14 Night The Rhine and the Moselle Cruise from Basel (Saxon)

Tour begins: 4 PM in Basel, Switzerland. Transfers are included from EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg or Basel's SBB train station to the riverboat where embarkation begins at 4 PM; guests can also transfer from Zurich Airport or Zurich Hauptbahnhof (train station) to the riverboat in Basel. This evening, join a welcome reception followed by dinner onboard the riverboat.

The Tauck Difference in European river cruising is all about where you go, what you do, and who you meet on your shore excursions - and today, you have a choice! First choice is spending the day in Basel, a beautiful city on the banks of the Rhine River. You'll get a good overview on a brief sightseeing tour that is followed by a walking tour in the Old Town - 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, perhaps taking in one of the city's 40 museums. Your second choice is a trip to the town of Zurich for a guided tour and lunch. This evening, enjoy a welcome briefing followed by dinner in the Compass Rose as your riverboat heads for Strasbourg, France.

Today, you'll have a choice as to how you'll explore Strasbourg, France, the formal seat of the European Parliament and a cultural treasure. Step back in time and explore La Petite France, noted for its medieval half-timbered houses set beside lovely canals, on a walking tour with a local guide. Visit the Gothic Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, where the graceful, expressive statuary of the Pilier des Anges (Pillar of Angels), and the magnificent stained-glass windows are inspiring. Or, you can choose to go on a shopping excursion with a local guide who will introduce you to unique places, off the beaten path, where locals shop and chat. Return to the riverboat for lunch or stay in Strasbourg; spend the afternoon exploring the city as you please before returning to the riverboat for a late evening departure for Baden-Baden.

Stuttgart enjoys a reputation as an industrial powerhouse; a cradle of both the automobile and motorcycle industries in the 19th century, it's the corporate headquarters of both Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. But the city also possesses a charming, small-town atmosphere, tucked into an inviting urban landscape of historic sites, lakes, parks, gardens, vineyards, and forests. Your excursion features a walking tour of the city's historic center, where you'll see the restored Altes Schloss (Old Castle), most of which dates to the 15th century, and its inner courtyard; the palatial 18th-century Neues Schloss (New Castle), completely rebuilt after nearly being burned to the ground during WWII. Later, you'll explore the Mercedes-Benz Museum - a dazzling ultramodern showcase featuring more than 160 vehicles on display, ranging from some of the oldest automobiles ever built to legendary racing cars to futuristic research vehicles in exhibits that chronicle the history of the legendary car company. Following your time at the museum, you may join an optional walking tour of Stuttgart. As an alternate option, travel by motorcoach to the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden where you'll discover that the elegant Belle Epoque 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 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 Epoque casino, the Kurhaus, which movie star Marlene Dietrich once described as "the most beautiful casino in the world". You'll also have an optional opportunity to visit the Caracalla Spa in town before returning to the riverboat for the evening.

Arrive in the historic college town of Heidelberg, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe as well as being the setting for the famous operetta, The Student Prince. You have a choice of sightseeing today. In Heidelberg, take a walking tour for a close-up look at the Old Town, and visit the imposing Heidelberger Schloss, perched 300 feet above the city; view its examples of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture; have lunch at a local restaurant. Alternatively, travel to one of the local wineries for a visit and tasting of the excellent red and white wines found throughout this region. On your tour, you'll see the vines, most of which are planted to produce Riesling, on very steep terraced slopes. Watch the winery's traditional methods used to create hand-made, organic wines that are aged in old oak barrels without commercial yeast strains, or other modern gimmicks. And you'll enjoy local snacks and a tasting of the winery's "pure, disarmingly acidic and exceptionally stylish" white wines. Return to the ship midday, and enjoy an afternoon cruising.

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. Alternatively, you can take a bicycling excursion from Bacharach to Boppard, peddling along riverside bike paths that traverse countryside, forests, and winelands. Gain insights on the Lorelei Valley and legends associated with the many castles you'll pass on your way through the region from your Tauck director. The ship - and bicycles - arrive in Boppard, where you'll have an orientation tour by your Tauck director. Return to the ship for dinner and continue on to Koblenz, where the riverboat will be docked overnight.

Your day begins with an introduction to the Moselle River, where your riverboat diverges from the Rhine, en route to Cochem. Stepping ashore in this Moselle Valley town 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. Enjoy a relaxing morning aboard the riverboat before your exploration of this jewel of a town - complete with a Baroque town hall and ancient town gates - breathing in its historic charm and ambiance. Explore Cochem either by bike ride or on a guided walking tour ending at the family-owned Schlagkamp Wine Museum, where you'll learn about the area's centuries-old winemaking traditions with a tasting of the excellent locally produced vintages before returning to the riverboat.

Dock this morning in Traben-Trarbach and set off for a choice of excursions. On one, you're off on a journey to the tiny Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with a visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial; where over 5,000 American casualties of World War II's Battle of the Bulge lie buried here, as does General George S. Patton; or take a walking tour of Luxembourg's well-preserved old town including the Cathedral, Parliament, Palace of the Grand Duke, and centuries-old battlements that are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, journey to the charming spa town of Traben-Trarbach, where you have the choice of an orientation tour - or a guided bicycle ride along the Moselle River. Dinner tonight is back aboard your ship followed by a performance by the Sandy Quartet.

On an excursion to Trier, enjoy a guided walking tour where you'll discover an ancient city that lays claim as being one of the oldest in Germany - during a walking tour that includes both medieval treasures and sites dating back to Roman times, from a 2nd-century city gate and the 4th-century basilica to a 16th-century fountain featuring images of St. Peter. Reboard your riverboat for an afternoon of classic river cruising, watching the scenery slip by from the Sun Deck as your riverboat glides along the Moselle; enjoy dinner aboard ship tonight.

A wonderful morning of cruising along the Moselle awaits today! Following lunch onboard, your ship arrives in the town of Alken, home to the ruins of Thurant Castle, perched high above the hills; enjoy some free time to explore as you please before rejoining your riverboat.

This morning, in the city of Koln (Cologne), you're off on a walking tour showcasing the city's iconic sites accompanied by a local guide and highlighted with a stop at the Cologne Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. The afternoon is free to explore pursue your own special interests. This evening, you're off for a Tauck Exclusive visit to Schloss Ehreshoven. Built in the 14th century and later expanded in the style of a grand Baroque manor house, the estate is surrounded by a moat, landscaped gardens, and a castle park. Schloss Ehreshoven is frequently used as a film location but this evening it's the elegant setting for a cocktail reception and dinner with entertainment. Return to the ship late tonight to continue your cruise.

Arrive in Nijmegen, where your day begins with a choice of excursion - a visit to Paleis Het Loo and gardens, the largest authentic 17th-century palace of the House of Orange-Nassau and a masterpiece of Dutch Baroque architecture, or alternatively, a visit to the art-filled Kroller-Muller Museum in De Hoge Veluwe National Park. This afternoon's choices include an introductory walk through Nijmegen or a visit to the Airborne Museum at the beautifully restored Villa Hartenstein, rich with World War II history. Everyone rejoins the riverboat late afternoon; tonight, enjoy a special Chef's Signature Dinner in the Compass Rose and set sail late in the evening for Amsterdam.

Explore Amsterdam today, beginning with a visit to the famed Rijksmuseum, home to one of the world's most important collections of artwork by the Dutch Masters. Mid-morning, take a scenic canal cruise along the 17th-century canals, where you'll be introduced to the city's remarkable architecture from a different vantage point. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy Amsterdam as you please.

Today takes you outside of the city for a full-day, guided tour through the polder landscapes of the Dutch countryside, including a visit to a tulip and vegetable nursery. Alternatively, you may choose to stay in Amsterdam to explore the city as you wish. Return to your riverboat this evening and join a farewell toast as your cruise comes to a close.

Tour ends: Amsterdam. A transfer is included from the riverboat to Amsterdam's Schiphol International Airport or Centraal Train Station upon disembarking, no later than 9 AM; allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.