Paris, Provence, & the french riviera
lavender fields & city lights

From romantic cities to foodie havens and artistic epicenters, this itinerary enlivens all your senses. Embark in Lyon, France’s culinary capital. Embark on the Ultimate French Experience: a luxurious three-night stay in Paris (Paris optional), a seven-night cruise aboard the award winning AMAKristina through the enchanting landscapes of Provence, and a two-night retreat in the glamorous city of Nice (Nice optional). Discover the essence of French elegance, culture, and charm in one unforgettable journey. Book your Sober adventure today and create memories that will last a lifetime!
The Ultimate French Experience
ITINERARY
DAY 1
LYON – EMBARKATION
Once in the “food capital of France,” marvel at an indoor market hall where you’ll have a chance to sample of the delicacies offered by butchers, bakers, chocolatiers and cheesemongers while taking in the colorful sights and enticing aromas around you. Afterward, embark the ship in Lyon for your Colors of Provence cruise. (B,D)
DAY 2
Discover Fourvière Hill, home to the 19th-century basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Continue on to the old town of Lyon, followed by a guided walk through the St. Jean district, where you will be introduced to the city’s unique covered walkways, known as “traboules.” Alternately, indulge in rich cheeses, fresh breads & charcuterie in Les Halles Market or join a guided bike tour through the city. (B,L,D)
DAY 3
LYON – VIENNE
Travel to the Beaujolais region—known as the Pays d’Or or “land of the golden stones.” (B,L,D)
DAY 4
VIENNE – TOURNON
Follow the footsteps of the ancient Romans on a walking tour to see the well-preserved Augustus & Livia Temple, the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a Gothic church that took more than 500 years to build, and St. Pierre Abbey—one of the oldest surviving churches in France. You can either take a guided hike from the ship to the Monastery at Mount Pipet or a guided bike tour along a portion of the ViaRhôna bike route. (B,L,D)
DAY 5
TOURNON - VIVIERS
Take a steam train ride past magnificent landscape carved along the Gorge du Doux, stopping at the charming little station of Colombier le Vieux-Saint Barthélemy le Plain. Later, stroll through the city accompanied by a guide in Renaissance attire as former “residents” in period costumes reenact events and legends of centuries gone by. (B,L,D)
DAY 6
AVIGNON
Take a guided walking tour that includes the Papal Palace & the well-preserved medieval walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Alternately, you can go to the hilltop village, Grignan, in search of the highly prized “Black Diamond” truffles with a farmer & his trustworthy canine companion. (B,L,D).
DAY 7
Arles is considered one of the most beautiful cities in France, with its tantalizing history as a Roman center of trade. Venture to Les Baux de Provence, a hilltop village. You will also have a unique experience at the Carrières de Lumières, where you will be treated to a spectacular presentation of art, sound, & history projected on the walls of a former limestone quarry set to music. Next, visit an olive farm to learn about this age-old Provençal tradition & enjoy a tasting. Finally, experience the beauty of Saint Rémy de Provence, the location where Van Gogh painted some of his most famous paintings, including Starry Night. Later in the day, join a guided walking tour where you’ll visit the Roman ruins of Arles such as its Roman Amphitheater & the Church of Saint Trophime, famous for its Romanesque architecture. Alternatively, you can enjoy a bike ride along the Rhône, through town to the Langlois Bridge, a famous subject from several Van Gogh paintings. (B,L,D) (B,L,D)
DAY 8
ARLES – DISEMBARKATION
Disembark your ship in Arles and begin your journey home or to join SVI on our exclusive post trip to glamorous Nice, France. (B)
WE GET IT
It can be difficult to decide where to spend your vacation dollars when every travel company claims to be the best. So don’t just take our word for it. Check out just of few of the reviews that demonstrate why Sober Vacations International is unsurpassed in the business:
Perhaps It’s The Company:"The places are always beautiful and the activities, room, food, and meetings are always great,
in my heart and soul it’s the wonderful people you meet who become lifelong friends!
Without question, best thing about SVI are the people. The attendees were full of love, life and
sober fun. Everything else; the beach, the food, the entertainment and the meetings/speakers
were all secondary. It could have rained all week and I’d have had just as much fun.
Once again thank you for the opportunity of spending quality time with wonderful, SOBER,
spiritual people. Can’t tell you how much these trips mean to me. I get energized for many
months both before and after."
Or Maybe The Atmosphere:"Its all great.... just so grateful to be part of this experience and you guys have made it better
each year.
SVI isn't just a vacation, it's a feeling of absolute safety.
This was a life changing experience and I was in awe of every second. I even had the thought
once or twice wondering why I EVER thought I needed to drink or drug to have fun when I can
feel like I felt this week."
The Incredible Gratefulness:"It was so great…No words for this much gratitude…Rock on…
I came back from our week at Club Med Turquoise with my heart full of gratitude
and wonderful memories. What a way to celebrate my 30 th year of sobriety!
Thanks for a wonderful week – it is now a new bright spot in my year."
Or The Extraordinary Impact:"These vacations have become one of the many joys of my life!
A trip like this for me has had a huge ripple effect. I was able to recharge from my busy life, meditate daily and completely immerse myself in AA in a beautiful, relaxing setting.
What a great vacation I had; beyond my wildest dreams."
A trip like this for me has had a huge ripple effect. I was able to recharge from my busy life, meditate daily and completely immerse myself in AA in a beautiful, relaxing setting.
What a great vacation I had; beyond my wildest dreams."
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These are just a few of the reasons that over 98% of our recent travelers would recommend a SVI vacation to a friend. Discover for yourself what makes Sober Vacations so special.
Contact us today to book your next vacation!
AMAKRISTINA STATEROOMS
Small group- limited cabins
Outside Window Cabin
- $4395 Per person Based on Double Occupancy
Single private cabin $5995-
- In-room temperature control
- Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
- Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
- Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
- Flat-screen TV
- Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
- Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
- Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
- Desk and chair
French Balcony Cabin
- $5495 Per person Based on Double Occupancy
Single private cabin $7495-
French Balcony, 155 sq. ft.
- In-room temperature control
- Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
- Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
- Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
- Flat-screen TV
- Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
- Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
- Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
- Desk and chair
Balcony Cabin
- $5995 Per person
- Single private cabin $8995-
- Based on Double Occupancy
French Balcony & Outside Balcony, 210 sq. ft.
- In-room temperature control
- Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
- Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
- Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
- Flat-screen TV
- Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
- Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
- Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
- Desk and chair
Suite
- $7995 Per person. Based on Double Occupancy
- Balcony & Outside Balcony, 350 sq. ft.
- In-room temperature control
- Deluxe hotel-style bedding with Egyptian linen, down pillows and duvet
- Spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showerheads
- Large wardrobe, full-length mirror, hair dryer, safe and direct-dial telephone
- Flat-screen TV
- Entertainment on Demand system providing complimentary TV, movies and music library
- Complimentary internet and Wi-Fi
- Complimentary bottled water replenished daily
- Desk and chair
FAQs
Sober Village Cancellation & Refund Policy: All cancellations are subject to a $200 penalty per person. 202-180 Days out 50% of deposit penalty. 179-120 days out from departure, 100% of deposit. 119-90 days out, 50% of Total invoice. 89-0 days out 100% of Total Invoice. No refunds.
For most trips, yes.
Usually. If it is an All-Inclusive trip, we will indicate such.
All-inclusive means food, drinks, activities and entertainment are included in the cost of your trip. Flights, transfers &/or gratuities are not included, however.
The majority of guests are members of a 12 step program, but it is not a requirement. Many spouses & partners are not members join us on our Sober Vacations and have a blast.
You are absolutely allowed to bring your spouse/partner if they are not sober. We are not the alcohol police, and have not yet had an instance where someone’s drinking caused a problem for the group.
We have two different types of trips – Sober Vacations and Sober Villages. Sober Vacations are a group within a resort/cruise with other guests around us that are not in program. We still have daily 12 Step meetings and stick together for excursions and meals. Our Sober Villages happen annually each Winter (usually January or February) and these are full buyouts- meaning you will be at a resort with 500-600 fellow sober people. All bars/mini bars are wiped clean of alcohol and instead replaced with juice, soda, coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Our Sober Villages have daily jam packed schedules with 12 step meetings, al-anon meetings, attitude adjustment workshops, recovery yoga, trivia, scavenger hunts, and more! So, depending on what you prefer, you should choose what vacation suites you and your sobriety the best.
You do not. We ask for a deposit when you make your reservation. Once confirmed, you’ll receive an email with a personalized link to your reservation. At any point, you can make payments to your account, or you can pay it all off at once. As long as the trip is paid off 90 days before your departure, you can pay at whatever pace you are comfortable with.
Since the summer of 1987. We’ve had over 200 Sober Vacations since then.
The Los Angeles Dodgers is the correct answer.
No. After years of offering flights, we have found that that it is both easier & cheaper for you to arrange your flights yourself. Bear in mind that most destinations/hotels have standard check-in times of between 3p – 4p and check out between 10a – 11a. We are happy to offer advice or assistance when you are purchasing your flights. We recommend googleflights.com
That’s okay. We have been successfully matching roommates using our patent-pending roommate matching technology since 1987. In 35 years, we’ve only had eight fatalities out of over 8,000 matches. Which translates to over a 99% satisfaction rate!
We do not control the culinary options on any of our trips. So, each vacation will be different, but we generally choose resorts and experiences that offer a wide range of quality food. That usually includes options for people with even the most restrictive diets.
Yes! We describe our trips as a vacation…with meetings. On our Sober Village there are 5 scheduled meetings each day. On other trips, there are usually between 1-3 meetings a day. If you are on a trip, and you want to start a meeting, you are free to do so. We just ask that it not conflict with any of our scheduled meetings.
Absolutely not! Meeting attendance is at your discretion.
Depends on the trip. Our Sober Villages have between 450-700 people! Some trips are smaller, more intimate experiences.
We adhere to the policies of the destination to which we are traveling – if it is their policy that incoming travelers be vaccinated then we adhere to those recommendations. We do not set the policies for each destination, that is determined by their individual governments.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance especially in this new travel landscape with Covid-19. We have a partnership with Allianz Travel Insurance. Please visit their website to sign up www.allianztravelinsurance.com – our ACCAM Number is: F019519
FAQs
As we are a sober travel agency, we can offer trips that other travel agencies cannot – specifically trips that are geared towards the sober traveler.
You are absolutely allowed to bring your spouse/partner if they are not sober. We are not the alcohol police, and have not yet had an instance where someone’s drinking caused a problem for the group.
We have two different types of trips – Sober Vacations and Sober Villages. Sober Vacations are most of our trips – where we are a smaller group within the resort/cruise and people will be around us that are not in program. We have daily AA meetings and stick together for excursions and meals. Our Sober Villages happen yearly (usually in the beginning of the year during the winter) and these are full buyouts- meaning you will be at a resort with 500-600 fellow sober people. All bars/mini bars are wiped clean of alcohol and instead replaced with juice, soda, coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Our Sober Villages have daily jam packed schedules with AA meetings, al-anon meetings, attitude adjustment workshops, recovery yoga, trivia, scavenger hunts, and more! So, depending on what you prefer, you should choose what vacation suites you and your sobriety the best.
You do not. We ask for a deposit when you make your reservation. Once confirmed, you’ll receive an email with a personalized link to your reservation. At any point, you can make payments to your account, or you can pay it all off at once. As long as the trip is paid off 90 days before your departure, you can pay at whatever pace you are comfortable with.
Usually. If it is an All-Inclusive trip, we will indicate such.
All-inclusive means food, drinks, activities and entertainment are included in the cost of your trip. Gratuities are not included, however.
We’ve been in operation as a sober travel agency since 1987.
Los Angeles Dodgers! Is there any other?
For most trips, yes.
You arrange your flights yourself and bear in mind that most destinations/hotels have standard check-in times of between 3p – 4p and check out between 10a – 11a.
Sadly, we cannot book your flights. Your flights are your responsibility.
That’s okay. We have been successfully matching roommates using our patent-pending roommate matching technology since 1987. In 35 years, we’ve only had eight fatalities out of over 8,000 matches. Which translates to over a 99% satisfaction rate!
We do not control the culinary options on any of our trips. So, each vacation will be different, but we generally choose resorts and experiences that offer a wide range of quality food. That usually includes options for people with even the most restrictive diets.
Yes! We describe our trips as a vacation…with meetings. On our Sober Village there are 5 scheduled meetings each day. On other trips, there are usually between 1-3 meetings a day. If you are on a trip, and you want to start a meeting, you are free to do so. We just ask that it not conflict with any of our scheduled meetings.
Absolutely not! Meeting attendance is at your discretion.
Depends on the trip. Our Sober Villages have between 450-700 people! Some trips are smaller, more intimate experiences.
We adhere to the policies of the destination to which we are traveling – if it is their policy that incoming travelers be vaccinated then we adhere to those recommendations. We do not set the policies for each destination, that is determined by their individual governments.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance especially in this new travel landscape with Covid-19. We have a partnership with Allianz Travel Insurance. Please visit their website to sign up www.allianztravelinsurance.com – our ACCAM Number is: F019519