Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam this afternoon and board your luxury river ship. After settling into your suite with river views, you'll head to the welcome reception this evening. The city's historic canals and 17th-century buildings create a festive Christmas backdrop for the start of your journey.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Scenic Space-Ship embarkation and suite check-in
- Welcome reception on board
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal System - Day 2
Amsterdam
This morning you can choose how to spend your time in Amsterdam. Take a one-hour canal cruise along the historic waterways, join a guided walking tour to learn about Dutch culture and local herring, or head out to see the windmills near Schermerhorn and the cheese town of Alkmaar. By afternoon, your ship sets sail toward Cologne.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of three Scenic Freechoice experiences: Canal cruise, Walking tour of Amsterdam, or Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar
Landmarks/POIs Gentleman's Canal The Skinny Bridge Prince's Canal Anne Frank's House Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 3
Cologne
You'll dock in Cologne, a city known for its beer culture and the Gothic cathedral that dominates the skyline. Walk through the historic Old Town and check out Cologne Cathedral along with its Christmas markets. After exploring the festive treats and mulled wine, your ship departs just before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Cologne Old Town
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral (Kolner Dom)
- Access to Cologne Christmas Markets
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral (Kolner Dom) Cologne Old Town Cologne Christmas Markets - Day 4
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
Today you'll cruise through the Rhine Gorge, a 65-kilometre stretch with roughly 40 hilltop castles and fortresses. You'll hear the legend of Lorelei during the journey, then grab lunch before heading to Rüdesheim. In this charming town surrounded by steep vineyards, you can ride a mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum and browse the Christmas markets and wine taverns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic cruise through World Heritage Rhine Gorge
- Mini train transfer to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Exploration of Rüdesheim Christmas markets and town
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge (Upper Middle Rhine Valley) Lorelei Rock Rüdesheim Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 5
Miltenberg to Wertheim
After arriving in Miltenberg on the Main River, you have four options to choose from. Visit a winery and the town of Wertheim, tour Gamburg Castle where the Baron and Baroness will greet you, explore a local farm to meet the owners and taste their specialties, or attend a schnapps tasting at a local distiller. Later, you'll board your ship in Wertheim and head toward Würzburg.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (On-board entertainment dinner)
Included Activities
- Choice of four Scenic Freechoice experiences: Wertheim tour and winery, Gamburg Castle tour with private reception, Miltenberg farm visit, or Schnapps tasting
Landmarks/POIs Miltenberg Wertheim Gamburg Castle - Day 6
Würzburg
You'll arrive in Würzburg, a Baroque city in the heart of Franconian wine country. Pick between a guided tour of the World Heritage Würzburg Residence and Christmas markets, or travel along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, a medieval town with well-preserved architecture and festive markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of two Scenic Freechoice experiences: Guided city tour & Würzburg Residence with Christmas markets, or Romantic Road to Rothenburg
Landmarks/POIs Würzburg Residence Würzburg Market Square Romantic Road Rothenburg Rothenburg City Hall City Councillors' Tavern - Day 7
Bamberg
Bamberg welcomes you this morning, a UNESCO-listed town built on seven hills with surprises around every corner. You'll explore cobblestoned streets, medieval buildings, and the unique Old Town Hall that sits on its own island. During the guided city tour this afternoon, you'll see one of Europe's largest intact medieval town centres with its Gothic and Romanesque cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Bamberg Old Town
Landmarks/POIs Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Cathedral Bamberg Old Town Hall Bamberg Old Residence Bamberg New Residence Bamberg Little Venice - Day 8
Nuremberg
You're in Nuremberg now, Bavaria's second-largest city surrounded by ancient city walls with the 12th-century Imperial Castle towering above. Choose between a walking tour of the Old Town that includes the Imperial Castle and St. Egidien's Church, or explore a WWII history tour covering the Rally Grounds and the Memorium Nurnberger Prozesse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of two Scenic Freechoice experiences: Walking tour of Old Town, or Trials and tribulations of WWII Tour
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Castle Nuremberg Old Town St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Market Square Memorium Nurnberger Prozesse - Day 9
Regensburg
After lunch you'll arrive in Regensburg, a 2,000-year-old city with one of Germany's best-preserved medieval town centres containing over 900 Romanesque and Gothic buildings. During the guided walking tour, you'll see the old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria while learning about regional customs and traditions during the festive season.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Regensburg
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg Old Town Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 10
Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov, or Passau
You'll disembark in Brandstatt this morning with three full-day options. Travel to Salzburg, Austria for Mozart's birthplace and Hohensalzburg fortress with lunch and Christmas market time, or visit the medieval UNESCO town of Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic with its Gothic and Baroque architecture. Another choice is exploring Passau's colourful buildings and St. Stephen's Cathedral with its 17,974-pipe organ. You'll return to your ship in Passau by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant in Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov (depending on excursion chosen)), Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of three full-day Scenic Freechoice excursions: Salzburg with guided tour and lunch, Cesky Krumlov with guided tour and lunch, or Highlights of Passau walking tour
Landmarks/POIs Salzburg Mozart's Birthplace Hohensalzburg Castle Salzburg Christmas Markets Cesky Krumlov Cesky Krumlov Old Town Passau St. Stephen's Cathedral - Day 11
Dürnstein and Krems
You'll dock early in Dürnstein, Austria, located in the scenic Wachau Valley. Before heading to Krems, you can visit the renovated Göttweig Abbey with its magnificent Baroque staircase and frescoes, take an e-bike tour along the Danube through vineyards and charming villages, or attend a wine tasting at a local Wachau Valley winemaker. This afternoon in Krems brings a special tasting of regional delicacies including apricot dumplings and local schnapps.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of three Scenic Freechoice experiences: Göttweig Abbey tour, E-biking from Dürnstein to Krems, or Wachau Valley wine tasting
- Regional delicacies tasting on board in Krems with Apricot dumplings and local schnapps
Landmarks/POIs Dürnstein Wachau Valley Krems Göttweig Abbey - Day 12
Vienna
You'll arrive early in Vienna, the City of Music and Austria's imperial capital where Mozart and Beethoven created their masterpieces. A coach takes you to the city centre for a guided walking tour past the Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Belvedere Palace. Your ship stays overnight, so you can explore the city or relax on board. This evening, attend an exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with a glass of Austrian Sekt.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from ship to Vienna city centre
- Guided walking tour of Vienna highlights including Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Belvedere Palace
- Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt
Landmarks/POIs Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Belvedere Palace Palais Liechtenstein - Day 13
Vienna
Spend this day in Vienna during the festive season with dazzling Christmas lights illuminating the Ringstrasse, the world's most beautiful boulevard. You'll experience the city's musical heritage with classical pieces and festive tunes. Choose from three options: explore Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens, take an e-bike tour to Danube Island for recreation and scenic views, or join a guided tour of Vienna's hidden gems with extended free time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of three Scenic Freechoice experiences: Schönbrunn Palace, Cycle to Danube Island, or Hidden Gems of Vienna
Landmarks/POIs Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island - Day 14
Budapest
Budapest appears as you arrive, where the Danube divides Buda and Pest before they united in 1873 when a bridge connected them. This architectural treasure features styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau, and Christmas transforms it with twinkling lights, wooden market stalls, and festive scents. You can explore both districts by coach, venture underground to Hospital in the Rock from WWII, relax in the grand Széchenyi Thermal Baths, or take a guided hike through Buda with river and city views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Choice of four Scenic Freechoice experiences: Budapest in Depth coach tour, Hospital in the Rock tour, Széchenyi Thermal Baths, or Guided hike of Buda
Landmarks/POIs Budapest Buda Pest Margaret Bridge Varkert Bazar Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Széchenyi Thermal Baths - Day 15
Departure
After breakfast this morning, you'll depart with wonderful memories from your Danube River Christmas cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
