Colors of Provence Rhone River Cruise, March 26 - April 2, 2026, with Lindquist Family Wines

Day 1: Sunday, March 22

ARRIVE PARIS

Bonjour France! Arrive at Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG). You will be met and transferred to our Paris hotel. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at Au Petit Riche, a historic Parisian brasserie in business since 1854. (D)

OVERNIGHT: THE CHESS HOTEL (Paris Opera District – 2 nights)

Day 2: Monday, March 23

PARIS JAZZ TOUR / CAFÉ LE PROCOPE

This morning is special. Embark on a guided walking “Jazz Tour” of Montmartre, dedicated to the birth of Jazz music during the 1920-30s. During the Roaring Twenties this area of Paris was referred to by locals as Harlem Montmartre.Jazz greats Josephine Baker, Jellie Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Django Reinhardt, Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway and Satchmo himself, Louis Armstrong, all resided here at some time. Afterward, dine at Café Le Procope, the oldest operating restaurant in Paris, since 1686. Yes, take your picture underneath the tricorn “chapeau” of Napoleon Bonapart.This afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore the “City of Lights”.(B,L)

Day 3: Tuesday, March 24

PARIS TO DIJON

This morning depart Paris for Dijon by touring coach, a four-hour journey.This afternoon enjoy a guided walking tour of Dijon, once the grand capital city of the wealthy Kingdom of Burgundy. Stroll past lovely shops, palaces and the Dijon Market, an indoor food hall that is one of the finest in France. At the Musee des Beaux-Arts see collections from antiquity to contemporary art, masterpiece paintings, sculptures and drawings from the 130,000 pieces housed here.Tonight dine in the “Caveau”, the wine cave underneath the Grand Hotel La Cloche.(B,D)

OVERNIGHT: M-GALLERY GRAND HOTEL LA CLOCHE (2 nights)

Day 4: Wednesday, March 25

BURGUNDY WINERIES

Today we visit two renowned Burgundy wineries, Domaine d’Ardhuy and Chateau de Marsannay. Enjoy guided tours of both, with expert led tastings immediately following. Lunch is included in the lovely village of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Return to Dijon late this afternoon.(B,L)

Day 5: Thursday, March 26

BEAUNE & LYON

This morning depart Dijon for Beaune and the iconic Hospice de Beaune, built as a medieval hospital for the poor and now a major French historic site. Here each third week of November is held Les Trois Glorieuses de Bourgogne (“The Three Glorious Days of Burgundy”), the world’s most famous charity wine auction. After lunch we depart for Lyon. Board the AmaKristina approximately 4pm. Tonight enjoy after dinner cocktails with Bob and Louisa Sawyer Lindquist in the Main Lounge.(B,D)

Day 1: Thursday, March 26

EMBARKATION – LYON, FRANCE

Board the luxurious M/S AmaKristina for your Colors of Provence cruise. (D)

Day 2: Friday, March 27

LYON

Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” Alternately, join a guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind. In the afternoon, enjoy the rest of your day at your own leisure to explore the city. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Saturday, March 28

LYON-VIENNE

Travel to the Beaujolais wine region – known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones.” Indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Sunday, March 29

VIENNE-TOURNON

Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey – one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet or a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Monday, March 30

TOURNON – VIVERS

You have a choice of three excursions. Take a train ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux, stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a hike through the vineyards of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the wines or cycle through the French countryside. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Tuesday, March 31

AVIGNON

Depending on your interests, you have three choices of excursions for the morning. Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macarons, cheese and wine, and tapenades or you can enjoy a bike tour. During the afternoon, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Alternately, you can go to the magnificent hilltop village, Grignan, where you will go in search of the highly prized Black Diamond Truffles with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Wednesday, April 1

ARLES

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants all with its tantalizing history, formerly a Roman center of trade. In the morning, venture to Les Baux de Provence, a hilltop village and ruined castle. Enjoy time in the “old village,” its shops, art galleries, and cafes interspersed among the historic ruins. You will also have a unique experience at the Carrières de Lumières, where you will be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound, and history projected on the walls of a former limestone quarry set to music. Next, visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provençal tradition and enjoy a tasting. Finally, experience the beauty of Saint Rémy de Provence, the location where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous paintings, including Starry Night. Later in the day, join a guided walking tour where you’ll visit the Roman ruins of Arles such as its Roman Amphitheater and the Church of Saint Trophime, famous for its Romanesque architecture. Alternatively, you can enjoy a bike ride along the Rhône, through town to the Langlois Bridge, a famous subject from several Vincent Van Gogh paintings. And for those who wish to delve further into Van Gogh’s Arles, join a special walking tour along with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Thursday, April 2

DISEMBARKATION – ARLES, FRANCE

Bid farewell to Arles and prepare for your flight home. (B)

Day 1: Thursday, April 2

CAMARGUE-AIX-EN-PROVENCE

Depart Arles at 9:30am for Camargue, the wild delta region of the Rhone River before it spills into the Mediterranean Sea. At 360 square miles, this is Europe’s largest delta and one of the continent’s most important wetland regions. Wild horses and cattle inhabit the grasslands, also home to “Les Gardiers”, French cowboys! Visit the farm of Olivier Fernay, a breeder of horses and fighting bulls. Enjoy an equestrian demonstration in the bull ring, followed by lunch. This afternoon travel to Aix-en-Provence. Visit the studio museum of Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne, before arriving at our hotel. (B,L)

OVERNIGHT: Grand Hôtel Roi René Aix-en-Provence Centre – MGallery (3 nights)

Day 2: Friday, April 3

AIX-EN-PROVENCE / PROVENCE DINNER

This morning enjoy a guided walking tour of “Aix”, considered one of the most charming small cities in France. Once the capital of Provence, Aix-en-Provence was a favorite haunt of Cezanne, Emile Zola and Ernest Hemingway. Divided by the broad thoroughfare Cours Mirabeau, bordered by plane trees, picturesque mansions from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries line the streets of old town.The afternoon is at leisure to explore.Tonight enjoy dinner at one of “Aix” town’s finest traditional French restaurants.(B,D)

Day 3: Saturday, April 4

CHATEAU LA VERRERIE-SALON-DE-PROVENCE

This morning journey to Chateau La Verrerie, in the Luberon foothills of the French Alps. Owned by the Descours family, this lovely wine producing estate boasts a magical location and elegant manor house. Tour the cellars and vineyards before joining a masterclass 5-wine & food pairing workshop led by the resident sommelier. Later enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in nearby Salon-de-Provence. This village is known for producing fine soap, exquisite candies called “Calissons” and being the village and final resting place of visionary Michel Nostradamus. It is also an important French Air Force base. After lunch walk “On the Path of Nostradamus”, a guided tour visiting the visionary prophet’s home and museum here, before returning to Aix-en-Provence. This evening is at leisure. (B,L)

Day 4: Sunday, April 5

AIX-EN-PROVENCE TO MARSEILLES AIRPORT

Morning transfers are arranged to Marseilles International Airport for onward flights. (B)