Get excited!

Embarkation day is finally here and we are thrilled to have you on board for this exquisite journey through the heart of French wine country! As you step onto the luxurious cruise ship, prepare to immerse yourself in a world of flavors, culture, and breathtaking landscapes.

The enchanting city of Lyon, renowned for its culinary delights and rich history, sets the perfect stage for our wine adventure. On this exclusive cruise, you'll have the opportunity to indulge in wine tastings led by expert winemakers, who will guide you through the nuances of each varietal and increase your knowledge and love for the art of wine.

***Welcome Happy Hour with our wine makers, Don Burns, Juan Mercado & Kit Kuyper!

Dinner included on board.

Bon voyage!

Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” Alternately, indulge in rich cheeses, fresh breads and charcuterie in the culinary mecca of Les Halles Market or join a guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind. In the afternoon, travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones.” Indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard.

Choose from Lyon city tour, Les Halles Market tour, Lyon bike tour, or Beaujolais excursion and tasting. Or feel free to use your free time to explore the city on your own!

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

Enjoy some more free time in Lyon. Pop into an outdoor café for an authentic French breakfast or visit one of the city’s many amazing museums during your leisurely morning. Bid adieu and set sail for Vienne.

***Special Wine Pairing Dinner with Turtle Rock, and Hawks Hill Ranch Wines

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet or a guided bike tour along a portion of the Via Rhôna bike route.

Choose between “Footsteps of Ancient Romans” walking tour, Mount Pipet hike or ViaRhôna bike tour.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

Take an exclusive private train ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux, stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a hike through the vineyards of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the wines.

Choose between a private steam train ride, wine and chocolate tasting or Tain l’Hermitage hike and wine tasting.

***Afternoon Wine Tasting hosted by Turtle Rock’s Don Burns. Side-by-side tasting of some of the best Rhone style wines from California along with Rhone Valley’s classics.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

Depending on your interests, you have three choices of excursions for the morning. Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macarons, cheese and wine, and tapenades, or you can enjoy a bike tour. During the afternoon, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Alternately, you can go to the magnificent hilltop village, Grignan. After visiting this enchanting Provençal town, set off in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffles with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. In the evening, enjoy a short cruise to the Pont d’Avignon, illuminated against the night sky.

In the morning, choose between a walking tour and Papal Palace, Tastes of Avignon tour, Avignon bike tour Pont du Gard or Grignan excursion and truffle farm visit.

In the evening a cruise to illuminated Pont d’Avignon included for all.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included on board.

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants all with its tantalizing history, formerly a Roman center of trade. Join a guided walking tour where you’ll visit the Roman ruins of Arles such as its Roman Amphitheater and the Church of Saint Trophime, famous for its Romanesque architecture.

Alternatively, you can enjoy a bike ride along the Rhône, through town to the Langlois Bridge, a famous subject from several Vincent Van Gogh paintings. And for those who wish to delve further into Van Gogh’s Arles, join a special walking tour along with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. During the afternoon, you’ll venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux de Provence and then delve deeply into the Carrières des Lumières, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound and history projected on the former limestone quarry walls of caves.

In the morning, choose between Arles walking tour, bike tour, Van Gogh walking tour. Afternoon tour of Les Baux and Carrières des Lumières included for all.

Farewell post dinner drinks with Don & Kit.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included on board.

DISEMBARKATION. Bid farewell to Arles and prepare for your flight home or be seamlessly transported to the magical city of Barcelona or to the enchanting French Riviera for your 3 day extension.

Breakfast included on board.

**Please note itinerary is subject to change

Complete your adventure with an added stay in Barcelona.

Learn More About Pre & Post Cruise Extensions