Tain-l’Hermitage – known for its fine chocolate and excellent Côtes du Rhône wines, which you’ll have a chance to sample during a tasting. Cruise the Rhône to Viviers tonight. Meals BLD
9. BACK IN TIME IN VIVIERS
In the Middle Ages, the town of Viviers on the banks of the Rhône had two distinct parts which reflected the equally distinct social divide of the time. Artisans and tradespersons lived on the river plain, while the bishop and his upwardly mobile friends lorded over them from the hilltop above. Explore this well-preserved walled city, with its unusual castle-like cathedral, on a walking tour; you’ll be delighted by its authenticity. Spend the rest of the day cruising the Rhône aboard ms Swiss Emerald, bound for Avignon; on-board activities include a demonstration of the Provençal game of pétanque (weather permitting). Meals BLD
10. STORIES OF POPES (& WINE) IN AVIGNON Lovely Avignon might still be something of a backwater had it not been for the popes who moved the papacy here when things got “uncomfortable” in Rome some 700 years ago. Although the pontiffs reigned here for less than a century, their
fortress-like Palais des Papes, which you’ll visit during today’s sightseeing, is still the centerpiece of this walled medieval city. The popes of Avignon all shared a fondness for wine, produced in this region for over 2,600 years; sample the locally grown Châteauneuf-du-Pape (which translates to “new castle of the Popes”) on an afternoon wine tasting in a hilltop setting overlooking the village for which the variety is named. Meals BLD
11. VAN GOGH’S ARLES & CAMARGUE COWBOYS Ancient Arles was there long before the Romans found it... but you can still see a lot of what they left behind as you explore the city this morning, including the Roman arena from the 1st century BC – still being used for bullfights and plays. Look beyond Arles’ medieval streets and walls to see why the town and its surrounding landscapes were such an inspiration to Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, who completed over 200 paintings during the 15 months he lived here in the late 1880s; the quality of the light is amazing! An excursion to the Camargue region, a natural sanctuary in the fertile Rhône Delta, includes a visit to a working farm where you’ll attend a private demonstration by local cowboys, see the famous Spanish black bulls they raise, dine on traditional Provençal fare for lunch, and enjoy local lore and entertainment. Return to the riverboat in Arles and join us for the Captain’s farewell dinner this evening. Meals BLD
12. DISEMBARK ARLES / HAVING A NICE TIME Upon disembarking ms Swiss Emerald in Arles, travel to Nice, where time spent is always nice – whether on a walking tour with our local guide or exploring on your own along the Promenade des Anglais overlooking the Bay of Angels… strolling the medieval streets of Old Town… or within the lively Rue de France pedestrian zone. Continue to Monte-Carlo for two nights at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, where guests in Category 6 suites on the ship will enjoy sea-view rooms; have lunch and dinner on your own today. Fairmont Monte Carlo – Meals B
DINING IN PARIS IS considered among the ultimate culinary experiences
anywhere, ranging from sidewalk bistros to some of Europe’s most exclusive restaurants. Tauck includes a welcome dinner at Fouquet’s – the quintessential Paris brasserie on the Champs-Élysées whose elegance and classic cuisine have made it a celebrity favorite for more than a century.
13. MONTE-CARLO WHEN IT GLITTERS... It’s hard to imagine a more idyllic or sophisticated place than Monte-Carlo; the name brings to mind jet setters, mega-yachts bobbing in the harbor, the glittering casino where the rich and famous play, and the fairy-tale legacy of Princess Grace, Prince Rainier and the Grimaldi family dynasty who have ruled the Principality of Monaco for over 700 years. It’s all part of the magic you’ll discover – along with Monaco’s gardens, its cathedral, the pink Place de Palais and more – as you explore Monte-Carlo on an orientation tour and on your own during time spent as you please. Wrap up an unforgettable trip with a farewell dinner at your hotel tonight. Fairmont Monte Carlo – Meals BD
14. JOURNEY HOME Tour ends: Monte-Carlo, Monaco. Fly home anytime. A transfer from the Fairmont Monte Carlo to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is included; you should allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport. Meals B
Call your travel agent or Tauck at 800-468-2825
www.tauck.com 19
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