French River Cruise: Meet the Impressionists
as we cruise from Paris to Normandy.
Join Courtney Sanford, Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts at Bryan College, and other Delightful families and friends on an 8-day river cruise! We will set sail from Paris, France, visit many of the places where the impressionists painted their most famous works of art! You'll get insight into the lives of Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, and Cezanne. It's a study abroad adventure for the whole family! Or make it a mother-daughter trip!
March 11-18, 2027
High School Students can receive dual enrollment credit through Bryan College! Earn 1 college credit hour for the trip. Enrolled students will meet online once before and once after the trip. The pre-trip class will include instruction on travel journaling. They'll create a travel journal or something creative to reflect on their trip and present it at the post-trip online class. Pro-Tip: take one of the impressionism classes this summer to make the trip more meaningful!
Come join me on a river cruise through France—where art, history, and beauty unfold at every bend of the river. Together we’ll paint waterlilies in Monet’s gardens, set our easels where Van Gogh painted his beloved church, and walk the very streets once traveled by Richard the Lionheart and Joan of Arc. We’ll also journey to the beaches of Normandy, where history whispers courage and sacrifice. It’s an invitation to slow down, create, and experience these storied places with brush in hand and wonder in heart.
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I'll be demonstrating the art of travel journaling for those who are interested. We'll collage, letter, print, draw, and paint our memories into a creative art journal - enjoyable at any experience level.
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Solo travelers: if you are interested in finding a roommate to share a room, email courtney@delightfulartco. We may be able to pair up some solo travelers so you can save money.
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Traveling abroad with my family during our homeschooling years was some of our richest learning. History stepped out of the books and into our hands. Art was no longer just something we studied—it was something we stood inside of. Those journeys were deeply educational, but just as importantly, they were inspiring. My children learned by seeing, sketching, walking, and wondering together, and the lessons stayed with them in a way no worksheet ever could.
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That’s the heart behind this river cruise. It’s an invitation for homeschool families to experience learning as a living thing—to let art, history, and beauty shape memories, spark curiosity, and knit your family together through shared discovery. This is the kind of education that lingers long after the journey ends.​
The family that travels together stays together!
Rouen, where Joan of Arc was martyred - The Rouen Cathedral, painted by Monet
Sites we will visit:
Chateau Gaillard, fortress of Richard the Lionheart
Honfleur, a town which served as an inspiration to many Impressionist painters
UNESCO town of Le Havre
Normandy beaches
Rouen, where Joan of Arc was martyred
Bonnemare Castle
Vernon
Giverny, where Monet painted his famous Water Lilies Note that Monet's gardens won't be open while we are there, but we will see his hometown and lots of his paintings.
Chateau de Malmaison
Auvers-sur-Oise, where Van Gogh lived and painted for a time
Cruise through Paris past Notre Dame, Musee D'Orsay and more.
Auvers-sur-Oise, photo and Van Gogh's Painting of the same place.
You might be inspired to paint!
Make rich memories by painting and art journaling along the way!
We may find areas to paint en plein air, or in the evenings. I'll share techniques and unique materials and supplies so you can add to your art journal every day.
INCLUDED:
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Accommodation during the cruise
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All daily shore excursions during the cruise with English-speaking expert guides
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All gourmet meals onboard (Early Riser Coffee and Croissants, a Rich Breakfast, a Festive Lunch, Afternoon Tea & Coffee with cake, cookies & sandwiches, and a Multi-Course-Dinner
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Choice of dining options at no additional cost, including the Main Dining Salon and an intimate Chef’s Table Restaurant, where the Chef prepares the meal in person
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Wine from the local regions, beer, or soft drinks for lunch & dinner
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Captain’s Welcome Champagne Reception and Gala Dinner, Captain’s Farewell Champagne Reception and Gala Dinner, plus several themed dinners
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Complimentary cocktail hour offering a “Happy Hour Menu” on five evenings one hour before dinner (Captain’s Receptions on the other two evenings)
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Coffee, tea, ice water, and iced tea are included all day. Cappuccino, latte, and espresso can be requested free of charge during all meals! Complimentary coffee & tea station 24/7
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Bottled water, fluffy bathrobes and slippers are provided in each cabin
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Fitness room and equipment
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Daily wellness and fitness program with qualified fitness instructor
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Heated hot tub and walking track on the Sun Deck for total relaxation
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AMA bicycles and helmets in each port
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In-cabin movies
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Unlimited Internet onboard – strictly subject to availability
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Elevator on board operating between different deck levels (Please see ship fact sheet for details)
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Nightly piano music; also, during Afternoon Tea & Coffee Time
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Use of our Quietvox headsets is also included
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Services of our professional English-speaking Cruise Director
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Port charges
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Gratuities for the cruise director, crew members, local guides and drivers
The prices do not include airport transfers, airline tickets or any alcohol other than what is listed above.
The Church at Auvers, painted by van Gogh
Julie Denton, our travel agent and her husband, Keith, who have traveled the world with their family while homeschooling and now share their love of travel with lots of families in their travel business, Terra Tribe Travel. They'll be joining us on the trip and availalbe to make your experience unforgettable!
Prices start at $6160 per room (for 2 people).
Includes all meals, guided excursions and tips for cruise staff.
Air Fare isn't included in this price.
Must be one person 18 or older in each room.
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Make it a family or a mother-daughter adventure!
You'll make friends on board!
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On our way back to Paris, we'll encounter the Eiffle tower and learn about Seurat, the famous painter of pointillism.
