Day 1: Lyon — Embarkation
Board the A-ROSA LUNA in Lyon. Welcome aboard with sparkling wine. Evening cruise with Lyon’s illuminated riverbanks — Fourviere Basilica glowing gold on the hill, the Confluence district’s futuristic architecture. Welcome dinner with live cooking station. Overnight Lyon.
Day 2: Lyon — Gastronomy & Traboules
Full day in Lyon, France’s culinary capital. Morning: explore Vieux Lyon on foot — the traboules (hidden Renaissance passageways threading through buildings), the Gothic Saint-Jean Cathedral, and the murals (trompe l’oeil) that cover entire building facades. Take the funicular to Fourviere Basilica for city panoramas. Afternoon: e-bike excursion to the Beaujolais wine region just north of Lyon — cycle through rolling vineyards and taste Gamay wines at a family domaine with views of Mont Blanc on clear days. Or explore independently: Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse for a self-guided food tour through 48 artisan stalls. Overnight sailing south.
Day 3: Cruising the Rhone Valley
A day of pure river cruising through the Rhone Valley. Watch the landscape transform: terraced vineyards on steep slopes give way to lavender fields, cypress-lined roads, and ochre-colored villages. The ship’s panoramic lounge and sundeck offer 360-degree views. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner served onboard. Wellness area with sauna and fitness room available. Evening arrival in Viviers. Overnight Viviers.
Day 4: Viviers & Avignon
Morning in Viviers — a perfectly preserved medieval town. E-bike through the surrounding countryside or walk Viviers’ cobblestone streets to the Romanesque cathedral (the smallest cathedral in France). Afternoon: sail to Avignon. E-bike along the Rhone riverbank to the Pont d’Avignon for photos, then explore the City of Popes: the monumental Palais des Papes, the lively Place de l’Horloge, and the Rocher des Doms gardens. Independent dinner in Avignon — Les Halles market area for casual dining or a restaurant terrace on the Place des Corps Saints. Overnight Avignon.
Day 5: Avignon to Arles — Van Gogh Country
Morning at leisure in Avignon, or take the e-bikes for a ride to Villeneuve-les-Avignon across the Rhone — visit the Chartreuse du Val de Benediction monastery and the Fort Saint-Andre for commanding views. Afternoon: sail to Arles. Disembark for an evening walk through Arles — the Roman Arena lit up at dusk, the Place du Forum where Van Gogh painted ‘Cafe Terrace at Night’ (the cafe, repainted in his colors, is still there), and the tranquil Jardin d’Ete. Overnight Arles.
Day 6: Arles — Full Day Exploration
Full day to explore Arles and its surroundings. Morning: the Roman heritage — the Arena (still used for bullfights), the Roman Theatre, the Baths of Constantine, and the Alyscamps (a Roman necropolis that Van Gogh and Gauguin painted side by side). Afternoon: e-bike into the Camargue. Ride the flat roads through rice paddies and salt flats, past ponds with greater flamingos, and through the marshlands where white Camargue horses gallop semi-wild. Stop at the Musee de la Camargue to learn about the delta’s ecology and the gardian culture. Return to Arles. Evening: dinner at a terrace restaurant, followed by a drink at Van Gogh’s Cafe la Nuit. Overnight Arles.
Day 7: Cruising to Port-Saint-Louis — Farewell
Morning sail through the Petit Rhone into the Camargue delta. The landscape becomes increasingly wild — fewer villages, more marshland, the sky expanding. From the sundeck, watch for flamingos, egrets, and the occasional white horse on the banks. Live cooking station at lunch showcasing Provencal cuisine. Afternoon arrival in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone. Farewell gala dinner onboard — a celebration of the journey through Provence’s golden light. Overnight Port-Saint-Louis.
Day 8: Disembarkation
Breakfast. Disembark. Transfer to Marseille Airport or onward.
