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Prague to Strasbourg Serenade
2010 – 12 Days from $3,990
Tauck's newest Europe river cruise invites you to experience the romance of idyllic villages in the lush wine country of France's Alsace region... explore the magnificent medieval cathedral cities and colorful culture of Bavaria... and discover a remarkable mix of old and new during two-night stays in the ancient cities of Prague and Strasbourg! An extraordinary weeklong cruise aboard the state-of-the-art ms Swiss Sapphire winds its way past castles, vineyards and historic villages along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in the gracious style once reserved for the nobility. Walk in the footsteps of the rich and famous of long ago as you visit the glamorous spa town of Baden-Baden and its elegant Casino, enjoy an exclusive private tour of the Strahov Monastery libraries in Prague, and discover what royal life was like in palaces like the Heidelberger Schloss, Würzberg's imposing Residenz, and Prague Castle. Feel history come alive as you explore medieval towns and cities such as Obernai, Miltenberg, Regensburg and Bamberg. Savor an authentic taste of the region during meals aboard ship and at specially selected restaurants ashore during your riverboat cruise; and sample fine wines of the Alsace and the beers of Germany's Franconia region during tours and tastings. All this and more awaits on Tauck's new-for-2010 Prague to Strasbourg Serenade!
Day-by-Day Itinerary
2010 Itinerary
Westbound
Click here for Eastbound itinerary.
• Indicates cruise day
Day 1 - Welcome to Prague
Tauck's newest Europe river cruise begins at 6:00 PM at the Hilton Old Town Prague. A transfer is included from Prague's Ruzyne Airport to the Hilton Old Town Prague. Meet your fellow travelers and Tauck Directors for a grand kickoff to your exciting Europe river cruise - tonight's royal welcome reception, tour and dinner at 16th-century Lobkowicz
Palace at the Prague Castle.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hilton Prague Old Town, Prague, Czech Republic
Day 2 - Discovering past and present in Prague
Join your local guide for today's exploration of the Czech capital in Prague's ancient Hradcany (Castle)
district, where you'll see 1,000-year-old Prague Castle's complex of
palaces, courtyards and gardens. Walk along the famous Golden Lane, visit the Cathedral of St. Vitus and
enjoy a Tauck Exclusive... a private tour of Strahov Monastery's grand
Baroque libraries. You're free to spend the afternoon as you please in this "city of 100 spires," or join us if you like on a walking tour of Prague's Old Town -
a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's home to the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge and
Tyn Church - and the city's historic Jewish Quarter. 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hilton Prague Old Town, Prague, Czech Republic
• Day 3 - Regensburg revealed
Leave fascinating Prague and set out overland for Regensburg, Germany, a city with a really long history; humans first settled here on the banks of the River Danube during the Stone Age, and the Romans arrived around 90
AD. Regensburg bills itself as “Germany's best-preserved medieval city,”
and you'll understand why when you explore the town during a walking
tour; see the Stone
Bridge over the Danube (completed in 1146), magnificent Dom St. Peter, the 15th-century
Town Hall and the remains of the Roman wall with your local guide. This afternoon, board the ms Swiss Sapphire
to begin your Europe river cruise, bound for Nürnberg via the Main-Danube Canal. The Captain welcomes you aboard with a special reception in
your honor, followed by a welcome dinner tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Sapphire
• Day 4 - The Main-Danube Canal and historic Nürnberg
It wasn't until 1992 that the dream of linking the North Sea to the
Black Sea, and making a riverboat cruise all the way from Holland to
Romania possible, was realized with the completion of the Main-Danube
Canal. A local expert will tell you all about it as ms Swiss Sapphire
transits the canal this morning. After docking in Nürnberg, disembark
for an orientation tour of this significant Bavarian city, perhaps best
known for its role during and after World War II. But Nürnberg also has
a fascinating medieval heart, which you'll discover firsthand on a walking tour
following a special lunch featuring entertainment at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Sapphire
• Day 5 - Bamberg and cruising aboard ms Swiss Sapphire
What the Alsace
is to wine in France (which you'll learn firsthand a bit later on your Europe river cruise), the Franconia region of Germany is to beer - and Bamberg, a charming city set atop seven hills, is living proof of it.
Following a morning walking tour of Bamberg's Old Town, you'll have a chance to
sample some of the excellent local brews during a brewery tour and beer
tasting. Spend the afternoon gliding along the River Main, and participating in the on-board activities offered by
your Tauck Directors - perhaps gaining some new insights on your Europe river cruise as ms Swiss Sapphire continues on to Würzburg.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Sapphire
• Day 6 - Feel like royalty at the Residenz
By 1000 BC, the Celts had built a fortress, and in the 8th century,
Charlemagne himself consecrated the cathedral that is the focal point
of the historic and charming town of Würzburg. About 90% of the town was
destroyed in World War II and then painstakingly reconstructed by its
citizens - most of them women referred to as Trümmerfrauen ("rubble women"). You'll witness the results of their efforts on your visit today, which includes a tour of the
Würzburg Residenz, a beautiful complex of palaces begun in 1720 for the
Würzburg prince-bishops and completed, start-to-finish, almost within
a single generation; its magnificent
rooms contain a wonderful array of paintings,
tapestries, furniture and other 18-century treasures. Following an afternoon at leisure aboard the ship, you'll return to the
Residenz this evening for a memorable dinner in its wine cellar,
complete with a wine tasting and entertainment - a highlight of your
riverboat cruise!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Sapphire
• Day 7 - Rollin' on the River Main
Arrive this morning in the old Bavarian town of Miltenberg to discover its hilltop castle, lively market square and
half-timbered houses on a walking tour and time to explore as you wish. Then enjoy an opportunity to just kick back and relax on your Europe river cruise this afternoon as your riverboat glides down the Main River. Or, see what fun surprises your Tauck Directors have up their
sleeves, work out in the fitness center or find something to challenge
you on the on-board Wii game system. Bavaria comes aboard ms Swiss Sapphire this evening for a special dinner spotlighting this lovely area of Germany.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Sapphire
• Day 8 - It happens in Heidelberg
Depart the riverboat for a full-day excursion to Heidelberg showcasing many facets of this
intriguing city, which has been a happening place for students since
the University of Heidelberg was founded in 1386. Take in the charm of
Old Town during a guided walking tour revealing Gothic gates and walls,
Renaissance and Baroque homes and palaces... and life here in the 21st
century. Ride a funicular up to the ruins of the famous
Gothic-Renaissance castle, Heidelberger Schloss. Have lunch in a Heidelberg restaurant and explore
more of the city on your own before returning to the ms Swiss Sapphire this evening to continue your Europe river cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Sapphire
• Day 9 - Good times in Baden-Baden
Set in the foothills of Germany's Black Forest, the spa town of
Baden-Baden, with its healing waters, has been a popular destination
since Roman times and its thermal springs have been known for over
2,000 years; the likes of Queen Victoria, Brahms, Napoleon III and
Marlene Dietrich have wandered its streets, "taken the waters" and
played in its casino. On your visit today, local guides take you on a walking tour to discover
ruins of castles and Roman baths, and check out the extravagantly beautiful
Belle Epoque Casino, which has been the place to see and be seen for
nobility and the elite for over 250 years. You may return to the ship or spend the afternoon in Baden-Baden as you please; this evening, the ms Swiss Sapphire sets off from Plittersdorf along the Rhine to Strasbourg in the Alsace region of France.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aboard ms Swiss Sapphire
Day 10 - Authentically Alsace
Upon arriving in Strasbourg, head out of town this morning for a drive along the famous Route des Vins d'Alsace
(Alsatian Wine Road), through enchanting Alsatian villages and past
endless terraced vineyards that produce the area's renowned white wines
on the way to the picturesque town of Obernai. Here, you'll enjoy lunch
in a former manor house, complete with local wines offering a true
taste of the Alsace region. Disembark ms Swiss Sapphire and bid your Captain and crew a fond adieu, as your Europe river cruise concludes and you begin a two-night stay in charming Strasbourg.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile, Strasbourg, France
Day 11 - Strasbourg old and new
As you'll discover today, Strasbourg has one foot firmly in the present
and one foot rooted in the past. As the capital of the European Union,
the EU Parliament district bustles with the in-the-moment business of
modern-day government; see the impressive, modern Parliament buildings
en route to the past this morning. Step into the medieval world of La
Petite France, with its historic cobbled streets, half-timbered houses
and meandering canals, during a walking tour with a local guide. Due to its high tower, Strasbourg's Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady was the tallest
building in the world for about 200 years; learn more about it and its other treasures during
a visit today. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy the many pleasures of this historic Alsatian city which has become the "crossroads of Europe."
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile, Strasbourg, France
Day 12 - Homeward bound
Your memorable Europe river cruise ends in Strasbourg, France. A transfer is included from the Sofitel Strasbourg Grande Ile to Strasbourg International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
From the treasures of Prague and Bavaria to the pleasures of Strasbourg and the Alsace... on Tauck's newest Europe river cruise - book today!
Prices12 Day Land/Cruise prices aboard ms Swiss Sapphire from $3990 plus airfare
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Cat. 2 | Cat. 3 | Cat. 4 | Cat. 5 | Cat. 6 |
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| Date | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Tpl |
| 7/6/2010* | $3990 | $4586 | $4240 | $5936 | $4840 | $5776 | $5140 | $8224 | $5740 | $9758 | $6440 | $10,948 | $5795 |
| 7/13/2010 | $3990 | $5586 | $4240 | $5936 | $4840 | $6776 | $5140 | $8224 | $5740 | $9758 | $6440 | $10,948 | $5795 |
| 8/3/2010* | $3990 | $5586 | $4240 | $5936 | $4840 | $6776 | $5140 | $8224 | $5740 | $9758 | $6440 | $10,948 | $5795 |
| 8/10/2010 | $3990 | $5586 | $4240 | $5936 | $4840 | $6776 | $5140 | $8224 | $5740 | $9758 | $6440 | $10,948 | $5795 |
12-day Land / Cruise tour includes 28 meals.
8 Day Cruise-Only prices aboard ms Swiss Sapphire from $2990 plus airfare
| |
Cat. 1 |
Cat. 2 | Cat. 3 | Cat. 4 | Cat. 5 | Cat. 6 |
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| Date | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Dbl | Sgl | Tpl |
| 7/6/2010* | $2990 | $4186 | $3240 | $4536 | $3840 | $5376 | $4140 | $6624 | $4740 | $8058 | $5440 | $9248 | $4895 |
| 7/13/2010 | $2990 | $4186 | $3240 | $4536 | $3840 | $5376 | $4140 | $6624 | $4740 | $8058 | $5440 | $9248 | $4895 |
| 8/3/2010* | $2990 | $4186 | $3240 | $4536 | $3840 | $5376 | $4140 | $6624 | $4740 | $8058 | $5440 | $9248 | $4895 |
| 8/10/2010 | $2990 | $4186 | $3240 | $4536 | $3840 | $5376 | $4140 | $6624 | $4740 | $8058 | $5440 | $9248 | $4895 |
8-day Cruise-Only tour includes 20 meals.
View deck plans for Tauck's European Riverboat Fleet
* Indicates Prague to Strasbourg.
Special Singles Savings – $1000 per cabin on July 6 departure. Certain restrictions apply; please ask at time of booking.
Land / Cruise price per person includes cruise fare, most meals, port charges, wine with dinner aboard ship, shore excursions, applicable fuel surcharges and gratuities to Tauck Directors, Tauck Cruise Director, ship staff, local guides & drivers, as well as on all included meals.
International Airfare is additional. Call Tauck for special rates on international air, in coach or business, for travel originating in the U.S. (subject to availability).
Itinerary Changes – Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice. North and south itineraries are similar. Museums and attractions may be subject to closure due to state, local or religious holidays.
Note: This cruise includes a fair amount of walking in each city.
Please ask at time of booking about additional hotel nights before or after your cruise, or about our Cruise Protection Plan.
Need to Know
Tauck is currently working to provide information regarding this tour. Please check back soon for more information.
If you have an immediate questions, please call us at 800-788-7885 or email info@tauck.com.