Rhône River Explorer: Provence to Burgundy
About the Trip
March 29–April 10, 2025 | 13 Days
Discover the rich culture and mesmerizing landscapes of Provence and Burgundy on this 13-day tour with a Rhône River cruise. Designed for solo travellers, highlights include a tour of Marseille, France’s oldest and second-biggest city, a boat excursion through the breathtaking Calanques National Park and a captivating Rhône River cruise aboard the MS Lord Byron. Enjoy unique experiences such as a guided vineyard tour and tasting at Domaine de Fontenille as well as city tours in Avignon, Arles and Lyon. Indulge your inner Francophile as you explore this beautiful region and savour its unforgettable charms.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Vineyard Walk and Picnic at Domaine de Fontenille
Surrounded by 17th-century vineyards, Domaine de Fontenille is a traditional Provençal property that sits in the heart of Provence, just east of Avignon. This elegant vineyard is the location of your Extraordinary Experience. You’ll begin with a private, guided walk through the vineyard to learn about the grape varieties, then visit the winery to see how the harvest is transformed into wine. Next is a wine tasting workshop where you’ll sample wines and discover their exceptional terroir. Cap off the experience with a delicious winemaker’s picnic under the shade of an olive tree as you take in the stunning views of the surrounding Lubéron region.
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Marseille and return from Lyon to Toronto or Winnipeg
- Pre-cruise tour:
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Marseille
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Aix-en-Provence
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner and 1 tasting
- 7-night Rhône River cruise on-board the MS Lord Byron
- Onboard meals and entertainment as per cruise itinerary
- Superior Drinks package
- Post-cruise tour:
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Lyon
- 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director throughout
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host
Rhône River Explorer: Provence to Burgundy
Activity Level: Moderate. Discover the highlights of Provence and Burgundy on a 13-day tour including visits to Marseille, Calanques National Park and a Rhône River cruise.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Marseille.
Day 2
Marseille – Upon arrival, meet your tour director and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 3
Aix-en-Provence – Set out for a panoramic city tour of Marseille before driving to nearby Cassis. There you’ll take a boat tour of the beautiful rocky inlets of Calanques National Park. Next, head to Aix-en-Provence with a stop for lunch along the way. (B/L)
Day 4
Aix-en-Provence – After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of the historic centre of Aix-en-Provence. Remainder of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 5
Avignon – Depart for Avignon this morning. On the way, stop at the elegant Domaine de Fontenille for your Extraordinary Experience: a guided walk through the vineyard, a wine tasting workshop and winemaker’s picnic. Arrive in Avignon and board the MS Lord Byron for your Rhône River cruise through Burgundy and Provence. (B/T/L)
Day 6
Avignon – Enjoy a guided city tour of Avignon.
Day 7
Arles – Experience a guided tour of Arles and Pont du Gard before sailing towards Viviers.
Day 8
Tournon – Disembark in the Gorges de l’Ardèche and explore this site before spending the afternoon onboard sailing towards Tournon.
Day 9
Vienne – Cruise along the picturesque Rhône Valley. After lunch, explore Vienne with a guide and train tour.
Day 10
Beaune & Burgundy – Explore the medieval town of Beaune and enjoy wine tastings throughout Burgundy.
Day 11
Lyon – Take a guided tour of Lyon.
Day 12
Lyon – After breakfast, disembark the ship then transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure until tonight’s special farewell dinner. (D)
Day 13
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
Terms & Conditions
*$10,349 is a Standard cabin on Emerald Deck, $11,629 is a Standard cabin on Ruby Deck. **$10,529 is a Standard cabin on Emerald Deck, $11,809 is a Standard cabin on Ruby Deck. Ship’s Registry: Switzerland. All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2025. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Marseille.
Day 2
Marseille
Upon arrival, meet your tour director and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 3
Aix-en-Provence
Set out for a panoramic city tour of Marseille before driving to nearby Cassis. There you’ll take a boat tour of the beautiful rocky inlets of Calanques National Park. Next, head to Aix-en-Provence with a stop for lunch along the way. (B/L)
Day 4
Aix-en-Provence
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of the historic centre of Aix-en-Provence. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. (B)
Day 5
Avignon
Depart for Avignon this morning. On the way, stop at the elegant Domaine de Fontenille for your Extraordinary Experience: a guided walk through the vineyard, a wine tasting workshop and winemaker’s picnic. Arrive in Avignon and board the MS Lord Byron for your Rhône River cruise through Burgundy and Provence. (B/T/L)
Day 6
Avignon
Explore Avignon on a guided city tour. After lunch, you are free to explore as you wish. Return on board for dinner as the ship sets sail towards Arles, arriving later that evening.
Day 7
Arles
Explore Arles on a guided tour that includes multiple historic monuments that are UNESCO World Heritage sites. After lunch, visit the amazing Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Rejoin the ship in Avignon then cruise towards Viviers during dinner.
Day 8
Tournon
This morning, disembark after breakfast and explore one of France’s most outstanding landscapes, the Gorges de l’Ardèche. After enjoying the views at every turn, return to the ship in Le Pouzin. Spend the afternoon relaxing onboard as you enter the provincial town of Tournon.
Day 9
Vienne
Spend the morning at leisure onboard. After lunch, arrive in the ancient Roman stronghold of Vienne. Here you’ll be taken by train for a captivating tour, hosted by a local expert. Return to the ship to enjoy dinner while the cruise continues towards Chalon-sur-Saône.
Day 10
Beaune & Burgundy
Arrive in Chalon, the gateway to Burgundy, where you’ll spend the day exploring small villages which have the most sublime wines. Explore the medieval town of Beaune, and cap off your tour by sampling some wine from the cellars of a traditional winemaker.
Day 11
Lyon
This morning, explore Lyon with a guided tour of one of France’s most fascinating cities. Return to the ship and prepare for the evening’s main event, the captain’s dinner, where you’ll be served specialties of the fascinating regions you’ve been to during the tour.
Day 12
Lyon
After breakfast, bid the crew farewell and disembark the ship, then transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free until tonight’s special farewell dinner. (D)
Day 13
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your return flight back to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting