French Riviera and Rhône Cruise

We meet at our London St Pancras departure office before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. From here, we continue by rail to Nice and check into our hotel close to the beautiful Riviera seafront.

Our French Riviera experience begins with a guided tour of Nice, the glittering jewel of coastal Provence. This fabulous city overlooks the Mediterranean coastline, close to Italy, and has attracted visitors and travellers for centuries. We walk through the enchanting streets, seeing the opulent mansions and gardens of Mont Boron, the historical Old Town, including details like the chequered floor of the Place d'Opera. We also discover the history of the city, from the days of Greek settlers who founded Nice, to the modern day. If you prefer, you are free to explore independently.

• Breakfast

With a free day, you might like to look around Nice's Musée Matisse, take the train to glamorous Cannes or the pretty coastal town of Antibes. For something more relaxing, maybe walk along the Promenade des Anglais - a popular activity with locals - or wander through the flower market in the Old Town. Or spend some time beside the sea on the sun-drenched pebble beach.

• Breakfast

Today we visit the glamorous city-state of Monaco, long known as a retreat for the rich and famous. Taking a coach, we begin our day in the district of Monte Carlo, where we stop at the entrance of the iconic casino to admire its palm tree-lined fountains. From here we take a guided tour, seeing the fantastic flowers of the Jardin Exotique, the grand windows of the Place de l'Opéra, and the beautiful Old Town. On our return to Nice, we visit the elegant Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, seaside home of the Rothschild banking family.

• Breakfast

After a free morning, we board our train to Lyon, bidding farewell to the south of France. Arriving into the city's colourful old town, we board your luxurious ship, the MS Amadeus Provence. We have time to settle into our cabins before we enjoy a welcome cocktail, which you may like to take on the sun deck as we admire Lyon's colourful townhouses and lively streets. Later, we enjoy a 5-course dinner with drinks, before setting sail for Beaune.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We arrive into Beaune this morning. Deep in the heart of the wine region of Burgundy, Beaune is a classic French medieval town with impressive town walls, terracotta roofs and fascinating historical buildings. We embark on a sightseeing tour, discovering the sights as we wander the enchanting streets. We enjoy a tasting of some delectable wines which make this town, and the Burgundy region so famous. Back on board later, we enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruising back to Lyon.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arriving in Lyon this morning, we disembark 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 buildings on Lyon's riverfront give a hint of the city's elegance. We explore some of the city's highlights and extensive history here. The Old Town is a World Heritage site, and the small shops and traditional businesses lend a truly French flair to our surroundings. 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 the spacious sun deck. Rolling hills and verdant vineyards rise and fall under the gaze of numerous châteaux and stately homes.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early this morning, we travel by coach to Tournon sur Rhône's railway station to board the wonderful Train de l'Ardèche. We take a memorable journey through the spectacular Gorges du Doux region, as the railway winds through the scenic foothills and valley. 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, our ship continues its course to the ancient city of Avignon.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In Avignon today, we set out on a guided tour of this stately city, known as the seat of the Pope in the 14th century. Its striking white papal palaces and majestic cathedral are just some of the highlights we see walking through Avignon's historic centre, which earned World Heritage status in 1995. We also enter the Pope's Palace, admiring its spectacular interiors and a collection of holy and religious artefacts. You are then 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 the day with a guided tour of pretty Arles, the inspiration for many of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous paintings. This 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 treat for nature lovers, as the wetlands and parkland are home to hundreds of bird species, including pink flamingos and wild horses which may be seen roaming freely. Your second option takes you to the iconic arches of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Ro-man aqueduct which spans the Gardon river, another World Heritage site. Later, we return to our cruise ship and sail for Chateauneuf du Rhône.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we visit the stunning Ardèche Gorge, also known as the 'Grand Canyon of Europe'. An area of snaking rivers and deep gorges, this is a dramatic example of the natural world. Sheer cliffs rise above waterways of sparkling emerald and deep green forests. Our tour takes us to some of the most impressive sights in the gorge, including the Pont d'Arc. Afterwards, we rejoin the ship at Le Pouzin, where we begin our return sailing to Lyon. This evening we are invited to attend the captain's gala dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today our holiday ends and we are transferred either to the airport to board a flight home, or to the station to travel by rail to Paris. From the French capital we join the Eurostar service back to London.

• Breakfast