A Culinary Experience in Grand France with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 3 Nights in London (Northbound) 2025

Welcome to Nice, the gem of the French Riviera. After settling into your hotel, spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your leisure. Stroll along the sun-kissed Mediterranean coast, soak up the vibrant atmosphere, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the French Riviera.

Begin your day with a guided sightseeing tour of Nice, often referred to as the 'Queen of the French Riviera'. Discover the winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, a historical area that has retained its 18th-century charm. After the tour, enjoy a delicious breakfast before spending the rest of the day at your leisure.

Bid farewell to Nice as you board a motorcoach bound for Arles. Upon arrival, check into your Avalon Suite Ship and settle in for the night. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner onboard as you prepare for the next day's adventures.

Start your day with a power walk in Arles or attend a painting workshop inspired by Vincent van Gogh. Afterward, join a guided walking tour to explore the city's Roman Amphitheater and other historical sites. Enjoy some free time at Le Café Van Gogh before sailing to Avignon. Onboard, indulge in a crêpes lunch and look forward to an overnight stay in Avignon.

Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Avignon, a fortress city encircled by ramparts. Visit the magnificent Palace of the Popes and take optional excursions to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Spend the rest of the day exploring Avignon's art, culture, and historic monuments. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers. Upon arrival, choose between a guided walk to Viviers' hilltop Cathedral or a culinary exploration of the Old Town. In the afternoon, you may opt for an additional excursion. As the day ends, set sail for Tain L'Hermitage, where you'll spend the night.

Start your day with a morning hike in Tournon or join a guided walking tour to explore one of France's oldest medieval cities and its 16th-century castle. In the early afternoon, cruise to Lyon. Onboard, enjoy a pastry demonstration and a French cuisine tasting dinner with wine pairing. Spend the night docked in Lyon.

Discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France with a culinary walk through the city. Alternatively, join a guided sightseeing tour to explore Lyon's iconic sites, including Fourvière Hill and the lively cafés and monuments of Place des Terreaux. In the evening, enjoy a unique dinner onboard inspired by legendary chef Paul Bocuse before sailing to Tournus.

Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region, famous for its Chardonnay vineyards. Attend a wine-tasting in the cellars of a medieval castle and learn about the wines produced here. Later, enjoy a delicious cheese tasting onboard. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment as you cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône for an overnight stay.

Drive to Beaune and visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital, a stunning example of French architecture. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris, where you'll board your Suite Ship. Cruise to Vernon for an overnight stay.

Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles or take a guided tour of Giverny, the home of impressionist painter Claude Monet. Alternatively, visit Bizy Castle, often referred to as 'Normandy's Versailles'. Enjoy a traditional French luncheon onboard before cruising to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. Here, hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard or take a guided walking tour of the town. Cruise to Caudebec for an overnight stay.

Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river or take a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route, home to more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the old seaside town of Honfleur. Spend another night in Caudebec.

Join a guided tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. Alternatively, take a full-day guided tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites or join 'A Taste of Normandy' guided tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment onboard before cruising to Rouen for an overnight stay.

Take a guided bike tour to explore Rouen's famous monuments and hidden gems or join a guided walking tour of the city, home to the martyred Joan of Arc. Visit the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock and Notre-Dame Cathedral. In the evening, cruise to Conflans for an overnight stay.

Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine or join a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, the home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh. Alternatively, take a guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison, home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. In the evening, cruise to Paris for an overnight stay.

Experience the Seine river by foot or discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating guided walk. Alternatively, join a guided city tour to see iconic sites such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the famous Champs-Élysées. Spend the rest of the day exploring Paris at your own pace before another overnight stay in the city.

Say goodbye to your Avalon portion of your vacation after breakfast. An included transfer delivers you to the train station. Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train. Upon arrival in London, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour of London's famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. Visit St. Paul's Cathedral, an iconic feature of London's skyline. After the tour, enjoy a delicious breakfast before spending the rest of the day at your leisure.

Enjoy a free day to explore this spectacular city at your own pace. You could take a flight on the London Eye for fantastic views over the city, or visit Windsor Castle. In the evening, see one of the dozens of celebrated West End shows, or enjoy dinner at a traditional London pub, followed by a relaxing nighttime cruise on the Thames River.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. After checking out of your hotel, proceed to the airport for your return flight home, taking with you the memories of a truly unforgettable journey through France and England.