The Rhine, Swiss Alps & Amsterdam - Northbound
10 days
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Large Ship Cruise
This 10-day trip combines a two-night stay in Berne, the capital of Switzerland, visiting the Jungfrau, “the Top of Europe,” and the Swiss Alps with a weeklong castle-rich Rhine River cruise between Basel and Amsterdam.
Follow the romantic Rhine River on its winding journey from the Swiss Alps to the Netherlands, aboard a 7-night cruise... You’ll experi...
Overview
Trip type
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule
Highlights
- Explore Lucerne, nestled beside a stunning blue lake in the Alpine foothills and Lucerne’s medieval old town (picturesque market squares, burghers’ houses, spired churches, and restored ramparts) unfold on a walking tour which includes the 14th-century Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe
- Opportunity of sightseeing adventures, Head for the snow-capped mountains on a full-day’s excursion to Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe .
- Explore the artistic side of Colmar in the Alsatian wine country
- Visit the Porsche Museum, a dazzling ultramodern showcase featuring 80 cars, from the earliest models to the present (including concept cars and prototypes), in exhibits that trace the history of the legendary car company
- Enjoy the short cruise to Cologne one of Germany’s oldest cities (founded in the 1st Century AD), Cologne was once a Roman provincial capital
What's this trip about?
This 10-day trip combines a two-night stay in Berne, the capital of Switzerland, visiting the Jungfrau, “the Top of Europe,” and the Swiss Alps with a weeklong castle-rich Rhine River cruise between Basel and Amsterdam.
Follow the romantic Rhine River on its winding journey from the Swiss Alps to the Netherlands, aboard a 7-night cruise... You’ll experience medieval winetowns, cathedrals, castles, museums, and river landscapes of the kind that inspired JMW Turner and Richard Wagner. Begin with a two-night stay at a luxury hotel in Bern, with an idyll in Lucerne; then sail from Basel with visits to Colmar, Stuttgart, Rudesheim and Cologne... a Tauck Exclusive evening of dinner and music at Schloss Ehreshoven... a visit to the windmills of Kinderdyke, and two nights in Amsterdam with a tour along the city’s canals.
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Details
Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityZurich, Switzerland
End CityAmsterdam, Netherlands
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- All private Tauck shore excursions – $1,025 Value!
- Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director
- Two nights at the Hotel Bellevue Bern
- Tauck Exclusive – reception at the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar
- Tauck Exclusive – dinner and entertainment at Schloss Ehreshoven, a German castle dating back to the 15th century
- A boat tour along Amsterdam’s canals, followed by a guided visit to the Rjiksmuseum
- Optional visit to Jungfraujoch, high in the snow-clad Swiss Alps
- Optional visit to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart
- Unlimited complimentary beverages aboard ship include regional wine, beer and premium spirits in addition to specialty coffee, water and soft drinks
- Airport & train transfers upon arrival and departure
- 24 meals; service charges, taxes, porterage & applicable fuel surcharges
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Zurich and journey to the Swiss capital city Bern
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Bellevue Palace Bern
Tour begins: 6:30 PM. A transfer is included from Zurich Airport or the train station (Zürich Hauptbahnhof) to the Bellevue Palace Bern in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, which is surrounded by the Aare River and di...
Day 2: Travel to the top of the world, the Jungfraujoch, or explore Bern
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Bellevue Palace Bern
You have a choice of sightseeing adventures today. Head for the snow-capped mountains on a full-day’s excursion to Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe." Drive to the village of Lauterbrunnen for a trai...
Day 3: From elegant Lucerne to Basel and the start of your river cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Aboard the Riverboat
Leave Bern this morning and arrive in Lucerne, nestled beside a stunning blue lake in the Alpine foothills. Features of Lucerne’s medieval old town (picturesque market squares, burghers’ houses, spired chur...
Day 4: Explore the artistic side of Colmar in the Alsatian wine country
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Aboard the Riverboat
Dock in Breisach, then drive to the village of Colmar, France, in Alsatian wine country. The principal industry in Colmar is food and wine, but its irresistible charm lies in its beautifully preserve...
Day 5: Stuttgart... fast cars and wine
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Aboard the Riverboat
Arrive in Karlsruhe this morning, then depart by coach for Stuttgart, the cradle of the automobile and the hometown of Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. Despite its reputation as an industrial powerhouse, t...
Day 6: Rüdesheim and a special evening at a castle, Schloss Ehreshoven
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Aboard the Riverboat
Near the foot of the Neiderwald, surrounded by vineyards, the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle watch over the Rhine Gorge; just around the bend, you’ll dock in the winemaking town of Rüdesheim, under the lo...
Day 7: Spend a day exploring all that is Köln
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Aboard the Riverboat
Depart Bonn this morning for a short cruise to Cologne. One of Germany’s oldest cities (founded in the 1st Century AD), Cologne was once a Roman provincial capital, and later a fabulously wealthy med...
Day 8: Dordrecht and a visit to the Kinderdyke Windmill
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Aboard the Riverboat
Begin the day with a guided walking tour of Dordrecht, a wealthy trading port in the Middle Ages, now a treasure trove of medieval and baroque architecture and canals, and literally hundreds of histo...
Day 9: Amsterdam... art, architecture and canals
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Aboard the Riverboat
Arrive in Amsterdam this morning and embark on an orientation tour. Amsterdam is often called the Venice of the North for its elaborate network of canals that wind through a romantic historic center ...
Day 10: Journey home
Meals: Breakfast
Your Rhine river cruise ends: Amsterdam. Fly home anytime; a transfer from your riverboat to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport or Central Train Station is included. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.
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Dates & Availability
Price From $4,690
Price per day$469
Last Updated: 2/22/2018
Rates for Double: ms Inspire
Category 4: $5,840
Category 5: $6,440
Category 6: $6,640
Category 7: $7,140
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
Benefit from Tauck’s lenient change and refund policies
Earn Frequent Flyer mileage on most airlines
What's more, if you purchase Tauck's Guest Protection, you'll receive a refund should you need to cancel your flights due to covered reasons. Another great reason to buy your air from Tauck!
Deposit:
The Deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking. Your deposit is $800 per person.
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.
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.
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Tour Operator
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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What they’re known for
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
- Personal Expenses such as phone calls, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges
- Vaccinations
- Visa fees and services
- Airport arrival and departure taxes
- Individual airport transfers (when applicable),
- Other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
Accommodation
Nights 1 - 2 : Bellevue Palace Bern - Bern, Switzerland
Bellevue Palace Bern is the hotel of the Swiss government with a history extending back 150 years – the only grand hotel in the heart of the capital. The magnificent salons, the grandiose vista of the Bernese Alps and the hotel's warm hospitality make this luxury hotel so unique. In the restaurant VUE, connoisseurs enjoy fine dining with great classic dishes reinvented by chef Gregor Zimmermann. The Bellevue Bar has always been a meeting place for politicians and diplomats – it featured in John le Carré's spy novels, and is popular as a casual meeting place for a late night dinner. At the spa, enjoy the cozy warmth of the sauna or soak up the sun on the spacious rooftop terrace. And you'll feel right at home in the hotel's guest rooms from the moment you arrive. Distinctive elegance, exquisite design and fine furnishings combine with the architectural ambiance to make each room a unique haven of peace and tranquillity... right in the heart of the city and yet somehow far, far away. Enjoy La Belle Vie au Bellevue Palace
Nights 3 - 9 : Aboard the Riverboat - Europe's inland waterways
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.
Cancellation policy
Final payment due for a journey:-
For river cruises, final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to the river cruise start date. Final payment for all other cruises and land journeys is due no later than 60 days prior to their start date.
Will I have to make payment at the time I make a reservation?
A deposit is required in order to hold a reservation for a Tauck journey. Deposit amounts vary depending on the destination and type of journey you are reserving (land, rail, cruise). Tauck’s non-refundable Guest Protection Plan and Cruise Protection Plan must also be paid for at time of deposit or up to 10 days from the time your reservation is made. You may cancel within 10 days of making your reservation to receive the full refund of your deposit, and the cost of the Guest or Cruise Protection Plan (if applicable).
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
.
Meals Included
9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 8 Dinners
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
Extend Your Trip
Many Tauck travelers prefer arriving at their destination a day before their Tauck journey begins, or often extend a stay at the end of their trip. As a service, Tauck will make hotel reservations before and after your journey
Arrive Early: Bellevue Palace Bern - Bern, Switzerland
Bellevue Palace Bern is the hotel of the Swiss government with a history extending back 150 years – the only grand hotel in the heart of the capital. The magnificent salons, the grandiose vista of the Bernese Alps and the hotel's warm hospitality make this luxury hotel so unique. In the restaurant VUE, connoisseurs enjoy fine dining with great classic dishes reinvented by chef Gregor Zimmermann. The Bellevue Bar has always been a meeting place for politicians and diplomats – it featured in John le Carré's spy novels, and is popular as a casual meeting place for a late night dinner. At the spa, enjoy the cozy warmth of the sauna or soak up the sun on the spacious rooftop terrace. And you'll feel right at home in the hotel's guest rooms from the moment you arrive. Distinctive elegance, exquisite design and fine furnishings combine with the architectural ambiance to make each room a unique haven of peace and tranquillity... right in the heart of the city and yet somehow far, far away. Enjoy La Belle Vie au Bellevue Palace.
2016 Hotel Room Rates from January 1 - December
Double: $573
Single: $432
Triple: $744
Additional Information
Special Solo Traveler Savings
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!
Solo Travelers also enjoy Savings of $1000 per cabin in Category 4 and 5 on the April 4, August 15 and October 27 departures. Certain restrictions apply; ask at time of booking.
Will I receive documentation when I book a Tauck journey?
Once a journey has been booked and deposited, Tauck will automatically send a confirmation of your reservation. Final tour documentation which includes a day-by-day itinerary of your journey is sent after final payment is received.
Trip ID
tauck-TheRhiTau
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