--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018 RHÔNE RIVER CRUISE
March 20-28, 2018
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MARCH 20-28
VIKING: RHÔNE RIVER CRUISE
FRANCE FLAG
March 20-21
MIAMI*PARIS*MARSEILLE
Took the Tri-Rail to Miami Intl Airport to fly Air France to Paris, changed planes for Marseille, to embark in Avignon on the Viking Delling for the Rhône River cruise with Tim. After a drink at the Aquavit Lounge we attended the safety drill.
We had our first dinner on the Delling: Jumbo lump crab cake with scallion remoulade and orange candy; roast leg of lamb with flageolets, garlic confit, thyme jus; and for dessert Paris-Brest, choux pastry, praline flavored cream.
March 22
AVIGNON*CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE
This morning is quite windy and chilly due to the Mistral and our excursion is a walking tour of Avignon’s Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during the 14th century. Six papal conclaves were held in the Palais, leading to the elections of Benedict XII in 1334, Clement VI in 1342, Innocent VI in 1352, Urban V in 1362, Gregory XI in 1370 and Antipope Benedict XIII in 1394.
Some pictures of Avignon inside the ramparts.
Stopped next at Les Halles.
After lunch on the boat we had our optional tour, wine-tasting at the Famille Perrin’s Châteauneuf du Papes winery and vineyards. Tried 4 different wines which were pretty good. Later toured the old town with the ruins of the summer castle of the popes.
After dinner the chefs prepared crêpe Suzette and other desserts.
March 23
TARASCON*ARLES
Docked in Tarascon last night and this morning our shore excursion will take us to Arles. Walked leisurely to the center of town: to the Les Arenes (Roman amphitheater), then to the Thèâtre Antique, passed by the Cafè la Nuit, Espace Van Gogh (where Vincent was treated when he cut off his ear), then to the Place de la Republique and the Eglise St Trophime.
Walked around to look for a nice place to eat and eventually found Cafè Factory Rèpublique. Both of us had the confit de cuisse de canard avec frites et salades. Tim had a local beer made from white Camargue rice while I had Ricard and water. Excellent meal!
After our trip to Arles we drove back to Avignon and we took a walk along the Rhône to take pictures of the famous Pont d’Avignon, Avignon from outside the ramparts, and the statue of Marianne, the symbol of France.
Back at the boat we were invited to the Viking Explorers Society cocktail party for repeat Viking customers. We passed a lock before dinner. Started with terrine eglantine then Provençal lamb stew and Valrhona chocolate dessert.
March 24
VIVIERS*ARDÈCHE*MUSEE DE LA LAVANDE*VALLON-PONT-D'ARC
After breakfast we boarded the bus for our optional excursion called Charming Ardèche where we drove from Viviers to the limestone hills, past lavender fields and dormant vineyards. We stopped for pictures to see the mountainous area and again at the meandering Ardèche river.
Next we stopped at the Musée de la Lavande where we learned about the growing, harvesting and extraction of its essential oils. I bought 10 different soaps and a small bottle of Lavande fine essential oil which is supposed to be good soporific when you sprinkle a couple of drops on your pillow.
Below is how the lavender fields look now but the picture below it shows how beautiful the lavender fields are when they are in bloom.
Stopped for lunch at the Auberge du Pont d’Arc where they served us a welcome drink called castagnou (white wine with chestnut alcohol) and tapenade on toast. Starter was hot goat cheese on toast with salad sprinkled with bits of bacon; followed by veal stew with mashed potatoes, cherry tomatoes and puréed spinach. Dessert was chestnut cream tart.
After lunch we walked by their vineyard and to the nearby Ardèche River to view the beautiful natural arch formation.
Next was a walking tour of the charming medieval village of Vogüé, where we saw the Château de Vogüé.
We joined the Viking Delling at La Voulte-sur-Rhône. Tonight we docked at Tournon.
March 25
TOURNON*STEAM TRAIN*ANDANCE*CHAVANAY*VIENNE
First shore excursion is a walking tour of Tournon-sur-Rhône, a commune in the Ardèche department in southern France. The Tournon castle sits on a rock overlooking the town and the river. The Collegiate Church of Saint Julien has been built in gothic style and unusually a number of houses are built into the church walls. Another one of the houses dominating Tournon, and now home to its Tourist Office, is the mansion De La Tourette. There is an attractive Suspension Bridge that can be crossed on foot to get to Tain l'Hermitage on the other side of the river.
Next was a scenic ride on the Tournon Steam Train into the Doux Valley. Called the Mastrou, or Ardèche Train, the Vivarais railway line is a meter gauge railway line for tourists, 33 kilometers long, connecting Lamastre and Saint-Jean-de-Muzols. The steam train and engine, both listed Historic Monuments, offer young and old the chance to explore the verdant Doux Valley, a conservation area with panoramic views which are inaccessible from the road.
Went back to the Delling which was docked in Andance for lunch while the ship sails to Chavanay where we took the bus to Vienne for a city tour. The outstanding Roman ruins in Vienne are the temple of Augustus and Livia, the Théâtre Antique, the Roman amphitheater and the still-buried Odeon. We also visited the Gothic former cathedral of St Maurice and the Chapelle de Mont Pipet where one gets a panoramic view of the city and the Rhône.
March 26
LYON*BEAUJEU*BEAUJOLAIS
After breakfast we went to the Beaujolais region and stopped first in Beaujeu, walked around town then started our winery visit at the Chateau des Ravatys Domaine de l’Instifut Pasteur. Checked the vineyard where they have vines pruned the cane and goblet ways. Went to the cellars for wine tasting and tried 4 different wines.
Back on the boat we decided to skip lunch there and walked around Lyon. We crossed the Rhone and walked on the peninsula but found out most of the restaurants closed at 2 pm so we decided to walk to Paul Bocuse Les Halles but found out most stores were closed on Mondays.
March 27
PANORAMIC LYON
Our morning excursion is called Panoramic Lyon. Went up to the Vieux Lyon to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière which was built with private funds between 1872 and 1884 in a dominant position overlooking the city on the site that was once the Roman forum of Trajan.
We next drove to the peninsula between the Rhône and the Saone Rivers where the buildings date back to the Middle Ages. We stopped at a building that has trompe l’oeil paintings on its sides. Walked on Rue St Jean and went through one of little passageways inside buildings called traboules.
Nice shops in this area including a book shop called Librairie Diogène where I bought 2 books illustrated by my favorite illustrator Kay Nielsen.
Our farewell dinner and champagne toast with the officers and bar crew of the Delling.
March 28
LYON*PARIS*MIAMI
Time to go home after a delightful trip along the Rhône River. Lyon has a beautiful airport designed by the famous Spanish architect Calatrava; inside Charles de Gaulle airport; Miami International Airport.
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