This week, we’re setting off on an exciting journey aboard Tauck’s Swiss Jewel.

Beginning September 27, 2012, our Live Voyage Report hosted by From the Deck Chair will transport us from the Hungarian capital of Budapest to the wonderfully medieval city of Prague over the course of 12 days. Here on River Cruise Advisor, we’ll have frequent updates along the way that highlight both the places and fascinating river cruise ships we meet along the way.

This region of Europe continues to fascinate me, because you can’t throw a Euro five feet without hitting something wonderfully historic. Vienna today is every bit the cultural epicentre that it was during the late 1800’s, and it doesn’t take much to fall in love with small German towns like Passau and Regensburg, the latter of which is home to the oldest continually-operating sausage house in the entire country.

While I first visited many of these cities last December during my Christmas Markets cruise, my voyage aboard Tauck’s Swiss Jewel will give me the opportunity to experience Europe during the fall months. I truly cannot get enough of this charming region.

Some ports will also be new for me, like Durnstein and Prague. I’ll also have to make a decision of whether to visit Cesky Krumlov or Salzburg while docked in Linz, Austria. I think Cesky Krumlov is winning!

Of course, Tauck is helping to make my journey as hassle-free as possible, as evident by the great documentation I received a few weeks back. While many cruise lines are beginning to move away from printed documentation, Tauck’s is as thorough and comprehensive as anything I’ve seen in a long time.

The printed, coil-bound booklet comes complete with a green luggage tag printed on heavy cardstock, ensuring it won’t get ripped off by aggressive baggage-handlers. But what really impressed me about Viking’s cruise documentation is that it contains everything I could possibly need for my journey, including my airline booking code, flight numbers, connection times, contact information for the hotels in Prague and Budapest, and contact information for the ship, plus my stateroom assignment.

So follow along with us as we whisk you on a magical adventure along the Danube!