Savor the flavors of Switzerland and France on a delectable journey showcasing the best of Burgundy and Provence. Begin in Geneva and the enchanting Annecy, known as the "Pearl of the French Alps," before embarking on a luxurious 7-night cruise from Dijon to Arles. Explore the Roman heritage of Chalon-sur-Saone and the picturesque town of Tournus, home to an impressive Romanesque abbey and a historic apothecary. Wander through elegant chateaux, indulge in the culinary delights of Lyon, and marvel at the majestic Papal Palace in Avignon. Conclude your adventure with three unforgettable nights in Nice, where you can soak in the city's highlights and the splendor of Monaco and glamorous Monte Carlo. This itinerary offers more than just a taste of Switzerland, Burgundy, Provence, and the French Riviera—it leaves you with memories of their beauty and flavors that will stay with you forever.
Highlights
Discover Geneva’s vibrant history and traditions of watchmaking and chocolate
Explore Annecy’s picturesque charm, nestled in the French Alps' foothills
Stroll Dijon’s medieval streets, home to architecture and famous mustard
Visit Tournus’ Benedictine abbey and the enchanting Chateau de Cormatin
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Settle into your Geneva hotel as you embark on the Essence of Burgundy & Provence pre-cruise land adventure.
Day 2: Geneva
1 Breakfast
Discover Geneva, the "Peace City" and gateway to the Swiss Alps, on a guided walking tour that immerses you in its rich heritage. Known for its watchmaking and chocolate crafting traditions, this stunning city offers a captivating glimpse into its storied past. Later, journey to Chillon Castle, a postcard-perfect medieval fortress perched on an island. Explore its grand halls, charming chapel, and atmospheric underground chambers that once housed prisoners as you step back in time at this architectural masterpiece.
Day 3: Geneva
1 Breakfast
On your morning excursion, venture south to the "Pearl of the French Alps," Annecy. Home to beautiful castles, including the Chateau d'Annecy, home to the Counts of Geneva, and natural green spaces with bike trails winding through along the lake.
Transfer from Geneva to Dijon, France, and enjoy a walking tour through the wonderfully picturesque capital of the historic Burgundy region. Renowned for its traditional mustard, Dijon also boasts one of the best-preserved medieval centers in France, with postcard-perfect architecture, including its cathedral of Saint-Benigne de Dijon grand Palace of the Dukes and Estates of Burgundy. Spend free time at your leisure for lunch. Later, board your ship in preparation for your 7-night cruise.
Located in southern Burgundy at the heart of the Cote Chalonnaise wine region, Chalon-Sur-Saone whispers the secrets of its medieval past, which you can discover on your historic city tour. Alternatively, choose an excursion in Beaune, a walled town nestled in the heart of Cote d'Or vineyards, where you stroll the cobblestone streets and take in such sights as the mosaic-tiled roof of the Hotel-Dieu de Beaune, founded in the 15th century as a hospital for the less fortunate. Later in the day, enjoy scenic sailing to Tournus or sample the region's famous white Maconnais wines. Alternatively, pedal from Chalon-Sur-Saone to Tournus on an exhilarating guided bike tour.
Today, you have a choice of several excursions as you explore the cities of Tournus and Macon. Let your knowledgeable guide lead you through Tournus and to its magnificent Benedictine Abbey of Saint Philibert. Or choose instead to visit the moated Chateau de Cormatin, which dates back to the early 17th century and features ornate apartments and a beautifully manicured garden. As an alternative, venture to the medieval village of Brancion, which has a preserved gateway, church, and market hall. Return to the ship and enjoy a scenic cruise to Macon. Or, instead, join a guided bike tour from Tournus to Macon or go wine tasting and meet the ship in Macon.
Join a guided tour through Macon's "South Burgundy City," learning about its local vineyards, museums, historical sites, and perhaps its famous son, the poet and minister Alphonse de Lamartine. Or venture somewhat off the beaten path to Cluny, known for its large abbey. Built between the 4th and 12th centuries, Cluny Abbey was formerly the world's largest church and is a captivating example of early Romanesque architecture. Alternatively, explore the architecture and history behind the Royal Monastery of Brou, a Gothic masterpiece dating back to the 16th century. Return to the ship and head to the Sun Deck to enjoy a light lunch and the passing landscapes on the way to Villefranche-sur-Saone. For those traveling by ship, enjoy tasting Beaujolais wines while sailing towards your next stop.
Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourviere Hill, part of the city's historic region, now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviere. Continue to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you're introduced to the city's unique covered walkways, known as "traboules." Or get active on a guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind. If you're a self-described foodie, your Vieux Lyon tasting tour is for you, during which you have a chance to taste some of Lyon's local delights. There, you can enjoy a guided walking tour around the city. Those wishing to be more active can take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhona bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet.
Take your coffee on your balcony or the Sun Deck as you cruise to Viviers, a charming medieval city with picturesque 16th and 18th-century monuments. For a more active adventure, pedal through this bicycle-friendly city. Alternatively, you can go to the magnificent hilltop village of Grignan. After visiting this enchanting Provencal town, search for the highly prized "Black Diamond" truffles with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. Or, go on a scenic hike and enjoy a memorable view of Viviers. Later, stroll through the city accompanied by a guide in Renaissance attire as former "residents" in period costumes reenact events and legends of centuries gone by. This unique historical tour will surely bring a smile to your lips – or perhaps send shivers down your spine!
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. 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 visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties, including macarons, cheese, wine, and tapenades. Later in the day, rejoin the ship in Arles, considered one of the most beautiful cities in France. Let your experienced guide lead you to the top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater, or take a guided bike tour to the Roman ruins. If you wish to delve further into Van Gogh's Arles, join a special walking tour and a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. Or take some time to focus on wellness with a guided bike tour through town.
Day 11: Arles | Disembark | Aix-en-Provence | Nice
1 Breakfast
Disembark your ship in Arles and head to Aix-en-Provence, birthplace of renowned painter Paul Cezanne. See the highlights of this delightful city known for its provincial markets. Afterward, take a scenic ride to Nice, where you can enjoy a panoramic tour before entering your hotel.
Day 12: Nice
1 Breakfast
Tour the scenic capital of the French Riviera, where tourism has been alive for three centuries. Gaze at the azure waters of the Mediterranean and take in such sites as the Saint Reparate cathedral, opera house, and Prefecture Palace.
Day 13: Nice
1 Breakfast
Head to the hilltop town of Eze for a scenic walking tour along its charming cobblestone streets. Later, explore intimate Monaco-Ville, a sleepy medieval village, before taking in the luxury and beauty of Monte Carlo, famous for its opulent casino.
Day 14: Depart Nice
1 Breakfast
Bid farewell to Nice and prepare for your homeward flight.
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.
$5,6692-3 travelers
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Cruse ship was great. Fantastic food and service. Cruise itinary got changed so not what we expected, but not an major issue. Japan portion was great. Drivers/guides arranged by 80 Days were great. Hotels were mostly ok. Did not know that most hotels outside of major cities do not allow shoes to be worn in the hotel. again a minor inconvenience. Overall a great trip. Adventure Life communications were timely and much appreciated as far as changes/requests.
Peter Goff
1 day ago
We were a group of three that initiated our research by independently searching for the best agency to help us in the somewhat complex experience of traveling to the Galapagos. We chose adventure life because they were the most responsive in the website provided the most comprehensive overview of the trip. Their reviews were also very good.
Adventure, life splits up its booking process in two parts. First Jeff, the booking agent helped us decide which experience best suited are interests. We chose a small 14 to 16 group sized yacht. Once the booking was made with Jeff, we were handed off to Coleene, who oversaw the complex process of assembling all of the necessary documents and making sure we had everything we needed to make the trip go smoothly. The adventure, life website, then becomes your personal place of reference for all things related to your trip from door to door. It’s a lot of information to assemble, especially for three travelers, but the website makes it easy and Colleen‘s gentle reminders kept us on track. In all, from the beginning, we had four months from the time we started our research till the time we departed. We felt that was, a good amount of preparation time and don’t think it would be wise to do it in less than four months. Mostly because I think you have more options with that amount of time. There were others on our trip that took six months and more from the time they started planning.
The trip itself was outstanding. We ended up on an excellent yacht (Galapagos Angel II) with a great group of guests that we were able to connect with and put together a really nice google photos album to share.
Jed
1 week ago
Mary was very helpful. Quick to reply with helpful information and closure on arrangements.
Nicola Maxwell
1 week ago
Mary Curry and Elma are always so responsive and nice to deal with.
Michael
1 week ago
I enjoyed working with Jess to put together a private N.Z. trip. Jess has been my go-to person at Adventure Life over the past several years. She listens to what my husband and I want in a trip, and is always responsive to questions. Nothing seems to be too much of a bother for Jess.
