Viking Rhone: 14 nights from Avignone with Viking Longship Hermod
Nov 3, 2024

Arles

Arles is a French city facing onto the Rhône and it is one of the best cities where you can start a tour of Camargue. In Arles you can find ancient monuments dated back to the Roman Age such as the amphitheatre, where in the past the gladiators had their fights, and the old theatre, used now as summer arena for open-air cinema. Have a walk along the Alyscamps, a long promenade that leads to a church and surrounded by cypresses. This kind of landscape inspired Van Gogh in many of his paintings. The artist chose Arles as his home for a long time. It was in this city that the Dutch artist painted some of his most famous works, such as the sunflowers, the Potato Eaters, Starry Night and many more. Don’t miss the underground quadrilateral called Cryptoporch, rising under the Cathedral square and build in order to support the Roman court and that was used as a granary.
Besides the endless architectural works, Arles offers many restaurants and bistrots where you can taste the typical dishes, such as the famous fish soup.

Avignone

Avignon is a city of Southern France with ancestral origins. The area on which the city is now has been inhabited by humans since the Stone Age. The city has been property of many populations such as the Romans and the Burgundi. It then became independent and afterwards, France took possession of it. Avignon is an ancient papal city after that John XXII made it his residence in 1316.

The Palais des Papes, facing onto a wide square, is a touristic destination all year round. After you have visited the palace, have a walk on the Promenade des Papes that will take you to the gardens where the popes used to cultivate aromatic herbs. The walls of the city are noteworthy: they are 4 km long with 39 towers and 7 doors, making the city a treasure to shield. Avignon has a rich cultural heritage, but leisure and relaxation are not missing at all. Having a walk in the city centre you can find many bars and bistrot where you can taste the specialties of the most famous cuisine in the world and immerge in the magic atmosphere that surrounds the whole city.

Viviers

Tournon

Lyon

Lyon is the third biggest city of France after Paris and Marseille and offers many attractions for the tourists. Its historical centre became part of UNESCO World Heritade in 1998 and has many museums, monuments, churches, parks and landscapes. It also offers a remarkable gastronomic culture. 

The city centre, the so-called Presqu'île (i.e. peninsula in French) hosts the Fine Arts Museums, the Basilica of Saint-Martin d’Ainay, Saint-Nizier Church and many other buildings with a huge historical and cultural meaning. The Presqu'île is also the heart of the life of Lion. Here you can find any kind of shops, restaurants and bars.
On the west-side hill of the city, there is the centre of Fourvierés, that can be reached by two funicular railways, one of which is one of the most ancient and still working. In December the city hosts one of the most characteristic festivals in Europe, the Lion Light Festival. From 5th to 8th December, about 70 installations are set in the streets, the squares and on the buildings of the city, creating a suggestive atmosphere that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Lyon i salso the city that gave birth to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the Little Prince’s “dad” and gave him its homage with a monument in Place Bellecour 70 years after his death.

Lyon

Lyon is the third biggest city of France after Paris and Marseille and offers many attractions for the tourists. Its historical centre became part of UNESCO World Heritade in 1998 and has many museums, monuments, churches, parks and landscapes. It also offers a remarkable gastronomic culture. 

The city centre, the so-called Presqu'île (i.e. peninsula in French) hosts the Fine Arts Museums, the Basilica of Saint-Martin d’Ainay, Saint-Nizier Church and many other buildings with a huge historical and cultural meaning. The Presqu'île is also the heart of the life of Lion. Here you can find any kind of shops, restaurants and bars.
On the west-side hill of the city, there is the centre of Fourvierés, that can be reached by two funicular railways, one of which is one of the most ancient and still working. In December the city hosts one of the most characteristic festivals in Europe, the Lion Light Festival. From 5th to 8th December, about 70 installations are set in the streets, the squares and on the buildings of the city, creating a suggestive atmosphere that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Lyon i salso the city that gave birth to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the Little Prince’s “dad” and gave him its homage with a monument in Place Bellecour 70 years after his death.

Strasbourg

Prosperous and cosmopolitan Strasbourg is one of the largest metropolis in the north-east of France and it is the intellectual and cultural capital of the Alsace. Located a few kilometers in the west of the Rhine, the city is properly named 'the city of the roads', its canal has linked northern Europe and the Mediterranean since Celtic times.
Strasbourg is still an important European crossroads thanks to the presence of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights, the Eurocorps and a student population of around 48,000 inhabitants. Strasbourg is one of the most cycle-friendly city in Europe. In the lively old town there are restaurants, Winstub (tipical Alsatian restaurants) and older pubs and the cathedral, a Medieval marvel in pink sandstone, is a wonderful area to explore on foot. Nearby you will find one of the most beautiful ensembles of French museums.

Strasbourg

Prosperous and cosmopolitan Strasbourg is one of the largest metropolis in the north-east of France and it is the intellectual and cultural capital of the Alsace. Located a few kilometers in the west of the Rhine, the city is properly named 'the city of the roads', its canal has linked northern Europe and the Mediterranean since Celtic times.
Strasbourg is still an important European crossroads thanks to the presence of the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights, the Eurocorps and a student population of around 48,000 inhabitants. Strasbourg is one of the most cycle-friendly city in Europe. In the lively old town there are restaurants, Winstub (tipical Alsatian restaurants) and older pubs and the cathedral, a Medieval marvel in pink sandstone, is a wonderful area to explore on foot. Nearby you will find one of the most beautiful ensembles of French museums.

Spira

Koblenz

Koln

Cologne, known as Köln in German, is a major city in the western part of Germany, situated on the Rhine River. It is the fourth largest city in Germany and it is renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage, and vibrant arts scene. The city was founded by the Romans in 38 B.C. and became a major military and trade hub known as Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium. Its Roman heritage is still visible in various archaeological sites and artifacts. As a consequence of this, Cologne is the ideal destination for history lovers.

Its cultural heritage is also visible in its beautiful churches. The city's most iconic landmark, the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Its twin spires dominate the city's skyline, and it houses the Shrine of the Three Kings, a significant religious relic.

The city boasts numerous museums, including the Museum Ludwig, which houses an impressive collection of modern art, and the Romano-Germanic Museum, showcasing artifacts from the city's Roman past.

If you like beer, Cologne is the best destination for you! Cologne is famous for its local beer, Kölsch, a light, refreshing ale served in small glasses. The city has numerous traditional pubs, called Brauhäuser, where you can enjoy this beer. If you are a lover of the Christmas atmosphere, you should visit Cologne's Christmas markets. They are among the most popular in Germany and attract millions of visitors each year with their festive atmosphere, crafts, and culinary delights.

Kinderdijk

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a charming city with a particularly relaxing and serene atmosphere, despite its large size. The city has been a World Heritage Site since 2010 and has buildings dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most visited cities in the world.