Sunday - Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon.
Board the barge which will be moored at either Tain l'Hermitage or Tournon. A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew. Once settled on-board, enjoy your first wine tasting at Mr Ferraton's winery just steps from where the boat is moored.
Monday - Cruise to Viviers.
Relax on the top deck and watch the beautiful scenery of the Rhône Valley glide by as the barge cruises to Viviers. Mid-afternoon, your guide takes you on a walking tour of this charming medieval town before returning to the boat to play the traditional Provençal game "Petanque".
Tuesday - Visit Nyons. Cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts.
After breakfast we take a very scenic drive through the countryside to visit Nyons, a typical Provencal village, a working lavender distillery and an 18th century olive mill. Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in scenic Grignan. On the way back to the barge stop at a truffle farm to learn all about the black diamond and taste this expensive mushroom. Back on board continue the cruise south to St. Etienne des Sorts, passing through the lock (Ecluse) of Bollene, which has one of the largest drops in Europe measuring over 23 meters.
Wednesday - Visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Cruise to Avignon. Visit Pont du Gard.
This morning's excursion is to the charming village of Châteauneuf du Pape for a wine-tasting. Return to the barge for lunch. Cruise to Avignon, in the afternoon, past Le Pont St. Bénézet (the famous Pont d'Avignon) before mooring-up at the quay opposite the gate to the walled city. Take an afternoon excursion to the magnificent Pont du Gard, part of the Roman aqueduct that transported spring water from Uzès to Nîmes.
Thursday - Tour of Avignon. Cruise to Arles. Visit les Baux.
Avignon was home of the Popes between 1309 and 1377 and is magnificent. Enjoy a walking tour of the walled city, including a guided tour of the Palace of the Popes. There will be free time to visit the many shops, or perhaps just to sit in one of the numerous pavement cafés and simply watch the world go by. Return to the boat where lunch awaits. During the afternoon, the barge cruises to Arles while your guide takes you to the village of Les Baux for you to discover at your own pace.
Friday - Visit Arles. Cruise to Vallabrègues. Visit St Rémy.
After breakfast, your guide takes you on a walking tour of Arles, best known because Van Gogh painted here between 1888 and 1890. Lunch will be served while cruising to Vallabrègues. Later that afternoon visit the lovely town of St Rémy also synonymous with Van Gogh and the birthplace of Nostradamus. On your way back to the boat, enjoy an olive oil tasting in a traditional 18th century "Provencal Bastide" where 15,000 olive trees are growing. Meanwhile chef is busy back on board prparing your farewell gala dinner.
Saturday - Avignon.
After breakfast disembark the barge for your onward travel arrangements.
