MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner

Superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, and Captain's dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements

INSIDE VISITS

Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

Itinerary

Day 1

(Mon.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Paris, France (Embarkation)

(Tue.) Welcome to Paris, France's capital on the River Seine, the "City of Light," where romance fills the air. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (D)

Day 3 Paris

(Wed.) Paris' famous sights are living history. Included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world's most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Paris-Conflans

(Thu.) After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine, passing through suburban Paris. This afternoon, dock at Conflans-and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or the guided visit to SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, which boasts a 14th-century chateau with views over the Seine Valley toward Paris, and whose town center has its roots in the 11th century. It is a lively market town with many boutiques and cafes in its pedestrian areas. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Vernon

(Fri.) This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet's house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of BIZY CASTLE with its magnificent courtyard. There's still time to stroll through this delightful city on your own before your ship departs for Rouen. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Rouen

(Sat.) Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy and an important commercial city, perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK dating back to the 16th century. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet's paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or you can join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur or to the busy port city of Le Havre with its contemporary architecture. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Rouen

(Sun.) Make your choice today of an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches-with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery-or a "Taste of Normandy" for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important products are dairy, apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is Calvados, a strong alcoholic apple brandy. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. This afternoon, we explore the Calvados region, famous for the aforementioned apple brandy and cider. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Les Andelys

(Mon.) The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing CHATEAU GAILLARD at Les Andelys. Built by England's King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the chateau is truly a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture. Explore on your own and enjoy this last day in France in this delightful small town. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Paris (Disembarkation)

(Tue.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)