“I took the road less travelled,” said Robert Frost, “and that has made all the difference.”
The ‘Yellow Roads of Europe’ are routes off the beaten path that bring you closer to the less-visited sights and everyday life and culture of the countries that make up this fascinating region.
Tauck’s 14-day ‘Romantic Capitals: Paris to Prague’ itinerary takes guests to all the must-see places and out-of-the-way corners. From the city of love, Paris, to the city of music, Prague – and all of the fairy tale towns in between.
Tauck’s journey from Paris to Prague transits the historic Rhine-Main-Danube canal, visits renowned wine regions, picturesque villages and hidden destinations, and includes multiple-night stays at premier hotels in the heart of Paris and Prague.
This is the company’s newest and only river cruise that takes you along four main rivers – Main, Rhine, Danube and Moselle – all on one ship.
Add one more sailing with a private cruise on the Seine River, indulge in the birthplace of culinary art, discover redstone castles and underground tunnels, bike ride along the river and so much more.
The Romantic Adventure Of A Lifetime
The trip begins in Paris with a welcome reception and dinner at the luxurious L’Hotel du Collectionneur, close to the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, where you’ll meet your fellow travellers.
The following morning you’ll drive to the Latin Quarter, famed for its bookshops and student-filled cafes, for a visit to the Cluny Museum, best known for ruins of the 2nd-century Gallo-Roman baths, French medieval art and the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.
A leisurely drive through Paris will reveal iconic architectural masterpieces such as the Arc de Triomphe, the “gateway to the city”, Palais Garnier, the historic 1,979 seat opera house, and the Place de la Concorde, before you head off to explore this famous city.
Day three includes a scenic train ride to Luxembourg, the small European country surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany.
A one-hour drive from the city will take you to Trier (below) in Germany where you’ll embark a riverboat for the start of your official cruise to the romantic capitals of Europe.
Guests can choose between two guided walking tours through historic Trier, founded by the Romans in the late 1st century and considered Germany’s oldest city.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed monuments and cathedrals before boarding the ship to sail for Koblenz, nicknamed “Germany’s corner”, where the banks of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet and from where motor racing enthusiasts can visit the famous Nürburgring.
Day six sees the ship arrive in Rüdesheim, best known for its winemaking, especially Riesling wines. The visit serves up a special treat with a Tauck Exclusive evening at Schlosshotel Kronberg, a luxury castle hotel built in 1893 under the commission of Empress Victoria Friedrich and where the movie Spencer was filmed to represent the Royal Family’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Frankfurt (below) is the next stop and here guests will get the chance to explore the largest financial hub in Europe. The city also offers historic cathedrals and ornately gabled half-timbered houses lining picturesque streets and squares.
A choice of excursions greets guests on arrival in Wertheim. One options takes you on a short drive to the nearby village of Homburg to explore an historic paper mill, tour a unique piano shop with a collection of locally made classic instruments, or visit a local blacksmith workshop followed by time in its accompanying museum.
Everyone will meet up for a lesson in the art of Franconian wine making followed by a tasting and lunch in the town of Marktheidenfeld before your ship charts a course toward Würzburg.
The “Romantic Road” is a 350-kilometre scenic byway through the historic cities of Würzburg and Augsburg, and three medieval walled towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen, before finishing in Neuschwanstein.
Germany coined this name in the 1950s to indicate post-war positivity to begin travel again. Today, as you dock in Würzburg you’ll have the option to tour one of these cities, offering a fascinating insight into life post the Second World War.
Bayreuth (above) and Bamberg are on the agenda for day 10 with the former home to both the famous composer Richard Wagner and the Margravial Opera House, one of Europe’s few surviving theatres of the 17th-century.
The town of Bamberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site laid out over seven hills where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet and is home to The Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral.
As the second largest city in Bavaria (after Munich), Nuremberg is an impressive, colourful and mighty town, first mentioned in documents that date back to 1050.
Walking tour choices provide you a deeper insight into the history, above and below grounds. Explore the labyrinthine tunnels built in the 1380’s, used for fermenting and storing beer for the 40 breweries in this small city, or view the Imperial Castle that dominates the skyline, built in 1140 during the reign of Emperor Konrad III.
Day 12 sees guests disembark for a walking tour of Old Town Regensburg that includes sightseeing at Saint Peter’s Cathedral and crossing the Stone Bridge and links Old Town and Stadtamhof. A drive to Prague will see you check-in to your hotel in the late afternoon before enjoying dinner in this highlight city.
The “City of a Hundred Spires” (above & main image) has a rich history and is crammed with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
Choose to see the Old New Synagogue, Gardens of Prague (where you may even see peacocks roaming around), Saint Nicholas Church and Charles Bridge, constructed in 1357 under the rule of Charles the IV, who turned Prague into an important centre of culture and trade in Europe.
Alternatively, take a shorter walk to see highlights of the Old Town, including the Astronomical Clock installed in 1410, (the oldest astronomical clock still in operation) and a visit to City Hall of Prague.
The final day will be tinged with sadness as you journey home but you’ll take away memories and stories that will live with you forever.
Experience With Tauck
# Private aperitif and dinner in Prague at Lobkowicz Palace, Prague Castle
# Private evening at Schlosshotel Kronberg featuring a reception, dinner and music performance.
# Private visit to the motor racing track, Nürburgring, to view race cars with a local guide and learn about the history of racing here
Tauck Value Includes
# All gratuities to ship staff, drivers, local guides, Tauck Directors and Tauck Cruise Director
# All private Tauck shore excursions – $8,026 Value!
Romantic Capitals: Paris to Prague is priced from $16,390 per person. Tours run from May to June, August and October.
Click here for full tour details
