FEATURED EXCURSION: Beaune, Hospices de Beaune

Located in the heart of Burgundy, Chalon sur Saône is an important center of the French wine trade. Burgundy’s wines are celebrated all over the world; in fact, the wines of this region, along with those of Bordeaux, are the reason France is famous for its wine. You will journey to nearby Beaune to visit the famous Hospices de Beaune, a charitable hospital; the hospice monks have been making wine for auction (in order to support their charities) since the 15th century. You can marvel at the hospital’s magnificent multicolored tile roof before exploring the bounteous market stalls. In the evening, enjoy a Captain’s Welcome Reception and Gala Dinner.

FEATURED EXCURSIONS: Choice of Avignon walking tour and Palace of the Popes or exclusive “Off the Beaten Path” Avignon walking tour or exclusive guided “Go Active” kayak ride on the Gardon River 

Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, brims with history, culture, art, and life, as you’ll see on your walking tour of the “City of the Popes.” Start at the medieval ramparts and continue to Clock Tower Square, where colorful café terraces face the magnificent City Hall, the Opera Theatre, and classic mansions. Then it’s on to Popes’ Palace Square for an inside view of the maze of galleries, chambers, and chapels that make up the grand Palace of the Popes, where seven fourteenth-century popes resided during a turbulent period in church history. Or opt instead to discover Avignon’s picturesque hidden alleys and secret squares on an exclusive guided tour that takes you “off the beaten path.” Alternatively, spend a fun and relaxing afternoon paddling the clear, tranquil waters of the Gardon River. You’ll paddle from Collias to Remoulins, gliding under the arches of the two-thousand-year- old UNESCO-designated Pont du Gard.   In the evening, enjoy a Captain’s Farewell Reception and Gala dinner.

Note: The kayak ride on the Gardon River is only available for May– September departure dates.