GRAND FRANCE (WPA2010)

Meals
Buffet breakfast (B) in Côte d’Azur; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, Captain's reception, and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements

Hotels


Côte d’Azur
Boscolo Plaza, Nice (SF)

Day 1:
(Mon.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Paris, France (Embarkation). (Tue.) Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (D)

Day 3:
Paris. (Wed.) 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 colorful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D)

Day 4:
Paris–Conflans. (Thu.) Enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine. This afternoon, dock at Conflans—and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or the guided visit to SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, which boasts a 14th-century château with views over the Seine Valley toward Paris. (B,L,D)

Day 5:
Vernon. (Fri.) This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of BIZY CASTLE with its magnificent courtyard. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)

Day 6:
Rouen. (Sat.) Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy, perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. (B,L,D)

Day 7:
Rouen. (Sun.) Make your choice today between an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches—with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery—or a “Taste of Normandy” for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. This afternoon we explore the Calvados region, famous for apple brandy and cider. (B,L,D)

Day 8:
Les Andelys. (Mon.) The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing CHÂTEAU GAILLARD at Les Andelys. Built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the château is truly a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture. (B,L,D)

Day 9:
Paris (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation). (Tue.) After breakfast today, bid farewell to the crew of the Avalon Creativity and head south into Burgundy. Beaune owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Its most famous historical site, the HÔTEL-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 to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you’ll board the Avalon Scenery. Before dinner, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D)

Day 10:
Chalon-sur-Saône–Tournus–Mâcon. (Wed.) This morning, explore the NICÉPHORE NIÉPCE photography museum in Chalon-sur-Saône at your own pace. After lunch, enjoy free time in Tournus. The cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. Later, cruise to Mâcon. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (B,L,D)

Day 11:
Beaujolais Region–Lyon. (Thu.) Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. 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. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
Lyon. (Fri.) A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. (B,L,D)

Day 13:
Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers. (Sat.) The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhône and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Charming Viviers developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D)

Day 14:
Avignon. (Sun.) Avignon, also referred to as the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. Optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 15:
Arles. (Mon.) 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 AMPHITHEATER. (B,L,D)

Day 16:
Arles (Disembarkation)–Côte d’Azur. (Tue.) After breakfast, transfer by motorcoach along the Côte d’Azur. An afternoon stroll through Nice’s narrow winding streets will acquaint you with the OLD TOWN of this sophisticated city. (B)

Day 17:
Côte d’Azur. (Wed.) Your homebound flight from Nice arrives the same day. (B)

Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
4/12/2010 - 4/28/2010	$4,529
4/26/2010 - 5/12/2010	$4,829
5/10/2010 - 5/26/2010	$5,029
5/24/2010 - 6/9/2010	$5,129
6/7/2010 - 6/23/2010	$5,129
6/21/2010 - 7/7/2010	$5,029
7/5/2010 - 7/21/2010	$4,929
7/19/2010 - 8/4/2010	$4,929
8/2/2010 - 8/18/2010	$4,929
8/16/2010 - 9/1/2010	$4,929
8/30/2010 - 9/15/2010	$5,329
9/13/2010 - 9/29/2010	$5,329
9/27/2010 - 10/13/2010	$4,929
10/11/2010 - 10/27/2010	$4,829
10/25/2010 - 11/10/2010	$4,429

City Highlights


Cruise:
Deluxe 14-night cruise from Paris to Paris and Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds

Paris:
Welcome reception; Guided sightseeing

Conflans:
Choice of guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise or Saint-Germaine-en-Laye

Vernon:
Choice of guided excursion to Giverny or Bizy Castle

Rouen:
Guided sightseeing, Astronomical Clock, visit the Cathedral; choice of excursion to Normandy landing beaches or “A Taste of Normandy”

Les Andelys:
Orientation; Château Gaillard

Beaune:
Orientation walk; Hôtel Dieu; Burgundy wine tasting

Chalon-sur-Saone:
Welcome reception; visit Nicéphore Niépce Museum

Lyon:
Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill

Tournon:
Orientation walk

Viviers:
Guided walk; visit the cathedral

Avignon:
Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes

Arles:
Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater

Nice:
Orientation walk of Old TownNotes:In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.

Ship
Avalon CreativityAvalon Scenery®

Price Details US
Cruise taxes, fees, fares and port charges: $196Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.Extra nights per person in Paris:in single room $440, in twin room $259Extra nights per person in Nice:in single room $350, in twin room $220Cruise-Only Option From $4,099Day 2 Paris, France (Embarkation) - Day 16 Arles (Disembarkation)Cruise-only option allows you to participate in just the river cruise portion of the vacation, removing the overnight stays at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary. Ask your Travel Consultant for details at the time of booking. Prices shown above include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck.To upgrade to a higher category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:Category / Decks / PriceB / Sapphire Deck / $998A / Sapphire Deck / $1,098P / Royal Deck / $1,298Jr. Suite / Royal Deck / $2,398

Related Tours
WPAE|Add the Provence Region to Your River CruiseWAP|Grand France (Côte d’Azur to Paris)

Avalon Cruise Deals

The views on a Globus European river cruise can transform the way you travel forever. Unwind in contemporary spaces on the youngest European river cruising fleet. Encounter ever-changing landscapes and spectacular panoramic views out floor-to-ceiling windows found throughout the ship. Let the transformation begin.

Receive $150 pp off 2010 Europe Globus river cruise or Avalon Waterways river cruise/land only vacation

OR

Receive $300 pp off 2010 Europe Globus river cruise or Avalon Waterway air-inclusive river cruise vacation

OR

Receive $300 pp off select 2010 Europe Globus river cruise or Avalon Waterway air-inclusive river cruise vacation plus special Alitalia fares to Prague, Budapest or Bucharest.

Note:  Egypt is NOT included as part of Europe for this promo. Discount will apply to individual members of groups.

Not combinable with any other offer other than the Journeys Club benefit, the Alitalia special fares and the 1:10 group allowance.  Combinable with the allowance on either block or live air

Booking Window:

January 6 through March 2, 2010

Travel Window:

Any 2010 Europe river cruise

Disclaimer:

Book a 2010 Europe Globus or Avalon River Cruise air-inclusive vacation to receive the $300 off per person offer.  Europe Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $150 off per person offer.  Must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between January 6 and March 2, 2010 for travel through December 31, 2010.  Offers not valid with one-another or any other offer other than Journeys Club member benefit and Q1 Alitalia air offer.  Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings.  Offer reliant on space availability.  Full cancellation penalties will apply.  Additional restrictions may apply.  

No Single Supplement on Select River Cruises

This is a special limited time offer!  Take advantage of this extraordinary deal before it sails away!

A Taste of the Danube | View itinerary

5 days incl. travel, or 4 days from Vienna to Budapest

April 24, 2010

A Taste of the Danube | View itinerary

6 days incl. travel, or 5 days from Budapest to Vienna

Tulip Time | View itinerary

9 days incl. travel, or 8 days from Amsterdam to Amsterdam

March 27, 2010

March 31, 2010

April 3, 2010

The Legendary Danube | View itinerary

12 days incl. travel, or 11 days from Prague to Budapest

April 10, 2010

Burgundy & Provence | View itinerary

12 days incl. travel, or 11 days from Cote d’Azur to Paris

April 11, 2010

Burgundy & Provence | View itinerary

12 days incl. travel, or 11 days from Paris to Nice

April 3, 2010

Central European Experience | View itinerary

13 days incl. travel, or 12 days from Paris to Prague

April 22, 2010

The Blue Danube Discovery | View itinerary

14 days incl. travel, or 13 days from Budapest to Prague

April 4, 2010

April 15, 2010

European Splendor | View itinerary

14 days incl. travel, or 13 days from Vienna to Amsterdam

May 3, 2010

Windmills, Vineyards & Paris | View itinerary

14 days incl. travel, or 13 days from Paris to Amsterdam

April 19, 2010

Windmills, Vineyards & Paris | View itinerary

15 days incl. travel, or 14 days from Amsterdam to Paris

April 10, 2010

Magnificent Europe | View itinerary

16 days incl. travel, or 15 days from Budapest to Amsterdam

March 27, 2010

Jewels of Central Europe | View itinerary

18 days incl. travel, or 17 days from Paris to Budapest

April 22, 2010

*Book a select 2010 Europe Avalon Waterways/Globus River Cruise vacation to receive $500 off per person. Offer available on select dates of select cruises listed above. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied anytime after October 28, 2009 for travel at select times in 2010. Applies to new 2010 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Offer reliant on space availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Not combinable with any other offer other than Journeys Club member benefit. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

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