Seine River Cruise (Paris & Normandy)

Paris always sizzles while Normandy beckons with its stunning coastline, incredible food and artistic beauty. Blend a passion for the good life with culture, art, architecture and timeless landscape in Northern France on this 7-day Seine river cruise with Lisa Torgerson.

Monet’s Gardens and the charming harbor town of Honfleur, will inspire you the same way as they inspired the great Impressionists. For inspiration of a different kind, witness the site of Joan of Arc’s historic martyrdom, or travel to the unforgettable beaches of Normandy where Allied forces landed during WWII’s D­-Day invasion. Relive the grandeur of royalty at Château de Bizy, once referred to as “the Versailles of Normandy.”

For more info, please contact Virtuoso Advisor, Lisa Torgerson at (847) 519-4781 or lisat@travelexinternational.com.

SPACIOUS STATEROOMS

• 7 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with French balconies)
• Entertainment-On-Demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed internet access, movies, a music library and English language TV stations
• Desk and sitting area
• Bottled water replenished daily

AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES

• Wellness Activities with a dedicated Wellness Host leading various exercise classes as well as discussions on healthy eating and relaxation techniques, both on board and on shore.
• Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land packages
• Internet and Wi-Fi access
• Sun Deck whirlpool and walking track
• Fitness room, massage services and hair salon
• Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar
• Daily entertainment including cultural performances

AWARD-WINNING DINING

• All onboard dining in a variety of venues
• Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
• The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
• Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner
• La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience
• Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
• Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
• Tapas, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge

A WORLD OF EXPLORATION

• Immersive tours in every destination
• Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
• Bike tours and hikes
• Special interest tours
• Knowledgeable guides
• Personal headset for easy exploration
• Airport transfers with purchase of air from AmaWaterways

Land Program
2 nights hotel in Paris at the Maison Astor, Curio by Hilton (or similar), including city tour, Montmartre & illumination tour and daily breakfast

Day 1, Paris
Hotel check-in

Check into your Paris hotel for the beginning of your Paris & Normandy land program.

Day 2, Paris
“Hidden Paris” and Atelier des Lumières tour

Discover some of the lesser-known treasures of Paris on your guided tour. Setting the world stage for art, fashion, gastronomy, culture and much more, the “City of Light” has a story to tell at every corner.

Afterwards, explore the Atelier-Lumières, Paris’s “Workshop of Lights,” a uniquely immersive digital art experience. You will be treated to an unforgettable colorful multimedia exhibition, utilizing 140 video projectors and a state-of-the-art sound system of famed artists’ works. (B)

Day 3, Paris
Montmartre tour

EMBARKATION

After checking out of your hotel, visit Montmartre, long known as the city’s premier artist’s enclave. During the mid to late 1800s, artists also began calling Montmartre home. Pissarro and Jongkind were two of the first to live there, followed by other notable artists. For easy access to Montmartre, hop aboard the funicular railroad that ascends the hill. Montmartre’s most recognizable landmark is the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur, constructed from 1876 to 1912. The white dome of this Roman Catholic basilica sits at the highest point in the city. You’ll then board the ship in Paris for your Paris & Normandy cruise. (B,D)

Day 1, PARIS.
Board the ship in Paris for your Paris & Normandy cruise. (D)

Day 2, LES ANDELYS.
Uncover the history of Château Gaillard, the former stronghold of Richard the Lionheart, situated on the chalk cliffs high above the Seine, on a morning tour.

Or, if you prefer a more active adventure, you can hike there from the banks of the Seine, admiring the scenic views along the way.

For those who wish to explore the area on two wheels, join a guided bike tour through the charming town of Les Andelys. After your adventures, set sail along the meandering Seine for a scenic cruise. (B,L,D)

Day 3, LE HAVRE.
During your time in Le Havre, set out on an excursion to the seaside town of Honfleur, renowned for its picturesque harbor, and for being an inspirational site for Impressionist painters.

During the afternoon, you can join a city tour of the UNESCO­ designated Le Havre. Alternatively, you have the choice of a bike tour through Le Havre. (B,L,D)

Day 4, LE HAVRE ­ CAUDEBEC­EN­CAUX.
Experience the Normandy region with a variety of excursions. For those wishing to go to the American sector of the historic Normandy Beaches, you will visit the cemetery at Colleville­sur­Mer, Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues­sur­Mer and the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen.

If you prefer, you can tour the Gold and Juno beaches in the British and Canadian sectors, where you will visit Ranville Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge, the Canadian cemetery at Beny­sur­Mer, the WWII museum in Courseulle and, finally, Arromanches.

Alternatively, you can set out on a full day excursion to the delicious Pays d’Auge region of Normandy, where apple cider, Calvados and pommeau outrank French
wine. If you wish to experience a different kind of inspiration in Caudebec­en­ Caux, you can journey back in time with the interactive exhibits and vessels at the Seine
Museum. (B,L,D)

Day 5, ROUEN.
Spend the morning enjoying medieval Rouen with a choice of several excursions.

Join a walking tour and see the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, as well as the Medieval Quarter and Great Clock. You also have the choice to go on the “Tastes of Normandy” tour, where you’ll be treated to the delicious flavors of the region, including chocolate, Norman cheese and cider; or get active by going on a guided bike tour.

Then visit Bonnemare Castle, a 16th ­century architectural treasure lined with picturesque poplar trees. (B,L,D)

Day 6, VERNON.
Enjoy scenic cruising around Vernon before disembarking the ship for your excursion.

You will have a choice of three excursions, depending on your interests.

Visit Claude Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny. Art lovers will immediately recognize images immortalized in Monet’s most beloved paintings—such as water lilies, Japanese bridges and graceful willow trees. Wander around his famous gardens and home where he lived for more than four decades.

Or visit the regal 18th­century Château de Bizy, inspired by the opulence of Versailles. Enjoy an escorted tour of the palace and gardens.

If you prefer a more active adventure, go on a guided bike tour, taking in the beautiful French countryside. (B,L,D)

*PLEASE NOTE: Monet’s Gardens may be closed; therefore, an alternative tour will operate instead.

Day 7, PARIS.
Travel to Auberge Ravoux in the heart of Auvers­sur­Oise, the last home of artist Vincent van Gogh. His spirit still lingers in his former attic rooms at the Ravoux Inn. The mere 70 days Van Gogh spent in Auvers­sur­Oise were astonishingly prolific as he painted more than 70 works here before his death.

Or enjoy the exquisite architecture of the Château de Malmaison, the former home of Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte, also known as “the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe.”

Active travelers may instead choose to pedal through Paris from the seat of their bike on a guided cycling tour.

In the afternoon, experience the “City of Light” from a unique perspective when you board a modern river boat at the Port de la Bourdonnais, located on the banks of the Seine River near the Eiffel Tower. With exterior seating and viewing platforms, your one ­hour cruise will be a dream come true as you glide along the river and underneath Paris’s ornate bridges.

From the boat, you will take in panoramic views of the city’s iconic buildings and monuments, including the Musee d’Orsay and the Notre Dame Cathedral. (B,L,D)

Day 8, PARIS.
Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B)

B,L,D – Indicates Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are included on this day.

All reservations are subject to availability upon receipt of full names and $400 per person deposit.