Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice & 3 Nights in London for Jazz Lovers (Northbound)

Welcome to France! Start your journey on the spectacular French Riviera, stretching along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy. Enjoy free time to discover the beauty of Nice, a city known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture.

Spend the day exploring Nice, the 'Queen of the French Riviera.' Embark on a guided sightseeing tour through the narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city, which has remained largely unchanged since the 1700s. Enjoy a delightful breakfast as you soak in the city's charm.

Today, you'll board your Avalon Suite Ship® and set sail for Arles. Enjoy breakfast and dinner onboard as you cruise through the picturesque French countryside. Overnight docking in Arles allows you to wake up ready for the next day's adventures.

Experience the captivating city of Arles, the heart of the Provence region. Choose from a variety of activities, including a power walk, a painting workshop, or a guided walking tour of the city, featuring a visit to the Roman Amphitheater. Take some free time to stop at Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine before sailing to Avignon. Enjoy live jazz entertainment onboard in the evening.

Enjoy a day at your leisure. Relax onboard, explore Avignon further, or take part in optional activities offered by the Adventure Center.

Sail to Viviers in the morning and choose between a walk to Viviers' hilltop cathedral with your Adventure Host or a guided walking tour of the charming village. Discover its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town, a blend of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. In the evening, cruise to Tournon for an overnight stay.

Explore Tournon, one of France's oldest medieval cities, through a guided walking tour. Visit its 16th-century castle and Roman ruins nestled between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Enjoy jazz entertainment onboard as you sail to Vienne, where you can join a guided walk through this charming French hill town. In the evening, experience the well-known Vienne Jazz Festival.

Join a guided sightseeing tour of Lyon, the gastronomy capital of France. Survey the city from Fourvière Hill, explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and visit the lively cafés and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux. In the evening, enjoy the strains of Gypsy Jazz onboard as you cruise to Tournus.

Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region, known for its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards. Learn about the wines produced here and attend a wine-tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle. Later, enjoy a delicious cheese tasting onboard. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment as you dock overnight in Chalon-sur-Saône.

Drive to Beaune and visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital, a masterpiece of French architecture dating back to 1443. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris, where you'll board your Suite Ship® for an overnight cruise to Vernon.

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities. Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot, take a guided tour of Giverny, the home and inspiration of Claude Monet, or visit Bizy Castle. Enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic crêpes, followed by a pastry demonstration. In the afternoon, cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys, where you can hike to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard or take a guided walking tour. Overnight cruise to Caudebec.

Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river or take a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route, where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine. In the afternoon, you may choose a guided optional excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur. Overnight docking in Caudebec.

Join a guided tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, 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. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry and taste Calvados at a local distillery. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment onboard as you cruise to Rouen.

Take a guided bike tour to discover Rouen's famous monuments and hidden gems, or take a guided walking tour of Rouen, home of 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, join a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, the home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, or 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.

Join your Adventure Host for a day of special activities in Paris. Experience the Seine river by foot, discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating guided walk, or join a guided city tour that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and more. Stroll through Paris on your own, or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank. Overnight docking in Paris.

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 (Standard class).

Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour of London's famous landmarks. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, visit Westminster Abbey, and see Whitehall's mounted horseguards, the Prime Minister's Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus. Then, visit St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece with its world-famous dome.

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, for a tour of the magnificent State Apartments. 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. We hope you've enjoyed your 20-day tour of France and England and look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure.