FLOATING THROUGH PROVENCE TO PARIS

Every year the Club turns to Peter Deilmann for their river cruise through Provence and Burgundy. And every year, our members come back with rave reviews. For those who truly want to experience France by barge in grand comfort and style, this is the way to go. Peter Deilmann Cruises is consistently recognized for first class appointments and highly personalized service. There is one crew member for every 2.5 passengers, providing the best crew-to-guest ratio of any river vessel. This allows for a high level of service as well as sumptuous food, served course by course for the evening meal. It's no wonder that the company is annually voted among the top 10 on Condé Nast Traveler's "Gold List," as well as in Travel & Leisure and Porthole magazines. Our itinerary covers the most important and scenic places in Burgundy and Provence: vineyards, ancient villages, the Papal Palace in Avignon, scenic Arles, and the Roman ruins of Vienne. Enjoy a glass of Beaujolais on deck with Club friends as the wonderful French countryside floats by. Then, we add a few days in Paris and voila! . . . the perfect crowning touch to a memorable vacation that can only be called . . . magnifique!

* Air from New York JFK or Newark EWR

We have many options to offer you on either Air France or Delta, from your choice of Kennedy or Newark airports. When booking your flights with us, please keep in mind that embarkation is at 3:00 PM in Lyon. Delta offers a non-stop from JFK that arrives Lyon at 7:05 AM. The connecting flights via Paris arrive at 10:45 AM. The cruise company meets every flight at the Lyon Airport. They take the luggage directly to the ship and let passengers off at a local café for lunch and sightseeing on foot until 2:30 PM. If enough WTC club members are interested, we will organize an optional lunch and guided walking tour in Lyon at a cost determined by the number of women.

We also have fabulous rates for add-on flights from other cities to JFK and Newark. Call us!

Exclusively for Women

• Round-trip regularly scheduled air transportation from JFK or Newark to Lyon, and one-way from Lyon to Paris after the cruise. Fuel surcharges included (valid at time of printing).
• Roundtrip Airport/Ship transfers in Lyon based on individual flight arrivals.
• Roundtrip Hotel / Airport transfers in Paris based on the group air schedule (one transfer each way)
• Outside cabin accommodations (category B2) for seven nights, with all onboard meals.
• Hotel accommodations for two nights in Paris, with continental breakfast daily, including taxes and service charges.
• Special shore excursion package that includes one sightseeing activity each day. See included tours below.
• Services of a local English-speaking host at specific times in Paris.
  

Not included:

• Airport transportation in Paris outside of our one main group transfer each way. For everyone else, we will match you up with others, if possible, so that you can share a taxi.
• Other meals – Lunch in Lyon on arrival day; 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners in Paris – and additional cocktails (refer to the codes B, L, D in the itinerary to see what’s included).
• Personal incidentals.
• Optional activities not included in the itinerary: additional shore excursions from the barge and sightseeing in Paris. See details below on special pricing for these optionals.
• Tips to the bus drivers and tour guides.
• Port charges on the cruise, estimated at $110 per person.
• U.S. Airport taxes, government fees and September 11th security fee.

Upgrades and Special Pricing for Optionals:

• Upgrade to Category A2 cabin – $300 and subject to availability.
• Transfers in Lyon from the Train Stations (there are 2) to the Ship - $75 per person each way. Lyon Perrache Station is preferred over Lyon Part Dieu Station.
• Paris sightseeing – click here to see special club deals that you can purchase directly for city sightseeing, museum passes, day trips, etc.
  

France Entry Requirements:

*** Valid passport required. U.S. citizens do not need a Visa or Inoculations***
You must present a valid passport, preferably one that will not expire for at least 6 months after arrival. Passports must be in good condition and not damaged in any way. For citizens of other countries, please check your specific entry requirements.

Our Ship in Provence
The MV Princesse de Provence is a deluxe 4-star river boat built in 1992 and refurbished in 2005. She has a light and airy ambiance, with original works of art displayed throughout the interior. No smoking is the rule for all inside sections of the vessel - the cabins, corridors, and in the dining room. There is one seating for dinner and the food is fabulous. The cruise features six meals daily (breakfast, morning bouillon, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and midnight snack). All meals are single seating with five-course evening meals (up to nine courses on selected nights). Additionally, there is a lounge, two bars, beauty salon, boutique, laundry, and safe deposit boxes, as well as an infirmary with a qualified doctor on board. English language announcements, menus and daily programs are provided. In the evenings, there is nightly music and entertainment.

There are 70 cabins on two decks, all of which are outside rooms, configured as twins and identical in size. Category A cabins on her upper deck have full-length French doors that open into your cabin, while Category B cabins on the lower deck have large windows. Each is beautifully appointed and features built-in closets, desk, shower and toilet, telephone and three-channel radio. A hairdryer and terry robe are available upon request. Bedding is the European-style duvet with feather pillows and eiderdowns (synthetic materials available upon request). What a lovely way to relax in your cabin before dinner after a day cruising through the lavender scented hills of Provence!

Our Hotel in Paris

Just a short walk from the Champs Elysees and the Eiffel Tower, and bordering the Champs de Mars, the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel Hotel is ideally situated in the heart of Paris. Formally the Paris Hilton, the hotel closed for extensive renovations last year and is just opening in January 2009. Guest rooms are beautifully furnished and have private bath, satellite TV and safe deposit box. After a day of exploring the city, enjoy the oases of the modern Restaurant Pacific Eiffel for classic cuisine or the English-style Bar Suffren for an aperitif.

Day 1 – Friday (May 15/July 24): Depart the U.S. for France on overnight flights.

Day 2 – Saturday (May 16/July 25): Lyon, France.
Arrive in Lyon, the former capital city of Gaul, and France’s second largest city today. Transfer to the pier and board the MV Princesse de Provence. Enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception as your cruise gets underway. (D)

Day 3 – Sunday (May 17/July 26): Tornus and Chalon Sur Saone.
Arrive this morning in Tournus, situated in the Southern Burgundy region, where you have the morning free to take an optional tour of South Burgundy. In the afternoon, the ship stops in Chalon-sur-Saone, your departure point for an included excursion to the medieval town of Beaune. Surrounded by thriving vineyards, Beaune’s stunning Hotel Dieu dates from the Middle Ages and was the chief residence of the Dukes of Burgundy, until the 14th century. Enjoy fine examples of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Monday (May 18/July 27): Macon and Trevoux.
Awake this morning in the town of Macon, which marks the border between Burgundy and the Lyonnais regions. Optional tours include exploring the town on your own or taking an excursion to the Cluny Abbey or the wine country of Maconnais. Return to the ship and enjoy lunch while cruising to Trevoux, where this afternoon’s included excursion will introduce you to the Beaujolais Wine Country, including a visit and tasting with a local producer. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Tuesday (May 19/July 28): La Voulte.
After your arrival in La Voulte, enjoy the included tour to the Gorges of the Ardeche. Here you will see the magnificent turquoise-green river of the Ardeche as it cuts through the soft rock and breath-taking natural scenery to create one of the most impressive landscapes of southern France. Relax in the afternoon as the ship sets sail for Arles in the region of Provence. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Wednesday (May 20/July 29): Arles and Avignon.
Awake to the rich light and color of Provence that permeated the canvases of Van Gogh and Cézanne. Enjoy the morning at your leisure to explore the beautiful Roman town of Arles or opt for an optional morning tour of the Camargue nature reserve. This afternoon, your included excursion meanders through the lovely Provencal countryside following “In the Footsteps of Vincent van Gogh.” (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Thursday (May 21/July 30): Avignon.
Join the included morning walking tour in Avignon, which will guide you past numerous sights including the imposing Palace of the Popes, Roman excavations, the Church of St. Pierre and many other highlights of the city. Later, you will have time to explore the charming old streets and squares on your own. You can also return to the Palace for a hand-held guided tour on your own. In the afternoon, there is an optional excursion to the completely preserved Roman aqueduct bridge, the Pont du Gard, an amazing example of Roman engineering that can still convey water over 30 miles to the town on Nimes. (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Friday (May 22/July 31): Vienne and Lyon.
Relax and enjoy the sights this morning while you cruise to the town of Vienne. An afternoon included excursion will take you for a visit of Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, including the Fourviere Hill for beautiful views over the city and countryside. This evening, celebrate the final night onboard with the Captain’s Farewell Reception. (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Saturday (May 23/August 1): Lyon/Paris.
Disembark and transfer to the airport for your short flight to Paris. Arrive in the “City of Light” where you will be met by a Women’s Travel Club representative and transferred to your hotel. Paris is one of the world’s most beautiful cities full of monuments, elegant squares, picturesque streets and grand boulevards. Famed for the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Cathedral Notre-Dame, Paris and its surrounding areas feature countless other art, culture and food treasures. Breakfast is included each morning at the hotel. (B)

Day 10 – Sunday (May 24/August 2): Paris.
During your 2 free days, enjoy the wealth of art museums that Paris has to offer. Visit the Musée du Louvre, one of the world’s largest and greatest, with its many treasures including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. An impressive collection of art from 1848 to 1914 is housed at the Musée d’Orsay and features many fine Impressionist paintings from the likes of Manet, Degas and Renoir. The Musée Picasso offers an unparallel collection of Picasso to view. You can also explore the many fine shops and cafes of Paris on your own. (B)

Be sure to review all the optional tours in Paris available to you as a Women’s Travel Club member. Pre-purchase is required to get the discounted rate. Click here to view.

Day 11 – Monday (May 25/August 3): Paris/U.S.
After breakfast, there will be one group transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. (B)

Included Shore Excursion Package:

• Chalone Sur Saone Tour of Beaune
• Trevoux Beaujolais Country of the Pierres Dorees
• La Voulte Gorges of the Ardeche
• Arles in the Footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh
• Avignon City Walk
• Lyon City Tour

Schedule of Shore Excursions:

Itineraries and excursions are subject to change..
M = morning tour A = afternoon tour E = evening tour F = full day tour

#1 Only on departures from July to November.
#2 Only on departure dates from middle of May to end of September
#3 Re-embarkation in Lyon

*Itineraries subject to minor changes- fuel surcharges included in trip prices where airfare is included. Not included: airport taxes, government fees and September 11th Security Fee. Prices per person based on double occupancy.

To book this trip please fill out our new member application if applicable and then the booking form.
E-mail us for more information: info@womenstravelclub.com

The Women's Travel Club (USA), Inc.
Phone: 800-480-4448 . Fax: 1-360-935-5080
E-Mail: info@womenstravelclub.com

300 Broadacres Drive, Bloomfield, NJ 07003