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TOUR BEGINS IN PARIS,
CRUISE THROUGH BURGUNDY AND PROVENCE,
COMPLETE THE JOURNEY IN NICE
ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

EXCLUSIVE OFFER TO PUBLIC BROADCASTING MEMBERS

DEPARTURE 17th MAY 2008 - RETURN 28th MAY 2008 (TOUR/CRUISE 12 DAYS)

Tour/Cruise priced from $3,749 to $4,848 (plus airfare).
Burt Wolf, the host of the public television series Travels & Traditions, invites you to join him on this Avalon Waterways’ Tour and River Cruise from Paris, through Burgundy and Provence to Nice, France. Burt and his television crew will be onboard producing a special edition of his program for public television. This is a unique opportunity for a limited number of people to travel with Burt and see how his series is produced.

For more information please call Burt Wolf Travels toll-free: 1.888.365.3443
or email us at: tour@burtwolf.com.
To book the tour directly, please call Avalon Waterways/Globus at 1.888.847.3169.

SPACE IS LIMITED
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR RESERVATION
& CONFIRM YOUR STATEROOM

BURT WOLF CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

  • Prior to departure, Burt will mail each guest a packet of his personal research and background material related to the tour locations.
  • During the cruise, guests will have the unique opportunity to interact with Burt and his crew as they film material for a special television program about the cruise.
  • Onboard, Burt will present an overview of the cruise and his filming plans. He will also give a number of talks about the importance of the locations he will be filming.
  • Special BURT WOLF events during the cruise:
    •  Tasting of the wines of the region.
    •  Tasting of the special foods of the region.
  • After the completion of the cruise and the editing of the Travels & Traditions program for public television, each guest will be mailed a DVD copy of the program.
  • Cruising through France on the Sâone and Rhone Rivers is a perfect combination of cruising and touring with a pace you set yourself.
  • Unlike ocean cruising, our river cruise docks right in the city centers and the old towns. You can tour close to the ship or venture further into town.
  • The ship’s entire interior is non-smoking and all announcements are in English.

TOUR / CRUISE OVERVIEW

Our tour begins with two days of sightseeing in Paris, then a drive south into the Burgundy region for a tour and wine tasting in the city of Beaune. We continue on to the village of Chalon-sur-Sâone to board our boat. We cruise down the Sâone River with stops in the ancient towns of Tournus and Mâcon. Then two days in Lyon – France’s gastronomic center where we will enjoy the wines of the region. On the Rhone River, additional stops will include the twin cities of Tournon and Tain L’Hermitage (famous for their medieval architecture), Avignon (14th century residence of the Popes) where we will have a tasting of the wines and foods of the region, then on to Arles with its Roman Amphitheater and the sunlight that inspired Van Gogh. Our final stop will be in the Mediterranean city of Nice on the Côte d’Azur.

For more information please call Burt Wolf Travels toll-free: 1.888.365.3443
or email us at: tour@burttravels.com.
To book the tour directly, please call Avalon Waterways/Globus at 1.888.847.3169.

SPACE IS LIMITED
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR RESERVATION
& CONFIRM YOUR STATEROOM

CRUISE ITINERARY

 

DAY 1 – SATURDAY, 17th MAY 2008
DEPART U.S. FOR PARIS, FRANCE
Board overnight flight from the United States to Paris.

DAY 2 – SUNDAY, 18th MAY 2008
ARRIVE PARIS, CHECK INTO OUR HOTEL,
BEGIN TOURING PARIS
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital city on the River Seine. We check into our hotel and begin touring the city.

DAY 3 – MONDAY, 19th MAY 2008
GUIDED SIGHTSEEING - PARIS
Notre Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Champs Elysées and the Eiffel Tower.

   

DAY 4 – TUESDAY, 20th MAY 2008
PARIS –BEAUNE-CHALON-SUR-SÂONE (EMBARKATION)
After breakfast, we drive south past the forest of Fontainebleau (the favorite hunting grounds of the French kings) and into Burgundy. We’ll stop in the city of Beaune, take a walking tour of the old quarter, taste the wines for which the area is famous and visit the Hôtel-Dieu (a 15th century hospital and one of the architectural wonders of France). Then continue south to the town of Chalon-sur-Sâone, where we board our ship, Avalon Scenery.  The English-speaking crew of our boat will welcome us on board. After our Welcome Reception and Dinner, we set sail for the town of Tournus.

   

DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY, 21st MAY 2008
TOURNUS- MÂCON
Free time to explore Tournus. Of particular interest is the cloister of St. Philibert. St. Philibert’s Church was built primarily in the 11th century and is one of the largest Romanesque monuments in France. A visit to see the folklore collection at the Museum of Burgundy, located in an old family mansion is also recommended. Sail to Mâcon for a guided walking tour of the old town including the Old St. Vincent Cathedral founded during the 6th century, and the ancient town hall.

   

DAY 6 – THURSDAY, 22nd MAY 2008
BEAUJOLAIS REGION AND THE CITY OF LYON
A leisurely morning cruise to the ancient city of Lyon, which was founded by the Romans in the year 43. It is the second largest city in France, and its gastronomic capital. A guided walking tour will show us the Roman ruins, the Renaissance architecture, and the Old Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A special dinner hosted by Burt will give us an insight to the foods and wines that have made Lyon famous.

   

DAY 7 – FRIDAY, 23rd MAY 2008
LYON – TOURNON
This is a free day set aside for you to explore Lyon at leisure. Early risers might like to join Burt and his crew who will be filming in the local produce market. Other sites of interest include the Place Terraux and the beautiful Place Bellecour and many excellent museums. There is a late afternoon departure for the town of Tournon.

   

DAY 8 – SATURDAY, 24th MAY 2008
TOURNON / TAIN L’HERMITAGE – VIVIERS
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain L’Hermitage are situated in the vineyard country between the Rhone River and the granite slopes of Hermitage. We will enjoy an orientation walk through Tournon, one of France’s medieval cities, with Roman ruins and a 16th century castle. The town of Viviers was built around a Romanesque Cathedral and its Old Town is a blend of Roman, Christian and Medieval influences.

   

DAY 9 – SUNDAY, 25th MAY 2008
AVIGNON
The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the region and one of the most picturesque parts of Provence. During the 14th century it was the residence of the Pope and his palace dominates the city’s skyline. We will have a guided tour of the city and visit the palace. Châteauneuf-duPape is the wine of the region and the basis for our afternoon tasting of the wines of the area.

   

DAY 10 – MONDAY, 26th MAY 2008
ARLES
Arles is the capital of Provence and was once a major Roman community. We will have a guided sightseeing tour to the Church of St. Trophime and “Les Alycamps” with a visit to the ancient Roman Amphitheater. The most famous paintings of Vincent Van Gogh were inspired by Arles, accordingly we will visit some of the locations that were most important to his work.

   

DAY 11 – TUESDAY, 27th MAY 2008
ARLES - (Disembarkation) – NICE
After breakfast we will take a motorcoach along the Côte d’Azur to Nice where we will have an orientation stroll of the Old Town. We’ll celebrate the final evening of our tour with a special meal organized by Burt.

DAY 12 – WEDNESDAY, 28th MAY 2008
DEPART FOR THE UNITED STATES
Our home bound flight will arrive back in the U.S. on the same day (Wednesday 28 May).

For more information please call Burt Wolf Travels toll-free: 1.888.365.3443
or email us at: tour@burttravels.com.
To book the tour directly, please call Avalon Waterways/Globus at 1.888.847.3169.

SPACE IS LIMITED
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR RESERVATION
& CONFIRM YOUR STATEROOM

ABOUT THE MEALS

Each full day on board, there is a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner on board. There is a cocktail reception, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner. One sitting with open seating arrangements (non-assigned). Quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner.

Early Riser Coffee: 6:00am, Self-service coffee, hot water, tea bags, croissants, cookies or other finger foods.

Breakfast: 7:00am – 8:30am, A buffet table includes a wide variety of breads, cereals, fruit and fruit salad, cold cuts, smoked salmon, cheeses, pastries, yogurts, juices. Scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, and other hot items can vary from day to day. The chef will prepare fresh omelets and other egg dishes to order.

Lunch: Usually served at 12:30pm depending on the cruise schedule, Buffet-style with appetizers, soups, sandwiches, cold cuts, breads, salad bar, two main courses (one of which may be a carving station), dessert table, cheese board, and fresh fruit.

Afternoon Tea: Coffee, tea and cake will be served either in the lounge or on the Sun or Sky Deck.

Dinner: Usually served at 7:30pm depending on cruise schedule. Dinner is traditionally four courses including a vegetarian selection. Choice of entrees with every dinner to include complimentary red and white wines from the region.

For more information please call Burt Wolf Travels toll-free: 1.888.365.3443
or email us at: tour@burttravels.com.
To book the tour directly, please call Avalon Waterways/Globus at 1.888.847.3169.

SPACE IS LIMITED
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR RESERVATION
& CONFIRM YOUR STATEROOM

YOUR HOST

Burt Wolf
Since 1982, Burt has written and produced over 4,000 segments for Cable News Network (CNN), 800 segments for ABC (the American Broadcasting Company), 125 half-hour programs for the travel division of The Discovery Channel, 25 half hours for the Family Channel, and 250 half hours for Public Broadcasting. He has been nominated for two Cable Ace Awards and a national Emmy in connection with culture and history.

Burt is presently in production with his ongoing series entitled Travels & Traditions. Shot entirely on-location, this series travels throughout the world looking at the history, architecture, culture, customs, foods and festivals of many of the world’s most interesting locations.

For more information please call Burt Wolf Travels toll-free: 1.888.365.3443
or email us at: tour@burttravels.com.
To book the tour directly, please call Avalon Waterways/Globus at 1.888.847.3169.

SPACE IS LIMITED
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR RESERVATION
& CONFIRM YOUR STATEROOM

AIR TRANSPORTATION

Air Transportation between the U.S./Paris and Nice/U.S. can be made privately or through Avalon Waterways/Globus who offer competitive air-inclusive prices, including Business Class. Avalon Waterways/Globus offers free airport transfers (5/17/08 Paris airport to Paris hotel; 5/28/08 Nice hotel to Nice airport) when you book your transatlantic flights with Avalon Waterways/Globus.

Those wishing to extend their stay (arriving earlier and staying later) may make those arrangements on their own or may book with Avalon Waterways/Globus.

COSTS

The Land/Cruise cost (including hotel in Paris and Nice), per person (based on double occupancy):

Basic Cabin (category E) $3,749  
B-Level Cabin / Rear (category B) $4,198  
B-Level Cabin / Forward (category A) $4,248  
Top Deck Cabin (category P) $4,348  
Jr. Suite $4,848  

ALL Cabins are outside cabins. Cabins are booked on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Expenses not included in the Land/Cruise cost include: roundtrip airfare, travel insurance, port tax (approx. $84.00); miscellaneous expenses onboard (laundry, internet, telephone, minibar, liquor/food not on the regular menu, porterage at airports, excess baggage fees, gratuities to your Cruise Director, guides and ship’s crew), passport, airport transfers in Europe ($70.00 per person. If you book your air with Avalon Waterways/Globus the airport transfer fee is waived), and all other items of a personal nature.

THE SHIP

Overview

To be launched in 2008, the Avalon Scenery is the newest design in ships for river cruising. It is offered exclusively by Avalon Waterways to English-speaking travelers.

Deck Plans

Built: 2008; Length: 361 ft.; Crew members: 39; Staterooms: 67; Jr. Suites: 2

1 Sky Deck with Deck Chairs
2 Navigating Bridge
3 On-board Camera
4 Sky Lounge
5 Fun Pool
6 Reception
7 Foyer
8 Lobby
9 Lounge
10 Bar
11 Club Lounge
12 Hairdresser
13 Elevator
14 Restaurant
15 Galley
16 Fitness Centre
   
  Royal Deck   Sapphire Deck Aft
  Royal Deck   Indigo Deck Forward
  Sapphire Deck Forward  
   
Cabins  

Staterooms 172 sq. ft.

1 Bed
2 Toilet
3 Washbasin
4 Shower
5 Closet
6 Writing Desk
7 Sliding glass doors

Suites 258 sq. ft.

1 Bed
2 Toilet
3 Washbasin
4 Shower
5 Closet
6 Writing Desk
7 Sliding glass doors
8 Sofa
9 Coffee Table

Included Values

  • All staterooms measure 170 sq. ft. and feature large closets. Individual climate control, telephone, flat screen color TV, radio, minibar, safe, hair dryer and private modern bathrooms with shower.
  • Beds may be configured as two twins or one queen with European Duvet.
  • All staterooms are outside and those on Royal Sapphire Decks have floor to ceiling sliding glass doors.
  • The interior of the ships are non-smoking.
  • Exercise room.
  • English-speaking staff.
  • One sitting at mealtimes, with open seating.
  • Wine included with all onboard dinners.
  • Coffee and tea are available free of charge, throughout the day.
  • Internet access available.

For more information please call Burt Wolf Travels toll-free: 1.888.365.3443
or email us at: tour@burttravels.com.
To book the tour directly, please call Avalon Waterways/Globus at 1.888.847.3169.

SPACE IS LIMITED
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR RESERVATION
& CONFIRM YOUR STATEROOM