Trip summary statistics
Limited DatesApril – October Only
12days
Highlights of Provence & Sailing the Rhone River
Lyon, Europe River Cruise, France River Cruise, Tournon, Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Marseille
Wander Lyon’s old town, discovering its secret traboules, Notre-Dame, and local flavors.
Set sail for 7 nights on a tranquil river cruise, traveling from Lyon to Chalon-sur-Saône.
Enjoy your time ashore with options like Nîmes' Roman ruins or wine tasting in Beaune.
Visit the beautiful hilltop villages of Luberon, embracing local life and Provencal views.
Operates from April to October. Consult a Cruise Expert to plan the perfect voyage for you.
* Please note: USD per person, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.
A travel experience like no other
This sample itinerary was created by experts and is meant to inspire your next trip. It is ready to be customized to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and departing whenever you choose.
The Best of Land & Sea
The finest cruises paired with privately guided land tours
We expertly plan
Private guides, wonderful hotels and the perfect cruise itinerary & ship selection
We don't settle
Refining your itinerary until you're happy, even while you're traveling.
When would you like to travel?
Select a month
What's your ideal trip length?
If anything changes, we can always adjust.
Prefer to speak with a cruise expert?
LyonHere we Go!
- Surprise & Delight
- Private Airport Transfer
- Airport Meet & Greet - Assistant
- France Welcome Package
LyonGet a Lay of the Land
- Walking Tour of Historical Quarter (3 hrs) - Private
Europe River Cruise to Lyon to France River CruiseBon Voyage
- Private Port Transfer
- Lyon - Embarkation
- Viva Cruises Amenities & Inclusions
Tournon to France River CruiseA Healthy Dose of History
- Tournon
Avignon to France River CruiseStrolling the Magical Streets
- Avignon
Arles to France River CruiseA Sight To Behold
- Avignon - Arles
Arles to France River CruiseAlong Cobblestone Streets
- Arles
Viviers to France River CruiseA Walk Through the Past
- Viviers
Lyon to France River CruiseTastes and Traditions
- Lyon
Lyon to AvignonThe Journey Continues…
- Lyon - Disembarkation
- Private Train Station Transfer
- Train - Lyon - Avignon [1 hr] - First Class
- Private Train Station Transfer
- Orange & Rhone Valley (with Tasting, 5 hrs) - Private Tour
AvignonCross an Item off the Bucket List
- Hilltop Villages of The Luberon (5 hrs) - Private Tour
Avignon to MarseilleSafe Travels!
- Avignon to Marseille Airport (1 hr 15 mins) - Private Transfer
LYON
Here we Go!
Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.
For your added comfort, we will have a Meet & Greet assistant waiting for you outside the customs with a sign with your name on it. Your representative will help you to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.
A Welcome Package will be provided and will include any relevant documents or tickets required for your trip.
Where you’ll be staying
Standard Room
LYON
Get a Lay of the Land
Set out on foot with a private guide for a three-hour walking tour of historic Lyon. World-renowned for its culture and cuisine, Lyon is a city rich in history and home to both Roman theaters and Renaissance architecture. Your walking tour presents Lyon through the ages and invites you to discover the city’s top monuments. Discover the imposing 19th century Basilica of Notre-Dame, occupying a dominant viewpoint overlooking the city, and stroll through the UNESCO-listed historic heart of Vieux Lyon, a hilly, riverside section of town featuring medieval streets and the 15th century Gothic Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.
Where you’ll be staying
Standard Room
EUROPE RIVER CRUISE TO LYON TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE
Bon Voyage
Meet your private driver and vehicle for a port transfer.
To this day, Lyon, the second largest city in France, has been overshadowed by the French capital Paris in terms of tourism. However, this is completely unjustified. If you travel to Lyon in France, you will experience a wonderful mix of a historic old town, excellent cuisine, numerous festivals and picturesque surroundings. Strolling through the alleyways of Lyon's old town is a real pleasure. There is something new to discover around every corner in the medieval and Renaissance-style alleyways and streets. A special feature of Lyon are the so-called "traboules" - passageways and staircases that allow you to pass through buildings and courtyards from one street to another, and due to its extensive historical buildings, large parts of Lyon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Welcome aboard! Take some time to get settled into your cabin, and to explore the length of your cruise vessel. This evening, your river cruise adventure begins.
Your Viva Cruises river journey offers an all-inclusive experience with exceptional service, modern comfort, and thoughtful inclusions. Indulge in gourmet dining featuring fresh, regionally inspired cuisine, paired with unlimited premium beverages, including fine wines, beer, cocktails, and soft drinks throughout the day. Explore vibrant destinations with a variety of immersive shore excursions, carefully curated to showcase the culture, history, and natural beauty of each port. Every elegantly designed stateroom and suite boasts stunning river views, ensuring a relaxing and scenic experience throughout your voyage. Stay connected with complimentary wifi and take advantage of wellness-focused amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, spa treatments, and access to a refreshing sauna. For added ease, onboard gratuities are included in your cruise fare, allowing you to simply relax and enjoy your journey.
Viva Cruises’ outstanding onboard amenities further enhance your experience. Savor expertly crafted meals in sophisticated dining venues, unwind in stylish lounges, and soak in the breathtaking scenery from the expansive sun deck. Enjoy nightly entertainment tailored to your cruise region, from live music to cultural performances. For those seeking active exploration, complimentary bicycles provide a unique way to discover charming riverside towns at your own pace. With Viva Cruises, every detail is designed to deliver a seamless and enriching river cruise experience.
Where you’ll be staying
Double Cabin (Emerald Deck)
TOURNON
A Healthy Dose of History
Tournon is a French commune in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region with about 10,000 inhabitants. The Rhone River is one of the longest rivers in the country, flowing through the town. Vernon Castle is partially listed and offers a museum. It was in the castle that FranÇois de France, heir to the French throne, died in the 16th century. Traces of the nobility can still be discovered in the old town, which invites visitors to stroll around. The Jardin d'Eden lives up to its name.
Where you’ll be staying
Double Cabin (Emerald Deck)
AVIGNON
Strolling the Magical Streets
Who doesn't know the French folk song "Sur le Pontd'Avignon", which has made the city on the left bank of the Rhone world-famous? However, Avignon gained its true significance in the 14th century when the Pope sought exile there due to warlike unrest. True to the motto "Where the Pope is, there is Rome", a glorious period of prosperity began, accompanied by the construction of Gothic monasteries and churches. With its jagged parapets and enormous towers, the monumental papal palace resembles a fortress and serves as a unique backdrop for an annual theater festival. However, the picturesque lavender landscape of Provence attracts not only art lovers, but also gourmets.
Where you’ll be staying
Double Cabin (Emerald Deck)
ARLES
A Sight To Behold
Roman relics, medieval evidence and romaniche architecture: Arles invites you to travel through the eras and stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the threshold to eternity. At the gates of the "little Rome" makes itself to that the natural landscape Camargue with pink flamingos, white wild horses and wide sand dunes wide. Already van Gogh let himself be inspired by the color play of Provence and be seduced by the southern flair of the city. Art lovers can follow the traces of the master thanks to marked routes and stop at the famous "night cafe" at Place du Forum. Today the former seat of government of Emperor Barbarossa a place full of possibilities, where monumental buildings with motheir museums are in harmony.
Where you’ll be staying
Double Cabin (Emerald Deck)
ARLES
Along Cobblestone Streets
Roman relics, medieval evidence and romaniche architecture: Arles invites you to travel through the eras and stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the threshold to eternity. At the gates of the "little Rome" makes itself to that the natural landscape Camargue with pink flamingos, white wild horses and wide sand dunes wide. Already van Gogh let himself be inspired by the color play of Provence and be seduced by the southern flair of the city. Art lovers can follow the traces of the master thanks to marked routes and stop at the famous "night cafe" at Place du Forum. Today the former seat of government of Emperor Barbarossa a place full of possibilities, where monumental buildings with motheir museums are in harmony.
Where you’ll be staying
Double Cabin (Emerald Deck)
VIVIERS
A Walk Through the Past
Looking like a sleeping beauty, Viviers sits on the right bank of the Rhone-bank. The historic town center is preserved and forms a fabulous backdrop for a trip to times long past. Through winding alleys leads a walk from the subtown, where merchants and craftsmen lived in the Middle Ages, in The Upper Town, the former refuge of the well-heeled and spiritual. Here, the richly decorated facade of the Maison des Chevaliers always discover new details covers. From the smallest cathedral in France, the Cathedrale Saint-Vincent, it is not far to the Belvedere de Chateauvieux. The trip is rewarded with a fantastic view over the tiled roofs of the city and the Rhone Valley.
Where you’ll be staying
Double Cabin (Emerald Deck)
LYON
Tastes and Traditions
To this day, Lyon, the second largest city in France, has been overshadowed by the French capital Paris in terms of tourism. However, this is completely unjustified. If you travel to Lyon in France, you will experience a wonderful mix of a historic old town, excellent cuisine, numerous festivals and picturesque surroundings. Strolling through the alleyways of Lyon's old town is a real pleasure. There is something new to discover around every corner in the medieval and Renaissance-style alleyways and streets. A special feature of Lyon are the so-called "traboules" - passageways and staircases that allow you to pass through buildings and courtyards from one street to another, and due to its extensive historical buildings, large parts of Lyon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where you’ll be staying
Double Cabin (Emerald Deck)
LYON TO AVIGNON
The Journey Continues…
Bid farewell to the crew as your voyage comes to a close, and you disembark from your cruise vessel this morning.
Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
Depart by train from Lyon to Avignon. Approximate travel time is 1 hour.
Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
Meet your private driver-guide and transportation for a half-day tour that takes in the historic Roman city of Orange, and the wine of the Rhone Valley. First, head to Orange for a panoramic tour of this ancient city, dating back over 2,000 years. Gaze upon the stunning Triumphal Arch of Orange - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of the glory of Roman imperialism in antiquity. Also shared in the UNESCO World Heritage title is the Roman Theater of Orange, one of the most well-preserved theaters of the Roman Empire, a relic from 20 centuries ago. Visit the 7,000-seat venue which brought the people together and distracted them from the political agenda of the day with spectacle and entertainment. From here, take a scenic drive through the vineyards between Orange and nearby Chateauneuf-du-Pape, stopping to enjoy a guided wine tasting in a local cellar, offering a nice introduction to the wines of the Rhone Valley, with explanations on the terroir, grape varietals, vinification, and aging cellars. Conclude the tour on arrival back to Avignon.
Where you’ll be staying
Prestige Room
AVIGNON
Cross an Item off the Bucket List
Meet your private driver-guide and set out on a half-day tour to discover the most beautiful Provencal hilltop villages of the Luberon. An hour east of Avignon, you'll arrive to the village of Roussillon, built at the top of an ocher cliff. Stroll through the village's charming old center, with houses and shops sporting ocher-washed facades and shutters in muted pastel tones. When you imagine picture-perfect Provence, this is indeed it! See the former ocher quarries and walk along beautiful orange pathways around the town. Turning back west, continue to Gordes, a stunning commune of grey-beige rock, standing in stark contrast to Roussillon. In Gordes, an 11th century castle and 12th century abbey dominate the peak of the hill, overlooking the typical houses of the medieval village below, all built with stones from the same rock to which they cling. If your travel dates align, you can opt to explore the charming Provencal markets of Gordes (Tuesdays) or Roussillon (Thursdays). Conclude on arrival back to Avignon.
Where you’ll be staying
Prestige Room
AVIGNON TO MARSEILLE
Safe Travels!
Meet your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to Marseille Airport. Approximate travel time is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
LYON
Grand Hotel Des Terreaux
Grand Hotel Des Terreaux is located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel enjoys the prime location in the Les Terreaux area of the peninsula between the Rhone and Saone rivers. It is only a few minute walk from the Opera, the Celestins Theater, the fine arts museum and the old city with all the restaurants and bars. Grand Hotel Des Terreaux is one of Lyon’s oldest hotels that combine the atmosphere of an old 19th-century townhouse renovated with a daringly modern, innovative design. Guest can choose from a variety of elegant, large and beautifully decorated rooms, refurbished with contemporary furniture. The lobby is medium in size nicely decorated in style reminiscent of Art Deco, with a very cozy and relaxing bar area facing the reception desk. This charming hotel features a serene atmosphere with a little swimming pool and a jacuzzi. It is also in the excellent location for sightseeing or shopping.
FRANCE RIVER CRUISE
Viva Voyage
The 76-cabin Viva Voyage will charm you with its stylish boutique ambiance, setting the stage for an unforgettable river cruise journey. All cabins feature outside positions offering spectacular views of the charming sights along the riverbanks. Indulge in a gourmet meal in the main restaurant or bistro, and unwind with an after-dinner cocktail in the panorama lounge with a range of evening entertainment. Marvel at the passing scenery while relaxing in the whirlpool or practicing your short game on the Sun Deck’s putting green. Take some time out in the wellness area and relax in the steam bath or sauna. For the more active guests, bicycles are available for individual exploration of the picturesque landscape. Viva Voyage is your gateway to an immersive river cruise experience
AVIGNON
Hotel d`Europe
The luxurious Hotel d’Europe is one of the oldest hotels in France. Set in a 16th-century building in the heart of Avignon, it occupies a magnificent location just a 5-minute walk from both the UNESCO-listed Palais des Papes, and the picturesque Avignon Bridge. Built originally as an aristocratic townhouse, the hotel retains a sense of nobility. Its 44 rooms and suites are decorated luxuriously, yet simply, offering exceptional comfort. Hotel d'Europe creates a timeless place where hospitality is offered discretely, and with warmth, by a loyal and dedicated team of professionals. The on-site fine dining restaurant La Vielle Fontaine is idyllic, with a beautiful shaded terrace and elegant dining room, the perfect settings for enjoying local cuisine.
Made to Order
- Choose from a range of places to stay, from impeccable five-star hotels to equally outstanding boutique ones.
- Tailor your trip to include a wide variety of activities, from the must-see's to the lesser-known, local experiences, and even the exclusive ones you may not know about.
- With no fixed dates or set schedules, you can explore on your terms.
- Whether you're celebrating one of life's big moments or looking to fulfill a personal journey, we always work with you to ensure we're creating a trip-of-a-lifetime.
What's included
- A fully customized itinerary based on your interests and schedule
- 24/7 in-destination support from our local office
- Regional flights between stops in your itinerary (unless otherwise indicated)
- All accommodation stays, tours and transfers for scheduled activities are covered, unless otherwise listed in the itinerary
- A private driver for tours and transfers (in some countries our local private guides also act as your driver - your Destination Expert will discuss with you if applicable)
- Local private guides or shared tours that take you through your itinerary highlights and experiences, your final itinerary will confirm the type of tour
- A greeting at the airport or at your accommodation from one of our representatives – your expert will confirm your meet and greet location with you
- Breakfast each morning at your hotel, plus any meals indicated in the itinerary
- One suitcase and one carry-on per person for trip transfers
What's not included
- Your international airfare – please do let your expert know if you'd like to receive pricing from our Air Team
- Travel insurance, which we offer and can be purchased after you've booked your tour
- Visas (unless noted)
- Tips for services and experiences
- Lunches, dinners and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), unless specified in the itinerary
- Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
- Personal charges such as laundry, phone calls, SIM cards or room service
- Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
- Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of your itinerary
- Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, or local camera or video fees
- Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
Protect your travel
- We recommend travel protection. Between missed connections, lost or delayed luggage, or medical emergencies, you want some peace of mind that your travel investment is well protected.
- No matter who you buy from, please consider purchasing a travel protection plan before you travel. Still unsure? Consider these frequently asked questions.








