9 Night Idyllic Rhone with Highlights of Paris Cruise and Land Tour from Paris

Welcome to Paris, the City of Light. There are icons at every turn in the French capital, from the chic boutiques of the Champs-Elysees to the meandering riverbank of the Seine and the bustling crossroads of the Arc de Triomphe, with the intricate metalwork of the Eiffel Tower always in view above. Paris is a city that almost defies description; stroll the historic streets and you'll soon see why it has inspired generations of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and fashionistas. Check into your luxurious hotel, located in the bustling 9th Arrondissement, also known as the Opera District. It's known for its wide boulevards, many theatres, including the opulent Palais Garnier opera house, and grand Belle Epoque department stores like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.

It's your first morning in Paris, so why not start the day with a pain au chocolat and a cafe au lait? Paris is a city that has been immortalized in endless movies, TV shows, books, and paintings, so even if you're a first-time visitor you will feel like you already know it. Its elegant streets, grand buildings, shady parks, stylish cafes, and even more stylish residents, you'll quickly be swept up in the joie de vivre.

After breakfast, transfer via high-speed train to Lyon where your friendly crew will welcome you onboard the Scenic Sapphire ready for your cruise along the Rhone and Saone rivers.

Wake up and arrange for your personal butler to deliver a coffee to your suite and enjoy breakfast at Crystal Dining before you venture out for the day to explore Lyon. Sitting at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers, the city was founded by the Romans in 43 BC. Since the mid-1500s it has been a financial and industrial powerhouse and today is recognized as France's culinary capital. The city is home to more than 4,000 restaurants - including 20 that hold Michelin stars - and eating well is a way of life.

You'll wake this morning in the town of Macon, which will be your base for exploring the surrounding south Burgundy region. Macon sits right on the edge of the river, with pretty pastel-hued buildings, ancient churches, and picturesque quays. It is close to the Burgundy wine region, one of the most famous in France, producing exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay, and sparkling.

Cruising downstream, along the Rhone River, your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Vienne. Boasting a 2,000-year history, this city is blanketed with Roman history, including a terraced theater, first-century temple, ancient baths, and the Vienne Pyramid, which was the site of the Roman circus where chariot races would have been held.

This morning, you will arrive in Viviers, often described as an open-air museum for its rich medieval heritage and architecture. The town was founded in the 5th century and as you walk down the narrow, zig-zagging lanes, you will feel like little has changed in the past 1,600 years. At its peak in the Middle Ages, Viviers was home to 30,000 people; today less than 4,000 people live here, happily secluded in their own world. This afternoon is spent onboard sailing towards Avignon, known as the gateway to Provence, a region blanketed in vineyards and lavender fields, rolling hills, and historic villages. Relax with a regional wine in the Panorama Lounge & Bar and enjoy the ever-changing scenery along the banks of the Rhone or take time out in the wellness center with a relaxing massage.

Known as the City of the Popes, Avignon is rich in history and astounding medieval architecture, but also has a youthful energy to it with a buzzing arts scene. The former 14th-century papal capital is circled by city walls, home to the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace), one of the largest surviving Gothic palaces in Europe, and the remaining four arches of the famous Pont d'Avignon bridge, which was once the only way to cross the Rhone between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea.

Wake up this morning in Arles, a city founded around 56 BC by Julius Caesar that remains rich in Roman history. Arles is thought to have the largest number of Roman ruins after the Eternal City itself, with the ruins ancient monuments, theatres, baths, and administrative buildings strewn along the left bank. It was also home to Vincent van Gogh in 1888, who drew inspiration from the landscape for many of his paintings and drawings.

Depart after a farewell breakfast. Tarascon is the end of your cruise, but it will be the start of a lifetime of wonderful memories. From here, you will be transferred to Nice Airport for your onwards or homebound flight. Please book your flight to depart out of Nice after 1 PM.