The Rhine and Moselle 2010 (Southbound)

Day 1 - Welcome to the Netherlands
Tour begins: 2:00 PM, Amsterdam. A transfer is included from Amsterdam's Schiphol International Airport to the ms Swiss Jewel or the ms Swiss Emerald. Your cruise on the Moselle and Rhine rivers begins when all guests check in at 2:00 PM. Welkom aan boord! (D)

Day 2 - Amazing Amsterdam
As this most exciting of Moselle and Rhine river cruises begins, indulge yourself in all the many charms of this city of canals today. Discover Amsterdam's historic architecture on a sightseeing cruise of its 17th-century canals, and visit one of the city's engaging museums on the Museumplein. Enjoy some leisure time to explore the Netherlands' capital on your own, and join us this evening for the Captain's welcome reception and dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Works of art by Mother Nature and Vincent van Gogh
Set off for Arnhem and the 5,500-hectare De Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to many endangered plant and animal species in a unique and varied landscape. 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 - plus Europe's largest sculpture garden, showcasing the creations of such noted sculptors as Auguste Rodin and Henry Moore. Rejoin the riverboat in Rees for lunch, followed by a delightful afternoon and evening of river cruising. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - The many faces of Bonn
Beethoven's birthplace, the home of musicians Robert and Clara Schumann, and the capital of Germany from 1949 to 1991, Bonn is still a center of German administration and politics. Tracing its roots back to the Romans, the city engages with history spanning ancient times to the present day. 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 an ideal location overlooking Bonn and the Rhine. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - In the shadow of Reichsburg Castle
This most engaging of Moselle and Rhine River cruises takes you to Cochem today, where stepping ashore 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 winery before returning to the riverboat. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Luxembourg bound
Dock in Bernkastel this morning for a journey to the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. 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. A walking tour of Luxembourg's 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. Enjoy some special on-board entertainment by local performers this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Trier and Bernkastel, a Moselle masterpiece
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. 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. Set off to Boppard this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - To Boppard in the Middle Rhine Valley
As this most delightful of Rhine River cruises continues, explore the Middle Rhine Valley and the land of the Lorelei. 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. While your riverboat glides along the Rhine toward Worms this afternoon, you'll hear about the legend of the Lorelei, and see for yourself why this beautiful part of the river has inspired composers, writers and artists for centuries. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - 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 and the setting for the famous operetta, The Student Prince, awaits you today. Take a walking tour of Heidelberg for a close-up look at the Old Town, and ride a funicular up to imposing Heidelberger Schloss, perched 300 feet above the city; view its examples of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and enjoy lunch at a Heidelberg 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. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Lifestyles of the rich and healthy in Baden-Baden
Arrive in Plittersdorf for an excursion to the beautiful Black Forest spa town of Baden-Baden - and proof 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 ("baden," in fact, translates to "bath" or "bathe"). Join us for a walking tour among 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. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - A taste of France, past and present
Your exploration of the Rhine River cruises to 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 Petite France, noted for its medieval half-timbered houses set beside lovely canals. While visiting the famous Gothic Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, you'll be inspired by the graceful, expressive statuary of the Pilier des Anges [Pillar of Angels], and the magnificent stained glass windows. Spend free time this afternoon exploring the "crossroads of Europe" as you wish. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Beguiling Basel
This lovely Swiss city on the banks of the Rhine River will engage you today during a walking tour of the Old Town, where you'll see the bright-red Rathaus, Basel's Town Hall. You can then 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, join the Captain for a farewell reception and dinner as this most impressive of Moselle and Rhine River cruises draws to a close. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Homeward bound
Tour ends: Basel. A transfer is included from ms Swiss Emerald or ms Swiss Jewel to Basel-Mulhouse International Airport; please allow 2 ½ hours for flight check-in. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. (B)

• Insider tour of the Gothic-Renaissance Heidelberger Schloss, and lunch at a Heidelberg restaurant
• Wine tasting at a family-owned winery in Cochem
• A poignant visit to the American War Cemetery and Memorial in Luxembourg
• Excursion to De Hoge Veluwe National Park and the Kröller-Müller Museum to view world-famous art
• Special luncheon in a grand hotel overlooking the Rhine and the city of Bonn
• Scenic cruise along the canals of Amsterdam

So many delights lie along the banks of the Rhine and Moselle rivers - let us share them with you on a 12-night cruise between Amsterdam and Basel aboard the ms Swiss Emerald or ms Swiss Jewel. From the Netherlands to Switzerland, through Germany, France and Luxembourg, you'll travel through engaging cities, charming towns and rural landscapes. See the marriage of French and German culture in Strasbourg; mingle with jet setters in the glamorous spa town of Baden-Baden; enjoy a special lunch at a grand hotel overlooking Bonn and the Rhine; and discover the secrets of the ancient university town of Heidelberg, 2,000-year-old Boppard, and medieval masterpieces such as Bernkastel, Trier and Cochem. Pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the Battle of the Bulge at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, and get a true taste of Europe with regional culinary specialties, locally grown wines and traditional songs and dances. It's all waiting for you aboard Tauck's most enchanting of Moselle and Rhine river cruises!

• Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director
• All private Tauck shore excursions – $576 Value!
• 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 12 dinners. Select meals in local restaurants; wine with dinner on the riverboat
• Service charges, taxes, porterage, airport transfers and applicable fuel surcharges

Cruise: A standard outside cabin onboard the ms Swiss Emerald & ms Swiss Jewel

• Munich / Oberammergau Extension
  4 days from $2,290 per person double plus applicable airfare
  Stay at the deluxe Hotel Maximilian in the heart of Oberammergau, just steps from the performance theater, for the Passion Play! Two nights in Munich include city sightseeing and a visit to King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s opulent Linderhof Palace. The Passion Play is visited on Day 2.

• Cabin upgrades are available.
• This cruise includes a fair amount of walking in each city.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more details.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Whenever air-inclusive prices are displayed, these prices do not include government taxes and fees, which are additional. Air prices are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Air-inclusive prices include air from a major U.S. gateway; air from other U.S. airports is available at an additional cost. Sorry, we are unable to offer air from countries other than the U.S. However, for those international customers who are able to arrange their own transportation to the origination city, we are able to offer the land/cruise portion of the package, at the price quoted.