Discover the authentic Provence combining style and refinement, a cruise brimming with splendid scenery and great food as well as a once-in-a-lifetime evening at a Paul Bocuse restaurant. Cross through the city and go up Fourvière Hill to the white basilica, the best place to take in the view. Explore, smell, and taste chocolate in all of its forms at the Valrhona discovery center in Tain L’Hermitage.
Highlights
Discover the spectacular Luberon Region and its hilltop villages
Visit the famous and tasty Cité du Chocolat in Tain l’Hermitage
Explore the village of and the Sénanque Abbey
Admire the Gorges de l’Ardèche, the most beautiful canyon in Europe
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
You are welcome to board your ship at 4 p.m. Once everyone is on board, cast off to the south. After you’ve comfortably settled into your cabins, be introduced to your crew at a welcome cocktail. Tonight, enjoy dinner and an evening of entertainment onboard. The ship will cruise through the night.
In the morning, join a guided tour of the city and a tasting at Paul Bocuse’s Les Halles de Lyon. Cross through the city and go up Fourvière Hill to the white basilica, the best place to take in the view. Then head over to Vieux Lyon to have a look at its historical homes and the “bouchon” restaurants that are found throughout the district. Learn about the discrete and strategic doorways leading to shortcuts, known as traboules, that go from street to street. Don’t miss the tasting of fine food at Paul Bocuse’s Les Halles de Lyon, a huge, three-story, indoor market where close to 50 shops offer the finest gourmet food. Enjoy a snack of local sausage and cheese, topped off with a lovely glass of wine*. Then join the Saône River and head towards the next port of call, Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or.
Join an optional extraordinary French gastronomic experience at Paul Bocuse’s Abbaye de Collonges (reservation mandatory before departure). Paul Bocuse was a three-star gourmet chef who was known for his innovative approach to cuisine and his love for fresh ingredients of the highest quality. This will be a singular experience in an exceptional setting where you’ll be able to relish in out-of-this-world courses prepared by some of the most renowned chefs. At the end of your delicious evening, return on board the ship and start sailing.
Leave on foot for the Cité du Chocolat in Tain L’Hermitage. Come and explore, smell, and taste chocolate in all of its forms at the Valrhona discovery center. Lastly, indulge in a tasting of course!
You’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Avignon, reaching it in the evening. Enjoy an evening of onboard entertainment.
This morning, join a guided tour of the Papal Palace, an imposing fortress and luxurious palace that symbolizes the power of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages. It is one of the largest and most important Gothic buildings in Europe and the city’s most famous attraction. Take a step back in time as you stroll through the immense halls, contemplate the beauty of the chapels, and visit the papal apartments.
Or
Join an excursion to Gordes and a tour of the Sénanque Abbey, located in the heart of the Provençal countryside. Gordes has been awarded the label of “One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.” Its cobblestone streets and dry-stone wall homes are typical of the region. The church and castle dominate the lush scenery in the valley. A community of Cistercian monks has been living in the Sénanque Abbey since 1148. They follow the Rule of Saint Benedict in the purest tradition, dedicating their lives to prayer and labor. The abbey is known for its lovely lavender fields and all the products the monks produce, including lavender honey.
Start sailing towards Arles. Enjoy some free time before returning on board for an evening of entertainment.
This morning, join an excursion to the Camargue. The epitome of traditional Provençal culture, this immense flatland is home to exceptional wildlife and plants which thrive in its marshes, ponds, and seashore. Visit a manade, where bulls are raised and horses are trained, to learn about the various traditions in the area.
Spend the afternoon cruising through the gorgeous French countryside, passing by Valence—dominated by its cathedral—and Montélimar, known for its famous nougat.
This morning, join a guided tour of Viviers. This city feels like an open-air museum where the pages of history are written in stone. Visit the smallest cathedral in France, the House of Knights with its superb Renaissance-style facade, Saint Michel Tower, the Great Seminary, and the overlook which gives a lovely view of Viviers. Set out on a visit to the Gorges de l’Ardèche with us this afternoon. This panoramic tour from the comfortable seat of a coach will bring you to the heart of the treasures found in the area. The 18-mile canyon (30 km) was carved by turbulent waters that left behind steep cliffs, deep valleys, dense vegetation, and stunning limestone formations. See the Pont d'Arc, a natural arch almost 100-feet high carved out by the Ardèche River, and its namesake village, stopping at an overlook to take in the splendid views.
Return on board the ship in La Voulte and start sailing towards Lyon. Tonight is your festive gala evening.
Day 7: Lyon | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Select a Date
Main Deck- Cat A
26 cabins equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
Select a Date
Main Deck- Cat B
equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
Select a Date
Main Deck- Cat C
equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
Select a Date
Upper Deck-Cat A
43 twin cabins equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
Select a Date
Upper Deck-Cat B
equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, radio, safe.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.6 | 105 reviews
TrustScore 4.6 of 5
Based on 105 reviews on
4 hours ago
The ability (of Kassandra) to tailor a guided trip to my exact preferences is very valuable to me, as well as the ability (of Kassandra) to provide expert guidance on destinations and travel dates. I also appreciate the ability of the backup staff (Maria Ignacio, Exito Travel) to coordinate all the details to make the travel logistics easy for the customer.
Mark Whalen
7 hours ago
Our Costa Rica trip was amazing! Kassandra planned everything and the excursions, hotels, overall organization were outstanding. Everything worked out smoothly, the excursions guides were knowledgeable allowing us to see so much of the fauna and flora of the country. The hotels were great as well, all in fantastic locations and with beautiful views.
Danny
22 hours ago
This is our 7th trip Kassandra has planned and she is wonderful to work with. She is responsive, helpful, patient and knowledgeable. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work together with her. We love Adventure Life!
Aana Rivlin
1 day ago
Love Adventure Life, Mary is very experienced in the cruise department. Their post follow up after booking is great too.
Rita Shiver
1 day ago
Responsiveness and follow through along with staff being very personable.