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Immerse yourself in French culture, cuisine, and history on a delightful tour of Paris followed by a 7-night cruise of the Rhone and Saone Rivers. Arrive in Paris for three enchanting days of iconic attractions, savor a meal in the Eiffel Tower, visit the artists’ neighborhood of Montmarte, and enjoy an illumination cruise on the Seine River. Then embark on a 7-night cruise along the scenic Rhone and Saone Rivers aboard the luxurious Amadeus Provence. Journey to the Beaujolais and Maconnais wine regions complete with wine tasting, followed by a visit to a truffle farm in the medieval village of Grignan. Take in the diverse architecture and history of the region with tours through Brancion, Chateau de Cormatin, and the ancient Fourviere Theatre, built by the Romans 2,000 years ago. With stops in Macon, Chalon-sur-Saone, Lyon, Avignon, and Arles, this river cruise is perfect for showcasing the gorgeous shoreline towns of the French countryside.
Hosted By: Paula Sands
KWQC-TV6 Anchor and Host of Paula Sands Live
KWQC TV
View Biography
You can earn a $100 Travel Show Credit good for your next trip with Holiday Vacations by simply clicking the photo to watch the online travel show! The show is about 10 minutes long and at the end, you'll have the ability to submit your contact information and receive a travel credit which can be applied to this or any Holiday Vacations tour. Get started now!
April 24th, 2023 - May 4th, 2023
Occupancy
Price Per Person
Double Haydn Staterm
$6399
Double Strauss Staterm-Fwd
$7199
Double Mozart Staterm
$7699
Double Mozart Suite
$8699
Single Haydn Staterm
$7799
Single Strauss Staterm-Fwd
$8999
Single Mozart Staterm
$9799
Single Mozart Suite
$11499
Final Payment Date: 01/19/2023
Day 1 : Fly to Paris
Board an overnight flight to Paris.
Day 2 : Discover Paris
Arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport and enjoy a guided tour to familiarize yourself with the must-see attractions of the City of Light, spectacular Paris. We start at the Ile del Cite, home to some of the most notable attractions in the city, such as Notre Dame. We then enjoy a welcome lunch atop the Eiffel Tower before arriving at our 4-star hotel.
Day 3 : Montparnasse & Illumination Cruise
Today we get a spectacular 360-degree view of Paris at the top of the Montparnasse Tower. Next you are free to explore all the city has to offer from the famous Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum to relaxing at a sidewalk cafe for dinner. Cap off the day with a magical evening aboard a Seine River cruise as illuminated buildings, bridges, and the Eiffel Tower create a dramatic backdrop in the night sky.
Day 4 : Montmarte, TGV Train & Embark
Capture the bohemian spirit with a walking tour of Montmarte. Famous for its Moulin Rouge and Sacre-Couer Basilica, this historic district perched atop the city is a must-see. Then it’s off to Lyon aboard the TGV high-speed train. Embark on our 7-night river cruise of the Rhone and Saone rivers aboard the Amadeus Provence, specially designed for cruising the French waterways. Settle into your well-appointed, luxurious cabin that includes free Wi-Fi before exploring the 5-star ship custom-built to provide stunning panoramic views of the rivers and shorelines. Relax with an included Welcome Cocktail and Welcome Dinner as we cruise up the Saone River.
Day 5 : Macon & Beaujolais
This morning we arrive in Macon, a historic wine-producing city located in the Burgundy region of France. With its pastel buildings and tiled roofs, Macon and the local district exude Mediterranean charm. We head to the Beaujolais and Maconnais wine regions where we make our way through vineyards and castles. Finally, we tour Georges Duboeuf’s Hameau du Vin to learn about the wine-making process and indulge in a tasting of Beaujolais wines in a 19th-century railway station. Enjoy lunch on the ship and an afternoon of relaxation.
Day 6 : Chalon-Sur-Saone
Further into the Burgundy wine region lies the city of Chalon-sur-Saone, today’s port of call. Our included half-day excursion takes us through medieval Brancion and the Chateau de Cormatin. This opulent chateau boasts an interior reminiscent of Versailles with a formal Renaissance garden, moats, and boxwood maze within its grounds.
Day 7 : Return to Lyon
Today we return to our starting point of Lyon. On an included motorcoach and walking tour, dive into the history, gastronomy, and architecture of Lyon which is largely designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit and admire the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere and the banks of the Saone. Stroll the cobblestone streets of the neighborhood of Vieux Lyon, the Old Town, and appreciate historic Renaissance quarters and passageways. Glance even further back in time with a visit to the still-operational outdoor Ancient Theatre of Fourviere, built by the Romans 2,000 years ago. Return to the ship midday to depart Lyon and enjoy the scenic countryside as we cruise to Avignon.
Day 8 : Avignon
We arrive in Avignon for an included guided tour of this remarkable and important area in French history and culture. Marvel at the beauty of the Palace of the Popes, formerly the seat of Catholic popes from 1309 to 1377, and immerse yourself in the rich culture that can be found throughout the city. In the afternoon, there is time to explore the city on your own.
Day 9 : Arles City Walk & Camargue Nature Park
This morning we depart Avignon and glide to the ancient Roman city of Arles for an in-depth look into the past of the Gauls, Romans, and Franks with an included city walk. Discover why this gorgeous town served as inspiration for Vincent van Gogh. In the afternoon, visit the Camargue Nature Park on a second included excursion and revel in the beauty of the countryside and the majesty of the Camargue horses, Camargue bulls, flamingos, and countless other varieties of wildlife. Continue to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, set right on the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Day 10 : Medieval Grignan & Truffle Farm
We port in Chateauneuf-du-Rhone to discover French flavors with an included visit to the medieval village of Grignan, also known as the Truffle Capital of the World. Visit a local truffle farm to learn about cultivation before sampling the exquisite and fragile mushroom. We rejoin the Amadeus Provence in the small town of Le Pouzin. This evening, unwind and celebrate the trip at the Captain’s Gala Dinner.
Day 11 : Fly Home
Enjoy one last gourmet breakfast aboard the Amadeus Provence before disembarking. Today, say goodbye to your new friends before boarding your flight home.
KWQC TV Pickup Locations:
Chicago, IL - O'Hare International Airport
Davenport, IA - Best Western Plus SteepleGate Inn
Maquoketa, IA - AmericInn By Wyndham Maquoketa
Rock Falls, IL - Walmart
“Paula Sands is celebrating her 40th year at KWQC in the Quad Cities.
Today she anchors the news at 6 and hosts the daily talk show Paula Sands Live, which debuted in 1993.
Paula was awarded a regional Emmy in 2015.
She and her husband David met at WQUA Radio where David was an on-air announcer and Production Manager and Paula wrote and voiced commercials. They were married in 1984, sharing two daughters and five granddaughters.
Paula and David love to travel and have hosted more than a dozen tours for Holiday Vacations.
They’re especially excited to lead KWQC-TV6 viewers on this magnificent river cruise in France!”
Tour days tend to be shorter in length, at a relaxed pace, and include lots of unscheduled time for leisure. Expect standing and walking for extended periods of time on flat surfaces, mostly low altitudes, and consistent temperatures.
Tour days usually move at a leisurely pace. Some days’ scheduled activities last longer than others. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on occasionally uneven terrain. You may experience changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a consistent pace, and may include long travel days. Expect standing and walking for long periods of time on uneven surfaces. Some destinations may have changes in altitude and/or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a brisk pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on uneven surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.
Tour days tend to be long, move at a vigorous pace, and may include lengthy travel days. Expect long periods of walking and standing on rough surfaces. Scheduled activities may require physical effort or have distinct changes in altitude or temperature.