Tauck 10 Days Holland & Belgium in the Spring Revel in the vivid colors of spring in the Netherlands and Belgium during a riverboat cruise through centuries-old inland waterways aboard Swiss Sapphire or Swiss Emerald. View windmills standing sentinel over lush landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see, and celebrate the season with a visit to Keukenhof Gardens. Take a canal ride through the medieval town of Bruges, and experience the past at the Zuiderzee Museum. Taste Dutch gin, learn how Belgian chocolate and Dutch cheese are made, and dine at a castle. Visit renowned art museums and World War II sites, with city sightseeing in Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Maastricht on this most interesting and colorful of Belgium and Holland cruises.
Night 1: Hotel Pulitzer, A Luxury Collection Hotel
Amsterdam, Netherlands Overlooking two of the city's most picturesque canals, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht, Hotel Pulitzer, A Luxury Collection Hotel is ideally located in the middle of the old city center of Amsterdam. This unique hotel is comprised of 25 restored 17th- and 18th-century canal homes. Although rich in historical splendor, the hotel offers all the modern facilities that today’s sophisticated travelers expect. Guest rooms combine authentic Dutch ambiance with today’s most sought-after features and amenities. Pulitzer’s Gym, with its state-of-the-art equipment, is available to all guests.
Night 2 – 8: Aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire Cruising Europe's inland waterways exclusively for Tauck, the new-for-2008 MS Swiss Sapphire and the MS Swiss Emerald (launched in 2006) represent the epitome of luxurious river cruising. At cocktail time, the gracious Lido Bar in the stern has a 180° glass wall that opens for an indoor / outdoor cocktail hour. The spacious Panorama Lounge in the bow, with its bar, dance floor and entertainment, is a delightful gathering spot in the evenings. The Restaurant offers both an elegant dining venue and a fine dining experience. The cabins, which range from 150 to 183 sq. ft., provide plush accommodations with plasma TV, terry bathrobes, fine L'Occitane toiletries, large windows and much more. In addition to their spacious, well-appointed cabins, both ships offer 14 beautiful 300 sq. ft. suites equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble baths, flat-screen televisions and walk-in closets. Crews of 29 attentively serve just 118 guests. The Swiss Emerald and Swiss Sapphire are definitely “top-of-the-line.”
Night 9: Hotel Amigo
Brussels, Belgium The historic and luxurious Hotel Amigo enjoys an ideal location in the center of Brussels adjacent to the Grand Place. Judged one of the best hotels in the world by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, this stylish hotel retains its character and charm while embracing the 21st Century with every modern comfort and convenience, including a new fitness center equipped with the latest exercise machines. The accommodating staff provides a high standard of service sure to please.
Day 1: Welcome to Amsterdam Your Belgium and Holland cruise begins at 6:00 p.m. at Hotel Pulitzer, A Luxury Collection Hotel. Upon arrival, a transfer is included from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport to the Hotel Pulitzer, a Luxury Collection Hotel – a perfect place from which to begin your exploration of the Netherlands' capital city. Cap the day with our welcome reception and dinner this evening. Meals: Dinner Lodging: Hotel Pulitzer, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Day 2: The blooms and art of Amsterdam Journey to Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse this morning, where millions of blooming tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths create colorful carpets of flowers. Take a luncheon canal cruise through the city's tree-lined 17th-century canals, then admire works by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters at the Rijksmuseum. Embark the riverboat for the start of your Holland and Belgium cruise, joining us for a pre-dinner toast with Dutch gins. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 3: Historic villages & windmills Your discovery of Holland cruises to Hoorn, a port town featuring 16th- and 17th-century houses. Choose either a town walking tour, or a journey to the Alkmaar region for visits to the Schermer Museum Windmill and the Zeezicht cheese farm for a cheese-making demonstration. Cruise to the picturesque seafaring town of Enkhuizen to visit the Zuiderzee Museum, a reconstructed 19th-century fishing village featuring costumed guides. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 4: WWII & architecture, or nature & Van Gogh Travel along the picturesque banks of the Lek and Rhine Rivers on this most enjoyable of Holland cruises. In the afternoon, choose between two excursions. You can take a walking tour of the old Hanseatic town of Deventer followed by a visit to the World War II Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek. Alternatively, you can explore De Hoge Veluwe National Park, the country’s largest nature reserve, and then view hundreds of works by Vincent Van Gogh at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Arnhem. Note: Cruise of 4/11 will not visit the Kröller-Müller Museum due to weekly closures. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 5: Maas River cruising & antiquities Your journey through Belgium and Holland cruises to Nijmegen, the Netherlands’ oldest city. Explore the ancient ruins of Valkhof, Charlemagne’s 8th-century stronghold, and the artifact-filled Museum Het Valkhof. See Sint-Stevenskerk, a 14th-century church, and the Grote Markt before resuming your cruise along the Maas River through the beautiful Dutch countryside. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 6: Magic of Maastricht Explore the Old Town of Maastricht, Netherlands, including the 16th-century Spanish Government House, and Helpoort, an entry through the medieval town wall built in 1229. View the Basilica of Our Lady and Sint-Servaasbasiliek, one of the oldest churches in the Netherlands. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
• Day 7: Paying tribute to the past Drive to Margraten to pay your respects at the Netherlands American Cemetery, final resting place of thousands of U.S. World War II soldiers. As a Tauck exclusive, have lunch at Château Neercanne, a castle whose terraced gardens are protected by UNESCO. Cruise the Albert Canal from the Netherlands into Belgium, enjoying the riverboat views from the sun deck or lounge. Arrive in the important port of Antwerp, and savor Belgian specialties at dinner. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Day 8: A day in Antwerp See Antwerp’s grand railway station, opera house, and city park. Visit a museum in the restored home of renowned 17th-century artist Peter Paul Rubens, and discover the secrets of Belgian chocolate making at a local chocolatier. After some free time in the city, attend a farewell reception and Captain’s dinner aboard the riverboat, marking the conclusion of this most remarkable of Belgium and Holland cruises. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 9: Bruges beckons Disembark the riverboat, and journey to medieval Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View Bruges' celebrated architecture on a tour through cobbled lanes and a boat cruise along quaint canals and under arched bridges. Enjoy lunch on your own, then travel to Brussels, where you'll discover the Belgian capital on a walking tour. Attend our farewell dinner at your five-star hotel adjacent to Grand Place, one of the most beautiful market squares in Europe. Meals: Breakfast, dinner Day 10: Say goodbye to Brussels Tour ends in Brussels, Belgium. A transfer is included from the Hotel Amigo to Brussels Airport.
Tauck's Riverboats
Wake up to a new port of call every day as your “floating hotel” travels with you along Europe’s inland waterways, and experience the joys of cruising by riverboat – with the Tauck Difference:
All riverboats used on Tauck’s River Cruises are limited to a maximum of 118 guests… creating a club-like atmosphere, with no crowds
Enjoy plush bathrobes, slippers, and Escada amenities
All shore excursions are included, with a choice of sightseeing opportunities in many cities
All on-board meals include wine with dinner
All gratuities to ship staff, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director included
Insightful lectures on history and the destinations you’ll visit, and music and folkloric performances
Dine ashore with included meals at local restaurants, featuring a variety of dining styles including à la carte from the regular menu
Bottled water included on all shore excursions
Our newest riverboat, the Swiss Emerald, has 14 spacious suites… measuring 300 square feet!
Specially designed for cruising Europe’s inland waterways, our select riverboats welcome Tauck guests with a club-like atmosphere where personalized attention and gracious service ensure a most memorable cruise. Cruise aboard two of Europe’s finest ships, MS Swiss Diamond and the new MS Swiss Emerald, enjoying tastefully appointed outside cabins with panoramic river views. With comfortable accommodations for two persons, shipboard cabins are equipped with a color television, mini-bar, radio, safe, hair dryer, air conditioning and a private bathroom with shower; power is 220 volt.
By day, relax on the Sun Deck as you view the ever-changing river landscapes in welcome comfort. In the evening, enjoy a cocktail in the lounge, while an on-board pianist plays your favorite tunes, or dance the night away – the bar stays open late into the night. Dining aboard each ship is a pleasure in a spacious restaurant that caters to all tastes with daily buffets, a choice of menus and special theme dinners. Vegetarian meals are available and a selection of international wines is included with dinner.
Tauck River Cruise around the World
Rhine & Moselle: Journey along the River Rhine between the northernmost corner of Switzerland and Amsterdam on our new 13-day cruise aboard Swiss Diamond – including four days exploring the castles, wineries and medieval market towns of the Moselle Valley.
Amsterdam to Budapest: This Danube, Main, and Rhine cruise aboard Swiss Sapphire or Swiss Emerald glides past ancient castles and soaring cathedrals, taking in revered UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Schönbrunn Palace and Kölner Dam (Cologne Cathedral).
The Blue Danube: Wind your way past medieval landscapes on a Danube River cruise aboard Swiss Emerald or the new Swiss Sapphire that takes in the castles, cathedrals, frescoes, glockenspiels and Habsburg palaces found in five European countries. Includes land stays featuring three nights in Prague and two nights in Budapest at centrally located 5-star hotels.
Budapest to the Black Sea: Explore Europe's heart on a lower Danube cruise aboard Swiss Sapphire or Swiss Emerald from Budapest to the Black Sea, along what was once a highway for ancient civilizations. See dramatic castles, quaint towns, and centuries-old monasteries, and enjoy the cultural treasures of Budapest and Bucharest.
Grand European Cruise: Explore European landscapes from the North Sea to the Black Sea! Set off aboard Swiss Emerald or the new Swiss Sapphire on a grand 3-week cruise through nine European countries along the Rhine, Main and Danube, plus two nights at a historic 5-star hotel in Bucharest.
China the Yangtze River & Hong Kong: Enjoy a China travel experience amidst ancient pagodas, palaces, silks, treasures, and unique landscapes. Cruise the Yangtze River, visit landmark historic sites, and explore Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
Egypt: Jewels along the Nile: Cleopatra beckons when you cruise the River Nile and explore the colossal pyramids, ornate temples, and priceless treasures of an intriguing civilization spanning thousands of years on Tauck’s Egypt tour.
Call 800-640-4899 for 2009 Itineraries discounted rates
With the decrease in the value of the dollar and the high price of fuel the cost of hotels and meals have doubled in European during the last three years. Savy travelers have come to understand that a river cruise offers the best value for a European Vacation. Accommodations, all meals on board and shore excursions are included in the price and some companies even include wine with dinner. Because of this, you do not have to live in fear of the $300 per night hotel bill, the $100 not so wonderful restaurant meal and the $10 cup of coffee with no free refills.
Many people believe that by dealing directly with the cruise line, they cut out the expense of a middleman. But when it comes to cruising, this is never the case. The cruise lines depend on travel agents to sell their product, and so it is the cruise lines who pay the agent's commission, not the customer. The lines also offer agents various extra incentives, bonus commissions and value-added perks, giving the travel agents more pricing leverage and the ability for us to offer you lower rates: There are many superb and well-trained travel agents, but there are not many who know as much as we do about river cruising.
This weeks best values: Avalon French Balconies $1,000 Off Per person Tulip Time, Legendary, Windmills, France & Blue Danube April Dates.
