Inspire, 9 Night Autumn Along the Rhine: Munich’s Oktoberfest ex Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Munich, Germany

Along the river Rhine… where mountains rise abruptly from the water’s edge, ancient castles perch aloft, keeping watch over comings and goings, gentle valleys and ancient winelands lure, spas give respite, cathedrals speak to powerful times, plains and woods catch the eye, and a river travels, connecting centuries of history, cities of the arts and crossroads of thought.
Discover the heritage and beauty of the River Rhine on our 7-night Basel – Amsterdam river cruise aboard one of Tauck’s intimate riverboats. Visit the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland, exploring regional delights in the historic cities, towns and countryside linked by the Rhine. Set your own pace with choices along the way: castle visits, bicycling, mountain heights, a spa resort and more.

Day 1
Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Amsterdam. A transfer is included from Schiphol International Airport or Amsterdam Centraal Station to your riverboat; check-in time aboard ship is 4:00 PM for all guests. After a discovery briefing where you’ll hear about your travels ahead, join us for a welcome reception followed by dinner aboard your riverboat.

Day 2
Enjoy a private guided cruise aboard a canal boat along Amsterdam’s 17th-century canals, the heart of the old city. Take in the houseboats along the waterways, the curving bridges, the historic houses that line the banks – and watch Amsterdam’s many bicyclists zipping through the streets bordering the canals. Then, take to the streets for a walking tour starting at Westerkerk and ending at Centraal Station, a major international railway hub. Back aboard the ship, enjoy lunch and an afternoon of cruising as your ship charts a course for Nijmegen, which you’ll arrive at this evening.

Day 3
Spend the morning sailing to Düsseldorf, enjoying a talk by your Tauck Director. After lunch, dock in Düsseldorf, a city with a thriving fashion and art scene, and disembark for a walking tour of Old Town, stopping to sample local craft beers. You’ll also have free time in town; possibilities include checking out the modern buildings designed by some of the world’s leading architects in the revitalized district along the Rhine, visiting Museum Kunstpalast, or strolling the city’s high-end shopping street, Königsallee. Return to your ship for dinner.

Day 4
Spend the day cruising along the Middle Rhine – “the Romantic Rhine” – passing countless castles and fortresses standing watch over the river. Your riverboat is surrounded by splendid scenery; lush vineyards cover the hillsides and historic towns line the riverbanks, seemingly unchanged by time. Late this afternoon, your ship arrives in Rudesheim, where a choice of included activities awaits you on shore. Choose between either a guided walk of the town alongside your Tour Director or an active walk to the Niederwalk Monument, constructed to commemorate the founding of the German Empire in the late 19th-century. Enjoy entertainment onboard your ship this evening.

Day 5
Dock in Mannheim this morning for a drive to Heidelberg on the Neckar River. A guided tour of Heidelberg Castle introduces you to the picturesque ruins of a pink sandstone edifice centuries old, sprawling high on a hill with breathtaking views of the river. Take a funicular down the hill to Old Town Heidelberg for a Tauck Exclusive beer-pairing lunch of local dishes at an award-winning brewery where you’ll meet the brew master. Return to your ship and sail on this evening.

Day 6
Your riverboat arrives in Strasbourg, a jumping off point for exploration of the Alsatian countryside. Blanketed with vineyards and dotted with historic wine villages, the Alsace has a unique personality – a blend of German and French influences – because for centuries the region has gone back and forth between the two countries. Since World War II, Alsace has been part of France, but the locals think of themselves as “Alsatian” first and foremost. Discovering this beautiful area for yourself, sip white wines, taste regional specialties, and stroll along cobbled streets, soaking up the history.

Day 7
Dock in Basel this morning for a day (and a choice of excursions) in Switzerland. One option brings you to the base of Mt. Pilatus for a gondola ride to the summit. Prepare to go from autumn to winter in less than half an hour! Take the world’s steepest cogwheel train ride down the mountain, a thrilling experience through stunning scenery. Alternatively, drive to the lakeside city of Lucerne for an orientation tour that reveals the Renaissance paintings inside the iconic covered Chapel Bridge and the poignant Lion Monument. You’ll have some free time – a perfect opportunity for sampling Swiss chocolate. Back onboard ship, enjoy your captain’s farewell reception followed by dinner this evening.

Day 8
Disembark your riverboat for a drive through Switzerland and Germany en route to the legendary city of Munich; spend some time near Lake Konstanz. Upon arrival, take a sightseeing tour of the Bavarian capital that includes the celebrated Maximilianstrasse, the 17th-century Residenz, and the old town hall. Explore more of Munich at your leisure this afternoon; this evening, enjoy dinner at your leisure at your historic hotel, the Bayerischer Hof.

Day 9
This morning get dressed up Bavarian style, in lederhosen or a dirndl, for a full Oktoberfest experience! There are “Oktoberfest” celebrations all over the world, but until you experience the festival in Munich, where the tradition began, you haven’t really “done” Oktoberfest – a unique mix of beer consumption, Bavarian feasting, live brass bands, communal singing, and dancing. It all started in 1810 when a royal couple invited the citizens to their wedding festivities on the fields in front of the city. The event was so popular that it took on a life of its own. Today Munich’s Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world. Tauck has reserved seats for you in the center of the action, in one of the exclusive brewery tents for a three-course lunch, traditional Bavarian live music – including the Ein Prosit toasting song – and lots of fun. Word to the wise: the local breweries make an especially strong beer just for Oktoberfest, so pace yourself, or choose to drink a radler (half lemonade, half beer). A shuttle will run back to your hotel after lunch – or stay and enjoy the festival until evening. Gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell reception and casual dinner at your hotel tonight.

Day 10
Tour ends: Munich. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included today to Munich Airport from Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Allow three hours for flight check-in.

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