Join Avalon Poetry II and begin cruising in Paris, sailing along the Seine River to the picturesque Normandy region. Go on an excursion to the historical Normandy landing beaches, then visit the gothic Rouen Cathedral. While sailing along Saône and Rhône Rivers, explore France’s third-largest city and showcase medieval and Renaissance architecture. The town of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards and wander on this medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Before concluding in Port St. Louis, do not forget to see the paintings of Van Gogh and Arles' 1st-century Roman Amphitheater.
Highlights
Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a walking tour
Wander around the city of Vernon and take a tour to see stunning sights
See its 16th-century castle and Roman ruins in Tournon
Explore the Palace of the Popes and much more during a Avignon walking tour
See the Roman Amphitheater in the stunning city of Arles
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Welcome to France. Your suite ship is ready for boarding. Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm. Guests must be on board the ship by 5 pm.
Your day is free to explore the world's most romantic city before starting your cruise on the Seine. Get acquainted with the City of Lights today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.
Start the day with a morning stretch with your Avalon adventure host
Classic: Take a guided tour of Giverny, home, and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:
Classic: Join a guided visit to Bizy Castle called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
Discovery: While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a pastry demonstration.
This afternoon, enjoy cruising to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.
LES ANDELYS Classic: Take a guided walking tour of Les Andelys, one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine, OR:
Active: Join a guided hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard, the historic home of King Richard the Lionheart.
Active: Join your Avalon adventure host for a morning jog in Normandy’s town of Caudebec.
Classic: Take a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.
Active: Enjoy the natural wonders of the fascinating Marais Vernier wetlands on this half-day guided nature walk on the outskirts of Caudebec.
This afternoon, you may choose a guided optional excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.
Classic: Join a guided tour of the WWII landing beaches of Normandy, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:
Classic: Take a full-day guided tour of the British and Canadian memorial sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:
Classic: Join “A Taste of Normandy” guided tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge, and taste Calvados apple brandy at a local distillery.
Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard your ship.
Classic: Take a guided walking tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock and Notre-Dame Cathedral, OR:
Active: Take a guided bike tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser-known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels.
Active: Take a morning walk with your Avalon adventure host to see Paris at first sight.
Classic: Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a beautiful guided walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
Classic: Join a guided city tour that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.
Stroll through Paris on your own, or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.
Day 8: Paris | Disembark | Dijon | Beaune | St. Jean De Losne
Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Mâcon along the majestic Saône River. Consider a guided optional excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or the Castle of Cormatin.
Discovery: Later, enjoy a delicious cheese tasting onboard your ship.
Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trévoux this evening.
Sail for lovely Lyon this morning for French fare.
Classic: Join a guided sightseeing tour to survey Lyon with its numerous churches from Fourvière Hill. Also, explore the old town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.
Spend free time biking through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet.
Discovery: Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance lecture onboard your ship.
Classic: Join a culinary walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France.
The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third-largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals.
Classic: Take a morning guided walking to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage.
Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.
VIVIERS Classic: Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon guided walking tour of this charming village. See its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.
Classic: Take a guided sightseeing tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the impressive Palace of the Popes.
Guided optional excursions include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for an authentic taste of the Rhône wine region.
Explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historical monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.
Active: Join your Avalon adventure host for a morning walk.
Classic: Enjoy a guided walking tour of Arles, the captivating city of the Provence region. Visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city, OR:
Discovery: Attend a painting workshop to learn the style and techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your painting in the style of the classic master who took inspiration from the Provence light and landscape in Arles.
Consider a guided optional excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) to immerse yourself in a truly unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.
Take advantage of any free time remaining with a stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, to relax and watch the world go by before sailing to Avignon.
Day 15: Port St. Louis | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.
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.
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Cat. E
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT.
Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
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Cat. D
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT.
Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets.
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Cat. B
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT.
Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, Contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. A
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT.
Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets.
Initial deposit is $450, 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 check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover/Novus, and American Express. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners
14 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, maps, canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
Wifi
Complimentary fresh fruit available daily
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
Panoramic windows
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or on board your vessel
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
9 hours ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.