|
The
12 passengers Napoléon
.... is a magnificent river cruiser, combining all the amenities
of a luxury hotel with the friendly ambience of a country inn.
She is beautifully appointed with large picture windows that provide
unsurpassed views of the countryside.
Napoléon cruises the Rhône between Arles and Tain
l’Hermitage/Tournon; sun-drenched landscapes that inspired
the great canvases of Cézanne and Van Gogh. A region full
of sophisticated architecture dating back to the Roman civilization
and ruins of fortifications, arenas and aqueducts that continue
to amaze modern engineers. The endless vistas of tiled roofs,
lavender fields and olive groves are synonymous with Provence.
Excursions
are arranged to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and
the story book towns of Orange, Avignon, Arles, St Rémy,
birthplace of Nostradamus and the ancient Roman and Greek ruins
of Pont-du-Gard and Glanum.
NAPOLEON
CRUISE ITINERARY
Arles to Tain Itinerary
Day 1 Sunday - Vallabrègues to Arles
Guests will be met at a designated meeting point in Avignon on
Sunday afternoon and transferred to Napoleon for the cruise along
the River Rhône. A champagne reception will give you the
chance to meet the crew, followed by a late afternoon cruise from
Vallabrègues to Arles for your first taste of River Rhône
cruising. After dinner aboard, take a walking tour of Arles, where
Van Gogh spent much of 1888 and 1889 painting some of his finest
works.
Day
2 Monday - Arles to Avignon
Today, visit a traditional 18th century “Provencal Bastide”
in St. Rémy for an olive oil tasting. Lunch aboard. Relax
during the afternoon cruise to Avignon and watch the scenery of
the Rhône Valley drift by. Cruise past Le Pont St. Bénézet
(the famous Pont d'Avignon) before mooring-up at the quay facing
the gate to the walled city. Visit the Pont du Gard, part of the
Roman aqueduct that transported spring water from Uzès
to Nîmes. Dinner aboard.
Day 3 Tuesday - Avignon to St.Etienne des Sorts
A walking tour introduces you to the walled city of Avignon,
home of the Popes from 1309-77. A guided tour of the Palace of
the Popes is followed by some time at leisure. Return to the barge
where lunch awaits and another relaxing afternoon cruise. Then
there is a visit to Châteauneuf du Pape for a wine tasting
before continuing the cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts. Dinner
aboard.
Day 4 Wednesday - Avignon to St.Etienne des Sorts
to Viviers
This morning your guide takes you on a tour of Orange, an
important Roman city dating back to 100 B.C. The historical town
contains two of the finest Roman monuments in Europe - The Theatre
Antique d'Orange and the Arc de Triomphe. Lunch back on board
and we continue the cruise to our evening mooring at Viviers.
There's time for a leisurely stroll around this charming medieval
town before dinner aboard.
Day 5 Thursday - Viviers to LA Voulte
Today's visit is to the typical Provencal village of Nyons,
to see a working lavender distillery and tour an ancient XVIII
century olive mill. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in the
very scenic village of Grignan. In the afternoon, we visit a truffle
farm to learn all about the black diamond and taste this expensive
and unusual mushroom. After rejoining the barge at La Pouzin,
we continue our cruise to La Voulte. Dinner aboard.
Day 6 Friday - La Voulte to Tain
This morning, our chef takes you to discover a traditional
French market in La Voulte followed by a leisurely lunch on board.
During this part of the cruise the river valley is flanked by
the vineyards of the Côte du Rhône, offering a completely
different perspective. Later in the day, after mooring in Tain
or Tournon you are escorted to Mr Ferraton's winery for your last
dégustation. Farewell gala dinner aboard.
Day 7 Saturday - Tain
After breakfast, guests disembark and are transferred to the
local railway station.
This
is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks
the cruise is in the reverse direction.
CRUISE
HIGHLIGHT
* All-inclusive - open bar, free wines,gourmet cuisine, entry
fees to excursions
* Avignon, the Pope's Palace
* Chateauneuf du Pape wine tasting
* Walking tour of Van Gogh's Arles
* The Theatre Antique d'Orange and the Arc de Triomphe
* Visit to lavender distillery
* Truffle tasting
Download
brochure
Special
Offer
Free
1st Class Return TGV tickets from Paris
Book before 31 March 2009
|
