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Avalon Waterways Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Nice, 2 Nights in Paris, 3 Nights in Venice & 3 Nights in Rome (Northbound) (WLJ2)

18 Day River Cruise Nice to Rome 
Take a wondrous river cruise through beautiful France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Begin with two overnights in Nice on the French Riviera, then travel to Port-Saint-Louis to board your Avalon Suite Ship®. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes. Cruise to the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, beautifully nestled among vineyards. Take a guided walk of Tournon, a medieval treasure. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, and a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture.

This river cruise vacation in France would not be complete without a stay in Paris—the romantic “City of Light!” Discover its true heart on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour to see the iconic sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more. Continue your European vacation with a Monograms® vacation package with three days each in Venice and Rome. Guided sightseeing in Venice includes St. Mark’s Square, inside visits of the Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs; while in Rome visit St. Peter’s Square, and go inside the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Your vacation in Italy includes the expertise and assistance of your Monograms Local Host® throughout your stay.

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Nice: Welcome to France

Day 2 Nice: Guided tour

Day 3 Nice–Port St. Louis (Embarkation): Transfer to the ship; onboard welcome reception

Day 4 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 5 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes

Day 6 Viviers: Guided walk, visit the Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 7 Tournon–Vienne: Choice of guided walk in Tournon or bike with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk in Vienne or hike with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Lyon: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill

Day 9 Tournus–St. Jean de Losne: Cheese tasting on board

Day 10 St. Jean de Losne (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Dijon–Paris: Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; high-speed train from Dijon to Paris

Day 11 Paris: Choice of guided sightseeing or 'Heart of Paris' walking tour to see Paris' historic sights

Day 12 Paris–Venice, Italy: Flight to Venice

Day 13 Venice: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Mark's Square and Basilica, Doges' Palace and the Bridge of Sighs

Day 14 Venice: Full day at leisure

Day 15 Venice–Rome: Travel by high-speed train (First class) to Rome

Day 16 Rome: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Peter's Square and Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Roman Forum (if your sightseeing falls on Wednesday or Sunday when the Vatican Museums are closed, your alternate tour will include inside visits of the Pantheon, Colosseum and Roman Forum)

Day 17 Rome: Full day at leisure

Day 18 Rome: Your vacation ends this morning

Related Avalon Tours

WLJ - Burgundy & Provence (Northbound)
WLJ1 - With 2 Nights in Nice, 2 Nights in Paris & 3 Nights in London
WLJ2 - With 2 Nights in Nice, 2 Nights in Paris, 3 Nights in Venice & 3 Nights in Rome
WLJ3 - With 2 Nights in Paris & 3 in Nights London
WLJ4 - With 2 Nights in Paris, 3 Nights in Venice & 3 Nights in Rome
WLJE - With 2 Nights in Paris
WLJQ - With 2 Nights in Nice
WLJY - With 2 Nights in Nice & 2 Nights in Paris
WJL - Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)

Itinerary (2023)

Day 1NICE
 Welcome to France.

Enjoy free time to discover the beauty of the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.
Day 2NICE
 The “Queen of the French Riviera”

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing in Nice. Discover the narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city—an area which has changed little since the 1700s.

(B)
Day 3NICE–PORT ST. LOUIS (EMBARKATION)
 Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Join a motorcoach transfer to board your Avalon Suite Ship.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

(B,D)
Day 4ARLES
 Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise through nordic walking in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR:

DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:

CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city.

Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) a unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.

Take free time to stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, before sailing to Avignon.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON

(B,L,D)
Day 5AVIGNON
 The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing 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 a true 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, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.

Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON

(B,L,D)
Day 6VIVIERS
 World History in a Charming French Country Village

Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers.

ACTIVE Walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNON

(B,L,D)
Day 7TOURNON
 A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Bike along the Rhone river with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour 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.

In the late morning, cruise to Vienne.

VIENNE

Roman and Middle Age History

ACTIVE See Vienne from atop, hike up to a viewpoint with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Vienne and discover this charming little town surrounded by steep hills.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(B,L,D)
Day 8LYON
 La Vie En Rose in Lyon

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll 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 riding a bike through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet.

Enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNUS

(B,L,D)
Day 9TOURNUS–ST. JEAN DE LOSNE
 Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône

Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar, or to the Castle of Cormatin. Alternatively enjoy a leisurely cruising morning along the majestic Saône River on your way to St. Jean de Losne.

DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.

Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ST. JEAN DE LOSNE

(B,L,D)
Day 10ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (DISEMBARKATION)–BEAUNE–DIJON–PARIS
 Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris.

CLASSIC Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgment and one of France’s architectural highlights.

(B)
Day 11PARIS
 Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the city of Light

CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating 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 the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.

Spend your free time strolling through the Champs-Élysées for café au lait and croissants, see the exhibits at the Louvre and visit Montmartre’s Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.

(B)
Day 12PARIS–VENICE, ITALY
 Say goodbye to the Avalon portion of your vacation after breakfast and fly to Venice. Your Local Host will be on hand to help you make the most of your time.

(B)
Day 13VENICE
 Your Guided Sightseeing in Venice includes St. Mark’s Square, inside visits of the Basilica, Doges’ Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.

(B)
Day 14VENICE
 Your Local Host has many suggestions for your day at leisure.

(B)
Day 15VENICE–ROME
 Travel by high-speed train (first class) to Rome.

(B)
Day 16ROME
 With your included Guided Sightseeing visit St. Peter’s Square, and go inside the Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum and Roman Forum (if your sightseeing falls on Wednesday or Sunday when the Vatican Museums are closed, your alternate tour will include inside visits of the Pantheon, Colosseum and Roman Forum).

(B)
Day 17ROME
 A full day at leisure in Rome. Your Local Hosts will be on hand to help you make the most of your time.

(B)
Day 18ROME
 Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Port charges:
$196

Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included on Avalon portion only.

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

Avalon Notes

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

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