Provence & Burgundy Wine Cruise
July 4 — 15, 2010
After arriving in Nice on the romantic Côte d’Azur, we have a day for relaxing at our hotel before transferring to the ship. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just an enthusiast, you’ll definitely expand your wine knowledge as we cruise!
While leisurely floating past legendary vineyards along the Rhône and Saône Rivers, a wine authority will describe the cultivation of grape varieties and teach us what to look for in good wines. Next a visit to a wine cave in the historic town of Beaune located in the heart of gorgeous Burgundy. We’ll also enjoy excursions to taste Chardonnay, Burgundy, and Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines. Onboard ship we’ll attend a Beaujolais wine tasting, a wine and chocolate tasting, and a food and wine pairing gala dinner.
After arriving in Paris, we have 2 culture-filled days in the romantic City of Light. There will be dinner at a fabulous restaurant and ballet at the Paris Opera House, with a special back-stage tour. Then it’s on to a half-day at magnificent Versailles with a private guide followed by an afternoon in Paris learning about the history of the Founding Fathers of the United States and their place in French history.
12 days, 11 nights. Insurance is recommended.
Daily Schedule
Day 1 (July 4)
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 (July 5)—Côte d’Azur, France, Arrive in Nice on July 5
Welcome to France! After settling in to your hotel room, there is time to leisurely get acquainted with your new surroundings. This evening there is an optional excursion to Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco.
Day 3 (July 6)—Côte d’Azur–Arles (Embarkation)
This morning, enjoy a guided stroll through the narrow, winding streets of Nice’s Old Town. After lunch, transfer by motorcoach to Arles in the Provence region, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.
Day 4 (July 7)—Arles
On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the “Little Rome of Gaul.” See the church of St. Trophime, “Les Alyscamps,” the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road, and visit the Roman Amphitheater. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The “Foundation Vincent Van Gogh” is a tribute to the artist, and we’ll have a tour.
Day 5 (July 8)—Avignon
The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Also referred to as the “City of Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose Palace of the Popes. A photo of the bridge of the popular song is a must, and optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon.
Day 6 (July 9)—Cruising–Viviers
A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you glide gently by. We’ll stop at the charming town of Viviers, which was developed around its Romanesque Cathedral. The Old Town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.
Day 7 (July 10)—Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Vienne
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France’s oldest medieval cities. This afternoon, enjoy Vienne, another charming little town surrounded by steep hills. We all have tickets to the world-renowned Vienne Jazz Festival!
Day 8 (July 11)—Lyon
Lyon is France’s second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century due to its commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and Renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the city from Fourvière Hill and explore the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site,) with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place Terraux, and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the superb wine of the region, and wine connoisseurs know that these grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that “Beaujolais Nouveau” is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. An optional dinner gives gourmets insight into the local haute cuisine.
Day 9 (July 12)—Macon–Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône
Wake up this morning in Mâcon on the Saône River, a city that plays an important role in the wine trade. There’s free time for exploring after breakfast, then enjoy a short cruise to Tournus. Here the cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection located in an old family mansion are worth a visit. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. Before dinner, arrive in Chalon-sur-Saône.
Day 10 (July 13)—Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Paris
After breakfast we’ll head for Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or, which produces the Burgundy region’s finest vintages. Its most famous historical site, the Hôtel-Dieu charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgment and is one of France’s architectural highlights. After lunch, we’ll continue north past the forest of Fontainebleau to Paris, the “City of Light.” We’ll have 2 evenings in our hotel in Paris. Tonight our group will enjoy dinner at a fabulous restaurant and ballet at the Paris Opera House, with a special back-stage tour!
Day 11 (July 14)—Paris
Today we have a half-day tour of magnificent Versailles with a private guide, and after lunch there is a walking tour on the history of the founding fathers of the United States and their place in French History.
Day 12 (July 15)—Paris, Depart from Paris on July 15th
After breakfast, it’s time to prepare for departure.
Wonderful dining on board with full breakfast, lunch, and dinner; a welcome reception, and welcome dinner, Captain’s dinner, one sitting with open seating arrangements. Enjoy wines from France’s most famous wine regions with every dinner on board.
Prices are subject to change based on Euro exchange rates. Air and insurance are available at an extra cost. Menus and Music reserves the right to cancel this tour if we do not have at least 5 couples. In this event all money will be refunded.
For additional information please contact our agent, Peter Friedman at Unique Travel. Phone 1-800-245-3403 in Florida the local number is 561-495-5775.
The cancellation penalties and final payments are as follows: Final payment is due 150 days prior to departure. We will determine by 150 days if the departure is guaranteed to go.Penalties 150 – 90 days: $250 penalty per person if we find a replacement for your space. If no replacement is found, penalty is full amount of program. 89 – 60 days: $35% penalty if a replacement is found for your space. Under all situations, except cancellation of the tour by Menus and Music and/or Unique Travel, all money is non-refundable at 150 days prior to departure, unless we can fill your space.
It is strongly recommended that insurance be taken at the time of booking. Insurance is not refundable, but it can be rolled over to a future booking of any type within one year of the date the policy is written. It is also advised that if you are buying your own air, you wait until we are inside of 150 days of departure to be sure the tour will be going. If you are using frequent flyer miles check with the airline what their policy is for re-banking your miles.
