The Rhine and Moselle

Northbound Itinerary • = cruise day • 1. Arrive Basel Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Basel, Switzerland. A transfer is included from Basel-Mulhouse Int’l Airport to your riverboat; check-in for all guests is at 4:00 PM. Join us for a welcome briefing this evening. Meals D • 2. Old Town Basel Spend the day in Basel, a key Swiss port for centuries. A guided sightseeing tour includes the red-painted Rathaus (city hall) in Old Town. Meet the crew at the Captain’s welcome dinner aboard the riverboat tonight. Meals BLD • 3. Strasbourg, Crossroads of Europe Wake up in northern France as your riverboat docks in Strasbourg, cosmopolitan home of today’s European Union. See the European Parliament buildings en route to La Petite France, surrounded by historic canals and medieval watchtowers. Visit the 11th-century Gothic Cathedral on a walking tour, and enjoy time on your own. Meals BLD • 4. Elegant Baden-Baden Explore the internationally acclaimed Black Forest spa town of Baden-Baden today. Evoking an era of 19th-century privilege, this elegant destination was a favorite playground for royals and celebrities; its famous mineral springs have been known to bathers since Roman times. Take a walking tour to visit its richly decorated Belle Èpoque Casino and explore Baden-Baden on your own; the town’s historic highlights include the remains of Roman baths. Meals BLD • 5. Historic Heidelberg Journey to Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town, on a full day excursion that includes a walking tour of Old Town’s Gothic walls, Renaissance and Baroque homes and palaces, and the partially restored Heidelberger Schloss (Heidelberg Castle). Enjoy lunch in a Heidelberg restaurant and continue on to Speyer. Meals BLD • 6. Boppard and Koblenz Learn fascinating insights about the legend of the Lorelei today as you cruise through the historic Middle Rhine Valley, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its powerful influence on writers, artists and composers through the centuries. Arrive in Boppard, home to castles, Romanesque churches, and a rich 2,000-year legacy. Have a traditional lunch in the Old Monastery Cellar before returning to your riverboat, which continues on to Koblenz; enjoy local entertainment aboard ship tonight. Meals BLD • 7. Fairy-Tale Landscapes of Cochem Cruise through the fairy-tale landscapes of the Moselle Valley today en route to Cochem; exploring this area is like stepping into a history book about the Middle Ages. Tauck makes the past come alive during a tour of 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle, evoking images of Cinderella. A visit to a family-owned wine museum tempts your palate with some of the best wine in the region during a tasting! Meals BLD • 8. Bernkastel / Luxembourg Dock in Bernkastel today, famous for its half-timbered houses. A day trip to the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg includes a walking tour of the Old Town and a look inside the cathedral. Local guides wait to host your poignant afternoon visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, final resting place of over 5,000 U.S. troops who fell in battle here during World War II. Return to Bernkastel for guided exploration of the sights that grace this delightful town; 700 years of history are chronicled in its medieval market square, Renaissance-era city hall, 14th-century church, and castle ruins overlooking the town. Meals BLD • 9. Trier / Bernkastel Depart for nearby Trier where a walking tour introduces you to one of Germany's oldest cities. You will have time to explore on your own before returning to Bernkastel for an afternoon at leisure. Meals BLD • 10. Cultural Gems of Bonn Explore Bonn today, the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1991 and seat of the reunited German government before it was moved to Berlin. Bonn boasts a rich political, intellectual and musical heritage; it was the birthplace of legendary composer Ludwig von Beethoven and home to musicians Robert and Clara Schumann. Following a sightseeing tour and a walk through Bonn’s Old Town, enjoy a special lunch in a grand hotel with commanding views of Bonn and the Rhine River; the hotel often hosts visiting dignitaries, heads of state and other guests of the German government. Meals BLD • 11. Kröller-Müller Museum / Nijmegen Wake up in Rees this morning, gateway for today's visit to De Hoge Veluwe National Park. Your excursion combines the natural treasures of the Netherlands’ largest nature reserve – including forests, drifting sand dunes, grassy plains and a variety of wildlife – with a visit to the renowned Kröller-Müller Museum, housing more than 275 works by Vincent van Gogh. Meet the riverboat in Nijmegen and explore this 2,000-year-old city as you please. Enjoy the Captain’s farewell reception aboard ship tonight. Meals BLD • 12. Canals and Museums of Amsterdam Experience a day full of cultural delights in Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ lively capital. Discover the city’s historic architecture on a sightseeing cruise along its concentric network of lovely, tree-lined 17th-century canals. Your canal boat ride ends at Museumplein where you will visit one of its famous museums. Return to the ship for lunch or spend time exploring Amsterdam on your own. Meals BLD 13. Disembark Ship / Journey Home Tour Ends: Amsterdam. A transfer is included from the riverboat to Schiphol International Airport; allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. Meals B

 

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

Day 1: • Willkommen nach Basel
A transfer is included from Basel-Mulhouse International Airport to the Swiss Emerald or the Swiss Jewel. Your cruise begins when all guests check in at 4:00 PM.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: • Beguiling Basel
This lovely city on the banks of the Rhine River will engage you today during an orientation tour followed by a walking tour in the Old Town, where you’ll see the bright-red Rathaus, Basel’s Town Hall. After lunch, explore more of one of Europe’s most attractive and best-preserved Old Towns on your own or perhaps visit one of the city’s 40 museums. This evening, the Captain welcomes you aboard with a festive dinner on the riverboat.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: • A taste of France, past and present
Awaken in stunning Strasbourg, France, seat of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. You’ll see the Parliament buildings before stepping back in time to discover La Petit France, noted for its medieval half-timbered houses set beside its lovely canals. While visiting the famous Gothic Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Strasbourg on this most extraordinary of Rhine River tours, you’ll be inspired by the graceful, expressive statuary of the Pilier des Anges [Pillar of Angels], and the magnificent stained glass windows. Return to the riverboat for lunch or choose to dine at one of the city’s many intriguing restaurants on your own.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: • Lifestyles of the rich and healthy in Baden-Baden
An excursion to the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden reveals that the elegant Belle Èpoque period is still alive and well. For many generations, wealthy folks have flocked here to see and be seen, and to take the healing thermal waters for which the town is famous. Join us on a walking tour and time spent on your own discovering some of the town's treasures ranging from the ruins of Roman baths to the ornate 250-year-old Casino, which movie star Marlene Dietrich once described as “the most beautiful casino in the world.”
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: • Heidelberg, realm of The Student Prince
A full day in the historic college town of Heidelberg, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, as well as the setting for the famous operetta, The Student Prince, awaits you today during your most captivating of Rhine River tours. Take a walking tour of Heidelberg for a close-up look at the Old Town, and ride a funicular up to the imposing Heidelberger Schloss, perched 300 feet above the city; view its examples of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Perhaps you’ll be as captivated by this lovely old city as America’s first travel writer, Mark Twain, was when he spent three months here with his family. Rejoin the riverboat in Speyer.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: • In the Middle Rhine Valley
While your riverboat glides through the Middle Rhine Valley en route to Boppard, listen to the legend of the Lorelei and see for yourself why this beautiful part of the river – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – has inspired composers, writers and artists for centuries. During its 2,000-year history, Celts, Romans and Franconians have all called Boppard home; discover this marvelous medieval town and enjoy lunch at the Old Monastery Cellar. Your riverboat continues on to Koblenz, where you’ll be indulged with some lively local entertainment.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7: • In the shadow of Reichsburg Castle
Stepping ashore at Cochem in the Moselle Valley is like stepping into the pages of a medieval fairy tale. Tour picture-perfect 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle, which looks down on the quaint market square. Explore this jewel of a town – complete with Baroque town hall and ancient town gates – breathing in its historic charm and ambiance. Honor the area’s centuries-old winemaking with a tasting of the excellent locally produced wines at a family-owned wine museum before returning to the riverboat.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: • History galore in Bernkastel and Luxembourg
Dock in Bernkastel this morning for a journey to the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. A walking tour of its well-preserved old town reveals the Cathedral, Parliament, the Palace of the Grand Duke, and centuries-old battlements that are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pay a poignant visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial; over 5,000 American casualties of the Battle of the Bulge lie buried here, as does General George S. Patton. Later, return to charming Bernkastel, known as both the “Pearl of the Moselle” and the “international town of vines and wine.” The town is celebrated not only for its wines, but also for its medieval market square surrounded by half-timbered houses, which you'll see on a walking tour, along with its castle ruins, fortress-like 14th-century church and Renaissance-era town hall.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9: • Trier and the rhythm of the river
On an excursion to Trier, discover this ancient city during a walking tour that includes a visit to Dom St. Peter, a historic cathedral whose site dates back to Roman times. After some leisure time back in Bernkastel, reboard your riverboat and enjoy an afternoon of classic river cruising, watching the scenery slip by from the sun deck as your riverboat glides along the Moselle.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: • The many faces of Bonn
This most enriching of Rhine River tours continues in Bonn; tracing its roots back to the Romans, the city engages with history spanning ancient times to the present day. Beethoven’s birthplace, the home of musicians Robert and Clara Schumann, and the capital of Germany from 1949 to 1991, it is still a center of German administration and politics. Discover it all during a sightseeing tour and a walk through Old Town; enjoy a memorable lunch in a grand hotel used to host visiting dignitaries, set in a spectacular location overlooking Bonn and the Rhine.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11: • Works of art by Mother Nature and Vincent van Gogh
Depart your riverboat in Rees and set off for Arnhem and the 5,500-hectare De Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to many endangered plant and animal species. In the midst of this natural glory, you’ll find the inspiring Kröller-Müller Museum, featuring works of such luminaries as Pablo Picasso, Georges Seurat and Vincent van Gogh, along with Europe’s largest sculpture garden. Rejoin the ship in Nijmegen for lunch, followed by a free afternoon to spend exploring this 2,000-year-old city – the oldest in the Netherlands – as you choose. Whether you’re intrigued by Roman and medieval history, the legacy of World War II, African art or modern-day Dutch life, you’ll find something interesting here. Please join us for the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner aboard the riverboat this evening.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12: • Amazing Amsterdam
As your cruise – and this most extraordinary of Moselle and Rhine River tours – comes to an end, indulge yourself in all the many charms of Amsterdam today. You'll be introduced to the city's historic architecture on a sightseeing cruise of its 17th-century canals, winding up at Museumplein, where you'll visit one of the city's engaging museums. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Amsterdam on your own.
Overnight: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13: Journey’s end
Tour ends: Amsterdam. Your Moselle and Rhine River cruise ends today after breakfast. A transfer is included from the riverboat to Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport for your flight home; allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
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)
5/8/2010 - 5/21/2010	$4,690
7/13/2010 - 7/26/2010	$4,290
9/3/2010 - 9/16/2010	$4,790
9/11/2010 - 9/24/2010	$4,790
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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