Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and check into your hotel in the 9th Arrondissement, also known as the Opera district. This area is home to the Palais Garnier opera house and the grand Belle Epoque department stores that line the streets. Get settled and take time to explore your neighborhood or rest after your journey.
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs Elysees Arc de Triomphe Seine Palais Garnier Printemps Galeries Lafayette - Day 2
Paris
Start with pain au chocolat and café au lait, then pick your own path for the day. You can take a panoramic city tour to see the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees, or head to Montmartre and visit a hidden winery. In the afternoon, check out the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay, browse vintage stores and flea markets, or simply grab a pastry and have a picnic in one of the city's parks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Panoramic city tour
- Scenic Freechoice - Explore Bohemian Paris Montmartre
Optional Activities
- Visit The Louvre
- Visit Musée d'Orsay
- Visit Centre Pompidou
- Shopping at designer boutiques
- Browse vintage stores and flea markets
- Patisseries and boulangeries visits
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs Elysees Arc de Triomphe Montmartre Sacre-Coeur The Louvre Musée d'Orsay Centre Pompidou - Day 3
Paris
You have the whole day to explore Paris on your own terms. Wander through the Latin Quarter, La Défense, Place Vendôme, or Le Marais. Visit museums, take a literary tour following spots loved by Victor Hugo and Hemingway, or just walk around like a flâneur, popping into cafes and bookstores whenever something catches your eye.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Musée des Arts et Métiers
- Visit Musée Carnavalet
- Literary tour of Paris
- Explore Latin Quarter
- Explore La Défense
- Explore Place Vendôme
- Explore Le Marais
- Shopping and browsing galleries
Landmarks Latin Quarter La Défense Place Vendôme Le Marais Musée des Arts et Métiers Musée Carnavalet - Day 4
Paris to Amsterdam
Travel by high-speed train to Amsterdam and board your river ship. After you settle in, head to the welcome reception this evening to toast the journey ahead and meet fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception)
Included Activities
- Welcome reception
- Day 5
Amsterdam
Explore Amsterdam's canal system with its 16th century houses and bridges. Choose a one-hour canal cruise past The Skinny Bridge and Anne Frank's House, or take a walking tour with herring tasting. Alternatively, travel to Schermerhorn to see authentic windmills and the charming town of Alkmaar. By afternoon, the ship sails toward Cologne.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Canal cruise
- Scenic Freechoice - Walking tour of Amsterdam with herring tasting
- Scenic Freechoice - Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar
Landmarks Gentleman's Canal The Skinny Bridge Prince's Canal Old Lord Mayor's House The Seven Bridges Anne Frank's House Brewer's Canal Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 6
Cologne
You'll arrive in Cologne after a leisurely morning on the river. Take a walking tour through the Old Town to check out breweries serving Kösch beer, then visit Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic World Heritage site from 1248. Browse the Christmas markets with over 100 stalls selling gifts, ornaments, and mulled wine. The ship departs just before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town
- Visit Cologne Cathedral
- Christmas Markets exploration
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Old Town Cologne - Day 7
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
Cruise through the Rhine Gorge, a World Heritage stretch with roughly 40 hilltop castles dotting the landscape across 1,000 years. You'll learn about Rhine mythology and the legend of Lorelei. After lunch, get off in Rüdesheim, surrounded by steep vineyards with half-timbered houses. Take a mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with around 350 instruments, then explore the charming streets with bars, cafes and markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rhine Gorge cruise
- Mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Siegfried's Museum visit
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelei Rock Rüdesheim Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 8
Miltenberg to Wertheim
Arrive in Miltenberg on the Main River. Choose your excursion: tour Wertheim and visit a winery, tour Gamburg Castle and meet the Baron and Baroness, visit a farm to see animals and taste local food, or visit a schnapps distillery. After your outing, board in Wertheim and sail to Würzburg overnight with entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Onboard entertainment this evening as you sail through the night)
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Wertheim tour and winery visit
- Scenic Freechoice - Gamburg Castle tour with Baron and Baroness reception
- Scenic Freechoice - Miltenberg tour and local farm visit
- Scenic Freechoice - Schnapps tasting excursion
Landmarks Miltenberg Main River Wertheim Gamburg Castle - Day 9
Würzburg
Arrive in Würzburg, a Baroque city surrounded by vineyards. You can take a guided city tour and visit the Würzburg Residence with its beautiful gardens and browse Christmas markets, or take a coach along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber to see the well-preserved medieval old town and Gothic City Hall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Guided city tour and Würzburg Residence
- Scenic Freechoice - Romantic Road to Rothenburg with guided tour
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Würzburg Market Square Old Main Bridge Romantic Road Rothenburg ob der Tauber Rothenburg City Hall City Councillors' Tavern - Day 10
Bamberg
Arrive in Bamberg, a UNESCO-listed town built on seven hills with cobblestoned streets. Explore the Old Town Hall sitting on its own island, the Gothic and Romanesque cathedral, and the charming 'Little Venice.' You'll also see a 12th century castle on the highest hill and walk through one of Europe's largest intact medieval city centers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour of Bamberg
- Bamberg Old Town exploration
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Old Residence Bamberg New Residence Bamberg Little Venice Bamberg Bamberg Castle - Day 11
Nuremberg
Arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city with an Old Town surrounded by ancient walls and dominated by the 12th century Imperial Castle. This city has complex WWII history. You can take a walking tour of the Old Town to see the Imperial Castle and St. Egidien's Church, or choose a WWII tour learning about the Rally Grounds and post-war trials.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Walking tour of Nuremberg Old Town
- Scenic Freechoice - WWII tour including Rally Grounds and Memorium Nurnberger Prozesse
Landmarks Imperial Castle Nuremberg Nuremberg Old Town St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Market Square Rally Grounds Nuremberg Memorium Nurnberger Prozesse - Day 12
Regensburg
Arrive in Regensburg after lunch. This city has 2,000 years of history with one of Germany's best-preserved medieval centers featuring over 900 UNESCO World Heritage listed buildings. Take a walking tour to see the old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria while learning about local customs during the festive season.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg
- View old stone bridge
- Visit Church of St James
- See Porta Praetoria
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Regensburg Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria Bavarian Forest - Day 13
Danube Region
Pick from three different full-day options. Head to Salzburg, Austria on a coach to see Mozart's birthplace and Hohensalzburg fortress, or travel to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic with its Gothic and Baroque architecture. Otherwise, stay local with a Highlights of Passau walking tour through the Old Town's colorful buildings and St. Stephen's Cathedral with its massive Catholic church organ.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant (Salzburg and Cesky Krumlov excursions)), Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Full day excursion to Salzburg
- Scenic Freechoice - Full day excursion to Cesky Krumlov
- Scenic Freechoice - Highlights of Passau walking tour
Landmarks Salzburg Mozart's Birthplace Hohensalzburg Fortress Salzach River Cesky Krumlov Vltava River Passau St. Stephens Cathedral - Day 14
Durnstein to Krems
Dock early in Durnstein in Austria's Wachau Valley. After exploring, cruise to Krems. Choose to visit the renovated Göttweig Abbey from the 6th century, take an e-bike tour along the Danube through villages and vineyards, or have a wine tasting at a local winemaker's. This afternoon in Krems, a local producer will share regional specialties like apricot dumplings onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Regional delicacies tasting - Apricot dumplings and local schnapps)
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Göttweig Abbey visit
- Scenic Freechoice - E-biking from Durnstein to Krems
- Scenic Freechoice - Wachau Valley wine tasting
- Regional delicacies tasting onboard - Apricot dumplings and local schnapps
Landmarks Durnstein Wachau Valley Göttweig Abbey Krems Danube River - Day 15
Vienna
Arrive early in Vienna, the City of Music. Take a coach to the city center for a walking tour highlighting the Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Belvedere Palace. The ship stays overnight, so you're free to explore or relax. This evening, attend an exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein featuring Strauss and Mozart performed by a renowned orchestra.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt - Scenic Enrich experience)
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from ship to Vienna city centre
- Walking tour of Vienna highlights
- Scenic Enrich - Private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt
Landmarks Vienna Opera House St. Stephen's Cathedral Belvedere Palace Palais Liechtenstein - Day 16
Vienna
Spend a full day in Vienna during the festive season with the Ringstrasse lit up with Christmas lights. Choose to explore Schönbrunn Palace with its ornate rooms and gardens, take a guided e-bike tour to Danube Island for recreational activities, or do a Hidden Gems walking tour discovering hidden history and architecture with extended free time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Schönbrunn Palace exploration
- Scenic Freechoice - E-bike tour to Danube Island
- Scenic Freechoice - Hidden Gems of Vienna walking tour
Landmarks Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island - Day 17
Budapest
Arrive in Budapest, divided by the Danube and united in 1873. The city is an architectural treasure with styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau. During Christmas, twinkling lights fill the streets. You can take a coach tour of both Buda and Pest districts, explore the Hospital in the Rock with its WWII and nuclear bunker history, relax in the Széchenyi Thermal Baths with 18 geothermal pools, or hike through Buda for views over the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Budapest in Depth coach tour
- Scenic Freechoice - Hospital in the Rock visit
- Scenic Freechoice - Széchenyi Thermal Baths
- Scenic Freechoice - Guided hike of Buda district
Landmarks Budapest Danube River Varkert Bazar Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Széchenyi Thermal Baths Buda District - Day 18
Budapest to Prague
Travel by coach to Prague and check into your hotel in the city center for three nights. Get oriented and start getting a feel for this historic city situated on the Vltava River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 19
Prague
This morning, take a guided tour with a local expert revealing Prague's Gothic secrets. Explore the red-roofed Old Town with its maze of cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and bustling squares. Visit the Old Town Hall to see the 14th-century Astronomical Clock with its procession of the 12 Apostles. The rest of the day is free to wander and explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague Old Town
- Visit Old Town Hall
- Watch 14th-century Astronomical Clock
Landmarks Prague Old Town Old Town Hall Astronomical Clock Vltava River - Day 20
Prague
You have the morning free. Rise early to walk across Charles Bridge without crowds, or relax in cafes around the Old Town. This afternoon, choose a Communist Walk with a local guide and brewery visit, a Prague Castle tour to see St. Vitus Cathedral and the Golden Lane, or a Terezin Memorial excursion to a former WWII concentration camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice - Communist Walk of Prague with brewery visit
- Scenic Freechoice - Prague Castle tour
- Scenic Freechoice - Terezin Memorial excursion
Landmarks Charles Bridge Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Old Royal Palace Golden Lane Terezin Terezin Memorial - Day 21
Prague Departure
You'll depart Prague today, taking with you memories of this charismatic city and the incredible journey along the Rhine and Danube rivers.
