AMAWATERWAYS
14 Days | Colors of Provence
Northbound

BARCELONA TO PARIS

Day 1 | Barcelona, Spain. Arrive in Barcelona and check in to your hotel. (B)

Day 2 | Barcelona. Barcelona, the bustling capital of Catalonia, is an artist’s, architect’s, foodie’s, historian’s and culturist’s dream. Tour the cobblestoned lanes of the Gothic Quarter in the medieval city center and Las Ramblas. Visit Montjuïc Hill and see some of Antoni Gaudí’s imaginative architectural creations, including Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and La Sagrada Familia. (B)

Day 3 | Barcelona. Spend a full day at leisure to discover the vast treasures of this eclectic city. (B)

Day 4 | Barcelona. Nimes, France. Arle. Embark. Check out of the hotel and board the TGV high-speed train to Nîmes. See the highlights of this delightful town with one of the finest collections of Roman buildings in France before transferring via motorcoach to Arles, where you’ll board your luxury ship. (B,D)

Day 5 | Arles. Art lovers will wish to join the “Artist Experience” tour which visits Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Vincent van Gogh once lived and painted such well-known works as “The Irises” and “Starry Night.” Afterwards, go to the Carrières de Lumières, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound and history projected on the walls of caves. Alternatively, venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux de Provence, followed by a visit to an olive farm where you’ll get to taste the different olive oils. During the afternoon, join a walking tour of Arles highlighting top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater, or take a bike tour to the Roman ruins. (B,L,D)

Day 6 | Avignon. Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the afternoon, you can visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Or if you prefer, visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macarons, cheese and wines, and tapenades. (B,L,D)

Day 7 | Viviers. Visit the magnificent hilltop village, Grignan. After visiting this enchanting Provencal town, go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond,” truffles, with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. (B,L,D

Day 8 | Tournon. Take a train ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a bike ride or hike through the vineyards of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the wines. (B,L,D)

Day 9 | Vienne. Lyon. Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Take a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. Later in the day, set sail to Lyon. Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” Or for those more interested in discovering why Lyon is France’s culinary capital, visit the city’s famed indoor food market, which has nearly five-dozen stalls selling countless gourmet delights. (B,L,D)

Day 10 | Lyon. Enjoy free time in Lyon or travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones." While there, indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. (B,L,D)

Day 11 | Lyon. Disembark. Paris. Disembark the ship and board the TGV train through the French countryside to Paris, the majestic “City of Light.” (B)

Day 12 | Paris. Get acquainted with Paris on a city tour. (B)

Day 13 |Paris. Enjoy the day at leisure. (B)

Day 14 | Paris. Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B)

NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

NORTHBOUND ITINERARY 14 DAYS | ARLES TO LYON Click HERE to view 14-day SOUTHBOUND itinerary.