Rhone Winter Holiday (2028)
As winter comes to Provence, the crowds of summer dwindle away and true, heartfelt local traditions shine.As winter comes to Provence, the crowds of summer dwindle away and true, heartfelt local traditions shine. In a region where peaceful boulevards and quaint pâtisseries sit right alongside ancient Roman ruins, the holiday season brings a sense of quiet charm and rich history to the South of France. Visit towns from Arles to Lyon and all the little villages in between, stopping to explore rustic local customs from hand-painted santons to seasonal delights such as vin chaud and nougat.
Arles to Lyon | 8 Days
Featured Excursions do not require booking. Excursions that are listed as "Choose between..." must be booked onboard however there is no additional cost. Please refer to the excursion details below to view purchasing options for our Masterpiece Collection excursions where applicable. Note: The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.
Program offerings are subject to change.
DAY 1 Arles (Embark)
Arrive at Marseille Provence Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship docked in Arles.
DAY 2 Arles
Today, you’ll enjoy a full-day outing to one of the most festive winter destinations in the region: elegant Aix-en-Provence, where you’ll find beautifully decorated public squares and unique seasonal traditions.
Featured Excursion:
This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Featured Excursion:
- Full Day Aix-en-Provence with Christmas Market
This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
DAY 3 Tarascon (Saint Rémy de Provence)
Tarascon is an arresting sight. The white stone buildings that proliferate throughout the town—including an eye-catching castle that sits right on the banks of the Rhône—catch the colors of the rising and setting sun beautifully.
Featured Excursion:
Featured Excursion:
- A Taste of Provençal Christmas
DAY 4 Avignon
The walled city of Avignon is one of the most fascinating towns in southern France, with a host of historic gems to explore—including the fortress residence of rebellious popes who broke from Rome and once lived and ruled here. Visitors during the holiday season are treated to the cozy sight of festive decorations, shops overflowing with seasonal treats, and local vendors selling handmade wares that make excellent Christmas presents.
Other Excursions:
Other Excursions:
Avignon Walking Tour with Opera House Visit or The Duchy of Uzès Private Visit
DAY 5 Viviers (Grignan)
Drive from our dock in Viviers to the deeply Provençal city of Grignan, passing by eye-catching Renaissance-era estates and scenic countryside on the way. A sunny, almost Mediterranean destination during the summer, Grignan in the winter is often wrapped in an atmospheric fog, heightening the feeling that you’ve stepped back in time to a medieval village.
Featured Excursion:
Featured Excursion:
- Christmas at the Château de Grignan
DAY 6 Valence
The capital of the Drôme, Valence invites you to enjoy a festive holiday visit in an attractive town wrapped in twinkling lights. You’ll be delighted to discover that Valence is a town with a strong culinary tradition, and the market vendors are prepared to prove it. Keep an eye out for local specialties: orange-blossom infused Suisse breads shaped to resemble Pope Pius VI's Swiss guards and sheets of tiny ravioli made with parsley and cheese known as Ravioles du Dauphiné.
Featured Excursion:
Featured Excursion:
- Valence Walking Tour with Christmas Village
DAY 7 Lyon
A bastion of French culinary traditions, historic architecture, and culture, Lyon reigns as one of the greatest cities in all of France. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that its holiday traditions are so spectacular, with thousands of twinkling lights wrapping the city for a distinctive Christmas season display.
Featured Excursions:
This evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Featured Excursions:
- Lyon Walking Tour & the Museum of Fine Arts
- Lyon Christmas Market
This evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
DAY 8 Lyon (Disembark)
Check out and disembark the ship this morning. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport for your flight home.
Lyon to Arles | 8 Days
Featured Excursions do not require booking. Excursions that are listed as "Choose between..." must be booked onboard however there is no additional cost. Please refer to the excursion details below to view purchasing options for our Masterpiece Collection excursions where applicable. Note: The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.
Program offerings are subject to change.
DAY 1 Lyon (Embark)
Arrive at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
DAY 2 Lyon
A bastion of French culinary traditions, historic architecture, and culture, Lyon reigns as one of the greatest cities in all of France. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that its holiday traditions are so spectacular, with thousands of twinkling lights wrapping the city for a distinctive Christmas season display.
Featured Excursions:
This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Featured Excursions:
- Lyon Walking Tour & the Museum of Fine Arts
- Lyon Christmas Market
This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
DAY 3 Valence
The capital of the Drôme, Valence invites you to enjoy a festive holiday visit in an attractive town wrapped in twinkling lights. You’ll be delighted to discover that Valence is a town with a strong culinary tradition, and the market vendors are prepared to prove it. Keep an eye out for local specialties: orange-blossom infused Suisse breads shaped to resemble Pope Pius VI's Swiss guards and sheets of tiny ravioli made with parsley and cheese known as Ravioles du Dauphiné.
Featured Excursion:
Featured Excursion:
- Valence Walking Tour with Christmas Village
DAY 4 Viviers (Grignan)
Drive from our dock in Viviers to the deeply Provençal city of Grignan, passing by eye-catching Renaissance-era estates and scenic countryside on the way. A sunny, almost Mediterranean destination during the summer, Grignan in the winter is often wrapped in an atmospheric fog, heightening the feeling that you’ve stepped back in time to a medieval village.
Featured Excursion:
Featured Excursion:
- Christmas at the Château de Grignan
DAY 5 Avignon
The walled city of Avignon is one of the most fascinating towns in southern France, with a host of historic gems to explore—including the fortress residence of rebellious popes who broke from Rome and once lived and ruled here. Visitors during the holiday season are treated to the cozy sight of festive decorations, shops overflowing with seasonal treats, and local vendors selling handmade wares that make excellent Christmas presents.
Other Excursions:
Other Excursions:
Avignon Walking Tour with Opera House Visit or The Duchy of Uzès Private Visit
DAY 6 Tarascon (Saint Rémy de Provence)
Tarascon is an arresting sight. The white stone buildings that proliferate throughout the town—including an eye-catching castle that sits right on the banks of the Rhône—catch the colors of the rising and setting sun beautifully.
Featured Excursion:
Featured Excursion:
- A Taste of Provençal Christmas
DAY 7 Arles
Today, you’ll enjoy a full-day outing to one of the most festive winter destinations in the region: elegant Aix-en-Provence, where you’ll find beautifully decorated public squares and unique seasonal traditions.
Featured Excursion:
This evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Featured Excursion:
- Full Day Aix-en-Provence with Christmas Market
This evening, a special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
DAY 8 Arles (Disembark)
Check out and disembark the ship this morning. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to Marseille Provence Airport for your flight home.
| Cruise Departure | Double Occupancy Pricing | Ship | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tue, 21 Nov 2028
(Lyon to Arles) |
$15,499.00 |
S.S. Catherine |
Select this date | |
|
Tue, 28 Nov 2028
(Arles to Lyon) |
$15,499.00 |
S.S. Catherine |
Select this date | |
|
Tue, 05 Dec 2028
(Lyon to Arles) |
$15,499.00 |
S.S. Catherine |
Select this date | |
|
Tue, 12 Dec 2028
(Arles to Lyon) |
$15,499.00 |
S.S. Catherine |
Select this date | |
- All fares are per guest in US Dollars based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted.
- Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice.
- Availability of all stateroom categories cannot be guaranteed.
- Single Supplement applies for single accommodation.
- Itineraries, hotels, and vessels may change, and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to water level fluctuations and other uncontrollable factors.
- The order of sightseeing and docking ports are subject to change according to port authority assignments.
- Prices exclude additional port charges of $280 per person
Dining
- All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
- 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
- Captain's Welcome and Farewell Receptions
- Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
- Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
Excursions
- 6 days of excursions, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
- State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
- Brompton G-Line Bicycles and Nordic Walking sticks available for independent exploration
Accommodations
- 7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the S.S. Catherine
- Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites on the cruise have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, custom cotton sateen sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
- Free Wi-Fi
Experiences
- 1 country: France
- 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
- Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
- Captivating onboard local entertainment
- Cultural enrichment
