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DAY 1, Sat Arrive in Lyon. Transfer to your ship for embarkation. Tonight, enjoy the Captain's welcome dinner on board (D): CRUISE
DAY 2, Sun This morning, the ship will moor at Tournus, a typical Burgundy town highlighted by romantic castles, churches and royal palaces. Enjoy time to explore on your own. Return to the ship for lunch and daylight sailing to the lovely town of Chalon-sur-Saone. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore the town's sites, or select an optional tour through the Burgundy wine region and town of Beaune. The Burgundy region, collectively known as the Côte d'Or, is composed of 400 types of soil, making for fine grapes and some of the world's most expensive wines. Tonight, enjoy dinner while sailing to Mâcon (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 3, Mon Today begins in Mâcon, a charming French commune in the Burgundy region. The quays of this sunny city reveal the natural beauty of the Saône River. Wine connoisseurs may journey to Mâconnais for a wine tasting, an area whose white wines make for two-thirds of its production. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or join an optional guided excursion to the Beaujolais country, home to some 23,000 hectares of vineyards and a distinct variety of grape known as "gamay" (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 4, Tues This morning, arrive at Tournon. The imposing 16th century Castle and Roman ruins that dot the lush countryside are a photographer's dream. In the commune of Tournon-Saint-Pierre lies the Château des Vallées, former home of French Coloraturn soprano Mado Robin (1918-60). Return to the ship and enjoy lunch while cruising the scenic River Rhône (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 5, Wed Early morning arrival in Arles, a city which, as a whole, makes for the largest territorial commune in France. Arles is an ancient town, first established by the Greeks in the early 6th century B.C.; the same city whose Provençal landscapes and Mediterranean light inspired the great Van Gogh several centuries later. Once known as the "Little Rome of Gaul," the city is a treasure trove of Roman antiquity. Explore on your own the intimate squares and terraced brassieres, or join one of the optional tours offered on board. Tonight, cruise to Avignon (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 8, Thurs Enjoy a full-day at leisure to explore the rich religious history of Avignon, a city most known for its 14th century Avignon Papacy, a period during which seven French popes resided there, the earliest being Pope Clement V in 1305. See sites such as the 12th century Romanesque Notre-Dame de Dome, the Gothic style Palais de Papes (Palace of the Popes), or join an optional guided walking tour of this historic city (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 9, Fri Enjoy time on board en route to the ancient city of Vienne, home of the Romanesque Abbey of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, or choose an optional tour of Lyon, a city whose main sites include the Cathedral St.-Jean, the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Tour métallique de Fourvière (Metallic Tower). This evening, enjoy the Captain's farewell dinner on board (B, L, D): CRUISE
DAY 10, Sat This morning, disembark and transfer to the airport for your departure flight (B).
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