AMAWATERWAYS
14 Days | Colors of Provence
Southbound

PARIS TO BARCELONA

Day 1 | Paris, France. Arrive in Paris and check in to your hotel.

Day 2 | Paris. Spend your first day in Paris getting acquainted with it on a city tour. (B)

Day 3 | Paris. Enjoy the day at leisure. (B)

Day 4 | Paris. Lyon. Embark. After checking out of your hotel, board the TGV train through the French countryside to Lyon, France’s culinary capital. Upon arrival, enjoy free time before being treated to an exclusive hands-on cooking lesson. Later, transfer to your luxurious ship. (B,D)

Day 5 | Lyon. Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” During the afternoon, enjoy leisure time or join a guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Collonges. Vienne. Travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones." Indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. Later set sail for Vienne, where you'll enjoy free time to explore the town. (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Vienne. Tournon. Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Take a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. (B,L,D)

Day 8 | Tournon. Wine and chocolate lovers will enjoy visiting Tournon located in the heart of Côtes du Rhône. You have a choice of three excursions. Take a train ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a hike through the vineyards of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the wines. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Avignon. Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Depending on your interests, you have three options of excursions. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Or if you prefer, visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macarons, cheese and wine, and tapenades. During the afternoon, you can enjoy free time in Avignon; go on a bike tour; or go to the magnificent hilltop village, Grignan. After visiting this enchanting Provencal town, go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond,” truffles, with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. (B,L,D)

Day 10 | Avignon. Arles. Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants. For art lovers, you’ll wish to visit Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Vincent van Gogh once lived and painted such well-known works as “The Irises” and “Starry Night.” Many people consider Van Gogh’s Arles period to be the most creative of his career. Afterwards, go to the Carrières de Lumières, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound and history projected on the walls of caves. Alternatively, venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux de Provence, followed by a visit to an olive farm where you’ll learn about age-old Provençal traditions from a master olive miller as well as sample the olive oil. During the afternoon, you can join a walking tour of Arles highlighting top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater, or take a guided bike tour to the Roman ruins. And for those who wish to delve further into Van Gogh’s Arles, join a special walking tour along with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. (B,L,D)

Day 11 | Arles. Disembark. Barcelona, Spain. Disembark your ship in Arles and travel a short distance to Nîmes. See the highlights of this delightful town with one of the finest collections of Roman buildings in France. Afterwards, board the TGV high-speed train to the city that inspired Antoni Gaudí and is certain to inspire you. (B)

Day 12 | Barcelona. Barcelona, the bustling capital of Catalonia, is an artist’s, architect’s, foodie’s, historian’s and culturist’s dream. Tour the cobblestoned lanes of the Gothic Quarter in the medieval city center and Las Ramblas. Visit Montjuïc Hill and see some of Antoni Gaudí’s imaginative architectural creations, including Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and La Sagrada Familia. (B)

Day 13 | Barcelona. Spend a full day at leisure to discover the vast treasures of this eclectic city. (B)

Day 14 | Barcelona. Bid farewell to Barcelona and prepare for your homeward flight. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

SOUTHBOUND ITINERARY 14 DAYS | ARLES TO LYON Click HERE to view 14-day NORTHBOUND itinerary.