Le Phénicien

Meet in Avignon and transfer to Le Phénicien. Enjoy a welcome reception, followed by your first gourmet dinner on board.

In Avignon, visit the Palais des Papes that served as a fortress as well as a palace. With walls that are 13 feet thick in some places and defensive towers reaching to 165 feet, the Palais des Papes remains a symbol of the time when Avignon was the fortified center of the Christian world. Then, visit one of the best cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a guided visit and wine tasting.

After breakfast, cruise to historic Villeneuve-lès-Avignon for a guided excursion to the Pont du Gard. This masterpiece of Roman engineering is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an informative museum showcasing the historic significance of the magnificent tri-level aqueduct. Back aboard, Le Phénicien passes through the 36-foot-high lock at Beaucaire en route to Aramon, where a lively game of pétanque awaits.

Today, visit medieval Les Baux-de-Provence, dramatically set atop a rocky plateau of the Alpilles.

An unforgettable cruise takes you to the Roman city of Arles, the "open-air museum" of Provence. Join your guide to explore the haunts of Vincent van Gogh, who painted a myriad of canvases here in 1888.

Cruise to the Camargue this morning, heading east on the Canal du Rhône àSète that links the Petit Rhône with the étangs (inland seas) dotting the Mediterranean coast. Moor in the quiet village of Gallician before visiting a prestigious manade (ranch), where local cowboys on white horses demonstrate how they tend their herds of bulls. Gather tonight for a farewell dinner to mark your last evening on board Le Phénicien.

After breakfast, disembark in Aigues-Mortes and transfer to Nîmes, where your journey ends.