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FLAVORS OF BURGUNDY & PROVENCE WITH EXTENSION

Day 1 - (Sat.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 - Paris, France. (Sun.) Welcome to Paris, France's capital on the River Seine - the "City of Light," where romance fills the air.

Day 3 - Paris. (Mon.) Paris" famous sights are living history: magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid contrasting its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world's most famous cabaret shows. (BB)

Day 4 - Paris - Beaune - Chalons-sur-Saône. (Embarkation). (Tue.) After breakfast, drive south past the forest of Fontainebleau, favorite hunting grounds of a long line of French kings, and into Burgundy. Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d - Or area which produces the region's finest vintages, owes its wealth to the production, ageing, and selling of fine wines. Its most famous historical site, the Hôtel-Dieu charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France's architectural highlights. Continue south to Chalon-sur-Saône where the crew of your luxurious river cruise vessel waits to welcome you aboard. Before dinner, set sail for Tournus. (BB,D)

Day 5 - Tournus - Mâcon. (Wed.) Free time to explore the lovely town of Tournus. The cloister of St. Philibert or the folklore collection of the Burgundy Museum, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. Sail to Mâcon for a GUIDED WALKING TOUR of this lovely town on the River Saône. Playing an important role in the wine trade, Mâcon has a rich history. See the Old St. Vincent, the cathedral founded in the 6th century that is a symbol of the city; La Charité; the Town Hall; and the Half-Timbered House, dating from the 15th-16th centuries. A number of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, are available. (FB,L,D)

Day 6 - Beaujolais Region - Lyon. (Thu.) Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. Lyon is France's second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 B.C., the city's prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and Renaissance architecture delight visitors. Survey the city from FOURVIÈRE HILL; explore Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways; also see Place Terraux and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the "Beaujolais Nouveau" is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. An optional dinner gives gourmets an insight into the local haute cuisine. (FB,L,D)

Day 7 - Lyon. (Fri.) A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. (FB,L,D)

Day 8 - Tournon/Tain L - Hermitage - Viviers (Sat.) The twin cities of Tournon and Tain L - Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhône and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France's oldest medieval cities. Another charming town, Viviers, was developed around its Romanesque cathedral, and the Old Town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (FB,L,D)

Day 9 - Avignon. (Sun.) The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Referred to as the "City of Popes," it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose "PALACE OF THE POPES." A photo of the bridge from the popular song is a must, and optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available. (FB,L,D)

Day 10 - Arles. (Mon.) On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the "Little Rome of Gaul." See the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER, the church of St. Trophime, and "Les Alycamps," the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of the Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The "Foundation Vincent Van Gogh" is a tribute to the artist. (FB,L,D)

Day 11 - Arles"(Disembarkation)"Provence Region. (Tue.) After breakfast, disembark and follow the remaining stretch of the Rhône into its Delta" the Camargue" famous for its wild horses and pink flamingos. Visit the city of Aigues-Mortes with its impressive towers and defensive walls embedded in a melancholy landscape of pools, marshes, and salt pans. (FB)

Day 12 - Provence Region. (Wed.) Your day starts with a guided tour of Nîmes, heart of the Provence region and a city of arts and culture. Time at leisure to explore on your own. This evening, you might like to join an optional excursion to taste some of the local specialties this region has to offer. (BB)

Day 13 - Provence Region - Nice. (Thu.) This morning is dedicated to Aix-en-Provence, one of France's most elegant cities. Shaded Cours Mirabeau, colorful squares, and famous cafés and fountains can be discovered on a stroll around the city. After lunch, head east past Cézanne's Mount St. Victoire on the way to Nice. This evening, an optional excursion to Monte Carlo in the tiny Principality of Monaco is available. (BB)

Day 14 - Nice. (Fri.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day.