Portraits of Southern France - Cruise Experts, Inc

Day	Destination
1	Chalon-sur-Saône
2	Beaune & Burgundy Wine Tour
3	Lyon
4	Lyon & Vienne
5	Tournon & Viviers
6	Arles
7	Avignon
8	Avignon
Number of Nights: 7

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Portraits of Southern France
Chalon-sur-Saône to Avignon

Sail along France's scenic Saône and Rhône Rivers past some of the most beautiful vistas the French countryside has to offer. During your 8-day journey, explore the famed region of Burgundy and the lavender fields of Provence. Visit Gallo-Roman ruins in both Vienne and Arles; walk the cobbled streets of Arles to see how it inspired Vincent van Gogh. And visit the historic Papal Palace in Avignon, "City of the Popes." Learn about the region's time-honored winemaking traditions, sample Burgundy varietals and try the world-famous regional cuisine in Lyon. C'est magnifique!

More days means more to discover—with packages you can add before or after your Viking journey. Wherever your journey takes you, we offer exciting ways to see even more of the region.

Viking Neptune

Overview
We take you on an unforgettable journey to discover the treasures of Europe. We own and operate our ships according to the highest standards of Swiss hotel management. Experience the heart of Europe throughout the sailing season on this state-of-the-art vessel.

75 total cabins, 12 standard cabins, 63 deluxe cabins. All spacious outside cabins, featuring bathroom with shower, air conditioning, telephone, TV, hairdryer and safe.

Reception/Lobby
Adjacent to the reception area is an attractive, airy split-level lounge. This section has comfortable seating areas, a 24-hour tea and coffee station with a fruit basket, and restrooms. This is a great place to meet up with friends before leaving the ship for a shore excursion. Your Program Director's desk is located here, so that you can easily ask questions or discuss the day's activities. There are trees and plants, pleasant ambient lighting and a few showcases displaying merchandise available at the onboard boutique. The ship's library is nearby so you can easily find reading material or games.

Sun Deck
Enjoy sunshine and fresh air while you take in 360-degree views of the scenery as you sail past castles, towns, villages, trees and vineyards. Stand at the railings or relax in a comfortable deck chair. Some of the seating has a canopy for those who prefer shade. There is an access way from the sun deck to the bridge.

Restaurant
The restaurant is where all meals are served during your cruise. Because it features panoramic windows, you will not miss any of the scenery while you are dining. It seats 150 guests at 28 tables which vary in size, accommodating 4, 6 or 8 guests per table. The dining room is open seating, so you are free to sit where you like—a great way to make new friends. The atmosphere is casual but elegant, with high-quality table linens, china, cutlery and glassware. The room has a stereo system for playing quiet music during meals.

Observation Lounge/Bar
The observation lounge is a terrific place to meet friends before and after meals. Located on the upper deck behind the reception desk, it boasts a large sitting area with chairs, small tables, sofas and a bar area with barstools. The lounge has a projector and screen installed in the ceiling, so slides can be shown, and there is a stereo system and dance floor.

Library
Our ships' libraries carry approximately 80 books, in various languages but mostly English, and several games such as chess, backgammon, jigsaw puzzles and playing cards.

Deck Plans

Upper Deck

Middle and Main Deck

Lower Deck

Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises offers passengers the ultimate in river cruising. All itineraries are designed to provide travelers with comprehensive sightseeing opportunities and feature:

Attentive personal service including an experienced Cruise Manager

Fine gourmet dining and regional specialties

Old World Highlights enrichment program: folkloric entertainment, lectures and demonstrations

Daily sightseeing tours led by knowledgeable, English-speaking guides

Accommodations in an outside, river view cabin with private bathroom and shower

Hotel-style beds and large picture windows that open in many cabins

Intimate, deluxe ships averaging 150 passengers

Beautifully appointed public areas with single-seating restaurants, bar, and lounge

Modern nautical equipment meeting the highest safety standards

With 22 ships, Viking River Cruises continues to expand by building innovative vessels that provide the comfort of a fine hotel under attentive Swiss management. We showcase Europe, Russia and China's numerous rivers: Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube, Elbe, Seine, Rhône, Saône, Svir, Volga and Yangtze. River cruises are an ideal way to explore all that Europe, Russia and China offer, with visits to quaint villages, historic museums and monuments, and the enchantment of the Old World and Far East.

All-Inclusive Vacations and Highest Quality Accommodations