Tour begins: Prague. A transfer from Prague Vaclav Havel International Airport or Prague Hlavni Nadrazi train station to Fairmont Golden Prague Hotel is included. This evening, join us for a luxurious welcome reception and dinner at the Lobkowicz Palace.

Prague is the largest city of the Czech Republic with rich history and Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, nicknamed the "city of a Hundred Spires" due to the towers, turrets, and steeples that paint its skyline. A great way to explore Prague and learn its history is with an option of culturally rich walking tours. Choose to see the Old New Synagogue, Gardens of Prague (where you may even see peacocks roaming around), Saint Nicholas Church, and Charles Bridge, constructed in 1357 under the rule of Charles the IV who turned Prague into an important center of culture and trade in Europe. Alternatively, take a shorter walk to see highlights of the Old Town, including the Astronomical Clock installed in 1410, (the oldest astronomical clock still in operation) and a visit to City Hall of Prague. Enjoy lunch on your own then join us for an underground tour of Prague, learning more about Vaclav Havel, a former Czech statesman, author, poet, and playwright. 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before departing for a walking tour of Old Town Regensburg that includes sightseeing at Saint Peter's Cathedral and crossing the Stone Bridge that links Old Town and Stadtamhof. Until the 1930s, it was the only bridge that crossed the Danube River in town. You'll have free time for lunch where you please, then it's off to Kelheim to embark ship. Join us for a welcome toast and dinner to mark the beginning of your official cruise to the romantic capitals of Europe.

As the second largest city in Bavaria (after Munich), Nuremberg is an impressive, colorful, and mighty town, first mentioned in documents dating back to 1050. Today's walking tour choices offer a deeper insight into its history, both above and below ground. First, choose either to join our local guide on an underground tour, where you'll explore the labyrinthine tunnels built in the 1380s – used originally for fermenting and storing beer for the city's 40 breweries, and later as WWII air raid bunkers – and view the Imperial Castle, dominating the skyline since its construction in 1140 during Emperor Konrad III's reign. Alternatively, remain above ground for a walking tour featuring Nuremberg's well-preserved landmarks, such as ornately decorated churches and the Old Town walls. After your tour, return to the ship for lunch while your Tauck Director shares an informal presentation about your journey. In the evening, join us for the chef's signature dinner.

Enjoy the morning views along the Main River with breakfast, before docking for a day of excursion choices. Drive to the town of Bayreuth to see Margravial Opera House, one of Europe's few surviving theatres of the 17th-century that has been extensively restored, and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. You may choose to visit the former home of composer and theatre director, Richard Wagner, which has been turned into a museum, or get a true taste of genuine weissbeir with a visit to Maisel Brewery, a family-owned brewery that is one of few to make this Bavarian style beer. Everyone may enjoy free time to explore Bayreuth as you please. Alternatively, drive to nearby Bamberg, a town laid out over 7 hills where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet. If you feel like stretching your legs some more you can take the short drive for a walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site town to see The Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral, cross the bridges over Regnitz River and preserved Old Town. Your evening aboard the ship includes social hour and dinner as you cruise to Wurzburg.

The "Romantic Road" in Germany is a 220-mile scenic byway through the historic cities of Würzburg and Augsburg, three medieval walled towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, and Nördlingen, and finishes in Neuschwanstein. Germany coined this theme name in the 1950s, for post-war positivity to begin travel again. Today, as you dock in Würzburg you'll have the option to tour one of two cities; walk from the ship to explore its lavish baroque and rocco architecture and learn about post-WWII life here, alternatively, choose the short drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for a walking tour with a local guide to see the medieval architecture and half-timbered houses that line the cobblestone lanes. This afternoon, back on the ship, you'll cruise to Wertheim. 

Germany continues to reveal its fairy tale character today during your visit to Wertheim. A guided walking tour reveals the town's storied medieval architecture and glassblowing traditions. Back on the ship, enjoy a lesson in the art of Franconian winemaking, bottled in a distinct shape, followed by a tasting. Tonight, your ship charts a course toward Wurzburg. 

As the largest financial hub in Europe, Frankfurt is considered a global city. Downtown has many high-rise buildings that form its renowned Frankfurt skyline, and is one of the few cities in the European Union to have such a skyline. Before World War II, the city had many different styles of architecture, such as Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical. Many central locations in Frankfurt have been restored to its original architectural style, and today you'll have the choice to explore these quarters on walking tours; one is more active to view historic cathedrals, and ornately gabled half-timbered houses lining picturesque streets and squares, and learn about its role post-WWII. Along the way you'll taste local culinary products before finishing the tour by the Old Town Square. Alternatively, set off on a more leisurely walking tour of the Old Town Square, also enjoying local goods as you explore. Join us this evening for a Tauck Exclusive evening at Schlosshotel Kronberg, a luxury castle hotel built in 1893 under the commission of Empress Victoria Friedrich, and where the movie Spencer was filmed to represent Princess Diana's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

After a morning cruise along the Middle Rhine, you may wish to join us for a scenic e-bike ride cycling past hidden castles and vineyards. Alternatively, visit the German city of Boppard for a Tauck Director-led orientation tour of the city. Everyone returns to the ship for dinner as you cruise along the Middle Rhine heading to Cochem.

Tucked into the Moselle Valley, Cochem is a storybook town shaped by steep vineyards and the slow curve of the river, its history reaching back to the days when Roman merchants traded wine along these banks. A guided walk reveals cobbled lanes and timbered facades that climb toward the town's crown jewel—the castle on the hill, its towers standing watch since the 11th century. You'll also be introduced to the region's enduring wine culture with a tasting that brings centuries of craftsmanship to the glass, showcasing why these slopes remain among Germany's most celebrated. Back on board, lunch awaits as your ship makes its way toward Trier.

Your last morning on the ship begins with a light breakfast buffet in the Compass Rose. Choose between a guided walking tour through Trier to learn about the city's rich Roman history or tour the city with a local guide from the saddle of the bike. Trier was founded by the Romans in the late 1st century and is considered Germany's oldest city. Enjoy lunch on the ship cruising along the Moselle River, with commentary from your Tauck Director. Join us this evening for a Captain's farewell toast and dinner.

Arrive in Luxembourg by morning to disembark your ship. This small European country is surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany, and gained full independence from the Netherlands in 1867. Despite its size, Luxembourg is the most powerful investment management centre throughout Europe. Enjoy a walking tour of the town then lunch on your own. Afterwards, we'll hop on the train en route to the "city of love," Paris.

This morning, you have a choice of Paris sightseeing excursions. One begins with a drive to the Latin Quarter, famed for its bookshops and student-filled cafés, for an early visit to the Cluny Museum—best known for the ruins of its 2nd-century Gallo-Roman baths, an exquisite collection of French medieval art, and the iconic Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. Afterward, continue by coach for an orientation tour through the "City of Light," passing storied neighborhoods and architectural highlights before boarding a scenic cruise along the Seine. Gliding from the historic heart of Paris to the Eiffel Tower district, you'll take in riverside landmarks from a fresh perspective. Alternatively, you may choose to skip the Cluny Museum and enjoy a more leisurely morning before joining the group for the coach orientation tour and the mid-morning Seine cruise. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Paris at your own pace and indulge in French cuisine as you please.  

Tour Ends. Paris, France. Fly home anytime. A transfer from L'Hotel du Collectionneur to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Gare de Lyon Station, Charles de Gaulle Station and Gare du Nord Station is included. Please allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in at the airport.