Avignon to Lyon with Viking by Matthew Balsamo (August 2017)
FAM REPORT..Aug 22-30 2017. Viking River Cruises..Trip Avignon to Lyon
Some notes. Had a standard category E window cabin. Very small would not recommend that for clients. Food was excellent. Ship was beautiful. Very sleek and clean. Staff very friendly mainly from Eastern Europe/Ukraine/Russia. Touring and logistics of everything is very well organized. No issues at all. Weather was a bit warm..average of 92 degrees everyday.
Aug 22- Departed out of Boston on Delta via Amsterdam to Marseilles. Arrived on the 23rd approximately at 11am. Was met by Viking representatives in baggage claim and escorted to beautiful Mercedes coaches for the 1 hour ride to Avignon. Boarded the Viking Longshop Delling.
Aug 24- Participated in the Viking included tour which was a walking tour of Arles. Guide was excellent.
Aug 25-Participated in a full day optional walking tour in Avignon that included tasting various culinary specialties. Cheese, Olives, Biscuits. Then participated in a cooking class in a private residence. There were only 10 people it was fantastic
Aug 26- Vivers. Participated in a full day optional tour going to a Lavender Farm, the Ardeche Gorge (which is known as the grand canyon of france) and a castle. Guide was excellent.
Aug 27- Tounon. Particpated in the the included walking tour of the town and then the included steam train ride in the mountains. Very enjoyable.
Aug 28- Lyon. Included wine country tour to the Beaujolais region. Had a tasting at a local small vineyard. The vineyard was a family owned business passed down from generations. 4 hour excursion
Aug 29- Lyon. Walking tour of Lyon included excursion. This included the Basilica and walking around the old town. 3 hour excursion
Aug 30- Departed Lyon for home. Air France Lyon to Paris and then Paris to Boston. Would highly recommend at least a 2 hour layover in Paris. The connection would have been difficult with less than that amount of time.