River Cruise Itinerary

Epicurean delights take center stage on this Rhine River cruise, with a feast of culinary experiences that showcase wine, cheese, chocolate and more in France, Belgium and Switzerland...You'll sip wine in the Lavaux vineyards at a local wine-making cooperative. Taste craft beer and culinary specialties in Düsseldorf, French fare in Strasbourg and local beer in Antwerp. Enjoy a chocolate demo in Brussels. Dine like royalty at Slot Loevestein, set on a private island exclusive to Tauck guests. And spend three nights at a luxurious Fairmont Montreux resort amidst spectacular scenery.

1. Day 1
   Basel, Switzerland

   Thu, Aug 08, 2024

   Tour begins: 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Geneva Airport, Geneva train station (approximately 1.5 hour drive) or Montreux train station to Fairmont Montreux Palace, nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, overlooking the Alps. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at your elegant hotel.

   
   Meals: Dinner
2. Day 2
   Montreux, Switzerland

   Fri, Aug 09, 2024

   Internationally famous as a terraced wine-growing region on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Lavaux region is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 12th century when Cisterian monks built miles of terraces and walls on sloping glacial terrain for the purpose of cultivating wine. Explore the vineyards on a choice of excursions that includes a mini-train tour of the vineyards, a visit to one of the area's quaint villages and a wine tasting at a local cooperative wine cellar; or a gentle walk on unpaved paths through the vineyards, ending with a wine-tasting at a local winery. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own along the shores of Lake Geneva and spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Montreux. Your hotel is located in the city center, with landmark sites and dining venues a short walk away.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
3. Day 3
   Montreux, Switzerland

   Sat, Aug 10, 2024

   Montreux has been a favorite lakeside resort destination since the 19th century when artists and writers sought inspiration in its peaceful surroundings and scenic Alpine beauty. Ever since, it has been a magnet for the rich and famous, musicians included, who head here for its mild climate, hilltop Old town, and premier jazz festival. Take a virtual walk with a local guide who shares insights on Queen, Freddie Mercury and the time the band spent here, using a tablet to view a collection of videos and photos that were not available to the general public, and listen to the music they made here. Or, venture to Glacier 3000 for an Alpine adventure that truly makes your spirit soar. Ride a cable car to the summit for time to enjoy the attractions at the top. Walk across the PeakWalk by Tissot, the only suspension bridge connecting two peaks in the world, amidst head-turning scenery of the Matterhorn, Mont-Blanc and Jungfrau, and experience a wonderland of glacier fun as you wish. Have dinner as you like in Montreux this evening.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
4. Day 4
   Basel, Switzerland

   Sun, Aug 11, 2024

   After breakfast, visit nearby Chillon Castle, renowned as among the best-preserved medieval European castles. On a locally guided tour, view some its 40 rooms, including the Castellan's Dining Hall, with walls depicting painted family crests. Drive to a quant Swiss village for free time and lunch before continuing on to Basel. Embark your riverboat in Basel; attend a Discovery Briefing and enjoy cocktails before dining onboard your ship.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
5. Day 5
   Strasbourg, France

   Mon, Aug 12, 2024

   Spend the morning in Strasbourg, disembarking for a choice of excursions after breakfast. Blending Franco-Germanic culture, architecture, and ambiance, this Alsatian city is nestled on the Rhine across the border from Germany and boasts a compelling and complex history. Join a local guide for an epicurean-inspired walking tour of its city center, along with tastings of wine, cheese and other Alsatian specialties. See its Gothic-inspired Notre Dame Cathedral and half-timbered houses and explore its Petite France quarter, criss-crossed by canals and a swing bridge reminiscent of days gone by. Or do as the locals do and explore the sights by bicycle as your local guide leads the way. Have lunch onboard your riverboat as it sails for the Middle Rhine Valley.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
6. Day 6
   Koblenz, Germany

   Tue, Aug 13, 2024

   Spend a leisurely morning cruising through the Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage region renowned for iconic landscapes crowned by castles and fortresses, along with terraced vineyards established more than 1,000 years on the steep slopes of the valley. The strategic location of this dramatic stretch of the Rhine between Bingen, Rüdesheim and Koblenz reflects its importance as a transportation route; the sixty small towns, terraced vineyards and the castles ruins found here reflect how prosperous this trade route once was since prehistoric times. Your Tauck Director provides commentary as you glide past vine-covered, terraced slopes, and rocky bluffs, sharing the stories of the Lorelei Rock and ancient castles standing watch onshore. Arrive in Koblenz this afternoon for a guided e-bike ride* or a scavenger hunt across the city. Enjoy dinner and musical entertainment onboard ship.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
7. Day 7
   Düsseldorf, Germany

   Wed, Aug 14, 2024

   Wake up in in Düsseldorf, one of Germany's wealthiest cities, known for its charming Altstadt (Old Town) and avant garde architecture. Walk off the riverboat into town for your choice of a walking tour focused on the city's history, architecture and culinary traditions, along with some tasty local treats; or a bicycling excursion along the city's Rhine River waterfront. After lunch, experience a craft beer tour that visits a number of breweries to offer a sampling of the varieties of dark Altbier the region is known for. Dinner is at leisure onboard the riverboat this evening.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
8. Day 8
   Gorinchem Netherlands

   Thu, Aug 15, 2024

   Voted "the most beautiful fortified town in the Netherlands," Gorinchem was founded in 1,000 AD, fortified in the 13th and 14th centuries, and today boasts the largest fully intact fort in the Netherlands. Join our local guide for a walking tour of its historic heart, viewing its charming canals, the well-preserved Renaissance-style and medieval architecture, and pretty parks and gardens. Explore as you wish this afternoon, before joining us for a Tauck Exclusive reception and dinner at Slot Loevestein. Set in a nature reserve on a private island, the 14th-century castle has served as a prison, residence and toll taker, reigning unrivaled over its strategic location where the Maas and Waal rivers come together. Tonight it will be yours to enjoy as the island and castle are open for Tauck guests only.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
9. Day 9
   Antwerp, Belgium

   Fri, Aug 16, 2024

   With a history dating back to the Middle Ages, the port city of Antwerp was one of Europe's most important cities in the mid-16th century. Home to the artist, Pieter Paul Rubens, it welcomes with cobblestone charms, a riverside fortress, guildhalls and a Gothic cathedral that took 169 years to build. Join a local guide for an insightful walking tour of Old Town or choose to visit the acclaimed Royal Museum of Fine Arts to view its collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings from the 14th to the 20th centuries, as well as the spectacular architecture of the building itself. A beer tasting after lunch showcases the city's famous Belgian ales.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
10. Day 10
    Brussels, Belgium

    Sat, Aug 17, 2024

    Explore the best of Brussels today on your choice of guided excursions, including an informative city tour that views its landmark sights or a guided look at the Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture that's found throughout the city. Belgian chocolate is renowned the world over; a chocolate demonstration this afternoon reveals its delectable secrets. Join us tonight for a farewell toast and dinner.

    
    Meals: Breakfast
11. Day 11
    Brussels, Belgium

    Sun, Aug 18, 2024

    Tour ends: Brussels. Disembark ship by 9:00 AM. Fly home anytime; a transfer from your riverboat to Brussels Airport is included. Allow three hours for flight check-in.

    
    Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

Epicurean delights take center stage on this Rhine River cruise, with a feast of culinary experiences that showcase wine, cheese, chocolate and more in France, Belgium and Switzerland...You'll sip wine in the Lavaux vineyards at a local wine-making cooperative. Taste craft beer and culinary specialties in Düsseldorf, French fare in Strasbourg and local beer in Antwerp. Enjoy a chocolate demo in Brussels. Dine like royalty at Slot Loevestein, set on a private island exclusive to Tauck guests. And spend three nights at a luxurious Fairmont Montreux resort amidst spectacular scenery.

• Explore the charms of Montreux with a music-themed look at Freddie Mercury or journey into the Alps visit to Glacier 3000, where you can walk peak- to-peak across a breathtaking suspension bridge
• All private Tauck shore excursions -  $4,228 Value!

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