Day 1 - Welcome to Amsterdam and embark your riverboat
This most memorable of Belgium and Holland cruises begins at 4:00 PM in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Upon arrival, a transfer is included from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport to the ms Swiss Sapphire, ms Swiss Emerald or ms Swiss Jewel. After settling into your cabin, enjoy a Dutch Gin tasting followed by our welcome dinner this evening aboard the riverboat.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
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. Return to Amsterdam to take a luncheon cruise through the city's tree-lined 17th-century canals, then admire works by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters at the world-famous Rijksmuseum. Later, your riverboat sets out from Amsterdam on your springtime cruise, bound for the historic port city of Hoorn.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 3 - Historic villages & windmills
Your discovery of Holland cruises to Hoorn, a centuries-old town on the IJsselmeer featuring 16th- and 17th-century houses from its heyday as a prosperous seaport; it's now a center of Holland's agricultural region. 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. Your riverboat docks in Kampen this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 4 - WWII history in Arnhem or nature and van Gogh
The picturesque banks of the Lek and Rhine Rivers come alive through the commentary of your Tauck Director as this most enjoyable of Holland cruises continues to Zutphen; there, you'll disembark for a choice of two excursions. In Arnhem, scene of a massive World War II Allied airborne assault, you can tour the battlefields, view the "John Frost Bridge" and visit the nearby Airborne Museum. Alternatively, you can choose to 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 within the park (subject to weekly closures). Back on the riverboat tonight, your cruise to Nijmegen is accompanied by a classical music performance.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 5 - Maas River cruising & antiquities in Nijmegen
Your journey through Belgium and Holland cruises to Nijmegen, one of the Netherlands' oldest cities. Explore the ancient ruins of the Valkhof, Charlemagne's 8th-century stronghold, and the artifact-filled Museum Het Valkhof, displaying treasures ranging from Roman coins to local guild objects. See Sint-Stevenskerk, a 14th-century church, and the well-preserved 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
Nearly as ancient as Nijmegen, the Old Town of Maastricht invites your exploration with some 1,400 historic buildings and monuments; a walking tour includes the 16th-century Spanish Government House, tree-lined Vrijthof Square, and Helpoort, an entry through the medieval town wall built in 1229. Visit 1,000-year-old Sint-Servaasbasiliek (the Basilica of St. Servatius); one of the oldest churches in the Netherlands, it's the latest in a series of churches that have stood near the site of the grave of St. Servatius since the sixth century. Spend the afternoon as you please in multicultural Maastricht.
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, lunch today is a memorable interactive culinary experience at Château Neercanne, a castle whose terraced gardens are protected by UNESCO; you'll don a chef's hat, visit the kitchen where your meal is being prepared, and dig into an extraordinary lunch served in a Roman grotto within the castle. This afternoon, cruise the entire length of the Albert Canal from the Netherlands into Belgium, enjoying the views from the riverboat's sun deck or lounge. Arrive in the important port of Antwerp, and savor Belgian specialties at dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 8 - Walking through history in Antwerp
Antwerp is yours to discover on foot today, when you meet your local guide on the dock for a tour of sights including the grand 1905 Centraal Station, opera house, city park and Grote Markt, lined with centuries-old Guild houses. Visit the city's historic Jewish quarter, as well as the Rubenshuis (Peter Paul Rubens House) - a museum in the restored home of the renowned 17th-century artist, viewing his works and those of some of his contemporaries (may be subject to closure on some departures). Then discover the secrets of making Belgian chocolate - and sample this delectable handmade treat - at a local chocolatier. After some free time in the city, attend our 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
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat
Day 9 - Bruges and Brussels beckon
Disembark your riverboat in Antwerp and journey to medieval Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring many treasures from its heyday between the 12th and 15th centuries. View Bruges' celebrated architecture on a tour through cobbled lanes, along quaint canals and over arched bridges; have lunch on your own in this city renowned as the birthplace of Flemish painting. The final leg of your most delightful of Belgium and Holland cruises takes you to Brussels, where you'll enjoy dinner at a popular local restaurant tonight. Your five-star hotel is adjacent to Brussels' Grand Place, one of the most beautiful market squares in all of Europe.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Amigo, Brussels, Belgium
Day 10 - Say goodbye to Brussels
Tour ends in Brussels, Belgium. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from the Hotel Amigo to Brussels Airport. Allow 3 hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
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 discounted rates
River Cruise Highlights
Antwerp…..The chocolate factory, followed by lunch at a local eatery and what else, but shopping for Belgium chocolates to bring home.
Chateau Neercanne
Maastricht…..Margraten and the American War Cemetery. Each one of us was given a white rose to place on a grave of our choice. This was a very moving time of reflection, memories of loved ones who participated in the war. Next we went the 1700’s Chateau Neercanne for a very unique lunch, complete with a tour of the wine cellars.
Nijmegen…..Walking tour of the Valkof Museum, with its many historical collections. On the way we saw hundreds of bikes. Everyone, old and young bike in Holland and I noticed there were not many overweight people.
Arnhem….We had two choices in Arnhem. I chose the tour of the Kroller Muller Museum and enjoyed Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings. The other choice was for the Airborne Museum, which was very interesting to all who chose this tour.
Deventer/Kampen…..The Day of the Orange…..All the boat staff and crew were decked out in some kind of orange hat, shirt, etc. After our tours in Arnhem, we joined up with the boat in Deventer and sailed to Kampen.
Enkhuizen…..here we visited the Frisian settlement from the year 1289 that boasted one of the world’s largest herring fishing fleets. Later the town was fortified in the 16th century and became a whale fishing town in the 18th century. Enkhuizen still remains much like it was then.
Hoorn…….Visited the Schemer Windmill Museum and a Dutch cheese farm.
Amsterdam…….we had a full day here. First the famous Keukenhof Gardens……finally the tulips. They were absolutely beautiful and the gardens meticulously manicured. We climbed the windmill and had a wonderful dessert and then boarded the coaches for the city of Amsterdam. I would say they highlight of my trip was the Anne Frank Museum. We waited in line one hour and toured the secret hiding place for one hour. I have since read Anne Frank’s diaries and can not believe the life she and her family endured. I know there are many thousands of others who had the same experiences, but it was really an eye opener to see and read about it at this time in my life.
For this alone, I am very grateful that I took this opportunity to sail Tauck and this wonderful river cruise. I doubt if there is anyone I have not shared the experience with since the day I returned home.
Tauck is first class. The boat was spotless, beautifully decorated and had a very friendly and accommodating staff. They were always there to answer questions, give guidance and share a good time. It is definitely my choice for river cruising and others I met onboard that it is a repeaters type of travel. It only takes once on Tauck to be sold.
Everything is included with Tauck………airport transfers, all gratuities, complimentary wine with dinner and beer with lunch and all shore excursions let by the Tauck Directors and local guides, many meals off the boat. Please feel free to ask any questions.
Would I recommend Tauck? Absolutely, every chance I get.
Avalon with extra discounts 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.
