Rhine & Moselle Southbound - 13 May 2018 departure

CalKat

Anyone else out there signed up for this tour? This will be our second river cruise and 5th Tauck trip. My husband and I are from the SF Bay Area and will be arriving early in Amsterdam on 10 May.

We've done Blue Danube; any particular recommendations about this trip from prior participants?

CalKat

Seriously, anyone out there on this trip? It's coming up fast and we're getting excited!

Claudia Sails

Calkat, we did this one a couple of years ago. The itinerary has changed slightly, but here are my comments/suggestions:

- Amsterdam canal cruise - enjoyable - a good chance to see the city without getting run over by bicyclists - if you have the energy stay longer at the museum or other sites in the area - jet lag stinks
- Kroller-Muller - very modern museum but amazing lighting - if you're lucky the weather will be good for strolling thru the outdoor sculpture garden
- Koln - we only got a short evening stop here - only a few people got off the ship for it - your's will be better
- the Moselle was wonderful - lovely narrow river with steep banks covered in vineyards - ask the TD how they harvest - it's very interesting
-Reichsburg castle - fantastic views of the valley and river - we didn't get a chance to explore the town but it looked interesting - winery was fun
- Luxembourg - a bit dreary for us due to the weather - some pricey shopping - not my favorite
- Bernkastel was a nice little town for strolling around, pick up a few souvenirs
- Trier - lots of roman archeology, nice strolling around town
- Boppard- again a nice little town - but a better way to spend your time is to take the chairlift to the top of the hill where you get a great view of the Rhine and what's called Gedeon's Corner/Eck - picture postcard beautiful!
- in Heidelburg we didn't get a choice to go to a winery - we did enjoy the tour of Heidelburg and the lunch - would still chose that over the winery - if you are into this sort of thing there is a famous Christmas store called Käthe Wohlfahrt - you can look at their collection online beforehand
- Baden-Baden - meh - a pretty town but nothing was open in the morning when we were there and the casino was moderately interesting - they served us appetizers which were not impressive - you do get to go to one of the spas on your own if you want
- Strasbourg - very nice - another good town for strolling on your own
- in Basel our choice was it or Lucerne - we chose Lucerne since we were staying on in Basel and don't regret it - there isn't all that much to see in Basel - it's a very modern city - I'd chose the Rhine Falls if I were you (but then my grandfather came from there so I'm prejudiced) - you'll get a nice drive and see more of the countryside

Bon Voyage

CalKat

Claudia, thank you so much for all your tips regarding stops along the cruise! Yes, I agree jet lag stinks, which is why we're arriving in Amsterdam so early. First day on the 10th is arrival around noon, get to AirBnB, explore the neighborhood, early dinner and bed! On the 11th I've booked a morning half-day tour to Keukenhof Gardens, afternoon/evening open to see how we're feeling. The 12th--morning exploring Haarlem and Corrie ten Boom house. Afternoon check-in to the Conservatorium for "Gift of Time" and perhaps evening canal cruise if we haven't already done that. The 13th--Van Gogh museum and boarding riverboat @ 4pm.

Yes, we have chosen Rhine Falls and will head straight to Bern for a few days after disembarking riverboat. My husband's brother lives in Fribourg, so we'll use Bern as a base.

One question -- Did any of your fellow travelers use the spa facilities in Baden-Baden and what did they say about it? (Not interested in casinos!)

Claudia Sails

We're looking forward to going back next year at the end of the Budapest - Amsterdam cruise and adding several more days for non- jetlagged touring,

I believe there was 1 honeymooning young couple that did go to the spa. They pretty much kept to themselves the whole trip so no feedback. Most of us just went back to the boat for lunch. We did go into the Caracalla to use the restrooms and it was a lovely place.

We went in Oct which was great for fall colors, but got alot of cold, drizzly weather. My husband and I did break down one afternoon when we had returned from the days touring and got into the ship's hot tub on the roof deck with a drink. The alcohol helped with any embarrassment.

Hope you enjoy it all.

SHG

CalKat you asked about Baden-Baden. I used the spa after we did the tour with the Tauck group. My friend and I also toured the fabulous Faberge Museum by ourselves, and then she went back to the ship. I stayed and returned to the ship with the last departure from Baden. I was the only one left, and then the cruise director came and got me from the pick-up point. If you love spas, this is the place to frequent. I did the classic one (historic building). You do go through this naked, which was no big deal for me...used to it. It was absolutely awesome, and quite a delight because the baths are so old here. You go through the women's side, and then both sexes converge at the main pool. Go for it; you certainly won't be disappointed!

BBist

We are on the same trip and, as it turns out the same arrival day 5/10. Staying at the Conservatorium. We have a side trip planned to Leeuwarden to meet up with some folks there who have started a museum dealing with the efforts of the Dutch to help and, at great personal risk, harbor U.S. airmen who crash landed in or bailed out over Holland -- one of whom was my father. With some luck we will meet descendants of the people who risked a lot to care for my father.
So we will be out of Amsterdam from morning of the 11th until afternoon of the 12th. Excited on a lot of levels.

CalKat

BBist wrote:

We are on the same trip and, as it turns out the same arrival day 5/10. Staying at the Conservatorium. We have a side trip planned to Leeuwarden to meet up with some folks there who have started a museum dealing with the efforts of the Dutch to help and, at great personal risk, harbor U.S. airmen who crash landed in or bailed out over Holland -- one of whom was my father. With some luck we will meet descendants of the people who risked a lot to care for my father.
So we will be out of Amsterdam from morning of the 11th until afternoon of the 12th. Excited on a lot of levels.

Your trip to Leeuwarden sounds fascinating; I love tracing down family connections myself. I am 30% Dutch, mostly from Amsterdam and Hoorn. Maybe we'll meet up at the Conservatorium on the 13th.

Katharine & Elton

finch

My travel partner and I are arriving on May 12 and staying at the Albus. Looked up the average weather and I'm not so happy about 50's and 60's but I'll survive. Really looking forward to this trip.

CalKat

finch wrote:

My travel partner and I are arriving on May 12 and staying at the Albus. Looked up the average weather and I'm not so happy about 50's and 60's but I'll survive. Really looking forward to this trip.

Look forward to meeting you, Finch!