Paris, Normandy and the River Seine

Your cruise vacation begins this afternoon as you arrive at London St. Pancras and meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Excitement builds as, together, we join the Eurostar service to Paris, enjoying the views as we cross into France.

As we arrive in Paris, a coach takes us to the waterfront, where our ship, the prestigious MS Amadeus Diamond, awaits boarding. We are welcomed with a drink, creating the perfect atmosphere for the start of our journey. You could take your beverage to the sundeck and relax in anticipation of our upcoming Seine cruise or take some time to get acquainted with the ship's facilities.

After settling into our cabins this evening, we enjoy our first dinner together, complete with a drinks package, and begin cruising down the Seine toward Conflans St. Honorine.

• Dinner

Waking up in Conflans St. Honorine at the confluence of the rivers Oise and Seine, an inspirational excursion awaits this morning. After breakfast on the ship, we make our way to quaint Auvers-sur-Oise, a commune in France renowned for its scenic charm and artistic heritage. Narrow lanes with shuttered homes lead our tour through the tranquil landscapes that Vincent van Gogh's masterpieces have immortalized.

We return to the ship in time for lunch and then have a free afternoon to discover the timeless cottages, rustic windmills, and verdant fields of Conflans St. Honorine at leisure. These scenes inspired the works of renowned impressionist artists, such as Charles-François Daubigny, Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro and, of course, Van Gogh, whose final resting place is here. Your explorations will quickly reveal why.

Back onboard later this afternoon, we end our day with dinner and drinks as we begin a gentle overnight sail to Rouen.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast while overlooking the riverside scenery this morning as we approach Rouen, the former capital of Normandy. We step ashore here for a guided tour, which follows more of the Impressionists' footsteps.

This medieval city is home to the Museum of Fine Arts and a vast collection of Impressionist compositions. We visit Rouen Cathedral, which was depicted in oil by Claude Monet in a series of over 30 paintings showing the building at different times of the day. We also experience the modern Church of Joan of Arc, with its magnificent 16th-century stained-glass windows.

Lunch is served on the ship, and you then have a free afternoon to continue exploring Rouen at your own pace. You might like to wander the streets and squares, lined with colorful old buildings, or seek out one of the city's many green spaces. Later this afternoon, we return to the ship for dinner, drinks and an evening cruise along the picturesque Seine valley towards Le Havre.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The harbor of Le Havre is our convenient base for two excursions today. The first is a trip to the charming port town of Honfleur on the southern bank of the Seine Estuary. Honfleur is located on the historic port and marina - the "Vieux Bassin" - and our tour this morning showcases its beauty, following in the footsteps of the Impressionist artists who took inspiration from the region.

After lunch on the ship, we enjoy a trip to the breathtaking Étretat Cliffs. Carved by centuries of wind and sea erosion, these limestone cliffs stand tall and are adorned with dramatic arches and towering needle-like formations. Their iconic beauty has inspired countless artists, including Claude Monet. While here, we also have time to marvel at panoramic views of the English Channel and the rugged coastline of northern France before returning to the ship this evening. We sit down to a five-course dinner and then enjoy music performances of French ballads from local chanson singers.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early breakfast is served onboard this morning ahead of our day of exploration, which uncovers the history of Normandy on a guided tour. Leaving the ship with a packed lunch, we wander the narrow cobblestone streets flanked by ancient stone buildings and explore a blend of diverse traditions and historic landmarks. Particular points of interest include the nearby harbor, which played a pivotal role in the liberation of Western Europe after D-Day, and the city of Arromanches, with its remnants of World War II Mulberries, offering a poignant glimpse into history.

Instead of exploring, you can choose to unwind onboard as the ship sets sail for Caudebec en Caux. The route is beautiful and provides a chance to soak up the changing scenery.

Those who spend the day exploring Normandy rejoin the ship in Caudebec en Caux in time for dinner and drinks. Tonight, we experience another relaxing overnight cruise to Les Andeleys.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Docking in Les Andeleys as we have breakfast this morning, we enjoy another day of exploration at Château Gaillard. This medieval fortress was built by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. Discover its imposing ruins and enjoy panoramic views of the Seine River before we continue to Vernon, where we experience Monet's Garden. This area of nature and artistry is reminiscent of Impressionist canvases, with vivid hues bursting from flower beds and Japanese arched bridges framing ponds adorned with water lilies.

We rejoin the ship in Vernon and sit down to lunch as we begin the final leg of our sailing journey. Relax on the sun deck with a refreshing drink as we drift along the Seine, passing rolling countryside punctuated by quaint villages and rustic farmhouses and delightful river landscapes en route to Paris. We enjoy dinner together this evening as the journey unfolds.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We wake up in the French capital, our final port of call. You can stay onboard this morning to relax or visit the opulent Palace of Versailles, once home to French monarchs. Marvel at Versailles' grandeur while admiring its intricate architecture, magnificent artworks and ornate Hall of Mirrors, and then stroll through the meticulously landscaped gardens, embellished with fountains and sculptures.

Alternatively, you can join an optional tour of the City of Light, setting your sights on its most iconic landmarks, including the iconic Eiffel Tower. Our explorations also take us along Champs-Élysées - one of the world's most famous commercial streets - and up Montmartre, the highest hill in northern Paris, to a well-preserved village that recalls the charms of centuries past.

Lunch is served onboard the ship, and then this afternoon is at your leisure to immerse yourself in Parisian culture one sight, flavor and experience at a time.

This evening is our final night aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast together, we bid farewell to our crew and disembark our ship for the final time in Paris to begin our journey home. A coach transfer takes us to the railway station, where we join the Eurostar service to London.

This Seine cruise has been one of great beauty, endless culture and remarkable locations. Having walked the quaint streets of Auvers-sur-Oise, explored the historic marvels of Rouen, and seen places like Honfleur's picturesque harbor, the Cliffs of Étretat, Château Gaillard's medieval splendor and Monet's Garden, our vacation draws to a close as the Eurostar arrives in London this afternoon.

• Breakfast