Join Mark and Linda Holford from Rocky Creek Winery. Wine Tasting River Cruise Provence & Spain

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1 Join Mark and Linda Holford from Rocky Creek Winery Book by 31 Aug. and we will pre-pay the onboard Gratuities Wine Tasting River Cruise Provence & Spain Paris to Barcelona 14 Days 20 March 2017 From $ CAD From the magic of Paris to the romance of Barcelona, this itinerary is truly captivating. Begin with three nights in Paris, then travel in style aboard the high-speed TGV train to Lyon, France s gastronomical capital. From there, cruise through France s legendary wine growing regions, home to such famous vintages as Beaujolais and Côte du Rhône. Enjoy wine tastings at local vintners, marvel at ancient Roman ruins, stroll through medieval villages and shop for Provencal crafts. Your itinerary includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avignon as well as Arles, the city where Vincent Van Gogh spent much of his life. Conclude your journey with three nights in magnificent Barcelona.

2 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE Arrive in Paris and check-in to your hotel. The balance of the day is yours to start exploring this beautiful city. PARIS Enjoy some of Paris most famous sights during your guided tour this morning, such as the Champs Élysées, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame Cathedral. The afternoon is free for you to explore the City of Light. Or, you may decide to join the optional Montmartre & Illuminations tour this evening. (B) PARIS Your last day in Paris is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. This evening, an optional Parisian Cabaret at Paradis Latin dinner show is available for you to enjoy. (B) PARIS - LYON - EMBARKATION After checking out of your hotel, you will board the TGV high-speed train that will whisk you through the French countryside to Lyon. Nestled between the Saone and Rhone rivers, Lyon is one of France s most important cities its gastronomic capital. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time for lunch on your own before a private cooking demonstration. Or partake in a special champagne tasting. Later, transfer to your luxurious ship, where you will gather this evening for a Welcome Dinner. (B,D)

3 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 LYON Today your panoramic tour of Lyon will take you to Place Bellecour with its equestrian statue of Louis XIV, Place des Terreaux with Bartholdi s Fountain, and the Town Hall. Afterwards, visit Fourvière, part of the historic region designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the Hill of Prayers, Fourvière is famous for its iconic white Basilica of Notre-Dame, ruins of an ancient Roman theater, and majestic views of the city below. The afternoon is free to enjoy however you wish. The ship departs for Belleville this evening. (B,L,D) BELVILLE VIENNE This morning s tour will take you through the enchanting Beaujolais wine region, also known as the Pays d Or or land of the golden stones, named for the richly colored limestone used to build local homes and castles. You will visit the medieval hilltop village of Oingt as well as the home of a local vintner who will invite you for a wine tasting and vineyard tour as he shares the history of the region s wine production. Return to the ship in the afternoon and enjoy a wine lecture and tasting onboard as you continue cruising towards Vienne. Upon arrival, make the most of your free time and venture about on your own or simply unwind on board. (B,L,D) VIENNE - TOURNON Situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais, Vienne s Roman past can be seen in its marvellously preserved ruins. This morning, you will take a walking tour and see an ancient Roman temple, the ruins of a Roman theater, and the medieval Abbey Church of St. Pierre, today an Archaeological Museum. Return to the ship and enjoy an onboard lecture and wine tasting as you sails towards Tournon. This evening, enjoy a Red Wine & Chocolate Pairing at the Tournon Chateau. (B,L,D) TOURNON - VIVIERS This morning, enjoy a scenic drive to the Tain-l Hermitage region for a wine tasting. Later, enjoy an on board wine lecture and tasting this afternoon as we cruise to Viviers. After arriving this evening, you may take a Ghost Walk tour through this medieval town, where colorful stories and local legends are brought to life by local residents. (B,L,D) VIVIERS - AVIGNON Today you arrive in Avignon, site of the bridge made famous by the French children's song "On the Bridge of Avignon." Seven popes once resided in the magnificent Papal Palace, which you will visit during your walking tour. You will also see the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage

4 Day10 Day11 Day12 Day13 Day14 Site. In the afternoon, visit the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape region where you will enjoy a wine tasting, tour a local vineyard and learn about the wines and winemaking process. (B,L,D) AVIGNON - ARLES After arriving Arles this morning, board a motor coach for an excursion to the village of Les Baux de Provence. The village s castle has a fascinating exhibit of medieval weapons. Later, visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provençal farming tradition. As an alternative, take the "Artist Experience tour to the Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Van Gogh once lived and painted such wellknown works as The Irises and Starry Night. You will also visit the Carrières de Lumières, a stone quarry that projects artwork on its walls. Late this afternoon, a city tour of Arles will show you the city s top sights including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman amphitheater. The ship moors overnight in Arles. (B,L,D) ARLES - DISEMBARKATION - BARCELONA, SPAIN Disembark your ship in Arles and transfer to Barcelona. Along the way, you will pass through the eerie Camargue marshland and stop in the medieval town of Perpignan in France, where you will have free time for lunch and some exploring on your own. (B) BARCELONA Your full day in Barcelona begins with a driving tour to the top of Montjuic Hill where you will enjoy glorious views of the city below. Continue along the waterfront to Las Ramblas, an iconic tree-lined boulevard, and explore the Gothic Quarter in the medieval center of the city. Your tour also includes the unique architectural works of Antoni Gaudí, including Casa Milà, Casa Batlló and La Sagrada Familia, the basilica and UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been under construction for over a century. (B) BARCELONA Enjoy a full day at your leisure, or take part in an optional excursion to Montserrat to visit the famous Benedictine Abbey atop Montserrat Mountain. This evening, explore Barcelona by night on your own, or participate in a special tapas tasting optional tour. (B) DEPART BARCELONA Bid farewell to Barcelona and prepare for your homeward flight. (B) Price Includes: 3 night s hotel in Paris at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast Transfer to Lyon via High-speed TGV train 7 night s deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom, most with French balconies

5 Life enriching tours and excursions daily Entertainment on demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library and English language TV stations Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise Free-flowing red & white wines from France's great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner on board Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala Dinner Motor-coach from Arles to Perpignan and on to Barcelona 3 night s hotel in Barcelona at the Le Meridien (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and piano music Bicycles to explore on your own Services of professional Cruise Manager All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck) Transfers between hotel and ship are included. All Local Taxes Prepaid Onboard Gratuities. Value $ per person.* Airfare is additional and is approximately $ including taxes.** Prices are per person based on double occupancy. A non-refundable deposit of is due at time of booking. Final payment is due 4 January 17. Single rates are available upon request. The purchase of comprehensive insurance is recommended. Pricing is correct at time of printing and is subject to change. Prices are in Canadian dollars. Category E Category D Category C Category B Category A Category S $ $ $ $ $ $ Cruise only rates $ $ $ $ $ $ *Prepaid Gratuities are courtesy of Rocky Creek Winery and Athlone Travel **Airfare is from Victoria to Paris return Barcelona to Victoria. Fares subject to availability. All details are correct at time of printing. 26 May 2016 To book or for more details contact liz@athlonetravel.com Athlone Travel 2187 Oak Bay Ave. Victoria, BC BC Reg. 3636

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