Provence & the Elegant Rhône

Your holiday begins today as you meet the Tour Manager and travel group at London St Pancras, ready to board the Eurostar to Paris. As we arrive in the French capital, we switch trains and continue onwards on the regional service, with our destination set as the picturesque city of Lyon.

On arrival this afternoon, a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront, where our luxurious ship, the MS Amadeus Provence, awaits. We have time to settle into our cabins before we enjoy a welcome cocktail, which you could take on the sun deck while admiring Lyon's colourful townhouses and cosmopolitan streets.

Later, we enjoy our first five-course dinner together, complete with drinks package, before setting sail for Tournon-sur-Rhône.

• Dinner

A day of incredible scenery and steam train nostalgia lies ahead as we travel by coach to Tournon St Jean railway station to board the Train de l'Ardèche.

Aboard the train, we take a memorable journey through the spectacular Gorges du Doux region as the railway winds through the scenic foothills and valley. Stone bridges crisscross the brooks and rivers, which snake under the trees, and our charming train takes us to sections of the gorges only accessible aboard the Train de l'Ardèche.

Upon returning to Tournon-sur-Rhône by train, we reboard our ship and have lunch while sailing along the river to the city of Avignon. Enjoy the ship's amenities or find a comfortable place on the sun deck to socialise or take in the views.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast on the ship, we set out on a guided tour of Avignon, a stately city that was the seat of the Pope in the 14th century. Le Petit Train d'Avignon greets us as we step off the ship and takes us into the centre of Avignon, where our excursion begins.

The city's striking white papal palaces and majestic cathedral are just some of the highlights we see walking through Avignon's historic centre, which earned World Heritage status in 1995. We also enter the Pope's Palace, admiring its spectacular interiors and a collection of holy and religious artefacts.

We take Le Petit Train d'Avignon back to the ship for lunch, and then you are free to discover Avignon at your own pace until early evening. After our five-course dinner tonight, our ship sets sail for Arles.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Following a night moored in Arles, we step ashore and begin our day with a guided tour of the city that inspired many of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous paintings, including 'Starry Night over the Rhône' and 'Café Terrace at Night'. On our walking tour, we wander through the picturesque streets and enjoy entrance to the Arles Arenas and St Trophyme Cathedral.

We return to the ship for lunch, and then you have the choice of two excursions. Your first option is to visit the beautiful Camargue Delta, where the Rhône opens into the Mediterranean. This excursion is ideal for nature lovers, as the wetlands and parkland are home to wild horses and hundreds of bird species, including pink flamingos. Alternatively, you could travel by coach to the arches of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct that spans the Gardon river - another World Heritage site.

Later, we return to our cruise ship for dinner and drinks and an overnight sailing to Châteauneuf-du-Rhône.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A highlight of your holiday awaits today as we visit the stunning Ardèche Gorge, a natural masterpiece known as the 'Grand Canyon of Europe'. Winding through the landscape, we're treated to impressive views of dramatic limestone cliffs, dense green forests and the sparkling waters of the Ardèche River. Our scenic tour takes us to some of the most impressive sights in the gorge, including the natural stone arch of the Pont d'Arc and the sweeping views from the Serre de Tourre.

We wrap up the excursion with entrance to the Lavender Museum, where we discover how this iconic Provençal flower is grown, harvested and transformed into the delicate scent that has come to symbolise the region.

After our visit, we rejoin the ship in Le Pouzin and enjoy lunch as we sail through the afternoon towards Lyon.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mooring in Lyon overnight, we step ashore after breakfast for a guided tour of one of France's most iconic cities. Set at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône rivers, Lyon boasts a rich heritage shaped by over two thousand years of history.

Our tour takes us through some of the city's highlights, including the atmospheric Old Town known for its narrow cobbled streets and hidden traboules. Lyon has become known as the gastronomic capital of France, thanks to its location in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, providing access to incredible local produce. We get a taste of the culinary offerings as we conclude our tour with a praline tasting. We return to the ship for lunch and then enjoy an afternoon to explore Lyon at leisure, perhaps exploring the elegant Presqu'ile district or visiting the Musée des Beaux-Arts, home to one of France's finest art collections.

This evening, we return to the ship for dinner and cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône. This is one of the most scenic sections of the river, with rolling hills and vineyards sitting under the gaze of châteaux and stately homes.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking to new surroundings this morning, we arrive in Chalon-sur-Saône, nestled at the heart of the Burgundy wine region. After an early breakfast on board, we disembark and travel by coach to Beaune for a guided city tour, where we wander the picturesque streets and admire the historical buildings of this charming medieval town.

Beaune is one of France's most important wine centres, and no visit would be complete without a tasting. As our tour concludes, we sample some of the celebrated wines that have made Burgundy world-famous - from pinot noir to crisp Chardonnay - grown in the surrounding vineyards.

We return to the ship in time for lunch and spend a relaxing afternoon sailing through the picturesque landscapes of southern France as we begin our return journey to Lyon. This evening, we gather for the gala dinner, a fitting finale to our journey along the Rhône.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This scenic cruise along the Rhône and Saône rivers has combined scenic river sailing and cultural discovery. From the charm of Avignon to the landscapes of the Ardèche Gorge, we've explored some of southern France's most captivating sights. We've journeyed on the nostalgic Train de l'Ardèche, uncovered the region's rich gastronomic heritage and enjoyed a tasting at the heart of Burgundy's wine country.

Breakfast is served onboard this morning before we say goodbye to the ship and crew, disembarking for the final time in Lyon. A coach transfers us to Lyon's railway station, where we board the train to Paris. On arrival in the French capital, we catch the Eurostar back to London St Pancras International, where our holiday draws to a close and you are free to make your own way home independently.

• Breakfast