Gardens of the Loire Valley & Seine Cruise

Your holiday begins as you meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Here, we change for the rail service to Tours, known as the 'Gateway to the Loire Valley'. 

  A vibrant and historic city on the banks of the river, Tours' medieval centre features half-timbered houses - the quintessentially French Place Plumereau in the heart of the Old Town is lined with these charming buildings. The jaw-dropping St Gatien Cathedral, with its two ornate towers, has superb stained-glass windows and contains tombs of French royals. 

  On arrival in Tours, we check in to our hotel for the next three nights, before sitting down to a welcome dinner together. 

• Dinner

Today begins with an excursion to the iconic Château de Chenonceau. Spanning the River Cher, Chenonceau is a fine example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture and is the second-most visited château in France, after the Palace of Versailles.  

After exploring the château and its picturesque fountain gardens, we travel by coach to the town of Amboise, once the home of Leonardo da Vinci, who died here in 1519. We visit the artist's former manor house, Clos Lucé, which is filled with some of his fascinating inventions. You are free to explore the manor house and walk in the footsteps of the master himself, who was inspired by his scenic surroundings. 

  In the early evening, we transfer back to our hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure. Tours offers a wide range of restaurants to choose from, whether you're looking for Michelin-starred cuisine, Japanese food or traditional French dishes savoured with a chilled glass of Loire wine.  

• Breakfast

From Tours, we make our way by coach to Château de Chaumont. First constructed in 1000 AD, the town's original castle was razed to the ground by Louis XI and rebuilt in the 15th century with the fairytale turrets and gateways we see today.    

Set on the banks of the Loire River, the grounds were transformed into an ornamental garden, with extensive landscaping and rustic features, in the late 1800s. On arrival, we are given a guided tour of the gardens, followed by free time to look around. Experience French history as you wander halls adorned with stunning artwork. Explore the immaculate gardens, a testament to the artistry of landscape design, with vibrant flower beds, manicured lawns and ornate sculptures. From terraced gardens with panoramic views to serene water features, each corner evokes tranquillity and elegance.     

We return to our hotel in the early evening and dine independently tonight. 

• Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast today before we check out of our hotel in Tours and transfer to the station for the rail journey to Paris.    

In the early afternoon, we board our ship, the prestigious MS Amadeus Diamond, where a welcome drink awaits us, creating the perfect atmosphere for the start of our cruise.    

You could relax on the sundeck before we start to sail along the Seine, whose landscapes have inspired many renowned artists. After settling into comfortable cabins, dinner is served onboard this evening. We enjoy a five-course dinner paired with complimentary drinks as we begin cruising down the Seine toward Conflans St Honorine. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Waking up in Conflans St Honorine, at the confluence of the rivers Oise and Seine, an inspirational excursion awaits this morning.  

After breakfast, we make our way to Auvers sur Oise, a picturesque commune in France, renowned for its scenic charm and artistic heritage. Narrow lanes - lined with pretty houses featuring colourful shutters - lead our exploration through the tranquil landscapes that have been immortalised by Vincent van Gogh's masterpieces.    

In the village, we discover timeless cottages, rustic windmills and verdant fields that inspired the works of renowned impressionist artists such as Charles-François Daubigny, Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro, and of course,  Van Gogh, whose final resting place is here. Back onboard later this afternoon, we begin a gentle overnight sail followed by dinner and drinks. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we dock in Rouen, the former capital of Normandy. Here we enjoy a guided tour which follows more of the Impressionists' footsteps.    

This medieval city is home to the Museum of Fine Arts and a vast collection of Impressionist work. We visit Rouen Cathedral, depicted in many oil paintings by Claude Monet - his series of over 30 paintings show the building at different times of the day. This unique cathedral was built over 800 years and is famed for its three towers, each featuring a different architectural style. We also experience the Church of Joan of Arc, situated in the square where Joan of Arc was martyred. With its magnificent 16th century stained-glass windows and modern architecture, it offers a striking mix of contemporary and Renaissance design.    

Later this afternoon, we continue our cruise along the picturesque Seine valley. As we sail, you can relax on the sundeck or in the panoramic bar - or even get an onboard massage - before we end the day with dinner and drinks. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

As we sail to Le Havre this morning, we're joined by renowned British military history expert Piers Storie-Pugh, who delivers a fascinating talk on the Allied landings that changed the course of World War Two. We hear stories of courage, endeavour and achievement on the battlefield as we cruise through the picturesque landscapes of Normandy. 

  After lunch on the ship, we head to the charming port town of Honfleur on the southern bank of the Seine Estuary. Honfleur is located on the historic marina, and our tour showcases its beauty, following in the footsteps of the Impressionist artists who took inspiration from the region. It's stunning old harbour is lined with narrow, colourful buildings and the cobbled streets of the town teem with half-timbered houses, boutiques and art galleries.  

  Returning to the ship in the evening, we sit down to a five-course dinner, before enjoying performances of emotive French ballads from local chanson singers. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We set sail this morning bound for Caudebec-en-Caux, where you can choose to stay onboard and relax in our new surroundings or join a trip getting to know this historic region of France on a guided tour. 

  Those joining the full-day excursion will have the option for an early risers' breakfast before travelling by coach, with a picnic lunch included. Wandering cobblestone streets, flanked by ancient stone buildings, explore historic landmarks including the nearby harbour that played a pivotal role in the liberation of western Europe after D-Day. We also visit the city of Arromanches, with its remnants of World War Two Mulberries, offering a poignant glimpse into history. Later, return by coach to our ship.   

If you prefer to stay onboard, spend the day leisurely enjoying the ship's facilities or observing the views from the sundeck or panoramic bar. After dinner onboard, we continue our gentle cruise overnight. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Docking in Les Andelys this morning, you have the option to join an excursion to the ruins of Château Gaillard. This medieval fortress was built by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century, and you can discover its imposing ruins and soak up views of the Seine River, before rejoining the ship in Vernon. If you stay onboard, you'll sail along the river to Vernon.  

Here, we experience the renowned beauty of Monet's Garden. This haven inspired many of Monet's large Impressionist canvases, with delicate hues bursting from flower beds and the artist's Japanese arched-bridge framing ponds of water lilies. 

After lunch onboard, we spend the rest of our day sailing into scenic river landscapes enroute to Paris. Relax on the sun deck with a refreshing drink as we enjoy our final cruise along the Seine, passing rolling countryside punctuated by quaint villages and rustic farmhouses.   

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We wake this morning in the wonderful French capital, where you can choose between two optional excursions - setting out on a guided tour of either Paris or Versailles.    

Our explorations through the City of Light take us to iconic landmarks, representing centuries of artistry, innovation, and grandeur.  Witness the striking silhouette of the Eiffel Tower, wander through Champs-Élysées - one of the world's most famous shopping streets - and venture up Montmartre - the highest hill in northern Paris - to visit the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur on its summit. Alternatively, you could visit the opulent Palace of Versailles, once home to several French monarchs. Marvel at its grandeur, intricate architecture and artworks, wander through the Hall of Mirrors and stroll through the meticulously landscaped gardens, adorned with fountains and sculptures.    

  This afternoon you're at leisure to immerse yourself in Parisian culture before our final night onboard, which we mark with a farewell dinner. 

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This enchanting cruise has provided unforgettable experiences, from the atmospheric streets of Auvers-sur-Oise that inspired Van Gogh to the historic marvels of Rouen and Honfleur's picturesque harbour. The poignant sights of Normandy stirred the soul, while the châteaux of the Loire Valley echoed with tales of medieval splendour and Monet's Garden bloomed with delicate hues. The timeless streets of Paris were a stylish contrast to our tranquil cruise along the scenic Seine.   

After a final breakfast, we disembark from our ship this morning. Boarding the Eurostar for a journey back to London, your rail cruise holiday draws to a close on arrival at St Pancras this afternoon, where you are free to make your way home. 

• Breakfast