Normandy, Paris and the Seine River

Day 1-2

Fly from Sacramento to Paris, where you will board the luxurious Amadeus Diamond on the afternoon of Day 2. Settle into your home-away-from-home with a welcome drink and dinner. You'll eat well in the onboard restaurant which features a skilled team of chefs who provide highly curated daily menus strong on French flavors with a decidedly international flair. All meals are included on this voyage, highlighted by a daily selection of complementary wines and beers at every lunch and dinner. Amadeus Diamond - 7 nights (D) 

Day 3

Following a morning of cruising, arrive at the port of Conflans after lunch. From here you'll visit the village of Auvers-sur-Oise, an inspiration to many of the famous impressionist masters including Cezanne, Pissarro, Daubigny, and the master of them all, Vincent van Gogh lived, as well as his final resting place here in the place that inspired nearly 80 of his works. (FB,L,D) 

Day 4

A morning walking tour will acquaint you with Rouen, nicknamed as "Museum Town." Dating to the Roman era, here you'll find layer upon layer of history including the magnificent cathedral that inspired numerous works by Claude Monet, as well as the modern Church of Joan of Arc which employs breathtaking 16th Century-stained glass windows in its contemporary design. The afternoon is free for personal exploration. (FB,L,D) 

Day 5

Interested in more impressionistic art? Consider the optional (additional cost) morning tour to Honfleur. This afternoon begins a 2-day deep dive into World War II heritage. Le Harve sits were the Seine River meets the English Channel. The harbor played an active role in WWII as you'll learn from our guides. A tour along the coastline to Etretat and back will give you the opportunity to explore attractive seaside villages and view the famous Normandy coast with its steep chalk cliffs, famous for their wartime significance and also as a subject for great artists through the ages. (FB,L,D) 

Day 6

Visit Pointe du Hock, site of a daring and perilous D-Day assault where U.S. Army Rangers scaled 100-foot cliffs to neutralize a strategic German artillery battery that threatened Allied landing troops. Stop at Omaha Beach, the most famous of the five code named beaches, and let your mind try to visualize this place in the summer of 1944 - the valor and extreme sacrifice. Visit Colleville Sur Mer, an American Cemetery where over 9,000 troops are laid to rest. Finally, visit the World War II Museum to learn more about the landings, battles, and liberation of this region. (FB,L,D) 

Day 7

By morning you might explore the port stop of les Andelys, once the home of Richard the Lionheart, take an optional excursion into Giverny to visit Monet's home and garden, or simply kick back and relax in the restful surroundings and amenities available about the Diamond. Yesterday was a long one, both physically and emotionally. Today is your day for rest and reflection. (FB,L,D) 

Day 8

We arrive back in Paris overnight. Today is all about exploring The City of Light. A guided morning tour will introduce you to the sites and sounds that make the city so singular from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs Elysees to the reborn Notre Dame Cathedral. Head out in the afternoon for personal exploration or sign up for the optional excursion - a guided walk through Montmartre, the city's wild and wonderful Bohemian district. Dinner will no doubt be a happy/sad affair. We're going to miss this! (FB,L,D) 

Day 9

After breakfast we return to Charles de Gaulle Airport and our journey home begins. (FB)