![St Benezet Bridge reflected on the Rhône River, France](/media/141nc5nc/slider-2-avignon-bridge-with-popes-palace-provence-france.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&quality=80&width=1920&height=940&rnd=133557562646170000)
Rhône River Explorer: Burgundy to Provence
About the Trip
November 1-13, 2025 | 13 Days
Discover the rich culture and mesmerizing landscapes of Burgundy and Provence on this 13-day tour with a Rhône River cruise. Designed for solo travellers, highlights include a tour of Marseille, France’s oldest and second-biggest city, a boat excursion through the breathtaking Calanques National Park and a captivating Rhône River cruise aboard the MS Lord Byron. Enjoy unique experiences such as a guided vineyard tour and tasting at Domaine de Fontenille as well as city tours in Avignon, Arles and Lyon. Indulge your inner Francophile as you explore this beautiful region and savour its unforgettable charms.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Vineyard Walk and Tasting at Domaine de Fontenille
Surrounded by 17th-century vineyards, Domaine de Fontenille is a traditional Provençal property that sits in the heart of Provence, just east of Avignon. This elegant vineyard is the location of your Extraordinary Experience. You’ll begin with a private, guided walk through the vineyard to learn about the grape varieties, then visit the winery to see how the harvest is transformed into wine. Next is a wine tasting workshop where you’ll sample wines and discover their exceptional terroir.
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Lyon and return from Marseille to Toronto or Winnipeg
- Pre-cruise tour:
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Lyon
- 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
- 7-night Rhône River cruise on-board the MS Lord Byron
- Onboard meals and entertainment as per cruise itinerary
- Superior Drinks package
- Post-cruise tour:
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Aix-en-Provence
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Marseille
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner and 1 tasting
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director throughout
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host
Rhône River Explorer: Burgundy to Provence
Activity Level: Moderate. Discover the highlights of Burgundy and Provence on a 13-day tour including visits to Marseille, Calanques National Park and a Rhône River cruise.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Lyon.
Day 2
Lyon – Upon arrival, meet your tour director and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 3
Lyon – Meet with your tour director for a transfer to board the MS Lord Byron for your Rhone River cruise through Burgundy and Provence. (B)
Day 4
Lyon – Take a guided tour of Lyon.
Day 5
Beaune & Burgundy - Explore the medieval town of Beaune and enjoy wine tastings throughout Burgundy.
Day 6
Vienne – Enjoy breakfast in Vienne before a guided tour, after lunch visit Tain l'Hermitage.
Day 7
Viviers – Cruise downstream toward Valence. After lunch explore Gorges de l’Ardèche before continuing towards Viviers.
Day 8
Arles – Experience a guided tour of Arles and Pont du Gard.
Day 9
Avignon – Enjoy a guided city tour of Avignon. This evening you will enjoy the Chef's dinner.
Day 10
Aix-en-Provence– After breakfast, disembark the ship and drive to Aix-en-Provence. Along the way stop at the elegant Domaine de Fontenille for your Extraordinary Experience: a guided walk through the vineyard and wine tasting workshop. (L/T)
Day 11
Aix-en-Provence - This afternoon enjoy a walking tour of the historic centre of Aix-en-Provence. (B)
Day 12
Marseille – Today you will stop in Cassis and enjoy a boat tour before reaching Marseille. Upon arrival take a panoramic city tour before getting ready for your Farewell Dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 13
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
![Simplified Rhône River Explorer Tour Map](/media/uj4jvf2t/map_eu_fr_france_2025_v2.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&quality=80&width=874&height=490&rnd=133670026600900000)
Terms & Conditions
*$10,679 is a Standard cabin on Emerald Deck, $11,959 is a Standard cabin on Ruby Deck. **$10,889 is a Standard cabin on Emerald Deck, $12,169 is a Standard cabin on Ruby Deck. Ship’s Registry: Switzerland. All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2025. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Lyon.
Day 2
Lyon
Upon arrival, meet your tour director and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening at a local restaurant. (D)
Day 3
Lyon
This morning is at leisure until we meet our tour director for the transfer to the pier to board the MS Lord Byron for your Rhône River cruise through Burgundy and Provence. The dedicated English-speaking crew will welcome you on board and help you to your cabin. After settling into your spacious and tastefully furnished accommodation, there’s time to familiarize yourself with this five-star floating hotel. (B)
Day 4
Lyon
This morning, explore Lyon with a guided tour of one of France’s most fascinating cities.
Day 5
Beaune & Burgundy
Arrive in Chalon, the gateway to Burgundy, where you’ll spend the day exploring small villages which have the most sublime wines. Explore the medieval town of Beaune, and cap off your tour by sampling some wine from the cellars of a traditional winemaker.
Day 6
Vienne
Enjoy breakfast in Vienne before a guided tour, after lunch visit Tain l'Hermitage.
Day 7
Viviers
This morning cruise into the south of France, with glimpses of the Alps in the distance. After lunch explore one of France’s most outstanding landscapes, the Gorges de l’Ardèche. After enjoying the views at every turn, return to the ship in charming Viviers. After dinner enjoy a ballroom dance performance and learn the French Madison line dance.
Day 8
Arles
Explore Arles on a guided tour that includes multiple historic monuments that are UNESCO World Heritage sites. After lunch, visit the amazing Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Rejoin the ship for dinner and continue cruising along the Rhone towards Avignon.
Day 9
Avignon
Explore Avignon on a guided city tour. After lunch, you are free to explore as you wish. This evening we enjoy the sumptuous Chef’s Dinner, featuring some of their signature dishes - a truly memorable experience. Afterwards, sit back and relax to the sounds of a talented local pianist who'll entertain us with French songs on board.
Day 10
Aix-en-Provence
After breakfast, bid the crew farewell and disembark the ship. We’ll be met by our local tour manager in Avignon for the drive through beautiful French countryside to Aix-en-Provence for a 2-night stay. On the way, stop at the elegant Domaine de Fontenille for your Extraordinary Experience: a private, guided walking tour through the vineyard and a wine tasting workshop. Following lunch at a charming local restaurant we continue on to Aix-en-Provence. (L/T)
Day 11
Aix-en-Provence
This morning is at leisure. Armistice Day ceremonies may be taking place in various locations in the city, should you wish to attend. This afternoon enjoy a guided walking tour of the historic centre of the city. You can also visit the Granet Museum/La Chapelle des Penitents Blancs to see the impressive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art. The remainder of the day is free time to explore on your own. (B)
Day 12
Marseille
From Aix-en-Provence you’ll head to Cassis where you’ll take a boat tour of the beautiful rocky inlets of Calanques National Park. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Marseille before checking into your hotel and enjoying our Farewell Dinner. (B/L/D)
Day 13
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your return flight back to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting