Europe Museums - Tours

Tauck's top selling Italy tour – highlighted by an after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel – explores Venice, Florence, Rome, Pompeii, Tuscan hill towns, and the Amalfi Coast – total Italian immersion, with world-renowned art, architecture, preserved medieval towns, and dramatic scenery. Select Small Group departure dates available with no more than 26 Tauck guests! Discover Bella Italia on Tauck's most comprehensive Italy tour, in the country, on visits to scenic Tuscan hill towns, in centuries-old cities and countryside villages, and along the Amalfi Coast. Classic Italy is highlighted by a Tauck Exclusive – an after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel for an extraordinary look at some of the world's most magnificent art treasures, without the crowds! Experience the rich history of the Vatican and the Roman Empire. Art is the focus in the beautiful city of Florence, a Tauck Italy tour highlight. A lecture by an art historian precedes a walking tour of the city and a visit to Galleria dell'Accademia. You'll also tour the magnificent Uffizi Gallery, accompanied by a local guide. Cruise by private boat along the shores of Cinque Terre villages clinging to coastal mountains, and stay at a 17th-century country house hotel in Torgiano where you'll share the secrets of great Italian cooking with an Umbrian chef. Historic sights in Pompeii, a two-night stay in magical Venice, and visits to the hill towns of Orvieto, Assisi, and San Gimignano complement a three-night stay in Rome.

Wind your way past medieval landscapes on a Danube River cruise aboard ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel to discover castles, cathedrals, frescoes and Habsburg palaces in five European countries. Includes land stays featuring two nights each in Prague and Budapest at centrally located 5-star hotels. New for 2010! Two special departures – Musical Magic Along the Blue Danube Glide past fairy-tale castles and medieval villages aboard Tauck's ms Swiss Emerald, ms Swiss Sapphire or ms Swiss Jewel on this popular Danube River cruise. Explore Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Bratislava and Budapest, plus the castle-studded Wachau Valley – taking in views of the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. Enjoy a private Imperial evening with dinner and music in Vienna... a wine tasting in Dürnstein... a day in Mozart's Salzburg... a private tour of Baroque monastery libraries in Prague... and evenings of cultural entertainment aboard your riverboat. In Vienna, see the Hofburg's silver treasures or tour opulent Schönbrunn Palace. Admire frescoes, stained glass windows, and stunning architecture as you spend two nights each in Budapest and Prague in 5-star hotels, checking out remarkable bridges, cathedrals, museums, and grand Habsburg palaces... it's truly a cruise to remember!

Our two-week Eastern Europe and Poland tour includes a visit to medieval Cracow, the memorial at Auschwitz, a private Chopin recital in Warsaw, a special lunch with Gypsy music and a private dinner cruise on the Danube in Budapest, a private concert in Vienna, and a special evening at a palace in Prague. Select Small Group departure dates available with no more than 26 Tauck guests – and special singles savings departures available! Become immersed in culture among the palaces, castles, art, architecture, and music of Old World Europe on this 2-week Eastern Europe and Poland tour. Enjoy Strauss and Mozart at a private palace concert in Vienna... a piano recital of Chopin's music in Warsaw... a private lunch with Gypsy music and a private dinner cruise on the Danube in Budapest... a strudel-making demonstration in Vienna... a special private farewell evening at Lobkowicz Palace in Prague Castle and much more.

Indulge yourself in the unforgettable flavors and vistas of Italy as you travel through the hill-towns and vineyards of Tuscany and Umbria. From the Renaissance treasures of Florence to the grape-laden groves of Siena and all the way to the chocolate hub of Perugia, you will encounter only spectacular scenery and decadent cuisine every step of the way. Trip costs include: Round-trip air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers and escorts The services of a Go Ahead Tour Director A licensed local city guide in Florence, Siena and Perugia 8 nights accommodations in comfortable, well-located hotels with twin beds and private bath or shower All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes Buffet breakfast (B) daily 1 specialty lunch (L) 4 featured, three-course dinners, highlighting local Italian specialties and including wine or beer (D) Private deluxe motorcoach Guided sightseeing and entrance fees to select sights as described Go Ahead travel bag and increased status in our World Traveler Club, including credit toward your next tour Featured Food & Wine Events 3 wine tastings in San Gimignano, Montalcino and Corbara (W) Private Tuscan cooking class

Ah, Paris, “City of Lights,” international capital of fashion and cornerstone of world history. Let the timeless art, air of romance, fascinating culture and delectable cuisine of the world’s most glamorous city tempt all of your senses. To see Paris is to experience a cosmopolitan world that blends fascinating architecture and historic achievements with a contemporary flair. Mayflower Tours has created a magnificent itinerary, combining scheduled tours with optional excursions, giving you ample time to explore this pulsating city on your own. 8 Days • 8 Meals

Enjoy art, architecture and ambiance in London and Paris. Ride the underground to an English café then take a stroll through Hyde Park. See Da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, in Paris's Louvre and then see the famed Eiffel Tower sparkle when is lit up at night. Trip costs include: Round-trip transatlantic air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers and escorts The services of a bilingual Go Ahead Tour Director Private deluxe motorcoach 7 nights accommodation in comfortable, well-located hotels with twin beds and private bath or shower All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes Buffet breakfast (B) daily High-speed Eurostar train transfer and train porterage Go Ahead travel bag and membership in our World Traveler Club, which includes credit toward your next tour Walking on tour: Our City Stays are designed to be as flexible as possible for the modern traveler. There are no included walking tours. If you do plan to take our optional excursions, however, be prepared for some light-to-moderate walking.

See the lands of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland on your 14-day tour. See the city of Hans Christian Andersen, following the footsteps of Hamlet, enjoy the scenery of the Norwegian fjords, cruise to Finland, and see medieval architecture. Trip costs include: Round-trip transatlantic air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers and escorts The services of a multilingual Go Ahead Tour Director A licensed or registered city guide in Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki 10 nights accommodation in comfortable, well-located hotels with twin beds and private bath or shower 2 nights accommodation in comfortable overnight ferry cabins that include twin-bedded rooms with private shower All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes Buffet breakfast (B) daily 4 three-course dinners including wine or beer (D) Private deluxe motorcoach Guided sightseeing and entrance fees to select sights as described Go Ahead travel bag and membership in our World Traveler Club, which includes credit toward your next tour Walking on tour: Most guided sightseeing on Scandinavian Heritage is done by private motorcoach, with some more moderate walking in Stockholm in the city’s Old Town—featuring the typical, medieval-style winding and uneven streets. During free time, take advantage of extremely efficient public transportation in the Scandinavian countries.

Explore the Emerald Isle from Dublin to Killarney, exquisite castles and stunning vistas, where the grass grows “40 shades of green!” Come listen to the legends, hear the music and experience the warmth of friendly Celtic hospitality. Join us in magical Ireland! You'll get to experience: • panoramic city tour of Dublin • Malahide Castle and the coastal villages of North Dublin • Irish dance, music, and song • Belfast, Northern Ireland • Blarney Castle • Killarney • Muckross House and Gardens • Aghadoe Heights and Dunloe Gap • Dingle Peninsula • Charming Kenmare and scenic Lady's View • Adare • and many more! Join us on this incredible journey where the luck of the Irish will be with you! 9 Days • 10 Meals

Tauck's after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums, frescoed cathedrals, priceless art masterpieces, the glory of the Roman Empire, medieval hilltop towns, and the treasures of the Uffizi Gallery are all highlighted on this 8-day Florence, Rome, and Tuscany tour. From Rome's monumental Colosseum to Florence's architectural masterpieces to medieval hill towns, our one-week Umbria, Lazio and Tuscany tour is filled with special experiences – including Tauck's exclusive, after-hours visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel – a rare opportunity to contemplate the inspirational treasures, without the crowds! Three nights in the heart of Rome set the stage for viewing landmark sights such as the Roman Forum, ornate architectural masterpieces such as St. Peter's and preserved ancient hill towns dotting the countryside like Siena, Perugia, Assisi and Orvieto. And art historians and local guides provide the inside story behind Florence's art masterpieces, before your guided visit to the Uffizi Gallery.

Step into history at the crossroads of cultures in Greece, the very cradle of ancient civilization. Discover a place where the mythical Greek gods ruled the world and add your own footprints in the sands of time! You'll get to experience: • Athens • Panathenaic Stadium, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian's Gate, and more • Parthenon and Acropolis Museum • Mykonos • Kusadasi and Patmos • Ephesus • St. John's Monastery and the Grotto of the Apocalypse • Heraklion, Crete • Santorini • Piraeus • Delphi and the Temple of Apollo • Argolis • Mycenae • and many more! 9 Days • 14 Meals

From Tower Bridge in London to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Grand Place in Brussels, enjoy a sampling of some of Europe’s greatest cities and their treasures. Travel on two high-speed trains, including a Chunnel crossing on the Eurostar to the Continent. Get Ready for a Dream Vacation! If you thought the glamour of Europe was out of reach, you’re in for a treat! Join us for the vacation of a lifetime as we tour the glittering cities and beautiful countryside of England, France and Belgium. Discover a treasure trove of historic sites and architectural wonders as you tour Europe’s most vibrant capitals. Browse world-class museums, shop for designer haute couture, and immerse yourself in Old World ambiance. Then sit back, relax, and take in panoramic vistas of lush countryside as you speed by rail to your next exciting destination. A truly indulgent international experience can be yours. Don’t miss out on this chance to experience the splendors of Europe! Join us for an unforgettable journey you’ll remember for a lifetime! 9 Days • 9 Meals

Enjoy your own Age of Discovery with a full week to explore the coastal charm of the Portuguese capital. You'll encounter historic monuments, intricate architecture and fascinating culture. And you'll have plenty of time to relax, another Portuguese tradition! Trip costs include: Round-trip air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers and escorts The services of a Go Ahead Tour Director A licensed local guide in Lisbon 6 nights accommodation in a comfortable, well-located hotel with twin beds and private bath or shower All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes Buffet breakfast (B) daily Private deluxe motorcoach Go Ahead travel bag and membership in our World Traveler Club, which includes credit toward your next tour Walking on tour: Our City Stays are designed to be as flexible as possible for the modern traveler. There are no included walking tours. If you do plan to take our optional excursions, however, be prepared for some light-to-moderate walking.

Family FYI: Did you know that there are nearly 40 separate ancient catacombs beneath the city of Rome? An after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums, a pizza-making lesson in Pisa, a tour of Roman catacombs and multiple-night stays in Florence, Venice and Rome highlight this most family-friendly of Italy tours. Of all of Tauck's popular Italy tours, this is the one designed with your family in mind – on which you'll share the splendors of Italy together! Explore the imperial city of Rome and the legacy of the powerful Roman Empire that ruled the world millennia ago. Look up at the celebrated ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, as well as around at other Vatican treasures, on a special after-hours tour of the Vatican Museums, without the usual crowds! Discover the amazing art masterpieces of fabled Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance; explore Rome's fascinating Catacombs of St. Callistus, deep beneath the Eternal City; travel to the Tuscan city of Pisa and watch a pizza-making demonstration; and explore Orvieto's fascinating medieval tunnels. Take the high-speed Eurostar train to Venice and a remarkable world of Renaissance architecture surrounded by water. Tauck's most family-friendly of Italy tours includes a gondola ride and serenade along Venice's historic canals, a true delight!

Come explore the jewels of the Mediterranean where ancient empires were born. Resplendent architecture, ancient wonders and masterpieces of renowned artists await. Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime tour and explore the wonders of the Mediterranean! Welcome aboard Costa cruises' newest ship: the Costa Pacifica “Beautiful! Passionate! Italian” This is the essence of a Costa Cruise. Sail during the inaugural year aboard the Costa Pacifica a ship that encapsulates all that is best in Costa Cruises. Enjoy tastefully furnished modern staterooms with first-class amenities as well as a gym, sauna and whirlpool, five restaurants, casual dining venues and lounges, casino, shopping gallery, theatre and more. After spending one night in Rome, embark on Costa Pacifica your luxurious home for the next seven nights. Visit the city of Genoa, birthplace of the world’s most famous mariner, Christopher Columbus. Stroll the cobblestone streets of Barcelona’s medieval Gothic Quarter and see Antonio Gaudi’s incredible unfinished cathedral. Then the sun-splashed port of Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Islands of Spain. Feast your eyes on Ottoman art in exotic Tunis, home to an ancient medina and the Roman ruins of Carthage. Discover “The Fortress City” of Valletta, Malta, and next discover the Italy of old in the ancient island-kingdom of Sicily. Then end your cruise with one final night in Rome before returning home. You'll get to experience: • Rome • Genoa • Barcelona • Montserrat • Palma de Mallorca • Tunis • Roman ruins at Carthage • Valletta, Malta • Catania, Sicily • Mt. Etna • Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel • and many more!

In the middle of the Thirty Years War, after months of suffering and death from the plague, the Oberammergauers swore an oath that they would perform the "Play of the Suffering,Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years. At Pentecost 1634, they fulfilled their pledge for the first time. Once again in 2010 this unique tradition will attract visitors from all over the world. Only the inhabitants of Oberammergau are allowed to act on stage and to an audience of 4,800. The artistic background to the set and costumes is provided by the long and still lively tradition of woodcarving and painting, inherited from generation to generation in traditional family businesses since the Middle Ages. Alpine meadows and towering mountains provide a fascinating backdrop, as this deeply moving, centuries-old spectacle is played out by the villagers. Key Features 1. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a performance of the 41st Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany 2. Guaranteed unobstructed-view reserved seating in the center of the Passion Play Theater. 3. Guaranteed hotel accommodations in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau, including all meals, just a short walking distance from the Passion Play Theater. 4. Deluxe hotels throughout the remainder of the tour – City Hilton,Munich; Crowne Plaza The Pitter, Salzburg, Austria, Plaza Hilton,Vienna, Austria 5. Three historic cities in a 10-day itinerary: Munich, Germany, Salzburg and Vienna, Austria 6. An included full-day excursion from Salzburg to the picturesque Berchtesgaden region ideally situated and surrounded by the Bavarian snowcapped Alps with an included lunch. Visit the historic Eagles Nest and Documentation Center filled with World War II history at Obersalzburg and enjoy a cruise on Lake Königssee. 7. Panoramic city tour of Munich, a visit to the Benedictine Abbey in Melk and city tour of Vienna. 8. Welcome dinner in the historic Ratskeller in Marienplatz,Munich and a lovely farewell dinner in a Heurigen Wine Tavern in the Village of Grinzing just outside of Vienna.