Switzerland, Lake Geneva & Rhône Cruise 

Your memorable Swiss and French holiday begins today at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and group. Boarding the Eurostar to Paris, enjoy a light meal served at our comfortable Plus Class seats. The journey continues, as we switch trains in France's capital and travel through the French and Swiss countryside, past distant mountains, to the stunning shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.     

Our destination is a luxurious five-star hotel in the lakeside city of Lausanne, where we stay for three nights. Take some time to settle in and admire the serene beauty of our Swiss Riviera location, before we gather in the hotel's restaurant for our first dinner together. 

• Eurostar Light Meal
• Dinner

Today begins with a late morning boat ride to the elegant Château de Chillon. As we cruise across scenic Lake Geneva, take in the beauty of sparkling blue water surrounded by lush mountain peaks. We pass charming lakeside villages before spotting the castle on its outcrop, rising dramatically from the water.     

Crossing the wooden drawbridge, we meet our guide for a tour of this 13th-century fortress. Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy for nearly four centuries. On our tour, we view its 14th-century painting, subterranean vaults, parade halls and the bedroom, which has been preserved in its original form from the time of Bernese rule.    

    We return to our hotel by coach, where the afternoon is free for you to continue discovering our beautiful setting or find dinner independently.

• Breakfast

A highlight of our trip lies ahead today as we take a train to Martigny after breakfast. Here, we join the Mont Blanc Express for an unforgettable journey across the Alps, past the French border and up to the world-class resort town of Chamonix.    

The line meanders through rows of vineyards, passing through the dramatic Trient Valley. Watch the views unfold as the Mont Blanc Express climbs high into the mountains amidst the snow-capped peaks before reaching the Trient Gorge.     

   On our approach to the Chamonix Valley, we are welcomed by glaciers and the formidable peak of Mont Blanc. We disembark the train with a free afternoon to find lunch and explore the pretty town and stunning scenery of Chamonix independently - perhaps while riding the highest cable car in France, the L'Aiguille du Midi. We enjoy an encore of the scenery as we follow the route back to Lausanne, arriving in time for dinner at the hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The next phase of our journey begins after breakfast, as we transfer to Lausanne's train station and board the train to Geneva. Here, we switch trains and continue to Lyon, France's third-largest city and a popular destination at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. As our train arrives, a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront, where our luxurious Amadeus ship awaits. 

  Stepping aboard, you have time to settle in with a welcome cocktail, allowing you to relax and take in the stunning surroundings. You could sip your drink while lounging on the sun deck with a view of Lyon's townhouses, narrow streets and scenic rooftops or in the ship's comfortable lounge.

  Later, we have our first dinner onboard as we set sail for our mooring point near Ardèche.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Another holiday highlight lies ahead today as we explore the stunning landscapes of the Gorges du Doux region. Enjoy breakfast onboard before travelling by coach to Tournon-St-Jean railway station, where we board the Train de l'Ardèche. This historic steam train, originally opened in 1891, takes us on a panoramic journey to remember. 

We wind up foothills and into the valleys that populate the landscape. Several stone bridges crisscross the brooks and rivers, surrounded by lush forest - we pass over these incredible structures and through tunnels built into the cliffs. Our locomotive takes us to sections of the gorges that no other form of transport can access, offering remarkable, little-seen views.  

We retrace our journey back to the station and then transfer to our mooring point. As we rejoin the ship, you can settle in for lunch and an afternoon on the water as we continue sailing to the Provençal city of Avignon.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Medieval walls and age-old architecture welcome us to Avignon today. Boarding the charming Le Petit Train d'Avignon, we set out on a guided tour of this stately city known for being the seat of the Pope in the 14th century.    

Avignon's striking white papal palaces and majestic cathedral are just some of the highlights we see as we walk through the historic centre, which earned World Heritage status in 1995. We also enter the Pope's Palace, admiring its spectacular interiors and collection of religious artifacts.      

You can use the Le Petit Train d'Avignon to return to the ship for lunch, and then you are free until early evening to discover the city at your own pace. Perhaps walk along the 14th-century walls that encircle the city's historic centre - sections of the walls are open to pedestrians and offer fantastic views of the town and river beyond. After dinner on the ship tonight, we set sail for Arles.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our day with a guided tour of Arles, whose streets inspired many of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous paintings. Van Gogh produced more than 180 pieces during his time in Arles, including Starry Night over the Rhône and Café Terrace at Night, the location of which can be found in the Place du Forum.  

   After lunch on the ship, you have the choice of two excursions. Your first option is visiting the beautiful Camargue Delta, where the Rhône opens into the Mediterranean. This is a treat for nature lovers, as the wetlands and park area are home to nearly 400 species of birds, including pink flamingos. Also of note are the wild horses, Camarguais, which roam freely.      

Your second excursion option takes you to the iconic arches of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct of astonishing size spanning the Gardon River. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Pont du Gard is considered a feat of engineering.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we visit the stunning Ardèche Gorge, known as the 'Grand Canyon of Europe' for its plunging terrain and dramatic vistas. An area of snaking rivers and deep gorges, this is a fantastic example of the natural beauty of the region. Sheer cliffs rise above waterways of sparkling emerald and deep green forests, providing unforgettable views. Our tour takes us to some of the most impressive points within the gorge, including the Pont d'Arc.    

Afterwards, we re-join the coach and finish our French exploration surrounded by the quintessential scent of the south of France: lavender. We enjoy entrance to the Lavender Museum, where we can learn about this iconic plant while basking in its relaxing aroma.      

Heading to Le Pouzin, we reboard our ship and begin our return sailing to Lyon while having lunch. Sailing for the remainder of the afternoon, you can make use of the ship's amenities, perhaps taking a dip in the pool or indulging in a massage.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arriving in Lyon overnight, we disembark after breakfast for a guided tour. One of France's most iconic cities, Lyon enjoys an incredible location at the confluence of two rivers which has made it a major hub for more than 2,000 years.    

The beautiful pinks, oranges, reds and whites of the elegant buildings are reflected in the waters of Lyon's riverfront. Our tour explores some of the city's highlights and delves into its deep history. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the small shops and traditional businesses lend a classic French flair.        

We enjoy a praline-tasting before returning to our ship in time for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure onboard as we cruise to Tournon-sur-Rhône. This is one of the most scenic and panoramic sections of the river, and it is well worth taking the time to admire the scenery from the sun deck. Rolling hills and verdant vineyards rise and fall, overlooked by châteaux and stately homes.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking to lovely views in Chalon-sur-Saône this morning, we enjoy breakfast onboard before setting off on a coach excursion to Beaune. Set deep in the heart of the wine region of Burgundy, Beaune is a classic French medieval town with impressive walls, terracotta roofs and historical buildings.   

   We delve into its history on a sightseeing tour that showcases some of Beaune's most impressive points of interest. We also enjoy entrance to a local winery, where we can enjoy a tasting of some of the wines that make this town - and the Burgundy region as a whole - so famous. Beaune is one of the most important of France's wine centres and is surrounded by fields bedecked by vineyards growing Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes.    

This evening, we sit down to our final dinner together as we sail back towards Lyon through picturesque scenery.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travelling through mountains, stunning waterways and romantic cities, this rail and cruise journey has painted a picture of the beauty of western Switzerland and France. In addition to soaking up the beautiful landscapes, we toured the historic Château de Chillon and crossed the Alps to Chamonix before joining our ship in Lyon. Our Amadeus vessel followed a scenic route along the Rhône to incredible ports of call, including Avignon, Arles and the stunning Ardèche Gorge. We tasted Burgundy's wine in Beaune and explored Lyon's historic and gastronomic delights. 

  After breakfast onboard, we disembark for the final time and bid farewell to our wonderful crew as we transfer to Lyon's station and travel by rail to Paris. From here, we board the Eurostar and enjoy a light meal onboard before arriving in London, where your cruise holiday comes to an end.   

• Breakfast
• Eurostar Light Meal