Treasures, 10 Night Rhine Enchantment, Milan to Amsterdam – Northbound ex Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Our River Rhine cruise explores five countries from Switzerland to the Netherlands, including three nights in the historic Italian fashion capital of Milan and a visit to glamorous Lake Como.
Highlights include: Milan – three nights at Hotel Principe di Savoia, a historic landmark in the heart of the city; Lake Como – a private boat ride on Lake Como and a visit to Bellagio. Basel – your choice of walking tours discovering the city’s art and architectural masterpieces or tasting its culinary heritage. Heidelberg – Germany’s original university town, including a guided visit to legendary Heidelberg Castle. Wiesbaden – discovering a city that’s grown around one of Europe’s oldest spa towns. Linz am Rhein – a picturesque town lined with colorful half-timbered houses. Dusseldorf – spend an afternoon exploring this riverside center of art and fashion. Amsterdam – lunch aboard a private canal boat cruise. Tauck Exclusive experiences include a special evening at a historic palace in a picturesque setting.

Day 1
Tour begins: 6:00 PM. A transfer is included from Milano Malpensa or Milano Linate airports or Milano Centrale train station to your hotel. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for a welcome aperitif and dinner at your hotel.

Day 2
You’re off for a day’s exploring around Lake Como, one of Italy’s most beautiful lakes, in the shadow of the snowcapped Alps – a mecca for the well-heeled on holiday since ancient Roman times. A boat cruise shows you more of Lake Como, which the poet William Wordsworth described as “a treasure whom the earth keeps to herself.” The forested shoreline is punctuated by small towns with ancient stone bell towers and opulent villas owned by jet-setters and celebrities and is sure to be a highlight as you enjoy lunch onboard the ship. Disembark in the town of Como for free time to explore as you wish and head back to Milan late this afternoon.

Day 3
Immerse yourself in magnificent Milan on an orientation and walking tour that includes; a visit to Piazza della Scala, one of the most famous opera houses in the world, Palazzo Marina and an outside visit to the incredible Gothic Cathedral of Milan, il Duomo, the third largest Catholic church in the world. It took 500 years to finish this forest of spires and pinnacles topped by the iconic statue of the golden madonnina. Steps from il Duomo, stroll through the city’s premier gathering place, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a.k.a. “the living room of Milan.” This massive yet elegant shopping arcade, topped by an airy glass octagonal dome, was built as a symbol of Italian unity in the late 19th century and named after the first king of Italy. Your afternoon is free to explore as you please perhaps visiting Pinacoteca di Brera, a great art collection including works by Raphael, Bellini, Piero della Francesca, and Caravaggio… the fashion district between pedestrianized Via della Spiga, via Montenapoleone, via Manzoni, and Corso Venezia… or the Bohemian Navigli neighborhood of canal-side bars, restaurants, and shops.

Day 4
After breakfast, drive to Lugano, Switzerland, where you’ll enjoy some free time to explore a town that blends Alpine and Mediterranean beauty. Late afternoon, take the train to Basel, enjoying glorious alpine views along the way as you journey north through Switzerland. In Basel, embark your riverboat; attend a Discovery Briefing and enjoy cocktails in the lounge before dining onboard your ship.

Day 5
Today, explore the Swiss city of Basel with your choice of two immersive excursions. Set out on a guided walking tour highlighting Basel’s world-class art and architecture – renowned for striking contemporary works by celebrated international architects and boasting the highest concentration of museums in Switzerland. Your tour concludes with admission to one of the city’s premier art museums. Alternatively, opt for a more active walking adventure that takes you deep into Basel’s distinctive cultural traditions, complete with a tasting of local specialties along the way. Afterward, return to the ship for lunch or linger ashore to wander the storybook Old Town or stroll Freie Strasse, the city’s elegant pedestrian shopping avenue. Return to the ship mid-afternoon, and continue cruising.

Day 6
Head into the Alsatian wine country for a choice of excursions. On one, drive along the bucolic Alsatian wine route, through countryside where some of the world’s best Rieslings are made to the quaint Alsatian village of Colmar with its half-timbered houses, well preserved Old Town and unique gastronomy. Colmar is known for its blending of French and German cuisine. Your other option has you take to the streets and explore Strasbourg on foot followed by lunch and a tasting at one of the local wine cellars. Finally, your last choice is an all-day bicycle excursion that explores Strasbourg, including Strasbourg Old Town and other residential neighborhoods. Get a taste of the town today in either Colmar or Strasbourg with time set aside for lunch on your own.

Day 7
Dock in the port town of Mannheim this morning, before heading out from the riverboat to Heidelberg for a guided visit to the splendid ruins of Heidelberg Castle, a sprawling red sandstone compound high above the city, a reminder of 600 years of history. While here, check out the Heidelberg Tun, the biggest wine barrel in the world, learn about centuries of movers and shakers, and the romantic story of the Elisabeth Gate, built in 1615 as a present from Elector Frederic V to his wife Elisabeth Stuart, the daughter of King James I of England. He had the triumphal arch secretly crafted in sections and put up as a whole the night before her birthday to surprise her the next morning. The views of the Neckar River Valley from the castle are unforgettable; your visit is followed an opportunity to explore Old Town Heidelberg. Board the riverboat in Mannheim and spends the afternoon cruising north. You’ll have time to enjoy the gym, get a massage… or curl up in a chair on the Sun Deck with a snack and your favorite drink. Arrive in Wiesbaden and disembark for a Tauck Exclusive evening featuring dinner and entertainment at Schloss Biebrich, an 18th-century Baroque palace on the bank of the Rhine in Wiesbaden.

Day 8
Enjoy a day of cruising along the Rhine, through the Middle Rhine Valley. Your Tauck Director provides commentary as you glide past sloping vineyards and rocky bluffs, sharing the stories of the Lorelei Rock and the castles standing watch onshore. Dock this evening in Remagen and go ashore with your Tauck Director for an orientation tour.

Day 9
Following a leisurely morning’s cruise, arrive after brunch in Nijmegen – the largest city in the Dutch province of Gelderland and the oldest city in the Netherlands as a whole. An overlooked gem, Nijmegen is well known for its blend of ancient ruins, breathtaking medieval architecture, stunning natural beauty and lively atmosphere. Walk off the riverboat into town for your choice of excursions. Choices include; a guided walk of Nijmegen, a visit and guided tour of the Vrijheidsmuseum (Freedom Museum), detailing the liberation of the Netherlands at the end of World War II or a visit to the village of Appeltern, highlighted with a stop at its pumping station. Built between 1918 and 1919, this was one of the last steam pumpking stations. It was eventually decomissioned in 1969 and replaced with a Diesel-powered pumping station. Next, enjoy a visit to the Appeltern Gardens, an ideal choice for garden lovers. Back aboard the ship this evening, enjoy a reception, the Chef’s Signature Dinner, and a party hosted by the crew as your riverboat charts a course for the Netherlands.

Day 10
Arrive late morning in Amsterdam and disembark for an introduction to the Dutch capital aboard a canal boat cruise. As you float through the city’s 17th-century network of canals, enjoy refreshments as you pass under bridges, check out the houseboats, and view the historic buildings lining the canals. After your canal boat cruise, a final choice of excursions! Choose from either a tour of the Rembrandt House Museum, the former home and studio of famed Dutch painter, Rembrandt van Rijn from 1639 to 1658 or a walking tour of the city’s Jewish Quarter. During your final evening aboard ship tonight, join us for a farewell reception followed by dinner.

Day 11
Tour ends: Amsterdam. Disembark by 9:00 AM. Fly home anytime; a transfer from your riverboat to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport or Centraal Train Station is included. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport. For additional nights in Amsterdam, ask at booking.

Cruising Europe’s inland waterways exclusively for Tauck, the sister ships ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire, ms Swiss Jewel and new-for-2011 ms Treasures represent the epitome of luxurious river cruising. In addition to their spacious, well-appointed cabins, all four ships offer 14 beautiful 300-square-foot suites – equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble baths, flat-screen televisions and walk-in closets – as well as 7 junior suites, adding up to four times more suites than most other European riverboats. The cabins, which range from 150 to 183 sq. ft., provide plush accommodations with plasma TV, terry bathrobes, fine L’Occitane toiletries, large windows and much more; 85% of the cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows with French balconies. A crew of 29 attentively serves just 118 guests. The Restaurant offers both an elegant dining venue and a fine dining experience, while the spacious Panorama Lounge in the bow, with its bar, dance floor and entertainment, is a delightful gathering spot in the evenings. The gracious Lido Bar in the stern has a 180° glass wall that opens for an indoor / outdoor cocktail hour, and offers alternative bistro dining featuring lighter fare – a first on Europe’s rivers. Tauck’s riverboat fleet is definitely “top-of-the-line”!

Inspirational cruising… and the promise of fun. Cruise travel at its best.

What makes Tauck’s Small Ship Cruising and River Cruising unique is our focus on the destination – in scenic ports of call that connect you with people and places… moving, compelling and heart-warming experiences onboard and ashore… inspiration through Tauck’s cruise travel. We cast anchor in pristine bays, off island beaches and at docks accustomed to personal yachts… in small towns and villages along the great rivers of Europe… and in some of the world’s favorite cities. Our time ashore is enriched by in-depth cultural exploration and insider access that ensures up-close-and-personal connections with the locals and daily life. Our cruise travel adventures include guided sightseeing with local experts such as naturalists, historians, and accomplished lecturers. You’ll dine on regional cuisine on land at aboard ship that showcases specialties of the destination. And after a day of extraordinary sightseeing, we welcome you back onboard our hand-picked vessels for warm camaraderie and lively conversation that’s inherent on every Tauck cruise travel experience. The stories are endless, the memories are timeless and the connections priceless.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Treasures - Emerald Deck

Treasures - Ruby Deck

Treasures - Diamond Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Category 2 Cabin

One spacious, elegantly appointed Category 2 cabin is located forward on the Emerald deck, measuring 183 square feet.

Category 7 Suite

Category 3 Cabin

Two 150-square-foot Category 3 cabins, located on the Ruby Deck, feature one floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door.

Category 4 Cabin

Two 183-square-foot Category 4 cabins, both located forward on the Ruby Deck, feature one floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door for superior views.

Category 5 Cabin

Set forward on the Diamond Deck, two spacious, well-appointed Category 5 cabins measure 183 square feet and sport one floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door.

Category 6 Cabin

Twenty 225-square-foot Category 6 cabins, each featuring a floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door, are situated on the Ruby Deck.

Category 1 Cabin

Situated on the Emerald deck, eight 150-square-foot Category 1 cabins feature Molton Brown toiletries, a Tauck Exclusive.