Summer Sailing: The Rhône and Saône

• Locations: Paris, Lyon, Macon, Chalon sur Saône, Tournus, Avignon, Arles, Châteauneuf-du-Rhône, and  Le Pouzin, France; with an optional extension to Barcelona, Spain
• Trip Lecturers: Susie Ledbetter, Madelon Maupin, Dr. Brian Roberts
• Dates: August 2-15, 2021 (including the extension)
• Costs: Starting at $4,695/person for a double occupancy (shared) room; $1,495/person for the Barcelona extension with a double occupancy (shared) room
• Trip capacity: Maximum of 140 guests      

Program Highlights

• In Paris, visit Sainte-Chapelle Cathedral with its stunning stained glass arranged across 15 windows and depicting 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments that recount the history of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris
• Explore the internationally renowned Musée d’Orsay
• Visit Oingt, designated one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France
• In Avignon, tour the Papal Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Tour the ruins of Cluny Abbey, the most significant monastery of the Medieval world
• Visit Château de Cormatin, one of the most sumptuous castles in Burgundy
• Walk through the town of Arles, the heart of Provence and a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its Byzantine and Gothic architecture
• Tour the small village of Fontvieille, surrounded by thousands of olive trees that have been cultivated and harvested for centuries
• Enjoy an exceptional cruise on the Saône and the Rhône Rivers, including daily lectures from our own Principia Lifelong Learning faculty

The trip includes the following: 

• Two nights’ luxury accommodations in Paris at The Hilton Opera
• Welcome Reception, Welcome Dinner, and Captain’s Gala Dinner
• Train ticket from Paris to Lyon
• Airfare between Lyon and Barcelona for those who are signed up for the extension
• Seven nights aboard the Amadeus Provence
• Shore excursions on the cruise and excursions in Paris
• 23 meals (nine breakfasts, seven lunches, seven dinners)
• Transportation in modern motor coaches
• Entrance fees, porterage, and gratuities for guides and drivers
• Group airport transfers for guests arriving and departing during the suggested times
• Large, outside river-view staterooms, most with French balconies or walk-out balconies
• An expert expedition leader with extensive local knowledge and experience as a cultural, historic, and naturalist interpreter
• Services of an experienced English-speaking, onboard cruise director
• 24-hour coffee station
• All onboard entertainment, including talks, cooking demonstrations, musical performances, and nightly piano music
• Lectures throughout the cruise by Principia Lifelong Learning faculty
• Bottled water and an infotainment center in every stateroom
• Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi and use of onboard bicycles
• Complimentary state-of-the-art audio headsets for optional excursions
• All local taxes and port charges  

The following are not included:

• Trip cancellation insurance and passenger travel protection plan*
• International airfare
• Costs associated with obtaining passports or entry visas
• Excess baggage charges
• Meals and beverages other than those specified as being included on the itinerary
• Personal expenses such as laundry, communication charges, and optional activities

Barcelona Extension

The extension includes the following:

• Airfare from Lyon to Barcelona
• Three nights’ hotel accommodations
• Breakfast each morning and a special Farewell Dinner
• Services of English-speaking, licensed guides
• Entrance fees, porterage, and gratuities for guides and drivers
• Airport transfers for guests departing during the suggested times

Note: Included sightseeing is accompanied by a local guide.

The following are not included in the extension:

• Any checked luggage fees charged by the airline
• Travel insurance*
• Some meals
• Items of a personal nature such as sundries and laundry service

*Travel insurance is offered by Professional Travel Services (PTS) upon request. Professional Travel Services can also provide assistance making air reservations. Orbridge, our travel partner, strongly recommends purchasing travel and cancellation insurance to protect your investment in the event of unexpected or unforeseen circumstances. In addition, we recommend that you consider obtaining a policy (or policies) that will cover some or all of your losses associated with damage or loss of luggage or personal effects. If you are interested in purchasing travel and cancellation insurance, please contact Professional Travel Services at 855.828.0776 immediately after booking your reservation.

Meet Your Trip Lecturers

Madelon Maupin (C'73) holds a master’s degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She provides Bible study resources such as online courses, workbooks, and talks through her company, Bible Roads. She also gives talks on the Bible worldwide. Madelon spent many years in business as an entrepreneur, including the past 20 as president of her own leadership consulting firm in Los Angeles. Madelon is a member of the Christian Science Church's national ecumenical team and serves on the Southern California Faith and Order Commission. She contributes articles to the Christian Science Sentinel and Journal as well as The Daily Lift broadcast. 
 
Madelon shares this about her focus on Paul during the cruise: “In Romans 15:24, 28, Paul twice mentions his intention to go to Spain. Had Paul made such a journey (some believe he actually did!), he would have gone through southern Gaul (today’s France) on the Via Domitia, one of the great Roman roads built to cross the Empire. France has UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as Lyon and Arles, that are filled with Roman gems, and Barcelona contains the Temple of Augustus and the Jewish synagogue that is thought to be one of the oldest in Europe.” 

Madelon’s talks on Paul and his time in Europe will focus on these topics:

• Paul’s European mission: the mental and spiritual leap from East to West
• The elephant in the room: Christianity and empire
• Paul’s tour de force: Letter to the Romans

Dr. Brian Roberts (C'88) received Principia College’s 2017 Harper Award for Teaching Excellence and is a frequent lecturer at Principia’s Summer Session program. During our cruise, he will analyze factors leading to the British Parliament's rejection of the Brexit agreement negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May’s government and the EU and will explore what might come next. He will also provide assessments of Emmanuel Macron’s government at the midway point of his presidency.  

In addition to his appointment in the Political Science Department, Brian chairs the Angie W. Cox School of Government. Before joining the faculty, he served as the research director for both the Congressional Institute and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

After Susie Ledbetter (C'70) graduated from Principia College with a double major in history and education and a minor in art history, she spent many years as an art museum docent/educator. She then went on to teach art history and serve as a college counselor in an independent high school. For the last three years, Susie has taught art history courses at Principia’s Summer Session.

Susie’s lectures on the cruise will highlight the area’s historic art and architecture, including topics and works such these: the masterful Roman building projects, including the majestic Pont du Gard aqueduct outside Nimes; the awe-inspiring Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals weaving their way along the Pilgrimage route through France; Rogier van der Weyden’s incredible Beaune Alterpiece (15 paintings on nine panels); Van Gogh’s creative period in Arles; Cezanne’s Atelier in Aix-en-Provence; Picasso’s beginnings in Barcelona and later years along the Côte d’Azur; and Gaudi’s transformative structures in Barcelona.