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The Rhine and Moselle
Fairy tale landscapes romance the imagination all along the Rhine River. You'll find german castles that have stood sentry for hundreds of years, Roman ruins that evoke images of empires long gone, forested baths that soothe body and spirit, idyllic gingerbread houses, and vineyards where the grapes flow like the waters that nourish them. While the Rhine has been transformed from the days of knights and feudal heraldry into an international highway, legends live on here, incarnated into poetry, song and historic sites. Be inspired by the story of the Lorelei as you cruise the Middle Rhine Valley. Listen for the rhapsodic notes of Beethoven and Schumann in Bonn. Revel in the architecture of Heidelberg chronicled in Gothic walls, Renaissance buildings and Baroque homes. And drink in scenic beauty that has enchanted travellers for centuries.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Amsterdam
A tranfer is included from Schiphol International Airport to your riverboat for the start of your cruise; check-in for all guests aboard the riverboat is 4:00pm. Meet your riverboat crew and join us for a discovery briefing before dining at your leisure aboard the riverboat tonight.
Day 2: Amsterdam
What better way to begin your cruise than in a city that rivals Venice for the number of canals that are found here. Join us this morning for an informative cruise along Amsterdam's tree lined 17th century canals- there are 160 of them in this capital city, spanned by more than 1200 bridges. Glide by gabled Golden Age merchants' houses that speak to Amsterdam's storied past to the gardens, walkways and museum of Museumplein. Enjoy an eye-opening visit to the famed Rijksmuseum, home to one of the world's most important collections of artwork by the Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt's The Night Watch. Return to your riverboat for lunch or spend free time exploring the city sights on your own. Have dinner aboard ship tonight as your riverboat cruise gets underway for the journey to Nijmegen.
Day 3: Nijmegen
Venture into the countryside today for a visit to De Hoge Veluwe National Park. The largest nature reserve in the Netherlands entices with wildlife-rich forests, grasslands and sand dunes- and world-renowned art at the Kröller-Müller Museum (subject to weekly Monday closures). See the sculpture garden featuring works by Rodin and others, and go inside to view an impressive collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh. Select departures will have the option of spendng the morning in Venlo experiencing the Floriade.
Day 4: Bonn, Koblenz
Cruise to Bonn this morning, boasting a 2,000-year history dating back to Roman times. Renowned for its rich political, intellectual and musical heritage, this lovely city lays claim to being the birthplace of legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven and home to musicians Robert and Clara Schumann. Sightseeing here includes a walk through Bonn's Old Town, followed by a special luncheon experience in a grand hotel overlooking the River Rhine. Back aboard ship, your Tauck Directors share insights about life along Germany's longest river and busiest waterway; dock in Koblenz this evening.
Day 5: Cochem
Romantic legends and folk tales come to life as you cruise through the fairy-tale landscapes of the Moselle Valley to Cochem. Exploring Cochem, famous since the Romans first became enthralled with its scenic beauty, is like stepping into a history book. Tauck makes the past come alive during a walking tour and a visit to Reichsburg Castle; evoking images of Walt Disney's Cinderella, the 1000-year-old Gothic castle was destroyed by Louis XIV's troops in 1689, but rebuilt in the 19th century. Tauck takes you to a family-owned winery in Cochem's vineyard-covered hills for a tasting of some of the best locally harvested wines in the region- a cruise highlight!
Day 6: Bernkastel, Luxembourg
Dock in Bernkastel for an excursion to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. En route, stop at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, final resting place of over 5,000 US troops from World War II. Drive through Luxembourg's banking district before exploring its well-preserved old town on a walking tour that includes the Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Duke, the Parliament and its centuries-old fortifications, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Local performers entertain aboard ship tonight sharing time-honoured traditions.
Day 7: Trier, Bernkastel
A morning visit takes you to Trier, Germany's oldest town, nestled in a basin in the Moselle Valley. Its importance in ancient times is showcased by its impressive Roman ruins, found nowhere else north of the Alps. View the treasures of Bernkastel this afternoon on a walking tour through 700 years of history. See its famous half-timbered houses, its Renaissance-era city hall, its fortress-like 14th-century church, and the castle ruins that stand guard over the town. Cruise to historic Boppard.
Day 8: Boppard
On a guided shore excursion in Boppard, you'll learn something about the legacies of the Celts, Romans and Franconians in this 2000-year-old town on a walking tour. Hear about the legend of the Lorelei as you cruise aboard your riverboat through the Middle Rhine Valley, home to castles, medieval towns and vineyards, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its powerful influence on writers, artists and composers.
Day 9: Heidelberg, Speyer
Go ashore in Worms for an excursion to Heidelberg. A guided walking tour of the Old Town fascinates with insights about its medieval Gothic walls and gates, Renaissance buildings and 17th-century Baroque homes, and a ride on a funicular up to Heidelberger Schloss (Heidelberg Castle) rewards with panoramic views of the river and town. Meet your ship in Speyer after lunch at a local restaurant and spend a relaxing afternoon aboard ship.
Day 10: Baden-Baden
Disembark in Plittersdorf for a morning trip to the spa town Baden-Baden in the Black Forest. Its healing waters were said to have attracted an arthritic Roman emperor centuries before it was rediscovered by European nobility in the 19th century and immortalized by Tolstoy in a scene in Anna Karenina. Today, Baden-Baden has become one of the most elegant celebrity playgrounds in Germany and still evokes an aura of privilege. Accompany our local guide on a walking tour to see the castle ruins, the Roman baths, and its richly decorated Belle Epoque Casino, once described by Marlene Dietrich as "the most beautiful casino in the world". The afternoon is spent at your leisure in Baden-Baden or back on the riverboat.
Day 11: Strasbourg
Your riverboat docks today in Strasbourg, France, the capital of the Alsace wine-growing region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its fairy-tale charm. View its European Parliament buildings en route to La Petite France, enchanting with historic canals, medieval watchtowers and half-timbered houses. Visit the 11th-century Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, enticing with beautiful 12th- to 14th-century stained glass windows and a 'dancing' astronomical clock, and enjoy time to explore on your own. There are cobblestone streets to stroll, works of art by Rubens and Rembrandt to discover in the Palais de Rohan, and pate de foie gras to sample in the town credited with the original recipe for this delicacy.
Day 12: Basel
A morning arrival in Basel is followed by a walking tour of this quintessentially Swiss town, including the red-painted Rathaus (city hall) in Old Town. Please join us for the Captain's farewell reception and dinner tonight.
Day 13: Depart Basel
Fly home anytime. Transfers to Basel-Mulhouse Int'l Airport are included upon disembarking your riverboat this morning. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
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