Castles on the Rhine: Family Riverboat Adventure

8 days
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USTOA

River Cruise
Create cherished family memories on our unforgettable 7-night Basel to Amsterdam riverboat cruise along the Rhine River between aboard one of our newest riverboats, ms Inspire, visiting Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands. Family travel experiences include a bicycle ride through forests and vineyards along the Rhine riverside; a taste of fondue, ...

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Explore Alpine fun by cogwheel train to Mt. Pilatus and in Lucerne
    • Learn French for a day, in Strasbourg, the "Crossroads of Europe"
    • Explore Castles on the Rhine, from Heidelberg or Speyer to Reichenstein
    • Visit to Lorelei legends, castle-spotting, old Koblenz and cycling along the river
    • Experience Carnival traditions and more in Köln
    • Canals, van Gogh and more as your riverboat cruise arrives in Amsterdam

What's this trip about?

    Create cherished family memories on our unforgettable 7-night Basel to Amsterdam riverboat cruise along the Rhine River between aboard one of our newest riverboats, ms Inspire, visiting Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands. Family travel experiences include a bicycle ride through forests and vineyards along the Rhine riverside; a taste of fondue, Swiss folklore and more in lakeside Lucerne; a ride aboard the world’s steepest cogwheel train to the top of Mt. Pilatus in the Swiss Alps; exploring the fascinating ruins of hilltop Heidelberg Castle in the medieval university town of Heidelberg; learning about the Lorelei and other Rhine River legends while keeping an eye out for fairy-tale castles; discovering the art treasures and historic canals of Amsterdam; an exclusive gala dinner for Tauck guests only at thousand-year-old Reichenstein Castle, high above the Rhine; becoming “French for a Day” aboard the riverboat with French language lessons, songs, a cooking demonstration and a chocolate tasting; a close-up look at the importance of the Carnival season and much more!

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBasel
End CityAmsterdam

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Family Friendly

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic Sightseeing
  • History
  • River Cruise

Trip includes

    • All-included: private Tauck shore excursions – $1,564 Value!
    • All gratuities to Tauck Director, local guides and drivers
    • Riding the world’s highest cogwheel train with sweeping views of the Swiss Alps
    • Private dinner and evening at Reichenstein Castle
    • Fondue, chocolate, and French lessons, becoming “French for a Day”
    • Bicycling through forests and vineyards beside the Rhine - Moselle Rivers
    • Visit to the legendary ruins of Heidelberg Castle
    • All shore excursions and onboard briefings
    • Airport transfers on arrival and departure as noted
    • 20 meals, service charges, admission fees, taxes and porterage

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Itinerary

Travel Map
Day 1: Arrive Basel for a riverboat cruise along the Rhine to Amsterdam
Meals: Dinner Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Basel. A transfer is included from Euroairport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg or Basel SBB Bahnhof to your riverboat for the start of your Basel to Amsterdam riverboat cruise along the Rhine; check-in for all guests aboard the riverboat is ...
Day 2: Alpine fun by cogwheel train to Mt. Pilatus and in Lucerne
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Welcome to Switzerland! Mountain peaks, forests and meadows straight out of a picture book await your family today on an excursion to the Lake Lucerne area and Mt. Pilatus. After departing the riverboat in Basel, travel to Alpnachstad...
Day 3: French for a day, in Strasbourg, the "Crossroads of Europe"
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Wake up this morning aboard ms Inspire, docked on the Rhine outside the historic city of Strasbourg, France, surrounded by the hills of southern Alsace. Renowned for its fairy-tale charm – and as the “Crossroads of Europe” for its rol...
Day 5: Lorelei legends, castle-spotting, old Koblenz and cycling along the river
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner During a morning spent cruising the Rhine aboard ms Inspire, keep your eyes peeled for riverside castles as you play our “I Spy a Castle” game, and hear legends and lore of the Lorelei – the mythical siren that was said to rise from t...
Day 7: Canals, van Gogh and more as your riverboat cruise arrives in Amsterdam
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Amsterdam, the remarkable capital of The Netherlands, is all about water; like Venice in Italy, its dominated by a series of canals that link its many tiny island. Known to the Dutch as grachten, the city’s 17th-century canals fan out...
Day 8: Your Basel to Amsterdam riverboat cruise along the Rhine concludes
Meals: Breakfast Your Rhine River family cruise ends: Amsterdam. Disembark your riverboat this morning by 9:00 AM. A transfer is included from the riverboat to Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport or Central Station. Fly home anytime. Allow 3 hours for flight check-in. For guests wishing to spend more time in Amsterdam, ask at booking about extending your stay with an additional hotel night at Tauck’s hotel.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,990
Price per day$499
Last Updated: 2/22/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Tauck Reviews & Ratings

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Other Tauck Reviews

K

Kurlyk40

May 2024

Written on

Great Scenery but Accommodations Lacking for cost

My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sa...

S

Susan

Jun 2023

Written on

Nine Tours and Done

Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...

C

Cougess

Jan 2023

Written on

Skip this cruise - not worth it

My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...

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It's easy to see the world's sights. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We believe that travel should be easy. It should be fun. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It should re-energize and transform. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Because how you see the world matters.

In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from Germany in search of the American dream. His determination and values were passed on to his son, Arthur Tauck, who would realize that dream. With ingenuity and an innovative spirit, Arthur started Tauck Motor Tours, a travel company that would give birth to a new industry. The first tour, through the back roads of New England, was created by this 27-year-old in 1925. It embodied the same successful formula used by Tauck today: do the right thing. Craft a life-enriching travel experience; provide it at a single all-inclusive price; ensure there is great value for money; and rely on recommendations of satisfied customers to build a following and grow the business.

Two elements that did change over the next 90+ years – and three generations of Taucks – were the scope of destinations served and the variety of modes of travel used. Today Tauck delivers life-enriching travel experiences to every corner of the globe, incorporating small cruise ships, premium riverboats, trains, helicopters and more. What started as a New England motor coach tour company has truly evolved into an extraordinary global travel company. The fourth generation of Taucks is now involved in the company. While remarkable in any business, this seamless continuity across generations speaks to shared vision and values.

Throughout its history, the concept of “family” at Tauck has gone far beyond those sharing the surname to include hundreds of valued employees, and hundreds of thousands of loyal guests. The story of Tauck is the story of a unique American family company celebrating a passion for travel – a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.

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Fun group tours and cruises that are culturally-focused and great for families and seniors on vacation.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Air transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included.

Accommodation

Inspiration Class riverboats – Our new-for-2016 riverboats ms Joy (operating on the Danube) and ms Grace (operating on the Rhine) join new-for-2014 ms Inspire (operating on the Rhine) and ms Savor (operating on the Danube) to continue the standards set by our Jewel Class riverboats for comfort, luxury, the most space per guest, and the most suites on Europe’s rivers. These longer ships (443 ft. or 135 meters) accommodate a maximum of 130 guests in a total of 67 cabins. 22 suites (300 sq. ft.) offer walk-in closets, spacious baths, and two French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows. 32 cabins (225 sq. ft.) include 8 innovative “loft cabins” providing additional light and views on the lower deck. Standard cabins (150 sq. ft.) are comfortable and similar in décor to our suites. All have in-room movies, minibar, adjustable heating & cooling, a private bathroom with shower and sumptuous toiletries and bedding. Public spaces boast panoramic windows, a Sun Deck, a casual dining area (Arthur's), cocktail lounge and main dining room, The Compass Rose.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Special Solo Traveler Savings – No Single Supplement in Category 1: On all departures, the single price in Category 1 is the same as the double price – no single supplement, which means savings of up to 50% for solo travelers! Please Note: Children under 18 must be booked in a cabin with at least one adult. Triple and quadruple accommodations in Categories 1 and 6 on ms Inspire consist of two adjacent, but not connecting, double cabins. Triple and quadruple accommodations in Category 7 on ms Inspire consist of a suite featuring a pillow top queen-sized bed (with optional twin-bed capacity) and a full-sized pull-out couch. Please note that Category 7 suites accommodate a maximum of three adults over the age of 18. ms Inspire Cabin Note: Only the following adjacent cabins in Categories 1 and 6 can be joined to create triple or quadruple accommodations – Category 1: 111 + 113;  112 + 114. Category 6: 216 + 218; 217 + 219; 220 + 222; 221 + 223. Recommended age: 8+ Cruise price per person, based on double occupancy, includes: cruise fare, most meals, port charges, shore excursions, applicable fuel surcharges and gratuities to Tauck Directors, Tauck Cruise Director, ship staff, local guides & drivers, as well as on all included meals. Unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship include regional wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks. Itinerary Changes: Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice. See "Before You Go" tab for details on our Cruise Protection Product or ask at booking.   Air Travel & Services Traveling with Tauck ensures more than a memorable travel experience; it also enables you to take advantage of additional do-it-for-you travel services that take the hassle out of arranging them yourself. As an added service, we can make flight arrangements for your journey, if your travels originate in the United States, offering you a number of welcome advantages. With Tauck, you can:   Reserve your flights now; pay later when tickets are issued   Enjoy significant savings on Business Class airfare on select flights   Benefit from Tauck’s lenient change and refund policies   Earn Frequent Flyer mileage on most airlines  
Trip ID
tauck-CasRhiFam

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