Mont Blanc Express & Rhône Cruise 

 Your memorable Swiss and French vacation begins today at London St. Pancras. Meet your Tour Manager and group of fellow travelers, and together, board the Eurostar to Paris. The journey continues as you switch trains in France's capital and continue through the French and Swiss countryside, past distant mountains, to the stunning shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

Our destination is the lakeside city of Montreux, often called the "Pearl of Lake Geneva." As our train arrives, we walk to our luxurious, five-star hotel and check in for the first of three nights. Take some time to settle in and admire the serene beauty of our Swiss Riviera location before we gather in the hotel's restaurant for our first dinner together. Overnight Montreux. 

• Dinner

 You have a free morning at leisure to get to know this artistic city, perhaps while wandering the lakeshore and looking for the statue of famous Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, who once called Montreux home. Early in the afternoon, we visit the elegant Château de Chillon. The castle rises dramatically from Lake Geneva against a backdrop of mountain scenery.    

Crossing the wooden drawbridge, we meet our guide for a tour of this 13th-century fortress. Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the Counts of Savoy for nearly four centuries. On our tour, we view its 14th-century painting, the subterranean vaults, parade halls and the bedroom, which has been preserved in its original form from the time of Bernese rule.    

We return to our hotel by boat, taking a scenic cross across Lake Geneva. Find yourself wrapped in the charms of lakeside villages and the beauty of the blue water against the lush backdrop as we cruise. Upon docking, the evening is free for you to continue discovering our beautiful setting independently or find dinner locally. Overnight Montreux.

• Breakfast

 A highlight of our trip lies ahead today as, after breakfast, we walk to the train station and join the train to Marigny. Here, we join the Mont Blanc Express for an unforgettable journey across the Alps and the French border and up to the world-class resort town of Chamonix.

The line meanders through rows of vineyards before entering France and passes through the dramatic Trient Valley. Watch the views unfold as the Mont Blanc Express climbs high into the mountains amidst the snow-capped peaks before reaching the Trient Gorge.  

  On our approach to the Chamonix Valley, we are welcomed by glaciers and the formidable peak of Mont Blanc. We disembark the train with a free afternoon to find lunch and explore independently - perhaps while riding the highest cable car in France, the L'Aiguille du Midi cable car.

We enjoy an encore of the scenery as we follow the route back to Montreux, arriving in time for dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight Montreux.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 The next phase of our journey begins after breakfast, as we transfer to Montreux's train station and board the train to Geneva. Here, we switch trains and continue to Lyon, France's third-largest city and a destination at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. As our train arrives, a coach transfer takes us to the waterfront, where our luxurious Amadeus ship awaits.

Stepping aboard, you have time to settle in with a welcome cocktail, allowing you to relax and take in the stunning surroundings. You could sip your drink while lounging on the sun deck with a view of Lyon's townhouses, narrow streets and scenic rooftops or in the ship's comfortable lounge. Later, we have our first dinner onboard as we set sail for our mooring point near the city of Beaune. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Wake surrounded by lovely views in Chalon-sur-Saône, and after having breakfast onboard this morning, we take a coach excursion to Beaune, deep in the heart of the wine region of Burgundy. Beaune is a classic French medieval town with impressive walls, terracotta roofs and historical buildings.    

We delve into its history on a sightseeing tour that discovers some of Beaune's most impressive points of interest. We also enjoy entrance to a local winery, where we can enjoy a tasting of some of the wines that make this town - and the Burgundy region as a whole - so famous. Beaune is one of the most important of France's wine centers and is surrounded by fields bedecked by vineyards growing Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes.  

We return to our ship in time for lunch and can relax while soaking up the vistas as we spend a leisurely afternoon cruising back to Lyon. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Arriving in Lyon during the night, we disembark after breakfast for a guided tour. One of France's iconic cities, Lyon has an incredible location that has made it a major hub for more than 2,000 years. The beautiful pinks, oranges, reds and whites of the elegant buildings are reflected on Lyon's riverfront. Our tour explores some of the city's highlights and delves into its deep history. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the small shops and traditional businesses lend a French flair.    

We enjoy a praline tasting before returning to our ship in time for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure onboard as we cruise to Tournon sur Rhône. This is one of the most scenic and panoramic sections of the river, and it is well worth taking the time to admire the scenery from the sun deck. Rolling hills and verdant vineyards rise and fall, overlooked by châteaux and stately homes. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Another vacation highlight lies ahead today as we explore the stunning landscapes of the Gorges du Doux region. Enjoy breakfast onboard before traveling by coach to Tournon sur Rhône's railway station, where we board the Train de l'Ardèche. This historic steam train, originally opened in 1891, takes us on a panoramic journey to remember.

We wind up foothills and into the valleys that populate the landscape. Several stone bridges crisscross the brooks and rivers, which are surrounded by trees. Our locomotive takes us to sections of the gorges that no other form of transport can access, opening our eyes to remarkable, little-seen views.

We retrace our journey back to the station and then transfer back to our mooring point. As we rejoin the ship, you can settle in for lunch and an afternoon on the water as we continue sailing to the Provençal city of Avignon. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Medieval walls and age-old architecture welcome us to Avignon today. Setting ashore aboard the charming Le Petit Train d'Avignon, we set out on a guided tour of this stately city known as the seat of the Pope in the 14th century.

Its striking white papal palaces and majestic cathedral are just some of the highlights we see walking through Avignon's historic center, which earned World Heritage status in 1995. We also enter the Pope's Palace, admiring its spectacular interiors and collection of holy and religious artifacts. You may use the Le Petit Train d'Avignon to return to the ship for lunch, and then you are free until early evening to discover the city at your own pace.

After dinner on the ship tonight, we set sail for Arles. Overnight ship. >

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 We begin our day with a guided tour of Arles, whose streets inspired many of Vincent Van Gogh's most famous paintings. Van Gogh produced more than 180 pieces during his time in Arles, including "Starry Night over the Rhône" and "Café Terrace at Night," the location of which can be found in the Place du Forum. 

  After lunch on the ship, you have the choice of two excursions. Your first option is visiting the beautiful Camargue Delta, where the Rhône opens into the Mediterranean. This is a treat for nature lovers, as the wetlands and park area are home to nearly 400 species of bird species, including pink flamingos. Also of note are the wild horses, Camarguais, which roam freely.  

  Your second excursion option takes you to the iconic arches of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct of astonishing size spanning the Gardon River. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Pont du Gard is considered a feat of engineering.  

  We return to our ship before dinner for an overnight sailing to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where we dock until morning. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Today, we visit the stunning Ardèche Gorge, known as the "Grand Canyon of Europe" for its plunging terrain and dramatic vistas. An area of snaking rivers and deep gorges, this is a fantastic example of the natural world. Sheer cliffs rise above waterways of sparkling emerald and deep green forests.

Our tour takes us to some of the most impressive points within the gorge, including the Pont d'Arc. Afterward, we re-join the coach and finish our French exploration surrounded by the quintessential scent of the South of France: lavender. We enjoy entrance to the Lavender Museum before heading to Le Pouzin, where we board our ship and begin our return sailing to Lyon while having lunch. This evening, we are invited to attend the captain's Gala dinner to celebrate our journey. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 A journey of mountains, stunning bodies of water and romantic cities, this rail and cruise journey has painted a picture of the beauty of western Switzerland and France. In addition to soaking up the beautiful landscapes, we toured the historic Château de Chillon and crossed the Alps to Chamonix before joining our ship in Lyon.

Our Amadeus vessel followed a scenic route along the Rhône to incredible ports of call, including Beaune, where we tasted Burgundy's wine. After exploring Lyon's gastronomic delights, we sailed to Avignon, Arles and the Ardèche Gorge. 

We leave this history and natural beauty behind this morning after having breakfast onboard. We disembark for the final time and bid farewell to our wonderful crew as we transfer to Lyon's station and travel by rail to Paris. From here, we board the Eurostar back to London, where your vacation comes to an end.  

• Breakfast