French Waterways River Cruise
Provence & Spain on the MS AMA Dagio
October 18 – 25, 2012 (7 Night Cruise)
Medical/Dental Challenges & Conquests in Southern France
Joint Medical/ Dental CME Travel Seminar with the Avignon General Hospital
Why choose a river cruise with AMA Waterways?
From the magic of Paris to the romance of Barcelona, this itinerary is one of the most captivating. Begin with three nights in Paris then travel in style aboard the high speed TGV train to Lyon, France's gastronomical capital. From there, cruise through France's legendary wine growing regions, home to famous wines such as Beaujolais and Côte du Rhône. Enjoy wine tastings at local vintners, marvel at Roman ruins, stroll through medieval villages and shop for Provencal crafts. Your itinerary includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avignon as well as Arles, the city where Vincent Van Gogh spent much of his life. Disembark and continue to the medieval town of Perpignan for a stop en route to your post-cruise program in magnificent Barcelona.
Inclusive Highlights and Points of Distinction:
- Boutique custom-designed river ship with unparalleled luxury, comfort and convenience
- High staff-to-guest ratio with a maximum of 148 guests
- Unwind with spectacular 360 riverside panoramic views
- Dock at the central ports in each location
- Small group shore excursions with state-of-the-art headset system (included in cruise fare)
- Ample leisure time to explore each charming town and quaint village
- Bicycles that offer the ultimate in touring freedom
- Outstanding cuisine, wonderful free-flowing wines and casual yet attentive service
- Bottled Water in every stateroom replenished daily
- Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain's Gala
- Comfortable and inviting public areas designed to make you feel at ease
- Staterooms with all the amenities of a fine hotel (average size of 170 sq. ft.)
- French Balcony with floor-to-ceiling glass doors to bring you closer to the scenery
- Full service Beauty Salon and well-equipped Fitness Center
- Infotainment includes free Wi-Fi, movies, satellite TV, music channels, flat-panel TV
- Superior on-board service from professionally trained and friendly staff
- CME Seminars by in-country professionals and distinguished members of Professional Education Society
About the Seminar:
Proposed topics to be covered in the up to 15 hours of Continuing Education provided include:
Healthcare Challenges & Conquests in Southern France
Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Medical, Dental and Public Health Issues
In-Country Speakers- Hospital/Clinic
- Public Healthcare Delivery in France
- Overview of Healthcare System
- Universal Healthcare: The French Model
- Top Medical/Disease Issues: Challenges & Conquests
- Eat, Drink & Be Healthy: French Nutrition & Lifestyle – Impact on Disease
PES Guest Faculty
- Dr. Albert Milauskas – Ophthalmologist - "Breakthroughs in Ophthalmology"
- Dr. Richard Vest – Periodontist - "Inflammation, The Common Link in Numerous Disorders"
- Dr. Christopher Costanzo – Plastic Surgeon - "Skin Cancer"
- Dr. Bryan Bergens – Periodontist – "Advances in Oral Implantology"
Itinerary
Paris - Optional Pre-Cruise Land: October 15 -18, 2012
| Date | Day | Port | Activities |
| Oct 15 | Mon | Paris | Arrive Paris. Check-in |
| Oct 16 | Tue | Paris | City Tour |
| Oct 17 | Wed | Paris | Optional tours available |
| Oct 18 | Thu | Paris | TGV high-speed train to Lyon |
| Date | Day | Port | Activities |
| Oct 18 | Thu | Lyon | Embarkation Cooking demonstration Welcome Cocktail & Dinner |
| Oct 19 | Fri | Lyon Trevoux |
City Tour Walking Tour |
| Oct 20 | Sat | Trevoux | Beaujolais excursion |
| Oct 21 | Sun | Vienne Tournon |
City Tour Wine Tasting & Free Time |
| Oct 22 | Mon | Tournon Viviers |
Boucieu Le Roi Excursion Ghost Walk |
| Oct 23 | Tue | Viviers Avigon |
Grignan Excursion Walking Tour & Papal Palace or Pont du Gard Excursion |
| Oct 24 | Wed | Arles | Les Baux excursion; Olive Farm visit, Arles walking tour Or "Van Gogh" tour |
| Oct 25 | Thu | Arles | Disembarkation Transfer to airport |
Barcelona - Optional Post- Cruise Land: October 25- 28, 2012
| Date | Day | Port | Activities |
| Oct 25 | Thu | Perpignan Barcelona, Spain |
Free time for lunch; Transfer to Barcelona Hotel Check-in |
| Oct 26 | Fri | Barcelona | City tour or Tapas & Boqueria excursion |
| Oct 27 | Sat | Barcelona | Optional tour available |
| Oct 28 | Sun | Barcelona | Transfer to airport |
Port Highlights:
Paris
The "City of Light" is majestic in its architecture and artistic heritage. More than a destination of pleasurable
externals, bourgeois absolutes and just-baked baguettes, Paris is great sightseeing, incredible shopping and leisure
dining that always comes with desserts in the form of delicate trays of the finest chocolates and macaroons. Paris is
so much more than the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame and the Louvre. This trip, stroll the Marais and
shop along rue des Francs Bourgeois or walk under the arches of the oldest square in Paris, Place des Vosges.
Lyon
Lyon is the archetype of the heritage city. Lyon is now a vibrant metropolis which starts to make the most out of its
unique architectural, cultural and gastronomic heritage, its dynamic demographics and economy and its strategic location
between Northern and Southern Europe. It is more and more open to the world, with an increasing number of students and
international events.
Trévoux
Trévoux sits on the side of a hill and is looked over by its Château built sometime during the 13th century. The walk up
to the Château makes for good exercise and offers a nice view of the surrounding countryside and the Saône River. Trévoux
was once the capital of the Dombes. There is still the parliament building on the town's main street near the church. Many
of the townhouses in the old part of town were built for these who worked for the local government.
Vienne
Surrounded by steep hills and situated between France's Burgundy and Beaujolais regions, Vienne is the gateway to Lyon's
countryside. Vienne's history can be traced through its architecture, dating back to the 1st-century Roman Temple of
Augustus and Livia; the town is rich in Roman and medieval buildings, including ancient market ruins. Other landmarks
include the Abbey of Saint Pierre and the Church of Saint-André-le-Bas.
Tournon
Tournon lies secluded between the Rhône River and granite slopes of the Hermitage. The surrounding landscape includes the
famed St. Joseph vineyard, and Tournon's 16th-century castle and hills offer stunning views over the town, river and
surrounding vineyards.
Viviers
Set in a mountainous province, Viviers was founded in the 5th century. Some buildings date back to the Middle Ages, and
time seems to stand still here when one walks though the Old Town. Visit a fine example of Renaissance architecture, the
beautiful Maison des Chevaliers.
Avignon
Sheltered by medieval walls, Avignon's maze of narrow streets is filled with churches, museums and palaces tracing the
history of this ancient, vibrant city. Visitors can capture a bird's-eye view of the city and surrounding Rhône River valley
from the top of Cathedral Hill. Avignon is known as the "City of Popes," due to the role the city played in the Avignon
conspiracy of the 14th century, when a pope abandoned Rome and fled here. Avignon's lavish Palais des Papes (Palace of the
Popes), a fortress, church and palace, was considered the center of the Christian world during the 14th century.
Arles
In the last days of the Roman Empire, this city was the capital of Roman Gaul. Indeed, it was known as the "Little Rome of
Gaul," and boasts many Gallo-Roman ruins including Les Arènes, an ancient amphitheater seating 20,000 that is still used
today for bullfights and plays. The town is frequently bathed in the strong Mediterranean sunlight that inspired legendary
impressionist Vincent van Gogh to paint a number of works, and many of the town's sights are immortalized in his paintings.
Perpignan
The last major town in Languedoc before the Spanish border, it's easy to see why the flavor of Perpignan is essentially
Catalan. There's a real mix of cultures in this corner of the region: Catalan, Romany and North African all co-exist in this
sunny city of palm-lined squares. For the visitor, it's useful to know that this is not only one of the best places in the
region to sample local food and wine but also a city with a relatively busy airport that has several handy air connections overseas.
Barcelona
The capital of Spain's Catalonia region is one of the country's -- maybe even Europe's -- most beautiful and vibrant places.
A city of contrasts, it is like no other in Spain; this is most evident in its architecture, a marriage of Gothic spikes and
modern curves. There is the old city, which is where the heart of everything -- from museums to shopping to cafes -- is based.
Then there's the port area; alas, the "port area" that's interesting to visitors (Port Vell, featuring bars, restaurants,
shops, an IMAX theater and the largest aquarium in Europe).
Staterooms and Junior Suites
Click here to view ship deck plan
Inside your exquisitely decorated stateroom, you'll find all the amenities of a fine hotel with white-on-white plush bedding, a cozy sitting area, Infotainment System, hair dryer, safe, terry bathrobes, individually controlled air-conditioning and ample closet space. All staterooms and Jr. Suites are outside; over 82% feature large French balconies, which are a true delight when relaxing in your stateroom.
Junior Suites aboard this ship are extra spacious at 255 square feet. They feature a comfortable sitting area with a sofa and two chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies and luxurious, extra spacious bathrooms with bathtubs and showers. The suites sell quickly, so early reservations are recommended.
Cruise Only Fares
| Published Fare | |
| Cat. E | $2,999 |
| Cat. D | $3,198 |
| Cat. C | $3,578 |
| Cat. B | $3,778 |
| Cat. A | $3,888 |
| Jr. Suite | $4,898 |
Full Itinerary Pricing - Cruise with Paris & Barcelona
| Published Fare | |
| Cat. E | $4,559 |
| Cat. D | $4,785 |
| Cat. C | $5,138 |
| Cat. B | $5,338 |
| Cat. A | $5,448 |
| Jr. Suite | $6,458 |
Fares are per person in U.S. dollars, double occupancy and do not include port charges of $147. A deposit of $400 per person is due within 7 days of booking. Final payments will be due no later than Friday, July 13, 2012
