Two five-star river ships will take Australians on back-to-back river cruises through the north and south of France later in 2021 as part of a new combo package that includes free return flights to France if booked by the end of 2020.
The exclusive, 16-night ‘All About France’ fly, cruise and stay package is being offered by luxury, European river cruise operator, Riviera Travel River Cruises, and their Australian representative, small ship specialists, Cruise Traveller.
The package showcases the famous wine regions, terraced vineyards, sun-baked hills, rugged gorges and medieval towns in Burgundy and Provence in the south of France and also the D-Day beaches of Normandy and the renowned garden of Impressionist painter, Claude Monet, in Giverny in the north of France,
The holiday begins with a free flight from Australia to the world’s gourmet food capital of Lyon for an included one night’s stay before guests board Riviera Travel River Cruises’ five-star river ship, William Shakespeare, for a seven-night cruise along the Rhone and Saone rivers to Chalon and Avignon. Highlights include the medieval villages and vine-cloaked hillsides of Burgundy and Provence, visits to wineries, the towering Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, and the majestic, 14th century fortified city of Avignon.
From Avignon, guests will be transferred to Marseille on the French Riviera for a flight to Paris for a one-night stay in the world’s most romantic city. Guest then board Riviera Travel River Cruises’ five-star ship, Jane Austen, for a seven-night return cruise from Paris along the Seine River. The journey takes in the D-Day beaches of Normandy, the famous home and garden of Impressionist painter, Claude Monet, in Giverny, the mighty castle, Chateau Gaillard, built in the 12th century near Rouen by Richard the Lionheart, and the pretty, pastel-coloured, 18th century houses in the fishing port of Honfleur, which Monet also portrayed in his paintings.
After the second cruise, guests fly home to Australia.
Two departure dates from Australia are available in 2021 – September 4 and October 16.
Including the two cruises, a combined 16 guided shore excursions during the cruises, accommodation in Paris and Lyon and transfers shore excursions, the 16-night ‘All About France’ package is available from A$9665 per person, twin-share (October departure). Free return flights to France from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth are offered for bookings made by December 31, 2020.
New for 2021 is Riviera Plus where guests who book deluxe, superior and upper-deck cabins receive use of a smart handset with maps, translator, currency converter, unlimited calls, text messages and internet service while on board or ashore. Premium passengers also receive L’Occitane en Provence luxury toiletries, a bottle of chilled Prosecco on arrival, a platter of fresh seasonal fruits during the cruise and an aperitif each evening.
* See a travel agent, call Cruise Traveller on 1300 561 001 or visit www.cruisetraveller.com.au/
Renowned for its simple, affordable fares, Riviera Travel River Cruises will offer a record 350 sailings across Europe in 2021 on an unprecedented 20 different itineraries and 14 luxury river ships. A dedicated, online Australian brochure is now available. For general information, visit www.rivieratravel.com.au
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