GRAND FRANCE CRUISE ONLY FROM ARLES TO PARIS (WAP02013)

A 15-Day Avalon Waterways tour starting from $4,949

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Starting Price: $4,949 Printer Friendly Page
Tour Length: 15 Days
Countries Visited: France
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More Information About This Tour:
Tour Type:
 River Cruise
Tour Category: Other Avalon Tours
Tour Operator: Avalon Waterways
Tour Code: WAP0-2013
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Cities Visited:
See Description

Title
Grand France - Cruise Only from Arles to Paris

Vacation Overview
This fantastic cruise vacation showcases France’s breathtaking scenery, amazing history, and exciting variety. Board your ship in Arles and sail north up the scenic Rhône and Saône Rivers. Along the way, explore Arles, Avignon, delightful Viviers, medieval Tournon, charming Vienne, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as Mâcon, Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saône, and fascinating Beaune. In Paris, embark your second cruise ship and spend two overnights in Paris with sightseeing of some of the famous sights. Then begin your journey along the Seine River into the picturesque Normandy region. Choose between a guided excursion to Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison. Next up: your choice of a guided visit of Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or magnificent Bizy Castle. On to Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen, where you choose between an included excursion to Normandy’s historic landing beaches or an interesting “Taste of Normandy.” Continue to Les Andelys, home of dramatic Château Gaillard, with free time to explore on your own. Return to Paris for the conclusion of your magnifique cruise vacation.

 

Meals
B: full buffet breakfast L: lunch D: dinnerComplimentary sparkling wine with breakfast, soft drinks with lunch, and wine, beer, or soft drinks with dinner are included on board your vessel.

 
Day 1:
Arles (Embarkation). Welcome to France! The Avalon Scenery awaits you in Arles in the Provence region, ready for boarding between 4 pm and 5 pm. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)

Day 2:
Arles-Camargue. On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the “Little Rome of Gaul.” See the church of St. Trophime; “Les Alyscamps,” the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of the Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The “Foundation Vincent Van Gogh” is a tribute to the artist. In the early evening, depart Arles and sail toward Port St. Louis on the mouth of the Rhône, a unique opportunity to experience the tranquil vistas of Camargue National Park. (B,L,D)

Day 3:
Camargue-Avignon. In the early morning hours, the Avalon Scenery sails to Avignon, where you arrive during breakfast time. A guided tour of Avignon, capital of the Vaucluse region, includes an inside visit of the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. The afternoon is free for you to either explore Avignon on your own, relax on board your ship, or to join an optional outing to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. (B,L,D)

Day 4:
Cruising–Viviers. A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you glide gently by. The charming town of Viviers was developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D)

Day 5:
Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Vienne. The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhône and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France’s oldest medieval cities. This afternoon, enjoy Vienne, another charming little town surrounded by steep hills. (B,L,D)

Day 6:
Lyon. Lyon is France’s second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city’s
prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and much renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the city from Fourvière Hill; explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways; Place des Terreaux, and beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the “Beaujolais Nouveau” is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. (B,L,D)

Day 7:
Mâcon–Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône. Wake up this morning on the River Saône in Mâcon, a city that plays an important part in the wine trade. There’s some free time for exploring after breakfast, then enjoy a short cruise to Tournus. Here, the cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. Before dinner, arrive in Chalon-sur-Saône. (B,L,D)

Day 8:
Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Paris (Embarkation). After breakfast, say goodbye to your crew on the Avalon Scenery and head for Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area, which produces the Burgundy region’s finest vintages. Its most famous historical site, the Hôtel-Dieu charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France’s architectural highlights. After lunch, continue north past the forest of Fontainebleau to Paris, the “City of Light,” where you board the Avalon Creativity docked on the River Seine. This evening, meet your crew at a welcome reception. (B,D)

Day 9:
Paris. Paris’ famous sights are living history. Your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D)

Day 10:
Paris–Conflans. After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine, passing through suburban Paris. This afternoon, dock at Conflans—and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or Napoleon and Josephine’s CHÂTEAU de MALMAISON just outside Paris. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it “the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation.” (B,L,D)

Day 11:
Vernon. This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of BIZY CASTLE with its magnificent courtyard. There’s still time to stroll through this delightful city on your own before your ship departs for Rouen. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
Rouen. Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy and an important commercial city. It is perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazedtile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock dating back to the 16th century. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or you can join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur or to the busy port city of Le Havre with its contemporary architecture. (B,L,D)

Day 13:
Rouen. Make your choice today between an included excursion to the historic NORMANDY LANDING BEACHES—with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery—or a “TASTE OF NORMANDY” for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important products are dairy, apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is Calvados, a strong apple brandy. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. (B,L,D)

Day 14:
Les Andelys. The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing Château Gaillard at Les Andelys. Built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the château is truly a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Explore on your own and enjoy this last day in France in this delightful small town. (B,L,D)

Day 15:
Paris (Disembarkation). Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave before 8 am. (B)

 

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Note: Departures appearing above in green are guaranteed to operate by the tour operator.
         

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

City Highlights


Arles
: Welcome reception; guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater

Avignon
: Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes

Viviers
: Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral

Tournon
: Orientation walk

Lyon
: Guided sightseeing, picture stop on Fourvière Hill

Beaune
: Orientation walk, see the Hôtel-Dieu

Paris
: Welcome reception; guided sightseeing

Conflans
: Choice of guided excursions to Auvers-sur-Oise or Château de Malmaison

Vernon
: Choice of guided excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle

Rouen
: Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral; choice of excursions to Normandy landing beaches or “A Taste of Normandy”

Les Andelys:
Orientation, see Château Gaillard

Notes
NOTES:In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.

 

Price Details US
Port charges: $252Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.Extra nights per person in Paris: Departures September 10 & October 8: in single room $540, in twin room $285Departures April 23-June 4, September 24 & October 22: in single room $366, in twin room $190Departures June 18-August 27: in single room $324, in twin room $170Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck. To upgrade to a higher category, add per person: Category / Decks / Price B / Sapphire Deck / $1,098 A / Sapphire Deck / $1,198 P / Royal Deck / $1,498 Avalon Suite / Royal Deck / $2,598

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Terms & Conditions: Book a select 2013 Europe Avalon Waterways vacation to receive $500 off per person on the cruise/land only price. Offer available onselect dates of select cruises. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between February 1 and June 26, 2012 for travel at select times in 2013. Avalon and Royal Suites excluded. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer, other than Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit. Applies to new 2013 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

SAVE $500 Per Couple On 2013 Avalon Europe River Cruises

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There's never been a better time for you to take the cruise of a lifetime with an all-inclusive Avalon river cruise. We'll pamper you with large suites, luxurious amenities, exquisite cuisine, and ever changing views every moment of every day. And we'll take you right to the heart of charming cities, and towns where you can spend your days seeing the sights like a local, not like a tourist.

 

 

 

 

Terms & Conditions:  Book a 2013 Europe Avalon Waterways vacation to receive $250 off per person on the cruise/land only price. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between February 1 and September 18, 2012 for travel in 2013. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer, other than Journeys Club Repeat Traveler benefit. Applies to new 2013 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

 

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