SOLD OUT Burgundy & Provence River Cruise April 14th - 23rd, 2023
Join Amy Hanten, The Cooking Mom, & Bon Voyage Boutique Travel LLC on our next culinary adventure!
Bonjour! Join us on this trip of a life-time through Southern France on a floating boutique hotel. We will be traveling with Uniworld River Cruises, one of the best river cruises companies in Europe, aboard their 'super-ship', the S.S. Catherine. This ship represents the best in river cruising, combining quality craftsmanship with high-tech innovations and custom-designed interiors. The onboard experiences will leave you in awe, where no request is too large and no detail is too small! All meals onboard are included. These meals are five-star, locally sourced and are inspired by favorite local farm-to-table cuisine. While onboard, enjoy unlimited beverages including fine wine (chosen by their on-staff Sommelier), beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee & tea, and mineral water. At each port you will have your choice of included excursions to give you an in-depth look at the local history, culture and architect. This is a true all-inclusive river cruise! Our itinerary will take you to all the hidden gems of Burgundy & Provence, including Avignon, Arles, Viviers, Tournon, Macon & Lyon! You will be able to partake in unique inclusions designed to fully immerse you in the French countryside. These include local wine tastings, kayaking on the Gardon River, vineyard hikes, gastronomy tours, bike rides & more. Join us as we wine & dine along the Rhone River! At the end of the week, if you haven't had enough of the French culture, join us for a few nights in Paris as we explore the culinary side of this charming city! This trip is not to be missed, and will fill up quick so reserve your spot today! The dates are April 14th - 23rd, 2023 (not including the optional Paris extension) Prices below are per person, double occupancy, cruise only (scroll down for more details on cabins):
TRIP COST (airfare additional) ( Each cabin offers handcrafted Savoir beds, generous built-in closet, hair drying, individual thermostats, safe, telephone, flat screen TV with infotainment center. Marble bathroom with bath & body products, plus towels, special towel warmer, backlit magnifying mirror, bathrobes & slippers) Classic Cabin $3849 per person [Picture window (162 sq ft)] SOLD OUT French Balcony $5149 per person [French Balcony (194 sq ft)] SOLD OUT Deluxe Balcony $5649 per person [Open-air Balcony (194 sq ft)] SOLD OUT Suite $8349 per person [Open-air Balcony (305 sq ft) with in-room butler, fully stocked mini bar & welcome bottle of wine] SOLD OUT Grand Suite $10,449 per person [Grand Suite with an open-air balcony (410 sq ft) and all above suite amenities] SOLD OUT *Additional $210 for port fees and taxes* Airfare will become available around May 2022 and will be added after that.
Additional $210 for port fees & taxes Single and (limited) triple rates are available, please inquire for pricing. One connecting stateroom available, Grand Suite to Suite.
*OPTIONAL PARIS ADD ON WILL BE AVAILABLE!*
This trip will be hosted by Amy Hanten (the Cooking Mom), who will be traveling with the group. In the event that Amy is unable to travel, the group will go as planned and be hosted by a Bon Voyage Boutique Travel team member. Keep scrolling for the day by day itinerary!
April 14th - 23rd, 2023| Burgundy & Provence
Day 1 : April 14th | Depart US
Day 2: April 15th | Avignon at Leisure Arrive in airport and transfer to Avignon to spend the day at leisure. *Pre night in Avignon is not included, nor is it required. but we do highly recommend it! If you opt out, you will be departing U.S. on 4/15
DAY 3: April 16th | Avignon (Embark) Transfer to the ship docked in Avignon. For Port Location details, please visit Uniworld.com/ports.
DAY 4: April 17th | Tarascon (Arles) Explore a sun-drenched Provençal town today with an allure all its own. Known for its remarkable Roman ruins, Arles so inspired Van Gogh that he painted some 200 paintings there. Arles has existed since the sixth century BC, when the ancient Greeks founded it and named it Theline. It was here that the Romans built their first bridge across the Rhône River, creating a vital overland route between Italy and Spain. Featured Excursion: Arles walking tour
DAY 5: April 18th | Avignon The walled city of Avignon is one of the most fascinating towns in southern France, with a host of historic gems to explore—including the fortress residence of rebellious popes who broke from Rome and once lived and ruled here. You’ll see the Palace of the Popes and much more today, and also have a chance to kayak under a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct. Choice of Avignon walking tour with Palace of the Popes or Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct visit or "Let’s Go” kayak ride on the Gardon RiverA special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
DAY 6: April 19th | Viviers An enchanting village where time seems to have stopped centuries ago, Viviers has a long and storied past that goes back more than 1,600 years—and a splendid architectural heritage to match. At one time, Viviers was divided along religious lines—the clergy lived in the upper part of the town, the laity in the lower part. Your exploration of the town will take you through both parts, as you begin at the crest and make your way to the riverbank. Featured Excursion: Intimate Viviers “Village Day”
DAY 7: April 20th | Tournon (Tain-l’Hermitage) If you love fine wine, you’ll love the twin villages of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage. Tournon may be a small town, but stirring events took place here: A castle was raised on the hilltop in the 10th century to protect the region, and new fortifications were added over the centuries, including two “new” towers built to defend against Protestant attacks in the 16th century. You’ll see the handsome houses constructed by wealthy merchants and garrison officers when you walk through the Rue de Doux area, and you’ll pass the 14th-century church and the oldest secondary school in France. Choice of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage twin villages stroll with wine tasting or “Let's Go” Hermitage terrace vineyards hike with wine tasting
DAY 8: April 21th | Lyon As the epicenter of French gastronomy, Lyon is a city of tantalizing contrasts. There’s much to explore here, from the work of culinary visionaries to silk weavers’ secret passageways. After your choice of excursions, embrace the locals’ favorite mode of transportation with a bike ride—a great way to see the sights. Choice of Lyon Capital of Gastronomy tour or Silk weavers walking tour or “Let's Go” Lyon peninsula bike tour
DAY 9: April 22nd | Mâcon (Beaune) The pace of life is decidedly more relaxed in Burgundy, where endless rows of grapes hang heavy on the vine. The capital of the region’s wine trade, Beaune is renowned for its history, beauty and highly prized wine, as well as its medieval-era hospital—the Hospices de Beaune. Choice of Burgundy landscapes, Beaune and the hospices or Mâcon walking tour A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
DAY 10: April 23rd | Lyon (Disembark) Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, you can continue your adventure with an extension to Paris.
*OPTIONAL PARIS ADD ON WILL BE AVAILABLE!*
CRUISE PRICE INCLUDES: 7 nights onboard the brand new super-ship, SS Catherine All onboard meals All onboard beverages (including beer / wine / spirits) Choice of excursion at every port Onboard Gratuities
What makes Uniworld different? Outstanding Service with tiny, noticeable touches 1 - 2.3 Staff-to-Guest ratio In Suite Butlers (suite categories only) All-Inclusive Included excursion options Private experiences Onboard Fitness Center with Wellness Classes Bicycles & Nordic Walking Sticks for onshore use Ship wide Internet & Wi-Fi Onboard Entertainment Wine list chosen by Sommelier to reflect local destination MEALS INCLUDED 7 Breakfasts 5 Lunches / Afternoon Snacks 7 Dinners Captains Welcome & Farewell Reception Welcome & Farewell Gala Dinners Unlimited beverages onboard including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee & tee, mineral water
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICES Pre-night in Avingon Any meals not listed above, optional experiences, tips or personal expenses International Airfare Insurance (non-refundable) Estimated $100 per person bus transfer from Appleton to Chicago and return Deposit Schedule 10% per person deposit for the land due at time of reserving space Final Paymentdue December 1, 2022 Final payment due December 1, 2022
* We reserve the right to adjust itinerary as needed to accommodate needs of the group. Note: The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.