Paris, Burgundy and a South of France Cruise

Upon arrival in Paris, you are met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, join your A&K Tour Director for a welcome dinner.

Travel outside of Paris to Giverny to explore the house of master Impressionist Claude Monet and the lovely gardens that inspired many of his late-career masterpieces. Return to the City of Light for a tour of the iconic sights, such as the Eiffel Tower — erected for the World’s Fair of 1889 — as well as the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Then, visit the Musée d’Orsay, to view its remarkable collection of Impressionist works by Monet, Degas, Manet, Renoir and their contemporaries.

After a morning at leisure in Paris, travel to Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy. Perhaps visit Hôtel-Dieu, a 15th-century charity hospital, before settling into your accommodations, located in the heart of this medieval town and comprised of a series of charming period houses.

Visit a traditional family-run mustard mill for a private tour and tasting. Then, visit the cellars of Domaine Debray to sample the local vintages. Next, travel to Lyon for priority embarkation aboard ‘Amadeus Symphony.’ Gather for a welcome cocktail before dinner.

Arrive in Mâcon this morning for an excursion into the lovely Mâconnais region, noted for its rolling landscapes accented with great stone outcroppings. Visit Georges DuBoeuf’s Hameau du Vin for a tasting of the region’s world-famous Beaujolais vintages. Return to the ship for lunch and an optional afternoon excursion to Cluny, a town built around the 10th-century ruins of Cluny Abbey.

Dock in picturesque Chalon-sur-Saône for a morning at leisure to explore this delightful riverside town with its graceful cathedral and photography museum. After lunch on board, visit medieval Brancion, continuing to Château de Cormatin and its turrets, wide moat and graceful gardens.

Arrive in Lyon to tour its old quarter, walking the charming, centuries-old streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, cruise the Rhône River and enjoy a private pre-dinner cocktail party in the ship’s Amadeus Club, hosted by your A&K Tour Director.

Arrive in Avignon, renowned for its wonderfully preserved medieval walls. Tour the Palais des Papes, one-time home of Catholic popes and the largest Gothic palace in the world. Later, take an optional excursion to Pont du Gard and the lovely town of Uzès, originally a large, defended Gallo-Roman settlement dating to the Iron Age.

Today’s excursion is exclusive to A&K guests. Begin at the Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque to admire its magnificent 12thcentury architecture. Continue to the nearby village of Gordes with its enchanting cobblestone lanes and sweeping views of the countryside. In Saint Paul-de-Mausole, see the asylum where Vincent van Gogh was voluntarily interned for a year, then stop at a family-run Provençal farm for a lunch that includes home-grown vegetables. Enjoy chatting with your hosts and gain an authentic glimpse into rural life as it is lived here. Complete the day in Arles, a city settled since 800 BC. Discover its massive Roman amphitheater, beautiful basilica — begun in the 12th century AD and once occupied by the Knights Templar — and the Place du Forum, where Van Gogh painted his marvelous Café Terrace at Night. You may view the exact spot where the master artist set up his easel.

Arrive this morning in Viviers, a small walled city steeped in history, nestled on a bank of the Rhône River. Here, you may choose an optional excursion to the Ardèche Gorge to see Pont d’Arc, a natural stone bridge that is the icon for the entire region. Tonight, gather a final time with your fellow guests and join the captain for a gala dinner to celebrate your journey.

After breakfast, transfer to Lyon airport and depart.

4 days, priced from $2,895 Available on May 4 Departure Day 1: Arrive in Paris, France. Join your A&K Tour Director for dinner. Hôtel Westminster / Meals: D Day 2: Travel to Honfleur, inspiration for Impressionists. In Bayeux, view its famed tapestry. Hotel Villa Lara / Meals: B Day 3: Tour Normandy’s D-Day landing beaches. Visit the American Military Cemetery at Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, Pointe du Hoc and a D-Day exhibit. Hotel Villa Lara / Meals: B L DAY 4: Return to Paris. Hôtel Westminster / Meals: B NOTE: Timings and pre-/post-cruise sightseeing may vary. Please contact A&K for details.