CRUISE THROUGH FRANCE
WITH BURT WOLF

START IN NICE ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA,
CRUISE THROUGH PROVENCE AND BURGUNDY, END IN PARIS
AND HELP SUPPORT PUBLIC BROADCASTING

DEPARTURE 15TH AUGUST 2010 – RETURN 26TH AUGUST 2010

TEL: 1.888.365.3443

Tour/Cruise priced from $4,119 to $4,768 (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 the French city of Nice on the Mediterranean, through Provence and Burgundy, to Paris. Burt will be your onboard host throughout the trip. This is a unique opportunity to travel with Burt, see the sights, and experience the places where his television shows were filmed.

OVERVIEW OF THE CRUISE

Prior to the cruise departure, Burt will mail each guest a packet of his research and background material about the tour locations and a DVD of one of his programs that relates to the cruise. These materials are his personal evaluation of the area – the history, art, architecture, what to eat, what to buy and what to see. It will give you detailed background information on the places we are going to visit. It will also give you some ideas for things you might like to do in your free time. Unlike ocean cruising, your river cruise often docks right in the city center. 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.

The tour begins with a day of sightseeing in the Mediterranean city of Nice. The next day there is a motorcoach drive to Arles with its Roman Amphitheater and the sunlight that inspired Van Gogh. In Arles you board your ship and cruise the Rhône River to Avignon (14th century residence of the Popes). Then to the twin cities of Tournon and Tain L’Hermitage, famous for their medieval architecture. That is followed by a day in Lyon – France’s gastronomic center. From Lyon, you’ll cruise up the Sâone River with stops in the ancient town of Mâcon, then continue on to the village of Chalon-sur-Sâone, where you disembark and drive north into the Burgundy region for a visit to a 15th century hospice in the city of Beaune. Our final stop will be in Paris for two days of sightseeing. Avalon Scenery’s English-speaking Captain, Cruise Director and crew are experienced professionals dedicated to your comfort.

SPECIAL BURT WOLF EVENTS AND RESEARCH MATERIALS

In addition to being your host throughout the cruise, Burt will conduct the following special events:

1. A Tasting of the Wines, Beers or Spirits of the Region.
2. A Tasting of the Special Foods of the Region.
3. An Introduction to The History of European Architecture.
4. An Introduction to The History of Chocolate.
5. An Introduction to The History of Wine In America.
6. A Talk about how Burt’s Public Television Programs are Produced.
7. A Talk and Tasting of Absinthe.

CRUISE ITINERARY

DAY 1 – SUNDAY, 15TH AUGUST 2010
DEPART U.S. FOR NICE, FRANCE

Board your overnight flight from the United States to Nice.

DAY 2 – MONDAY, 16TH AUGUST 2010 * ARRIVE NICE, FRANCE

If you have booked your air travel with Avalon, or made special arrangements, an Avalon representative will be at the Nice airport to assist you with your transfer to the host hotel. Burt will give you his guide to the city with details on where to eat and shop. At about 6pm, everyone will meet for a drink with Burt and the cruise director for a briefing on the itinerary.

DAY 3 – TUESDAY, 17TH AUGUST 2010 * NICE - ARLES, FRANCE
(EMBARKATION)

After breakfast, there is a guided tour of Nice’s Old Town. During the afternoon, you’ll travel by motorcoach along the Côte d’Azur from Nice to Arles where you board the Avalon Scenery. This evening there will be a reception where Burt and the Cruise Director will outline the upcoming days. Dinner will be onboard the ship.

DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY, 18TH AUGUST 2010 * ARLES, FRANCE

Arles is the capital of Provence and was once a major Roman settlement. There is a guided sightseeing tour to the Church of St. Trophime and a visit to the ancient Roman Amphitheater. The most famous paintings of Vincent Van Gogh were inspired by Arles. There is also an optional excursion to the town of Les Baux which is a well-preserved example of an ancient hill town.

DAY 5 – THURSDAY, 19TH AUGUST 2010 * AVIGNON, FRANCE

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. There is a guided tour of the city and a visit to the palace. There are also optional excursions to the Châteauneuf du Pape area for a tasting of the wines of the region or a drive to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, which is an amazing example of Roman engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DAY 6 – FRIDAY, 20TH AUGUST 2010 * CRUISING – VIVIERS, FRANCE

Today there is a leisurely morning cruise to Viviers, which was built around a Romanesque Cathedral. There is a guided tour of the Old Town, which is a blend of Roman, Christian and Medieval influences.

DAY 7 – SATURDAY, 21ST AUGUST 2010 * TOURNON / TAIN L’HERMITAGE – VIENNE, FRANCE

The twin cities of Tournon and Tain L’Hermitage are situated in the vineyard country between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of Hermitage. There is an orientation walk through Tournon, one of France’s medieval cities with Roman ruins and a 16th century castle. There is also visit the town’s open market. That afternoon the ship sails through some of France’s most picturesque country side and docks in Vienne for a walking tour of the town.

DAY 8 – SUNDAY, 22ND AUGUST 2010 * LYON, FRANCE

The ancient city of Lyon was founded by the Romans in the year 43. It is the second largest city in France and the nation’s gastronomic capital. A guided tour will show you the Roman ruins, the Renaissance architecture and the Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a free day set aside to explore Lyon at leisure. Burt will give you his tips on where to eat and shop. There is an optional tour of the countryside with a visit to Perouges – a town perfectly preserved from the Middle Ages and the location for the filming of “The Three Musketeers”.

DAY 9 – MONDAY, 23RD AUGUST 2010 * MÂCON – TOURNUS – CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FRANCE

Explore Mâcon with a walking tour of the Old Town including the Old St. Vincent Cathedral founded during the 6th century, and the ancient Town Hall. There is also an optional excursion through the Burgundy countryside to the Chateau Cormatin. Built in the early 1600s, it will give you an idea of what life was like for the rich and famous in the 17th century. If you stay onboard there is a leisurely cruise to Tournus, where you will have free time to explore the Old Town. Of particular interest is the cloister of St. Philibert, which was built in the 11th century and is one of the largest Romanesque monuments in France. That evening the ship sales to Chalon-sur-Saône.

DAY 10 – TUESDAY, 24TH AUGUST 2010 * CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE – BEAUNE – PARIS, FRANCE
(DISEMBARKATION)

After breakfast, you’ll disembark and drive north into Burgundy to the city of Beaune, for a visit to the Hôtel-Dieu a 15th century hospital and one of the architectural wonders of France. There’s free time for lunch and shopping with Burt’s list of suggestions. Then a drive past the forest of Fontainebleau (the favorite hunting grounds of the French kings) to Paris.

DAY 11 – WEDNESDAY, 25TH AUGUST 2010 * PARIS, FRANCE

After breakfast, there’s a coach tour of Paris. There is also the option to have lunch with Burt at one of his favorite restaurants. The afternoon is free for additional touring, shopping and packing for your homebound flight.

DAY 12 – THURSDAY, 26TH AUGUST 2010 * PARIS, FRANCE

Homebound flights will arrive back in the U.S. on the same day (Thursday 26 August).

A NOTE FROM BURT ABOUT OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS & THE CRUISE ITINERARY

The basic trip contains all the elements that I consider essential. However, having taken the cruise before, I realized that there were a number of excursions that might prove interesting to some (but not all) of our passengers. I was reluctant to add the cost of these excursions to the general trip, but felt they should be offered to fellow passengers who might find the subjects inviting. The additional cost for each optional excursion is $25 per person. You can sign-up for these optional excursions while you are onboard and pay at the end of the cruise. I will be onboard to answer any additional questions.

Please note: Avalon Waterways makes their best effort to keep to the itinerary as noted; however, factors may arise during the tour that compel Avalon to adjust the schedule.

EXCELLENT FOOD

One of the most popular aspects of a Burt Wolf River Cruise is the excellence of the food. Each full day onboard, there is a full breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a cocktail reception, welcome dinner, and Captain’s dinner --- one sitting with open seating arrangements (non-assigned). At dinner each evening, there is a selection of a red wine and a white wine from Europe’s most-famous wine regions. They are served throughout the meal without charge as well as soft drinks and beer.

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 and 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 including complimentary red and wine wines from the region. Soft drinks and beer are also included free of charge at each dinner.

On Day 3: Buffet breakfast will be offered at our Nice hotel. On Days 11 & 12: Buffet breakfast will be offered at our Paris hotel.

MOST MODERN SHIPS ON THE RIVER

Burt evaluated dozen of ships before selecting the Avalon fleet. The Avalon Scenery is one of the newest designs in river cruising.

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.

AIR TRANSPORTATION

Air Transportation between the U.S / Nice and Paris / U.S. can be made privately or through Avalon Waterways. Avalon offers competitive air-inclusive prices, including Business Class. Avalon Waterways offers free airport transfers (8/15/09 Nice airport to Nice hotel; 8/26/09 Paris hotel to Paris airport) when you book your transatlantic flights with Avalon Waterways.

EXPENSES NOT INCLUDED

Expenses not included in the Land/Cruise cost include: roundtrip airfare, travel insurance, port tax (approximately $98.00); optional excursions; 2 lunches and 1 dinner in Nice (Days 2-3); 1 lunch in Beaune (Day 10); 1 lunch and 2 dinners in Paris (Days 10-11); miscellaneous onboard expenses (laundry, internet, telephone, minibar, liquor/food not on the regular menu, porters at airports, excess baggage fees, gratuities to your Cruise Director, guides and ship’s crew), passport, airport transfers in Europe (approximately $70.00 per person) and all other items of a personal nature. If you book your air with Avalon Waterways the airport transfer fee is waived.

STATEROOMS – 172 SQ. FT.

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

COSTS

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

ALL STATEROOMS ARE OUTSIDE-FACING
THERE IS A PASSENGER ELEVATOR ON THIS SHIP

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 Forward	Indigo Deck
Royal Deck	Sapphire Deck Aft