tauck bridges tours 2024

The Scoop: What to Know About Tauck Tours

Here's how to decide if tauck is the right fit for you..

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For almost 100 years,  Tauck  has been helping travelers see the world. The family-owned and -operated luxury tour company has enjoyed plenty of word-of-mouth recommendations from past guests (and needed to do minimal advertising as a result), and many tour participants become repeat clients who often self-identify as “Tauckies”.

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A frequent travel industry  award winner , Tauck offers travelers exclusive and behind-the-scenes, authentic experiences in the places it visits.

TourScoop Takeaways: Tauck

• Continents covered: 7
• Tour size range: Typical land tours have about 40 guests. River cruises range from 84 to 130 passengers. The company is working to increase its small-group offerings and will offer about 75 small-group land journeys around the world in the coming years, with most of those departures averaging 24 travelers, and many of Tauck’s African safaris featuring as few as 18 guests.
• Tour types: Land tours, safaris, small-group tours, European river cruises, small-ship cruises, and family travel tours

Credibility Check

Tauck is a member of the  United States Tour Operators Association  and the  European Tourism Association . The company has racked up numerous awards and accolades over the years, including appearances on  Travel + Leisure ’s World’s Best Awards in each of the last 26 years and recognition as “Best Tour Operator” in  Travel Weekly ’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards 25 times (in multiple categories) since 2003. More than half of its clients are returning Tauck travelers each year.

Tour Destinations 

Tauck tours travel to more than 100 destinations in more than 70 countries on all seven continents. New tours include  six new river cruises  in Europe,  a safari in Namibia , an exploration of  Tuscany, Cinque Terre and the Portofino Coast , and two journeys in North America—one in the  American West  and one in  the Canadian Rockies —that each include a two-day rail journey.

Tauck offers  land tours ,  safaris ,  small-group tours ,  European river cruises , and  small ship cruises . Its  Tauck Bridges  collection of family travel tours and cruises has been around for 25 years.

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When browsing tours on Tauck’s website, travelers can filter options by departure date, tour type, and destination. Tour descriptions include detailed itineraries, information about accommodations, reviews from past travelers, and information on what to pack and mobility requirements for the tour.

Tour Guides

Tour guides—referred to as Tauck Directors by the company—average 10 years of service. The company offers a generous compensation package that helps it attract top-tier candidates who remain loyal to the company and develop a high level of destination expertise over their tenures. Guides come from 41 countries, collectively speak a total of 52 languages, and have diverse backgrounds and past work experience (including a former priest, former college professors, and classical musicians).

Inclusions/Extras

Tauck tours include almost everything but airfare. Tauck land journeys include all gratuities (except Tauck Director gratuities), all taxes and fees, all sightseeing and entertainment, most meals, and airport transfers. In some stops, a lunch or dinner may not be included to allow guests to explore the destination at their own pace.

Tauck European river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises include all shore excursions, all gratuities, all taxes and fees, all onboard beverages (adult and otherwise, in most cases), most meals, all sightseeing and entertainment, and airport transfers. Many cruises also include either a pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel stay (or both) accompanied by Tauck-guided sightseeing guides.

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Typical Travelers

Many of the company’s travelers tend to be in their 50s and older. Family groups on Tauck Bridges trips tend to fall into one of three categories: conventional family groups (parents traveling with young children), grandparents traveling with grandchildren, or multigenerational groups including grandparents, their adult children, and their grandchildren.

Communication 

Tauck communicates with guests throughout the entire process, from booking to pre- and post-departure. Guests receive their personal travel documents via email 60 days prior to departure for cruises and 30 days prior to departure for land journeys.

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Documents include information such as necessary pre-trip requirements, packing suggestions, information on local currency and weather, emergency contact information, and a day-by-day itinerary. The company also offers  travel protection plans  for extra peace of mind.

Private Options

Tauck offers  private group departures  with a minimum of 10 guests that work well for family reunions or milestone celebrations.

Sustainability Efforts

Tauck has focused on the cultural preservation side of sustainable travel through efforts like a guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and support of nonprofit  Tourism Cares .

As European river cruising has become a larger part of the company’s business, Tauck has worked in partnership with Scylla (which owns and operates Tauck’s fleet of European riverboats) on a number of initiatives, including using cleaner-burning GTL fuel on riverboats when available, and limiting single-use plastics.

Health and Safety Practices

The company’s small-ship ocean cruises have a physician aboard each departure. European river cruises do not, but the boats are never far from shore and local medical facilities.

Tauck stays in constant communication with its on-the-ground partners in the regions where it travels and  monitors  all U.S. government-issued travel advisories and media reports. Its cross-departmental Global Response Team can quickly respond to any situation 24 hours a day.

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Heart of the Danube: Bavaria to Budapest

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• 2024 Eastbound
• 2025 Eastbound
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Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE - An Imperial Evening at a private Vienna palace with dinner and classical performers

Wine-tasting event at the village of Weissenkirchen, in Austrian wine country

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

All gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Directors

Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions – $1,982 Value

Choice of sightseeing in Passau or medieval Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Guests should be able to easily walk one to two miles, which may include climbing one or two flights of stairs and walking over uneven pavement, groomed hiking trails or cobblestones. Standing up to one hour or more may be required.

Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

Exclusively inclusive river cruising

When your road is the Danube, it's enchanting... Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, and Germany are linked by peaceful river landscapes dotted with storybook castles and romantic villages surrounded by stone terraced vineyards, where making world-class wines – and tasting them! – is an art.

A wonderfully preserved medieval castle and town in the Czech Carpathian mountains are as awe-inspiring as the palaces and museums of Imperial Vienna. As you cruise from port to port, explore the cobblestone streets and market squares in the Old Towns of Budapest, Bratislava, Cesky Krumlov, Grein, and Passau, each offering unexpected cultural treasures and culinary pleasures around every bend. And the pièce de résistance – a Tauck Exclusive gala evening with music and dancing at a private palace conjures up elegant Old World Europe just for Tauck guests!

Take a look at Tauck River Cruising along the Danube, the "River of Kings"

A step back in time... cesky krumlov, explore medieval cesky krumlov.

Cesky Krumlov grew up around 13th-century Krumlov Castle, one of the largest castle complexes in the Czech Republic. In addition to the castle's storied mix of architectural styles, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque among them, the Winter Riding School, lavishly built in Viennese Rococo style, is one of the highlights of any visit...

Tauck Exclusive – Imperial Evening at Palais Pallavicini

Our exclusive gala imperial evening at the private palais pallavicini in vienna.

Built in 1784, the sumptuous Palais Pallavicini is a grand private palace in the heart of Vienna whose magnificent Baroque touches transport you to another time. On many of our Danube river cruises, join us at the Palais for a gala evening featuring a reception, dinner and classical performances sure to sweep you off your feet... and let you experience firsthand how Europe's cultured classes lived and were entertained centuries ago. And film fans will note that the Palais and its elegant facade served as rogue Harry Lime's postwar Vienna apartment in the Cold War classic "The Third Man."

Off-boat excursions were led by Tauck directors and local guides with excellent bilingual skills who provided outstanding insights.

Tauck Traveler Review

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(Note: All Category 7 cabins are three-guest capacity suites with a pull-out couch)

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Eastbound: Munich → Budapest

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About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally , you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic,  and Austria. You are not required to obtain a visa for the short duration of this tour.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally , you should contact an embassy or consulate of  Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia to determine what travel documentation is required.

Please Note: Longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your cabin while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents or cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

Cruise Regulations – International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to us prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to us as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied. Once you board the riverboat, your passport will be held by the purser until you disembark.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $900 per person

Final Payments:

Final Payment is due to Tauck  60  days before departure for lands trips, and  120  days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Cruise Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection

Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. It must be purchased within 10 days of your initial deposit. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON and Tauck will  reduce the regular cancellation fees outlined herein, provided we are notified of cancellation before your cruise departs. Certain terms and restrictions apply (see below*).

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.  Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  Should you cancel for covered reasons, the plan reimburses cancellation fees imposed, up to your total trip cost. 
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection is:   $799   per person

This plan provides cancellation coverage for your trip and other insurance coverages that apply only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Cruise and Event Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your reservation. Cruise and Event Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACCREINTL

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply for this tour.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan:

120 days or more before departure: Loss of cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection fee per person 119 – 60 days before departure: Loss of 25% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person 59 – 1 days before departure: Loss of 50% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan: 120 days or more before departure: $900 per person 119 – 60 days before departure: Loss of 50% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person 59 - 1 days before departure: Loss of 100% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

Tour Interruption Fees

If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund for the unused land portion if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

Partial Room Cancellation

A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged to the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation and transfer terms outlined herein. Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage ― General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much stricter in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage ― General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or large items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small and is designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece and to carry only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Our riverboat is registered in Basel, Switzerland. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and inform us at time of booking.

VACCINATIONS

If you are a resident of the U.S. , no vaccinations are currently required for travel to the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary or Austria. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Info Center at 800-232-4636/800-CDC-INFO (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here .

If you are a resident of another country , please contact an embassy or consulate of the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for your travel.

While a cruise on the Danube is very relaxing and the pace leisurely, to enjoy all the tour has to offer, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. There is a moderate to significant amount of walking during our excursions, often along cobblestone streets, and at many sites there are multiple stairs or steps. For the most part, however, the amount of walking you do is at your discretion.

Your riverboat has four decks: Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, and Sun.An elevator runs between the Diamond Deck and Emerald Deck; there is no elevator access to the Sun Deck. There is no chair lift between any of the decks.

Because you will be cruising on a river and not on the open sea, you are never far from land and, therefore, there is no doctor on board. In case of emergency we can easily dock the boat and call for an ambulance or medical assistance.

PLEASE NOTE:  We regret that this Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters.  Likewise, we regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs.  The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest.  Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it.

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate service animals on any river cruise for medical and legal reasons.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

On board the riverboat, smoking is permitted in a limited area of the Sun deck. Smoking (including e-Cigarettes) is not permitted in any cabin, the restaurant, the lounge or any other interior space.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

The climate along the Danube River is temperate and unpredictable. From June through August, the average high temperatures decrease as you travel west along the river and range from 69 to 79°F (21 to 26°C) and the average low temperatures range from 51 to 59°F (11 to 15°C). Rainfall amounts in this region remain fairly constant throughout the year, although late spring and early summer are generally the wettest seasons of the year. Opposite of temperature, rainfall increases as you travel west.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov , by clicking here.

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with New Headings who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is recommended. A light jacket or sweater for the sun deck is also recommended. Pack comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in, as many of the sites visited were built centuries ago and have uneven surfaces, some steep inclines and many steps.

During evenings aboard the riverboat, dress is resort casual. Items such as slacks and collared shirts are appropriate for men. For women, slacks, a dress or a skirt and blouse are suitable. For dinner and throughout the evening, guests should refrain from wearing shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops or sneakers. Your journey also includes one or two special occasion dinners, where a sport coat and tie for gentlemen and a dress/pantsuit for ladies are suggested. (Your Tauck Director will advise you prior to those evenings.)

Bathrobes, slippers and hairdryers are provided in each guest room at the hotels and in each cabin on board the riverboat.

Valet laundry service is available at the hotels and on the riverboat for a fee. There is no valet dry cleaning available on the riverboat. Ironing facilities on the riverboat are available by request to the front desk. Category 7 suites feature their own irons and ironing boards.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription, or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

We recommend you pack the following items for your tour:

• Flat, rubber-soled walking shoes for onboard
• Sturdy but comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in for onshore
• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• Sport jacket (optional tie) for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, hat
• A light sweater or jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Sun protection
• Camera, lenses, batteries,memory cards and chargers
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Reusable zipper-lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your cabin while traveling

The Tauck Experience

Tauck's River Cruise Guide

Danube river facts, first timer's guide, why take a tauck river cruise, choosing the best european river cruise for you.

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Are European river cruises right for families? Here are the pros, cons and best options for kids

Ocean cruises are ideal family vacations, with kids clubs, all-ages activities on and off the ship and lots of family-friendly dining options. If you've enjoyed a Mediterranean cruise with your kids, you might think a European river cruise would be equally great for a school break trip.

It makes sense. On a river cruise, like an ocean cruise, you have the ease of unpacking once while visiting multiple destinations in a short span of time. Someone else has planned the itinerary and arranged tours for you to choose from, so busy parents have fewer logistics to figure out. Meals are served on board, so you don't need to stress about making restaurant reservations in foreign cities.

There's just one problem. Traditional river cruises, in Europe and other destinations like Egypt and Asia, target older travelers, especially retirees. Middle-aged couples might also enjoy food- and wine-themed sailings or guided tours in European cities, but river ships and river cruise itineraries were decidedly not created with kids and teens in mind.

In fact, some river cruise lines have age minimums to sail. On Avalon Waterways, it's 8 years old; on Viking , it's 18.

If you've been dreaming of river cruising with your kids, don't despair. Certain lines offer European river cruises for families, with meals and activities designed for an intergenerational crowd. The experience is different from an ocean cruise, but for the right family on the right trip, it can be a great way to introduce your kids to European destinations they'd never visit on a Mediterranean or Baltic cruise.

As you decide what type of cruise best suits your travel preferences, here's what you need to know about regular European river cruises, the pros and cons of family sailings, and the top choices for river cruises with kids.

Why regular European river cruises might not be right for your family

Beyond the age restrictions, there are a few other reasons why a typical river cruise is not ideal for families with younger kids and teens.

Cabins are designed for couples

River ships are built assuming two to a room. Cabins offered on river cruises, even suites, usually lack pull-down berths, sofa beds and bunks in which kids can share a room with their family. Select ships might offer a few cabins with a third berth or connecting rooms, but you'll need to choose the right ship and book early to lock in a special cabin. Be prepared to book two separate cabins if you're a family of four.

River ships don't have kids clubs

River ships must be small to fit through locks and under bridges on Europe's rivers. They typically feature only four decks, including a sun deck on the top. The smaller ships save all of their space for cabins, adult lounges and dining rooms. Not only are there no physical kids clubs , but save for the upper deck, there simply isn't a lot of space for kids to run around.

Many river ships lack swimming pools

Only a few river ships have a "pool." That's in quotation marks because the pools are often so small they aren't bigger than a large hot tub. You might find a putting green or giant chess on the sun deck, but mainly, you'll find chairs and a short walking track. Adults might find the options limiting, too, especially on a hot summer day in Europe, but the cruise line expects passengers to spend the day exploring quaint villages.

Kid-friendly activities and options are limited

River cruises are great for offering bicycles for passengers to enjoy along paved river paths. Alas, these don't come with infant or toddler seats, and kid-size bikes are a rarity. Also a rarity: foods kids can easily enjoy at dinner if they prefer chicken nuggets and pizza. Excursions offered to passengers are also designed for adults rather than kids, with lots of walking tours to historic sites or museums. You won't find kid-focused activities like crafts or movie nights either.

Families are in the minority on board

Even if all of the above doesn't bother you, you'll have to be OK with being the lone family in a sea of couples. Your kids likely won't find peers to play with on a regular European river cruise. You might even get some side-eye from cruisers who chose a river cruise instead of an ocean cruise to avoid children.

Related: Best cruise lines for families

Why you should consider a family river cruise in Europe

River cruise providers have realized that families do want to explore Europe's rivers together. Often, grandparents who have become fans of this style of travel want to take their grandkids, but they need a more family-friendly option. So select lines such as AmaWaterways (in conjunction with Adventures by Disney), Tauck and Uniworld open up select departures to families with kids and teens. Multigenerational groups and travelers without children are also welcome.

For these sailings, the lines tailor the activities in port, food options and onboard programming to a broader audience, with kid-friendly additions. These European river cruises can make fabulous family vacations for the following reasons.

Small ships create a social environment for kids and adults

If you're used to 4,000-person ships or larger, a 200-person river cruise is a big change. What's nice about a smaller passenger count is that you quickly meet your shipmates at communal dinner tables, excursions or happy hour in the lounge. And you'll definitely see those people again, as opposed to on an ocean cruise where you might never see the nice family you met on tour out and about on the ship.

On my family river cruise, I found that the relatively small number of kids and teens on board meant that same-aged kids would hang out all together, even if they wouldn't be fast friends in a larger setting. My son is not super-social, but the other teens would always bang on his door and ask him to join them playing Roblox on their devices in the lounge or giant chess on the sun deck. And with just a few hangouts (sun deck, lounge, dining room), I could let my younger daughter run off with her buddies and not worry about finding her again. (We did set up ground rules regardless.)

Related: Why it's easier to meet new people on a smaller cruise ship

Extra crew members are on hand to assist families

Several river cruise lines that host family cruises will bring on extra staff to help out with kids and families. Called Family Hosts or Adventure Guides, these crew members will organize special dinners and activities for the younger cruisers, give suggestions about the best snacks and activities to discover during free time ashore and generally assist families with their travel needs.

Because the lines dedicate certain ships to the family sailings, they make sure the regular crew are fans of kids, as well. On my AmaWaterways sailing, the hotel director and the cruise manager clearly loved having young cruisers on board. Waiters made paper masks and napkin dolls to entertain the littlest sailors at dinner.

The ships are the most family-friendly in the fleet

You can be sure that the river ship chosen for the family sailings will be the most family-friendly of the bunch. That means you're likely to be on a ship with cabins featuring a third berth, connecting rooms or a pool. The cruise line might bring aboard kid-size bikes and helmets for these sailings or dedicate part of the lounge as a kids club or hangout. Menus will be tweaked to offer kid-friendly options, such as hot dogs or mac and cheese.

You get a choice of activities you might not find on your own

River cruise lines pay as much attention to off-ship activities as onboard ones on family sailings. You might find more active options like canoeing, trips to amusement parks or visits to open-air museums with hands-on activities or crafts. We even visited a chocolate museum.

But it's not all junior fun. The lines will still offer wine-tasting tours, pub crawls, museum visits, and slower-paced activities for child-free adults or families who want to split up for the day to pursue different interests. Just know that you can't leave your child on the ship while you head off to a winery.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

Caveats to river cruising with kids

Even when offering a family voyage, the boat often houses kids' programs in spaces originally intended for adults. You won't find video games, movie nights, craft making or fun character interactions — even on an Adventures by Disney river cruise.

Cabins are still small

Fitting three or four to a room on a river ship will be incredibly tight, and you all will have to manage a single small bathroom. Even if you're sailing on a ship that can fit your entire family in one room, you might be more comfortable booking two rooms. On my family river cruise, that meant my daughter and I shared one room and my husband and son another.

Related: The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Food options are limited

You won't find the abundance of dining venues on a river cruise that you do on a big (or even a small!) oceangoing ship. On our AmaWaterways cruise, we ate nearly all of our meals in the main dining room (waiter-served at dinner, a mix of waiter-served and buffet at breakfast and lunch). A small breakfast buffet was set out in the lounge each morning, and occasionally, a casual waiter-served lunch was available there. Our ship had one specialty restaurant with a set menu but no room service. Between meals, you could order a set tapas plate or afternoon tea service (with little pastries and finger sandwiches) or grab a cookie, but that was it.

River ships don't offer daily babysitting

A perk of ocean cruises is the option to use a babysitter, so mom and dad can enjoy a quiet, romantic dinner on their vacation every once in a while. Even on family river cruises in Europe, couple time is limited. There were kid dinners supervised by crew members on two nights of our trip, but the supervision didn't extend beyond 8 p.m. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but know that you will be spending nearly all your time as a family.

It's a go-go-go schedule

Family river cruises tend to include tours in their fares, which makes planning easy but doesn't always lend itself to a leisurely schedule. Morning tours often require meetups at 7:30 or 8 a.m., and these might be followed by a similarly structured tour after lunch. In many destinations, you might have post-tour free time in the city but only two or three options for when you can return to the ship. Don't expect days of sleeping in and lazing around the sun deck; you will be exploring a new port daily.

River cruises are expensive

European river cruises for families are generally offered by the higher-end cruise lines and will generally cost thousands of dollars per person. Do not expect discounted fares for children. The value is high, with tours, meals, some or all alcoholic drinks, gratuities, airport transfers and/or Wi-Fi included in the price, but even in the lowest-category cabins, a river cruise is a pricy vacation for a family with kids. A family of four can easily pay upward of $20,000 for a weeklong cruise — and that's just the cruise fare.

You don't have many options to offset cruise fares with points and miles; you could pay for a river cruise with a card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and then use points from the card to offset the charge, but you might get better value transferring your points to pay for a precruise hotel or flight.

Related: Kids cruise free: 7 cruise lines offering family deals

Still want to take a family river cruise in Europe? Here are the best options

Adventures by disney.

Adventures by Disney cruises provide bubbly, family-friendly Disney employees to serve as your own tour guides through the sites along the cruise route. Disney has set up some special excursions on each cruise (like strudel making in Vienna and alpine toboggan rides in Germany's Black Forest), and you'll find that extra-special Disney touch accounting for every last detail. Trips are all-inclusive; fares cover excursions, Wi-Fi, gratuities, airport transfers and wine, beer and soda at mealtime.

The AmaWaterways ships used by Disney feature connecting rooms, as well as triples and quads, and have small pools on the sun deck. Cruises take place on the Seine, Rhine and Danube rivers.

Related: I thought river cruises were just for retirees, but a Disney river cruise proved me wrong

Don't let the Disney name fool you: Some Adventures by Disney sailings are adults-only. The rest have a minimum age of 5 years old (though the recommended age is 8-plus), a big difference from Disney Cruise Line. All have subtle Disney touches, but you won't get character appearances or a theme park atmosphere.

If you want that immersive Disney experience with characters galore and a kid-first atmosphere, Disney Cruise Line offers European itineraries every summer on its oceangoing ships.

Tauck Bridges

Tauck was the river line that invented the family-focused cruise back in 2010 with its Tauck Bridges sailings. These special departures are designed specifically for families and are led by a Tauck Director with a proven track record of catering to families. They're offered on select sailings on the Danube, Douro, Rhine, Rhone and Seine rivers.

Tauck will take kids as young as 4 but believes that children ages 8 and up will get the most from excursions such as a geocaching scavenger hunt in Passau, Germany; a ride on the world's steepest cogwheel train above Lake Lucerne, Switzerland; or a cowboy demonstration and lunch at a ranch near Provence, France. The ship does not carry child-size bikes but ensures that smaller bikes are available on cycling excursions operated by local providers.

Each of Tauck's river ships features an entire deck of roomy suites that can sleep four with a pullout sofa. All have plunge pools, putting greens and top-deck grills for cookouts on select evenings (a family favorite).

Tauck recognizes that in multigenerational groups, you don't always get an even number of travelers. Therefore, it waives the single supplement on every Category 1 cabin, so a solo grandparent, relative, nanny or young adult can join the fun without paying double.

Uniworld Generations

Uniworld's luxury cruises open up on select summer dates for eight-day Danube and Rhine River itineraries for families. These Generations Collection cruises work well for multigenerational groups, offering a little something for everyone during excursions. Options might include a visit to the "Schloss Schonbrunn Experience" Children's Museum Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna; a cycling excursion on the Danube Bike Trail; or fun in the Bavarian Forest, Germany's largest national park.

Two Family Hosts plan activities for Junior Cruisers (ages 4 to 12) and teens (ages 13 to 17), including kids-only dinners, cooking classes with the chef, craft workshops and movie nights complete with popcorn. A special space is set up on board for kids and teens with board and video games, movies and treats.

The all-inclusive sailings include kid-friendly menus and complimentary beverages not just at meals, as well as Wi-Fi, gratuities and the use of kid-size and adult bikes and walking sticks ashore. Many of the ships offering family sailings have pools, as well as three-person rooms and connecting cabins.

Beyond Europe, Uniworld offers its family-friendly Generations cruises on Nile River cruises in Egypt in December.

A-Rosa Family Cruises

A-Rosa is a European river cruise line that offers family cruises for an international clientele, especially during summer break and the winter holidays. The main languages on board are German and English, so your family will get European immersion on board and ashore.

The line stands out for its dedicated kids club activities on board, including movie nights, scavenger hunts and pizza baking with the ship's chef. These are led by bilingual youth staff and cater to kids ages 4 to 15 (though there is no minimum age to sail). Additionally, the line offers family discounts; children up to 15 years old can cruise free when sharing a Deck 1 cabin with an adult. Off the ship, families can become history detectives in Vienna, meet camels and ostriches on a farm in Germany, and visit zoos, amusement parks and chocolate museums in multiple destinations.

For the best family experience, book a cruise on A-Rosa Sena, a river ship built with multigenerational travel in mind. It features a dedicated kids club space on board (plus a large spa for adults), family cabins that sleep up to five in a room with bunk beds, a shallow kids pool and a regular pool with onboard swimming lessons for an extra fee, and a kids buffet.

Bottom line

Traditional river cruises are not geared for families with young kids, but families looking for a European river cruise do have options with family-friendly sailings from lines like Tauck, Uniworld and AmaWaterways (run by Adventures by Disney). The smaller ships and busy schedule might not be every family's cup of tea, but they can be a wonderful way to introduce kids to a handful of European countries, cities and towns on one trip.

As a busy working parent, I can say that perhaps the most compelling reason to take a European river cruise is to have someone else plan the itinerary, scout out fun-for-kids activities in port and be ready to offer you a choice of tasty meals when you return. Your kids will enjoy making friends on board, and you can relax without having to navigate a giant megaship.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Douro River Cruise: Our Review of Uniworld’s Trip Through Portugal’s Top Wine Region

What to expect on a river cruise through Portugal's most storied wine region

By Heidi Sarna

September 6, 2024

Heidi Sarna is the co-founder of QuirkyCruise.com , a guide to small-ship cruising .

The Douro River starts in north-central Spain and zigzags some 500 miles into Portugal before eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, the curving, rock-lined river cuts through a landscape characterized, above all, by its connection to generations of winemaking.

A cruise along the Douro provides not only a chance to encounter medieval fortress towns and sample the region's renowned port and other wines, but also to appreciate, as you travel along the waterway, the sheer beauty of the surrounding hillsides covered in a patchwork quilt of vineyards along with cork oak, olive, and fig trees.

I recently spent a week aboard Uniworld’s  SS São Gabriel , a luxury ship launched in 2021 for the exclusive purpose of cruising Portugal’s Douro River Valley. Journeying 250 miles round trip from Porto, the ship accommodates up to 100 passengers and is just 262 feet long. To fit into the five lock chambers along the route, all ships on the river are about half the length of boats plying other European waterways like the Rhine and Danube. 

It's easy to make friends among the small contingent of passengers as you take day tours or mingle in the ship's lounge at happy hour and at mealtime in the open-seating restaurant. Among the most high-end river cruise lines operating in Europe, Uniworld offers all-inclusive fares covering meals, drinks, gratuities, and daily excursions.

Douro River Cruise Excursions: Vineyards, Medieval Towns, and So Much Port

Armed with personal VOX listening devices, Uniworld passengers on walking tours go on included visits to vineyards, museums, and medieval cathedrals. Some guides are Uniworld tour staff members—our cruise manager, Ricardo, was a passionate and knowledgeable lecturer, superior to his more junior colleagues—while at other times local guides do the honors.

Certain excursions start within strolling distance of the ship, though most require a 20- to 60-minute bus ride on winding roads with breathtaking views of the countryside. 

The overriding themes of onshore activities: Portugal’s winemaking history and the legacies of ancient Romans, Moors, and Jews. I greatly enjoyed the Douro Museum , housed in an 18th-century restored warehouse in Régua . The experience includes an illuminating lecture from a local winemaker and a fascinating video showing old footage of the Douro before the locks were built in the 1930s. Back then, the landscape would get superdry in the summer and flood wildly at other times.

The film shows grape pickers carrying huge 100-pound baskets on their backs in the scorching heat, breaking up shale rock by hand to make the soil habitable for grape growing, and loading traditional wooden rabelo cargo boats with wine to transport from the vineyards to the coast.

Also on the itinerary is a visit to the ornate Our Lady of Remedies chapel, set beautifully at the top of a long Baroque staircase in Lamego . Another we day we traveled to Castelo Rodrigo , a medieval fortress town in the hills above the river valley. 

On a sweltering day later in the week, guides led us through the hillside vineyards of the Croft wine estate Quinta de São Luiz . A bus tour across the border to Salamanca, Spain , involves a guided stroll through the old quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the 18th-century Plaza Mayor and the massive New Cathedral dating from the 1500s.

With some free time to spare, climb the 200 steps of Salamanca's Scala Coeli (“Stairway to Heaven” in Latin) at the 17th-century Jesuit church and school for sweeping views of the city.

Just about every tour during the cruise includes an opportunity to taste Portuguese wine—often port. Pace yourself or you might get tired of the sweet fortified stuff after a few days. 

Moored in pretty Porto for half a day at the beginning and end of the cruise, you'll have time to explore that coastal city, too. Among the highlights are the winding, cobbled streets of the historic Ribeira district, the famous golden interior of the Church of São Francisco , and the grand São Bento train station. 

While in the city, Uniworld's São Gabriel ship occupies a prime river-facing spot (not sandwiched between other riverboats) with views of Porto's red-tiled roofs, fortress-like Porto Cathedral , and double-deck Dom Luís I Bridge .

Uniworld's Douro River Cruise: Onboard Amenities, Meals, Staterooms, and Service

Uniworld’s décor is chic, with lots of local touches. The São Gabriel has flooring inspired by Portugal’s famous ceramic tiles, polished wood in chevron patterns, and seating with rich fabrics.

Elegant staterooms are designed in shades of teal and champagne with light woods. You'll find tufted headboards, fresh flowers, and Portuguese tiles worked into the marble-clad bathrooms.

Suites on Deck 3 are spacious—ours had 220 square feet—while cabins on the two lower decks are a compact 156 square feet apiece.

A pair of butlers are on hand to indulge suite guests’ whims and fancies—say, pre-dinner prosecco and potato chips delivered to your room—but even if you're staying elsewhere on the ship you can expect efficient and friendly service from the mostly Protuguese staff (shout-out again to our cruise manager, Ricardo, who wears many hats with aplomb). 

The ship's bright, welcoming restaurant features open seating with tables for two, four, and six. Owing in part to the large windows in the space, the dining area doesn't feel as cramped as on some other riverboats.

Breakfast and lunch are served at the buffet. At midday, standouts include a delicious salad with shrimp and pineapple, another salad combining tropical fruit with hearts of palm, and Portugal's beloved  francesinha sandwich (thick white bread with ham, sausage, steak, and lots of cheese). At dinner, try the cod with chickpeas and turnips.

During lunch and dinner, choose from two different easy-drinking red and white wines from Douro Valley winemakers such as Assobio and Porrais. On our cruise, the ship’s sommelier went from table to table, enthusiastically detailing each bottle's attributes.

Evening entertainment in the ship's lounge may range from flamenco (which isn't Portuguese) to the melancholy folk music known as fado (which very much is). A '70s-themed dance party one evening was popular on my cruise; likewise for dancing under the stars up on deck.

During the day, onboard activities will keep you busy with cooking demos (pick up pointers on how to re-create the Portuguese custard tarts known as pastéis de nata ), more port tastings, and lectures about Portugal’s politics, history, and culture. 

The outdoor wading pool up on deck is a great place to cool off and chat with new friends while gazing at the views. There is also a gym and mini spa.

Overall, drawbacks are few. Space is tight in those cabins down on Decks 1 and 2, with some passengers saying there's barely enough room to get around the bed. And other guests have griped that service at dinner can be slow. But that's about it in the complaints department. 

All-inclusive Douro River cruises operated by Uniworld start at $4,949 per person. For more information, go to Uniworld.com . 

Other lines offering similar itineraries include Tauck and AmaWaterways , the two lines most similar to Uniworld with regard to price and quality. Viking ,  CroisiEurope —  and Avalon Wateways  all have Portugal trips as well. 

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Moscow Vnukovo airport (VKO)

Location details, contact information, airlines, departure and arrival flight status, transportation, facilities and services, parking, special passenger amenities, nearby hotels and answers to passengers' frequently asked questions.

 Passenger Guide

 general information.

Moscow-Vnukovo International Airport, opened on July 1, 1941, is one of the airports serving the country's capital. It operates domestic flights and international destinations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America and the Caribbean. Official Website: vnukovo.ru

Number of Terminals - 1 - Open 24 hours a day.

Annual passenger traffic: 16.4 million passengers went through it in 2022.

Tel: +7 495 937 5555. There is an information counter on the ground floor of the terminal, next to the main entrance.

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The airport is located in the Vnukovo district, 28 km (18 miles) southwest of Moscow.

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Rentmotors (Tel +7 916 724 0455 - 8:00 am to 8:00 pm) and RexRent (Tel +7 495 981 1917 / 800 250 1213 - 9:00 am to 9:00 pm) have offices in the Arrivals Hall.

 Parking

Parking services at moscow vnukovo airport (vko).

Several parking options available. Payment is made at the stations located at the exit of each sector. More information: Tel +7 495 436 7893 / 7892. Tariffs

P1 & P2 - Multi-level facilities in front of the terminal. First 15 minutes are free. P6 - Long-stay area located in Vnukovo village, on Aeroflotskaya Street.

It is important to request assistance in advance (up to 48 hours before departure) and to describe your needs precisely. A wheelchair can be requested to move around the terminal and board the aircraft with the help of a lift. A special waiting room, induction loops for the hearing impaired, ramps and lifts are also available. More information: Tel +7 495 436 6189.

Latest updates: May 12, 2023

Locations near Moscow Vnukovo

The airport is close to Moskovskiy, Lesnoy Gorodok, Odintsovo, Krasnoznamensk, Barvikha, Golitsyno, Krasnogorsk, Podolsk, Vidnoye, Moscow, Orekhovo-Borisovo Yuzhnoye, Zvenigorod, Klimovsk, Dedovsk, Khimki, Kubinka, Dzerzhinskiy, Lytkarino, Dolgoprudnyy, Lobnya from Russia.

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These are all the active direct flights to Moscow Vnukovo (89) according to latest update at 8 September 2024 02:36:21. Check the flight's page for updated schedule and cheap airline tickets.

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