15 Day Tauck River Cruise from Amsterdam Netherlands to Basel 2024(rmy2024)

Day 1 Welcome to The Netherlands

Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Amsterdam. A transfer is included from Amsterdam's Schiphol International Airport or Centraal Station directly to your riverboat. Your cruise on the Moselle and Rhine rivers begins when all guests check in at 4:00 PM. After a Discovery briefing, cocktail hour and a welcome dinner aboard ship, enjoy a musical performance in the lounge. Welkom aan boord!

Day 2 A choice of excursions in Amsterdam

Enjoy a choice of excursions in Amsterdam today – your first choice is a visit to the famed Rijksmuseum, home to one of the world's most important collections of artwork by the Dutch Masters. Another option is a guided tour through the Dutch countryside with a visit to a tulip and vegetable nursery. You may return to the ship for lunch or remain in town. Following an afternoon at leisure, join us tonight for a Welcome Briefing followed by dinner in the Compass Rose followed by a special performance in the Panorama Lounge. 

Day 3 In and around Nijmegen

Arrive in Nijmegen, where your day begins with a choice of excursion – a visit to Paleis Het Loo and gardens, the largest authentic 17th-century palace of the House of Orange-Nassau and a masterpiece of Dutch Baroque architecture or alternatively, a visit to the art-filled Kröller-Müller Museum in De Hoge Veluwe National Park. This afternoon's choices include an introductory walk through Nijmegen or a visit to the Airborne Museum at the beautifully restored Villa Hartenstein, rich with World War II history. Everyone rejoins the riverboat late afternoon; tonight, chart a course for Düsseldorf.

Day 4 Day of sailing and a castle dinner

A day of cruising awaits you today ahead of a very special evening. This evening, you're off to Engelskirchen for a visit to its neighboring castle, Schloss Ehreshoven. Built in the 14th century and later expanded in the style of a grand Baroque manor house, the estate is surrounded by a moat, landscaped gardens, and a castle park. Schloss Ehreshoven is frequently used as a film location but this evening it's the elegant setting for a Tauck Exclusive cocktail reception and dinner with entertainment. Return to the ship late tonight to continue your cruise.

Day 5 Historic Köln & a relaxing afternoon cruising

Spend the morning exploring the historic German city of Köln (Cologne), where you'll enjoy a choice of city tours with a local guide through the Old Town, with one option offering you the chance to explore a preserved World War II bunker! Return to your ship for lunch and a relaxing afternoon cruising along the Rhine.

Day 6 Moselle Valley, Cochem & Reichsburg Castle

Enjoy a morning of cruising, complete with onboard commentary about the Moselle River, as you make your way to Cochem, a jewel of a town complete with a Baroque town hall and ancient town gates – breathing in its historic charm and ambiance. Stepping ashore in this Moselle Valley town is like stepping into the pages of a medieval fairy tale. Explore Cochem either on a guided walking tour accompanied with a visit to picture-perfect 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle, which looks down on Cochem's quaint market square or on a bicycle ride to the town of Senheim, where you'll learn about the area's centuries-old winemaking traditions with a tasting of the excellent locally produced vintages. Return to your riverboat this evening, your ship sets sail for the town of Traben-Trarbach, arriving overnight.

Day 7 A choice of activities in Luxembourg or Traben-Trarbach

Dock this morning in Traben-Trarbach and set off for a choice of excursions. On one, you're off on a journey to the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg starting with a visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial; where over 5,000 American casualties of World War II's Battle of the Bulge lie buried here, as does General George S. Patton, followed by a walking tour of Luxembourg's well-preserved old town including the Cathedral, Parliament, the Palace of the Grand Duke, and centuries-old battlements that are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, enjoy some time in the charming spa town of Traben-Trarbach, where you have the choice of an orientation tour – or a guided bicycle ride along the Moselle River. Dinner tonight is back aboard your ship.

Day 8 Ancient Trier & Moselle cruising

Your ship docks in Trier today. Disembark this morning for a guided walking tour where you'll discover an ancient city that lays claim as being one of the oldest in Germany – during a walking tour that includes both medieval treasures and sites dating back to Roman times, from a 2nd-century city gate and the 4th-century basilica to a 16th-century fountain featuring images of St. Peter. Reboard your riverboat for an afternoon of classic river cruising, watching the scenery slip by from the Sun Deck as your riverboat glides along the Moselle; enjoy dinner aboard ship tonight.

Day 9 A day of cruising along the Moselle

A wonderful day of cruising along the Moselle awaits today. Following dinner this evening, your ship arrives in the town of Koblenz, where you may join your Tauck Director on a walk into town.

Day 10 Boppard & the Lorelei

Tauck's Rhine-Moselle river cruise departs the Moselle today and returns to the Rhine, arriving in Boppard for your choice of a two-hour bicycling excursion along the Rhine or, stay on the riverboat as it glides through the Middle Rhine Valley, listening to the legend of the Lorelei and discover for yourself why this beautiful part of the river – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – has inspired composers, writers and artists for centuries. Have lunch onboard, and gain insights on the Lorelei Valley and legends associated with the many castles you'll pass on your way through the region from your Tauck Director. Enjoy dinner aboard ship tonight.

Day 11 Historic Heidelberg Castle or a winery visit & tasting

Enjoy a 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, or visit a centuries-old family winery for a tour and tasting. In Heidelberg, take a walking tour 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. Enjoy lunch at a local brewery in the heart of the old town with free time to explore. Alternatively, visit the Karl Schaefer winery for a tour, tasting and a light lunch before returning to the ship for an evening of cruising.

Day 12 The Black Forest spa town of Baden-Baden or Stuttgart

Stuttgart enjoys a reputation as an industrial powerhouse; a cradle of both the automobile and motorcycle industries in the 19th century, it's the corporate headquarters of both Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. But the city also possesses a charming, small-town atmosphere, tucked into an inviting urban landscape of historic sites, lakes, parks, gardens, vineyards and forests. Your excursion features a walking tour of the city's historic center, where you'll see the restored Altes Schloss (Old Castle), most of which dates to the 15th century, and its inner courtyard; the palatial 18th-century Neues Schloss (New Castle), completely rebuilt after nearly being burned to the ground during WWII. Later, you'll explore the Mercedes-Benz Museum – a dazzling ultramodern showcase featuring more than 160 vehicles on display, ranging from some of the oldest automobiles ever built to legendary racing cars to futuristic research vehicles in exhibits that chronicle the history of the legendary car company. As an alternate option, travel by coach to the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden where you'll discover 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 Belle Èpoque casino, the Kurhaus, which movie star Marlene Dietrich once described as "the most beautiful casino in the world." You'll also have an optional opportunity to visit the Caracalla Spa in town before returning to the riverboat for the evening.

Day 13 A taste of France in Strasbourg

Your Rhine cruise continues today to stunning Strasbourg, France – the seat of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the capital of the historic Alsace region. You'll see the Parliament buildings and step back in time to discover La Petite France, noted for its medieval half-timbered houses set beside lovely canals, on your choice of a walking tour or a small group excursion off the beaten path to unique local shops. 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 before returning to the riverboat.

Day 14 Basel or Rhine Falls & a fond farewell

The Tauck Difference in European river cruising is all about where you go, what you do, and who you meet on your shore excursions – and today, you have a choice! First choice is spending the day in Basel, a beautiful city on the banks of the Rhine River. You'll get a good overview on a brief sightseeing tour that is followed by a walking tour in the Old Town – 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, perhaps taking in one of the city's 40 museums. Your second choice is a trip to the town of Zürich for a guided tour and lunch. Return to the ship in Basel; this evening, bid the captain and crew a fond adieu at the ship's farewell reception followed by dinner aboard the riverboat as your Rhine cruise concludes.

Day 15 Homeward bound

Tour ends: Basel. Fly home anytime. Upon disembarking the riverboat (no later than 9:00 AM), transfers are included to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg or Basel's SBB train station; guests can also transfer to Zürich Airport or Zurich Hauptbahnhof (train station). Please allow 3 hours for flight check-in.