Day 1Nice
Arrive in Nice and proceed to your hotel for check-in.* Spend the rest of the day exploring this coastal resort town.
Day 2Nice & Monte Carlo
Enjoy a guided tour of lovely Nice with its charming Old Town, picturesque squares, shops and inviting restaurants and cafés. You have some free time to do some exploring or get lunch on your own.
Early afternoon, we drive you to Monte Carlo. En route stop in the medieval village of Eze and see the Fragonard perfumery. Also visit Monaco Ville and see the Palais Princier. Upon arrival, you have some free time to explore Monte Carlo, the glamorous central quarter of Monaco and playground of the rich and famous, where the yachts are as enormous as the mansions. You don’t need to be a millionaire to enjoy Monte Carlo’s wonderful gardens or do some window shopping. Or take a trip to the impressive Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium, perched atop a sheer cliff, and enjoy the sensational views. Join us for dinner at the Café de Paris before returning to Nice. (B, D)
Day 3Nice
You have a full day on your own in Nice. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais or take a refreshing dip in the sea. There are dozens of museums and galleries worth your time, including Musée Matisse and the Chagall Gallery. On different days of the week, you’ll find markets in the Old Town, including a flower market, flea market, arts and crafts, and antiques market. With its wonderful architecture and beautiful parks and gardens, Nice has so much to offer. Your local guide will be more than happy to help you make arrangements for individual optional excursions. (B)
Day 4Nice & Avignon
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and begin the ride to Avignon to embark your ship. Along the way, explore Cannes with its high-end boutiques that line the Boulevard de la Croisette, and see the Film Festival Palace with its celebrity hand prints. See the Old Town in Antibes and the mega-yachts of Billionaires Quay. After boarding, take free time to explore this quaint town on the scenic Rhône River. (B, D)
Day 5Arles
Arrive during breakfast and take a walking tour of Arles with its diverse architectural highlights. Experience the city’s vibrant colors and striking quality of light that have inspired artists. Arles is also the site of some impressive Roman ruins, including Les Arènes, an arena that seats 20,000 and is still in use, as well as Romanesque monuments such as the Church of Saint-Trôphime, completed in the 15th century. Return aboard for lunch followed by an afternoon on your own to explore or shop for handcrafted gifts—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served as you depart. (B, L, D)
Day 6Avignon & Viviers
This morning, set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed “City of Popes” because it was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377. Stroll through the historic center, stop at the picturesque Pont d’Avignon and walk the Place de l’Horloge. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through this rambling maze of Gothic architecture, which served as papal residence, fortress, church, and palace. After the tour, enjoy an afternoon at leisure exploring Avignon. You can join the optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine. Lunch and dinner are served aboard. Arrive after dinner in Viviers, a quaint town in a mountainous setting. Join your Program Director for an evening stroll through the Old Town with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. Enjoy free time before retiring for the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 7Tournon
After a scenic morning cruise and lunch aboard, take a tour through Tournon to Tain l’Hermitage, a region known for its wine and gourmet chocolate. During a guided tour of the area, learn about the region’s winemaking traditions and taste some famous regional red wines. Then visit the Musée de Tain l’Hermitage, located in the oldest house in the region. Dine aboard and cruise through the evening. (B, L, D)
Day 8Vienne & Lyon
This morning, take a walking tour of Vienne, a beautiful town with an ancient Roman past. Visit the Temple of Augustus & Livia, the Roman amphitheater, and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice; then spend some time discovering more of this charming riverside town on your own. Return to your ship for lunch and an afternoon departure. Later, this afternoon, arrive in Lyon. Enjoy free time to explore this remarkable 2,000-year-old city in the heart of France. Dinner is served aboard and your ship remains docked overnight, so you may choose to take an evening stroll. (B, L, D)
Day 9Lyon
After breakfast, tour Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a drive to the top of Fourvière Hill for amazing views of the city. Continue with a guided visit to the Basilica of Notre Dame and drive through town past the magnificent St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice. Then take a walking tour through the cobbled streets of Vieux Lyon (Old Town), with free time to shop for souvenirs or sample some of the fine French cuisine for which Lyon is world-famous. Return to your ship for an afternoon departure. (B, L, D)
Day 10Burgundy Wine Tour & Beaune
After breakfast, take a scenic drive along France’s Burgundy wine route through Pommard, Volnay and Meursault. Arrive in Beaune, wine capital of Burgundy, for a guided tour of beautiful Hôtel Dieu, founded as a hospice in 1443. Learn about local viticulture and enjoy a wine tasting at one of Beaune’s famous cellars. Return to your ship, which is docked in Chalon-sur-Saône, for lunch. Enjoy free time to explore this quaint town on the scenic Saône River. (B, L, D)
Day 11Chalon-sur-Saône & Paris
After breakfast, disembark and we will transfer you to Le Méridien Étoile hotel (or similar) in Paris. The rest of the day is yours. (B)
Day 12Paris
This morning, enjoy a panoramic tour of Paris. You will see Notre Dame Cathedral and the Church of Sainte Chapelle. Your afternoon and evening are at leisure—visit museums like the Pompidou, Orsay or Picasso, admire historic buildings like Fontainebleau and the Paris Opera. Or, you can take an optional guided visit to the world-famous Louvre, home of da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” the “Winged Victory of Samothrace,” I.M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramids and much more. This evening, we dine in a typical Parisian bistro. Bon appétit! (B, D)
Day 13Paris
You have a full day to further explore the “City of Light.” Stroll through Montmartre, shop along the Champs Elysées, ride up to the top of the Eiffel Tower and sample some of the famous French cuisine. You might like to take a Seine cruise aboard a bâteau-mouche this evening to see some of the city’s landmarks and lovely bridges. (B)
Day 14Paris
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and proceed to the airport for your return flight.* (B)
The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
*Please note: Airport transfers are only included if the Viking air offer is purchased and the arrival/departure city and date on your Viking issued air ticket coincides with the cruisetour start/finish city and date. Otherwise, an additional charge will apply, or you may arrange your own transportation.