Board your cruise in Arles. This evening, meet your fellow passengers for a Welcome Dinner. (D)

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants. For art lovers, you’ll wish to visit Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Vincent van Gogh once lived and painted such well-known works as “The Irises” and “Starry Night.” Many people consider Van Gogh’s Arles period to be the most creative of his career. Afterwards, go to the Carrières de Lumières, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound and history projected on the walls of caves. Alternatively, venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux de Provence, followed by a visit to an olive farm where you’ll learn about age-old Provençal traditions from a master olive miller as well as sample the olive oil. During the afternoon, you can join a walking tour of Arles highlighting top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman Amphitheatre. After dinner, enjoy a special scenic Illuminations Cruise toward the renowned Avignon Bridge. (B,L,D)

Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Depending on your interests, you have four choices of excursions. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Or if you prefer, visit three venues around Avignon where you can taste regional specialties, including cheese, chocolate, lavender-infused drinks, wine and more. Or pedal your way along the Rhône to the island of Barthelasse, Europe’s largest river island, and stop at an authentic farm while taking in sights along the way on a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

Head to a truffle farm and go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffle with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. Afterward, visit the magnificent medieval hilltop village, Grignan, where you’ll visit a Renaissance chateau perched on a hill surrounded by lavender fields. This enchanting Provençal town offers unique panoramic views to the north, south, east and west. Enjoy some free time to explore before heading back to the ship. (B,L,D)

Enjoy the views from a panoramic train car as you ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the steam train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a walking tour of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the region’s celebrated Hermitage appellation. Or bike along the ViaRhôna cycling route, winding through forest and looping back through dense orchards with hills of vineyards in the distance before returning to Tournon for a short tour of the town center. (B,L,D)

Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne, with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Take a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint-Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. Later in the day, set sail to Lyon. Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” Or for those more interested in discovering why Lyon is France’s culinary capital, visit the city’s famed indoor food market, which has nearly five-dozen stalls selling countless gourmet delights—including sausage, cheese and pastries, which you will get to sample. Or take a guided bike ride to the modern urban area of La Confluence along the Saone River. (B,L,D)

Enjoy morning free time in Lyon and then travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones." While there, indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. (B,L,D)

Disembark the ship and bid farewell to Lyon as you prepare for your flight home. (B)

Arrive in Barcelona and check in to your hotel. (B)

Barcelona, the bustling capital of Catalonia, is an artist’s, architect’s, foodie’s, historian’s and culturist’s dream. Tour the cobblestoned lanes of the Gothic Quarter in the medieval city center and Las Ramblas. Visit Montjuïc Hill and see some imaginative architectural creations, highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Works of Antoni Gaudi,” including La Sagrada Familia. (B)

Join an excursion to the mountain Montserrat, which is home to the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat, located about 30 miles from Barcelona. Once there, you’ll ride a scenic funicular to the top of the mountain and experience an indescribable view of the Catalonia landscape. The monastery, officially founded in 1025, soon began to receive pilgrims and visitors who contributed to the spread of stories of miracles and wonders performed by the Virgin Mary. The whole of Montserrat is built around facilitating the worship of the Black Madonna in the Basilica. While here, you’ll see the famous Black Madonna sculpture, which sits at the back of the church, above the altar area. The stairway leading to the statue, plus the room and altar in which the statue sits are ornate, golden and pay tribute to the wonder that is the Virgin herself. (B)

Check out of the hotel and board the TGV high-speed train to Nîmes. See the highlights of this delightful town with one of the finest collections of Roman buildings in France before transferring via motorcoach to Arles, where you’ll board your luxury ship. (B,D)

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, Arles enchants. For art lovers, you’ll wish to visit Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum, where Vincent van Gogh once lived and painted such well-known works as “The Irises” and “Starry Night.” Many people consider Van Gogh’s Arles period to be the most creative of his career. Afterwards, go to the Carrières de Lumières, where you’ll be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound and history projected on the walls of caves. Alternatively, venture to the medieval hilltop village, Les Baux de Provence, followed by a visit to an olive farm where you’ll learn about age-old Provençal traditions from a master olive miller as well as sample the olive oil. During the afternoon, you can join a walking tour of Arles highlighting top sights, including the Romanesque cathedral and Roman Amphitheatre. After dinner, enjoy a special scenic Illuminations Cruise toward the renowned Avignon Bridge. (B,L,D)

Avignon, aptly named the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when its “Palais des Papes” was the equivalent of today’s Vatican. Depending on your interests, you have four choices of excursions. Discover the history of Avignon on a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace and the well-preserved medieval walls surrounding the historic center of town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, you can go to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Or if you prefer, visit three venues around Avignon where you can taste regional specialties, including cheese, chocolate, lavender-infused drinks, wine and more. Or pedal your way along the Rhône to the island of Barthelasse, Europe’s largest river island, and stop at an authentic farm while taking in sights along the way on a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

Head to a truffle farm and go in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffle with a farmer and his trustworthy canine companion. Afterward, visit the magnificent medieval hilltop village, Grignan, where you’ll visit a Renaissance chateau perched on a hill surrounded by lavender fields. This enchanting Provençal town offers unique panoramic views to the north, south, east and west. Enjoy some free time to explore before heading back to the ship. (B,L,D)

Enjoy the views from a panoramic train car as you ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain, where the steam train maneuvers in preparation for its return journey. Alternatively, lovers of wine and chocolate will want to visit Le Château de Tournon for a presentation and tasting on the pairing of red wine and chocolate. For a more active adventure, take a walking tour of Tain l’Hermitage, followed by a visit to a local winery where you’ll sample some of the region’s celebrated Hermitage appellation. Or bike along the ViaRhôna cycling route, winding through forest and looping back through dense orchards with hills of vineyards in the distance before returning to Tournon for a short tour of the town center. (B,L,D)

Situated between the wine regions of Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône lies Vienne, with a Roman past that can be seen in its marvelously preserved ruins. Take a walking tour to see the amazingly well-preserved Augustus and Livia Temple, the Saint-Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France, and now an Archaeological Museum. For those wishing to be more active, you can either take a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route or a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet. Later in the day, set sail to Lyon. Discover dynamic Lyon, starting in Fourvière Hill, part of the city’s historic region that is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” Or for those more interested in discovering why Lyon is France’s culinary capital, visit the city’s famed indoor food market, which has nearly five-dozen stalls selling countless gourmet delights—including sausage, cheese and pastries, which you will get to sample. Or take a guided bike ride to the modern urban area of La Confluence along the Saone River. (B,L,D)

Enjoy morning free time in Lyon and then travel to the Beaujolais wine region—known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones." While there, indulge in a wine tasting at a traditional winery and learn about the history and techniques of their vineyard. (B,L,D)

Disembark the ship and depart for a demonstration of traditional Lyonnaise cooking in a city that is rapidly gaining a reputation as the capital of gastronomy in France. After lunch, transfer to the train station to board the TGV high-speed train through the French countryside to Paris.

Enjoy a morning tour taking in the signature sites of Paris, including the awe-inspiring Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe and iconic Eiffel Tower. You’ll also stroll the Champs Élysées with its cinemas, sidewalk cafes and luxury specialty shops. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore such landmarks as the Louvre museum with its famous glass pyramid, or to enjoy a fresh, flaky croissant at one of the city’s legendary cafes. (B)

After a full day at leisure, visit Montmartre, long known as the city’s premier artist's enclave. During the mid to late 1800s, artists also began calling Montmartre home. Pissarro and Jongkind were two of the first to live there, followed by other notable artists, including Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Pablo Picasso. You’ll be taken on an evening illumination tour, discovering why Paris is renowned as the “City of Light.” (B)

Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B)