Inspire, 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. Dusseldorf – spend an afternoon exploring this riverside center of art and fashion. Amsterdam – a private boat cruise through its canals. Tauck Exclusive experiences include a special evening at a historic palace in a picturesque setting.

Day 1
Tour begins: 6:30 PM. A transfer is included from Milano Malpensa or Milano Linate airports or Milano Centrale train station to Hotel Principe di Savoia, a splendid landmark building built in the 1920s, decorated in classic Italian and Art Deco style and centrally located on the Piazza della Repubblica. Join us this evening for a welcome aperitif and dinner, accompanied by live jazz / standards, at your hotel.

Day 2
You’re off for a day’s tooling 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. An hour-long drive takes you to a nearby town, where you’ll board a boat for bellissima Bellagio. Known as “the Pearl of the Lake,” and you’ll have a bit of free time to explore this gem as you wish. Take in the lake views and explore the centuries-old buildings, stone lanes, and cobbled stairways lined with shops. 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. Disembark your boat for a lakeside lunch at a local venue before heading back to Milan late this afternoon. Please Note: Touring on days 2 and 3 may be switched. No sightseeing will be impacted due to this change.

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. Tonight, you have reservations for a Tauck Exclusive – a private viewing of Leonardo da Vinci’s famed mural, The Last Supper, which adorns the dining room at the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent (subject to availability; the day of visit may vary).

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 to Colmar, France, passing through countryside where some of the world’s best Rieslings are produced, en route to a quaint Alsatian village of half-timbered houses for a walking tour and free time on your own. Another option takes you to the streets of Strasbourg for a guided walking tour and time to explore on foot. Finally, choose an all-day bicycle excursion that explores Strasbourg, including Strasbourg Old Town and other residential neighborhoods.

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 a quaint middle town along the Rhine where you’ll be able to go ashore with your Tauck Director for an orientation tour.

Day 9
Following a leisurely morning’s cruise, arrive after brunch in Düsseldorf – one of Germany’s wealthiest cities, known for its charming Altstadt (Old Town) on the riverfront, as well as for its avant-garde architecture. Walk off the riverboat into town for your choice of a walking tour focused on the city’s history and architecture; a tour of Düsseldorf’s MedienHafen sector, formerly an abandoned old harbor, this area was transformed to become one of the most modern sectors of the city, view it’s spectacular architecture designed by renowned architects such as Frank Gehry as well as a bird’s eye view of the city from the Rhine tower; or a bicycling excursion along the city’s Rhine River waterfront. During some free time following the excursion of your choice, you might want to visit Königsallee (“the Kö”), the city’s super high-end shopping street; if you’re a classic car buff, check out the Classic Remise Düsseldorf, displaying vintage automobiles in a historic roundhouse for locomotives; or take a walk along the lively promenade by the river. 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 dessert as you pass under bridges, check out the houseboats, and view the historic buildings lining the canals. After your canal boat cruise, enjoy an afternoon exploring the city as you wish – perhaps visiting your choice of the city’s museums, or strolling through the “Nine Streets” in the heart of the canal district, popping into unique shops and galleries, sampling cheeses or trying out Amsterdam’s famed coffee shops. Alternatively, following your cruise, your Tauck Director will offer you a choice of optional activities of which you can take part in. Return to the riverboat throughout the afternoon. 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.

The new Inspiration Class ships maintain Tauck’s high standards for luxury and comfort… and take their name from ms Inspire, which will cruise exclusively on the Rhine and Moselle rivers. With a maximum of 130 guests, ms Inspire and her sister ship ms Savor continue our tradition of providing the most space per guest on Europe’s inland waterways – we will transport the fewest passengers of any longship (135 meters). Our deck plan for our Inspiration Class riverboats is innovative. With a total of 67 cabins, our most popular cabins tend to be our largest… so we have used the added ship length to offer twenty-two 300-square-foot-suites aboard ms Inspire and her sister ship – the most of any river cruise ship on any European river. To increase the amount of natural sunlight on the lower deck, we’ve created 8 loft cabins that extend from the first to the second decks, providing guests with an additional view; all windows in these loft cabins open.

We couldn’t find just the right words to describe the sumptuous new bedding and amenities we custom ordered for your in-cabin cruising comfort… 400-thread-count satin bed linens made from the finest combed cotton… puffy white duvets and pillows of very fine mako cotton, with a hypoallergenic 90% down filling… 100% cotton blankets, temperature balancing and so soft to the skin… and thick pillow-top mattresses that lull you to sleep… along with the Essentials Line of Molton Brown bath products, exclusive to Tauck… absorbent terry cloth robes and fluffy towels… hair dryers… but we do know they are key for waking up refreshed and relaxed for your traveling pleasure.
– See more at: http://www.tauck.co.nz/river-cruises/river-cruise-ships/ms-inspire.aspx#sthash.2wN88GyY.dpuf

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.

Inspire - Emerald Deck

Inspire - Ruby Deck

Inspire - Diamond Deck

Inspire - Sun Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Category 7 Suite

22 luxurious 300-square-foot Category 7 suites on the Diamond Deck boast two floor-to-ceiling French balconies with sliding door and large marble baths with double sinks.

1. Two floor-to-ceiling French balconies, each 98 inches x 75 inches with one sliding door that opens

2. 32″ LED TV

3. Pull-out sleeping couch (triple & quad capacity; quads for children only)

4. Walk-in closet with built-in shelves and a safe

5. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily

6. Storage / drawers

7. Coffee maker

8. Full-size bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, marble counters, additional storage and a hair dryer

9. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head (note: no bathtub)

10. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed capacity)

11. Padded headboard with reading lamps

Additional Amentities

* Elegantly designed 300 sq. ft. suites

* 400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

* Breakfast room service

* Iron plus ironing board

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

*Telephone and individual climate control

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 6 Cabin

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

1. One floor-to-ceiling French balcony (98 inches x 75 inches) with one sliding door that opens

2. 32” LED TV

3. Full-sized window (98 inches x 37.5 inches)

4. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

5. Padded headboard with reading lamps

6. Storage / drawers

7. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily

8. Large closet

9. Safe

10. Full-sized bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and hair dryer

11. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

Additional Amenities

* Elegantly designed 225 sq. ft. cabins

* 400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone and individual climate control

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 5 Cabin

Located on Ruby Deck and Diamond Deck.

Eight spacious, Category 5 cabins on the Ruby Deck measuring 225 square feet.

Two 190-square-foot Category 5 corner cabins are set extreme forward on the Diamond Deck.

1. One floor-to-ceiling French balcony (98 inches x 75 inches) with one sliding door that opens

2. 32” LED TV

3. Storage / drawers

4. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

5. Padded headboard with reading lamps

6. Safe

7. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily

8. Large closet

9. Full-size bathroom featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and hair dryer

10. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

Additional Amentities

* 400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone and individual climate control

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 4 Cabin

Two spacious 190-sq. ft. Category 4 cabins are situated extreme forward on the Ruby Deck, featuring one floor-to-ceiling French Balcony and bathrooms with marble counters.

* Elegantly designed 190 sq. ft. cabins

* Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

* 400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens

* Bathroom with marble counters, larger showers with rainfall shower heads, enhanced lighting, and under-sink storage space

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

* Coffee maker plus minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

* 32” LED TV

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Built-in closet and drawers

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone, safe and individual climate control

* 2 chairs

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 3 Cabin

On the Emerald Deck, 8 innovatively designed, 225-sq. ft. Category 3 loft cabins with large marble bathrooms extend from the first to second deck for additional views.

1. One-and-a-half deck window that opens at the top, electronically controlled

2. Loft sitting area

3. 4 steps up to loft area

4. Railing

5. Full-sized bathroom
featuring enhanced lighting, additional storage and a hair dryer

6. Large shower featuring rainfall shower head

7. Closets

8. Storage / drawers

9. Safe

10. Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks, replenished daily

11. Pillow top queen-sized bed, 62 inches x 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

12. Padded headboard with reading lamps

13. Storage / drawers (credenza not visible from this perspective)

14. 32” LED TV (on credenza below; not visible from this perspective)

Additional Amenities

* Innovatively designed 225 sq. ft. “split-level” loft cabins

* 400 thread count cotton linens / white duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Window (98 inches x 114 inches) can be partially opened

* Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobes plus slippers

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Built-in closet with drawers

* Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone and individual climate control

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 2 Cabin

Three Category 2 cabins are located on the Ruby Deck, measuring 150 square feet and featuring one floor-to-ceiling French Balcony with one sliding door.

* Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins

* Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

* 400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens

* Marble bath with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

* Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

* 32” LED TV

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Built-in closet with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone, safe and individual climate control

* 2 chairs

* Onboard wi-fi available

Category 1 Cabin

Situated on the Emerald Deck, six 150-square-foot Category 1 cabins each feature a marble bath with shower with Molton Brown toiletries, a Tauck Exclusive.

* Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins, including four dedicated solo traveler cabins

* Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)

* 400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with hypoallergenic 90% down filling

* Two 2’ by 3’ fixed windows

* Marble bath with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive

* Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers

* Minibar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily

* 32” LED TV

* 220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom

* Built-in closet with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage

* Telephone, safe and individual climate control

* 2 chairs

* Onboard wi-fi available