AVALON WATERWAYS
8 Days | Active Discovery on the Rhone
Northbound (WLY)
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ARLES TO LYON
Day 1 | Arles, France. Embark. Bienvenue en France! Your suite-ship is ready for boarding. Flights into Marseille must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Day 2 | Port-Saint-Louis. Oysters and Flamingos in the Rhône Delta. Start your day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host while cruising to Port-Saint-Louis. This evening, cruise back to Arles to prepare for tomorrow’s exciting activities. (B,L,D)
Active Excursions —
• Join a Guided Hike through the Camargue Regional Nature Park. You’ll see its lush marshland habitat at the mouth of the Rhône — home to a wide variety of flora and fauna — in one of France’s most protected and natural reserves, OR:
• Take a Guided Bike Ride through the Camargue Natural Park with an eye out for more than 400 bird species — including pink flamingos — along the trails of the Mediterranean’s Rhône delta, OR:
Discovery Excursion —
• Visit a local oyster farm on a Guided Tour, and enjoy an oyster tasting and learn how this delicacy is farmed.
Day 3 | Arles. A Master Class, Mysterious Images, and a Matador in Provence. After your day excursion enjoy onboard live entertainment. (B,L,D)
Active Excursion —
• Take a Guided Hike in Val d’Enfer, that takes its name from the strangeness of its white limestone rock formations; later be entranced by a magical Audio/Visual Experience of light, images, and music at the Carrières de Lumières, OR:
Discovery Excursion —
• Attend a Painting Workshop to learn the style and techniques of Vincent van Gogh. You’ll create your own painting in the style of the classic master who took inspiration from the Provence light and landscape in Arles, OR:
Classic Excursions —
• Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Arles and meet a local bullfighter to learn about the secrets and traditions handed down through generations.
• You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to the natural salt marsh at Salin d’Aigues-Mortes, to discover the magic of the pink waters of the Camargue.
• Alternatively, enjoy free time to shop, stroll, or stretch out on a bench in a lovely park along Arles’ Boulevard des Lices.
Day 4 | Avignon. Essential Oils and Ancient Roman Aqueducts. (B,L,D)
Active Excursion —
• Join a Guided E-Bike Ride through Tavel, the birthplace of French Rosé. After the tour, enjoy a Wine Tasting, OR:
Discovery Excursion —
• Enjoy a Guided Tour of the Musée des Arômes et du Parfum to take in the fragrance of aromatic herbs and essential oils in this museum of aromas and perfumes, and create your own unique scent, OR:
Classic Excursions —
• Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon, including a visit to the world’s largest gothic fortress — the 14th-century Palace of the Popes. Also, explore Les Halles’ covered market.
• This afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Tour of the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a wine tasting, as well as the chance to make your own wine blend, or you may opt for a Guided Optional Excursion on a canoe through the waters of Pont du Gard — the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts.
• You may choose to spend free time to explore Avignon — known as the heart of Provence. Take a leisurely stroll or a bike ride through the tree-lined streets and leafy squares within Avignon’s medieval walls.
Day 5 | Viviers. Lock Bollene. River Gorge Canoes, Underground Wines, and Nighttime Ghost Stories. Start your day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host before cruising through the soaring walls of the Lock Bollène on your way to Viviers. (B,L,D)
Active Excursions —
• Join a Guided Canoe Trip to navigate the Gorges de l’Ardèche in the spectacular canyons of this Rhône tributary, OR:
• Take a guided hike through the Natural Reserve of Cirque d’Estre, OR:
• Join a Guided Excursion for a surprising underground wine tasting—under the direction of an expert Speleologist (cave guide) and an oenologist (wine-making expert), OR:
Discovery Excursions —
• Visit a Crocodile Farm and discover the wonderful world of reptiles — not only crocodiles, but also snakes, turtles, iguanas, and an amazing botanical garden, OR:
• This evening, take a nighttime Guided Tour of Viviers to experience the fascinating history and ghost stories of this enchanting town.
Classic Excursion —
• Visit the tremendous water facility at Bollène and tour the power plant of this immense lock along the Rhône.
Day 6 | Tournon. Tain l'Hermitage. Chocolatiers and Railway Engineers in the Twin City Gorge. Lyon — An Evening Drive through the Heart of Lyon. (B,L,D)
Active Excursions —
• Join a Guided Excursion this morning to pedal your rail-bike along the descent of the Gorges du Doux for a panoramic view, OR:
• Join a Guided Hike in the picturesque vineyards surrounding the twin cities of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage, OR:
Discovery Excursions —
• Take a full tour of the Valrhona factory and museum. Taste chocolate, and also make your own signature chocolate bar, OR:
• Join a Cooking Demonstration and learn how to prepare Lyonnaise specialties while sailing to Lyon, OR:
• Join a Guided Tour for an evening drive of Lyon for picturesque photo opportunities, from Fourvière hill for a city bird’s eye view, to Presqu’île district, for catching the heart of Lyon and its ever-changing river bank view.
Classic Excursion —
• Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Tournon — twin city to Tain-l’Hermitage and one of France’s oldest medieval cities. You’ll see its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins.
Day 7 | Lyon. A Festival of Colors, Aromas, and Taste. This afternoon, you might take an off-the-beaten-path Guided Optional Tour through private and public terraces for panoramic views of Lyon, starting on the roof of the Basilica de Fourvière, or you may opt for a Guided Optional Mountain Bike Excursion through the Beaujolais wine country. This evening, enjoy Lyon’s vibrant nightlife on your own after a gala farewell dinner on board. (B,L,D)
Active Excursions —
• Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Walk.
• Join a Guided Hike in Parc de la Tête d’Or, this vast urban park with its many trails and lake, OR:
Discovery Excursions —
• Take a Guided Culinary Walk through Lyon to discover architecture and local specialties in a festival of colors, aromas and taste—exclusive for Avalon guests, OR:
• Learn to make your own Saucisson brioché and other local culinary favorites in a Cooking Class.
Day 8 | Lyon. Disembark. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (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.)
NORTHBOUND ITINERARY (WLY) 8 DAYS | PORT ST. LOUIS TO LYON Click HERE to view 8-day SOUTHBOUND (WYL) itinerary. |
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