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 AmsterdamA 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 AmsterdamYou'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 CologneFascinating 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 machinesDock 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 RiverArrive 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 WürzburgToday'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 BambergContinue 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 NürnbergTauck'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 PassauStop 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 PassauThe 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 castlesYour 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 ViennaGet 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 BratislavaWake 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 BudapestYour 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 DanubeSpend 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 HungaryUpon 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 citiesAs 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, BelgradeDock 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 moreContinuing 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 BulgariaLearn 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 coastArrive 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 beckonsAfter 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 RomaniaA 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 boundTauck'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