Compare The Rhine, Swiss Alps & Amsterdam - Northbound 2022 by Tauck vs An Art Lover's Taste of Europe - 2022 by Insight Vacations

Day 1 Arrive Zurich and journey to the Swiss capital city Bern

Tour begins: 6:30 PM. A transfer is included from Zurich Airport or the train station (Zürich Hauptbahnhof) to the Bellevue Palace Bern in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, which is surrounded by the Aare River and distant Alpine peaks – a major industrial and cultural center where France, Germany, and Switzerland meet. Your two-night stay is at an historic luxury hotel favored by celebrities and heads of state, and featured in master spy novelist John LeCarré's spy novels. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Bellevue Palace Bern

PORTOFCALL : Bern, Switzerland

Day 2 Travel to the top of the world, the Jungfraujoch, or explore Bern

You have a choice of sightseeing adventures today. Head for the snow-capped mountains on a full-day's excursion to Jungfraujoch, known as the "Top of Europe." Drive to the village of Lauterbrunnen for a train ride to Kleine Scheidegg, then board a cogwheel train for the scenic climb to Jungfraujoch, highest railway station in Europe; here you'll find a restaurant, observatory, research station, a gallery of ice sculpture, and breathtaking views of the glacier-clad Bernese Alps. Alternatively, explore the eclectic charms of Bern on a walking tour, followed by time on your own. Sights include open-air markets and cozy underground bars, the Parliament Building, the Gothic cathedral, a bear park (in honor of the town's symbol and mascot), a house where Einstein lived and wrote his "Theory of Relativity," and the Zytglogge, a 16th-century astronomical clock featuring animated figures. Spend the evening as you please; the vibrant nightlife includes trendy clubs and restaurants, and a grand casino.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Bellevue Palace Bern

PORTOFCALL : Bern, Switzerland

Day 3 Explore Lucerne, then the start of your river cruise

The scenic mountain backdrop rises in stature and drama as you leave Basel and arrive in Lucerne, nestled beside a breathtaking blue lake in the alpine foothills. Explore Lucerne's medieval old town (picturesque market squares, burghers' houses, spired churches, and restored ramparts) during an orientation walk which includes the 14th-century Chapel Bridge, the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, and a lake cruise on shimmering Lake Lucerne. Late morning, a cruise on the lake presents the city in a different way – and the mountain panorama is stunning. Return to Basel in the afternoon – embark your riverboat – and your cruise begins. The evening is free to spend as you please in this city of cosmopolitan tastes and offbeat, intimate restaurants.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : ms Grace

PORTOFCALL : Lucerne, Switzerland

Day 4 Explore the artistic side of Colmar in the Alsatian wine country

Dock in Breisach, then drive to the village of Colmar, France, in Alsatian wine country. The principal industry in Colmar is food and wine, but its irresistible charm lies in its beautifully preserved medieval architecture that conjures an idyllic place out of time: colorful half-timbered houses and gardens, rambling cobbled streets, arches and alleys, sculpted fountains, and canals that wind through a corner of town called Little Venice. Aside from its winemaking heritage, Colmar is known as the hometown of Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty. A walking tour includes a visit to the Unterlinden Museum, housed in a Gothic convent, whose impressive collection includes Mathias Grünewald's famous Isenheim Altarpiece, paintings, engravings and sculpture from medieval to modern (including works by Dürer and Holbein, Picasso and Léger), and a wealth of archaeological artifacts; join us for a private reception in the museum, a Tauck Exclusive! Return to the riverboat for a sail through the Upper Rhine Plain. This evening, join us for the captain's welcome reception in the lounge, followed by the chef's Signature Dinner in the Compass Rose.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Grace

PORTOFCALL : Colmar, France

Day 5 Stuttgart & Porsche, cycling or Baden-Baden

Arrive in Karlsruhe this morning and depart by coach to the spa town of Baden-Baden where curative waters and an air of olde-world luxury have attracted royals, the rich and many celebrities over the years. The Black Forest town boasts grand colonnaded buildings and whimsically turreted art nouveau villas spread across the hillsides framed by forested mountains. You'll enjoy a choice of three excursions in this grand dame of a German spa town that includes a guided walking tour, an opportunity to visit Caracella Spa with indoor and outdoor thermal baths, a rock grotto with hot and cold water, Roman sauna, steam bath and more, or an Ebike excursion where you'll explore the surrounding areas of interest riding past lush woodlands that stretch out along the flat Rhine valley with views of forested mountains in the distance. Return to the ship late afternoon for social hour in the lounge followed by dinner and musical entertainment onboard.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Grace

PORTOFCALL : Stuttgart, Germany

Day 6 Rüdesheim and a special evening at a castle, Schloss Ehreshoven

Near the foot of the Niederwald, surrounded by vineyards, the ruins of Ehrenfels Castle watch over the Rhine Gorge; just around the bend, you'll dock in the winemaking town of Rüdesheim, under the lofty gaze of the famous Niederwald Monument. The 1000-year-old town charms with its cobblestone streets of storybook houses, cafes and wine taverns; among its must-see attractions is Siegfried's Mechanisches Musikkabinett, a museum dedicated to antique self-playing musical instruments. Siegfried's mesmerizing collection includes orchestrations, musical clocks, player pianos, fairground organs, self-playing violinas, and the world's largest automated doll orchestra. Stop in for refreshments at Rudesheimer Schloss, an historic hotel and restaurant. You also have the option to explore this charming, riverside wine town by e-bike, before returning to the riverboat for a cruise on the romantic Middle Rhine. Sentinel castles, steep sloping vineyards and towering precipices like the Lorelei Rock wind past with commentary by your Tauck Director. Land at Linz am Rhein, then drive to Engelskirchen for a visit to its neighboring castle, Schloss Ehreshoven. Built in the 14th century and later expanded in the style of a grand Baroque manor house, the estate is surrounded by a moat, landscaped gardens, and a castle park. Schloss Ehreshoven is frequently used as a film location but this evening it's the elegant setting for a Tauck Exclusive cocktail reception and dinner with entertainment. Tonight, sail for Bonn, where you'll dock overnight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Grace

PORTOFCALL : Rüdesheim, Germany

Day 7 Exploring all that is Köln

Depart Bonn this morning for a short cruise to Köln (Cologne). One of Germany's oldest cities (founded in the 1st Century AD), Köln was once a Roman provincial capital, and later a fabulously wealthy medieval trading port; the city was almost totally destroyed during World War II, but many of its architectural treasures have been restored, including the towering Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral) – a twin-spired masterpiece of High Gothic architecture – which you'll visit today. Return to the ship for lunch. This afternoon, you'll cruise the lowlands of the Rhine (with commentary) en route to Dordrecht in the Netherlands.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Grace

PORTOFCALL : Köln, Germany

Day 8 The Kinderdijk Windmills

Your riverboat arrives this morning in Dordrecht, a wealthy trading port in the Middle Ages, for an excursion that offers insights into windmills and their ubiquitous role in Dutch life... a visit to the village of Kinderdijk (Child's Dyke), where the flat landscape, crisscrossed with canals, presents the largest concentration of historic windmills in The Netherlands – which you can choose to explore on a walking tour and a boat ride, or on a two-hour bicycle excursion. The 19 windmills, most of them built in the 18th century, are national monuments; for centuries, their massive wind-driven mechanisms have been used to pump water out of the polder and into reservoirs and canals, reclaiming land from the river. Such ingenious methods of water management have enabled a country that is almost fifty percent below sea level to exist at all, lending weight to the local saying, "God created the Earth, but the Dutch created Holland." Return to the riverboat for lunch, with time to relax and enjoy onboard activities as you sail towards Amsterdam. We invite you to join us this evening for the chef's Signature Dinner in the Compass Rose.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Grace

PORTOFCALL : Dordrecht, Netherlands

Day 9 Amsterdam... art, canals & more

Arrive in Amsterdam this morning and embark on a city orientation tour that includes a visit to the world-famous Rijksmuseum, home to many art masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age, including Rembrandt's The Night Watch. Amsterdam is often called the "Venice of the North" for its elaborate network of canals that wind through a romantic historic center of cobbled streets and stunningly well-preserved Dutch Renaissance architecture. Following your Rijksmuseum visit, board a canal boat for a cruise of the city from the inside, along 17th-century waterways lined with trees, gabled merchant houses and vibrant urban life (a great way to see it – including a slice of Dutch apple pie). Later, you'll have time to explore the city on your own; Amsterdam's compact urban landscape is made for exploring, brimming with art museums, coffeehouses, and eclectic architecture. Aboard ship this evening, enjoy a delightful choral performance before joining the crew for a farewell reception and dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Grace

PORTOFCALL : Amsterdam, Netherlands

Day 10 Journey home

Tour ends: Amsterdam. Fly home anytime; a transfer from your riverboat to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport or Central 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.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Amsterdam, Netherlands

Day 1: Arrival in Rome

Welcome to Rome. On arrival complimentary airport transfers are provided to your hotel, at 09.30, 12.30 and 15.30, and the rest of the day is yours at leisure. Maybe sip a coffee in the piazza and soak up the city’s unique energy and ambiance? Later, meet your Travel Director and fellow travel companions for a delicious Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 2: Rome Sightseeing

Today the full day is devoted to discovering the Eternal City. Join a Local Expert for an in-depth visit to the Vatican City, and explore the Vatican Museums with Insight’s special priority entry to avoid the crowds. Enjoy behind-the-scenes access to the Bramante Staircase, a marvel of Renaissance architecture normally off-limits to visitors. Visit the Sistine Chapel where Popes are elected and admire Michelangelo’s famous ceiling. Continue to St. Peter’s Basilica to wonder at another of his works and stand beneath the dome which was completed after his death. During a walking tour of Rome, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, and visit the impressive Pantheon.

Day 3: Galleria Borghese and Free Time

A highlight for art lovers today is a visit to the Galleria Borghese, one of the most renowned art museums in the world. This beautiful, elegant mansion houses a substantial part of the Borghese collection of paintings, sculptures and antiquities, featuring works from renowned artists including Caravaggio, Bernini, Tiziano, Raphael, Ruebens and Botticelli. The rest of the day is yours to explore before joining your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.

Day 4: On to the Renaissance Florence

Traveling into the heart of Italy, we take in the flavors of the Umbria region. Enjoy a magical culinary experience, learn about local ingredients and Italian food culture as we join a local chef for a fascinating cooking demonstration, followed by lunch and a glass of wine. Continue through the idyllic landscapes into Tuscany and on to Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance.

Day 5: Renaissance Florence

With a Local Expert, visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest and most famous art museums in Europe. Admire art collections from Michelangelo, Botticelli and Raphael amongst other great artists. Then embark on a sightseeing trip to see the multicolored marble Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore, and marvel at its bell tower and baptistry, adorned by Ghiberti’s “Gate of Paradise”. This evening is yours to enjoy the ambience of this timeless city.

Day 6: Florence to Milan

Travel to the captivating town of Lucca, an almost perfectly preserved jewel of medieval architecture and buildings. Indulge in a wine and olive oil tasting with light lunch before heading to the fashion capital Milan. This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner featuring local flavors.

Day 7: Explore Milan

Today we explore the spectacular Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie with a Local Expert. An outstanding work of architecture, the Renaissance Church is world famous as the site of Leonardo da Vinci’s fresco of “The Last Supper” which is preserved inside its refectory* (dining hall) and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later, visit La Scala Opera House, regarded as one of the leading opera and ballet theaters in the world. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to discover Milan. Perhaps take an excursion into the Lake District? (*Tickets to The Last Supper entirely subject to availability. )

Day 8: Milan to Lucerne

Today we say farewell to Italy and travel into the mountains of Switzerland for one of the greatest scenic highlights Europe has to offer. Climb to the top of Mount Stanserhorn by old-timer railway and the world's only Cabrio cable car. At the peak, there’s time to enjoy glorious views of the central Alpine chain, explore the hiking trails or just relax and enjoy the panoramic terrace before descending and continuing to lakeside Lucerne.

Day 9: Lucerne to Paris

Traveling into the Burgundy wine region of France, we stop in the walled town of Beaune. Join your Travel Director for a walk through the cobbled streets and impressive medieval ramparts. Renowned for its wine production and architectural marvels, including stunning tiled roof of the Hospices de Beaune, the town boast a long and fascinating history from the pre-Roman era through to the Renaissance. Next continue to the French capital, Paris, where this evening we will enjoy a delicious typical French style dinner, at a local restaurant in the heart of the city.

Day 10: The Best of Paris

This morning on your orientation of Paris, see the Eiffel Tower, the façades of the Louvre, the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. We visit Paris’s first digital art Museum, Ateiler des Lumières. With state-of-the-art visuals and audio, artists works become an immersive and panoramic show. Then there is time free to explore Paris at your leisure. This evening we visit the renowned Louvre Museum at night, offering a totally different perspective. Formerly a royal palace, the Louvre has embraced the history of France for eight centuries and features works admired across the globe, including the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo.

Day 11: Musée D'Orsay

Join your Local Expert to visit the Musée d’Orsay. The former Gare d’Orsay of Beaux-Arts architecture is now one of the largest museums in Europe and home to the largest art collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world. Be enthralled by the works of Monet, Manet, Degas, Cezanne and Van Gogh, amongst others. This afternoon, perhaps join an optional experience to Monet’s garden in Giverny to see the inspiration for some of his most famous works before heading back to Paris.

Day 12: Paris to Amsterdam

Travel into Belgium today and make a stop in the sublime canal city of Ghent. A jewel of Europe, its center is renowned for medieval architecture such as the 12th century Gravensteen Castle and Graslei, a row of beautiful facades reflected in the River Lys. Relax at a cafe terrace, shop for Belgian chocolates, or simply take in the atmosphere. Our journey today ends in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam, a vibrant metropolis and still a living museum of the 17th Century.

Day 13: Artistic Amsterdam

Admire world famous masterpieces in the Rijksmuseum. Among the collection are works by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Johannes Vermeer. Then onto the Van Gogh Museum, home to the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and drawings in the world.This evening enjoy dinner while cruising through the canals and celebrate our time on this extraordinary journey.

Day 14: Farewell Amsterdam

Today bid farewell to your fellow travelers as your artistic journey comes to an end. Airport transfers arrive at 08.00 and 10.00.