Ever since I have been a little girl I have been a lover of history, architecture, art and I have ALWAYS known…I would travel.

I am greatly driven by my desire to learn, explore and to discover more of this world.

My family makes choices all of the time that will make it possible for us to travel more and to have less of other things.

We want to collect adventures and memories and not just things.

I have an extremely exciting announcement to make and we have been working on it for awhile now.

For all of you lovers of adventure, history, art and travel…this is for you!

Join me in April 2017 for The Living Studio Along The Seine! 

Imagine exploring and creating in France!

We will have structured art classes on the ship and then creative prompts that will encourage you to create in the cities and villages.

THIS is the heart of The Living Studio!  It is my desire that you make the whole world your studio.

This is not just for painters and sketchers…this is for all of us!

If you love history, art, architecture, live music, wine tasting, cooking classes, lectures, bike tours…this is for you!

The best part is that you get to choose each day what you do or don’t do. You can participate in the classes or you can lounge by the pool…or both!

The details…

Detailed Itinerary

April 6-15th, 2017

The Living Studio Along the Seine

Day 1 ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE – EMBARKATION
Arrive in Paris and embark to your luxurious ship. Meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. (D)

Day 2 VERNON
Spend the morning enjoying the scenery along the Seine as you cruise to the provincial town of Vernon. Upon arrival, you will have free time to explore the town at your leisure. Later, you will visit Giverny and the home and gardens of Impressionist master Claude Monet. The artist lived here for more than four decades and immortalized his ponds and flower gardens in some of his most iconic paintings. The ship moors overnight in Vernon. (B,L,D)

Day 3 VERNON – CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX
After a scenic morning cruise on the Seine, arrive in the old fishing village of Caudebec. You will have a choice of two different tours. The first option is to visit Honfleur, a historic and picturesque port with pastel-colored houses that was a favorite subject of artists such as Courbet, Boudin and Monet. The town’s medieval Sainte-Catherine church, with its separate bell tower, is the largest wooden church in France. As an alternative, choose the “Routes des Abbayes” excursion spotlighting Normandy’s famous abbeys, more than 100 of which once covered this region. You will visit the ruined abbey in Jumièges as well as St. Wandrille, still a working monastery. (B,L,D)

Day 4 CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX – NORMANDY BEACHES
Today, you have the choice of three different excursions. “D-Day Remembered” is a full day excursion to the US sector. Your first stop will be the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. You will have free time to see the museums before visiting the US Cemetery and Omaha Beach at St. Laurent-sur-Mer. Your last stop is the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer before returning to the ship in Caudebec. As an alternative, you can tour the Gold and Juno beaches in the British and Canadian sectors. Your first stop will be the Pegasus Monument in Ranville followed by Canadian cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer. You will also have the chance to visit the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s WWII museum, with a final stop at Arromanches. A third option is an excursion to rural Normandy, which includes a visit to the Pays d’Auge and “Routes du Cidre” (the Cider Road). You will visit beautiful Norman towns and villages, such as Beuvron-en-Auge, Crevecoeur-en-Auge and Cambremer, and tour a Calvados distillery where you may sample apple cider and apple brandy. (B,L,D)

Day 5 ROUEN
Enjoy a morning walk through the medieval city of Rouen and see the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and the square where Joan of Arc was martyred. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore Rouen on your own. (B,L,D)

Day 6 LES ANDELYS – CONFLANS
Depart Rouen early this morning and enjoy scenic cruising on the Seine to Les Andelys. An mid-day stroll along the river offers beautiful views of the Seine Valley’s dramatic white cliffs, centuries-old half-timbered houses, and the hilltop ruins of Château Gaillard. This former stronghold of Richard the Lionheart changed hands a number of times during the Hundred Years’ War. Athletically-inclined guests may enjoy hiking up to visit the ruins of this historic castle before we continue our cruise along the Seine. The ship arrives tonight in Conflans. (B,L,D)

Day 7 CONFLANS — PARIS
Today, you have a choice of two excursions. The first option is to visit Château Malmaison, former home of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Your tour includes the Château’s interior, gardens and museum. Alternatively, travel to Auvers-sur-Oise, a town famous for the Impressionist painters who lived there in the 19th century, such as Paul Cézanne and Camille Pissarro. Your “Artists’ Walk” tour will include many sites associated with their work, including the Auberge Ravoux, former home of Vincent van Gogh. The upstairs room where Van Gogh died has been meticulously preserved. He and his brother Theo are both buried in the nearby town cemetery. The ship departs this afternoon for Paris, arriving in the evening. (B,L,D)

Day 8 PARIS – DISEMBARKATION
After disembarking the ship this morning, guests participating in the post cruise extension in Paris will enjoy a panoramic tour of Paris plus a visit to one of the city’s most renowned museums, the Musée d’Orsay, built in a former railway station on the Left Bank. Its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces is the largest in the world and includes well-known works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin and Van Gogh. After touring the museum, you will be transferred to your hotel. (B)

Day 9 PARIS
Today is yours to enjoy however you wish. Explore Paris’ multitude of landmarks, museums, cafes and shops, or choose one of several optional tours. (B)

Day 10 DEPART PARIS
Your river cruise vacation comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight. (B)

What is included in your 9 night/ 10 day stay

*7 nights deluxe cruise accommodations in an outside stateroom – most staterooms offer French balconies.
*Art classes with Jeanne Oliver
*Daily creative prompts to inspire you to create in new ways while traveling
*You will be provided with your own portable studio so you can create anywhere you go
*”Limited Edition Tours”
*Life-enriching tours with personal headset included
*Entertainment on demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library and English language TV stations
*Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
*Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding in all staterooms
*Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise
*Multiple dining venues
*Unlimited red & white wines from France’s great wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch and dinner on board
*Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
*Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain’s Gala Dinner
*Transfer from the ship to the hotel in Paris
*2 nights hotel accommodation in Paris at the Pullman Montparnasse (or similar), including daily buffet breakfast
*Special highlights including lectures, theme dinners, cooking demonstration, onboard music performances and afternoon/evening piano music
*Services of professional Cruise Manager
*All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
*Transfers between hotel and ship are included with the purchase of cruise and land package; airport transfers are included with the purchase of airfare from AmaWaterways
*All port fees, taxes, gratuities
* This does not include airfare

A peek into life on the ship…

Join me: April 6-15^th, 2017 for the Living Studio Along the Seine

In US dollars: Starting at $3807.00 per person / double occupancy

These prices reflect a $1000 discount through April 30^th.

To view the ship and cabin choices:

http://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amalyra

Deposit (non-refundable) due on contract signing $950.00

Payment Schedule:

We will set up a payment schedule just for you

If you are interested in The Living Studio | Danube River Cruise please email Jeanne Oliver at contact@jeanneoliverdesigns.com to answer any questions and/or to place your deposit on this once in a lifetime art retreat.