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August 4 -13, 2013
Avalon Waterways Avalon Scenery
10-day tour starting in Paris, then cruising from picturesque Chalon-sur-Saone to Lyon, France's gastronomical capital, through prestigious Burgundy wine country, to romantic Barcelona, on an all-gay charter aboard the beautiful Avalon Scenery.
From magical Paris, through prestigious Burgundy wine country, to romantic Barcelona, this captivating itinerary will not disappoint. Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to taste the sumptuous wines and cuisine of France. Your adventure begins with two nights and guided sightseeing in Paris, the "City of Light." Travel south to fascinating Beaune for a Burgundy wine tasting; then board your ship in quaint Chalon-sur-Saone and set sail for lovely Tournus, Macon, France's gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as medieval Tournon, charming Viviers, the UNESCO World Herit-age Site of Avignon, and Arles, once home to Vincent Van Gogh. Disembark and travel to medieval Girona for a stop en route to your post-cruise program in Barcelona. This cruise vacation has it all—historic sites, charming towns, world-class wine and cuisine and more!
Your Ship - Avalon Scenery
The Avalon Scenery is the ship of choice when cruising in France. France is known for its gastronomy, and the Avalon Scenery answers the call for remarkable cuisine with the finest chef-inspired recipes, 5-star service, and complimentary regional wines. Accommodating only 138 passengers in an elegant, contemporary design, the Avalon Scenery also offers deluxe staterooms and suites - most with floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors and French balconies - with all the comforts you'd want and expect on a va-cation to France. A host of popular onboard amenities further enhances the cruise experience, including three lounges and a bar, an Internet corner, Sky Deck with deck chairs and whirlpool, elevator, hair salon, and fitness center.
Ship Amenities
• Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Windows
• Sky Deck with premium lounge chairs and shade awnings
• Sky Deck Whirlpool
• Wi-Fi access
• Non-smoking interior
• Elevator
• Elegant, contemporary design throughtout
• Outside Viewing Deck
• Headsets for all guided shore excursions in Europe
• English-speaking crew
• Sightseeing with a Certified Local Guide
• Cruise Director
• Onboard lectures, activities & nightly entertainment
• Revolutionary engineering
• Room service available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
• Internet Corner
• Fitness Center
• Hair salon (manicures available)
• Lounges and upscale bar serving premium spirits
• Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
• Biking excursions available in Lyon
• Relax and enjoy onboard movie nights
• Alternate dining experience with local specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama Bistro
• Avalon Choice cruising experience
• Behind-the-scenes ship tour
• Choice of excursions - Leisurely, Traditional or Essential Sightseeing options
• Complimentary maps and use of Nordic walking sticks
• Culture & Cruise onboard experiences with local chefs, entertainers, artisans and experts
• Expanded "on-demand" in-room entertainment
• Guest Services is available to recommend, reserve and further personalize your cruise
• Panorama Bistro
• Sky Deck Game Area
Dining
• Self-serve beverage station with complimentary tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees
• Captain's reception with sparkling wine and canapés
• Welcome dinner
• Five-course farewell dinner
• Spacious, open-seating dining room
• Daily early-riser breakfast
• Daily late-riser breakfast
• Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine and made-to-order egg station
• Complimentary juices with breakfast
• Open-Air Bistro on Sky Deck
• Lunch buffet with carving and pasta stations
• Breakfast buffets with foods that are low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, and high energy
• Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats
• Social hour and drink specials in Panorama Lounge
• Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients
• Chef-inspired regional & Western recipes
• Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts or cheese
• Complimentary regional wines, beer, or soft drinks with dinner, and coffee or tea after dinner
• Complimentary soft drinks with lunches
• Night fare served at 10:30 pm
• All-inclusive drink package for purchase (alcohol or non-alcohol)
• Room service available featuring Continental breakfast and beverages
• Upscale bar serving premium spirits
• Healthy meal options
• Alternate dining experience with local specialties and lighter fare in the Panorama Bistro
• Panorama Bistro
• Tastings - sample the destination's famous delicacies
Suite Amenities
• Comfort Collection Beds
• Deluxe beds with memory foam mattress toppers
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• European-style duvets
• Choice of soft or firm pillows
• Extra blankets
• Choice of bed configuration
• Nightly turn-down service
• Bedside tables with reading lamps
• Hair dryer
• L'Occitane bath amenities
• Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels
• Alarm clock
• Direct-dial telephone
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Well-stocked minibar
• Complimentary bottled water
• In-room safe
• Individual climate control
• Elegant, contemporary design throughtout
• Large mirror in bathroom
• Marble countertops in bathroom
Stateroom Amenities
• Comfort Collection Beds
• Deluxe beds with memory foam mattress toppers
• Egyptian super-combed cotton linens
• European-style duvets
• Choice of soft or firm pillows
• Extra blankets
• Choice of bed configuration
• Nightly turn-down service
• Bedside tables with reading lamps
• Hair dryer
• L'Occitane bath amenities
• Spacious 3-door closets with shelves for ample storage
• Easy under-bed luggage storage
• Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels
• Alarm clock
• Direct-dial telephone
• Bathrobes & slippers
• Well-stocked minibar
• Complimentary bottled water
• In-room safe
• Individual climate control
• Elegant, contemporary design throughtout
• Large mirror in bathroom
Travel Itinerary
Day 1 - August 4, 2013
Arrive in Paris, France
Welcome to Paris, France's capital on the River Seine and the "City of Light", where romance fills the air!
Day 2 - August 5, 2013
Paris
Paris' famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its color-ful nightlife that includes some of the world's most famous cabaret shows.
(Breakfast)
Day 3 - August 6, 2013
Paris–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saone-(Embarkation)-Tournus
After breakfast, drive south past the forest of Fontainebleau, the favorite hunting grounds of a long line of French kings, and into Burgundy.
Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Cote d'Or area—which produces the region's finest vintages—owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Its most famous historical site, the Hotel-Dieu charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France's architectural highlights. Enjoy a tasting of Burgundy wines before continuing south to Chalon-sur-Saone, where you'll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception as your ship departs for Tournus.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 - August 7, 2013
Tournus – Macon
After breakfast a local expert will show you the highlights of this delightful town, tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy. The town is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, with a superb abbey, St. Phili-bert, part of which dates back to the 10th century. Then there's free time to stroll through the quaint streets or to explore the arts and crafts shops near the abbey.
After lunch your ship departs for Macon, a city with a rich history that plays an important role in the wine trade. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 - August 8, 2013
Beaujolais Region – Lyon
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhone. Lyon is France's second largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city's prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and much renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the city from Fourviere Hill and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place des Terreaux, and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region, and tradition dictates that the "Beaujolais Nouveau" is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 - August 9, 2013
Lyon
A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7 - August 10, 2013
Tournon / Tain l'Hermitage – Viviers
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l'Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhone River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France's oldest medieval cities. Another charming town, Viviers, was developed around its Romanesque Cathedral, and the Old Town has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 - August 11, 2013
Avignon
The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Also referred to as the "City of Popes," it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose Palace of the Popes. A photo of the bridge of the popular song is a must, and optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9 - August 12, 2013
Arles – Camargue – Port St.Louis
On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the "Little Rome of Gaul." See the church of St. Trophime; "Les Alyscamps," the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the Roman Amphi-theater.
Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The "Foundation Vincent Van Gogh" is a tribute to the artist. Depart Arles before dinner and enjoy tranquil scenes of the Ca-margue Regional Nature Park area as you sail to Port St. Louis in the Rhone delta.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10 - August 13, 2013
Port St. Louis (Disembarkation) – Girona – Barcelona
Disembark after breakfast. For those guests choosing the optional Barcelona extension, you will enjoy a comfortable motor coach ride with a stop in medieval Girona en route to your two-night post-cruise program in spectacular Barcelona, Spain.
(Breakfast)
Accommodations
Paris
Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel
Situated in downtown Paris with direct access to major airports, the 4-star Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel is conveniently located by the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Pres. The metro station nearby takes you directly to the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Montparnasse business district and Notre Dame in less than half an hour.
All hotel rooms are entirely renovated and feature spectacular views, Marriott's supremely comfortable Revive bedding and upscale shower products. The 70s inspired R'Yves Great Room concept combines a restaurant, cocktail bar and private lounges as well as a take-away counter for guests to enjoy great food in a trendy atmosphere, with wireless internet access. In the central Rive Gauche vicinity of France's capital city, this Marriott hotel in Paris provides excellent services and facilities for a successful business trip, week-end visit or a holiday away in this unique European destination.
Barcelona
Eurostars Cristal Palace Hotel
The Eurostars Cristal Palace is one of the references of quality in the epicentre of the Catalonian capital. Renovated so that the Mediterranean light penetrates the most hidden corners of your stay in Barcelona, the hotel boasts a huge façade of translucent glass - thus the name Cristal Palace.
The Pictory restaurant offers an exquisite and varied assortment of succulent dishes in a luxurious environment enveloped in a warm, modern ambiance. From the Pictory kitchens emerge Mediterranean gourmet delights and local produce, perfectly paired with a wide selection of national and international wines. The restaurant offers a daily fixed menu and a-la-carte options, in addition to the possibility of elaborating special menus for groups, meetings and celebrations.
Perfectly situated, the hotel is flanked by the Rambla and Paseo de Gracia avenues, where a universe of possibilities opens out: Casa Batllo, Pedrera, Liceo, Plaza Catalunya, Palau de la Musica, Tapies Foundation, the Gothic District, hundreds of shops and stores, the university campus and gardens, art galleries and the mediaeval Consejo de Ciento, plus a non-ending number of secrets which we leave to you to discover, at your own pace and inclinations. The aerobus and train from the airport have a stop one minute from the hotel, in the Plaza de Catalunya.
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