7 Night Sensations of Lyon and Provence Cruise from Lyon

Welcome to Lyon, on the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers. On arrival at the airport, you'll be met by a member of Emerald Cruises friendly greetings team and transferred to the contemporary surrounds of your Emerald Cruises Star-Ship. Please book your flight to arrive into Lyon prior to 4:30 PM.

France's third-largest city, Lyon is a former Roman capital, steeped in history and considered to be the gastronomic heartbeat of the country. Home to traditional Lyonnaise cuisine, you'll enjoy an array of exemplary culinary delights. Today, a guided city tour awaits you, including a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourviere, part of the inscribed historic site of Lyon. Wander through the city and soak in its vividly illustrated history, as buildings from all time periods can be seen adorning narrow cobblestone streets. Alternatively, explore the highlights of the city on two wheels as part of a guided bike tour of Lyon.

Today, we enjoy a relaxed morning sailing on the Saone river until we reach the lovely town of Macon. Here we will discover the Beaujolais wine region, renowned for its vibrant, fruity wines with Gamay grape variety. The extensive planting of the Gamay grape makes Beaujolais wine region one of the several regions on the planet to focus on a single grape variety. Red wine accounts for 99% of the total wine production of the region.

The picturesque village of Tournon borders the gently meandering Rhone, dominated by a 16th-century castle that overlooks the village and a number of iconic landmarks, including a set of ancient watchtowers. Your guided tour of the village will showcase its intangible cultural heritage, granting every opportunity for you to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Alternatively, embark on an EmeraldACTIVE hike through the local vineyards and marvel at the rows upon rows of grapes used to make some of the finest wines in Europe.

Arrive in Viviers, a town with much Middle Age flair and home to one of France's oldest cathedrals. Your included walking tour will highlight many of the city's numerous spectacular monuments, along with their ornate windows and lavish facades.

The words Provence & lavender fields have become so synonymous with each other over the decades that we can hardly mention one without the other. The dusky purple shades and delicate fragrances that decorate its fields every summer are now so emblematic of the region that the Provence lavender fields have very much become a tourist attraction in their own right. Avignon has a rich history, from Celtic beginnings to being the residence of seven successive popes between 1309 and 1377. The city also played a major part central to the French Revolution. Your included walking tour this afternoon will take you past the ornate beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes, as well as Pont d'Avignon, an ancient stone bridge crossing the Rhone. This evening, you are invited to join the unique experience of a classical concert in Avignon as part of the EmeraldPLUS program.

The past is yours to uncover in Arles, a once-important Phoenician trading port that was captured by the Romans, who peppered the city with iconic monuments. Today, your included tour of the city will showcase some of its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Roman and Romanesque monuments, illustrating how the city has evolved over the centuries. Visit the 2,000-year-old Arles Amphitheatre and follow in the footsteps of world-renowned artist, Vincent van Gogh. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure, where a stop at a local and quintessential cafe is a must before returning to relax onboard your Star-Ship. This evening, you'll enjoy a delightful Provencal dining experience onboard, expertly prepared by France's Top Chef finalist, Fabien Morreale.

After breakfast, it's time to bid farewell to your fellow guests and disembark your Star-Ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of the idyllic French countryside and delightful cuisine with you.