Sail Burgundy & Provence with Virginia's Favorite Wineries

What could be better than sipping fine Virginia wine in the beautiful countryside on a bright, sunny day? How about sipping that wine in the sun-drenched countryside of Burgundy & Provence?

Three of Virginia's finest wineries have joined together to bring you an extraordinary vacation opportunity in 2010. Pearmund Cellars, Winery at LaGrange, and Vint Hill Craft Winery invite you to sail with vintner and noted wine expert, Chris Pearmund, as we visit the historic wineries along the Rhone River, June 27-July 4, 2010.

The cruise will feature the following day-by-day itinerary and included excursions:

Day 1: Our journey begins in Arles, France. Here, you will be picked up at the airport and transported to our luxury, floating hotel, the River Royale. You'll have time to relax and rest from your transatlantic flight, and prepare for our adventures to begin the following day.

Day 2: Enjoy a guided walking tour of Arles, a UNESCO listed city. Our knowledgeable, expert local guide will show us the many sites of this historic city, from the Roman Amphitheater, Town Hall Square, and St. Trophime Cathedral, a Romanesque cathedral built in the 12th century. By evening, you'll enjoy a Welcome Dinner hosted by the Ship's captain.

Day 3: We'll enjoy a tour of ancient Avignon, with its many cafes, shops, and namesake clock tower dating back to the 1300s. From here, we'll move on to Pope's Palace Square for a visit to the Papal Palace, and then up to Rocher des Doms, where Avignon was first settled.

Day 4: Day 4 we will spend in the quaint city of Viviers. Here, we will enjoy a guided walking tour starting in Old Town with stops at the Rue Chevrerie, Porte Riquot, the Renaissance Maison des Chevaliers, Rue du Chateau, and Maixon Elementaire du Commercant. We'll then stroll the medieval streets on our way back to the ship.

Day 5: Nestled among famous vineyards are the little towns of Tain L'Hermitage and Tournon, both known for chocolate and fine Cote du Rhone wines, and we will sample both. In Tournon, we'll continue our tour, seeing its famous feudal castle located in a scenic setting overlooking the river.

Day 6: Lyon is where we will spend this day. Lyon has a wealth of Roman remains, along with many impressive museums, Renaissance architecture, and world-renowned cuisine. We'll begin our tour with a drive to a vantage point to see the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, Lyon's hallmark church. Next, we'll stop on Croix-Rousse Hill for a dramatic view of the Beaujolais Mountains and Saone River. We'll then ride through town, see Terreaux Square, the Fine Art Museum, and the Opera House.

Day 7: We'll enjoy an exciting tour of the medieval town of Beaune, the center for Burgundy wine making. Here, we'll admire the Flemish-influenced architecture, including the eye-catching Hospices de Beaune. A hospital from 1443 to the 1960s, it is now a museum dedicated to the history of healthcare.

Day 8: Our tour ends in Chalon. Here, you can plan to extend your stay in the beautiful city of Lyon before flying home.

In many of these ports of call, Chris Pearmund will be leading optional private shore excursions that will be available exclusively to our small group of wine enthusiasts. These excursions will be to quaint wineries and vineyards in Burgundy & Provence, and will further enhance this extraordinary adventure.

In addition, as a member of our wine cruise, you also will enjoy:

• A private cocktail reception;
• Private onboard wine tastings featuring Pearmund Cellars, Winery at LaGrange, and Vint Hill Craft fine wines;
• Informative wine-themed lectures
• Optional shore-side wine-and-food pairing dinner (subject to minimum participation); and
• Optional wine and culinary-themed excursions led by Chris Pearmund.
  

The luxurious River Royale of award-winning Uniworld River Cruises will serve as our floating hotel. The River Royale features just 65 staterooms. Each one is lavishly appointed with hotel-style beds, a vanity and make-up mirror, generous built-in closets, hair dryer, safe, individual air conditioning, direct-dial telephone, flat-screen TV with selection of viewing choices, bottled water, and private bathroom. In addition, our floating hotel features:

• Panoramic lounge, full-service bar, cozy library, and elegant restaurant;
• Sun deck, fitness center, sauna, Jacuzzi, beauty salon, boutique with gifts and sundries, and Internet corner;
• Wireless internet access;
• Complimentary use of bicycles;
• 24-hour specialty coffee and tea bar, and front desk attendant;
• Elevator.

When you book and pay for your cruise by June 30, 2009, you will enjoy a substantial savings of $400 per person; that's $800 per stateroom. If you'd rather, though, you can book with a deposit of only $200 per person and not owe anything more until April 2010. When you book with $200 per person by June 30th, you will save $200 per person on your cruise fare; that's $400 per stateroom savings. You have a choice of four stateroom categories. They are as follows:

Category 3:

• Only 10 available
  
• 151 Square Feet
• River View with 2 porthole windows
• Located on Champagne Deck, lowest passenger deck, one deck below the Cezanne Restaurant and 2 decks below the Reception Desk and Renoir Lounge
  
• $2,799 per person
• $2,599 per person if deposited by June 30, 2009
• $2,399 per person if paid in full by June 30, 2009*

Category 2:

• Only 29 available
  
• 151 Square Feet
• River View with full-size picture window
• Located on the Burgundy Deck, the same deck as the Cezanne Restaurant and 1 deck below the Reception Desk and Renoir Lounge
• $3,149 per person
• $2,949 per person if booked by June 30, 2009
• $2,749 per person if paid in full by June 30, 2009*

Category 1:

• Only 25 available
  
• 140 Square Feet
• River view with private balcony
• Located on the Azure Deck, 1 deck above the Cezanne Restaurant and the same deck as the Reception Desk and Renoir Lounge
• $3,499 per person
• $3,299 per person if booked by June 30, 2009
• $3,099 per person if paid in full by June 30, 2009*

Suite:

• Only 1 available
• 217 Square Feet
• River view with private balcony
• Located on the Azure Deck, 1 deck above the Cezanne Restaurant and the same deck as the Reception Desk and Renoir Lounge
• $4,049 per person
• $3,849 per person if booked by June 30, 2009
• $3,649 per person if paid in full by June 30, 2009*

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability at the time of bookings. Taxes are additional.

Please note: If you book and pay-in-full by June 30, 2009, and then need to cancel your plans, you will receive a full refund, less $200 per person provided you cancel prior to final payment.

To reserve your place on this extraordinary experience, please call Cruise Holidays Luxury Cruise Counselors at 866-368-7327.