Mont Blanc Express & Rhône Cruise

We meet at London St Pancras and board the Eurostar in Plus Class to Paris, enjoying a light meal in our seats on the way. In the French capital, we change trains for a First Class journey by rail to shimmering Lake Geneva in Switzerland. On arrival, we check into our hotel for three nights.

Please Note - For departure 17/08 we will stay at the Lausanne Palace in Lausanne.

• Dinner

We have a free morning at leisure to explore our base, you could opt to have lunch before we visit the elegant Château de Chillon. The castle rises dramatically from Lake Geneva against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery. Crossing the wooden drawbridge, we meet our guide for a tour of this 13th-century château. We then take a scenic boat cruise across Lake Geneva to our hotel. The evening is free for you to find a restaurant of your choosing where you can enjoy some fine cuisine or local specialities.

• Breakfast

Today we take the train to Martigny where we join the fabulous Mont Blanc Express, and ride the length of this spectacular line across the French border up to Chamonix. The route meanders through rows of vineyards before entering France. Passing through the magical Trient Valley, the train climbs high into the mountains, among sparkling snow-capped peaks before reaching the Trient Gorge. On our approach to the Chamonix Valley, we're welcomed by glistening glaciers and majestic Mont Blanc. You're free to enjoy lunch in Chamonix with an afternoon to explore before our return journey. We dine at our hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we board our train in Montreux, travelling in First Class to Geneva then on to Lyon, France's third largest city. On arrival in this elegant city, we are transferred by coach to board our luxurious ship, the excellent MS Amadeus Provence. We have time to settle in with a welcome cocktail which, weather permitting, you might like to take on the sun deck, overlooking Lyon's colourful townhouses and lively streets. Later, we enjoy dinner together before setting sail for Beaune.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We arrive in the attractive city of Chalon-sur-Saône this morning where we moor and take a coach excursion to Beaune, deep in the heart of the wine region of Burgundy. Beaune is a classic French medieval town with impressive walls, terracotta roofs and fascinating historical buildings. We take a sightseeing tour, discovering the sights of the enchanting streets and enjoy a tasting of some delectable wines which make this town, and the Burgundy region 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. We return to our ship for lunch, then spend a leisurely afternoon cruising back to Lyon.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arriving in Lyon during the night, we disembark after breakfast for a guided tour. One of France's iconic cities, Lyon sits on the meeting point of the Rhône and the Saône rivers. The beautiful pinks, oranges, reds and whites of the elegant buildings are reflected on Lyon's riverfront. Our tour explores some of the city's fantastic highlights and history. The Old Town is a World Heritage site, and the small shops and traditional businesses lend a truly French flair. After returning to the ship for lunch, we enjoy an afternoon at leisure as we cruise to Tournon sur Rhône. This is one of the most scenic and panoramic sections of the river, and it's well worth taking the time to admire the scenery from our ship's spacious sun deck. Rolling hills and verdant vineyards rise and fall, overlooked by lovely châteaux and stately homes. We return to our ship for lunch and set sail for Tournon.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early this morning, we travel by coach to Tournon sur Rhône's railway station to board the historic Train de l'Ardèche. This historic steam train takes us on a panoramic journey through the stunning Gorges du Doux region, winding up foothills and into valleys which populate the landscape. Several stone bridges criss-cross the brooks and rivers which snake under the trees, and our charming locomotive takes us to sections of the gorges which no other form of transport can access. Later, we rejoin our ship for lunch and continue sailing to the Provençal city of Avignon.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we explore the impressive medieval city of Avignon, on a guided tour. We visit the impressive Gothic Palais des Papes, which was the seat of the Pope during the 14th century. Inside, we see its spectacular interiors and religious artefacts, then we experience other highlights of the city as we walk through the boulevards and squares of Avignon's historic centre. After lunch you're free until early evening to discover the city at your own pace. After dinner tonight, our ship sets sail for Arles.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We begin our day with a guided tour of pretty Arles, whose enchanting streets were the inspiration for 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 Rhone' and 'Café Terrace at Night', the location of which can be found in the Place du Forum.

In the afternoon, you have the choice of two excursions. Your first option is a visit to the beautiful Camargue Delta, where the Rhône opens out into the Mediterranean. This is a true treat for nature lovers, as the wetlands and park area are home to nearly 400 species of bird species, including pink flamingos. Also of note are the wild horses which roam freely, the Camarguais. Your second excursion option takes you to the iconic arches of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct of astonishing size which spans the Gardon river. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Pont du Gard is considered a feat of engineering. Later, we return to our ship which sets sail before dinner for an overnight sailing to Chateauneuf du Rhône.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our ship moors in Chateauneuf du Rhône this morning, and we set out on an excursion to the stunning Ardèche Gorge, regarded as the European Grand Canyon. Nearly 19 miles in length and made up of a series of breathtaking gorges, emerald rivers and deep green forests. On our tour we see many lovely sights including the beautiful natural arch of the Pont d'Arc. We rejoin our ship at Le Pouzin for lunch, then begin our return sailing to Lyon. This evening is our final night onboard, marked by a gala dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we are transferred to the station and travel by first class rail to Paris. On arrival in the French capital, we board the Eurostar service back to London. From here, make your way home looking back on the historic Château de Chillon and cruising Lake Geneva's stunning waters to Montreux. We traversed the Alps aboard the Mont Blanc Express to Chamonix and savoured Burgundy's wine in Beaune. After explore Lyon's gastronomic delights we sailed to Avignon, Arles, and the Ardèche Gorge, immersing in history and natural beauty.

• Breakfast
• Eurostar meal