Is international airfare included?

No—airfare to Avignon and from Lyon is not included. The operator can assist with flight planning after booking.

What is the trip price and payment schedule?

Pricing starts at the listed rate and is based on double occupancy; the operator will reach out after booking to set up a payment schedule and offers multiple payment options.

The itinerary includes guided food and drink tours and recommended meals, but exact meal inclusions vary—confirm the daily itinerary with the operator.

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is recommended; plans are available through Allianz and other providers and may be purchased for single trips or longer coverage.

Can the operator accommodate dietary restrictions?

Local guides and restaurants are often accommodating, but you should communicate dietary needs to the operator in advance so they can arrange appropriate options.

What about accessibility and group size?

Accessibility specifics and group size vary by departure; contact the operator for current details and any needed accommodations.

Rhône Valley Rail Journey: Avignon & Lyon

Avignon & Lyon, France lie in the Rhône Valley of southeastern France. This seven-night, rail-linked itinerary begins in Avignon—the former papal seat—and ends in Lyon, the country’s culinary capital. Over seven nights you move from medieval walls and vineyard terraces to a cityscape of food markets and narrow streets, all served up with first-class train transfers and four-star lodgings. You spend four nights in Avignon, where the Palais des Papes and the partial medieval bridge are focal points for guided walks. Day trips fan out into wine country: Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s vineyards climb over fields of rounded galets, rocky fans that store heat and shape grape character; nearby appellations and hilltop villages offer tasting rooms and panoramic vineyard views. The Rhône River carves the plain below, its gravel bars and riverbanks framing long vistas of vines and orchards. Midweek, the itinerary moves by first-class rail to Lyon, shifting the pace from open countryside to dense, market-filled streets. Lyon’s old town—Vieux Lyon—shows Renaissance facades and the city’s famous traboules, secret passageways used by silk merchants. Markets like Les Halles de Paul Bocuse showcase regional cheeses, charcuterie and seasonal produce; guided food tours connect you with artisans and family-run restaurants known locally as bouchons. This program stands out because it stitches together deep cultural context with tasting experiences. Local guides explain appellation rules, soil types and aging regimes in cellars, while food guides link dishes to producers and regional history. Comfortable logistics—first-class train travel between regions and four-star hotels—let you focus on tasting, walking and lingering at cafés rather than worrying about transit. Practical details: pricing begins at the listed rate and is based on double occupancy; international airfare is not included. After booking the operator will contact you to establish a payment schedule and can offer multiple payment options. Travel insurance is available through Allianz and other providers. Exact group size, accessibility specifics and daily schedules vary; contact the operator for current details. Who should go: travelers who appreciate accessible walking tours, cellar visits, curated meals and relaxed rail travel. This trip is ideal for food and wine enthusiasts who want a compact, deeply guided passage through two of southeastern France’s most evocative regions. Expect easy daily rhythms: morning market visits and cellar tours, relaxed lunches with regional wines, and late afternoons to explore cobbled streets or rest in boutique hotels. Guides will often include brief historical context—Avignon’s papal history and Lyon’s silk trade—so meals are framed by stories as much as flavors. Travelers should bring sturdy walking shoes and a flexible attitude; the essence of the trip is savoring place at human pace. For travelers based in Bellaire, Michigan or elsewhere, the operator will coordinate pre-trip details and can advise on international flights.