Pentravel
Pentravel

Burgundy and Provence with Uniworld

Pentravel
8 days
23 Mar 25 to 30 Mar 25
Book by 31 Oct 24
Cruise along the Rhône and Saône rivers, savoring the region’s unparalleled wine and cuisine while uncovering its hidden gems. Wander through the streets of Arles immortalized by Van Gogh, and explore Avignon’s majestic Palace of the Popes. Experience the enchantment of "Village Day" in Viviers. For those seeking active exploration, hike the Rhône vineyards or cycle through Lyon, a city built for cyclists. Discover the unforgettable "Burgundy & Provence," where tradition meets the historic grapevines on the hills.

Includes

  • 8 Day Uniworld Boutique River Cruise
  • 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the S.S. Catherine
  • Delicious, five-star, farm-to-table cuisine: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
  • Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
  • Unlimited premium spirits and wines on-board, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
  • 6 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
  • Onboard entertainment and enrichment
  • All gratuities on-board
  • Onboard fitness centre and wellness classes with a certified wellness instructor
  • Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks for onshore use
  • Shipwide internet and wi-fi access
  • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio- headset system on all shore excursions
  • Mandatory port charges of R4,000 per person

Excludes

  • Flights
  • Arrival / departure transfers
  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • Items of a personal nature

Extras

  • Note
  • The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.

Highlights

  • 7-night cruise onboard S.S. Catherine
  • All meals onboard
  • Unlimited premium spirits and wines on-board
  • Carefully curated excursions

Itinerary

Day 1: Arles, Embark

Arrive at the Marseille Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship docked in Arles.

Day 2: Arles

Explore a sun-drenched Provençal town today with an allure all its own. Known for its remarkable Roman ruins, Arles so inspired Van Gogh that he painted some 200 paintings there. Arles has existed since the sixth century BC, when the ancient Greeks founded it and named it Theline. It was here that the Romans built their first bridge across the Rhône River, creating a vital overland route between Italy and Spain. Featured Excursion Arles Walking Tour Van Gogh paid tribute to Arles’ atmospheric beauty in some 200 paintings, including Starry Night Over the Rhône. It’s an ancient city boasting a remarkable collection of Roman ruins; among them are a theater where the famous Venus of Arles—on display

Day 3: Avignon

The walled city of Avignon is one of the most fascinating towns in southern France, with a host of historic gems to explore—including the fortress residence of rebellious popes who broke from Rome and once lived and ruled here. You’ll see the Palace of the Popes and much more today, and also have a chance to kayak under a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct. A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening. Choose between... Avignon Walking Tour with Palace of the Popes It’s hard to believe, looking at the charming cafés and entertaining street performers in the Clock Tower Square, that this lively scene owes its existence to a 15th-century siege. or Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct Visit In the middle of the first century, Roman engineers responded to Nîmes’s need for water to fill its baths, fountains and pools by building a 30-mile-long aqueduct from Uzès to Nîmes—which required transporting Uzès springwater over the River Gardon.

Day 4: Viviers

An enchanting village where time seems to have stopped centuries ago, Viviers has a long and storied past that goes back more than 1,600 years—and a splendid architectural heritage to match. At one time, Viviers was divided along religious lines—the clergy lived in the upper part of the town, the laity in the lower part. Your exploration of the town will take you through both parts, as you begin at the crest and make your way to the riverbank. Featured Excursion Village Day: Ardèches Sycamores line some of Viviers’ stone-paved streets (planted, so they say, to provide shade for Napoleon’s soldiers), and houses here bear the watermarks of floods over the years. A local expert will show you the fountain squares in the Old Town, which combines Roman and medieval...

Day 5: Tain-L'Hermitage (Tournon)

If you love fine wine, you’ll love the twin villages of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage. Tournon may be a small town, but stirring events took place here: A castle was raised on the hilltop in the 10th century to protect the region, and new fortifications were added over the centuries, including two “new” towers built to defend against Protestant attacks in the 16th century. You’ll see the handsome houses constructed by wealthy merchants and garrison officers when you walk through the Rue de Doux area, and you’ll pass the 14th-century church and the oldest secondary school in France. Choose between... Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage Twin Villages Stroll with Wine Tasting Nestled on opposite sides of the river in the heart of the Côtes du Rhône, the twin cities of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage are an ideal destination for connoisseurs of fine wine. or Let's Go: Hermitage Terrace Vineyards Hike with Wine Tasting Are you ready to explore the steepest vineyards on the Rhône? The vines producing the world-famous Hermitage wines grow on precipitous slopes above the river, so steep that terracing is essential.

Day 6: Lyon

Ancient Lyon is a city of tantalizing contrasts, from Roman roots to stunning modern architecture and plenty of Renaissance flair in between. There's much to explore here, from the city's bike paths to the silk weavers' secret passageways. While you're in town, you might like to have lunch on your own at one of the many traditional bouchons that proliferate in the epicenter of French gastronomy. A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening. Choose between... Lyon Panoramic Tour with Traboules Visit You'll fall in love with Lyon today as you take in the view from the top of Fourvière Hill, where a magnificent cathedral rises above the city. Take in the view below, noting the splendid façades of Renaissance houses. or Silk Weavers Walking Tour Lyon’s history is entwined with silk, which dominated the city’s economy for centuries—at one time, almost a third of the city’s population were silk weavers. Jump on a tram and head for Lyon-Perrache station with your guide, who will take you into the historic Saint-Jean. or Let's Go: Lyon Peninsula Bike Tour Get out and about with a bike ride along the river. Lyon boasts a thriving bike-rental scene, which tells you just how popular this mode of transportation is—you will definitely have two-wheeled company as you pedal along the banks of the Rhône on a sunny day.

Day 7: Mâcon (Beaune)

The pace of life is decidedly more relaxed in Burgundy, where endless rows of grapes hang heavy on the vine. The capital of the region’s wine trade, Beaune is renowned for its history, beauty and highly prized wine, as well as its medieval-era hospital—the Hospices de Beaune. Featured Excursion Burgundy Landscapes, Beaune and the Hospices Beaune may not be a large town, but it brims with history, a wealth of splendid regional architecture and incredible food. Nestled inside medieval ramparts, Beaune was the seat of the warlike dukes of Burgundy until the 16th century. It is best known for two magnificent sights: the Hospices de Beaune and the open-air market.

Day 8: Lyon, disembark

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, you can continue your adventure with an extension to Paris.

Ship info

S.S. Catherine
Uniworld is committed to building a fleet of ships that represents the absolute best in luxury river cruising, combining quality craftsmanship with high-tech innovations and custom-designed interiors. Our second Super Ship vessel, the S.S. Catherine, continues this proud tradition of excellence with sumptuous materials and meticulous attention to detail.

Terms & conditions

Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Uniworld reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. 2025 Early Booking Savings: SAVE 20% on all stateroom categories. Book by 31 October 2024 and pay in full at time of booking to be eligible for this offer. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. Offer requires payment in full at time of booking and is valid for new, individual bookings on select 2024 itineraries, departure dates, and stateroom categories only. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.

Make an enquiry

2025 Early Booking Saving
R68,000
R54,400
per person sharing including port charge
Details
Valid on 23 Mar 2025
Stay
8 days
Dates
23 Mar 25 to 30 Mar 25
Book by
31 October 24
Experience ID
531
Voted No.1
in travel

Thank you for being part of our journey... and choosing us to be part of yours.

PenTravel voted no1