Lyon & the Rhone Valley

Lyon & the Rhone Valley

The banks of the Rhone are dotted with charming towns and fascinating heritage that begs to be explored. Starting in the World Heritage Site of Lyon, we journey through the south of France, taking in the culture and history Arles, medieval Viviers and Tain L’Hermitage, where you may choose to partake in our optional tasting session of the wines of the Cotes du Rhone. A wonderful way to discover this charming part of France.

5 days from only £679

Holiday highlights
• Cruising through the magnificent Rhone Valley
• Arles and its exceptional heritage
• The medieval town of Viviers
• Lyons, classed as a world heritage site by UNESCO

Optional excursions
• The Camargue
• Guided Tour of Arles
• City of the Popes
• Guided walking tour of Viviers
• The Ardèche Gorge
• Tain L'Hermitage wine tasting

Holiday Itinerary by Air
Day 1 UK to Lyon - Flight from UK to Lyon where you will be transferred to the MS Camargue. Boarding at 4pm in Lyon. We will set sail at 5pm and be sailing in a southerly direction. Settling into your cabin. Presentation of the crew, welcome cocktail. Dinner followed by an evening of entertainment. Sailing at night.
Day 2 Avignon to Arles - Buffet breakfast during the cruise. Morning cruising through the landscapes of the south of France: Valence, overlooked by Saint Apollinaire cathedral, Montélimar famous for its nougat. We will pass through the great lock in Bollène which, with a variation in height of 20 metres, was one of the major civil engineering project of the 1950s. Breakfast on board. Stop in Avignon and departure by coach for the optional excursion to the Camargue. An immense exceptional plain where sea, wetlands and pools are inhabited by an extraordinary variety of water fowl. Free time in the village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, famed for its gypsy gatherings. Boarding in Arles around 7pm. Dinner on board. After dinner, optional guided tour of the town. Arles has conserved its exceptional monumental heritage which is tantamount to an open air museum, as well as being a mecca for tourism and culture. Back on board, accommodation. Overnight stopover.
Day 3 Avignon to Viviers - Breakfast on board. Departure of the boat early in the morning. Arrival in Avignon at 9am. Optional guided tour of the City of the Popes, a veritable citadel perched on a rocky pinnacle, surrounded by its imposing ramparts. The Palace was once home to a sumptuous court where artists and scholars rubbed shoulders with each other. At its feet, the Pont d’Avignon seems a little on the narrow side "to be dancing round in circles". Back on board. Departure of the boat at noon for Viviers. Lunch on board. Afternoon sailing and time to relax on board. Listen to the song of the cicadas from the sun deck. Arrival in Viviers around 7pm. Dinner on board. Followed by an optional guided tour on foot to explore this medieval town classed as a protected area and the seat of bishops since the 5th century. Overnight stopover.
Day 4 Viviers to Tain L’Hermitage – The Cotes du Rhone - Buffet breakfast on board and departure of the cruise around 8pm. Departure for the optional excursion by coach to visit the Ardèche Gorge. Heading towards Bourg Saint Andéol across the Plateau des Gras to reach Vallon Pont d’Arc. Here, the Ardèche has hewn through the cliff, to construct a grandiose natural arch. "The Pont d’Arc", 34 metres high. From here, the itinerary follows the famous Route des Gorges where you can explore the harmonious meanderings of the river. Numerous panoramic viewpoints mark the way. We will stop at one of them. They are situated on the high corniche and offer breathtaking views over the Gorge. Back on board in Le Pouzin around 12pm. Continuation to Tain l’Hermitage. Arrival around 4pm. Explore the town on your own. You will have the opportunity to take part in an optional tasting of the famous wines of the Côtes du Rhône. Back on board. Dinner and gala evening. Departure of the boat during the night for the town of Lyon.
Day 5 Tain L’Hermitage to Lyon to UK - Breakfast on board. Disembarkation around 9am in Lyon. Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK

Flight departures. Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham, East Midlands, Liverpool, Manchester, Edinburgh, Luton, Glasgow, Norwich, Cardiff, Bristol, Aberdeen, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle.

By air - whats included
• 4 nights full board cruise
• Return flights & resort transfers