France River Cruise & Barcelona
Rhone River Cruise
- 6 nights, 7 days cruise on the Rhone River with CroisiEurope Cruises on the MS Van Gogh
- Ports of call: Mâcon, Lyon, Pont d’Arc Cavern, Avignon, Arles, Martigues
- On board activities
- Beaujolais vineyards tour
- Evening cruise through Lyon
- Guided panoramic tour of Lyon
- Visit the Caverne du Pont d’Arc
- Guided tour of Avignon
- Guided tour of Palais des Papes in Avignon
- Visit a “manade”, a horse breeding farm in Arles
Marseille
- Enjoy a day to explore the city of Marseille at your leisure
Barcelona
- Guided city tour
- Visit Park Guell
- Traditional Catalan cooking class
- Sagrada Familia
- Picasso Museum
- Gaudi Walking Tour
- The National Art Museum of Catalunya
- Poble Espanyol
- Flamenco dinner and dance performance
Spain mixes the luxury of Europe with the exoticism of a farther off land. Feel the weight of thousands of years of history below every cobblestone footstep in Italy. And in many ways, France sets the cultural standard for exquisite taste: from culinary innovation to fashion, from history to high art. How can you go wrong?!
The history, the food, the culture, the art; these countries have it all for everyone to enjoy.
Student trip itineraries are completely customizable for your group, desires, and needs.
Day 1 - Travel to France
Depart on your overnight flight to Lyon, France via connection(s).
Day 2 - EMBARK ON RHONE RIVER CRUISE
Transfer to Chalon-sur-Saône, the starting point for the Rhone river cruise. Meet the ship’s crew, and enjoy dinner and a welcome cocktail.
Day 3 - RHONE RIVER CRUISE – MÂCON
Welcome to Mâcon! Visit a local Beaujolais vineyard and enjoy a guided tour. Learn all about the world renowned wine produced in this region. Night cruise through Lyon to see it light up
Day 4 - RHONE RIVER CRUISE – LYON, TAIN-L'HERMITAGE
Lyon on a panoramic tour, including the city’s characteristic “travoules” passageways. Return to the ship and continue south to Tain-l’Hermitage. Arrive in Tain-l’Hermitage for the evening.
Day 5 - RHONE RIVER CRUISE - CAVERNE DU PONT D'ARC
Cruise towards Avignon this morning. Shore excursion to visit the Caverne du Pont d’Arc – explore the cave which is a detailed replica of the nearby Chauvet-Pont-d’Arc Cave that famously houses some of the best preserved cave paintings in the world. Cruise to Avignon.
Day 6 - RHONE RIVER CRUISE – AVIGNON, ARLES
Guided tour of Avignon this morning, as well as the Papal Palace. Continue on to Arles. Arrive and enjoy free time in the old town. Ship for dinner and on board activities.
Day 7 - RHONE RIVER CRUISE - ARLES
Discover the Camargue region. Visit a horse breeding farm, or “manade” and meet with a local “manadier” to learn about their work. Continue on towards Martigues, your final port of call. Enjoy a special gala dinner.
Day 8 - RHONE RIVER CRUISE FINISHES IN MARTIGUES, VISIT TO MARSEILLE
Arrive in Martigues this morning. Disembark the cruise ship. Enjoy a day in Marseille to spend as you wish
Day 9 - TRAVEL TO BARCELONA
Depart to Barcelona. For lunch, visit the city’s vast Boqueria food market. Head out on a guided tour of the city, including a visit to the gothic quarter of Barcelona. Visit the Picasso Museum
Day 10 - BARCELONA
Walking tour of the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi. Walking the streets of Barcelona, visit some of the iconic buildings designed by Gaudi in his signature unique architectural style. Visit to the stunning Sagrada Família. Visit Park Guell. Evening hands on cooking class.
Day 11 - BARCELONA
Visit the famed Las Ramblas. Head to the MNAC, The National Art Museum of Catalunya, for a self-guided gallery visit. Visit Poble Espanyol, a museum that holds a composite Spanish village with traditional buildings. Live entertainment at a Flamenco dance performance.
Day 12 - Homeward Bound
Depart home after an amazing trip to France & Spain together
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AirfareRoundtrip group airfare to Europe
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BusPrivate coach bus for duration of tour, equipped with A/C, T.V & DVD players, on-board washroom
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HotelCentrally located, student friendly, 3 * minimum, acclaimed hotels
Daily breakfast and dinner included in tour. Meals at locally owned and run restaurants and accommodations serving authentic cuisine sufficient for teenage appetites.
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world.
Places You’ll Visit
Ile de Cité
One of two remaining natural islands in the Seine.
Notre Dame Cathedral
One of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.
Montmartre
Historically home to the studios of famous artists, including Salvador Dali,
Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh.
Seine River!
Boat cruise on the Seine.
Louvre
Highlights will include medieval ruins, the sculpture Gallery and of course, the Mona Lisa.
Avenue des Champs Élysées,
Get your shopping in!
Eiffel Tower
Need we say more?
San Sebastian
Walk the streets of the Basque town and leisurely hike to the top of the hills that overlook this picturesque town.
Bilbao
Home to the famed Guggenheim museum.
Picasso Museum
A key reference for understanding the formative years of Pablo Ruiz Picasso.
Las Ramblas
Pick up some gifts for friends and family back home.
Sagrada Familia
Construction began in
1882 and continues to this day.
Park Guell,
Contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and fascinating buildings.
Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Dating back to 1191.
Musée Océanographique
World famous aquarium containing 450 species of ocean life.
Nice
Explore the southern French city.
Gallery of the Academy
See the original David by Michelangelo, which has been housed here since 1873.
Piazza della Signoria
Lunch in Florence's main square.
Uffizi Gallery
See works by da Vinci, Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and more.
Vatican Museums
Includes a visit to see the
Sistine Chapel.
Coliseum
An enduring symbol of the Eternal City.
Old Roman Forum
Remains part of the ancient city of Roma.
