Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat

Southbound Itinerary • = cruise day • 1. Arrive Amsterdam Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Welcome to Amsterdam! Transfers are included from Schiphol Airport to the ship. Embarkation begins anytime after 4:00 PM aboard ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel. A traditional Dutch gin toast, followed by dinner, provides a warm welcome for the first night on the riverboat. Meals D • 2. Discover Art & More in Amsterdam Your guided tour of the famed Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is really inspiring – a firsthand look at Rembrandt’s masterpiece The Night Watch is like meeting the artist himself, and you’ll love seeing acclaimed works by well-known Dutch Masters. A sightseeing cruise by canal boat along the city’s network of concentric, tree-lined 17th-century canals provides a unique view of Amsterdam’s blend of architectural styles – they date all the way back to medieval times. Back aboard the riverboat, the Captain’s welcome reception is followed by a special welcome dinner and an evening of live music. Meals BLD • 3. Historic Treasures of Köln A morning cruise along the River Rhine to Köln (Cologne), the oldest city in Germany, is enriched by commentary from your Tauck Director and lunch al fresco on the sun deck. A guided walking tour of Köln includes a visit to twin-spired Kölner Dom, one of Europe’s most beloved Gothic cathedrals, plus free time to explore Cathedral Square and Köln’s Hohe Strasse pedestrian area in the afternoon. Meals BLD • 4. Lorelei Valley / Rüdesheim In Koblenz this morning you have a choice of taking a walking tour through the historic Old Town or visiting 13th-century Marksburg Castle for an in-depth look at life in a medieval castle. Your Tauck Director tells some great tales as you cruise through the Lorelei Valley to Rüdesheim, where you’ll visit Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett. Dine off the riverboat tonight in an old-world German restaurant. Meals BLD • 5. Miltenberg / Cruise the Main Cruising along the river is filled with lectures and special demonstrations such as glass blowing or cooking. Wind your way along the Main to the walled town of Miltenberg, whose roots date back to Roman times – view the town’s hilltop castle, half-timbered houses and picturesque marketplace. Enjoy a Bavarian-themed dinner as you continue through lush valleys to Worth. Meals BLD • 6. Rothenburg / Würzburg Travel by land to Rothenburg, on the beautiful Romantic Road, where a walking tour shows you the Gothic cathedral, towered walls and gabled houses along the cobbled lanes of this 13th-century town. On a visit to Würzburg, tour the Baroque palace, the 18th-century Residenz, and see the ornate Alte Mainbrücke. Tonight – an oompa band! Meals BLD • 7. Explore Medieval Bamberg A morning cruise along the Main precedes a journey to Bamberg. Situated atop seven hills, this endearing Bavarian city is home to a magnificent 13th-century cathedral; see its unique architecture and colorful gardens during a walking tour of Old Town. Spend some time at leisure exploring Bamberg as you please. Meals BLD • 8. Main-Danube Canal / Nürnberg Spend a morning cruising the Main-Danube Canal, which fulfilled a centuries-old dream of linking the North Sea with the Black Sea; learn about the canal’s history from a local expert during your transit. Arrive in the historic city of Nürnberg, which played a key role in World War II and its aftermath. After lunch and some entertainment at a local restaurant, discover the city’s medieval heart on a walking tour prior to returning to the riverboat for dinner. Meals BLD • 9. Ancient Regensburg Arrive in Regensburg, once a campsite of the Roman legions; see the Steinerne Brücke (Stone Bridge), the 15th-century Altes Rathaus (Town Hall), and Dom St. Peter, towering high above the town. Spend the afternoon as you please in Regensburg before setting off for Passau. Meals BLD • 10. Discover Passau / Danube Cruise A guided walking tour of Passau, renowned for its stained glass, takes you through a historic legacy that begins in ancient Roman times! You’ll cruise the Danube this afternoon, with great insights from your Tauck Director and perhaps a tour of the riverboat’s galley! Meals BLD • 11. Picturesque Melk / Dürnstein Step back in time today on a guided visit to the much- photographed 900-year-old Melk Abbey, and a walking tour through the twisting old lanes of Dürnstein. See the hilltop ruins of a castle where Richard the Lionhearted was once held for ransom, and attend a wine tasting. Meals BLD • 12. An Imperial Day & Night in Vienna-- Welcome to Vienna – one of Europe’s greatest cities, and formerly the capital of the Habsburg empire. Morning sightseeing includes your choice of a visit to Schönbrunn Palace or a tour of the Imperial Silver Room in the Hofburg. Tonight’s Tauck Exclusive will be long remembered – a private Imperial Evening in a traditional palace, with a grand dinner accompanied by fine Viennese musicians. Meals BLD • 13. Historic Bratislava, Slovakia Awaken in Bratislava, Slovakia’s magical capital city; a walking tour explores thousands of years of history. Join the Captain tonight for a special farewell cocktail reception, a farewell dinner, and a musical performance. Meals BLD • 14. Hungary’s Capital, Budapest Remarkable Budapest is divided by the Danube into two sections, Buda and Pest. Explore both on a sightseeing tour including patriotic Heroes’ Square in Pest, the neo-Gothic Parliament building, and Fishermen’s Bastion. Meals BLD 15. Journey Home Tour ends: Budapest, Hungary. Disembark this morning; a transfer from your riverboat to Budapest’s Ferihegy Airport is included. Allow 2 ½ hours for check-in. Meals B

 

•   Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director

Day 1: • Embark on your Rhine cruise in Amsterdam
A transfer is included from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport directly to ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel. Kick off your two-week Danube, Main and Rhine cruise with a traditional toast featuring Dutch gin, followed by dinner aboard the riverboat.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: • Great art, a canal cruise and more in Amsterdam
You'll be inspired by the acclaimed art by the Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt's The Night Watch, and many others you'll see on a guided tour of Amsterdam's renowned Rijksmuseum this morning. Then enjoy views of the city's remarkable architectural styles on a canal boat cruise along its network of 17th-century canals. The fun continues with a festive evening aboard the riverboat including the Captain's welcome reception, a special welcome dinner and a live musical performance.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: • Köln, namesake of Eau de Cologne
Fascinating commentary by your Tauck Director (which you can listen to in your cabin if you choose) and lunch al fresco on the riverboat's sun deck enhance your morning's sail to the next stop on your Rhine cruise – Köln (Cologne), Germany's oldest city. Your guided walking tour includes the lofty, twin-spired Kölner Dom, elaborately decorated with pinnacles and buttresses; it is the tallest Gothic structure in the world, and took over 600 years to complete. Stroll through Köln's Hohe Strasse pedestrian area at your leisure in the afternoon.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: • Koblenz or Marksburg Castle, and merry music machines
Dock in Koblenz, and choose either a walking tour of Old Town, or a trip to 13th-century Marksburg Castle, built high above the Rhine. Relax as your Tauck Director shares a tale or two during the afternoon’s cruise through the scenic – and literally legendary – Lorelei Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett, an eclectic collection of mechanical musical instruments housed in a 15th-century castle in Rüdesheim, precedes tonight's entertaining dinner in a local German restaurant with an old-world ambiance.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: • Rhine Cruise to the Main River
Arrive in Miltenberg, a walled medieval city with Roman roots, for a look at its centuries-old market square, hilltop castle and half-timbered houses. Then enjoy the views as your Rhine cruise continues into the Main River, through scenic valleys studded with castles, cathedrals, and fortified towns. On-board activities may include informative lectures, cooking classes and demonstrations of such time-honored skills as glass-blowing. A Bavarian-themed dinner awaits aboard the riverboat tonight as you cruise to Worth.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: • Discover Rothenburg and Würzburg
Today's shore excursion take you to medieval Rothenburg, on Germany's "Romantic Road," to see its Gothic cathedrals and gabled houses. Later, a visit to charming Würzburg reveals the town's 18th-century Residenz and the ornate Alte Mainbrücke, a bridge over the River Main. And you'll know you're cruising through Bavaria when an oompa band plays for you tonight!
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: • Bound for Bamberg
Continue along the Main to the Bavarian town of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated atop seven hills. After discovering the town’s lovely gardens, medieval architecture and 13th-century Gothic cathedral with its four imposing towers on a walking tour of Old Town, you'll have time to explore this charming town on your own.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: • Main-Danube Canal & historic Nürnberg
Tauck's Main, Danube and Rhine cruise negotiates the Main-Danube Canal today, which ultimately links the North Sea with the Black Sea – and which you'll learn all about from a local expert during your transit. The idea goes back as far as Charlemagne, but wasn't realized until this canal was completed in the 1990s; pass through 16 locks as the waterway traverses the mountains. Sail on to historic Nürnberg, where you'll view city sites associated with World War II and its aftermath. Enjoy lunch and entertainment at a local restaurant, then take a walking tour of the city's walled medieval center; dinner is aboard the riverboat this evening.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: • Ancient Regensburg and on to Passau
Stop in the well-preserved medieval town of Regensburg, once a campsite for the Roman legions. On a walking tour with our local guide, you'll see the Steinerne Brücke, a medieval stone bridge over the Danube that's the oldest in Germany; Altes Rathaus, the 15th-century town hall that was once the seat of the Imperial Diet; and Dom St. Peter, the town's towering Gothic cathedral. After exploring Regensburg as you please this afternoon, cruise along the Danube to Passau.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: • Explore Baroque Passau
The riverboat docks in the port city of Passau, dating way back to Roman times. Spend time exploring this lovely Bavarian town – well-known for its Baroque architecture including unique four-story homes, scores of churches and marvelous stained glass – on a walking tour. Listen to commentary from your Tauck Director, or perhaps take advantage of activities such as a galley tour, as you continue your Danube, Main and Rhine cruise in the afternoon, bound for Melk, Austria.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: • Medieval Austrian abbeys and castles
Your next destination is the town of Melk, Austria, where you'll step back in time on a guided tour of its 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, perched on a rocky outcrop above the river. Inside this Baroque masterpiece are fine frescoes, early manuscripts, and a high altar. Enjoy views of medieval castles while cruising through the Wachau Valley to picturesque Dürnstein; stroll along its twisting lanes on a walking tour, and, if you wish, walk up to the hilltop ruins of a castle where King Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom during the Crusades – the vistas are simply spectacular! A wine-tasting in a local restaurant and dinner back on board cap a delightful day.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: • Music and more in Imperial Vienna
Get an overview of Vienna, Austria's capital and one of Europe's greatest cities, with a morning sightseeing tour of this historic former capital of the Habsburg Empire. Take your choice of a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, built to rival Versailles, or a tour of the Imperial Silver Room inside the Hofburg, a former Imperial palace that today is the official residence of Austria's president. Tonight, a Tauck Exclusive – a private, gala Imperial Viennese Evening at a traditional palace, featuring a sumptuous dinner and live Viennese music – just might sweep you off your feet!
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13: • A bit of Baroque in Bratislava
Wake up this morning in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, where 17 centuries of history are chronicled on a walking tour led by a local guide. Highlights include Baroque palaces from the Habsburg era, along with St. Martin's Cathedral, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall, and a visit to Old Town Hall. Please join the Captain and crew to celebrate the conclusion of your splendid Danube, Main and Rhine cruise with a special farewell cocktail reception, dinner and musical entertainment aboard your riverboat.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14: • Discover Budapest on the Danube
Tauck's memorable Main, Danube and Rhine cruise arrives at your final destination – Budapest, Hungary's remarkable capital set on both sides of the Danube River. You'll explore both the Buda and Pest sections of the city on a sightseeing tour, viewing Heroes’ Square, bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary; the Parliament building, a Neo-Gothic masterpiece; and Fishermen’s Bastion overlooking the Danube.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15: Journey home
Your cruise ends in Budapest, Hungary. Disembark in Budapest; a transfer is included from the riverboat to Budapest's Ferihegy Airport. Allow 2 1/2 hours for departure flight check-in.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

Don't miss our current specials: Special Air Savings - Learn More Hurry! Air Savings End March 26! Special International Air Savings – Europe Book and deposit summertime departures of the following Tauck journeys to Europe by March 26, 2010 and save $2,000 per couple off Business Class Air ($1,000 off per person) from select U.S. cities. Savings are valid for travel between June 29 and September 5, 2010, subject to availability: •Treasures of the Aegean – 14 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Wind Star / Wind Spirit •Sicily, the Amalfi Coast & Rome – 11 days with a 7-night cruise aboard Le Ponant •Switzerland – 11 days featuring travel along Tauck’s scenic Yellow Roads •Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence & Rome – 10 days in Italy with all multiple-night stays •Paradors of Northern Spain – 14 days exploring culturally rich Iberia •The Best of Ireland – 13 days featuring iconic cultural treasures of the Emerald Isle •A Week In… Ireland – 8 days with a 2-night stay at Dromoland Castle •A Week In… Spain – 8 days from Barcelona to Andalucía, Seville and Madrid •A Week In… Scotland – 8 days with 2- and 3-night stays in Loch Lomond, Inverness & Edinburgh •Spain and Portugal – 14 days of Iberian pleasures and culinary treasures •Normandy, Brittany, Paris & the Loire Valley – 13 days showcasing joie de vivre •A Week In… London & Paris – 4 nights at a grand hotel in London and 3 nights in Paree •Castles & Kings: London to Paris – An 8-day family vacation alive with royal traditions Deposit must be paid at time of booking and certain restrictions apply. Valid on new bookings only and not combinable with other promotions; ask for details. Tauck Tour Deals Traveling with a group of friends or family can add to the joy of any journey. Book a group of 10 on any Tauck land journey or cruise and the 11th guest travels FREE. Book a group of 8 on any Tauck Bridges family adventure and the 9th guest travels FREE Tauck Single Specials For those seeking singles tours, we are pleased to offer special values on select departures to our guests who choose to travel solo. You can travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are among like-minded travelers and will have all the day-to-day details handled for you! While everyone is welcome, on these select dates we offer special arrangements to those traveling solo at a reduced cost. Tauck Single Specials in North America Best of the Canadian Rockies Michigan's Lakes & Mackinac Island Charleston/Savannah Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia San Fransisco, Sonoma & Napa Valleys Tauck Single Specials in Europe A Week in Ireland A Week in Spain Mediterranean Discovery Istanbul and the Black Sea Treasure of the Mediterranean Cruising Mediterranean Shores The Blue Danube Holland Belgium in Spring Strasbourg to Prague Serenade The Rhine and Moselle Budapest to Amsterdam by Riverboat Budapest to the Black Sea Classic Italy Bellissima Northern Italy Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome A Week in Paris and Provence Tauck Singles Specials in Latin America Panama Canal & Costa Rica
Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
5/6/2010 - 5/21/2010	$5,890
5/20/2010 - 6/4/2010	$6,290
7/25/2010 - 8/9/2010	$4,990
9/15/2010 - 9/30/2010	$6,290
9/23/2010 - 10/8/2010	$6,290
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

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Tauck Tour Deals

Tauck Single Specials

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