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S.S. Catherine, Uniworld

Burgundy & Provence with Uniworld

8-day luxury river cruise from £2,130 pp incl. flights

Up to 20% off selected departure dates in 2025

Summary

Short description

Discover the Rhône on a luxury all-inclusive river cruise with Uniworld

Highlights

  • Discover Arles, from its ancient history to its Van Gogh days
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Palais des Papes in Avignon
  • Immerse yourself in village life in Viviers
  • Visit the iconic Hospices de Beaune in Burgundy
  • Indulge in wine tastings at some of the world’s most celebrated wineries

In Brief

  • 2 Nights Arles
  • 1 Night Avignon
  • 1 Night Viviers
  • 1 Night Tain-l'Hermitage
  • 1 Night Lyon
  • 1 Night Mâcon

About

Recommended for:
Food & wine | History & culture | River cruise

Discover the very best of Provence and Burgundy on this luxury all-inclusive Rhône river cruise of France with Uniworld. Fly to Marseilles to begin your luxury cruise in Arles, a quintessentially Provençal town. During your cruise, you’ll explore the surprising history of Avignon, immerse yourself in village life in Villiers, and discover the twin wine villages of Tain-l’Hermitage and Tournon. Uncover ancient history in Lyon and visit the iconic Hospices de Beaune in Burgundy’s capital city. The cruise ends back in Lyon, from where you fly home. Your meals, drinks, gratuities, and a selection of daily shore excursions are included in your Uniworld cruise, so you needn’t worry about anything from start to finish.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
UK to Arles

Enjoy included airport lounge access before flying from the UK to Marseilles to begin your journey. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your Uniworld cruise ship in Arles. Dinner will be served onboard this evening.

Stay: S.S. Catherine

Meals: D

Day 2
Arles

Explore the sun-drenched Provençal town of Arles on a walking tour. Arles dates to the sixth century BC. You can still see a remarkable collection of Roman ruins, including the  impressive arena which had a capacity of 20,000 spectators and a theatre where the famous Venus of Arles, now in the Louvre, was discovered in 1651. Both are still in use for sporting and musical events.  

Join your local guide to discover why Van Gogh paid tribute to Arles in over 200 paintings, following his footsteps past the cheery Café de Nuit, still the same shade of yellow. Stroll past medieval houses and 13th-century city gates. Pass the impressive Town Hall and the 12th-century St Trophime Church. Peruse local shops, go olive tasting, or discover yet more of Arles’ architectural treasures.

Stay: S.S. Catherine

Meals: B L D

Day 3
Avignon

Explore Avignon on your choice of two shore excursions. A walking tour of the city reveals a surprising history, which includes being all but demolished by a medieval pope. It was the city of the popes; they even built the ramparts that still surround the Old Town. Stand below the high walls, and then climb the many steps to the Palace of the Popes itself.

Alternatively, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard. Roman engineers built a 30-mile-long aqueduct from Uzès to Nîmes. A thousand workers quarried 50,000 tonnes of limestone and constructed, without mortar, the tri-level bridge that still spans the river. Learn building techniques and spot notations made in the stones by the ancient Romans.

Alternatively, opt for one of Uniworld's Masterpiece Collection excursions (at extra cost) and visit the highly celebrated Chateaneuf du Pape or a sommelier hosted wine-tasting or enjoy a cooking lesson at the world-famous La Mirande cooking scholl. 

Stay: S.S. Catherine

Meals: B L D

Day 4
Viviers

Learn about French village life during your visit to Viviers. The sycamores lining the streets here are said to have been planted to give shade to Napoleon’s soldiers, and the houses show watermarks from years and years of flooding.  A local guide will show you the fountain squares in the Old Town, combining Roman and medieval influences. Wander down cobblestone lanes so narrow you can touch the houses on either side. View France’s smallest cathedral and meet local residents. Learn how a local potter creates his wares, step into a villager’s home, or taste a tipple at a popular bar. On the way back to the ship, try your hand at pétanque with the locals. 

Or, enjoy an excursion to the picturesque medieval village of Grignan to visit a family-owned truffle farm to join a hunt led by specially trained truffle dogs (Masterpiece Collection at extra cost).

Stay: S.S. Catherine

Meals: B L D

Day 5
Tain-l’Hermitage (Tournon)

Explore the twin wine villages of Tain-l’Hermitage and Tournon on one of two shore excursions.

For a more relaxed day, take a leisurely stroll over the flower-decked Marc Seguin suspension bridge to Tain-l’Hermitage to visit local wine cellars for a tasting of some of the region’s best wine. After your tasting, there will be time for shopping. We particularly recommend the Valrhona Chocolate Factory, always a popular stop.

For something more active, hike the steepest vineyards on the Rhône past the vines producing the world-famous Hermitage wines, with rows and rows all designed to catch the afternoon sun. After your exhilarating hike and seeing how the grapes are grown, taste the legendary wine itself.

Wine enthusiasts may want to opt for a premium outdoor tasting of some of the phenomenal wines produced on the Hermitage Hill (Masterpiece Collection at extra cost).

Stay: S.S. Catherine

Meals: B L D

Day 6
Lyon

The ancient city of Lyon is full of intriguing contrasts, from evidence of its Roman roots to Renaissance flair to modern architecture.

Explore Lyon on one of three shore excursions. Take a panoramic tour, including staggering views from the top of Fourvière Hill and the discovery of les traboules, the city’s old passageways in Lyon’s Unesco listed historic quarter. If you have a particular interest in les traboules, take the silk weavers’ tour option to learn how these secret passageways were used. Alternatively, pedal along the city’s bike paths if you’re craving a bit of physical exertion.

While you’re in town, opt for lunch in a traditional bouchon for hearty, meat-based dishes and quenelles, dumplings that are a firm local favourite.

Stay: S.S. Catherine

Meals: B L D

Day 7
Mâcon (Beaune)

Enjoy a full day excursion to Beaune, the attractive capital of the wine region of Burgundy, which brims with history, splendid regional architecture, and incredible food.  You’ll recognise the Hospices de Beaune (also known as Hôtel-Dieu) by its multicoloured tile roof. Founded in 1443, the hospital became a model for charitable giving in France. Its unique fundraising tradition continues today: hospice monks were given wine and vineyards, and they sold it at auction to support their philanthropic efforts. Learn how this tradition continues today, and enjoy time on your own for lunch.  

Alternatively, the Masterpiece Collection option (at extra cost) will take you to one of the southern Burgundy region's premium wineries - Chateau de Rully - for lunch and a tasting.

Or, simply enjoy a relaxed day and explore Macon at your own pace. Perhaps stroll along the Saone River before visiting the Maison Maconnaise des Vins to taste some of this region's underrated wines before enjoying lunch by the river. 

Stay: S.S. Catherine

Meals: B D

Day 8
Disembark in Lyon & fly to the UK

Today, you will return to Lyon to disembark your ship after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Map

Pricing

Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Prices

8-day luxury river cruise
from £2,130 pp incl. flights

Up to 20% off selected departure dates in 2025
Book by: 31 October 2024

Special offer:

  • Save up to 20% on selected departure dates in 2025 - prices from £2,130 pp

Includes:

  • Return scheduled flights from the UK (or Eurostar/SNCF from St Pancras)
  • Shared airport transfers to/from ship
  • 7-night luxury river cruise aboard SS Catherine
  • All gratuities onboard and onshore
  • In-suite butler service
  • Delicious onboard dining and unlimited beverages (including many premium spirits and wines)
  • A variety of excursions led by English-speaking local experts
  • Bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
  • Shipwide internet and wi-fi access

Departures most Sundays from March to early November. The itinerary operates in reverse on alternate weeks from Lyon to Arles.

Price varies by departure date and stateroom availability, please call for details.

As an alterative to flying you can also take this itinerary with Eurostar and SNCF from London St Pancras (no transfers to or from ship are included if taking this option).

Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply. 

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At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 020 7590 0615 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

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