You may be aware we’re just finishing a river cruise in the Eastern agricultural region in France this week with our friends at AMA Waterways. Kristin Karst is the co-founder and co-owner of AMA, and she’s invited us to spend a week with her on her namesake ship – the AMA Kristina. We’ll “re-live” the trip starting tomorrow on our Facebook page if you want to follow along. Here’s the link: Facebook
We’ve not done a river cruise in this region previously, so here are some of our impressions if you’re considering something similar.
- Lyon is known as the Gastronomical Capital of France, and the French excel in culinary on a global level, so if you’re a foodie, you’ll really like it here.
- The city is large enough (the 3rd largest in France) to provide lots of options, but is ultimately more navigable than Paris. If you love the French urban scene, but don’t need the Eiffel Tower and other Paris attractions, then Lyon will serve you well.
- We’re here for the Fete des Lumieres (Festival of Lights), and if you’re considering a December trip to this part of France, it’s worth considering coinciding your trip with this event. There are exhibits all over town that combine light and music. Consider it like a more diverse (and more interesting) version of a massive 4-day long fireworks display.
- Most river cruises include 2-nights in Lyon, but if you’re looking to really get into the history and culinary scene, you’ll want to add an additional night or two.
- The city is very walkable, or if you prefer to get around by bicycle, there are miles of dedicated bike paths.
- Lyon is located at the confluence of the Saone and Rhone Rivers… so it seems like everything is waterfront.
- River cruises typically go between Lyon in the North, and Avignon or Arles in the South down near Marseilles and the Mediterranean. You really don’t go far in a week – It’s only 175 miles between these ports.
- There is wine at literally every turn in this region, with the Beaujolais and Chateau-Neuf-de-Pape being the two best known.
- The Romans occupied this area for several hundred years, and there are ruins and other evidence of their time here.
- We’re here in December, so there are Christmas Markets, but not to the same degree you would find them in Germany, or in larger cities like Paris, Amsterdam or Budapest.
- We’re needing to get home in time for Christmas, but MOST of our clients would add on a few extra days in Paris or the French Riviera when doing this cruise. You’re in the neighborhood… why not?
A note on winter travel to Europe
We’ve learned to love Europe in the winter months, but here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Europe is much further north than we perceive it to be. As a point of reference, Venice Italy and Montreal are at the same latitude, so MOST of Europe is north of the Canadian border. The weather is somewhat more moderate in Europe than Canada, but winter is dark, and can be cool. We didn’t experience anything below freezing, but it was in the 30s and 40s for most of our trip.
- There are WAY fewer tourists, and that is the reason we like it here in winter.
- Travel logistics are more tentative in winter. In the past couple of weeks, both Munich and Amsterdam (two major European gateways) had substantial weather events this month. We, and virtually everyone on the ship had some adjustments to their flight schedules.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
Provence & Lyon, France with AMA Waterways
All the river cruise lines are in Provence, and AMA does it particularly well. They offer several choices for shore excursions in each port of call, and their membership in the Chaines des Rotisseurs ensures you will have an authentic and top quality culinary experience.
Come to the Provence and the Rhone Valley to experience farm to table cuisine, abundant Roman ruins (that aren’t completely overwhelmed by tourists), charming small towns, lavender fields, and the urban experiences in Lyon and Marseilles.
Here are some examples:
- Lyon to Arles departing March 14 for 7-nights
- Free Upgrades and On-board gratuities
- Balconies: $4779. Suites: $6679
- Optional 3-night pre-trip in Paris, and 3-nights post-trip in Barcelona for $2550.
- Dijon to Arles departing July 18 OR August 8 for 7-nights
- Extra $150 per person on board credit
- Balconies: $4899. Suites: $6599
- Optional 3-night pre-trip in Geneva, and 3-nights post-trip in Nice for $2730.
- Arles to Lyon departing December 12 for 7-nights
- Extra $150 per person on board credit
- Balconies: $4939. Suites: $6839
- Optional 3-night pre-trip in Barcelona, and 3-nights post-trip in Paris for $2550
Explora Journeys Total Luxury Offer
Explora has “Goldilocks” sized ships: big enough to offer a wide range of food and entertainment venues, but small enough to still feel intimate and have intuitive, personal service. They also have the largest suites at sea:
Barcelona to Miami departing November 29 for 17-nights
- Visit Cadiz, Madeira, Bridgetown, Guadeloupe, Antigua & Barbuda, San Juan
- A great opportunity to enjoy all the amenities on this new ship.
- Suites start at $5460 per person (represents 40% off)
Miami Round-trip departing January 14, 2025 for 10-nights
- Visit New Orleans (overnight), Cozumel, Merida (overnight), Bahamas.
- If you’ve been everywhere in the Caribbean, but would like a winter getaway, this is a unique itinerary.
- Suites start at $4800 per person (represents 25% off)
Explora Journeys fares include all taxes & fees, an open bar, on-board gratuities, specialty dining, and the minimum suite size is 300 square feet with a 75 square foot veranda with a table and chairs, as well as a daybed.
Viking Free Air Promos
We’re seeing some free air, and reduced rates on Viking, with many itineraries with some domestic ports:
Duluth, Minnesota to Toronto departing July 20 for 15-days
- Visit Duluth, Thunder Bay, Silver Islet, Mackinac Island, Algoma, Alpena, Fraser Bay, Killarney, Parry Sound, Windsor, Cleveland, Niagara Falls, Welland Canal, Toronto
- A great chance to visit some out-of-the-way places in our own back yard.
- Nordic Balconies from $12,995 including air.
New Orleans to Memphis departing June 13 (or November 14) for 8-days
- Visit Darrow, La Layette, Baton Rouge, Darrow, Natchez, St. Francisville, Vicksburg, Greenville
- Deluxe Verandas from $5999 including air.
Tokyo to Vancouver departing April 23 for 23-days
- Visit Tokyo, Sapporo, Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Seward, Valdez, Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, Vancouver
- Visit Asia without having to fly both ways, and see some less-frequented ports in Alaska.
- Veranda Rooms from $7499 including air.
These Viking fares include all taxes & fees, round-trip air, a shore excursion in each port of call, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
