Hi there!  The following is one of a multi-part series on 2009 gay cruises.  The purpose of each page is to give you useful information about the cruise at a glance.  Please feel free to discuss these cruises in the forums!  -Ed.

Cruise: Luxury Barging in Provence

When: October 18th to 24th, 2009

Company/Offered Through: Coda

Type: All-Gay

Departs: Avignon

Visits: St. Remy, St. Etiennes-des-Sorts, Viviers, Orange, Chateau de Grignan, Nyons, La Voulte, Tournon, Valence

Detailed Itinerary:

The Napoléon cruises the Vallée du Rhône between Arles and Tain l’Hermitage, a region full of sophisticated architecture dating back to the Roman civilization and ruins of fortifications, arenas and aqueducts.  The endless vistas of tiled roofs, lavender fields and olive groves are all synonymous with this region.  Excursions are arranged to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Avignon, Arles, St Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus and the ancient Roman and Greek ruins of Pont-du-Gard. Travel with friends or come to make new ones over sumptuous meals and superb wines.

Day 1 – Avignon
Upon arrival in Avignon you are met by the Afloat in France guide and transferred to the Napoléon and your cruise along the River Rhône.  A champagne reception gives you a chance to meet the crew.  A late afternoon cruise from Vallabrègues to Arles is your first taste of Rhône River cruising.  After dinner, take a walking tour of Arles, where Van Gogh spent much of 1888-89 painting.

Day 2 – Visit St. Rémy. Cruise to Avignon
Today, visit a traditional 18th century “Provencal Bastide” in St. Rémy for an olive oil tasting.  Lunch on-board. Relax during the afternoon cruise to Avignon and watch the scenery of the Rhône Valley drift by.  Cruise past Le Pont St. Bénézet (the famous Pont d’Avignon) before mooring-up at the quay facing the gate to the walled city. Visit the Pont du Gard, part of the Roman aqueduct that transported spring water from Uzès to Nîmes.

Day 3 – Cruise to St.-Etiennes-des-Sorts. Visit Avignon
A walking tour introduces you to the walled city of Avignon, home of the Popes from 1309-77.  A guided tour of the Palace of the Popes is followed by some time at leisure. Return to the barge where lunch awaits and an afternoon cruise.  Visit Châteauneuf du Pape for a wine tasting before continuing your cruise to St. Etienne des Sorts.

Day 4 – Cruise to Viviers. Visit Orange
This morning your guide takes you on a tour of Orange, an important Roman city dating back to 100 BC.  The historical town contains two of the finest Roman monuments in Europe.  Lunch back on board and continue the cruise to the mooring at Viviers.  There’s time for a leisurely stroll around this charming medieval town.

Day 5 — Visit Château de Grignan.  Visit Nyons.  Cruise to La Voulte
Today’s visit is to the typical Provencal village of Nyons, to visit a working lavender distillery and tour an ancient XVIII century olive mill.  Lunch is taken at a local restaurant in the very scenic village of Grignan.  In the afternoon, visit a truffle farm to learn all about the black diamond and taste this expensive and unusual mushroom.  Rejoin the boat at La Pouzin, to continue the cruise to La Volte.

Day 6 — Cruise to Tain l’Hermitage/Tournon.  Dégustation.  This morning, the chef takes you to discover a traditional French market in La Voulte followed by a leisurely lunch on board.  During this part of the cruise the river valley is flanked by the vineyards of the Côte du Rhône and has a completely different perspective.  Mooring in Tain or Tournon you are escorted to Mr Ferraton’s winery for your last dégustation.  Farewell gala dinner on board.

Day 7 — Valence – disembarkation
After breakfast disembark the Napoléon. You may wish to take the train back to Paris or continue on an extended visit in the south of France.

Pricing info:

DEPOSIT –
A deposit of $750 per person is required at the time of registration.
An interim deposit of $1000 is due February 2, 2009.

FINAL PAYMENT –
Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure and is payable by personal check. Credit card charges for final payment are assessed a processing fee.

SPECIAL CANCELLATION POLICY –
180-91 days prior to departure = $1500 cancellation fee
89-0 days prior to departure = 100% cancellation fee of total trip cost

Other info:

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS –
No visa is required for American or Canadian passport holders.

SHOTS –
None required or recommended. It is recommended you have your regular vaccinations up-to-date before traveling.  For further information, visit the Center For Disease Control website.

INT’L AIRFARE Delta Airlines, Air France, American Airlines are among airlines that can be used for this trip. We recommend booking at least 7 months in advance if you want to try to use Frequent Flyer Miles for free tickets or upgrades or the American Express Platinum card 2-4-1 program.

MINIMUMS –
All departures are guaranteed on a minimum of 2 participants.  A Coda Tour
Manager accompanies the tour on a minimum of 10 participants.  The cruise is gay-exclusively based on selling a minimum of 10 places. The cruise is open to family and friends which constitutes gay-exclusive.

Ship info:

5-star deluxe, 12-guest capacity
The Napoléon is Europe’s finest river cruiser, combining all the amenities of a luxury hotel with the friendly ambience of a country inn. She is beautifully appointed with large picture windows that provide unsurpassed views of the countryside, accommodates up to 12 passengers. 

The Napoléon cruises the Rhône between Arles and Tain l’Hermitage/Tournon; sun-drenched landscapes that inspired the great canvases of Cézanne and Van Gogh.  

A region full of sophisticated architecture dating back to the Roman civilization and ruins of fortifications, arenas and aqueducts that continue to amaze modern engineers.  The endless vistas of tiled roofs, lavender fields and olive groves are synonymous with Provence. 

Excursions are arranged to the wine region of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the story book towns of Orange, Avignon, Arles, St Rémy, birthplace of Nostradamus and the ancient Roman and Greek ruins of Pont-du-Gard and Glanum.

Guests  -  Twelve
Crew  -  Six-Seven

Dimensions
Length  -  129 ft
Width (Beam)  -  17.5 ft
Decks  -  3

State Room 1 (upper deck)
Bedroom  -  12′5″ x 7′2″
Bathroom (shower)  -  9′4″ x 4′3″

State Rooms 2 – 6 (lower deck)
Bedroom  -  14′ x 7′4″
Bathroom (shower)   –   8′ x 4′6″

Note: beds are changeable as double or twin