As I get closer to the end of my quest to see the world from A to Z, I find myself being a little more creative with the letters. “U” was a classic example. A little background first: due to COVID, I lost two years in my plan. That meant last year and this year I had to double up to get back on track. Of course, doubling up means finding a “U” and a “V” that will work together. On top of that, there are just a couple things that keep rising to the very top of my bucket list. One of those things was taking a mystery trip. “U” fit the bill!
Almost a year ago I got an email from Uniworld, the only cruise company I’ve ever used. I’m not really a cruiser, so this river cruise company caught my interest with its “Mystery Cruises.” All they tell you is the start and end date and the start and end location. Everything else about the trip is UNKNOWN. I called my travel agent the day I got the email and paid my deposit.
As winter turned to spring, we made our final deposit … and waited. The promise of a mysterious adventure included a one-month-out packing suggestion list, a couple of hint letters (actual letters!), and nothing more.
We knew we had to be in Nice, France on July 7 and would end our trip in Lyon on July 16. We booked our flights and planned a few extra days on either end. Specifically, we planned to spend three days in Vieux Lyon (the heart of the original city) after the cruise to also check the “V” trip box. That blog is coming soon.
Two days before the meeting day, we received an email letting us know exactly when and where we were to meet up with our fellow cruisers. At the appointed time, we made our way to the airport in Nice where dozens of people were gathering under the “lollypop” stick held by a cruise representative. We all boarded a bus with no idea where we were headed. In less than an hour we crossed into Monaco. Stop one was revealed!
For two days we enjoyed an ocean-view suite at a five-star hotel, a tour of the Royal Palace, dinner at the famous “Hermitage” hotel and restaurant, a visit to the casino where James Bond played cards with “Le Chiffre,” and dancing in the streets at a music festival.
The opening events set the tone for the entire trip. We made friends, laughed and enjoyed a bottle of chilled champagne waiting in our room one evening after a day of sightseeing.
On Sunday we made our way to Arles where we were shown to our suite on the SS Catherine for a week on the Rhone and Saone rivers in southern France. We walked in the steps of Van Gogh in Arles …
We visited Avignon and had a private dinner in the Palace of the Popes. We strolled through tiny villages and marveled at the architecture and history …
The yellow and blue of this scene caught my eye. 
The ancient gateway to the city still remains intact. 
Everywhere we looked we saw quintessential images of France. 
The coliseum in Avignon Stands as a reminder of the city’s Roman past.
We saw famous French lavender fields in Provence, ate lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant and watched truffle-hunting dogs find truffles before sampling the renowned treats.
The lavender fields of Provence. 
Organic soft-boiled egg with a summer truffle tomato sauce
Each day was a surprise. The day’s agenda was revealed onboard each evening with a bit of a show from the cruise director and the CEO of the company giving hints and entertaining us with laughter.
Of course, we tasted wine … lots of wine! We sampled Rhone syrahs, local blends and reds and whites from Beaujolais.
Chilled whites were a refreshing way to take a break on a hot day. 
The Marquesa de Montmelas offered us a sample of her family’s red wine. 
‘On an antique steam train we tasted syrahs from Tain L’Hermitage.
We celebrated French Independence Day on the top deck with a spectacular view of the fireworks over Lyon.
In Lyon, we strolled through traboules, the secret passageways that zig zag through the city. We watched silkworms spinning cocoons destined for the only French silk factory still in operation.
By the time the cruise was over, we were ready to do it all again. Our Unknown trip had taken us to places we’d never been and taught us dozens of things we’d never known. We laughed and marveled and relaxed knowing everything was planned for us. We even received “gifts” in our suite each evening.
We have friends who thought we were crazy to take a mystery cruise with no idea what we would be doing and others who were a little green with envy at our ability to act on our sense of adventure. To all of them … and you … I offer this: There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Have the courage to do the unexpected once in a while.
© The World A to Z, LLC 2023 — Unless otherwise indicated, no compensation was received for this blog.
The World A to Z 
Wonderfully written. Beautiful pictures. Great wines.
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Totally Awesome!
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I love it!!!!
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