Provence & Burgundy Cruise - Free Airfare

Mâcon is a small city in central France. It is prefecture of the Saône-et-Loire department, in the region of Burgundy, and the capital of the Mâconnais district. The city lies on the western bank of the Saône river, between Bresse in the East and the Beaujolais hills in the South. Mâcon is the southernmost city in the region of Burgundy. The town was initially founded by the Celts as a river port back at the beginning of the first century BC.

The old town “Vieux Lyon” features Renaissance houses making it worthy of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is for gourmets too: Lyon is dubbed “la ville de gueule” – the gourmet town. Furthermore it is known for its high-quality silk products and the Basilica of Notre-Dame die Fourvière above the city.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is firmly entwined with papal history. Pope John XXII, who regularly drank the wines from the vineyards to the north, as well as Burgundy wine, did much to improve viticultural practices of the commune. Under John XXII, the wines of this area came to be known as "Vin du Pape"; this term later became Châteauneuf-du-Pape. John XXII is also responsible for erecting the famous castle that stands as a symbol for the appellation.

Avignon city is well known for its Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), where several popes and antipopes lived from the early 14th to early 15th centuries. The palace is an impressive monument and sits within a square of the same name. Nearby, Notre Dame des Doms cathedral is a Romanesque building, mainly built during the 12th century.

Arles is in the south of France, in Provence. The Rhône river forks into two branches just upstream of Arles, and the city gained prominence in ancient times as a river port. Arles has important remains of Roman times, which have been listed as World Heritage Sites, including; Roman theater, arena or amphitheater, Alyscamps (Roman necropolis), and Thermae of Constantine. The town also has an outstanding museum of ancient history.

Your port stop today will either be at Vivers (8:00AM - 12:00 Noon) or La Voulte (8:30Am - 2:00PM).

Viviers is located in the southern-central part of the Ardeche department, a few kilometres south of Montelimar.  There is quite an extensive warren of narrow streets, with buildings that are sometimes very carefully renovated, other times rather derelict looking. All are interesting to explore, and a marked walk can be followed.  In the heart of the old town there is a particularly impressive 16th century renaissance building called the House of the Chevaliers, with a great deal of fine carving and ornamentation on the facade.  Also to discover is the town hall, previously a priest's palace dating from the 18th century; an arched bridge across the river; and the remains of the town ramparts. There are several other notable 17th-18th century grand houses around the town.

The village of La Voulte is located on the Rhone river and is known for the variety of fossils it produces.

You'll disembark from your ship this morning, and bid farewell to your fellow cruisemates.

Upon disembarkation, a shuttle will transfer you to the airport for your outbound flight.

Roundtrip airfare is included in your cruise package.