Grand European Cruise

Amsterdam to Cernavoda

(Or in Reverse Direction)

River/Canal Cruising | 23 Nights | European History & Architecture

Quiet medieval landscapes and central Europe's greatest cities beckon on this extraordinary North Sea to Black Sea tour aboard an exclusive Tauck riverboat

Top▲Highlights

Our Grand European Cruise combines Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat with Budapest to the Black Sea to create an unforgettable 24-day North Sea to Black Sea tour through the heart of Europe, including a 21-day cruise aboard one of our three exclusive-to-Tauck luxury riverboats – MS Swiss Sapphire, MS Swiss Emerald or the new-for-2009 MS Swiss Jewel. This remarkable Danube, Main and Rhine River tour by riverboat takes you through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Glide past grand cathedrals, medieval monasteries, and historic citadels – as well as through the Main-Danube Canal and the Iron Gate of the Danube. Tauck’s private, inclusive shore excursions take in many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in-depth exploration of cities including Amsterdam, Köln, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade and Bucharest.

Please note that some ports and activities may vary on the reverse itinerary. Please contact one of our Specialty Cruise Advisors for details.

Note: Some departures may visit Bran Castle instead of Peles Castle due to weekly closures.

Note: This cruise includes a fair amount of walking in each city.

Top▲Itinerary

NOTE: All itineraries on the website are constantly being updated. This itinerary may not be the most current, so please check with one of the Specialty Cruise Advisors on the left to ensure that this is the most current one.

Top▲Dates & Prices

Seasonality

July to August

All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.

This example may be available on other dates or with different itineraries. We will gladly research other options for you! Special savings may be available for groups of 6 or more. Prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy, for standard and/or inside stateroom unless stated otherwise, are capacity controlled and are subject to availability. Fare is shown in US dollars unless otherwise stated. Government Fees and Taxes are additional. Refer to appropriate supplier brochure for terms and conditions. Pricing for Singles, 3rd, 4th or 5th guests if available, will be provided upon request and is subject to stateroom category availability. Unless specified, airfare is not included. Full details of airfare offers will be provided upon request and may vary by departure location. Prices vary by date of travel, were available when written, but are subject to restrictions and availability when booked, and may be withdrawn at any time. Offer not combinable with other promotions or discount offers. FST #ST37451 / CST #2092247-50 / WST #602-708-936

Top▲What's Included

68 meals included.

Land / cruise price per person includes cruise fare, most meals, port charges, wine with dinner aboard ship, 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.

Shore Excursions and Activities (Included)   Show All Details    Hide All Details

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  Day 2 - Visit the Rijksmuseum and enjoy a Luncheon Canal Boat Cruise (Amsterdam)

  See acclaimed art by Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt's The Night Watch, at Amsterdam's renowned Rijksmuseum. Then enjoy views of Amsterdam's remarkable architectural styles on a luncheon boat cruise along Amsterdam’s 17th-century canals.

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  Day 3 - Tour the Kölner Dom (Cologne)

  A guided walking tour includes the lofty Kölner Dom, elaborately decorated with pinnacles and buttresses – it is the tallest Gothic structure in the world, and took over 600 years to complete.

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  Day 4 - Koblenz Excursion Options (Koblenz)

  Dock in Koblenz, and choose either a walking tour of Old Town, or a trip to 13th-century Marksburg Castle, built high above the Rhine.

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  Day 4 - Visit Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett (Rudesheim)

  A visit to Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett – an eclectic collection of mechanical musical instruments housed in a 15th-century castle in Rüdesheim – precedes tonight's entertaining dinner in an old-world German restaurant.

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  Day 6 - Discover Rothenburg and Würzburg (Wurzburg)

  Today's travels take you to medieval Rothenburg, on Germany's "Romantic Road," to see its Gothic cathedrals and gabled houses. Later, a visit to charming Würzburg reveals the town's 18th-century Residenz and the ornate Alte Mainbrücke, a bridge over the River Main.

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  Day 7 - Explore Bamberg (Bamberg)

  Journey to the Bavarian town of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated atop seven hills. After discovering the town’s lovely gardens, medieval architecture and 13th-century Gothic cathedral with its four imposing towers on a walking tour of Old Town, you'll have time to explore this charming town on your own.

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  Day 8 - Nuremberg Excursion Options (Nuremberg)

  Choose between a tour of city sites associated with World War II and its aftermath – including the famous Court House – or a tour of the walled medieval town and a visit to the home of 16th-century painter Albrecht Dürer.

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  Day 9 - Walking Tour of Ancient Regensburg (Regensburg)

  On a walking tour, see the Steinerne Brücke, a medieval stone bridge over the Danube; Altes Rathaus, the 15th-century town hall that was once the seat of the Imperial Diet; and towering Dom St. Peter.

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  Day 10 - Passau Walking Tour (Passau)

  Spend time exploring this lovely Bavarian town, known for its Baroque architecture and stained glass, on a walking tour.

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  Day 11 - Guided Tour of the Benedictine Abbey (Melk)

  Stop in the town of Melk, Austria, for a guided tour of its 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, perched on a rocky outcrop above the river. Inside this Baroque masterpiece are fine frescoes, early manuscripts, and a high altar.

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  Day 11 - Walking Tour of Dürnstein (Dürnstein)

  Stroll through picturesque Dürnstein on a walking tour; high above the town lie the ruins of a castle where King Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom during the Crusades.

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  Day 12 - Spend the Day in Vienna (Vienna)

  Get an overview of Vienna, Austria, with a morning sightseeing tour of this historic city. Then take your choice of a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, built to rival Versailles, or a tour of the Imperial Silver Room inside the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Tonight, attend a private Imperial Viennese Evening at a traditional palace, which features dinner and live Viennese music.

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  Day 13 - Walking Tour of Bratislava (Bratislava)

  Wake up this morning in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, where 17 centuries of history are chronicled on a walking tour. Highlights are Baroque palaces from the Habsburg era, along with St. Martin's Cathedral, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall, and a visit to Old Town Hall.

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  Day 14 - Enjoy a Relaxing Spa Visit in Budapest (Budapest)

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  Day 15 - Explore the Site on Both Sides of Budapest (Budapest)

  Explore sites on both sides of the Danube, including patriotic Heroes’ Square; the Parliament building, a neo-Gothic masterpiece; Fishermen’s Bastion; and the famed stained glass windows in Matthias Church. Note: Matthias Church may be closed on some departures due to services.

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  Day 16 - Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride and Equestrian Center (Solt)

  A horse-drawn wagon ride takes you to the Equestrian Center, where you'll see Puszta horsemen demonstrating traditional skills.

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  Day 16 - Visit the Baroque library in the Bishop’s Palace, housing one of the finest early collections in Europe (Kalocsa)

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  Day 17 - Visit the Cities of Osijek and Vukovar (Vukovar)

  Travel overland to the fortified city of Osijek, which still has its Viennese-style mansions. Visit the ancient Tvrda Citadel, standing guard over the city, and the medieval Church of the Holy Cross. Later, explore the Baroque city of Vukovar, once showcasing 18th-century mansions, but now poignantly symbolizing the effects of the 1990s war.

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  Day 18 - Explore the Sites in Belgrade (Belgrade)

  Sightseeing includes Tito's Memorial, St. Sava Church, and Kalemegdan Fortress. Also view busy Slavija Square, Parliament, Republic Square and City Hall.

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  Day 20 - Visit the Towns of Veliko Turnovo and Arbanassi (Svishtov)

  Explore the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo, whose ancient walled fortress and castle are set atop three hills overlooking the Yantra River. In nearby Arbanassi, you'll have an opportunity to meet and share local specialties with your Bulgarian contemporaries at a private, home-hosted lunch.

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  Day 22 - Sightseeing Tour in Bucharest (Bucharest)

  A sightseeing tour includes Revolution Square and the Triumphal Arch; erected to commemorate Romania's reunification and those who fell in World War I, it is a smaller but exact copy of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. You'll also pay a visit to the massive People's Palace, the world's second-largest building after the Pentagon.

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  Day 23 - Excursion Options in Bucharest (Bucharest)

  You have a choice of sightseeing in Romania today. Opt for a full day's excursion to tour Peles Castle in Sinaia, built for Romania's royal family in the 1880s. Or visit isolated Snagov Monastery – said to be the final resting place of Vlad Tepes, the historical model for the character of Dracula. Note: Some departures may visit Bran Castle instead of Peles Castle due to weekly closures.

Top▲What's NOT Included

International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air, in coach or business, for travel originating in the United States (subject to availability).

Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before or after your cruise, or about our Cruise Protection Plan.

Top▲Optional Add-ons

Shore Excursions and Activities (Optional)   Show All Details    Hide All Details

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  Local Tour: Paris City Extension

  $1890 (US Dollar)

  2009 Price per Person
  Double: $1890
  Single: $2870
  Triple: $1766

  Whether you’ve never been there or have visited many times, Paris tours are always delightful. Enjoy 5 days / 4 nights in this glittering capital city before or after select European land or cruise journeys on Tauck's new Paris Extension. While not escorted by a Tauck Director, you’ll enjoy the services of a local host who will help you make the most of your time. Special experiences include an opportunity to be “French for a day” as you shop for fresh ingredients with a Parisian chef and then use those ingredients to prepare lunch at her home. And, there’s ample free time to discover Paris as you please with the guidance of your local host on these short Paris tours. There couldn’t be a more enjoyable way to begin or end your European vacation!

  Day 1 – Bonjour, Paris
  Your Paris Extension, in “the City of Light,” begins at 12:00 p.m. with a transfer from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Hotel Pont Royal in trendy Saint-Germain-des-Prés on the famed Left Bank. Tauck’s 4-night Paris tours help you get acquainted with the city and begin thinking about what you’d like to see and do. Meet your local host and learn about all your options and the services that your host can provide at a cocktail reception this evening.
  Lodging: Hotel Pont Royal, Paris, France

  Day 2 – A walk through the Latin Quarter
  Join your host this morning for a walking tour of the lively Latin Quarter, so named because Latin, the international language of learning in the Middle Ages, was widely spoken in and around the Université de Paris located there. Today, the area is known for its joie de vivre. Discover Ile de la Cité, the epicenter of Paris tours and the location of Notre Dame Cathedral. The rest of the day is free to spend as you like; your host will have great suggestions about things to do, places to see and restaurants to try.
  Meals: Breakfast
  Lodging: Hotel Pont Royal, Paris, France

  Day 3 – French cuisine and convivial conversation
  A special treat – and a Tauck Exclusive on these 4-night Paris tours – awaits you today. Visit the outdoor markets with a local chef to select the ingredients for a fine Parisian lunch. Then accompany her to her private home, where she’ll show you how to combine them to create dishes that you’ll remember long after your congenial, delicious luncheon is finished. A plethora of Parisian pleasures await you this afternoon and evening. Ask your host to point you toward what might interest you most.
  Meals: Breakfast, lunch
  Lodging: Hotel Pont Royal, Paris, France

  Day 4 – Do as you please in Paris
  Awake to a day of discoveries and adventures as you choose to create them! Perhaps you’ll pay a call on the Mona Lisa at the Louvre… or lose yourself in the dreamy Impressionist world inside the Museé d’Orsay. Shopping on the Champs-Elysées? Strolling among the artists at Montmartre before exploring Sacré-Çoeur? Parisian-watching from the comfort of an outdoor café? A cruise along the Seine aboard one of the famed bateaux mouches? It’s your day to do just as you wish. Your host will be happy to tell you about special events going on or recommend a wonderful local restaurant not yet discovered by the tourist hoards for a memorable lunch or dinner.
  Meals: Breakfast
  Lodging: Hotel Pont Royal, Paris, France

  Day 5 – Au revoir Paris
  This most enjoyable of Paris tours concludes with an included transfer from Hotel Pont Royal back to Charles de Gaulle Airport where you’ll catch your flight to elsewhere in Europe or head for home. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in formalities.
  Meals: Breakfast

  4 breakfasts and 1 lunch included.
  Special "Dinner with a French Family" option – add $125; ask at booking for full details.
  Airfare is additional. Please ask Tauck or your booking agent about air travel to or from Paris.
  Please ask at time of booking about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.
  All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.

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  Local Tour: Warsaw / Cracow City Extension

  $1490 (US Dollar)

  2009 Price per Person
  Double: $1490
  Single: $1950
  Triple: $1440

  Add a few days to your European vacation with our new 5-day, 4-night Warsaw / Cracow Extension visiting Europe's most fascinating cities. Our short Poland tours are the perfect way to explore these historic gems as you choose. Although you’re not escorted by a Tauck Director, a local host is at your service to ensure that you’ll be able to see and do whatever interests you most during your three nights in Warsaw and overnight in Cracow.

  Day 1: Welcome to Warsaw
  Tauck’s new Poland tours begin at 12:00 p.m. with an included transfer from Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport to the Hilton Warsaw Hotel in the heart of the city. Your local host looks forward to meeting you at our cocktail reception this evening and to sharing information about what the coming days hold for you.
  Lodging: Hilton Warsaw Hotel, Warsaw, Poland

  Day 2: Wonderful Warsaw
  Begin the day with an orientation sightseeing tour that includes such famous landmarks as Constitution Square, the Palace of Culture, Radziwill Palace and the famous statue of Warsaw’s favorite son, Frederic Chopin. Then, a walking tour through Old Town followed by a screening of the poignant film Warsaw Will Not Forget reveals the soul of the city. The afternoon is free for you to do some exploring on your own; your host will be happy to make suggestions regarding things to see that might intrigue you. A special treat – and a Tauck Exclusive on our new Poland tours – awaits in the early evening as you attend a private piano recital at Szustra Palace that brings Chopin’s musical genius to life. Ask your host for restaurant recommendations and assistance with dinner reservations.
  Meals: Breakfast
  Lodging: Hilton Warsaw Hotel, Warsaw, Poland

  Day 3: The many charms of Cracow
  After a buffet breakfast, board a train to Cracow for a one-night stay at the lovely Hotel Stary in the midst of the city. After lunch on your own, you can choose to stay in Cracow to discover its charms on your own or join us for a poignant excursion to Auschwitz. Your host stands ready to assist you with reservations for dinner and to suggest pleasant diversions for the evening.
  Meals: Breakfast
  Lodging: Hotel Stary, Cracow, Poland

  Day 4: Meanwhile, back in Warsaw
  Before returning to Warsaw, explore Krakow Cathedral and visit the State Apartments in historic Wawel Castle. Board your train back to Warsaw in the late afternoon, arriving in time for dinner. Your host can tell you about great restaurants favored by local residents perhaps.
  Meals: Breakfast
  Lodging: Hilton Warsaw Hotel, Warsaw, Poland

  Day 5: Homeward bound
  Our Poland tours conclude in Warsaw as Tauck’s Warsaw / Cracow Extension ends with an included transfer from the Hilton Warsaw Hotel to Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for airport flight check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
  Meals: Breakfast

  4 breakfasts included.
  Airfare is additional. Please ask Tauck or your booking agent about air travel to or from Warsaw.
  Please ask at time of booking about our comprehensive Guest Protection Plan.
  All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.

Top▲Vessel Information

Swiss Sapphire

Motor Ship (Riverboat) | 118 Passengers | Operated by Tauck,

Along with her sister ships MS Swiss Emerald and MS Swiss Jewel, the MS Swiss Sapphire – launched exclusively for Tauck River Cruises in 2008 – defines the word luxury. She features three passenger decks custom-designed to comfortably accommodate 118 Tauck guests in gracious style – as opposed to most similar-sized riverboats, which average about 140 guests. And like all Tauck riverboats, MS Swiss Sapphire boasts four times more suites than most of her European counterparts – 14 luxurious 300-square-foot suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, brocade upholstery, walk-in closets and marble baths with full-size tubs, along with 7 junior suites.

Tauck guests enjoy exceptional vantage points throughout MS Swiss Sapphire; panoramic windows provide spectacular views of the passing shore. Culinary pleasures are many, from a spacious panoramic restaurant offering menus designed for a variety of tastes, to alternative bistro dining – a first on Europe’s rivers – featuring lighter fare in the teak-lined Lido Bar on the aft deck, as well as breakfast served in your cabin, available in select cabin categories. Sporting a fully opening 180º glass wall, the Lido Bar also offers coffee & tea, cappuccino, and snacks throughout the day. Guests can get in a workout in MS Swiss Sapphire's fitness center; curl up with a good book or catch up on the news in the reading/Internet corner; or relax on the topside sun deck (complete with 24-hour Jacuzzi) or in the panoramic lounge.

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