La Belle Vie: The Rhône, Geneva & the Riviera - Southbound 2024
Overview
Highlights
- La Belle Vie – it's the good life en Français – and it is the life you experience on a cruise along the River Rhône that takes you from the beautiful waters of the Côte d'Azur to Geneva and the Swiss Alps...On one of the most enjoyable river cruises in France
- journey from the jet-setting capital of Cannes on the Riviera into Provence to Arles to board msEmeraldfor acruise along the Rhône River to Lyon and then along the Saône – and on to Geneva. Travel into the countryside past vineyards where some of the world's best grapes become some of the world's best wines
- stopping to taste some of them. Discover river towns with Roman roots and lingering traces of medieval magic in their streets
- experience the cowboy traditions and cuisine of La Camargue
- and sample the pleasures of regional cuisine and wine throughout your trip.Explore a palace fit for a pope and an abbey that was once one of the most powerful in Europe. You'll find something new
- something wonderful every day. As your cruise along the Rhône continues
- so does your exploration of history throughout the ages – and concludes in Lyon
- a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its architecture and culinary traditions. Your travels continue to Geneva
- Switzerland
- for two nights where you'll have an opportunity to spend a day in the Alps. C'est magnifique.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Private gala evening at the recently restored Chateau of the medieval Duchy d'Uzès TAUCK EXCLUSIVE - La Camargue excursion to meet the family of a working farm for a Provençal lunch & a cowboy demonstration with prized black bulls Sightseeing choices in Geneva include visits to the world-renowned resort town of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or a day in Geneva that includes a walking tour of the city and a visit to the lovely medieval village of Yvoire All gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director All private Tauck shore excursions – $5,377 Value Exploration of the Rhône and Saône wine country with vineyard visits and wine tastings
Itinerary
MEALS : D
LODGING : Intercontinental Gèneve
PORTOFCALL : Lyon, France
Today is a day of choice as to how you'll explore. You can join us for a walking tour of Geneva that includes a visit to the Old Town, followed by travels outside the city to the lovely medieval village of Yvoire. Alternatively, tra...
En route to Lyons where your river cruise begins, visit the alpine town of Annecy, known for its lake and its mountains – its setting is where Lake Annecy feeds into the Thiou River. The town itself is amazing, like something out of...
Chalon-sur-Sâone on the River Saône lies in the heart of southern Burgundy. Although its history dates back to the time of Charlemagne, it has another significant claim to fame – this is considered the birthplace of photography. So ...
With your riverboat docked in Tournus this morning, head out to explore the beautiful wine producing region of southern Burgundy, where history lies around every corner (this was a major crossroads during Roman times), and vineyards...
Today you're off for sightseeing in Cluny. During the reign of Charlemagne (742 - 814), monastic influences inspired a great revival in art, education and culture; visit one of the great monasteries of the period when you tour the g...
Ahh, Lyon. If you're a serious foodie, Lyon is the place for you! Regarded as the culinary capital of France, there are more restaurants here per capita than anywhere else in the country. But of course, there is more to this 2,000-year-old...
It seems that the Romans were everywhere along the Rhône, and Vienne (which they called "Vienna" in their day) was no exception. During your time on a walking tour here this morning, look for the theatre and temple they left behind,...
The fortified city of Avignon was probably a much more peaceful place before Rome became "inconvenient" for the popes who moved the papacy here about 700 years ago. Although they stayed for less than a century, they kept busy during...
With your riverboat docked in Avignon for the morning, you can spend more time exploring the medieval city or take a morning excursion to Saint-Remy-de-Provence – home to the ruins of the Roman city of Glanum, as well as the Saint-P...
It may seem strange to encounter Roman ruins in Provence but Arles was, after all, once a Roman city; while the gladiators are gone, the arena they left behind – just one of the town's many Roman remnants – still hosts performances ...
The France river cruise portion of your journey ends as you disembark ms Emerald in Arles, and bid farewell to the Captain and crew. Travel to lovely Aix-en-Provence; it's not hard to imagine great artists like Vincent van Gogh or Paul Céz...
Explore the south of France on a choice of sightseeing excursions today. Your first choice is an excursion that includes walking tours of Nice and Monte-Carlo plus a famed drive... mega-yachts from around the world bobbing in the bay… the ...
MEALS : B
PORTOFCALL : Paris, France
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Tour Operator
It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.
In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.
Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.
Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.
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MS EMERALD Of the five 361-foot (110-meter) riverboats in Tauck's Destination Fleet, this newly redesigned riverboat debuts in 2017 with a new deck plan optimized for the utmost in spaciousness – with 70% of her cabins measuring 225 square feet or larger – and accommodating no more than 98 guests, while similar-sized riverboats average about 160. Guest amenities inside her 14 lush 300-square-foot Tauck Suites include brocade upholstery, roomy walk-in closets with built-in drawers, spacious marble baths with full-size tubs, and two French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that open to idyllic riverscapes. She also sports twenty roomy 225-square-foot cabins, four 183-square-foot cabins and one 182 square-foot cabin, similarly furnished. Eight 150-square-foot cabins are cozy and comfortable, and are similar in décor and style to our larger suites. 85% have floor-to-ceiling windows with real French balconies that open on to a balcony in the fresh air; all have in-room movies, minibar, adjustable heating and cooling, private bathroom and shower with pampering toiletries. In addition to our main dining room, The Compass Rose, the ship also features Arthur's, a second dining venue offering casual fare
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