Saône & Rhône River Cruise Itinerary

LYON - MACON - VIENNE - ARLES - AVIGNON - VIVIERS - TAIN L'HERMITAGE - LYON

DAY 1: LYON

Boarding time is from 6pm in Lyon. Settle into your cabin and welcome cocktail. After dinner entertainment is provided in the lounge bar. Moor overnight in Lyon.

DAY 2: LYON - MACON

Breakfast on board. Optional excursion by coach for a guided visit of Lyon which is situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Return on board for lunch as the boat sets off towards Mâcon. This afternoon is an ideal opportunity to relax on board and admire the scenery whilst cruising through the beautiful Burgundy countryside. Dinner while cruising followed by an evening of dancing and entertainment. Reach Mâcon during the evening and moor for the night.

DAY 3: MACON - VIENNE

Breakfast on board. Optional morning excursion by coach to visit the abbey at Cluny and the church here was the largest in all of western Christendom. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail again, heading for Vienne. Dinner and an evening of entertainment on board whilst cruising, arriving in Vienne towards the end of the evening. Moor overnight.

DAY 4: VIENNE - ARLES

After breakfast on board, there is an optional visit of Vienne. The history of Vienne dates back some 2000 years with Roman relics and the cathedral of St Maurice, all listed Historic Monuments. Return on board for lunch and the boat sets off again to Avignon. Another relaxing afternoon on board to admire the scenery as the ship cruises down the Rhône. Dinner and an evening of entertainment on board whilst cruising and continue through the night. 

DAY 5: ARLES - THE CAMARGUE

Arive early morning in Arles and breakfast on board. Optional visit of Arles; with its Roman treasures and artistic legacy, Arles has a glorious heritage. After the visit head into the country to learn about how Provençal olive oil is made. Return on board for lunch. In the afternoon there is an optional excursion through the Camargue, a large nature reserve where the sea and marshland are inhabited by an array of water fowl and birds. Free time in the delightful town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Return to the ship for dinner, after which there is Provençal folk evening on board. Moor for the night.

DAY 6: ARLES - AVIGNON - VIVIERS

Set sail early in the morning in the direction of Avignon. After breakfast on board there is an optional excursion to visit Avignon and the “Palais des Papes”, a fortress set high on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by city walls. Return on board for lunch and the cruise continues in the direction of Viviers. After dinner there is an optional visit of Viviers - a medieval city which also happens to be home to the smallest cathedral in France. Moor for the night.

DAY 7: VIVIERS - TOURNON - LYON

Breakfast and lunch on board whilst cruising. Arrive in Tournon in the early afternoon. There is an optional excursion to visit the city which finishes with a tasting of regional products and wines. Return on foot to the ship. Gala dinner on board, followed by an evening of dancing and entertainment. During the night, the ship cruises towards Lyon.

DAY: 8 LYON

Breakfast on board before arriving in the city around 9am. Disembark and transfer to Lyon airport for your flight home.

Please note: for reasons of navigational safety, the captain and crew of the boat may decide to modify the cruise itinerary, which is beyond Orbital Travel's control.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

There is a comprehensive programme of guided optional excursions, some of which must be pre-booked. There is a 5% discount when you pre-book the whole excursions package.

*Prices in Euros per person:

• Guided Tour Of Lyon 33
• Cluny Abbey 41
• Guided Tour Of Vienne 18
• Avignon And The Pope's Palace 27
• The Camargue 44
• Guided Tour Of Viviers 22
• Guided Tour Of Arles And Visit Of An Olive Oil Production Site 34
• Excursion Package 240

*Prices shown above are for information purposes only and may be liable to change without prior notice. The excursions are conducted in both French/German and English.

Orbital Travel act as agents for the activity operator/supplier. Please note that the contract for these excursions, tours and activities is between the client and the local suppliers who offer them. Local suppliers are independent of Orbital Travel.