2008 Westbound Itinerary

Click here for Eastbound.


• Indicates day of cruising

Day 1: Begin your Danube cruise in Bucharest
Tour starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest. A transfer is included from Bucharest Airport to the Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest in the heart of the city. Meet your fellow travelers and Tauck Directors at tonight's welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania

Day 2: Dracula’s Romania
Your have a choice of sightseeing in Romania today. Opt for a full day's excursion to tour Peles Castle in Sinaia, built for Romania's royal family in the 1880s. Or visit isolated Snagov Monastery – said to be the final resting place of Vlad Tepes, the historical Dracula – and tour Bucharest's gargantuan Parliamentary Palace, the world's second-largest building after the Pentagon. Have dinner at your landmark hotel tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Athénée Palace Hilton Bucharest, Romania

• Day 3: Bucharest & the Black Sea
A Bucharest sightseeing tour today includes the Triumphal Arch, Revolution Square, and 17th-century Patriarchal Cathedral, centerpiece of the Romanian Orthodox faith. Stop in Constanta and visit the resort town of Mamaia, set at the edge of the Black Sea, and walk along the beach. Travel to Cernavoda and board MS Swiss Emerald or MS Swiss Sapphire to launch your lower Danube cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 4: Big day in Bulgaria
Arrive in Ruse, Bulgaria, for excursions to nearby towns. Admire amazing frescoes at the 16th-century Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi. Then head to Bulgaria's medieval capital of Veliko Turnovo, whose ancient walled fortress and castle are set atop three hills, and view artisans at work in local shops. Rejoin the riverboat in Svishtov, and enjoy a Bulgarian cultural performance aboard ship this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 5: Danube cruising and Iconography Demonstration
Enjoy the views of fields and vineyards studded with medieval towns as the riverboat cruises the Danube today; attend an on-board lecture and demonstration on Iconography.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 6: The Danube’s Iron Gate of Romania
Spend a relaxing day cruising along the Bulgarian / Romanian border, enjoying great views of the Transylvanian Alps. Glide through Romania’s Kazan Narrows and the Iron Gate, a two-mile-long series of gorges between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Look for the stone pillars remaining from Roman Emperor Trajan’s Bridge, the first built across the Danube, dating back to AD 105.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 7: Serbia's cosmopolitan capital, Belgrade
Dock in Belgrade, Serbia's modern capital at the juncture of the Danube and Sava rivers. Sightseeing includes visits to Tito's Memorial, St. Sava Church, and Kalemegdan Fortress. Also view busy Slavija Square (once a large pool where residents hunted wild ducks!), Parliament, Republic Square, the National Museum of Serbia, the National Theatre, and City Hall.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 8: Discover Croatia's historic cities
Your Danube cruise arrives this morning in Vukovar, Croatia. Travel overland to the fortified city of Osijek, which still has its Viennese-style mansions. Visit the ancient Tvrda Citadel, standing guard over the city, and the medieval Church of the Holy Cross. This afternoon, explore the Baroque city of Vukovar, once showcasing 18th-century mansions, but now symbolizing the effects of the Serbian war of the 1990s. Your riverboat continues on to Hungary tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 9: Folk dancing and folkways in Hungary
Cruise to Kalocsa, Hungary, to visit the Paprika House and the Bishop’s Palace Library, housing one of the finest early collections in Europe. Visit the Equestrian Center to see Puszta horsemen, folkloric dancers, and Hungarian craftsmen all demonstrating traditional skills. Ride a horse-drawn carriage back to the riverboat, and enjoy cocktails and dinner aboard ship tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 10: Explore Budapest
Relax on a spa visit in Budapest before taking an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city. See Heroes' Square and Fishermen's Bastion before your riverboat cruise continues to Slovakia.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 11: Baroque in Bratislava
Today's port-of-call is Bratislava, capital of Slovakia. On a guided walking tour you'll view several Baroque palaces, the Opera House, Slovak Philharmonic Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral, and visit the 13th-century Old Town Hall. Your riverboat sets off for magical Vienna tonight to continue one of our popular Danube River cruises.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 12: Music and more in Imperial Vienna
Arrive in Vienna, Austria; get an overview on a morning sightseeing tour of this historic city that includes the Ringstrasse, the Opera House, City Hall and Parliament. Then choose a tour of Schönbrunn Palace, built to rival Versailles, or a tour of the Imperial Silver Room inside the Hofburg. Tonight, attend a very special private Imperial Viennese evening at a traditional palace, which features dinner and live Viennese music.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 13: Explore Vienna and journey to Dürnstein
Pursue your own interests this morning in Vienna – which boasts over a hundred museums – and then return to the riverboat for a cruise past castles and abbeys en route to medieval Dürnstein. High above this village sits the ruins of the castle fortress where England’s King Richard the Lionhearted was held for ransom during the Crusades.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 14: Picturesque Dürnstein and Wachau Valley cruise
Your discovery of the Danube River cruises to Dürnstein; take a walking tour amidst its cobblestone streets, 16th-century houses, and former Augustinian monastery. Enjoy some free time, and attend a wine tasting at a local winery. Cruise through the Wachau Valley, Austria's lush wine-growing region, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved medieval landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 15: Salzburg sights or relax in Linz
Choose to enjoy the city of Linz, Austria, or take the full-day excursion to old Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Mozart's hometown. The day trip includes Mirabell Gardens and a guided walking tour through the historic district of ornate church towers and grand palaces.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

• Day 16: Spend the day in Passau and cruise the Danube
Dock in the German town of Passau; take a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of this Baroque town renowned for its lovely stained glass. See the Altes Rathaus, the old town hall with 15th-century origins, murals on the façade and a glockenspiel in the tower. Return to the riverboat for lunch as you cruise past idyllic German landscapes to Regensburg.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard the Riverboat

Day 17: Disembark in ancient Regensburg and on to Prague
Your Danube river cruise concludes when you disembark your riverboat in the well-preserved Bavarian town of Regensburg. Visit the Steinerne Brücke, a medieval stone bridge over the Danube, and the remains of the town’s Roman wall. Have lunch on your own and explore at leisure before driving to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic, known as the City of 100 Spires.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic

Day 18: Discover the Legacy of Prague and Attend a Private Gala
Choose to take a walking tour of Prague’s Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – as well as Wenceslas Square and other "Velvet Revolution" sites. Or opt to visit Josefov, Prague's historic Jewish Quarter, where a walking tour includes the Jewish Museum and Pinkas Synagogue (may not be available on some departures due to Jewish holidays). Tonight, join us for an exclusive gala farewell evening at the Renaissance-era Nelahozeves Castle; meet members of the former Czech nobility, and enjoy wine from their vineyards.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic

Day 19: Explore Hradcany and Prague Castle
Visit Prague's ancient Hradcany district today, where you'll see Prague Castle's 1,000-year-old complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens; visit the Cathedral of St. Vitus and enjoy an exclusive private tour of Strahov Monastery's grand libraries. Spend the rest of the day exploring Prague as you please or enjoying the amenities of your hotel, named one of the Top 100 Best Luxury Hotels of the World.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic

Day 20: Homeward bound
Tour ends in Prague, Czech Republic. A transfer is included from the Prague Marriott Hotel to Prague's Ruzyne International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and riverboat accommodations, riverboat and motor coach transportation, port charges, sightseeing, admissions, land excursions, entertainment, wine with dinner aboard the riverboat, luggage handling, and the services of the Tauck Directors, Tauck Cruise Director, ship staff, local guides and drivers are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Henri Coandă International Airport, also known as Otopeni Airport, and provide transportation to the Athenée Palace Hilton in Bucharest, provided Tauck has received accurate air arrival information at least two weeks prior to your tour departure date. Tauck will also provide you with transportation from Prague Marriott Hotel to Prague Ruzyne Airport on the day of your departure.

Hotel and Riverboat Accommodations ― The tour price includes hotel and riverboat accommodations. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available hotel accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. There are no triple accommodations available on this tour on either riverboat.

Depending on the date of your departure, either you will board the MS Swiss Emerald or the MS Swiss Sapphire, which both accommodates 118 guests. Your well-appointed, outside-facing cabin is equipped with a plasma television, mini-bar, radio, international direct-dial telephone, safe and hair dryer. Your cabin also features adjustable air-conditioning and a private bathroom with shower. Your cabin has two twin beds that can be joined together.

Other riverboat facilities include a lounge with panoramic bar and dance floor, a spacious restaurant that can accommodate all guests in one seating, a large sun deck with deck chairs and whirlpool, a library, a small boutique, and a sauna, solarium and spa.

Meals ― Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

On board the riverboat, an ample cold and hot buffet breakfast is served in the spacious restaurant. At lunch, you are presented with a choice of entrée with several courses, or a delicious buffet. Dinner’s choice of entrée is accompanied with an international selection of wines. Please let us know about your special dietary requirements when booking your cruise; we will be pleased to meet them whenever possible.

Tauck Director ― The Black Sea to Prague is conducted by three Tauck Directors and one Tauck Cruise Director who will remain with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Directors are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.

Gratuities Included ― All appropriate gratuities for the hotel and ship staff, local guides, drivers, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director are included.

No Options Sold ― Tauck Directors assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the .

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours ― To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility ― Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses ― Phone calls, alcoholic and bar beverages not included with meals, laundry and dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, transfers to and from railway stations, visa fees and services, airport and departure taxes, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures ― In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items, and recommended airport check-in times. You may also wish to visit the Transportation Security Administration website by clicking here.

Air Services ― Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Cruise Regulations ― International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to the cruise line prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to Tauck as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied.

Holiday and Museum Closures ― Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility ― Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at the time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Athenée Palace Hilton. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. The tour ends when you check out of the Prague Marriott Hotel. When departing from Prague, we suggest you allow at least 2½ hours for flight check-in.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour ― Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing to Go

Air Conditioning ― All hotels, riverboats and motor coaches are air conditioned for your comfort.

ATM and Credit Cards ― We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on your journey to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Clothing and Packing ― Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is flexible and allows for layering. Casual, cotton clothing is always advisable. A light jacket or sweater for the sun deck is also recommended. Comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in are necessary, as many of the sites visited were built centuries ago and have uneven surfaces, some steep inclines and many steps. For the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, you may wish to dress up a bit – jacket and tie for men, a casually elegant outfit for ladies - but certainly be comfortable.

Bathrobes, slippers and hairdryers are provided in each riverboat cabin.

The hotels provide valet laundry and dry cleaning. The riverboat provides limited valet laundry services and no dry cleaning; ironing services are available onboard.

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, a list of the generic names of your medication, 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

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for a cruise on the Danube:

• Flat, rubber-soled walking shoes for on board
• Sturdy but comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in for onshore
• Jacket and tie for men
• Casually elegant outfit for ladies
• Short and long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Shorts, slacks and jeans
• Tee shirts
• Socks
• Light sweater (summer), medium-weight sweater (fall)
• Light jacket (summer), medium-weight jacket (fall)
• Raincoat and rain hat
• Lightweight gloves
• Collapsible umbrella
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and sun hat
  
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
• Binoculars
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Travel clock with alarm
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room or cabin while traveling

Elevation ― The maximum elevation on this tour is 1,776 ft (541 m).

Health ― While a cruise on the Danube is very relaxing and the pace leisurely, to enjoy fully 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. Many of the Old Towns of Europe are well preserved and are designated pedestrian zones. However, the cobblestone streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and inclines are challenging to travelers who are used to more modern, flat, paved roadways and sidewalks. By and large, the amount of walking you do is at your discretion.

The riverboats have four decks: Emerald, Ruby, Diamond and Sun. The elevator travels between the Ruby and Diamond decks and does not travel to the Sun deck.

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 either riverboat. In case of emergency we can easily dock the boat and call for an ambulance or medical assistance.

We regret that we cannot accommodate wheelchairs on this cruise. We also cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.

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

The MS Swiss Emerald and the MS Swiss Sapphire are 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.

The government of the Czech Republic will not permit entry or issue visas to non-insured persons. Tauck Travel Protection provides sufficient and acceptable coverage. If you decide not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection, you would need to purchase a retail insurance plan and be prepared to show proof if asked by Czech immigration officials. In order to obtain a Czech Republic visa, you must state on the visa application that you have adequate insurance; however, you do not need to show proof at time of application.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

If you are a U.S. citizen, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, Romania and the Czech Republic. 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) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website by clicking here.

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries visited to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for you to visit.

Luggage Restrictions:

Checked Luggage ― General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!

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 or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and 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 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.

Travel Document Requirements ― You will need a valid passport or similar acceptable travel document to enter each of the countries visited on this tour.

If you are a citizen, you are not required to obtain a visa to enter any of the countries visited for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

If you are a citizen of another country, you should contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries visited to determine what travel documentation is require

Please read the section on Health regarding the Czech Republic's requirement that all visitors have proof of sufficient health insurance in order to enter the country.

When you begin the cruise portion of your journey, you will be issued a boarding card that you must present before embarking the ship in each port. This security measure also ensures that only Tauck guests are permitted onboard.

We strongly recommend that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. In addition, 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, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides of your driver’s license. 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.

Travel with Children

Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, for each itinerary we have a minimum recommended age to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.

Babysitting ― Tauck journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. However, our guests have occasionally inquired about babysitting services. If you are interested, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements, to ensure your precise needs are met. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer babysitting services that may be arranged on site; however, babysitting services are not guaranteed at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.

Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with Tauck, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.

Special Travel Documentation for Children

Authorization for Travel
If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. CBP also suggests that this note be notarized. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.

If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (deceased, sole custody, etc.) any other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, death certificate, etc., will be useful.

All children who are U.S. citizens should also have a certified copy of their birth certificate or baptism record for ID. Children over the age of 14 are also required to have a photo ID.

Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all guests to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information is available from each country’s consulate.

Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment

In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

Destination Information

Cell Phones ― We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel or group functions. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone service extends to the cities visited on this cruise along the Danube.

Currency and Exchange Rates ― Although it is not necessary for you to exchange money prior to your trip, it may be useful to have a small amount of local currency with you when sightseeing. If upon arrival you require local currency, you can visit one of the many currency exchange facilities at the airport or use an ATM. Currency can also be exchanged at the hotels in Prague and Bucharest. The riverboat does not exchange currency, but does accept Euro, American Express, MasterCard and Visa as methods of settling shipboard accounts; debit cards are not accepted.

In those countries that are now using the Euro as the official currency – Germany and Austria - major credit cards and travelers’ checks are widely accepted, and ATMs are found in most tourist venues. In those countries which do not use the Euro ― Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania ― credit cards and travelers’ checks are not widely accepted, fees are often charged for currency exchange, and ATMs are often not found outside of main cities. In these countries, paying cash for purchases in the local currency ― and often in U.S. dollars ― is preferable.

Contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your credit card or ATM card in the countries visited on this cruise.

To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website, “Oanda.com”, by clicking here.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the United States at the end of your tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol that can be part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits by clicking here.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.

The current Value Added Tax (VAT) levied by each country on this itinerary is:

• Austria            20%
• Bulgaria           20%
• Croatia            22%
• Czech Republic 19%
• Germany         19%
• Hungary          25%
• Romania         19%
• Serbia             18%
• Slovakia          19%

The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods. As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

Electrical Current – All hotel and riverboat guest rooms are equipped with 220 V, 50 Hz, alternating electrical current, which accommodates standard European plugs with two round prongs. However, the riverboat cabins are also equipped with a 110 V outlet for shavers. If you bring an electrical device that is not compatible, you should bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

Time Zones – Except for Bulgaria and Romania, the countries visited on this tour are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time); Bulgaria and Romania are 2 hours ahead. From late March through October, these countries switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 2 and 3 hours ahead, respectively.

To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, “Timeanddate.com”, by clicking here

Weather – 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 83°F (21 to 28 °C) and the average low temperatures decrease and range from 51 to 61°F (11 to 16 °C). Rainfall amounts in this region remain somewhat constant throughout the year, although they do peak in June.

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website. “Weather.com”, by clicking here.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers Tauck Travel Protection.

If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties reduced. Click here for more details.

If you choose not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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