13 Night Colors of Provence Cruise and Land Tour from Paris

Arrive in Paris and check into your hotel.

Enjoy a morning tour taking in the signature sites of Paris, including the awe-inspiring Arc de Triomphe and iconic Eiffel Tower. (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 the famous indoor market hall Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse, named after the late chef renowned for his Michelin-starred L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges restaurant. There 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 your cruise in Lyon. Tonight, meet your fellow passengers as the ship moors overnight. (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". 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. In the afternoon, travel to the Beaujolais wine region-known as the Pays d'Or or "land of the golden stones". Indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. (B,L,D)

Enjoy free time in Lyon. Pop into an outdoor cafe for an authentic French breakfast or visit one of the city's many amazing museums during your leisurely morning. Bid Lyon adieu and set sail for Vienne. (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 bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhona bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. (B,L,D)

You have a choice of three excursions. 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. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le 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. (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. Depending on your interests, you have three choices of excursions. 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. Alternatively, 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 if you prefer, visit three venues around Avignon to taste regional specialties including macarons, cheese and wine, and tapenades. During the afternoon, you can enjoy free time in Avignon, go on a bike tour, or 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. In the evening, enjoy a short cruise to Pont d'Avignon bridge, illuminated against the night sky. (B,L,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. 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. Or for a different adventure, journey to Aigues-Mortes, known for its well preserved medieval walls and guard towers, followed by a visit to the beautiful Camargue National Park, a protected natural territory with more than 400 different species of birds. 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. 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)

Disembark your ship in Avignon. (B)

Disembark your ship in Arles and travel a short distance to Nimes. See the highlights of this delightful town with one of the finest collections of Roman buildings in France. Afterwards, 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, architect, foodie, historian, and culturist's dream. Visit Montjuic Hill and see some of Antoni Gaudi's imaginative architectural creations, including Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, and La Sagrada Familia. Afterwards, tour the Gothic Quarter in the medieval city center and walk along the city's famous Las Ramblas. You'll see several landmarks, including the Christopher Columbus monument; Barcelona's grand opera theater, the Gran Teatre del Liceu; and the spectacular La Boqueria Market, also known as Mercat de Sant Josep. You'll want to visit the market, considered one of the best in Europe, which boasts over 200 stalls filled with colorfully displayed food, including a wide variety of local products and exotic specialties. (B)

Join an excursion to 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. (B)

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