The APT Touring Philosophy

The McGeary family started APT based on a personal dream to offer unique and luxurious holidays to travellers who have a spirit of adventure and discovery.
82 Years Australian Family Owned

The essence of APT started in Australia in 1927 by Bill McGeary, and is still owned and run by the McGeary family, including the third generation, Rob and Lou.
Fully Inclusive Holidays and Guaranteed Prices

All our prices are fully inclusive and guaranteed, so you’ll know exactly where you stand.
APT Cultural Touring Experiences

With APT, we have a great mix of cultural touring experiences so you can discover the local culture first-hand.
APT’s Awards – Travel Industry Recognition

APT is proud to be consistently the most awarded touring company in Australia but what gives us greatest pleasure is the 98% satisfaction rating from APT travellers.
The APT Group – Global Vision

The APT Group recently embarked on a program of international growth, with the objective of positioning the company as a truly global tour and cruise operator and one of the world’s leading travel companies. In doing so, the company has embraced an efficient, goal-oriented business that nurtures and develops a culture of exceptional performance.We will continue to expand on our present commitment to touring in regions that include Europe, Scandinavia, the Americas and Asia.

As the number one tour operator in Australia and New Zealand, the company is committed to the continuation of its role as a fully integrated travel business by owning and operating its touring and cruising operations.

APT Group – Past and Present

Now, with a third generation of the family contributing to the APT Group’s success, the benefits of the company’s family-style culture are increasingly apparent. While vigorously pursuing a global vision, the unwavering focus is on delivering a life-enriching and memorable holiday experience for each and every individual.

2007 marked APT’s 80th anniversary. Such longevity in a competitive environment, coupled with a proven ability to meet the shifting expectations of the modern holidaymaker, is testament to the pioneering spirit upon which the company was founded, and upon which it continues to operate and flourish today.

APT Peace of Mind

We have established our Peace of Mind Guarantee to reassure our clients in these uncertain economic times.

The APT Peace of Mind Guarantee features:

* reduced deposits for Europe and Canada / Alaska from $2000 to $1000 per person
* APT Cancellation Cover that allows clients to cancel their holiday prior to the due date of final payment and retain a full credit of deposit paid. No cancellation charges are applicable provided a new booking is made within 2 years. Cost is $55 per person
* Price guarantee on all deposited bookings

* 98% customer satisfaction rating from our past travellers.

A Uniworld Boutique River Cruise combines the pleasure of discovering the multitude of charms and landmarks of different destinations with the same exquisite accommodations, award-winning hospitality, and world-class cuisine of a five-star boutique hotel.

Uniworld introduces three NEW ships in 2011

River Antoinette - Sailing on “Castles along the Rhine” itinerary, Riber Antoinette features largest staterooms of any contemporary river cruise ships operating in Europe, innovative top deck suites and staterooms with full open – air private balconies that, with a touch of switch, will raise the glass to creat a completely enclosed conservatory, heated swimming pool and a sky lounge on the sun deck.

Douro Spirit – Every riverview stateroom and suite onboard Uniworld’s new beautiful Douro Spirit features a French balcony, so guests can get closer to the breathtaking scenery of UNESCO World Heritage Douro River Valley.

River Victoria - The NEW River Victoria is one of the most elegant and comfortable ships to sail the Volga from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
Featuring beautifully appointed riverview staterooms and suites, many with full private balconies.

CRUISING in 2011 with Exciting NEW programs

Unworld offers 39 itineraries ranging from 8-31 days along the great rivers and waterways of Europe, Russia, Egypt and China.

Six NEW expertly – planned itineraries

Tresures of Prague, the Rhine & Main                               Grand European Odyssey
Cologne to Prague | 10 Days                                                            Paris to Istanbul | 31 Days

Imperial Capitals of Europe                                                  Classic Christmas Market
Istanbul to Vienna | 15 Days                                                            Nuremberg to Frankfurt | 8 Days

Grand European River Voyage                                             Imperial Waterways of Russia
Amsterdam to Istanbul | 27 Days                                              Moscow to St. Petersburg  | 13 Days

UNIWORLD Multigenerational Family Friendly River Cruises
Especially designed cruises for grandparents, parents, and the special young people in their lives. Exciting shore excursions, included meals & entertainment onboard makes for the ideal, hassle – free, value packed family holiday.

Now – 50% Off Kids Prices^

Paris & Normandy – Paris to Paris – 8 days

Adult – $3232*pp and Child (4 – 18 yrs) – $1683*^pp

Includes:
7 night luxurious river cruise
All meals onboard
Complimentary wine, beer and soft drink during dinner
6 onshore guided excursions
Captains Welcome Gala & Farewell dinner
3 signature lecture
Transfers on arrival and departure†

Departs: 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 31 Jul & 7 Aug 2011

Treasures of Prague, the Rhine & Main – Cologne to Prague – 10 days

Adult – $3583*pp Child (4 – 18 yrs) – $1858*^pp

Includes:
7 night luxurious river cruise
2 nights in Prague with breakfast
All meals onboard
Complimentary wine,beer and soft drink during dinner
7 onshore guided excursions
Captains Welcome Gala & Farewell dinner
3 signature lectures
Exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program
Transfers on arrival and departure†

Departs: 26 Jun, 1 Jul, 24 Jul & 29 Jul 2011

*Conditions Apply: Advertised price is per person twin share cruise only in category 3 cabin and is based on; Paris & Normandy – 3 July departure, Treasures of Prague, the Rhine & Main on 24 July departure.

Seasonal surcharges may apply for all other departure dates. Valid for sale: Until sold out. The advertised price is inclusive of any savings. ^ 50% Off is limited to one young traveller (4 – 18 years) per adult on select

family friendly cruise departures as mentioned above. This offer cannot be combined with any other specials. Single supplement and upgrade charges apply upon application. Offers can be withdrawn without prior

notice. †Further conditions apply. Prices & information are correct at time of issue and subject to availability and change at time of booking

WHY UNIWORLD

A World of Benefits Designed Just for You

Uniworld offers the highest level of comfort, quality, and service in river cruising with an unparalleled variety of vacation choices. You’ll cherish this world of benefits designed just for you.

CHOICE

* Over 500 departures

* More than 40 itineraries

* Sail 11 of the world’s most breathtaking rivers

* Choose from over 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, and China

QUALITY

* Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Top 10 Small Cruise Lines”

* Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List”

* Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Cruise Poll Winner for “Top Small Cruise Ships”

* Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Award for “World’s Top 10 Small Cruise Lines”

* 2009 ZAGAT® Cruise Lines Survey – Uniworld is the only river cruise company recognized in the survey with the best of the best in the cruise industry

HOSPITALITY

* The best onboard and onshore staff in the industry—with decades of experience

* Over 98% guest service satisfaction rates

* One crew member for every three guests

* Professionally trained, all English-speaking staff

* Condé Nast Traveler’s “Gold List” winner with highest honors in hospitality

* Meet and greet transfers on arrival and departure days

COMFORT

* Fastidious internal Quality Assurance programs with extensive training for all staff, along with ship inspections and third-party mystery shoppers, to ensure our guests always receive the highest-quality service

* An average capacity of just 130 guests

* Luxuriously appointed riverview staterooms—many with French balconies, handcrafted Savoir® beds draped in fine linens, flat-screen televisions with satellite, and fine amenitites

* Marble bathrooms on most ships*

* Bathrooms stocked with L’Occitane bath and body products and comfy robes

* Exclusive services and amenities in all suites

VALUE

* All meals onboard prepared using the finest ingredients, which are often brought onboard from local business markets

* Captivating and always INCLUDED shore excursions—many exclusive to Uniworld—hosted by English-speaking local guides who use state-of-the-art Quietvox portable headset systems

* Insightful onboard Signature Lectures

* Exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program on 16 itineraries

* Airport transfers on arrival and departure days

* Complimentary fine European wines, choice of beer and soft drinks during dinner onboard European ships; bottled water in staterooms; and a 24 hour specialty coffee and tea bar

* Complimentary soft drinks in the restaurant at lunch onboard company-owned ships (Coming 2011)

* The unsurpassed style and elegance of Europe’s best river cruise ships

* In 2011, all ships with the exception of River Countess, River Duchess, Douro Spirit, and River Victoria will have marble bathrooms. Then in 2012, the River Countess and River Duchess will have marble bathrooms.

9 days Cairo to Cairo

All inclusive prices starting at: $2554

Sail through 5-thousand years of history on this incredible getaway. In Cairo, guided sightseeing  introduces you to the highlights of the city as well as to the Sphinx and  the Great Pyramids in nearby Giza. Admire the Ramses II statue and the Alabaster Sphinx in Memphis and travel to the Mediterranean seaport of Alexandria. Then fly to Luxor for a 4-night Nile River cruise showcasing the stunning monuments of Karnak, the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the Temple of Horus. See the Old Dam in Aswan, the Temple of Isis, and enjoy a ride on a traditional felucca.

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Meals

Breakfast – 8

Lunch – 4

Dinner – 4

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Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE IN CAIRO, EGYPT.

A welcome drink awaits you at your hotel; settle in and start soaking up the atmosphere of this exciting city.

Day 2: CAIRO.

Meet your Egyptologist and travelling companions at 8 am. Sightseeing in and around Africa’s largest metropolis starts with a close-up look at one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the guardian of the great pyramids, the enigmatic SPHINX, and the daunting GREAT PYRAMIDS of Giza. Cheops, with an original height of 152 metres (496 feet), is the most colossal pyramid ever built. Then, drive to the ancient Egyptian capital of MEMPHIS, where you can admire the 12 metres (40-foot) statue of RAMSES II and the ALABASTER SPHINX. On to Sakkara, a vast desert necropolis built for kings and nobles, and its “STAIRWAY TO THE SKY,” the oldest of all pyramids. Tonight, enjoy a SOUND & LIGHT SHOW at the pyramids that will put these wonders of the ancient world into an easily understandable historic context. (B)

Day 3: CAIRO-LUXOR (EMBARKATION

Today, fly 483 kilometres (300 miles) up the Nile Valley to Luxor, where your elegant river cruise vessel awaits your arrival. After lunch on board, see the stunning monuments of LUXOR and KARNAK, the greatest cities of ancient Egypt that had a combined population of more than one million. To walk among the pillars of the colossal TEMPLE OF AMUN-RA and along the AVENUE OF THE SPHINXES is an experience you will treasure the rest of your life. (B,L,D)

Day 4: LUXOR-EDFU

Focus on the VALLEY OF KINGS and VALLEY OF QUEENS on the west bank of the Nile, where generations of pharaohs and nobles were buried in great splendour in crypts cut into the cliffs. Sixty-two royal tombs have been uncovered so far, of which only the tomb of Tutankhamun was nearly inviolate when discovered in 1922. Visit DEIR EL-BAHRI, Queen Hatshepsut’s monumental rock temple. Stop for pictures at the two COLOSSI OF MEMNON guarding the valleys. For a little fun tonight, take part in a GALABYA PARTY on board. (B,L,D)

Day 5: EDFU-KOM OMBO-ASWAN.

This morning, visit the TEMPLE OF HORUS with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god. Built in the time of Cleopatra about 2,000 years ago, it is recent by Old Egyptian standards and beautifully preserved. After lunch, dock at KOM OMBO for a short walk to its bluff-top twin temples. The right side is dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek-Re, while the left side is dedicated to the falcon god, Horus. Later, sail on to Aswan and enjoy an exclusive lecture on this ancient civilization by your Egyptologist. (B,L,D)

Day 6: ASWAN.

This morning, consider an optional flight (weather permitting) to the huge sandstone temples of Abu Simbel. Return to your ship in time for lunch. This afternoon, board a FELUCCA and sail right across the blue waters of the river. En route, see the ancient “nilometer” on Elephantine Island, Kitchener Island’s lush BOTANICAL GARDENS, and the splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum on the left bank. Haggle for bargains in the local souk before returning to your ship for a final night. (B,L,D)

Day 7: ASWAN (DISEMBARKATION)-CAIRO

Sightseeing today starts at the GRANITE QUARRIES that supplied ancient Egypt with its hard stones for the pyramids in Giza. Then, see the famous unfinished obelisk, still in the quarry. Next, visit the gigantic Aswan HIGH DAM, completed in 1970. Board a motorlaunch to the island of AGILIKA, situated between the two dams, and visit the TEMPLE OF ISIS, transplanted from the submerged island of Philae. Later today, fly back to Cairo. How about our optional Nile River dinner cruise tonight to celebrate your Egyptian adventure? (B)

Day 8: CAIRO

On your last day in Egypt, drive to the now-famous Tahrir Square and visit the EGYPTIAN MUSEUM with Tutankhamun’s fabulous treasures and many other masterpieces of ancient Egypt. Continue to walled Old Cairo, with Saladin’s 12th-century citadel, and the ALABASTER MOSQUE OF MOHAMMED ALI. In Coptic Cairo, see the Hanging Church where the Virgin Mary and Jesus stayed while in Egypt, then walk to see Cairo’s oldest synagogue, founded in the 9th century. There is still time for a visit to the labyrinthine Khan el Khalili SOUK before returning to your hotel. (B)

Day 9: CAIRO.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Dates and Rates

*The departure date above is based on starting your vacation on day 1 of the itinerary.

11 days COTE D’AZUR to Paris

1 night in Nice, 7-night cruise from Port St Louis to Chalon-sur-Saone & 2 nights in Paris

All inclusive prices starting at: $3358

Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to learn about France and to taste its sumptuous wines and cuisine. Your adventure begins when you embark your ship in Arles in the Provence region. Sailing northward up the scenic Rhône and Saône River, explore Avignon, charming Viviers, medieval Tournon, Vienne, France’s gastronomical capital of Lyon, as well as Mâcon, Tournus and Chalon-sur- Saône.

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Meals

Breakfast – 10

Lunch – 5

Dinner – 7

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Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE IN COTE D’AZUR, FRANCE

Welcome to France! Time at leisure to get acquainted with your new surroundings.

Day 2: COTE D’AZUR-PORT ST. LOUIS (EMBARKATION).

This morning, enjoy free time before transferring by motorcoach to Port St. Louis in the Provence region, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception and enjoy tranquil scenes as you gently sail through Camargue Regional National Park northward to Arles. (B,D)

Day 3: ARLES.

On the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the “Little Rome of Gaul.” See the church of St. Trophime; “Les Alyscamps,” the remains of the Gallo- oman burial road; and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. Vincent Van Gogh was inspired by the special light of the Provence and spent a very productive year in Arles. The “Foundation Vincent Van Gogh” is a tribute to the artist. (B,L,D)

Day 4: AVIGNON

The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Also referred to as the “City of Popes,” it was the centre of the Catholic Church in the 14th century and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. A photo of the bridge of the popular song is a must, and optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day 5: CRUISING-VIVIERS

A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you glide gently by. The charming town of Viviers was developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D)

Day 6: TOURNON/TAIN L’HERMITAGE-VIENNE

The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhone River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France’s oldest medieval cities. This afternoon, enjoy Vienne, another charming little town surrounded by steep hills. (B,L,D)

Day 7: LYON

Lyon is France’s second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and much renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the city from Fourviere Hill and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place des Terreaux, and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the “Beaujolais Nouveau” is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. (B,L,D)

Day 8: MACON-TOURNUS-CHALON-SUR-SAONE

Wake up this morning in Macon on the Saone River, a city that plays an important role in the wine trade. There’s free time for exploring after breakfast, then enjoy a short cruise to Tournus. Here, the cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. Before dinner, arrive in Chalon-sur-Saone. (B,L,D)

Day 9: CHALON-SUR-SAONE (DISEMBARKATION)-BEAUNE-PARIS

After breakfast, head for Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Cote d’Or area which produces the Burgundy region’s finest vintages. Its most famous historical site, the Hotel-Dieu charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France’s architectural highlights. After lunch, continue north past the forest of Fontainebleau to Paris, the “City of Light.” (B)

Day 10: PARIS

Paris’ famous sights are living history: your included city you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colourful nightlife that includes some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B)

Day 11: PARIS

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Dates and Prices

*The departure date above is based on starting your vacation on day 1 of the itinerary.

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UPGRADING CABINS

To upgrade to a higher cabin category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:

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INCLUDED CHARGES

8 days Paris to Paris

2 nights in Paris, 7 night cruise from Paris to Paris

All inclusive prices starting at: $2230

Combine time in France’s splendid capital with discoveries of quaint villages along the Seine and in the picturesque Normandy region, and the poignant WWII landing beaches. Experience Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise, Claude Monet’s stunning gardens in Giverny, and Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen. Taste the apple cider, Calvados and camembert for which Northern France is famous.

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Meals

Breakfast – 7

Lunch – 6

Dinner – 6

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Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION)

Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine, the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (D)

Day 2: PARIS

Paris’ famous sights are living history. Included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opera, Madeleine, Champs Elysees, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colourful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D)

Day 3: PARIS-CONFLANS

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine, passing through suburban Paris. This afternoon, dock at Conflans-and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to AUVERS SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or Napoleon and Josephine’s CHATEAU de MALMAISON just outside Paris. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it “the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation.” (B,L,D)

Day 4: VERNON

This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of BIZY CASTLE with its magnificent courtyard. There’s still time to stroll through this delightful city on your own before your ship departs for Rouen. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)

Day 5: ROUEN

Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy and an important commercial city, perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock dating back to the 16th century. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or you can join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur or to the busy port city of Le Havre with its contemporary architecture. (B,L,D)

Day 6: ROUEN

Make your choice today of an included excursion to the historic NORMANDY LANDING BEACHES – with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery – or a “TASTE OF NORMANDY” for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important products are dairy, apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is Calvados, a strong apple brandy. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. (B,L,D)

Day 7: LES ANDELYS

The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing Chateau Gaillard at Les Andelys. Built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the chateau is truly a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Explore on your own and enjoy this last day in France in this delightful small town. (B,L,D)

Day 8: PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave before 8 am. (B)

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Dates and Prices

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UPGRADING CABINS

To upgrade to a higher cabin category (all staterooms Twin/Double), add per person:

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INCLUDED CHARGES

The Rhine and Moselle – Northbound

2012 Prices from $4,890 for 13 Days – Tauck Cruising

So many delights lie along the Rhine and Moselle rivers – let us share them with you on a 12-night cruise between Amsterdam and Basel aboard ms Swiss Sapphire. From Switzerland to the Netherlands, through Germany, France and Luxembourg, see the marriage of French and German culture in Strasbourg; mingle with jet setters in Baden-Baden; enjoy lunch at a grand hotel overlooking Bonn and the Rhine; check out the ancient university town of Heidelberg, 2,000-year-old Boppard, and medieval masterpieces like Bernkastel, Trier and Cochem. Pay tribute to those who fell in the Battle of the Bulge at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial; get a true taste of Europe with regional specialties, local wines and folk traditions; and on select departures August through October, visit the once-in-a-decade floral wonders of Floriade! It’s all waiting for you aboard Tauck’s most enchanting of Moselle and Rhine river tours.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Willkommen nach Basel

Meals D

Tour begins: 4:00 PM, Basel, Switzerland. A transfer is included from Basel-Mulhouse International Airport to the ms Swiss Sapphire. Your cruise begins when all guests check in at 4:00 PM.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 2 Walking tour of Old Town Basel

Meals B, L, D

This lovely city on the banks of the Rhine River will engage you today during an orientation tour followed by a walking tour in the Old Town, where you’ll 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 or perhaps visit one of the city’s 40 museums. This evening, the Captain welcomes you aboard with a festive dinner on the riverboat.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 3 A taste of France, past and present, in old Strasbourg

Meals B, L, D

Awaken in Strasbourg, France, seat of the European Council, the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights. You’ll see the Parliament buildings before stepping back in time to discover La Petit France, noted for its medieval half-timbered houses set beside its lovely canals, on a walking tour. While visiting the famous Gothic Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Strasbourg on this most extraordinary of Rhine River tours, you’ll be inspired by the graceful, expressive statuary of the Pilier des Anges (Pillar of Angels), and the magnificent stained glass windows. Return to the riverboat for lunch or choose to dine at one of the city’s many intriguing restaurants on your own.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 4 Lifestyles of the rich and healthy in Baden-Baden

Meals B, L, D

An excursion to the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden reveals 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.”

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 5 Heidelberg, realm of “The Student Prince”

Meals B, L, D

A full 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, awaits you today during your most captivating of Rhine River tours. Take a walking tour of Heidelberg 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. Rejoin the riverboat in Speyer.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 6 Cruising the Middle Rhine Valley

Meals B, L, D

While your riverboat glides through the Middle Rhine Valley en route to Boppard, listen to the legend of the Lorelei and see for yourself why this beautiful part of the river – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – has inspired composers, writers and artists for centuries. During its 2,000-year history, Celts, Romans and Franconians have all called Boppard home; discover this marvelous medieval town and have lunch at the Old Monastery Cellar. Your riverboat continues on to Koblenz, where you’ll be indulged with some lively local entertainment aboard ship.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 7 In the shadow of Reichsburg Castle

Meals B, L, D

Stepping ashore at Cochem in the Moselle Valley is like stepping into the pages of a medieval fairy tale. Tour picture-perfect 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle, which looks down on Cochem’s quaint market square. Explore this jewel of a town – complete with Baroque town hall and ancient town gates – breathing in its historic charm and ambiance. Honor the area’s centuries-old winemaking traditions with a tasting of the excellent locally produced vintages at a family-owned winery / wine museum before returning to the riverboat.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 8 History galore in Bernkastel and Luxembourg

Meals B, L, D

Dock in Bernkastel this morning for a journey to the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. A walking tour of its well-preserved old town reveals the Cathedral, Parliament, the Palace of the Grand Duke, and centuries-old battlements that are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pay a poignant visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial; over 5,000 American casualties of World War II’s Battle of the Bulge lie buried here, as does General George S. Patton. Later, return to charming Bernkastel, known as both the “Pearl of the Moselle” and the “international town of vines and wine.” The town is celebrated not only for its wines, but also for its medieval market square surrounded by half-timbered houses, which you’ll see on a walking tour, along with its castle ruins, fortress-like 14th-century church and Renaissance-era town hall.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 9 Trier and the rhythm of the river

Meals B, L, D

On an excursion to Trier, discover this ancient city – which lays claim to being the oldest in Germany – during a walking tour that includes both medieval treasures and sites dating back to Roman times. After some leisure time back in Bernkastel, reboard your riverboat and enjoy an afternoon of classic river cruising, watching the scenery slip by from the Sun Deck as your riverboat glides along the Moselle.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 10 The many faces of Bonn

Meals B, L, D

This most enriching of Rhine River tours continues in Bonn; tracing its roots back to the Romans, the city engages with history spanning ancient times to the present day. Beethoven’s birthplace, the home of musicians Robert and Clara Schumann, and the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1991, it is still a center of German administration, politics and culture. Discover it all during a sightseeing tour and a walk through Old Town; enjoy a memorable lunch in a grand hotel used to host visiting dignitaries, set in a spectacular location overlooking Bonn and the Rhine.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 11 Works of art by Mother Nature and Vincent van Gogh

Meals B, L, D

Depart your riverboat in Rees and set off for Arnhem and the 5,500-hectare De Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to many endangered plant and animal species. In the midst of this natural glory, you’ll find the inspiring Kröller-Müller Museum, featuring works of such luminaries as Pablo Picasso, Georges Seurat and Vincent van Gogh, along with Europe’s largest sculpture garden. Rejoin the ship in Nijmegen for lunch, followed by a free afternoon to spend exploring this 2,000-year-old city – the oldest in the Netherlands – as you choose. Whether you’re intrigued by Roman and medieval history, the legacy of World War II, African art or modern-day Dutch life, you’ll find something interesting here. Please join us for the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner aboard the riverboat this evening.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 12 All about Amsterdam

Meals B, L, D

As your cruise – and this most extraordinary of Moselle and Rhine River tours – comes to an end in Amsterdam, indulge yourself in the many charms of the Dutch capital today. You’ll be introduced to the city’s remarkable architecture on a sightseeing cruise of its 17th-century canals, winding up at Museumplein, where you’ll visit the famed Rijksmuseum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of artwork by the Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring this fascinating metropolis, at once one of Europe’s most modern and most historic cities, on your own.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 13 Journey’s end

Meals B

Tour ends: Amsterdam. Your Moselle and Rhine River cruise ends today after breakfast. A transfer is included from the riverboat to Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport for your flight home; allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.

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2012 Prices from $4,890 for 13 Days

Single

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Double

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Triple

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Tauck Value Includes

* Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director

* All private Tauck shore excursions – a $605 Value!

* Insider tour of the Gothic-Renaissance Heidelberger Schloss, a cable car ride and lunch at a popular local restaurant

* Wine tasting at a family-owned winery in Cochem

* A scenic cruise along the canals of Amsterdam

* A very special luncheon in Bonn at a historic grand hotel overlooking the River Rhine

* A guided tour in Luxembourg and a visit to the American War Cemetery and Memorial

* Excursion to De Hoge Veluwe National Park and the Kroller-Muller Museum to view world-famous art

* Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted

* All meals (12 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 12 dinners); select meals in local restaurants; wine with dinner on the riverboat; service charges, taxes, porterage, and applicable fuel surcharges

Special Singles Savings – $1000 per cabin (reflected in prices above) on July 22 and October 18 departures. Certain restrictions apply; ask at time of booking.

Visit the Floriade – Cruise departures of August 31, September 12, September 24, October 6 and October 18 will visit the Floriade; ask at booking.

Tours of August 31 and October 6 will not visit the Kröller-Müller Museum.

The Blue Danube – Eastbound

2012 Prices from $4,290 for 12 Days – Tauck Cruising

Glide past fairy-tale castles and medieval villages aboard Tauck’s ms Swiss Jewel and ms Treasures  (new-for-2011), on this popular Danube River cruise. Explore Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov, Bratislava and Budapest – plus the castle-studded Wachau Valley – taking in views of the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. Attend a private Imperial evening with dinner and music at a palace in Vienna… a wine tasting in Dürnstein… spend a day in Mozart’s Salzburg or medieval Cesky Krumlov… take an exclusive private tour of Baroque monastery libraries in Prague… discuss contemporary issues and historic events in Slovakia with a resident expert… and enjoy evenings of cultural entertainment on and off your riverboat. In Vienna, see the Imperial apartments at the Hofburg or tour opulent Schönbrunn Palace. Admire frescoes, stained glass windows, and stunning architecture as you spend two nights each in Budapest and Prague in city-center hotels, checking out remarkable bridges, cathedrals, museums, and grand Habsburg palaces… it’s a Danube River cruise to remember!

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Prague

Meals D

Tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Prague Marriott Hotel. A transfer is included from Prague’s Ruzyne Airport to the Prague Marriott Hotel, ranked among the Top 100 Best Luxury Hotels of the World. Tauck brings you inside Prague’s soaring cathedrals and city architectural riches with sightseeing hosted by local guides. Begin your amazing Danube river cruise with a royal welcoming reception, tour and dinner at 16th-century Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle. Immerse in an evening of classical cultural treasures – music and art played an important role in the aristocratic world of the Lobkowicz family.

Lodging

Prague Marriott Hotel

Day 2 Behind-the-scenes in Prague

Meals B

Start today’s exploration of Prague in the ancient Hradcany (Castle) district, where you’ll see 1,000-year-old Prague Castle’s complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens. Exquisite European architecture awaits on a guided excursion that takes you to the Hradcany (Castle) district and the magnificent Gothic Cathedral of St. Vitus – an exclusive private tour of the grand libraries of Strahov Monastery is a highlight. Spend time at leisure exploring the courtyards and squares of Prague’s winding cobblestone streets, or join us on a walking tour through ethereal Old Town; see the famous Astronomical Clock, Tyn Church, iconic Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square. Sample the culinary pleasures of Prague with dinner on your own tonight; the city’s many fine restaurants and cafés feature a wide range of cuisines… and some of the best schnitzels, goulashes, strudels, dumplings and beer the region has to offer. Tomorrow – your Danube river cruise begins.

Lodging

Prague Marriott Hotel

Day 3 Ancient Regensburg / Danube River cruise begins

Meals B, D

Drive to the quintessential Bavarian town of Regensburg, whose roots stretch back to Roman days. The best way to explore this treasure-trove of history is on foot, as our local guide leads you on a walking tour that includes the Steinerne Brücke, a medieval stone bridge over the Danube; the Gothic Dom St. Peter; the 15th-century town hall; and the remains of the town’s Roman wall. Enjoy lunch on your own – perhaps opting for some of the town’s famous Bavarian sausage – before boarding your riverboat in Regensburg to launch your 7-night Danube River cruise. Join your shipmates, the Captain and crew at the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner aboard the riverboat tonight.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 4 A picturesque day in Passau

Meals B, L, D

Enjoy the views from your riverboat’s sun deck, lounge, or the windows of your outside cabin. Your first port of call on your Danube River cruise is Passau, Germany; accompanied by a local guide whose love for Passau is evident, take a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of this Baroque town renowned for its lovely stained glass and nearly 100 churches. See the Altes Rathaus, the old town hall with 14th-century origins, murals on the façade and a glockenspiel in the tower; and visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to a magnificent pipe organ that is one of the world’s largest. Return to the riverboat for lunch as Tauck’s Danube river cruise continues to Linz, Austria.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 5 Salzburg… or Cesky Krumlov

Meals B, L, D

Your boat stays docked in Linz today, with a choice of how you spend your day – full-day excursions to Salzburg (Austria) or Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Salzburg is the hometown of Austria’s beloved composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The setting for The Sound of Music, Salzburg is a parade of beautiful Baroque architecture, painted wrought-iron signage, ornate church towers and grand palaces. You’ll visit Mozart’s birthplace and the very cleverly designed Mirabell Gardens, with some free time in Salzburg before rejoining the riverboat for dinner. Alternatively, travel through beautiful wine-producing country to Cesky Krumlov. This town has earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site roster – and that’s the entire town – due to its incredibly well-preserved medieval heritage. A walking tour includes Krumlov Castle; the many steps are worth it to get a look at the mix of medieval, Renaissance and Rococo designs. Free time precedes your return to the riverboat for dinner; your riverboat stays docked in Linz this evening.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 6 Wachau Valley cruise and Dürnstein

Meals B, L, D

Your Danube River cruise continues through the Wachau Valley, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes. Dock in Dürnstein for a closer look at its 16th-century Baroque houses and 13th-century Romanesque church on a walking tour along cobblestone streets. If you wish, take an invigorating climb up the steps to the ruins of Kuenringerburg, a hilltop castle above the town where Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom during the Crusades. Enjoy some free time in this charming riverside town, and sample the fruits of the Wachau Valley vineyards during a wine tasting at an authentic Austrian tavern. Depart early evening for Vienna.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 7 Music and more in Imperial Vienna

Meals B, L, D

Your riverboat arrives overnight in Vienna, Austria, where you’ll get an overview of this former capital of the old Habsburg Empire – and one of Europe’s grandest cities – on a brief morning sightseeing tour where you’ll see the Ringstrasse, the Opera House, City Hall and Parliament. A choice of sightseeing today features a tour of the Habsburgs’ Schönbrunn Palace, an architectural masterpiece and Austrian cultural treasure, or the amazing Imperial Apartments at the Hofburg, Austria’s official presidential residence. Nothing quite compares to the royal treatment – and pageantry – you will experience tonight at our private Imperial Evening in a historic Viennese palace. Welcome cocktails and dinner precede a spectacle of beautiful ball gowns, and a musical performance that celebrates the rich legacy of Mozart… an unforgettable highlight of your Danube River cruise!

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 8 Along the Danube to ancient Slovakia

Meals B, L, D

Pursue your own interests this morning in glorious Vienna – which boasts over a hundred museums of all kinds, magnificent boulevards, the intriguing Prater – and then return to the riverboat to continue your Danube River cruise to Slovakia. Dinner tonight introduces you to a glimpse of daily life in Slovakia with a taste of regional cuisine and an on-board performance by a talented troupe of Slovakian dancers.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 9 Baroque in Bratislava

Meals B, L, D

Martin Sloboda, our resident expert, takes you inside contemporary Slovakia and Bratislava for a look at politics, the economy, religion, the social order, preservation and emergence of the arts, and much more prior to a walking tour of this cobblestoned, vehicle-free city. See 17 centuries of history eloquently chronicled in its 13th-century Old Town Hall, Baroque Habsburg-era palaces, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall, and St. Martin’s Cathedral, site of the coronation of many Hungarian kings and queens, and sample some of Slovakia’s delectable almond pastry at a local café. After some exploring on your own, return to the riverboat and celebrate your memorable Danube river cruise with the Captain and crew at the Captain’s shipboard farewell reception and dinner tonight.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 10 A river cruise ends and two nights in Budapest begin

Meals B, L

Your extraordinary Danube River cruise ends this morning in Budapest, Hungary, which is split into the sections of Buda and Pest by the Danube River. After disembarking your riverboat and bidding the crew farewell, explore the city’s Buda side on a walking tour of Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; see Fishermen’s Bastion with its Neo-Romanesque design, and admire the stained glass windows and centuries of history in Matthias Church (may be closed on some days due to services). After lunch at a local café, spend the rest of the day pursuing what interests you most in Budapest.

Lodging

Budapest Marriott Hotel

Day 11 Discover the landmarks of Pest and dine at the Akademia Club

Meals B, D

The Pest side of the city reveals itself to you today on a visit to Heroes’ Square – bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary – and sightseeing including the spectacular Parliament building and tree-lined Andrassy Avenue. There may be some surprises in store on a special visit to the opulent State Opera House, opened in 1884, with its gilded vaulted ceiling, murals, royal boxes and three-ton chandelier. Conclude your Danube River cruise adventure by spending the afternoon exploring what interests you most in Budapest; you may want to stroll along fashionable Váci Utca, one of the city’s grandest boulevards. Budapest has acquired quite an excellent reputation for its cuisine; tonight’s special farewell dinner is at the grand Akademia Club in the Hungarian Academy of Sciences – a fitting finale to Tauck’s enriching Danube river cruise.

Lodging

Budapest Marriott Hotel

Day 12 Homeward bound

Meals B

Tauck’s delightful Danube River cruise ends in Budapest, Hungary. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from the the Budapest Marriott Hotel to Budapest’s Ferihegy Airport. Allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.

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2012 Prices from $4,290 for 12 Days

Single

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Double

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Triple

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Tauck Value Includes

* Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director

* All private Tauck shore excursions – $785 Value!

* Two nights each in Prague and Budapest at centrally located hotels in the heart of the cities

* Tauck Exclusive – Private Imperial Evening at a palace in Vienna featuring dinner and Viennese performers

* Tauck Exclusive – Private aperitif and dinner in Prague at Lobkowicz Palace, Prague Castle

* Tauck Exclusive – A private tour of Prague’s Baroque libraries, Strahov Monastery

* Choice in Vienna: Schönbrunn Palace or the Imperial Apartments at the Hofburg

* Choice of a full day in Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov

* Evenings of local performing artists and classical music aboard the riverboat

* Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted

* 27 meals (11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners); select meals in local restaurants; wine with dinner on the riverboat; service charges, taxes, porterage, and applicable fuel surcharges

Special Singles Savings – $1000 per cabin (reflected in prices above) on May 31, July 26, August 23 and October 18 departures. Certain restrictions apply; ask at time of booking.

The Black Sea to Budapest – Westbound

2012 Prices from $4,590 for 12 Days – Tauck Cruising

Chart a leisurely course on this romantic lower Danube cruise aboard Tauck’s new-for-2011 premium riverboat ms Treasures, exploring the rich cultural legacies of Central Europe’s ancient heart. Glide past medieval monasteries, citadels and villages, and through the Iron Gate of the Danube. Attend a Romanian folk wedding performance on the Black Sea coast, learn all about paprika in Hungary, and examine one of the finest Baroque libraries in Europe. Listen to Béla Bartók’s piano music at a recital in his Budapest home, and choose to visit a Transylvanian castle or the isolated island monastery where the original Dracula is said to be entombed. Share homemade refreshments in the home of a Croatian family rebuilding their lives in postwar Vukovar, and enjoy a private reception in a Belgrade palace that’s home to Serbia’s crown prince! Tauck’s memorable Danube cruise winds its way through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, and is complemented by two nights on land at ideally located hotels in Budapest and Bucharest.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Begin your Danube cruise in Bucharest

Meals D

Tour starts at 6:00 PM at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel. A transfer is included from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport to the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel in the heart of the city. Meet your fellow travelers and Tauck Directors at tonight’s welcome reception and dinner at your hotel, ideally located adjacent to Bucharest’s monumental People’s Palace.

Lodging

JW Marriott Bucharest Grand

Day 2 Castles and monasteries in Romania

Meals B, L

A choice of sightseeing in Romania features the legacy of Vlad Tepes (a.k.a. “Vlad the Impaler”), the historical model for the character of Dracula. Take a full-day trip to tour Bran Castle in Transylvania, which the 15th-century prince once used as a fortress during his military campaigns. Alternatively, take a morning visit by boat to isolated Snagov Monastery, set on a tiny island in the middle of a lake, said to be the infamous Tepes’ final resting place; stop at Caldarusani Monastery, home to centuries-old art, before returning to Bucharest for an afternoon spent as you please. Enjoy a free evening tonight – there is lots of great dining in Bucharest!

Lodging

JW Marriott Bucharest Grand

Day 3 Bucharest or the Black Sea before boarding

Meals B, L, D

More choices in sightseeing – and the start of your lower Danube cruise – await you today. Before embarking your riverboat, you can choose to explore Bucharest with our local guides, seeing Revolution Square and the Triumphal Arch, and visit the massive People’s Palace, home to the Romanian Parliament and the world’s second-largest building after the Pentagon. Or drive to Romania’s popular Black Sea coast – first to Eforie Nord for lunch at a traditional Romanian folk wedding performance, then to the port city of Constanta. Here, in what was originally the ancient Greek colony of Tomis, you’ll view numerous Greek and Roman antiquities, an Art-Nouveau casino, and a monument to the Roman poet Ovid, who spent years in exile here. Continue on to Cernavoda and board your riverboat to launch your lower Danube cruise.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 4 Big day in Bulgaria

Meals B, L, D

Arrive in Ruse, Bulgaria, for excursions to nearby towns. In Arbanassi, known for its richly ornamented architecture, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Archangels Michael & Gabriel Church and the historic Konstant-Salieva House. Continue on to Bulgaria’s medieval capital of Veliko Turnovo, whose ancient walled fortress and castle are set atop three hills overlooking the Yantra River. Rejoin the riverboat in Svishtov; enjoy traditional cuisine for dinner and a Bulgarian cultural performance aboard ship this evening.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 5 Danube cruising, iconography and a visit to Vidin

Meals B, L, D

Kick back and enjoy the views of fields and vineyards studded with medieval towns as your riverboat cruises the Danube through the scenic heartland of Eastern Europe today. Learn all about imagery and symbolism in Iconography during an on-board lecture and demonstration in Vidin, where you can join us for a walking tour through its cobblestone streets and a visit to the imposing Baba Vida fortress. Bulgaria’s best-preserved medieval castle, it dates back a thousand years and is named for the legendary Danubian princess said to have built it – its name means “Granny Vida.”

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 6 King Decebalus and the Iron Gate of the Danube

Meals B, L, D

On another relaxing day on your Danube cruise, sail along the Bulgarian / Romanian border, enjoying great views of the Transylvanian Alps. As you cruise, keep an eye out for a kingly face carved into the Danube’s rocky bank on the Romanian side; it’s a monument to the 2nd-century Dacian King Decebalus, who defended his kingdom from the invading Romans – and it’s the tallest rock sculpture in Europe. Glide through Romania’s Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate of the Danube, a spectacular two-mile-long series of gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains, en route to Serbia.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 7 Serbian history & culture in Belgrade

Meals B, L, D

Dock in Belgrade, Serbia’s modern capital at the juncture of the Danube and Sava rivers. Sightseeing includes visits to Tito’s Memorial and the formidable Kalemegdan Fortress, and views of St. Sava Church, busy Slavija Square (now one of the city’s major squares, but once a large pool where residents hunted wild ducks!), Parliament, Republic Square and City Hall. Following a Serbian lunch at Milos Palace, a former royal residence, enjoy a special private reception at the Royal Palace of Dedinje in Belgrade, built in the 1920s and now home to HRH Crown Prince Alexander II of Serbia and his family. Return to the riverboat, where a Serbian folkloric group entertains you this evening.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 8 Understanding Croatia’s history in Vukovar

Meals B, L, D

Your Danube cruise crosses the border from Serbia to Croatia and arrives in historic Vukovar. Preceded by an onboard lecture on Croatia’s turbulent history by a local expert, your tour of this venerable 10th-century city – once showcasing opulent 18th-century Baroque mansions, but now a mix of old and new – poignantly symbolizes the effects of the 1990s war. Visit with a Vukovar family who have recently returned to resume their lives in the city after the conflict, as they share homemade refreshments with you in their private home. You’ll have some time at leisure in Vukovar before the riverboat continues on to Hungary tonight.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 9 Paprika, architecture and culture in Hungary

Meals B, L, D

Continue your lower Danube cruise to Kalocsa, Hungary – known for its folk art and its paprika – where you’ll learn about the production and history in Hungary of this popular spice made from bell peppers at the Paprika House. Visit the beautiful Rococo library in the Baroque Bishop’s Palace in Kalocsa, housing one of the finest early collections in Europe, and enjoy a tasting of local vintages at Hungarian winery. Tonight, attend the Captain’s farewell cocktail reception and dinner aboard ship as your Danube cruise draws to a close.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 10 Disembark the Riverboat and explore Budapest

Meals B

Bid your Danube cruise – along with your Captain and crew – farewell as you disembark the riverboat in Budapest. Your exploration of the Hungarian capital, once the independent cities of Buda and Pest, begins in Pest with a visit to St. Stephen’s Basilica, the city’s neo-Renaissance cathedral, and continues with views of the Parliament building, a neo-Gothic masterpiece; Heroes’ Square, bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary; and such Budapest treasures as City Park and tree-lined Andrassy Avenue. Stop to browse at Central Market Hall before checking into your hotel; the rest of the day and evening is at your leisure in Budapest.

Lodging

Le Meridien Budapest

Day 11 The legacy of Bartók & more landmarks of Budapest

Meals B, D

In Budapest this morning, check out the musical legacy of composer Béla Bartók at a museum and memorial housed in his 1924 home on the outskirts of Buda, and listen to his melodies in a piano recital.  Revisit Budapest’s World War II and Cold War days at the Sziklakórház (“Hospital in the Rock”), a re-creation of underground military medical and facilities in a former secret bunker and hospital hidden below Buda Castle. Walk up to Castle Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with your local guide to see architectural landmarks including Fishermen’s Bastion. After time to explore this fascinating city as you please, we invite you to join us at this evening’s farewell reception and dinner at the Akademia Club in the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Lodging

Le Meridien Budapest

Day 12 Homeward bound

Meals B

Your lower Danube cruise tour ends in Budapest, Hungary. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from Le Méridien Budapest to Budapest’s Ferihegy Airport. Allow 3 hours for departure flight check-in.

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2012 Prices from $4,590 for 12 Days

Single

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Double

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Triple

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Tauck Value Includes

* Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director

* All private Tauck shore excursions – $614 Value!

* Two nights at a hotel in Budapest and two nights in Bucharest at a hotel next to Parliament

* Visit with a Croatian family in their private home in Vukovar

* Private piano performance on a visit to the Béla Bartók Memorial House in Budapest

* Visits to Bucharest’s massive People’s Palace and to the Baroque Bishop’s Palace Library in Hungary

* Private visit to the Royal Palace of Dedinje in Belgrade, once home to Serbian kings

* Passage through the celebrated Iron Gate, a dramatic series of gorges and narrows on the Danube River

* Choice of Romanian excursions – to Bran Castle in Transylvania, or to Snagov Monastery, reputed burial place of the original Dracula, and Caldarusani Monastery

* Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted

* 28 meals (11 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners); wine with dinner on the riverboat; service charges, taxes, porterage, and applicable fuel surcharge

Special Singles Savings – $1000 per cabin (reflected in prices above) on August 19 departure. Certain restrictions apply; ask at time of booking.

Musical Magic Along the Blue Danube

2012 Prices From $4,890 for 12 Days – Tauck Cruising

Join Tauck’s “maestros” to walk in the footsteps of musical giants like Mozart, Beethoven, Bartók, Schubert, Liszt, Strauss, Haydn and others as you cruise the Blue Danube on a 12-day trip through the heart of Europe including a 7-night cruise aboard ms Swiss Jewel. Visit homes these musical greats lived and composed in, concert halls and palaces where they performed and more… enveloped by their glorious music throughout a magical journey chock full of Tauck Exclusives! Along with your Tauck Cruise Director and Tauck Directors, your cruise is accompanied throughout by Tauck’s “maestros.” Active music scholars and performers, our maestros include current doctoral candidates in music history who are passionate and knowledgeable about European music and the destinations you’ll visit. They’ll guide your explorations ashore and enrich your onboard experience with interactive music workshops, seminars and performances.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Budapest

Meals D

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Budapest Marriott Hotel. A transfer is included from Budapest’s Ferihegy Airport to the Budapest Marriott Hotel. Your musical odyssey begins when you meet your fellow travelers at Tauck’s exclusive welcome reception and dinner at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, accompanied by a local trio performing traditional Hungarian music.

Lodging

Budapest Marriott Hotel

Day 2 Discovering Franz Liszt’s Budapest

Meals B

Statues of Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi and Liszt greet you at the 1884 State Opera House in Pest; expect some surprises on a guided tour of this neo-Renaissance masterpiece, including the private box of Habsburg Empress Elisabeth (“Sisi”). Join us for a private tour of Franz Liszt’s reconstructed Budapest flat, where he lived between 1881 and 1886; you’ll see many of the beloved Hungarian composer and piano virtuoso’s instruments, scores and personal effects. After time sightseeing or rehearsing with our guest choir, join us for a performance at one of Budapest’s premier concert venues, boasting superb acoustics.

Lodging

Budapest Marriott Hotel

Day 3 Bartók & more… and your cruise begins

Meals B, D

Head to Buda for a walking tour and time to check out the Museum of Music History, whose exhibits portray centuries of Hungarian musical life in a former palace on Castle Hill. Next, the legacy of Béla Bartók lives on in his 1924 home, now a museum and memorial dedicated to the composer and musicologist; hear his melodies in a piano recital during your visit. Embark your Tauck riverboat at the dock in Budapest; meet the Captain and crew at tonight’s reception and dinner, where Tauck’s “maestros” welcome you aboard with a musical performance!

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 4 Bratislava, City of Prodigies

Meals B, L, D

After a morning’s cruise with lectures, workshops and a guest choir rehearsal, arrive in Bratislava, Slovakia, the Baroque stomping grounds of great musical prodigies. A walking tour features an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the 1886 Opera House, where you’ll meet a former director. Stroll down a lane where 6-year-old Mozart performed and 9-year-old Liszt played across the street 58 years later – around the corner, 30 years after that, one of Liszt’s young students inspired him to write a sonata for the boy! There’s a treat in store on your visit to the Primate’s Palace; tonight, attend an interactive traditional Slovak wedding dinner filled with music and dance at a 16th-century winery.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 5 Vienna, Austria… A Musical Feast

Meals B, L, D

If you had to choose only one European city to musically explore, Vienna – home to Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and Strauss – would be it! Get your bearings on a city tour, then choose a visit to Schönbrunn Palace of the Habsburgs, or join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at world-famous Bösendorfer pianos at their salon in the celebrated Musikverein concert hall. View custom-made instruments, and discuss the Viennese “klang” piano sound that Bösendorfer has preserved through the centuries. Enjoy a tour of the Musikverein, explore on your own and have an early dinner before a performance tonight at the Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), where Mahler and Strauss made musical history, or at an alternate venue in magical Vienna (subject to opening and performance availability).

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 6 A tale of an orchestra & a palace

Meals B, L, D

Vienna springs to musical life on a day featuring a pair of Tauck Exclusives. First, sit in on a rehearsal at beautiful Auersperg Palace as an orchestra prepares for a performance. Later, nothing quite compares to the royal treatment you’ll receive at Tauck’s private Imperial Evening in the historic Palais Pallavicini, an incomparable setting for welcome cocktails and apéritifs, an amazing dinner, an orchestra, ballet, Mozart – Tauck’s Vienna at its best!

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 7 Melk Abbey & some musical cruising

Meals B, L, D

Melk Abbey, a beautiful Benedictine monastery complex overlooking the Danube, has been a significant center of learning and culture since its founding over 900 years ago. Get a sense of the importance of music to the abbey’s cultural life through the ages as you tour its lovely Baroque buildings dating to the early 18th century, which often host concerts and musicals today. Back on the riverboat, enjoy lectures by our Maestros, a guest choir rehearsal, and an onboard concert by trio Donau Klang.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 8 Everything Mozart in Salzburg

Meals B, L, D

Picture a boy of 5 wowing a royal audience with his piano virtuosity… then crawling up on the lap of the Empress of half of Europe, and giving her a kiss! That was little Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born in Salzburg in 1756. Walk in his footsteps today on an excursion from Linz to his Baroque hometown, visiting his birthplace, among other locations – and enjoying lunch and informal scenes from his operas at the centuries-old Stiftskeller St. Peter, where the composer himself may have dined. Following time to explore Salzburg – where much of The Sound of Music was filmed – at leisure, return to the ship for dinner, guest choir rehearsal and karaoke with a twist!

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 9 Organ Music in Passau & cruising

Meals B, L, D

Dock in Passau, Germany, to visit St. Stephan’s Cathedral, home to Europe’s largest pipe organ, for an interactive tour and demonstration of this amazing instrument. En route to Regensburg, enjoy seminars, workshops, a guest choir rehearsal, and an evening of musical trivia fun!

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 10 Regensburg and on to Prague

Meals B

Disembark ms Swiss Jewel in Regensburg, Germany’s largest surviving medieval city, where walking is a delight; a local guide leads the way to Germany’s oldest stone bridge, the Altes Rathaus, and Gothic Dom St. Peter, home to the world-renowned Regensburger Domspatzen boys’ choir. Explore and enjoy lunch on your own, perhaps sampling some of Regensburg’s famous Bavarian sausage, before traveling to historic Prague for a two-night stay.

Lodging

Prague Marriott Hotel

Day 11 Beethoven, Mozart & More in Prague

Meals B, D

Many musical giants have left their mark on beautiful Prague, as you’ll discover on a walking tour of the Czech capital’s medieval Old Town. See the Estates Theatre, where Mozart himself conducted the premiere of his opera Don Giovanni, and enjoy free time in Prague this afternoon. Tonight, it’s a final Tauck Exclusive: view original Beethoven manuscripts as a string quartet plays the composer’s works during a private evening in Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle. Your memorable evening includes a reception, dinner, concert, tour of the Lobkowicz family collection and our guest choir performance!

Lodging

Prague Marriott Hotel

Day 12 Head Home With A Song in Your Heart

Meals B

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2012 Prices From $4,890 for 12 Days

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Tauck Value Includes

* Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors, Tauck Cruise Director and “Maestros”

* All private Tauck shore excursions – $1,385 Value!

* Tauck Exclusive – Interactive onboard workshops, seminars and performances by Tauck’s “maestros”

* Tauck Exclusive – A Q&A session with a former opera director at the historic Opera House in Bratislava

* Tauck Exclusive – Interactive Folk Wedding, dinner and musical performance at 15th-century Slovakian winery

* Tauck Exclusive – Private Imperial Evening at a Vienna palace with gala dinner and performance

* Tauck Exclusive – Behind-the-scenes visit to the Bösendorfer piano salon & to Vienna’s Musikverein

* Tauck Exclusive – Private gala dinner, tour & concert at Lobkowicz Palace featuring Beethoven’s original scores

* Performance at a premier concert venue in Budapest

* Music-themed sightseeing in Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Salzburg, Prague and other cities

* Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted

* 26 meals (11 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 9 dinners); select meals ashore, and wine with all dinners on the riverboat; service charges, taxes, porterage and applicable fuel surcharges

French Waterways and Vineyards

2012 Prices From $4,590 for 10 Days – Tauck Cruising

When it comes to France cruises, it’s hard to imagine a more enjoyable one than gliding along the Rhône through the vineyard country from which come some of the world’s most exceptional wines. But first, spend two nights at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris to explore as you please, and perhaps discover things you don’t yet know about the “City of Light.” After riding the high-speed TGV through the French countryside to Lyon, embark aboard the ms Swiss Emerald to begin this crème de la crème of France cruises. All along the river, centuries-old towns, each with its own unique personality, compete for your attention with winery visits to sample the unique flavors of the wines produced in different regions on the river’s banks. Add the pleasures of Provence in Avignon, Arles and Roussillon… and France cruises by riverboat don’t come any better!

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Itinerary

Day 1 Bonjour, Paris

Meals D

Tauck’s most memorable of France cruises begins at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris at 6:00 PM. After our included transfer from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to your centrally located hotel, you may want to relax a while before joining us for our special welcome cocktail reception and dinner at le Fouquet’s on the Champs-Elysées, an iconic landmark for celebrity dining for over a century, followed by an Illuminations tour of the city’s glittering lights!

Lodging

Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris

Day 2 A day of Parisian pleasures

Meals B

From the grand boulevards and manicured gardens of the Right Bank to the artsy Left Bank, favorite haunt of writers, dreamers and musicians, Parisian neighborhoods reflect the true essence of the city. Explore one of them with Tauck on a guided tour of le Marais, with its stately mansions, half-timbered houses, covered passageways, and narrow cobbled streets, visiting the Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis Church, Victor Hugo’s home, Hotel de Sully, Village Saint-Paul and la rue des Roisers, Paris’ medieval Jewish quarter. Then, Paris is yours to experience in whatever way pleases you for the rest of the day and evening. Perhaps you’ll visit one of the city’s lesser-known museums… a little jewel of a church tucked away on a quiet side street… or an agreeable sidewalk café for some Parisian-watching… and remember: in Paris, you’re never more than 400 meters from a subway station.

Lodging

Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris

Day 3 Take the fast train to Lyon

Meals B, D

Enjoy the views from the TGV high-speed train en route to Lyon, set at the confluence of the rivers Saône and Rhône. There, board the ms Swiss Emerald and settle into your cabin before joining the Captain for his welcome reception and dinner as your cruise gets underway.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 4 There’s a lot to like in Lyon

Meals B, L, D

Lyon is considered the “culinary capital of France,” which is quite a compliment in a country famed for its cuisine and fine vintages. You’ll discover why during a city tour today, including a tasting lunch at the famous Les Halles de Lyon, the celebrated indoor food market that’s been a fixture in Lyon since 1850 and offers an unbelievable array of breads, cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables, sausages, wines, chocolates… the list goes on. Everything is fresh and delicious, and it’s said that the best chefs in Lyon shop here; you’ll enjoy tastings of various goodies paired with appropriate wines! But Lyon is also a city with a venerable history and considerable charm, as you’ll discover when you visit Vieux Lyon, the old Renaissance part of the city that is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first protected historic district in France. Sightseeing also includes the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière, built atop the ruins of an ancient Roman forum. Then it’s off to the celebrated wine-growing region of Beaujolais for a tasting in the countryside before continuing your cruise to Vienne.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 5 A Roman history lesson & more in Vienne

Meals B, L, D

In the great course of human events, the Romans were somewhat latecomers in Vienne – it was founded by the Gauls – but the town still abounds with ruins they left revealing its life as a Roman colony along the Rhône, which you can explore on a walking tour and during time at leisure. There’s a temple erected by the Emperor Claudius; the remains of roads, ramparts, aqueducts and a theatre; and the pyramid-like Plan de l’Aiguille, which one legend says was Pontius Pilate’s tomb! And you’ll have hilltop castle ruins, two intact Romanesque churches and a Gothic cathedral to check out as well. ms Swiss Emerald cruises on to Avignon this afternoon.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 6 Avignon’s charms

Meals B, L, D

Although the fortified city of Avignon was undoubtedly a pleasant place before they arrived, the 13th-century popes, who spent less than a century here when Rome became “tedious” for them, really put it on the map, and cultivated the local wine industry (Châteauneuf-du-Pape). Sightseeing today includes the Palais du Papes, the vast, fortress-like palace that they built for themselves during that time.  After discovering more of Avignon on your own during leisure time this afternoon, visit the Pont du Gard – a famous Roman aqueduct over the River Gardon. This evening, this engineering marvel becomes the amazing backdrop for a special treat for Tauck guests only… an extraordinary Provençal-style dinner accompanied by fine local wines.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 7 Arles and other Provençal pleasures

Meals B, L, D

It may seem that the Romans were everywhere along the Rhône, and Arles in no exception.  Some impressive Roman monuments attest to that; the gladiators who once did battle here are gone, but structures like the arena in which they fought remains and is still a venue for performances and bull fights today. Later, the city successfully made the transition from ancient to medieval life, as you’ll see during today’s sightseeing and free time to look around on your own in Arles. Do take time to look beyond the city walls at the incredible quality of the light here that so enraptured van Gogh. You’ll also venture deeper into Provence today on a visit to the yellow-and-brown town of Roussillon, in the Luberon region. This is a place that is all about color, from the ochre cliffs surrounding the town to the purple of the lavender during its blooming season and the lush, green pine forests. Since the 12th century, the peaceful Romanesque Abbey de Senanque has stood watching over the countryside. You’ll have views of the abbey and – depending on the time of year – the lavender fields surrounding it, tended by the monks who still live in this ancient retreat. The riverboat heads for Viviers tonight.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 8 Medieval Viviers and on along the Rhône

Meals B, L, D

If medieval history and authentic period architecture are your thing, Viviers is your kind of place… because it’s one of the best-preserved medieval towns that you’re likely to see on France cruises. Its winding streets and lanes reveal what life might have been like here in the Middle Ages during a walking tour, including the town’s 12th-century cathedral. A leisurely afternoon cruise along the Rhône bound for Tournon-sur-Rhône and Tain l’Hermitage is the perfect opportunity to just kick back and let the rhythm of the river soothe you as you glide between its banks, enjoying a lecture by your Tauck Director and (weather permitting) a demonstration of the popular Provençal game of pétanque on the sun deck.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 9 Savory Secrets of the Rhône Valley

Meals B, L, D

Tournon-sur-Rhône is a perfect spot to start the final day of your Rhône cruise with a guided walking tour. Wind your way up to a vantage point in this medieval town and admire the views of lush Côtes du Rhône vineyards and dramatic river vistas. After lunch, journey to Valence for an education in epicurean delights; the town is a major hub for fresh Rhône Valley produce and home to some of the finest culinary artists in the country. At an award-winning restaurant and cooking school in town, attend a multi-course tasting presentation illustrating how seasonal ingredients, contrasting flavors and time-tested techniques are combined to create mouth-watering local specialties. You’ll also have time for a wine tasting in Tain-l’Hermitage, known for its chocolate and excellent Côtes du Rhône wines. Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of an extraordinary cruise at the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner aboard the riverboat.

Lodging

Aboard the Riverboat

Day 10 Homeward Bound

Meals B

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2012 Prices From $4,590 for 10 Days

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Tauck Value Includes

* Gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director

* All private Tauck shore excursions – $985 Value!

* Reception and dinner at le Fouquet’s in Paris, followed by an Illuminations tour

* Ride in first-class from Paris to Lyon aboard the TGV

* Private wine tasting at a  Beaujolais vineyard

* A walking tour of historic Vieux Lyon and included tastings at Les Halles de Lyon in France’s culinary capital of Lyon

* Tasting presentation featuring seasonal ingredients and local techniques at an award-winning gourmet cooking school

* Wine tasting in the Rhône Valley

* Regional culinary and wine tastings aboard your riverboat

* Provençal dinner overlooking the famous Pont du Gard

* Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted

* 23 meals (9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners); select meals in local restaurants; wine with dinner on the riverboat; service charges, taxes, porterage, and applicable fuel surcharges

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Special Single Savings – $1000 per cabin – on April 18, May 27, August 24 and October 20 departures. Certain restrictions apply; ask at time of booking.

Culinary & Wine Experiences – While all departures of this cruise celebrate regional cuisine and wines, the April 25, June 28, August 17 & October 20 departures include additional culinary- and wine-themed experiences; ask at booking.

Family Departures – While children are welcome on all cruises, the June 21 and July 23 departures of this cruise are family-friendly departures; ask at booking.