and sample the fruit of the vine – they’re known for their Rieslings! Or go on a full day’s excursion to the university town of Heidelberg, where you’ll begin with a funicular ride up to the city’s famed hilltop castle, Heidelberger Schloss; during a tour you’ll come upon stunning views from its terraces and gardens of the Neckar, a tributary of the River Rhine. Afterward, head back down to Kornmarktplatz in the heart of Old Town for free time in Heidelberg before boarding your riverboat this afternoon. Relax and enjoy the ship’s amenities as you spend the rest of the day and evening cruising the Rhine. Meals BLD
CROSS THE MOAT FOR AN
EVENING AT SATZVEY CASTLE A member of the noble family of Burg Satzvey, not far from Köln, welcomes you after hours to their medieval castle, where the family has lived for more than 300 years, for a tour and a gala evening with musical entertainment. A Tauck Exclusive! (See Day 4.)
10. BADEN-BADEN IN THE BLACK FOREST Disembark for a morning trip to the Black Forest spa town of Baden-Baden, immortalized by Tolstoy in a scene in Anna Karenina. You’ll explore this town of villas, stately hotels and chic boutiques on a walking tour that ends inside the Kurhaus, the town’s Belle Époque casino. The afternoon is yours to spend as you wish in town or back onboard your riverboat. Another possibility is to enjoy some pampering and rejuvenating treatments at Baden-Baden’s Caracalla Spa. Meals BLD
11. STRASBOURG & LA PETITE FRANCE Visit Strasbourg, France, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its fairy-tale beauty. You’ll see the modern headquarters to the European Parliament, as well as La Petite France, an enchanting corner of Old Town where historic canals, medieval watchtowers and half-timbered houses are picture-postcard perfect. At its center, visit the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, with 12th- to 14th-century stained glass windows and a “dancing” astronomical clock, before time to explore on your own. There are winding cobblestone streets and works by Rubens and Rembrandt at Palais de Rohan to enjoy and pâté de foie gras to sample, a specialty of the town. Back aboard ship, enjoy a folkloric show and dinner. Meals BLD
HEIDELBERGER SCHLOSS gives you a view of Old Town Heidelberg and the
Neckar River Valley... just like the Bavarian royalty who called it home for 600 years... until wars and lightning left it in ruins. It was called a sight both “terrible and beautiful” by Romantic Period writers, poets and artists, who cast this once-grand palace in new light in the late 18th century as a symbol of beauty, hopes and dreams. We think you’ll see it that way too. (See Day 9.)
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12. BASEL OR RHINE FALLS, SWISS GEMS One choice today is to explore the Swiss city of Basel on a tour and a guided walk in Old Town, among the most architecturally intact in Europe. After lunch onboard ship, shuttle service between your riverboat and Basel’s Museum of Fine Arts – home to Upper Rhenish and Flemish works from 1400 to 1600 as well as modern art – makes it easy to continue exploring on your own. Or spend the day on an excursion to Old Town Schaffhausen, one of the prettiest in Switzerland owing to its many oriel windows and lavishly painted facades. After lunch a guided boat ride takes you to spectacular Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe. Join us tonight for a festive farewell reception and dinner aboard your riverboat. Meals BLD
13. DISEMBARK SHIP / JOURNEY HOME Tour ends: Basel. Fly home anytime. Transfers to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg or Basel SBB railway station are included upon disembarking the riverboat – no later than 9:00 AM. Please allow 3 hours for flight check-in and ask us about additional nights at Tauck’s hotel. Meals B
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