An 18-day river cruise and CULINARY EXPERIENCE from Nice to Rome
Indulge in the legendary cuisine of France on this culinary focused cruise through Burgundy and Provence. With a Master of Wine on board and special culinary highlights throughout your cruise, you’ll sample regional French specialties with onboard wine tastings with cheese and chocolate and wine-and-food pairings. Enjoy a pastry demonstration by a French chef, and attend a cooking class.
Sail on the Rhône River through Arles, France, Take a guided tour of historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes. Cruise to the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, beautifully nestled among vineyards. Then Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, and a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture.
Your river cruise 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.
Your European vacation continues on with 3 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.
A CULINARY RIVER CRUISE THROUGH BURGUNDY & PROVENCE WITH 2 NIGHTS IN PARIS, 3 NIGHTS IN VENICE & 3 NIGHTS IN ROME (NORTHBOUND)
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You’ll discover the beauty of the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France’s mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy. In Nice, you’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour that takes you through the narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city—an area which has changed little since the 1700s.
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Take a nordic or guided walking tour of Arles, the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the roman amphitheater in this visually stunning city. Or, choose to attend a painting workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh!
Next up you’ll visit the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and the amazing Palace of the Popes.
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On our leisurely morning sail to Viviers, enjoy an onboard chocolate and wine tasting hosted by our master of wine. Then walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop cathedral with your adventure host, or take a guided walk through the old town with a tasting of the local culinary delights.
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Bike along the Rhone river or take a morning tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest cities.
In the late morning, we’ll cruise to Vienne where you can enjoy a pastry demonstration hosted by a french chef on board the ship, or choose to tour the charming town of Vienne.
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Known as the gastronomic capital of France, Lyon is best seen from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. Explore the old town maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux. You’ll close our the river cruise in Tournus before you set off for Paris!
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See the capital's most famous icons and monuments: the Opéra, Louvre's glass pyramid, Arch of Triumph, Eiffel Tower, and more. Next, spend part of your day strolling through the halls and gardens of the Palace of Versailles, or you can choose to enjoy the culinary delights on a wonderful foodie walk through Paris.
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Enjoy guided sightseeing tours through picturesque Venice and take part in a quintessential Italian experience—a romantic gondola ride, followed by the culinary delight of authentic Italian cuisine!
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Explore Rome the way you want. There are custom private guided sightseeing tours available, e-bike rides, culinary experiences, and classical concerts at Rome's most inspiring locations. We can customize your stay to allow you to experience the best of what Rome has to offer.
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DESTINATIONS
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GUESTS
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MODERATE PACE
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CUSTOMIZABLE
YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME ON AVALON POETRY II
Offering an intimate cruise setting with 2 full decks of Panorama Suites and wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. It truly is a view with a room!
Onboard amenities include a Fitness Center, a spacious Sky Deck with whirlpool, and a Sky Bistro. The Avalon Poetry II truly is poetry in motion!
ACCOMMODATIONS ON LAND
We’ve vetted and hand-selected the best hotels with location, comfort, and style in mind. Enjoy first-class accommodations in each destination, including Le Meridien in Nice, Hotel Du Collectionneur Arc De Triomphe Paris, Palazzo San Lorenzo in Venice, and Starhotels Metropole in Rome!
River Cruise Partners
River cruises offer the cure for cabin fever - with wide-open views, fresh air, fewer passengers, plus more excursions!
Learn more about our our other River Cruise Partners and experiences they have to offer!
PERSONALIZE THIS TRIP
Select the featured voyage above and customize your trip with additional excursions selected based on your interests—or let this serve as inspiration for the vacation of your dreams! Just call us at (844) 876-0397, or complete the brief form below, and we’ll put our dedicated care team of travel experts to work for you!