Grand European Cruise - Westbound

<strong>Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Amsterdam, Netherlands.</strong>
A transfer is included from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport or Central Station directly to your Tauck riverboat. Tonight join us for a welcome reception and a leisurely dinner as you settle into your floating hotel for a memorable two-week cruise on the Main, Rhine and Danube rivers.

Amsterdam... the name itself conjures up images of the Dutch capital's myriad cultural treasures, from gabled houses, markets and caf&eacute;s to awe-inspiring museums housing a treasure trove of world-famous art &ndash; and it's all yours to enjoy today. Your guided tour of the famed Rijksmuseum is really inspiring &ndash; a firsthand look at Rembrandt's masterpiece&nbsp;<em>The Night Watch</em>&nbsp;is like meeting the artist himself, and you'll love seeing acclaimed works by other well-known "Old Dutch Masters." Once an exclusive royal privilege, a private sightseeing cruise by canal boat on the city's network of concentric, tree-lined 17th-century canals provides a unique view of Amsterdam's blend of architectural styles &ndash; they date all the way back to medieval times &ndash; and a unique taste of daily life in this easygoing city. Enjoy an evening at leisure aboard your riverboat as we chart a course to Germany.

After a morning of cruising and lunch aboard the riverboat, your explorations continue in K&ouml;ln (Cologne), the oldest city in Germany. A guided walking tour of city sights includes a visit to twin-spired K&ouml;lner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), boasting one of the world's largest church fa&ccedil;ades; it is one of Europe's most beloved Gothic cathedrals (this walking tour can be done at either a more leisurely or faster pace, you'll have the option to choose your activity level on tour). You'll have some free time to wander through Cathedral Square and the Hohe Strasse pedestrian area in the afternoon. Your day concludes with the Chef's signature dinner onboard in the Compass Rose followed by an onboard performance by local musicians.

The perfect Rhine cruise... glide along the river until early afternoon, and relax as your Tauck Director shares a tale or two during the cruise through the scenic &ndash; and literally legendary &ndash; Lorelei Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in R&uuml;desheim, where an entertaining lunch in a local German restaurant with an old-world ambiance precedes&nbsp;a visit to <em>Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett,</em> an eclectic collection of mechanical musical instruments housed in a 15th-century castle in R&uuml;desheim, followed by free time; walk back to the ship or ride the mini train. Alternatively, you can choose to join us on a bicycling excursion along the Rhine today (guests choosing this option will not participate in the visit to&nbsp;<em>Siegfrieds Mechanisches Musikkabinett</em>). Back aboard the riverboat this evening, enjoy dinner while cruising the Rhine followed by a game night led by your Tauck Director.

Enjoy the views as your Rhine cruise continues into the Main River, for a full day of cruising through scenic valleys studded with castles, cathedrals, and fortified towns. Join us for a Bavarian-themed dinner aboard the riverboat tonight followed by a crew show or an evening of music and dancing.

Spend the morning cruising and have brunch aboard the riverboat before arriving in W&uuml;rzburg. Upon arrival, you'll have two choices of sightseeing: visit the town's 18th-century Residenz &ndash; a lavish Baroque palace where the town's prince bishops once lived, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site &ndash; followed by a short guided walk into the Old Town and free time. Alternatively, depart on an excursion to the nearby town of Rothenburg; nestled on Germany's "Romantic Road," it lives up to its reputation as Europe's "most perfect fairy-tale town." View its Gothic cathedral, towered walls and gabled houses on a walking tour, followed by time at leisure. Spend the evening aboard the riverboat following an early evening departure.

Your riverboat cruises along the Main to the Bavarian town of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated atop seven hills. Discover the town's lovely gardens, medieval architecture and 13th-century Gothic cathedral with its four imposing towers on a guided walking tour of Old Town, or choose a bicycling excursion around Bamberg, suitable for fit and experienced cyclists. Enjoy dinner back aboard the riverboat this evening.

From the center of the German Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries to the site of National Socialist Germans Workers' Party conventions leading into World War II, Nuremberg has had a storied history since it was first documented in 1050. Today, Nuremberg is a hub for tourism and continues to be important industrial center. Your exploration of this historic city today offers two options; one brings you on a visit Nuremberg's Old Town, including an introductory walking tour through the Medieval fortification walls via Castle terrace to Old Town, passing by Albrecht D&uuml;rer House (guests may visit independently after the walking tour), continuing to St. Sebald Church (inside visit if available) and passing by the old City Hall before finishing at the Hauptmarkt;&nbsp;the other, offers a look into Nuremberg, both past and present, viewing sites such as the train terminal, the City Wall, the Opera House, The German National Museum, Courtroom 600, St. Johns Cemetary and the Imperial Castle, each option will finish with a walk through the main market square. This afternoon, your riverboat negotiates the Main-Danube Canal today, which ultimately links the North Sea with the Black Sea &ndash; and which you'll learn all about from a local expert during your transit. The idea goes back as far as Charlemagne, but wasn't realized until this canal was completed in the 1990s; pass through 16 locks as the waterway traverses the mountains. Have dinner aboard the riverboat this evening.

With its roots as a Roman encampment on the Danube, the quintessential Bavarian town of Regensburg is home to more than 1,400 original historic buildings. Walking here is a delight and is the only way to view the sights up-close. A local guide will lead the way as you see the town's 12th-century Steinerne Br&uuml;cke (Germany's oldest surviving stone bridge), the 15th-century Altes Rathaus (Town Hall), the towering Dom St. Peter, and the remains of the Roman wall. Visit the princely house of Thurn und Taxis (also known as St. Emmeram Palace) on a guided tour, followed by free time. Enjoy an onboard musical performance by a local quartet before your ship sets off for Passau.

The riverboat docks in the port city of Passau, dating way back to Roman times. Today, you have the choice of a walking tour revealing the Baroque treasures of this lovely riverside town, known for its stained glass and its many churches &ndash; including St. Stephan's Cathedral, home to the largest pipe organ outside of the U.S., and the biggest cathedral organ in the world (inside cathedral visit may not be available on all departures); a cycling excursion around Passau, suitable for more experienced riders; or a full-day excursion to the lovely Austrian city of Salzburg, birthplace of W.A. Mozart (and setting of&nbsp;<em>The Sound of Music</em>). Back aboard the riverboat this afternoon and evening, listen to commentary from your Tauck Director as you continue your cruise, bound for Melk, Austria. Tonight, enjoy a musical performance by classical trio, Donau 3Klang.

Your next destination is the town of Melk, Austria, where you'll step back in time on a guided tour of its 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey, perched on a rocky outcrop above the river. Inside this Baroque masterpiece are fine frescoes, early manuscripts, and a high altar. Back aboard the riverboat, enjoy views of castles, vineyards, small towns, monasteries and medieval ruins while cruising through the Wachau Valley toward the magnificent Austrian capital city of Vienna.&nbsp;Tonight, a Tauck Exclusive &ndash; a private, gala evening Palais Pallavicini, featuring a sumptuous dinner and live entertainment &ndash; just might sweep you off your feet!

Get an overview of Vienna, Austria's capital and one of Europe's greatest cities, with a morning sightseeing tour of this historic former capital of the Habsburg Empire. Take your choice of a tour of Sch&ouml;nbrunn Palace, built to rival Versailles, or a guided visit to the Sisi Museum and the amazing Imperial Apartments inside the Hofburg, the Habsburgs' former Imperial palace that today is the official residence of Austria's president. Explore the city as you wish this afternoon, or return to the riverboat; dinner is aboard ship tonight.

Depart Vienna after breakfast, and spend the morning cruising to Slovakia. Arrive early afternoon in Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, where 17 centuries of history are chronicled on a walking tour led by a local guide. Highlights include Baroque palaces from the Habsburg era, along with St. Martin's Cathedral, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall, and a visit to Old Town Hall. This evening, enjoy a taste of Slovakia with a Slovak dinner followed by entertainment aboard the riverboat; set off for Budapest tonight.

Your remarkable riverboat voyage from the North Sea to the Black Sea cruises into Budapest, Hungary's capital, today &ndash; the
mid-point of your grand European river cruise. Standing on opposite banks of the Danube, Budapest's two distinct sections &ndash; Buda and Pest &ndash; were once independent cities. Explore the Pest section on a day of sightseeing that includes views of patriotic Heroes' Square, dominated by statues of great leaders from Hungarian history; City Park; and Central Market Hall. The afternoon is free to explore.

Sightseeing in the city's Buda section today includes the Hungarian Parliament building, a 19th-century neo-Gothic masterpiece on the Danube (when open); and Fisherman's Bastion, standing watch like a sentinel over the river. After spending some time exploring as you please, board your Tauck riverboat mid-afternoon to continue your cruise along the lower Danube River.&nbsp;