2008 Itinerary

Westbound

Click here for Eastbound.

• Indicates day of cruising

Day 1: Begin your adventure in Bucharest
Tour starts at 6:00 p.m. Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest. Transfers are included from Bucharest Airport to your hotel in the heart of the city. Meet your fellow travelers and Tauck Directors at tonight's welcome reception and dinner, kicking off your Danube, Main and Rhine River tour.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania

Day 2: Dracula’s Romania
Your have a choice of sightseeing in Romania today. Opt for a full day's excursion to Peles Castle in Sinaia, built for Romania's royal family in the 1880s. Or visit isolated Snagov Monastery – said to be the final resting place of Vlad Tepes, the historical Dracula – and tour Bucharest's gargantuan Parliamentary Palace, the world's second-largest building after the Pentagon. Have dinner at your landmark hotel tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania

• Day 3: Bucharest & the Black Sea
A Bucharest sightseeing tour today includes the Triumphal Arch, Revolution Square, and 17th-century Patriarchal Cathedral, centerpiece of the Romanian Orthodox faith. Travel to the resort town of Mamaia, set at the edge of the Black Sea, and walk along the beach. View archaeological sites dating to Roman times in Constanta. Board Tauck's exclusive riverboat to launch the cruise portion of your Danube, Main and Rhine River tour.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 4: Big day in Bulgaria
Arrive in Ruse, Bulgaria, for excursions to nearby towns. Admire amazing frescos at the 16th-century Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. Then head to Bulgaria's medieval capital of Veliko Turnovo, whose ancient walled fortress and castle are set atop three hills, and view artisans at work in local shops. Rejoin the riverboat in Svishtov, and enjoy a Bulgarian cultural performance aboard ship this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 5: Danube cruising and Iconography Demonstration
Enjoy the views of fields and vineyards studded with medieval towns as the riverboat cruises the Danube today; attend an on-board lecture and demonstration on Iconography.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 6: The Danube’s Iron Gate of Romania
Spend a relaxing day cruising along the Bulgarian / Romanian border, enjoying great views of the Transylvanian Alps. Glide through Romania’s Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate, a two-mile-long series of gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Look for the stone pillars remaining from Roman Emperor Trajan’s Bridge, the first built across the Danube, dating back to AD 105.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 7: Serbia's cosmopolitan capital, Belgrade
Your Danube, Main and Rhine River tour continues as you dock in Belgrade, Serbia's modern capital at the juncture of the Danube and Sava rivers. Sightseeing includes busy Slavija Square (once a large pool where residents hunted wild ducks!), Parliament, Republic Square, the National Museum of Serbia, the National Theatre, and City Hall.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 8: Discover Croatia's historic cities
Arrive in the Baroque city of Vukovar, Croatia, once showcasing 18th-century mansions, but now symbolizing the effects of the Serbian war. Travel overland to the fortified city of Osijek, which still has its Viennese-style mansions. Visit the ancient Tvrda Citadel, standing guard over the city, and the medieval Church of the Holy Cross. Your riverboat continues on to Hungary tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 9: Folk dancing and folkways in Hungary
Cruise to Kalocsa, Hungary, to visit the Paprika Museum and the Bishop’s Palace Library, housing one of the finest early collections in Europe. Visit the Equestrian Center to see Puszta horsemen, folkloric dancers, and Hungarian craftsmen all demonstrating traditional skills. Ride a horse-drawn carriage and enjoy dinner on the riverboat tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 10: Enjoy a Spa Day and explore Budapest at leisure
Arrive in Budapest, Hungary’s capital city divided into two sections by the Danube. Spend a relaxing morning on a visit to a spa; after lunch, explore Budapest as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 11: Discover Budapest on the Danube
Explore Budapest on both sides of the Danube River. Sites include Heroes’ Square, bounded by some of the finest architectural works in Hungary; the Parliament building, a neo-Gothic masterpiece; Fishermen’s Bastion; and the famed stained glass windows in Matthias Church (schedule permitting).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 12: Baroque in Bratislava
Call today on Bratislava, capital of Slovakia, where 17 centuries of history are chronicled on a walking tour. Highlights are the Baroque palaces from the Habsburg era, St. Martin's Cathedral, the Opera House, Old Town Hall, St. Michael's Gate and Slovak Philharmonic Hall. Enjoy Slovakian entertainment back on board the riverboat, and then cruise to Vienna this evening to continue your Danube, Main and Rhine River tour.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 13: Music and more in Imperial Vienna
Get an overview of Vienna, Austria, with a morning sightseeing tour of this historic city. Then choose a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, built to rival Versailles, or a tour of the Imperial Silver Room inside the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs. Tonight, attend a private Imperial Viennese evening at a traditional palace, which features dinner and live Viennese music.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 14: Medieval Austrian abbeys and castles
In the medieval Austrian town of Dürnstein, see the ruins of Kuenringerburg, the castle where English King Richard the Lionhearted was held prisoner during the Crusades. Enjoy the views of castles and lush vineyards while cruising through the wine-growing Wachau Valley. Stop in Melk for 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.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 15: Explore Baroque Passau
Dock in the German town of Passau, dating back to Roman times. Spend time exploring this lovely Baroque town, known for its stained glass windows, at your leisure; stroll the cobblestone lanes or take a bike ride into the countryside. Your Danube cruise continues to Regensburg.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 16: Ancient Regensburg
Arrive in the well-preserved medieval town of Regensburg, once a campsite for the Roman legions. Visit the Steinerne Brücke, a medieval stone bridge over the Danube; massive Dom St Peter; and Altes Rathaus, the 15th-century town hall that was once the seat of the Imperial Diet.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 17: Main-Danube Canal & Nürnberg
Cruise the Main-Danube Canal linking the North Sea with the Black Sea; the idea goes back as far as Charlemagne, but wasn't realized until late in the 20th century. Pass through 16 locks as the waterway rises through the mountains. In Nürnberg, visit the Hauptmarkt, famous for gingerbread and sausage, and turn the gold ring for luck at the Schöner Brunnen fountain.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 18: Bound for Bamberg
Awaken in Bavaria's medieval town of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walking tour highlight is the town’s 13th-century cathedral with four dominating towers.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 19: Rothenburg or Würzburg
Choose either a visit to medieval Rothenburg to see its Gothic cathedrals and gabled houses, or a visit to Würzburg, where you'll view the 18th-century Residenz and the ornate Alte Mainbrücke, a bridge over the River Main.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 20: Cruising the Main to Miltenberg
Cruise along the River Main; travel to the ancient town of Miltenberg, enclosed by a wall with gate towers under a steep hill crowned by a castle, and featuring half-timbered houses and a charming Marktplatz. Your riverboat continues through verdant valleys.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 21: From the Main to the Rhine & Rüdesheim
The riverboat cruises from the Main into the Rhine today. Later, a winery visit and wine tasting await you before dinner in beautiful Rüdesheim.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 22: Koblenz or castles & Köln, Namesake of Eau de Cologne
Arrive in Koblenz, where you can choose a walking tour of its Old Town or a visit to medieval Marksburg Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. Your Rhine river tour continues through the scenic Lorelei Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Köln (Cologne). Tour the lofty Kölner Dom, elaborately decorated with pinnacles and buttresses – it is the tallest Gothic structure in the world. Join us for a farewell dinner aboard the riverboat this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

• Day 23: Art in Amsterdam
Dock in Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, and see acclaimed art by Dutch Masters at the Rijksmuseum. Then enjoy views of medieval architecture on a canal boat cruise along Amsterdam’s 17th-century canals.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire

Day 24: Homeward bound
Your Danube, Main, and Rhine river tour ends in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Disembark your riverboat, and transfer to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (included in the tour). Allow 2 1⁄2 hours for departure flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast

Quiet medieval landscapes and central Europe's greatest cities beckon on this extraordinary Rhine, Main and Danube River cruise aboard an exclusive Tauck riverboat – book today!

Inclusive Prices

Cruise prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All land and riverboat accommodations, motor coach, sightseeing, admissions, shore excursions, luggage handling, airport transfers, port charges, wine with dinner aboard the Swiss Emerald, and the services of Tauck Directors and the Tauck Cruise Director are included.

Hotel and Riverboat Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotel and riverboat accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are not available on this tour.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary. Complimentary wine is served with dinner onboard the Swiss Emerald. Meal codes are: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.

Tauck Director – Each Grand European Cruise is conducted by three Tauck Directors and one Tauck Cruise Director who remain with the group throughout the duration of the tour and who are professional, fully-trained employees of Tauck. . Because of the length of this tour, there will be two teams of Tauck Directors devoted to this journey; the first team will accompany our guests from Bucharest to Budapest, the second team will replace them in Budapest and continue on to Amsterdam.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for bellmen, doormen, dining room servers, housekeepers, cruise staff, local guides and drivers, and the Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director are included.

No Options Sold - Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Cruises – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many quests prefer to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following their tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses – Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees (if applicable), and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a valid passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Cruise Regulations – Travelers must provide their passport number and date of birth to Tauck at time of booking. Tauck must provide this information to the cruise line before departure or you may be denied boarding.

Cruise Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes.

Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing to Go

Air Conditioning - The motor coaches used on this tour are air-conditioned for your comfort. All of the hotel rooms and riverboat state rooms have air conditioning. Some of the restaurants located in historic buildings onshore may not be air-conditioned.

Clothing and Packing - As you prepare for travel, select a wardrobe that is adaptable. Many days are spent outside or in transit. Therefore, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Occasionally cool weather will require warmer, layered clothing.

Onboard the Swiss Emerald, resort casual attire is appropriate. On the first evening of the tour, your Tauck Directors will host a welcome reception and dinner at the Athenée Palace Hilton Bucharest. Again on the second to last evening, you will be invited to attend a farewell dinner aboard the Swiss Emerald. Also included on the itinerary is a private Imperial Viennese evening at a traditional palace featuring dinner. On these occasions, Tauck suggests jackets for men and casually elegant attire for ladies, but by all means be comfortable.

Valet laundry service is available at the Athenée Palace Hilton Bucharest. Additionally hair dryers, irons and ironing boards are either located in your guest room or are available immediately upon request. Onboard the Swiss Emerald, valet laundry and pressing services are available; there is no dry cleaning onboard.

We recommend that you pack your prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last through your journey) along with your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for cruising the Rhine, the Main and the Danube:

• Resort style outfits
• Sport jacket for men, elegantly casual wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for the cooler months or a breezy night
• Binoculars
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries and plenty of film
• Travel alarm
• Raincoat and umbrella
• Comfortable walking shoes, well broken-in
• Bathing suit (there is a pool at the Athenée Palace Hotel; onboard the Swiss Emerald there is a sauna and whirlpool)
  

Elevation - The maximum elevations on this tour are found in the castle towns of Germany and are approximately 1500 feet or 450 meters.

Health - To fully enjoy this tour’s itinerary, travelers should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances over cobblestone streets and uneven ground, and up and down stairs and inclines, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. Although the Swiss Emerald navigates the magnificent Rhine and Danube rivers, many of the shore excursions offer the opportunity to explore the Old Towns of Europe and their environs which are often nestled on hilltops overlooking the river.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

Tauck is not able to accommodate wheelchairs on this tour. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.

Guests bringing a quantity of medication with them are advised to carry a doctor’s certificate to avoid possible problems with customs officials.

The Swiss Emerald has an elevator which travels between the Ruby and Diamond Decks only, and does not travel to the Emerald Deck or the Sun Deck.

There is no physician aboard the riverboat, as we are never far from a village and can easily call for an ambulance or medical assistance and pull the riverboat over to be met by trained medical personnel.

Smoking is permitted in a limited area on the Sun Deck only. Smoking is not permitted on motor coaches used for sightseeing.

For vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the US). You may also logon on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

Luggage Restrictions:

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour
Due to space limitations aboard motor coaches, only one average-size piece of checked luggage per person, weighing up to 44 pounds, or 20 kilograms, is allowed. Luggage exceeding these restrictions is at risk of being left behind, or, if permitted onboard, may be subject to additional excess luggage charges.

In addition, guests are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person weighing no more than 15 lbs, or 6.8 kg, and no larger than an average knapsack.

Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

As of June 2006, many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs, or 22.7 kilograms, per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage - General:

Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many intra-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements – A valid passport or similar acceptable travel document is required of all travelers wishing to enter the countries visited on this cruise. U.S. citizens do not require visas.

Tauck strongly recommends that guests’ passports be valid for six months beyond the completion of their tour. It is a good idea to carry a photocopy of the first page of your passport, as well as to leave photocopies of your travel documents and identification papers with someone at home.

Citizens of other countries should contact an embassy or consulate of the countries visited on this journey to determine what travel documentation is required.

Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer for download guidance for writing this letter.

Destination Information

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for the destinations to which you are traveling.

Currency and Exchange Rates - Although it is not necessary for you to exchange money prior to your trip, it may be useful to have a small amount of local currency with you when you arrive. If upon arrival you require local currency, you can visit one of the many currency exchange facilities at the airport, use an ATM, or exchange currency at your hotel. The riverboat does not exchange currency, but does accept Euros, American Express, MasterCard and Visa as methods of settling shipboard accounts.

In those countries which are now using the Euro as the official currency – The Netherlands, Austria and Germany – major credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted, and ATMs are found in most tourist venues. In those countries which do not use the Euro – Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria – credit cards and travelers’ checks are not widely accepted, fees are often charged for currency exchange, and ATMs are often not found outside of main cities. In these countries, paying cash for purchases in the local currency – and often in U.S. dollars - is preferable.

As of August, 2006, the exchange rate for one U.S dollar was:

• Bulgaria 1.54 Lev (BGN)
• Romania 2.76 New Lei (RON)
• Serbia 67.35 Dinar (CSD)
• Croatia 5.70 Kuna (HRK)
• Hungary 216.07 Forint (HUF)
• Slovakia 29.43 Koruna (SKK)
• Austria .78 Euro (EUR)
• Germany .78 Euro (EUR)
• The Netherlands .78 Euro (EUR)
  

Contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your credit card or ATM card in the countries on this cruise.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – For U.S residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at www.cbp.gov.

Citizens of other countries should refer to their own countries’ rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.

Electrical Current – Onboard the Swiss Emerald, all staterooms are equipped with 220v, 50Hz, AC, which accommodates European two-pronged plugs. However, state rooms are equipped with a 110v outlet for shavers. Travelers who bring other electric devices that are not compatible should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

Time Zones – The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and Serbia are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Romania and Bulgaria are 2 hours ahead. From late March through October, these locations switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 2 and 3 hours ahead respectively. In June, these cities are 6 and 7 hours ahead of New York City, respectively.

To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com.

Weather – The most favorable months for riverboat travel in Eastern Europe are in late spring and summer. During those months the temperatures range from highs of 63 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit in May, or 17 to 23 degrees Celsius, and 71 to 83 F, or 22 to 28 C, in July. The overnight temperatures range from 45 to 50 F, or 7 to 10 C, in May, and 53 to 60 F, or 12 to 16 C, in July. The temperatures decrease as you travel from the Black Sea port of Mamaia up the Danube to the Rhine.

Rainfall averages during these months range from 2.4 to 2.8 inches, or 61 to 71 millimeters, in May, 2.8 to 3.6, or 71 to 91 mm, in June, and 2.5 to 3.0, or 64 to 76 mm, in July.

	Average Temperature
	Amsterdam, The Netherlands		Bamberg, Germany
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	40 / 31	4 / -1	35 / 25	2 / -4
February	42 / 31	6 / -1	39 / 26	4 / -3
March	48 / 34	9 / 1	47 / 31	8 / -1
April	55 / 38	13 / 3	56 / 27	13 / -3
May	63 / 45	17 / 7	65 / 45	18 / 7
June	68 / 50	20 / 10	71 / 51	22 / 11
July	71 / 53	22 / 12	74 / 54	23 / 12
August	71 / 53	22 / 12	73 / 53	23 / 12
September	66 / 49	19 / 9	67 / 48	19 / 9
October	58 / 44	14 / 7	57 / 40	14 / 4
November	48 / 37	9 / 3	44 / 33	7 / 1
December	42 / 33	6 / 1	37 / 27	3 / -3
	Vienna, Austria		Belgrade, Serbia
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	36 / 27	2 / -3	38 / 27	3 / -3
February	39 / 28	4 / -2	43 / 31	6 / -1
March	49 / 35	9 / 2	53 / 37	12 / 3
April	57 / 41	14 / 5	63 / 46	17 / 8
May	67 / 49	19 / 9	72 / 53	22 / 12
June	72 / 55	22 / 13	77 / 59	25 / 15
July	77 / 59	25 / 15	81 / 61	27 / 16
August	77 / 59	25 / 15	81 / 61	27 / 16
September	69 / 53	21 / 12	74 / 55	23 / 13
October	57 / 43	14 / 6	64 / 46	18 / 8
November	44 / 35	7 / 2	51 / 39	11 / 4
December	39 / 30	4 / -1	41 / 31	5 / -1
	Bucharest, Romania
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	34 / 22	1 / -6
February	39 / 26	4 / -3
March	50 / 32	10 / 0
April	64 / 42	18 / 6
May	73 / 50	23 / 10
June	80 / 57	27 / 14
July	83 / 60	28 / 16
August	83 / 59	28 / 15
September	76 / 52	24 / 11
October	64 / 42	18 / 6
November	50 / 34	10 / 1
December	38 / 27	3 / -3

	Average Rainfall
	Amsterdam, The Netherlands		Bamberg, Germany
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	2.7	69	1.8	46
February	1.9	48	1.5	38
March	2.6	66	1.8	46
April	2.1	53	1.9	48
May	2.4	61	2.5	64
June	2.8	71	2.6	66
July	3.0	76	2.7	69
August	2.8	71	2.6	66
September	2.6	66	2.0	51
October	2.9	74	1.8	46
November	3.2	81	1.7	43
December	3.3	84	2.1	53
	Vienna, Austria		Belgrade, Serbia
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	1.5	38	1.9	48
February	1.7	43	1.8	46
March	1.6	41	2.0	51
April	2.0	51	2.3	58
May	2.4	61	2.8	71
June	2.9	74	3.6	91
July	2.5	64	2.6	66
August	2.3	58	2.0	51
September	1.8	46	2.0	51
October	1.6	41	2.0	51
November	2.0	51	2.1	53
December	1.7	43	2.3	58
	Bucharest, Romania
Month	Inches	Millimeters
January	1.6	41
February	1.4	36
March	1.5	38
April	1.8	46
May	1.8	46
June	2.8	71
July	3.0	76
August	2.5	64
September	2.3	58
October	1.3	33
November	1.9	48
December	1.7	43

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to the when the cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit guests’ liability, Tauck offers its guests Tauck Travel Protection.

Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will have cancellation penalties reduced. Click here for more details.

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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