13 Night Colors of Provence (Wine Cruise) Cruise and Land Tour from Barcelona

Arrive in Barcelona and check into your hotel. (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. Visit Montjuic Hill and see some of Antoni Gaudi's imaginative architectural creations, including Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, and La Sagrada Familia. (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 can experience an indescribable view of the Catalonia landscape from the top of the mountain. 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. On leaving the Black Madonna, you will exit via the Cami de l'Ave Maria, another moving place where you will be given the opportunity, should you wish, to pay homage to the statue that you have just seen by lighting a candle. (B)

Check out of the hotel and board the TGV high-speed train to Nimes. 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. Cap the day off with a Welcome Aboard Wine Toast. (B,D)

Board your cruise in Arles. This evening, meet your fellow passengers as the ship moors overnight. (D)

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants. For art lovers, you'll wish to visit Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Vincent van Gogh once lived and painted such well-known works as "The Irises" and "Starry Night". Many people consider Van Gogh's Arles period to be the most creative of his career. Afterwards, go to the Carrieres de Lumieres, 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 learn about age-old Provencal traditions from a master olive miller as well as sample the olive oil. During the afternoon, you can join a walking tour of Arles highlighting top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater; or take a guided bike tour to the Roman ruins. (B,L,D)

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 where you can taste regional specialties, including macarons, cheese and wine, and tapenades. Later in the afternoon, visit a winery in the famed Chateauneuf-du-Pape wine region, where viticulture has been promoted since the 14th century. The unique soil composition here has earned the area a reputation for producing distinctive wines that are now popular the world over. Join a specialist from the winery on a private tour of the wine cellars and vineyards, an exclusive opportunity to learn about centuries-old winemaking methods. Following your tour, enjoy a tasting of the vineyard's specialty wines. (B,L,D)

Go in search of the highly prized "Black Diamond" truffles with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. Later in the day, be treated to a delicious pairing of red wine and chocolate at the 15th-century Chateau de Tournon, located on the banks of the Rhone, in the heart of town. (B,L,D)

Walk through the steep vineyards as you learn about the history and techniques of winemaking in this area. Following the guided tour, join your host for a tasting of the Hermitage wines for which this region is celebrated. Alternatively, take an exclusive private train ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorges du Doux stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthelemy le Plain, where the train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. For a more active adventure, enjoy 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. (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. 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 ViaRhona bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. 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)

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)

Disembark your ship in Lyon. (B)

Disembark the ship and enjoy tasting some local Lyon specialties before boarding your high-speed train to Paris and checking into your hotel. (B)

Enjoy taking in the signature sites of Paris in your guided city tour, including the awe-inspiring Arc de Triomphe and iconic Eiffel Tower. You'll see Champs-Elysees with its cinemas, sidewalk cafes, and luxury specialty shops. (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)

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