16 Days Paris/Marseille
from $4099 cruise only
YOUR TRAVEL VALUE INCLUDES
- Airport transfers in Paris on day 2 and in Arles on day 16
- 14 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in outside cabin with hotel-style beds
- Transfer from Paris to Châlon
- Superb dining with all meals included while cruising, quality wine with dinner
- Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners
- Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Special highlights including local entertainment and enriching lectures
- Services of a professional Cruise Manager throughout your cruise
- On board facilities including a beauty salon and souvenir shop
- All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking only on the Sun Deck)
- All local taxes
- Portfolio of travel documents
- Inside visits and special features as shown in bold in the tour description including admission charges where applicable
- Portfolio of travel documents
ITINERARY
- DAY 1 DEPART USA* Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
- DAY 2 ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE Upon arrival in Paris, you will be met and transferred to the ship. (D)
- DAY 3 LES ANDELYS Stop in Les Andelys, a charming town of half-timbered houses set on the banks of the Seine. This is where Richard the Lionheart built his castle, Chateau Gaillard, to protect his holdings in Normandy from the French king, Philippe Auguste. Walk up to see the castle ruins before reboarding your ship. (B,L,D)
- DAY 4 ROUEN A walking tour shows you Rouen, best known as the site where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. See the Romanesque Cathedral of Rouen, the medieval quarter, the Place du Vieux Marche, where Joan of Arc's punishment was carried out, and the Gros Horloge, a Renaissance clock tower that arches overhead. (B,L,D)
- DAY 5 NORMANDY EXCURSION Disembark in Rouen and coach to the beaches at Normandy, site of the D-Day Invasion by the Allied forces during World War II. From the Pegasus Bridge to the American Cemetery at Colleville, journey back into history. View haunting reminders of the battles at Pointe du Hoc, the Allied landing sites at Omaha, Juno and Gold Beaches, and Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches. (B,D)
- DAY 6 CAUDEBEC / HONFLEUR EXCURSION Honfleur is a charming French harbor town favored by artists such as Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet. Take a walking tour from the former smuggler's harbor of Vieux Bassin, through the pedestrian streets to the medieval town center. (B,L,D)
- DAY 7 VERNON / GIVERNY EXCURSION Disembark in the picturesque village of Vernon and coach to Giverny (Note: Giverny is open from Apr 01-Nov 01. Cruise departing Oct 31 will visit Versailles instead). Visit the home and gardens of the famous Impressionist painter, Claude Monet. Explore Monet's house, furnished as it was when he lived here. Then stroll through the gardens, see the familiar Japanese bridge and Water Garden with its pond still full of water lilies. (B,L,D)
- DAY 8 PARIS Begin a morning tour with a drive up the Champs Elysées and past the Arc de Triomphe. Stop for photos at the Eiffel Tower before continuing to view Place Vendome, the Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Latin Quarter. Then on to see the historic buildings of Les Invalides, the Louvre courtyard and the Luxembourg Gardens. This afternoon, perhaps take an optional tour of the Louvre, continue exploring on your own, shop or relax in a bistro. (B,L,D)
- DAY 9 PARIS / CHALON After breakfast, disembark and board a motorcoach for the trip to ChâlonsurSaône. Ride through the beautiful French countryside towards the Burgundy wine region and Provence. Arrive in Châlon, and embark on the River Royale in time for dinner. (B,D)
- DAY 10 BEAUNE EXCURSION Travel to the medieval town of Beaune, the center for Burgundy wine making. Admire the Flemish-influenced architecture, including the eye-catching Hospices de Beaune. A hospital from 1443 to the 1960s, it is now a museum dedicated to the history of healthcare. (B,L,D)
- DAY 11 LYON Start today's tour with a drive to see the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, Lyon's hallmark church. Next, stop on Croix Rousse Hill for the dramatic view. Then, on a coach ride through town, see Terreaux Square, the Fine Art Museum, and the Opera House. The afternoon is free to explore on your own. (B,L,D)
- DAY 12 TAIN L HERMITAGE / TOURNON Nestled among famous vineyards are the little towns of Tain L'Hermitage and Tournon, both known for chocolate and Côte du Rhône wines. In Tournon, see the feudal castle. Later, learn more about chocolate at an on board tasting. (B,L,D)
- DAY 13 VIVIERS Stop in the quaint city of Viviers. Your walking tour here starts in Old Town with stops at the Rue Chèvrerie, Porte Riquot, the Renaissance Maison des Chevaliers, Rue du Chateau, and Maison Élémentaire du Commerçant. Then stroll through the medieval streets of this historic town as you head back to the ship. (B,L,D)
- DAY 14 AVIGNON A tour of Avignon starts at Clocktower Square, with its namesake clock tower dating back to the 1300s. Then, on to Pope's Palace Square for a visit to the Papal Palace. Next, travel up to Rocher des Doms, where Avignon was first settled. (B,L,D)
- DAY 15 ARLES The beauty and charm of the city that attracted Vincent Van Gogh in the 1880s still exists today. A walking tour highlights the city Van Gogh knew, and also the monuments of Roman times, including the Amphitheatre and Constantine’s Baths. Later, perhaps join an optional tour to a local olive farm. (B,L,D)
- DAY 16 ARLES / DEPART MARSEILLE Transfer to Marseille for your return flight. Please book departing flights after 10 a.m. (CB)
2009 Cruises
| Departs On | Returns On | Cruise Price |
| March 21, 2009 | April 5, 2009 | $4,099.00 |
| April 4, 2009 | April 19, 2009 | $4,329.00 |
| April 18, 2009 | May 3, 2009 | $4,529.00 |
| May 2, 2009 | May 17, 2009 | $4,899.00 |
| May 16, 2009 | May 31, 2009 | $4,979.00 |
| May 30, 2009 | June 14, 2009 | $4,979.00 |
| June 13, 2009 | June 28, 2009 | $4,979.00 |
| June 27, 2009 | July 12, 2009 | $4,599.00 |
| July 11, 2009 | July 26, 2009 | $4,599.00 |
| July 25, 2009 | August 9, 2009 | $4,599.00 |
| August 8, 2009 | August 23, 2009 | $4,979.00 |
| August 22, 2009 | September 6, 2009 | $5,179.00 |
| September 5, 2009 | September 20, 2009 | $5,179.00 |
| September 19, 2009 | October 4, 2009 | $5,179.00 |
| October 3, 2009 | October 18, 2009 | $5,099.00 |
| October 17, 2009 | October 18, 2009 | $4,599.00 |
| October 31, 2009 | November 15, 2009 | $4,099.00 |
*Savings are cruise only, based on select new 2009 river cruises booked and deposited by September 30, 2008. Cabin upgrades are available at an additional cost. Port taxes from $84 - $168 per person are additional. Valid on new bookings only. Not valid for groups. Ask about our low international airfares. Other restrictions apply. Savings on select cruises include: Book and deposit by September 30, 2008 and save $150 per person ($300 per cabin) or Book and pay in full by September 30, 2008 and save $300 per person ($600 per cabin). Save $150 or $300 per person on: Casltes along the Rhine, Enchanting Danube, Paris & Normandy, Burgundy & Provence, Douro Valley, Paris & Europe River Romance, Danube Holiday Markets, European Holiday Markets, Parisian Winter Holiday and Imperial Russia. Book and deposit by September 30, 2008 and save $250 per person ($500 per cabin) or book and pay in full by September 30, 2008 and save $500 per person ($1000 per cabin). Save $250 or $500 per person on: Legendary Rhine & Moselle, European Serenade, Eastern European Explorer, European Jewels, Grand France. Book and pay in full 10 months in advance and save up to 7.5% on: Best of Egypt, Wonders of Egypt, Egyptian Voyager, Highlights of China, and China Discovery.
