Bask in the tranquil beauty of rolling hillsides dotted with legendary vineyards, medieval villages, and scenic landscapes which have inspired artists from Cézanne to Van Gogh as we cruise through Provence and Burgundy during Our State’s seven-night river cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Provence.

Renowned for rosé and red wines, Provence is a geographical region of southeastern France, which extends from the left bank of the lower Rhône to the west to the Italian border to the east; it is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

The area is also known for is Mediterranean climate with intense blue skies. The culture and traditions of Provence stem from ancient rulers. The Greeks brought olives and wine, the Romans built aqueducts, bridges, and amphitheaters, and the Christians built Cathedrals and monasteries. At nearly every turn, the past is an invigorating part of the present.

October 28 – November 5, 2025

 

Package Includes:

• Round-trip airfare — Raleigh-Durham International Airport or Charlotte Douglas International Airport (pricing may differ per airport)
• International air taxes/fees & port charges
• Seven-night cruise with an outside cabin aboard the MS Amadeus Provence
• Twenty meals: seven breakfast, six lunches and seven dinners
• Hand selected wines and beer with dinners
• Welcome and farewell dinners
• Tour director
• Our State host
• All sightseeing and excursions as listed
• WIFI onboard
• Baggage handling at the ship
• Roundtrip ship transfers

 

Itinerary Highlights:

• Seven-night cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Provence
• Beaune tour with Hotel-Dieu & Burgundy Wine Tasting Experience
• Mâcon & Beaujolais Wine Museum and wine tasting
• Lyon city tour
• Ardèche tour
• Avignon walking tour and Palace of Popes
• Arles walking tour with Roman amphitheater

Note: Activity Level 3 — Excursions require moderate walking with some stair climbing possible.

 

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: Depart US – Overnight Flight to Europe

 

Day 2: Arrive in Lyon, France – Board Ship

Arrive in Lyon and meet your Premier World Tour Director. Transfer to the MS Amadeus Provence for your seven-night cruise.

About the MS Amadeus Provence

The innovative 140-passenger MS Amadeus Provence offers all the amenities of a floating five-star hotel. Launched in 2017, this premium cruise ship features the most modern furnishings that blend masterfully with the architecture of the ship and a luxurious design that is the hallmark of the Amadeus fleet.

The Restaurant and the Panorama Bar offer divine views of the passing riverscapes. The outdoor River Terrace and Sun Deck allow you to relax in the open air. The attentive English-speaking onboard service staff will see to your comfort with typical European hospitality.

Three meals daily are served graciously in the exquisite restaurant and feature local and international specialties. All dinners are four courses and served with included hand selected wines, beer, and soft drinks. While dining, you have splendid views of the passing scenic landscapes through large picture windows. Enjoy afternoon and/or late evening snacks in the lounge based on the daily schedule.

The cabin design plans are forward-thinking, bright, and modern, all part of a premium focus with 62 large staterooms & eight suites. The beauty of river cruising is that the most interesting destinations come to you. This Provence charter features English-only onboard commentary with inclusive sightseeing excursions balanced with choice to simply relax onboard, enjoy a spa treatment, or add sightseeing with optional excursions.

After boarding, unpack once. All staterooms are larger than traditional river cruise cabins and offer excellent river views. The Mozart Deck features eight suites with walk out balconies. The other 16 staterooms on the Mozart Deck and 30 staterooms on the Strauss Deck feature an innovative panoramic drop-down window. Staterooms on the Haydn Deck have a large fixed window. All staterooms are equipped with comfortable and modern furnishings including a flat screen TV and large private bathrooms with shower.

Welcome Dinner Onboard – Ship departs north late evening

Meals: D
Overnight: Amadeus Provence

 

Day 3: Mâcon

Morning – Mâcon & Beaujolais Wine Museum and wine tasting. The afternoon is at your leisure in Mâcon or relax onboard.

Mâcon

Mâcon has a Mediterranean feel with its red tiled roofs. Enjoy an included tour featuring a wine museum and wine tasting of the Mâcon & Beaujolais historic wine regions that produce some of the finest and most expensive wines in the world. The excursion features beautiful wine country scenery and a visit to the Hameau Duboeuf Wine Museum, featuring the history and production of Burgundy wines and a wine tasting.

Meals: B, L, & D
Overnight: Amadeus Provence

 

Day 4: Chalon-sur-Saône – Beaune – Tournus

In the morning, explore Beaune, Hôtel-Dieu, and enjoy a Burgundy wine tasting experience. In the afternoon consider an optional tour of Medieval Brancion and Cormatin.

Beaune & Burgundy

Travel to Beaune to explore this walled town at the center of the Burgundy wine making region in France. Surrounded by the Côte d’Or vineyards, the cobbled town is renowned for an annual wine auction held at the Hôtel-Dieu. Recognized by its colorful, geometric-patterned tile roof, this former hospital is now the Hôtel-Dieu Museum and remains one of the finest examples of French 15th-century architecture. After the tour, enjoy a wine tasting experience to sample the local product of the Burgundy wine region.

Meals: B, L, S & D
Overnight: Amadeus Provence

 

Day 5: Lyon

This morning, explore Lyon while on a city tour, including a visit to Old Town. In the afternoon, the ship departs Lyon and heads south towards Avignon.

Lyon

Lyon, a city in France’s historical Rhône-Alpes region, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers with a history dating back to ancient Roman times. Lyon has earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list as the city boasts France’s oldest ancient ruins, medieval quarters, and fine Renaissance houses.

Meals: B, L, S & D
Overnight: Amadeus Provence

 

Day 6: Avignon

This morning, enjoy an Avignon walking tour including a visit to the Palace of the Popes. This afternoon, choose to explore Avignon at your leisure go on the optional Pont du Gard and Uzès excursion.

Avignon

Avignon is nicknamed “City of Popes” because it was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377. Your Avignon walking tour includes a stroll through the historic center, the picturesque Pont d’Avignon, and the Place de l’Horloge. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through this rambling maze of Gothic architecture that served as papal residence, fortress, church, and palace.

Meals: B, L, S & D
Overnight: Amadeus Provence

 

Day 7: Arles

This morning includes an Arles walking city tour with a visit to the Roman Amphitheatre. This afternoon is at your leisure in Arles or take the optional Camargue Nature Park excursion.

Arles

Arles is the site of some impressive ruins including Les Arènes, a Roman Amphitheatre that seats 20,000 and is still in use, as well as Romanesque monuments such as the Church of Saint-Trôphime, completed in the 15th century. Enjoy an Arles walking tour with its diverse architectural highlights. Experience the city’s vibrant colors and striking quality of light that have inspired artists. An excursion is available to the Camargue Nature Park, famous for its white horses.

Meals: B, L, S & D
Overnight: Amadeus Provence

 

Day 8: Leisure Day – Châteauneuf-du-Rhône/Ardeche – Le PouzinRelax Onboard/Leisure Day – Morning Optional Excursion to Ardèche Gorge. Midday ship stops in Le Pouzin – Afternoon Cruising

Le Pouzin

Today is a day to relax onboard. Stop in Le Pouzin, a charming town on the banks of the Rhône. An Ardèche Gorge optional tour is available. With its towering limestone cliffs, Ardèche Gorge is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Europe.

This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner.

Meals: B, L, S & D
Overnight: Amadeus Provence

 

Day 9: Lyon – Flight Home -Transfer to the Lyon Airport to fly home or join Paris Post Cruise Extension Lyon

 

 

Paris By Rail Optional 2-night post Cruise Extension:

Day 9: Disembark Lyon – Paris

Disembark and board the TGV Train to Paris, “The City of Light,” for a two-night stay

Meals: B (on ship)
Overnight: Paris

 

Day 10: Paris

Morning Paris city tour – see Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, and the Eiffel Tower – Afternoon at Leisure

Meals: B
Overnight: Paris

 

Day 11: Transfer to Paris Airport (CDG) – Flight Home

Meals: B

 

Tour Rates:

Regular Rate: Tour rates start at $5,495 per person based on double occupancy, but the actual cost is based on stateroom selections. Please click here for a detailed look at what’s available and single rates.

Paris (Optional Post Cruise Extension): $950 pp dbl +450 Single

Paris, the “City of Light,” is the world’s most visited capital. Enjoy a Paris city tour to see the beloved landmarks that line the Seine including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Also see the majestic Arc de Triomphe and ride along the Champs-Élysées. During your afternoon at leisure maybe visit the Montmarte District, the Louvre, or wander the historic banks of the Seine, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Optional Paris POST Cruise Extension Includes: 2 Nights Hotel – Paris, Paris City Tour, PWD Tour Director, 2-Breakfasts, TGV Train from Lyon to Paris, Transfers to Paris Airport (CDG). Due to group air policies, outbound air on 11/7 could be a different schedule than the rest of your group for Paris extension passengers. • Paris extension is based on a 20 passenger minimum

The extension is $950 per person based on double occupancy.

Single supplement: $450

 

For reservations and more information:

Premier World Discovery
Melissa Grant
(877) 953-8687, ext. 238 (Pacific Time)
mgrant@premierworlddiscovery.com

 

Additional Information:

What to expect on an Our State trip:

Traveling with a group of Our State readers is an enriching, enjoyable, and safe way to experience new cultures, people, and places. In addition to the informative narration from the tour director and local guides, an Our State host will be available to assist in making your trip successful.

We usually fly to our destination, then travel by a comfortable motor coach with anywhere from 35 to 50 people who appreciate learning about new regions. Your entire trip will be guided, planned, and arranged for your upmost enjoyment. Many activities are things you can only do because you are traveling with Our State. There is some free time built in for you to explore on your own.

You can also choose not to attend an activity if you prefer something different. Please let your tour director know if you are not coming on a scheduled day.

Many meals are included. Where you have meals on your own, suggestions will be provided.

Most of the motor coaches have restrooms but every effort will be made to make regular rest stops.

One of the best parts of traveling with Our State is that you will meet new people, many of whom you will already have much in common with since most travelers read the magazine. Many guests often develop friendships that go on long after the tour is finished. Our State trips are generally filled with dynamic and friendly people.
 

Physical requirements:

Our tours are physically active but not meant to be strenuous.

Please be aware you will be on your feet, walking and standing for much of the day, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and terrains. There will also be extended time on the motor coach when we travel from place to place. If there are any mobility issues you will need to have an able-bodied traveling companion to accompany and assist you.

Most days are moderately paced with approximately two to three total miles of walking, possibly including some hills and stairs.

We regret that we’re unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Trip Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

If you have additional questions, please call Our State’s Travel Director Amy Wood Pasquini at 336-286-0600, or email apasquini@ourstate.com.