Grand European Cruise

A 24-Day Tauck Tours tour starting from $8,390

Thanks for voting !  (Not Yet Rated)   |   Write a review
Bookmark & Share This Tour
Starting Price: $8,390 Printer Friendly Page
Tour Length: 24 Days
Countries Visited: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Serbia , Slovakia
Get A Quote     Chat with a travel agent
 
  • Special Savings for Single Travelers
  • Seasonal Price Savings for specific dates
  • Special Savings for Groups of 8, 10++
 
More Information About This Tour:
Tour Type: Escorted Cruise
Tour Category: NULL
Tour Operator: Tauck Tours
Tour Code: Tauck-RXE2010
Printer Friendly Page
An E-Brochure is available - click to view

Cities Visited:
See Description

Travel like the royals of old on our Grand European Cruise, combining Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat with Budapest to the Black Sea to create an unforgettable 24-day North Sea to Black Sea tour through the heart of Europe – including a 21-day cruise aboard one of Tauck's state-of-the-art riverboats, ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel. This remarkable voyage along the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers takes you through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Glide past grand cathedrals, medieval monasteries, and historic citadels – as well as through the Main-Danube Canal and the Iron Gate of the Danube. Tauck’s private, inclusive shore excursions take in many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in-depth exploration of cities including Amsterdam, Köln, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade and Bucharest. It's the ultimate European river cruise... with the Tauck Difference!

 
Eastbound 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 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. Buda + Pest = Budapest Upon arrival in Budapest, spend time exploring this architecturally rich city on a guided tour of landmark sights in Pest or relaxing on a spa visit. Meals BLD • 15. Hungary’s Capital, Budapest Following a morning at leisure in one of Europe’s most fashionable cities, a guided walking tour of Buda includes Castle Hill, featuring Fishermen’s Bastion overlooking the Danube, and 700-year-old Matthias Church (may be closed on some days due to services). Meals BLD • 17. Solt / Kalocsa Take a horse-drawn wagon ride to the Equestrian Center, where local craftsmen and traditional Puszta horsemen demonstrate their skills. Your riverboat cruises to Kalocsa this afternoon, celebrated for its paprika and folk art. Visit the magnificent Rococo-style paneled library in the 18th-century Baroque Bishop’s Palace, considered one of the finest libraries in Europe, and attend a wine tasting at a Hungarian winery before rejoining the riverboat. Meals BLD • 17. Cruise to Croatia An on-board lecture about the diverse events and cultural influences that have contributed to Croatia’s turbulent history sets the stage for your visit to the 10th-century city of Vukovar, rebuilding after the 1990s war. Vukovar was renowned for its elegant 18th-century Baroque mansions, and today is a mix of old and new. Cruise to Serbia this afternoon, with commentary from your Tauck Director. Meals BLD • 18. Belgrade, Serbia’s Capital Awaken dockside in Belgrade, the cosmopolitan capital of Serbia; the city’s roots date back to a Celtic settlement in 3 BC. A lecture aboard ship paves the way for a guided sightseeing tour that includes visits to Tito’s Memorial, St. Sava Church, and Kalemegdan Fortress; see Slavija Square, Parliament, City Hall, Republic Square and the National Theatre. You’ll have time on your own before returning to the riverboat, where this evening a music and dance presentation follows dinner. Meals BLD • 19. Iron Gate of the Danube Activities on the riverboat throughout your cruise include special lectures and presentations, such as cooking demonstrations or music and dance performances. Spend a relaxing day cruising the Danube River through the scenic heartland of Eastern Europe. Pass through the Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate, a series of narrow gorges where the Danube courses down from the towering Carpathian Mountains. Today you’ll see a monument to the 2nd-century Dacian King Decebalus carved into the Danube’s rocky bank. Europe’s tallest rock sculpture, it was completed in 2004 after a decade of work by a dozen sculptors. View the Transylvanian Alps as you cruise to Bulgaria. Meals BLD • 20. Welcome to Bulgaria For those fascinated by the imagery and symbols in visual arts – and the subject of several popular novels – there is an opportunity to attend a lecture and demonstration on Iconography this morning. Your riverboat arrives into Svishtov, Bulgaria, for culturally rich visits to nearby Bulgarian towns. Travel to Veliko Turnovo, which served as Bulgaria’s capital in medieval times – the sight of its ancient walled fortress and castle nestled atop three hills on the Yantra River is memorable. In the neighboring town of Arbanassi, sample local cuisine at a home-hosted private lunch, where you’ll have a unique opportunity to meet and dine with your Bulgarian contemporaries. The day ends back on board the riverboat with a special music and dance performance and a look at traditional Bulgarian customs. Meals BLD • 21. Romania’s Black Sea Coast Your riverboat arrives in Cernavoda, Romania, this morning for a day trip to the beautiful Black Sea coast. Take a guided tour of the resort city of Constanta, then visit the seaside resort of Mamaia, one of the largest on Romania’s coast. A popular vacation destination for over a century, Mamaia boasts the only beaches in Europe featuring fine, pure-white sand. Back on the riverboat, your cruise comes to an end this evening when we celebrate new knowledge, renewed inspiration and everlasting friendships at the Captain’s farewell cocktail reception and dinner. Meals BLD 22. Disembark Ship / Bucharest Disembark the riverboat in Cernavoda and travel through the Romanian countryside to Bucharest for a two-night stay. Following lunch at a local restaurant, a sightseeing tour of Romania’s capital, once regarded as “the Paris of the Balkans,” includes Revolution Square and the granite Triumphal Arch, a smaller copy of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. Your day also features a visit to Bucharest’s huge People’s Palace, home to the Romanian Parliament; some parts of it are still unfinished! Your landmark hotel, Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, has played a role in Bucharest history since 1914; it is one of Romania’s top hotels. Meals BLD 23. Peles Castle / Snagov Monastery You have a choice of sightseeing today. Take a full day excursion to tour fairy-tale Peles Castle in Sinaia (subject to weekly closures), built for the Romanian royal family in the 1880s. Alternatively, take a boat across Snagov Lake to tiny Snagov Island, the reputed burial place of Vlad the Impaler (inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula). Meals BL 24. Journey Home Tour ends: Bucharest, Romania. A transfer from the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest to Bucharest Airport is included; allow 2½ hours for flight check-in. Meals B

 

•   Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director
 
Day 1: • Embark on your cruise in Amsterdam
A transfer is included from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport directly to ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel. Kick off your extraordinary three-week 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 North Sea to Black Sea tour 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 glassblowing. 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 takes 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 centuries-old bridge over the River Main. And you'll know you're cruising through Bavaria when an oompah 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 more of 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, a major engineering achievement that ultimately makes your North Sea to Black Sea tour possible – 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 stroll past 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 North Sea to Black Sea tour 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 Danube. 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 as you riverboat makes its way to legendary Vienna.
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 center of the Habsburg Empire. Take your choice of a guided visit to 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 for a cocktail reception, dinner and musical entertainment aboard ship tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14: • Relax at a spa or explore Budapest
Your riverboat arrives in Budapest, Hungary's capital, today, the mid-point of your North Sea to Black Sea tour. You might enjoy a relaxing visit to one of Budapest's famous spas today, or join us for a guided tour of landmark sites in this remarkable city, divided by the Danube into the separate sections of Buda and Pest.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15: • Discover Budapest on both sides of the Danube
Spend a memorable day exploring Budapest sites on both sides of the Danube with your local guide, including patriotic Heroes’ Square; the Parliament building, a neo-Gothic masterpiece; Fishermen’s Bastion overlooking the river; and revered Matthias Church, with its famed stained glass windows. Our North Sea to Black Sea tour continues on to Hungary this evening. Note: Matthias Church may be closed on some departures due to services.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16: • Horses and folkways in Hungary
Upon your riverboat's arrival in Solt, Hungary, a horse-drawn wagon ride takes you to the Equestrian Center, where you'll see colorfully-garbed Puszta horsemen demonstrating traditional skills. Then cruise to Kalocsa, celebrated for its paprika and folk art, where you'll visit the beautiful Baroque library in the Bishop’s Palace, housing one of the finest early collections in Europe.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 17: • Cruise to Croatia's historic cities
As your cruise along the lower Danube progresses into Croatia, attend an on-board lecture on the country's culture and history. Travel overland to the Baroque city of Vukovar, once showcasing opulent 18th-century mansions, but now poignantly symbolizing the effects of the 1990s war as it rebuilds. Your North Sea to Black Sea tour continues on to Serbia this afternoon.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 18: • Serbia's cosmopolitan capital, Belgrade
Dock early morning in Belgrade, Serbia's modern capital at the juncture of the Danube and Sava rivers, with roots dating back to 3 BC. A shipboard lecture sets the stage for sightseeing including visits to Tito's Memorial, St. Sava Church, and Kalemegdan Fortress, one of the city's key historic sites. You'll also see busy Slavija Square in the heart of Belgrade, Serbia's Parliament complex, Republic Square, the National Theatre and City Hall. Back aboard your riverboat, enjoy some leisure time before dinner, which is followed by a music and dance presentation.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 19: • The Iron Gate, King Decebalus and more
Continuing your North Sea to Black Sea tour, relax on a day's cruise past the fields and vineyards of Eastern Europe; shipboard activities which may be offered during your cruise range from cooking demonstrations to folkloric, music and dance performances. Pass into Romania and through the Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate of the Danube, a two-mile-long series of narrow gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. As you glide along the Bulgarian / Romanian border, look for the massive monument to the 2nd-century Dacian King Decebalus – Europe's tallest rock sculpture, completed in 2004 – carved into the riverbank on the Romanian side, as well as spectacular views of the Transylvanian Alps.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 20: • Big day in Bulgaria
Learn all about Iconography with a lecture and demonstration as your journey along the lower Danube cruises to Svishtov, Bulgaria, for excursions to nearby towns. Travel to the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo, whose ancient walled fortress and castle are set atop three hills overlooking the Yantra River. In the nearby town of Arbanassi, you'll enjoy a unique opportunity to meet and share local specialties with your Bulgarian contemporaries at a private, home-hosted lunch. A busy day concludes with an on-board presentation on Bulgarian customs, as well as special music and dance perfomances.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 21: • Exploring Romania’s Black Sea coast
Arrive in Cernavoda and head off on a day trip to Romania's Black Sea coast, stopping at the seaside resort towns of Constanta – where you'll take a guided tour – and Mamaia, set at the edge of the Black Sea. You may want to take a walk along one of Mamaia's fine beaches – they're the only ones in Europe sporting pure-white sand, and have helped make Mamaia a popular vacation destination for more than a century. As the cruise portion of your remarkable North Sea to Black Sea tour approaches its conclusion, celebrate with us aboard the riverboat at the Captain's farewell cocktail reception and dinner tonight.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 22: Bucharest beckons
After disembarking your riverboat and bidding the crew goodbye in Cernavoda, travel through the Romanian countryside to Bucharest, capital of Romania and once regarded as the "Paris of the Balkans." A sightseeing tour includes Revolution Square and the Triumphal Arch; erected to commemorate Romania's reunification and those who fell in World War I, it is a smaller but exact copy of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. You'll also pay a visit to the massive People's Palace, home to Romania's Parliament; the world's second-largest building after the Pentagon, some parts of it are reportedly still unfinished! Tonight you'll spend the first of two nights close to the People's Palace at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel in the heart of the city.
Overnight: JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, Bucharest, Romania
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 23: Castles, monasteries and mysteries in Romania
A choice of sightseeing in Romania today invites you to opt for a full day's excursion to tour fairy-tale Peles Castle in Sinaia – built for Romania's royal family in the 1880s – or a boat ride to Snagov Island to visit isolated Snagov Monastery, said to be the final resting place of Vlad Tepes, the historical model for Bram Stoker's character of Dracula. Both groups return to Bucharest where Tauck's cruise through the heart of Europe draws to a close. 
Overnight: JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, Bucharest, Romania
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch

Day 24: Homeward bound
Tauck's amazing North Sea to Black Sea tour ends in Bucharest, Romania. A transfer is included from the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel to Bucharest Airport.
Overnight:
Meals Included: Breakfast

 

Don't miss our current specials:

  • Special Air Savings - Learn More
  • Tauck Tour Deals
  • Tauck Single Specials
         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
5/6/2010 - 5/30/2010
$9,790
Get A Quote
Get A Quote
Get A Quote
         

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.

ms Swiss Emerald,ms Swiss Sapphire,ms Swiss Jewel,

Tauck’s European Riverboat Fleet, comprised of sister ships ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire, and ms Swiss Jewel, represents the state of the art in modern river cruising. Operating exclusively for Tauck, each ship features three passenger decks custom-designed to comfortably accommodate 118 Tauck guests in gracious style; most similar-sized riverboats average about 140 guests.

Guests enjoy exceptional vantage points throughout each ship; panoramic windows provide spectacular views of the passing shore. Culinary pleasures are many, from a spacious restaurant offering menus designed for a variety of tastes to alternative bistro dining featuring lighter fare in the teak-lined Lido Bar; limited outdoor dining is also available. Sporting a fully opening 180º glass wall, the Lido Bar also offers coffee & tea, cappuccino, and snacks throughout the day. Each ship has a fitness center and a sun deck with 24-hour Jacuzzi, as well as a lounge, library and boutique.

ms Swiss Emerald,ms Swiss Sapphire,ms Swiss Jewel,

Staterooms (Click thumbnails to see full size image

cabin
cabin

cabin

All Tauck riverboats boast four times more suites than most other European riverboats – 14 lush 300-square-foot suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, brocade upholstery, walk-in closets and marble baths with full-size tubs, along with 7 junior suites. Well-appointed, outside-facing cabins and junior suites, ranging from 150 to 183 square feet, offer plush interiors with plasma TV, mini-bar, radio, safe, hair dryer, adjustable air conditioning and private bathroom with shower, pampering l’Occitane toiletries and terry cloth robes and slippers; power is 220 volt. Floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies grace 85% of our cabins.


Ship Facts:

  • Inagurated: Newly Built for 2006, 2008 and 2009
  • Length: 361 ft. (110 meters)
  • Width: 37 ft. (11 meters)
  • Decks: 3 plus a sun deck
  • Passenger Capacity: 118
  • Voltage: 220v
  • Onboard Currency: euro

Ship Amenities:

Crew Members: 29
Crew Nationality: Mostly European
Fully air conditioned: Yes
Elevator: Yes – between the Ruby and Diamond decks; stairs (12 steps) between the other decks
Internet: Send/Receive/Surf

Amenities & Dining

  • Open dining, with no assigned seats; tables seat 4 and 6
  • Wine with dinner included; vegetarian meals are available
  • Alternative bistro dining available in Lido Bar
  • Room service breakfast available in Category 6 suites
  • Complimentary snack baskets served from 2:00 PM to midnight
  • E-mail available in Internet Corner of the Lido Bar; complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship; Wii games available on each riverboat
  • Themed Happy Hour in the bar/lounge; piano music nightly
  • Fitness center; whirlpool on sun deck, available 24 hours
  • On-board entertainment programs include movie nights, cooking demonstrations, themed game nights and more
  • Video-on-demand available in Swiss Jewel & Swiss Sapphire suites
  • Accept cash (Euros), Visa, MasterCard, and American Express; no money exchange on board
  • Tauck Director audio commentary available in cabins
  • Laundry service (limited); ironing available

 

 

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

 
 

Recent Related Posts from our Travel Forum:

Re: What are the dates for the Passion Play in 2010?

By: AtlasTravelGuy on 9/10/2009 5:14:44 PM

The Passion Play operates for 5 months from May through October.  Performances are held every d.. (read entire post)

Re: Normandy Beaches

By: AtlasTravelGuy on 9/10/2009 11:37:06 AM

Thanks for your post. We are awaiting the release of 2010 brochures. They are supposed to be out no .. (read entire post)

Re: Yangtze River

By: AtlasTravelGuy on 9/10/2009 11:21:19 AM

Thanks for your post. The best months for cruising along the Yangtze are April, May, September an.. (read entire post)

Yangtze River

By: Lily09 on 9/5/2009 1:04:58 PM

When is the best time to cruise the Yangtze River?.. (read entire post)

Visitors who viewed this tour also viewed:

A TASTE OF THE DANUBE (WVB2010)

5 Days starting from $949

Vacation OverviewDiscover the fascinating Danube with its charming small t.. (click for more)

EUROPEAN SPLENDOR (WVA2010)

14 Days starting from $2,949

Vacation OverviewThis magnificent river cruise from Vienna to Amsterdam in.. (click for more)

Prague to the Black Sea

19 Days starting from $7,790

Tauck's Prague to the Black Sea combines The Blue Danube with Budapest.. (click for more)

Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat

15 Days starting from $4,990

Travel aboard one of Tauck's luxury riverboats – ms Swiss Sapphire, ms.. (click for more)

All prices are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability. These pages are not endorsed or supported by the tour operator in any way. All information presented is based on promotional material provided by the tour operator. All prices, itineraries, accommodations and dates are subject to change without notice and at any time by the tour operators. Availability is limited and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. The prices on this website are not guaranteed. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in pricing. Please call us toll free at 1-800-942-3301 to confirm availability and pricing.