Experience a slower pace of life, admire unspoilt scenery and taste delicious food and wine on this wonderful cruise through southern France.
Burgundy and Provence are known for their gastronomy, as well as landscapes that inspired great artists from Van Gogh to Cézanne and Gaugin. You will sail through these enchanting regions on the Rhône and Saône rivers as the scenery unfolds around you.
Travelling on Uniworld's luxurious Super Ship Catherine, your eight-day river cruise starts in Lyon, the culinary capital of France, and ends in magical Avignon - home to the Papal Palace. Stops include the wine centres of Beaune, Tournon, Tainl'Hermitage and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. You will also visit Viviers, which dates back 1,600 years, and Arles, known for its remarkable Roman ruins.
Super Ship Catherine is a one-of-a-kind ship with spacious river-view Staterooms, a refined restaurant and opulent two-storey lobby complete with Murano glass chandelier. All your meals and drinks are included.
Telegraph readers will be joined on board by Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing, and wine expert Oz Clarke. Judge and mentor on Masterchef: The Professionals, Marcus will give an exclusive cookery demonstration and take part in a tour of Lyon's food market to help you discover the city's famous produce. Oz will join you on exclusive wine and truffle tastings, give a presentation on board, and choose the wines to accompany your evening meal.
Marcus received his first Michelin star aged just 26. He is currently chef patron of Marcus at The Berkeley, The Gilbert Scott in St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and Tredwells. Marcus is also a judge on Masterchef: The Professionals.
Oz Clarke is one of the world's leading wine experts, whose formidable reputation is based on his extensive wine knowledge and accessible, no-nonsense approach. Oz brings a refreshingly unorthodox wit to the subject and has won major wine writing awards both in the UK and the USA. Oz presented the long-running TV series Food And Drink between 1982 and 2002, as well as The Big Wine Adventure with James May, and two series with the comedian Hugh Dennis. His latest book, Oz Clarke's World Of Wine, is published by Pavilion Books.
Arrive at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
The pace of life is decidedly more relaxed in Burgundy, where endless rows of grapes hang heavy on the vine. The capital of the region's wine trade, Beaune is renowned for its history, beauty and highly prized wine, as well as its medieval-era hospital-the Hospices de Beaune.
This afternoon, Marcus Wareing will give a talk on his career, share anecdotes from his time on Masterchef and be available for any questions that you might want to ask. A special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
While explaining Lyon's important gastronomic history, your guide will show you the city's bouchons and specialty food shops and take you into the legendary local gourmet scene-and you'll have a chance to taste some delectable offerings. Don't miss the macarons! On the way to these fabulous culinary destinations, you'll see some of Lyon's historic old quarter, with its many spectacular examples of medieval and Renaissance architecture, and les traboules, the city's old passageways. This evening you will enjoy a special dinner prepared by Uniworlds Exec Chefs.
This morning, enjoy an exclusive cooking demonstration, presented by celebrity chef Marcus Wareing. If you love fine wine, you'll love the twin villages of Tournon and Tain-l'Hermitage. For todays excursion, Oz Clarke will join you for an exclusive wine tasting in Hermitage & St Joseph wine country where you'll visit La Cave de Tain and Chez Michel Chapoutier. This afternoon, you'll enjoy a lecture on the "The Rhone valley terroirs" and a private wine tasting with Oz Clark.
An enchanting village where time seems to have stood still for centuries, Viviers has a long and storied past that goes back more than 1,600 years-and a splendid architectural heritage to match. Your exploration of the town will take you through the upper and lowers parts of town, as you begin at the crest and make your way to the riverbank.
Featured Excursion: Intimate Viviers "Village Day, followed by Châteauneuf-du-Pape, including private wine and truffle tasting joined by Oz Clarke.
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. You'll see the Palace of the Popes and much more today, and also have a chance to kayak under a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct.
Explore a sun-drenched Provençal town today with an allure all its own. Known for its remarkable Roman ruins, Arles so inspired Van Gogh that he created some 200 paintings here. It was here that the Romans built their first bridge across the Rhône River, creating a vital overland route between Italy and Spain. Enjoy a walking tour of Arles today and a special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner this evening.
After breakfast you'll disembark and transfer to take your chosen mode of transport back to the UK.
Five-class luxury Super Ship
Uniworld's second Super Ship Catherine continues their proud tradition of excellence with sumptuous materials and meticulous attention to detail. The vessel's opulent interiors include a two-story lobby with specially commissioned Murano glass chandelier and whimsical lifesize glass horse. The swimming pool and Bar du Leopard is lavishly decorated, as is the inviting Cézanne Restaurant and Van Gogh Lounge.
Staterooms feature handcrafted Savoir Beds, generous built-in closets, individual climate-control thermostat, and a television. The marble bathrooms also include Asprey bath and body products and plush towels. Upgrades to, French Balcony, Deluxe Balcony, Suite and Grand Suite cabins available at a supplement.
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