chavanay
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne with Roman theatre visit built against steep slopes holding over 10,000 spectators
- St-Joseph - Côte-Rôtie wine tasting with private tour of local estate amid Chavanay vineyards
- Easy e-bike cycling tour on gentle flat terrain from Chavanay along Rhône River through nearby picturesque villages with beautiful views and wine tasting or local refreshment stops
Landmarks Vienne Roman Theatre of Vienne Chavanay Côte-Rôtie Wine Region Rhône River - Day 13
Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Arles
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Wine tasting in Châteauneuf-du-Pape sampling region's most celebrated wines from centuries of production
- Chocolate workshop at Chocolaterie Castelain with live chocolate-making demonstration and tasting of artisanal chocolates infused with local Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine paired with regional wines and delicacies
- Bike tour along ViaRhôna on gentle cycling path through peaceful landscape with vineyards on both riverbanks to Passerelle de l'Oiselay pedestrian and cycle bridge offering stunning panoramic river views
Landmarks Châteauneuf-du-Pape Passerelle de l'Oiselay Rhône River - Day 14
Arles to Avignon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Arles with local guide including ancient Roman amphitheatre Arènes d'Arles built in 90 AD and vibrant colours and light inspiring many artists
- Visit Les Baux medieval village with Carrières des Lumières former quarry featuring immersive 7,000 square-metre visual and musical installation highlighting notable artists' works
- Ancestry of the Kitchen with olive mill learning olive oil production techniques and regional experience with traditional Provençal recipes
- Discovery of lavender from field to perfume at organic farm (typically late June-mid August) with lavender, thyme, rosemary and herb essential oil production learning, health benefits discovery, essential oil extraction process, and creation of personal natural fragrant lavender mist with organic essential oil
- Following Vincent - Van Gogh's Arles walking tour tracing artist's journey through sunlit streets and historic sites inspiring his famous works during 15 months in Provençal town
Landmarks Arles Arènes d'Arles Les Baux Carrières des Lumières - Day 15
Avignon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Gala dinner with classical concert at Palais des Papes in the room the Pope used to dine)
Included Activities
- Classical concert and gala dinner at the Palais des Papes
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Avignon including historic city walls and Pope's Palace visit, seat of Western Christianity in 14th century (moderate fitness required for cobblestoned streets and palace steps)
- Excursion to Pont du Gard ancient Roman aqueduct from middle of first century on guided tour designed to carry water to city of Nîmes
- Shop with a Chef & Scenic Culinaire with local market visit sampling region's best ingredients and interactive cooking demonstration at Scenic Culinaire
- Excursion to Luberon villages and Sénanque Abbey including Gordes village considered one of most beautiful in France with stone buildings spiraling around rock with church and castle at apex, and picturesque Sénanque Abbey visit
Landmarks Palais des Papes Avignon City Walls Pont du Gard Le Rocher des Doms Gordes Sénanque Abbey 
- Day 16
Viviers
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers with local guide exploring monuments and architectural treasures including Cathedral of St. Vincent with free time
- French Resistance walking tour of Viviers hearing stories of resistance fighters against Nazi Occupation during World War II
- WWII in Viviers guided walk revealing Rhône Valley's role in Battle of Montélimar when Allied and German forces clashed August 1944 during final push to liberate southern France
- Ardèche Nature Park with Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum exploring mountains and medieval fortress ruins of sprawling park with immersion in largest decorated Paleolithic cave replica in the world
- Côtes du Rhône Villages tasting discovering rich flavours of wines on guided tasting tour through Rhône Valley heart exploring wines capturing southern France charm and character
- Excursion to Grignan de Provence with local guide exploration of beautiful provincial town with mighty castle dominating town and Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour with leisure time
Landmarks Viviers Cathedral of St. Vincent Ardèche Nature Park Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum Grignan Grignan Castle Collegiate Church of the Holy Saviour - Day 17
Tournon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Exquisite dessert buffet created by local pastry chef with fine coffee or dessert wine)
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet on board with local pastry chef creations
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tournon with local guide exploring town history and castle built between 10th-16th centuries with free time and option to cross France's oldest suspension bridge to neighbouring Tain l'Hermitage home to prestigious Valrhona chocolatiers
- Hiking through vineyards in Tournon on guided hike through sloping vineyards overlooking Rhône River learning local wine production with regional wine tastings
- Biking along Rhône cycling picturesque banks of Rhône River past charming villages and spectacular scenery to nearby village of Glun
Landmarks Tournon Tournon Castle Rhône River Tain l'Hermitage Glun 
- Day 18
Lyon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choral concert at Chapelle de la Trinité
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon discovering historic traboules and secret passageways dating to fourth century and Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviè visit with fabulous vantage point views across Lyon
- Excursion to Pérouges medieval walled village on hilltop overlooking Ain River with beautifully preserved vine-covered stone buildings, cobbled laneways and centuries-old lime tree in market square (high fitness required due to uneven surfaces and uphill walking)
- Silk painting workshop learning history and process of silk painting from Lyon's five-century silk heritage dating from Louis XI
Landmarks Lyon Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière Chapelle de la Trinité Pérouges Rhône River Saône River - Day 19
Mâcon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Exclusive dinner prepared by Michelin-starred Chef Didier Goiffon in Crystal Dining with authentic flavours and exquisite regional dishes showcasing best of French gastronomy)
Included Activities
- Cooperage demonstration
- Dinner prepared by Michelin-starred Chef Didier Goiffon
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Cluny and Cluny Abbey to medieval town famous for Benedictine Abbey once largest Christian building in world with impressive town tour and free time
- Excursion to Château de Cormatin built in 1606 with fascinating history and original restoration on guided tour of gilded rooms, moat, water features and 10+ hectares of manicured gardens
- Truffle tasting meeting local truffle farmer and hound learning tricks and techniques of truffle farming with tasting of truffle butter and chocolate mousse with truffles
- Tour of Tournous through picturesque narrow streets with pastel-coloured buildings on captivating journey through Tournous historical and cultural heritage including remarkable Hôtel-Dieu beautifully restored 18th-century hospital and stunning Saint-Philibert Abbey from 12th century
Landmarks Mâcon Cluny Cluny Abbey Château de Cormatin Tournous Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Philibert Abbey - Day 20
Mâcon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Beaujolais wine region drive through rolling hills meeting local vintner discovering wine production and sampling region's best drops
- Georges Blanc cooking demonstration learning story of gourmet village Vonnas visiting Michelin-star chef George Blanc's famed restaurant for interactive classic French dish cooking demonstration
- Monastère Royal de Brou and Bourg-en-Bresse guided tour discovering cultural treasures including 16th century masterpiece commissioned by Margaret of Austria combining flamboyant Gothic and refined Renaissance artistry now serving as museum showcasing Flemish and Netherlandish art centuries
Landmarks Beaujolais Wine Region Vonnas Bourg-en-Bresse Monastère Royal de Brou - Day 21
Lyon to Paris
- Day 22
Lyon to Les Andelys
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hike to Château Gaillard with 'Richard the Lionheart' medieval-themed walking tour with traditionally-dressed guide uncovering historical secrets of Les Andelys and wandering castle remnants
- Tour of Les Andelys with Château Gaillard with local guide exploring picturesque Norman town and castle overlooking city
- Cider farm visit learning Normandy's cider production artisanal craftsmanship and rural charm with process viewing and tasting of distinctive effervescent drink
- Renaissance-era Château Gaillon tour exploring extraordinary 16th-century château one of earliest Renaissance-style châteaux in France admiring lavish interior remnants and learning importance to French history
Landmarks Les Andelys Château Gaillard Seine River Château Gaillon - Day 23
Rouen
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Expert lecture on WWI Tommy's life with interactive presentation
Optional Activities
- Rouen city tour seeing why Victor Hugo described Rouen as 'city of hundred spires' with cathedral district visit, old marketplace, Saint-Maclou Quarter, Medieval alleys, half-timbered houses, Joan of Arc history learning, and free time
- Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking authentically dressed as Viking warlord Rollo the Walker learning about Viking raiders who made Rouen capital with focus on Medieval past and free time
- In the footsteps of Joan of Arc walking tour discovering heroic story from St. Ouen Church witness to her faith and trials to Old Market Square site of fiery martyrdom
Landmarks Rouen Rouen Cathedral Saint-Maclou Church Old Market Square St. Ouen Church 
- Day 24
Rouen
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Exquisite dessert buffet created by local pastry chef with fine coffee or dessert wine)
Included Activities
- Dessert buffet on board with local pastry chef creations
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park with full-day visit to Australian National Memorial, Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater and Newfoundland Memorial Park with shell holes and trenches from WWI Battle of the Somme claiming 150,000+ British and Commonwealth soldiers
- Excursion to Somme Battlefields Including Thiepval with same itinerary plus Caterpillar Valley Cemetery with 5,500+ Commonwealth graves and Thiepval Memorial to the Missing after lunch
- Claude Monet and the colours of Rouen stepping into Monet's world exploring city's iconic landmarks inspiring famed Impressionist artist wandering Medieval streets with guide sharing historical insights and Monet anecdotes visiting breathtaking Rouen Cathedral immortalised in famous 30+ painting series and Musée des Beaux-Arts
Landmarks Somme Battlefields Australian National Memorial Franco-Australian Museum Lochnagar Crater Newfoundland Memorial Park Caterpillar Valley Cemetery Thiepval Memorial Rouen Cathedral Musée des Beaux-Arts - Day 25
Honfleur
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Honfleur Inner Harbour, Church of Sainte-Catherine, and Garden of Personalities
- French cheesemaking traditions presentation and tasting featuring Normandy's Camembert de Normandie, Pont-l'Évêque, and Neufchâtel
- Lecture about Operation Fortitude and Honfleur's daily life during D-Day WWII campaign
Landmarks Honfleur Honfleur Inner Harbour Church of Sainte-Catherine Garden of Personalities - Day 26
Honfleur
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Omaha Beach (US history focused) starting at Utah Beach memorial, visiting Sainte-Mère-Église where 30 US Paratroopers landed, lunch at local restaurant, Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre, and Omaha Beach Memorial with 2,400 casualty losses
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including British Normandy Memorial (UK history focused) visiting first liberated Bayeux town, Bayeux War Cemetery, Museum of Battle of Normandy, state-of-the-art Landing Museum at Arromanches artificial harbour, lunch at local restaurant, British Normandy Memorial, Pegasus Bridge & Museum, and Ranville War Cemetery
- Excursion to Normandy Beaches including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian history focused) starting at Abbey d'Ardenne founded 11th century memorial to Canadian Prisoners of War, Juno Beach Centre 20,000 Canadian troops landing point, lunch at local restaurant, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery with 335 Canadian men killed, and Pegasus Bridge & Museum important battle site
- Bayeux tour with guided tour covering Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux built 11th-14th centuries and masterpiece of Norman Romanesque and Gothic architecture with free exploration time
Landmarks Utah Beach Sainte-Mère-Église Omaha Beach Normandy American Cemetery Bayeux Bayeux War Cemetery Museum of the Battle of Normandy Arromanches British Normandy Memorial Pegasus Bridge & Museum Ranville War Cemetery Abbey d'Ardenne Juno Beach Centre Bény-sur-Mer Canadian Cemetery Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux - Day 27
Honfleur to Caudebec-en-Caux
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cycle to Villequier with Victor Hugo Museum on active e-biking tour along Seine banks following flat eight-kilometre each way route visiting museum dedicated to famous French poet, playwright and novelist
- Fecamp and Bénédictine Palace coach transfer to historic seaside town surrounded by tallest cliffs in Normandy with guided tour of 19th century architectural masterpiece famous for producing Bénédictine liquor containing 27 plants and spices with tasting visit
- Tales of the French Resistance walking tour of Caudebec-en-Caux learning stories of French Resistance fighting Nazi Occupation of France during WWII with local heroism and daring mission stories
- Normandy Abbey Road with local guide exploring Normandy's spiritual health and wealth from Middle Ages with many grand abbeys sitting on Seine River banks
Landmarks Caudebec-en-Caux Notre Dame Caudebec-en-Caux Villequier Victor Hugo Museum Fecamp Bénédictine Palace Seine River - Day 28
Vernon to La Roche-Guyon
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Painting class on board
- Classical concert at Château de La Roche-Guyon
Optional Activities
- Monet's House and Garden guided tour in Giverny visiting founder of Impressionism home with Japanese-inspired water garden containing lilies inspiring famous works and free exploration time
- Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny (approximately five kilometres each way) on e-bike with option to visit Monet's House and Garden or wander charming Giverny town
Landmarks Vernon Giverny Monet's House and Garden Château de La Roche-Guyon - Day 29
Conflans-Saint-Honorine to Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise travelling to village where Vincent Van Gogh painted final masterpieces seeing landmarks immortalised in works including famous Notre Dame de l'Assomption church with entry to Van Gogh's rented attic room empty since 1890 and free time wandering village
- Château de Chantilly guided tour of magnificent castle tribute to France's cultural heritage built by Henri d'Orléans, son of last King of France with fine collections, garden exploration and free time (closed Tuesday - replaced with Versailles Palace visit)
- Active walk with Musée de la Batellerie active tour in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine visiting Inland Water Transport Museum in barge capital of world at Oise and Seine rivers confluence where water played vital resident role
- Château de Malmaison historic estate once residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais with elegant neoclassical architecture, beautifully landscaped gardens reflecting Josephine's refined taste and botany passion, museum housing furniture, artwork, personal Napoleonic era items
Landmarks Conflans-Saint-Honorine Auvers-sur-Oise Notre Dame de l'Assomption Church Château de Chantilly Versailles Palace Musée de la Batellerie Château de Malmaison - Day 30
Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Illumination cruise through Paris with beautiful city skyline views
Optional Activities
- Trendy Marais with local Parisian guided walking tour of Marais district with Parisian guide exploring melting pot of cultures, fascinating history, opulent architecture, eclectic arts scene, high-end fashion
- Highlights of Paris city tour on coach tour seeing famous sites from Eiffel Tower to Champs Elysée, Arc de Triomphe, Concorde Square, 1163-built Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral recently reopened after 2019 fire
- Opera Garnier tour of theatrical heart of Paris resplendent with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases, glistening chandeliers learning about magnificent building commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III
- Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte coach tour one hour from Paris to château credited as founding French formal garden inspiring Versailles with typical symmetrical layout and stunning theatrical gardens
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Notre Dame Cathedral Marais District Opera Garnier Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte Champs-Elysée Arc de Triomphe Concorde Square Montmartre Moulin Rouge - Day 31
Paris
- Meals
- Breakfast
