Knitter’s Cruise – Rhone River, France / March 30 – April 8, 2027 (9 nights, 10 days)
Knitter’s Cruise – Rhone River, France
Celebrating Battenkill Textile Tours 20th Year of International Travel
March 30 – April 8, 2027 (9 nights, 10 days)
Picture yourself gliding along the sun-drenched Rhône River, wine glass in hand (because yes, it's included with every meal!), as charming Provençal villages drift by your window.
This isn't just any cruise—it's Battenkill Textile Tours' 20th anniversary celebration, and Rabbit Row Yarns is hopping on board!
You'll start with two luxurious nights in Nice exploring either the Matisse or Chagall museum, and more, with the group. Then board the AMA Waterways Kristina in Arles for a week of pure indulgence. From wild truffle hunting and tasting to Roman ruins, Van Gogh walking tours to red wine and chocolate pairing classes, you'll experience the very best of Southern France. On top of that, there's shopping at the legendary Souleiado textile factory, a visits to Lyon's silk museum, and potentially even a hands-on silk printing workshop. Plus, you'll learn two knitting techniques, with accompanying project ideas, in onboard knitting classes taught by a well-known European designer—the perfect way to spend an afternoon while the ship glides upriver.
But here's the real magic: while you're casting on with your classmates, swapping pattern tips between excursions, sipping wine on the sun deck, and debating whether to hit the spa or join the yoga class, you'll be surrounded by fellow fiber enthusiasts who totally get your yarn obsession. There's something about sharing knitting projects, excursion stories, and "just one more glass" over dinner that turns strangers into friends faster than you can cast on. Whether you're exploring a morning market in Lyon, hunting for yarn shops in Avignon, or simply relaxing with your knitting as the French countryside rolls by, you'll be creating memories—and friendships—that last long after you've bound off that final stitch.
Planned Itinerary
Day 1 – Tues. March 30
Arrive in Nice, France in time for an optional orientation walk with our favorite tour guide, Andrew Hutter (yes he will leave Scandinavia for us!), reception and welcome dinner at our 4-star hotel, centrally located near the Promenade des Anglais and the gates of the Old City. Soak up the warm ambiance of a 1930 Art Deco building with luxurious updated guest accommodations. Airport transportation is not included but is very easy by tram or taxi.
Overnight: Mercure Nice Centre Grimaldi
Day 2 – Weds. March 31
This morning Andrew will give us all a day pass for the easy-to-use tram system and then guide us to and through one of several world-class museums located in Nice – think Matisse and Chagall (final museum choice TBD based on what exhibitions are hanging at the time). After the first museum visit we will be on our own to head out to the other museums, historic sites, yarn and fabric shops, or grab a nap at the hotel. Dinner on your own.
Overnight: Mercure Nice Centre Grimaldi
Day 3 – Thurs. April 1
After breakfast at our hotel, we travel by motor coach to Arles via the lovely town of Aix-en-Provence where we will stop for a morning coffee break and some shopping including in the Souleiado Textiles factory store (home goods, clothing and amazing scarves) – a 100+ year old traditional Provence fabric printer. We board our ship, AMA Waterways Kristina, in time for a late lunch (which includes unlimited beer and wine) and on-board orientation. Group dinner (also with beer and wine included).
Overnight: AMA Waterways Kristina
Day 4 – Fri. April 2
Our cruise will bring us to Avignon where we will have our choice of several included morning excursions including the VanGough walking tour. Afternoon free for optional (at your expense) shore excursions or the first session of one of two on-board knitting classes with a well-known European designer and instruction. Dinner included, but eat whenever you want (beer and wine included).
Overnight: AMA Waterways Kristina
Day 5 – Sat. April 3
Another day in Avignon with more choices for included morning excursions – I’m liking the food tour Tastes of Avignon (see more info about the excursions being offered on the AMA Waterways on-line itinerary for Colors of Provence). This afternoon, stay in town to explore or re-board our ship for the second session of the first knitting class. Dinner included, but eat whenever you want (beer and wine included).
Overnight: AMA Waterways Kristina
Day 6 – Sun. April 4
The fun continues as we head up river for a day of excursions to and through Viviers including a truffle farm visit and tasting. Or stay with the ship and enjoy a quiet day of on-board spa treatments, yoga classes, and quiet time to work on the knitting project that you began in Friday or Saturday’s class. Dinner included, but eat whenever you want (beer and wine included).
Overnight: AMA Waterways Kristina
Day 7 – Mon. April 5
Today we arrive in Tournon. There are plenty of shore excursions, but I’ve already picked mine – Red Wine & Chocolate Tasting. After we return to the ship, it will be time for session 1 of the second on-board knitting class. Project TBD. Dinner included, but eat whenever you want (beer and wine included).
Overnight: AMA Waterways Kristina
Day 8 – Tues. April 6
Roman Ruins await our exploration this morning in the nearby town of Vienne. This afternoon, stay in town to explore or re-board our ship for the second session of the second on-board knitting class. Dinner included, but eat whenever you want (beer and wine included).
Overnight: AMA Waterways Kristina
Day 9 – Weds. April 7
We will be in our final port city of Lyon today. I’m interested in the Les Halles Market walking tour but there are plenty of other included excursions to pick from. Afternoon free to explore -including the many yarn and textile shops in town. We are looking into group admission and tour at Soieries Brochier Museum which combines the region’s silk printing heritage and history. There’s also the possibility of visiting the Soieries Brochier Workshop and having a hands-on printing experience. Details TBD.
Be back on the ship for our farewell group dinner.
Overnight: AMA Waterways Kristina
Day 10 – Thurs. April 8
Depart for home via Lyon Airport. Airport transportation is not included but we will help to arrange for groups to travel there together.
Or take the option to extend your stay and travel via high speed train for three nights and four days with the group in Paris. Details of this to be developed once we see how many people want to go and what they want to do.
Registration information:
Prices vary by the size of stateroom you select for the 7 nights on-board AMA Waterways Kristina You can see the deck plan and room layout, including window and balcony options, on their website here:
https://www.amawaterways.com/ca/ships/amakristina
If you take a single room on the cruise, you will also be placed in a single for the two nights in Mercure Nice Centre Grimaldi, Nice (and that is included in the single supplement price).
|
Category of stateroom |
Sq ft |
Price per person d.o.* |
Single supplement |
|
E |
160 |
$4,895 |
$1,715 |
|
D |
160 |
$4,925 |
$1,725 |
|
CB |
155 |
$5,655 |
$2,945 |
|
CA |
170 |
$5,910 |
$3,125 |
|
BB |
210 |
$6,295 |
$3,405 |
|
BA |
210 |
$6,420 |
$3,470 |
|
AB |
235 |
$6,545 |
$3,555 |
|
AA |
235 |
$6,675 |
$3,845 |
|
SS |
350 |
$7,565 |
$5,565 |
*d.o. = double occupancy
What’s included:
- Nine nights lodging
- Most meals: 8 dinners + 7 lunches (with beer or wine included) and 9 breakfasts
- Six ½ day shore excursions
- Two 3-hour knitting classes with project patterns, possible silk-printing workshop
- Two museum admissions
- Motorcoach transfer from Nice to Arles
- Tram daypass in Nice
- Full-time tour guide all days and on-board cruise director on AMA Kristina
Deposit details
Deposit at registration is $1000 and is only refundable if the trip is cancelled by Battenkill Textile Tours LLC. We must have at least 8 singles and 12 doubles (32 travelers) reserved before March 1, 2026.
Please complete this form to reserve your stateroom. You will be contacted by Battenkill Textile Tours shortly.
-
About the Shop
ShopWhat does it mean for a fiber craft product to be sustainably made? Not all are locally made, but there are elements of the supply chain that can be traced to fair treatment of the planet and its people. Simply making your own clothing or gifts = sustainability. For my shop, I also seek out NY, PA and US fiber products to support our domestic economy and reduce the carbon footprint for shipping.
Much like the slow food movement, Fibershed asks ‘do you know where your textiles come from?’ If you ask, I bet you will be surprised, and probably horrified, at the answers.
Rabbit Row Yarns & Haberdashery is a modern needle and fiber craft supply shop in Corning , NY's historic Gaffer District. Hand crafters will find a curated collection of sustainable materials and tools that are US-sourced and represent diversity and fair trade. Whether patrons knit, crochet, weave or dabble in haberdashery sister crafts like embroidery, spinning or weaving, they will find Rabbit Row is a welcoming community that especially fosters makers to try their hand at something new.
As the shop concept for Rabbit Row was developing, I began researching sustainable fiber materials, and quickly learned that most US wool is shipped across the world for processing and dyeing to places not so concerned with the environment or fair labor treatment – only to be shipped back to local yarn shops. This doesn’t even account for the synthetic yarns that make up inventory at most big box craft stores. Further reading led me to find the NY Textile Lab, Clara Parkes, and Local Fiber – there is so much going on in the sustainable fiber world nearby, and I wanted to be a bigger part of it.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” ― Maya Angelou.
-
Who are some of the rabbits in my row?
ContactI was taught to crochet by my namesake maternal grandmother. She lived 6 hours away in Connecticut, and I LOVED visiting her because she would teach me wonderful things (plus she had cable TV and a dog – we had neither.) She showed me how to crochet a top-down cardigan for a doll once. I didn’t quite pick up the technique, but I still have that small-scaled sweater tucked into my notions bag. I referred to it this past spring when I was crocheting the robe for an RBG doll.
My paternal grandmother taught me cross stitch and embroidery. She lived outside of Philadelphia, and I LOVED visiting because she would teach me other wonderful things. Her Golden Rule, that the backside of needlework should look as neat as the front, was difficult for me to master. She was patient and had the most defined touch with whatever she was creating. I realize that my fine motor skills hadn’t developed back then, and I’m happy now to take my time to ensure a perfect stitch.
With handcrafting, there is always a nostalgic whisper when exploring something new. I hope you find the same at Rabbit Row.
My maiden name, Haas, means rabbit in German; my mom Rosemarie's nickname was 'Ro'. Rabbit Row is a bit of mom and dad.
Rabbit Row encourages handicraft makers to learn where and how their supplies are made and add sustainably-sourced materials to their project bag as often as they can.
Photos courtesy of The Gaffer District
