Cruise Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

 

Friday, March 27 - Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Rhône River, France – North to South 
Southbound Route 
Ship: Avalon Poetry II
Ports: Lyon --> Vienne / Sainte Colombe -->Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage --> Viviers --> Arles 

Four (4) nights onboard
60 rooms / 128 maximum occupancy
37 crew members

Departure Port


Quai Rambaud (37 Quai Rambaud, 69002 Lyon, France)
 


Itinerary

Friday, March 27, 2026

Before or after check-in - Explore Lyon with suggested activities curated by Hospice du Rhône

8:00am Guest arrivals begin 

12:00pm - 2:00pm Light snacks onboard

4:00pm All guests onboard

5:30pm Safety briefing

Welcome Reception: An Ode to The Amigos
6:00pm – 7:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Lyon, France

Welcome Dinner: Cave Yves Cuilleron, Domaine Gangloff, Famille Pierre Gaillard, François Villard
Featuring wines from the four domaines presented by winemakers Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard, Yves Gangloff and François Villard
7:00pm - 9:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Lyon, France

~Port: Lyon (overnight docking) 


Saturday, March 28, 2026

7:00am Depart for Vienne/Sainte Colombe

8:30am Breakfast

Master Class: Rhône Valley Overview - go with the flow
Moderated by sommelier, Kelly Mc Auliffe and HdR founding director, John Alban
9:30am – 11:00am | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Vienne/Sainte Colombe, France

12:00pm Arrive in Vienne/Sainte Colombe

12:00pm – 1:30pm Lunch (at your leisure) 

1:30pm – 5:00pm Free time in Vienne/Sainte Colombe - explore with suggested activities curated by Hospice du Rhône

Dinner: E. Guigal
Featuring wines from E. Guigal presented by winemaker, Philippe Guigal and marketing and public relations director, Eve Guigal
7:00pm - 9:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Vienne / Sainte Colombe, France

~Port: Vienne / Sainte Colombe to Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage (depart 1:00am) 


Sunday, March 29, 2026

5:00am Arrive in Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage 

8:30am Breakfast  

Master Class: Domaine de la Chapelle
Featuring wines from Domaine de la Chapelle presented by co-owner, Delphine Frey and and techincal director, Matthieu Carrara
9:30am – 11:00am | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage, France

12:00pm – 1:30pm Lunch (at your leisure) 

1:30pm – 5:00pm Excursions OR Free time in Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage

Dinner: M. Chapoutier
Featuring wines from M. Chapoutier presented by winemaker, Maxime Chapoutier
7:00pm – 9:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage, France

~Port: Tournon to Viviers (depart 6:00pm) 


Monday, March 30, 2026

1:30am Arrive in Viviers

8:30am Breakfast  

Master Class: Domaine Tempier
Featuring wines from Domaine Tempier presented by winemaker, Daniel Ravier
9:30am – 11:00am | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Viviers, France

Rosé Lunch: Tavel 
Featuring wines from Tavel AOC presented by the appellation director, Sandra Gay-Moulines
12:00pm – 1:30pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Viviers, France

2:30pm Shuttle to Hostellerie Charles de Foucauld

Focus Tasting: Ventoux
Featuring wines from AOC Ventoux presented by fourteen producers and small bites from Chez Serge
2:30pm – 4:30pm | Hostellerie Charles de Foucauld | Viviers, France

4:30pm Shuttle to port

6:00pm Departure Viviers

6:30pm Farewell Cocktail
 
Dinner: Domaine de la Mordorée
Featuring wines from Domaine de la Mordorée presented by winemakers, Madeleine Delorme and Ambre Delorme
7:00pm – 9:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Viviers, France

9:15pm Karaoke

~Port: Viviers to Arles

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

1:00am Arrive in Arles

8:00am Breakfast  

9:00am All guests check-out of ship, bring luggage on shuttle

Tour: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Moderated by sommelier, Kelly Mc Auliffe, appellation director, Michel Blanc and head of promotion and marketing, Manon Missongé
9:00am – 10:30am | By shuttle | Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

Focus Tasting: Châteauneuf-du-Pape 
Featuring wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC presented by nineteen producers
11:00am – 1:00pm | Château of Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

Lunch: Braz & Bros - Traiteur Braséros 
Featuring wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
12:00pm – 1:30pm | Château of Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

Shuttle service to Avignon, France

Three depature options:
1:30pm - 2:00pm drop-off at Quai de l'Oulles, next to Allée de l'Oulle, 84000 Avignon, France
Or
2:00pm - 2:30pm drop-off at Quai de l'Oulles, next to Allée de l'Oulle, 84000 Avignon, France
Or
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm drop-off at Quai de l'Oulles, next to Allée de l'Oulle, 84000 Avignon, France

Conclusion of cruise - au revoir!
 

Please note: