European River Cruises Focus on Food

Embarkation: St. Jean de Losne (airport, Paris)
Disembarkation: Port St. Louis (airport, Marseille)
2020 Dates: 31 March

Prices starting at CA$4,410 – twin, per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin (Category D or E).

Indulge in a culinary adventure on your European river cruise! Your unforgettable views along the Saône and Rhône Rivers are only matched by special excursions and activities to highlight great regional cuisine and wine. From haute cuisine to pastoral favorites, you’ll enjoy the rich landscapes of Burgundy and Provence to sample the best food and wine in Lyon and Viviers. Your culinary cruise also includes a pastry demonstration; a chocolate, cheese, and wine tasting; and a food-and-wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine on board.

Embark on your French river cruise and sail to the Chardonnay wine region of Mâcon, where you’ll enjoy a cheese tasting on board. You’ll visit Lyon, a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture, as well as France’s gastronomic capital. Lyon offers wonderful sights, including the popular Place des Terreaux with its famous fountain seen on postcards, and world-famous cuisine to discover on a guided culinary walk. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, where you’ll go on a guided walk of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and fascinating 16th-century castle. Continue to Viviers for a guided walk through this charming village. Cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest gothic fortress in the world. On the Rhône River sits Arles, with its 1st-century Roman amphitheater still used today. Attend a painting workshop in the style of Van Gogh whose work was inspired by the setting here. You’ll conclude your delightful French river cruise in Port-Saint-Louis.

This itinerary may also be done as a 9 day/8 night cruise, beginning with an overnight in Marseille, embarkation Port. St. Louis and ending in St. Jean de Losne (airport, Paris). Prices are slightly higher for the reverse itinerary beginning in Marseille.

Paris, France (2 nights): Bienvenue en France! Take free time today to fall in love with the world’s most romantic city. Get inspired by its architectural icons, exquisite cuisine, chic boutiques, and priceless artistic treasures. Join a Guided City Tour that shows the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées. Spend your free time strolling through the Champs-Élysées for café au lait and croissants, see the exhibits at the Louvre, or visit Montmartre’s Basilica of the Sacré Cœur. Consider browsing Paris’ classic shopping avenues and literary cafés for a true Parisian experience, or have your portrait sketched by a Parisian artist in the square at Place du Tertre.

Marseille (1 night): Disembark the ship in Port St. Louis and transfer by motor coach to Marseille, France’s second largest city, where you will have a guided sightseeing tour and an overnight stay.

Aix-en-Provence & Nice, France (4 nights): Upon disembarkation in Port St. Louis you will take the included transfer to Aix-en-Provence and begin your touring program. Your guided walking tour includes a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, known for its interesting combination of architectural styles and The Burning Bush triptych art masterpiece by Nicolas Froment. Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cézanne’s hometown. Your Local Host will help you get the most out of your stay. Travel by high-speed TGV train (first class) to Nice. Your guided sightseeing features the Promende des Anglais, originally built in the second half of the 18th century and the most famous boulevard in Nice, and a walk through the charming Old Town. Your Local Host has recommendations for your full day at leisure on the beautiful Côte d’Azur.

Nice, France and Barcelona, Spain (5 days/4 nights): An included transfer takes you from the port to Nice, where you will join your Monograms vacation. Guided sightseeing features the Promende des Anglais, originally built in the second half of the 18th century and the most famous boulevard in Nice, and a walk through the charming Old Town. Your Local Host has recommendations for your full day at leisure on the beautiful Côte d’Azur. Transfer to Nice airport for your flight to Barcelona. Your morning guided sightseeing includes a drive along elegant Passeig de Gràcia to see the captivating façades of Gaudí’s La Pedrera and Casa Batllò, and an inside visit of the extraordinary Sagrada Familia Basilica. Your Local Host has many recommendations for your day at leisure.

Please inquire for pricing details for this or any other extensions to your river cruise. All extensions may be personalized to include exactly the places you want to visit and the things you want to do.

Embarkation: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Disembarkation: Port St. Louis (airport, Marseille)
2020 Dates: 24 March

Prices starting at CA$9,429 – twin, per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin (Category D or E).

Join a culinary adventure on your European river cruise with unforgettable views along the Rhine and Rhône Rivers. Enjoy special excursions and activities to highlight great regional cuisine and wine. Enjoy the landscapes of Burgundy and Provence to sample the best food and wine in Lyon and Viviers. Your culinary cruise includes a pastry demonstration; a chocolate, cheese, and wine tasting; and a food-and-wine pairing dinner hosted by your Master of Wine on board.

Cruise through Amsterdam’s iconic waterways, then sail on the Rhine River to Cologne for a tour of the city or its historical Jewish sites. Sail through the Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim, and visit the Gutenberg printing museum or the Heidelberg Castle while in Mainz. Explore Strasbourg’s La Petite France District, and sail to Breisach, Germany, gateway to the Black Forest. Visit the largest wine producer in Europe at Badischer Winzerkeller winemakers, and taste wines in the vineyards of Baden.

In France, see Beaune’s Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital, and sail to the Chardonnay wine region of Mâcon, with cheese tasting on board. Explore Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, and enjoy a guided culinary walk. Nestled amid vineyards are the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage. Take a guided walk through the Roman ruins in Tournon. Visit charming Viviers, historical Avignon, and Arles on the Rhône River. Join a painting workshop a la Van Gogh whose work was inspired here. Your French river cruise concludes in Port-Saint-Louis.

Continue your vacation after your cruise with one night in lovely Marseilles. Enjoy superior hotel accommodations with complimentary breakfast, guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide, and courtesy ship-to-hotel transfer.

This itinerary also operates in reverse, northbound, beginning at Port St. Louis (airport, Marseille) and ending in Amsterdam with two 2020 dates offered, 06 and 20 October. Please inquire for prices.

Aix-en-Provence & Nice, France (4 nights): Upon disembarkation in Port St. Louis you will take the included transfer to Aix-en-Provence and begin your touring program. Your guided walking tour includes a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, known for its interesting combination of architectural styles and The Burning Bush triptych art masterpiece by Nicolas Froment. Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cézanne’s hometown. Your Local Host will help you get the most out of your stay. Travel by high-speed TGV train (first class) to Nice. Your guided sightseeing features the Promende des Anglais, originally built in the second half of the 18th century and the most famous boulevard in Nice, and a walk through the charming Old Town. Your Local Host has recommendations for your full day at leisure on the beautiful Côte d’Azur.

Nice, France (2 nights): After disembarkation at Port St. Louis, an included transfer takes you to Nice, where you will join your touring program. Guided sightseeing features the Promende des Anglais, originally built in the second half of the 18th century and the most famous boulevard in Nice, and a walk through the charming Old Town. Your Local Host has recommendations for your full day at leisure on the beautiful Côte d’Azur.

Barcelona, Spain (2 nights) (from Nice): Transfer to Nice airport for your flight to Barcelona. Your morning guided sightseeing includes a drive along elegant Passeig de Gràcia to see the captivating façades of Gaudí’s La Pedrera and Casa Batllò, and an inside visit of the extraordinary Sagrada Familia Basilica. Your Local Host has many recommendations for your day at leisure.

Marseille, France (1 night): Northbound itineraries Enjoy free time to explore this vibrant city on your day of arrival. The following day your local guide will take you on a sightseeing tour along the spectacular seascapes of the Mediterranean Coast, before you join your transfer to the ship.