13 Night Colors of Provence (Christmas Cruise) Cruise and Land Tour from Paris

Check into your Paris hotel for the beginning of your Colors of Provence pre-cruise land program.

Enjoy a morning tour taking in the signature sites of Paris, including the awe-inspiring Arc de Triomphe and iconic Eiffel Tower. You'll have plenty of time to visit the Christmas markets and enjoy a Parisian holiday experience. (B)

Enjoy a full day at your leisure to discover more of this romantic city, such as the world-renowned Louvre Museum or Musee d'Orsay. Perhaps go shopping in the Faubourg Saint-Honore district or simply relax and spend the day like a local - by scoping out a local cafe for a cafe au lait, toasted baguette, or croissant. In the evening, visit Montmartre, long known as the city's premier artist's enclave. During the mid to late 1800s, artists also began calling Montmartre home. Pissarro and Jongkind were two of the first to live there, followed by other notable artists, including Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Pablo Picasso. You'll be taken on an evening illumination tour, discovering why Paris is renowned as the "City of Light". (B)

Check out of your Paris hotel and head to the train station to board the TGV high-speed train through the French countryside to Lyon. Once in the "food capital of France", marvel at an indoor market hall where you'll have a chance to sample of the delicacies offered by butchers, bakers, chocolatiers, and cheesemongers while taking in the colorful sights and enticing aromas around you. Afterward, embark the ship in Lyon for your Colors of Provence cruise. (B,D)

Board the ship for your Colors of Provence cruise. (D)

Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourviere 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 Fourviere. 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". Your time in Lyon also includes time to browse the Lyon Christmas markets and watch the city sparkle in festivities and tradition. Alternatively, indulge in rich cheeses, fresh breads, and charcuterie in Les Halles Market or join a guided bike tour through the city designed with cyclists in mind. (B,L,D)

On your second day in Lyon, set out on a culinary journey that will linger on your palate for years to come. Travel to the Beaujolais wine region-known as the Pays d'Or or "land of the golden stones"-to experience France's finest vintages firsthand. Indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. (B,L,D)

Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Cotes du Rhone lies Vienne with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans on 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 hike from the ship to the chapel at Mount Pipet or a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhona bike route. (B,L,D)

Lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Chateau de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a hike through the vineyards of Tain-l'Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you'll sample some of the wines. You'll also have many opportunities to taste the Provence's regional specialties, including its traditional 13 desserts of Christmas throughout your journey. Later, stroll through the city accompanied by a guide in Renaissance attire as former "residents" in period costumes reenact events and legends of centuries gone by. This special historical tour is sure to bring a smile to your lips - or perhaps send shivers down your spine! (B,L,D)

Depending on your interests, you have three choices of excursions for the morning. 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. You will also have time to enjoy the lively Christmas markets with their cheerful atmosphere and delicious regional specialties. Those looking to indulge in local cuisine you can visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macarons, cheese and wine, and tapenades, along with a visit to the Christmas markets. More active guest can enjoy a bike tour through the city. In the afternoon, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Or, you can go to 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)

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants all with its tantalizing history, formerly a Roman center of trade. In the morning, venture to Les Baux-de-Provence, a hilltop village and ruined castle. Enjoy time in the "old village", its shops, art galleries, and cafes interspersed among the historic ruins. You will also have a unique experience at the Carrieres de Lumieres, where you will be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound, and history projected on the walls of a former limestone quarry set to music. Next, visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provencal tradition and enjoy a tasting. Finally, experience the beauty of Saint-Remy-de-Provence, the location where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous paintings, including Starry Night. Later, join a guided walking tour where you'll visit the Roman ruins of Arles such as its Roman Amphitheater and the Church of Saint Trophime, famous for its Romanesque architecture. Alternatively, you can enjoy a bike ride along the Rhone, through town to the Langlois Bridge, a famous subject from several Vincent van Gogh paintings. And for those who wish to delve further into Van Gogh's Arles, join a special walking tour along with a visit to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, showcasing his legacy. (B,L,D)

Bid farewell to Arles and prepare for your flight home. (B)

Disembark your ship in Arles and board the TGV high-speed train to the city that inspired Antoni Gaudi and is certain to inspire you. (B)

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. See some of Antoni Gaudi's imaginative architectural creations, including La Sagrada Familia, and enjoy Barcelona's well-known and classic Christmas markets, illuminating the streets and squares with festivities. (B)

Join an excursion to the mountain Montserrat, which is home to the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat, located about 30 miles from Barcelona. Once there, you'll ride a scenic funicular to the top of the mountain and experience an indescribable view of the Catalonia landscape. The monastery, officially founded in 1025, soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin Mary. The whole of Montserrat is built around facilitating the worship of the Black Madonna in the Basilica. While here, you'll see the famous Black Madonna sculpture, which sits at the back of the church, above the altar area. The stairway leading to the statue, plus the room and altar in which the statue sits are ornate, golden, and pay tribute to the wonder that is the Virgin herself. (B)

Bid farewell to Barcelona and prepare for your flight home. (B)