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Grand France From Paris To Cote D'azur With Extended Stay In Provence 2013

   Package Information
  Tour Operator Globus
  Tour Code WPAE3
  Vacation Quality First Class
  Vacation Type River Cruise
  Number of Days 18
  Countries Visited France
  City Highlights Arles, Avignon, Beaune, Charlon-Sur-Saone, Cote d Azur, Les Andelys, Lyon, Nimes, Paris, Rouen, Vernon
  Whats Included  
  Hotels  
  Dates & Prices  
   Whats Included
Paris:
Welcome reception; guided sightseeing

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

Vernon:
Choice of guided excursion to Giverny or Bizy Castle

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

Les Andelys:
Orientation, see Château Gaillard

Beaune:
Orientation walk, see the Hôtel-Dieu; Burgundy wine tasting

Chalon-sur-Saône:
Welcome reception

Tournus:
Guided sightseeing; visit the Abbey of St. Philibert

Lyon:
Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill

Tournon:
Orientation walk

Viviers:
Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral

Avignon:
Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes

Arles:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater

Provence Region:
Excursion to Camargue; visit Aigues-Mortes; Nîmes guided sightseeing; Saint Rémy guided sightseeing, visits to St. Paul de Mausole Monastery, Nîmes Arena, and the Roman Fountain Garden; lunch stop in Aix-en-Provence

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

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   Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Paris, France (Embarkation).
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine. This afternoon, board the Avalon Creativity and meet your crew at a welcome reception at 6 pm. (D)

Day 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Rouen.
Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy, 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, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Rouen.
Choose your experience 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 agricultural region, of which Calvados, famous for apple brandy and cider, is a part. (B,L,D)

Day 7: 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. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Paris (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation)–Tournus.
After breakfast today, bid farewell to the crew of the Avalon Creativity and head south into Burgundy. Beaune owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. 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. Enjoy a TASTING of Burgundy wines before continuing to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you’ll board the Avalon Scenery. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception as your ship departs for Tournus. (B,D)

Day 9: Tournus–Mâcon.
After breakfast, a local expert will show you the highlights of this delightful town, tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy. Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, with a superb ABBEY, St. Philibert, part of which dates back to the 10th century. There’s free time to stroll through the quaint streets or to explore the arts and crafts shops near the abbey. After lunch, your ship departs for Mâcon, a city with a rich history and which plays an important role in the wine trade. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Beaujolais Region–Lyon.
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. 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 and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place des Terreaux, and the 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 11: Lyon.
A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers.
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhône and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Charming Viviers developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D)

Day 13: Avignon.
Avignon, also referred to as the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. Optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 14: Camargue–Arles.
During the night your ship will have sailed to Port St. Louis on the mouth of the Rhône. If you are an early riser, you might like to watch the sun come up over the Camargue, and then take in the tranquil scenes as you sail through this nature park toward Arles during breakfast. On arrival in Arles, the capital of the Provence region, located on the northern tip of the Camargue, a local expert will show you the city. Take in sights such as the church of St. Trophime; “Les Alyscamps,” the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. This afternoon, there is free time to relax or join an optional excursion. (B,L,D)

Day 15: Arles (Disembarkation)–Provence Region.
After breakfast, disembark and drive through the “Petite Camargue” to AIGUES-MORTES with its impressive towers and defensive walls, embedded in a melancholy landscape of pools, marshes, and salt pans. Later, drive to Saint Rémy de Provence. (B)

Day 16: Saint Rémy, Provence. Excursion to Nîmes.
Today, explore the small, dynamic city of Saint Rémy de Provence, rich in history and tradition. Visit the ST. PAUL DE MAUSOLE MONASTERY, the asylum where Van Gogh spent his final days. In the afternoon, drive to Nîmes and visit the NÎMES ARENA, the best preserved amphitheater of the Roman era, and the ROMAN FOUNTAIN GARDENS. (B)

Day 17: Saint Rémy–Côte d’Azur.
This morning is dedicated to AIX-EN-PROVENCE, one of France’s most elegant cities. After lunch, head east past Cézanne’s Mount St. Victoire to the Côte d’Azur. (B)

Day 18: Côte d’Azur.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)


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   Hotels
Provence Region Le Vallon de Valrugues (SF) at Saint Rémy de Provence, Côte d’Azur Fairmont Monte Carlo (D)

Port charges:
$252

Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

Extra nights per person in Paris:
Departures September 24 & October 22: in single room $540, in twin room $285
Departures May 7-June 18, September 10 & October 8: in single room $366, in twin room $190
Departures April 23, July 2-August 27: in single room $324, in twin room $170

Extra nights per person in Côte d’Azur:
in single room $355, in twin room $185

Prices 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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Touring DateLand & AirLand Only
Apr 23, 2013 - May 10, 2013Call Us$6,978
May 07, 2013 - May 24, 2013Call Us$7,278
May 21, 2013 - Jun 07, 2013Call Us$7,378
Jun 04, 2013 - Jun 21, 2013Call Us$7,378
Jul 02, 2013 - Jul 19, 2013Call Us$6,958
Jul 16, 2013 - Aug 02, 2013Call Us$6,958
Aug 13, 2013 - Aug 30, 2013Call Us$6,958
Aug 27, 2013 - Sep 13, 2013Call Us$7,428
Sep 10, 2013 - Sep 27, 2013Call Us$7,598
Sep 24, 2013 - Oct 11, 2013Call Us$7,258
Oct 08, 2013 - Oct 25, 2013Call Us$6,848
Oct 22, 2013 - Nov 08, 2013Call Us$6,238

* All prices are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Please call us toll free at 1 800 232 6459 to confirm availability and current pricing on all our discounted specials. The prices on this website are not guaranteed until a deposit has been made. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in these prices until a booking has been confirmed by one of our agents.
 

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