Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and get settled into your suite on the Scenic Space-Ship. The afternoon is yours to spend however you like, whether that's wandering through the city streets or staying put on your balcony to take in the Danube views. The ship is all-inclusive, so you can relax without worrying about additional costs.
Landmarks/POIs Danube River - Day 2
Budapest
Several options are available today through the Scenic Freechoice program. You might join a guided tour of Budapest's neighborhoods or head to sites related to Jewish history. If you prefer something more active, there's a hike up to Buda Hill, or you could visit the riverside town of Szentendre instead. For a more low-key day, the thermal baths, Central Market Hall, and ruin bars are all open for independent exploration. The ship leaves later this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth guided coach tour - visit Buda and Pest districts, Várkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge, Széchenyi Square, Elizabeth Square, and piano recital at Institute for the Blind
- Budapest's Jewish History guided tour - includes Synagogue, cemetery, memorial park, and Jewish Museum (not available on Saturday)
- Excursion to Szentendre - guided tour of riverside town known for museums, galleries and artists
- Guided hike to Buda Hill - World Heritage site with views over Danube River and city architecture
- Thermal bath experience - relax in Budapest's therapeutic waters
- Central Market Hall exploration - largest market in the city, neo-gothic style
- Ruin bars in Jewish Quarter - entertainment in old, abandoned WWII-era buildings
Landmarks/POIs Buda Hill Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Central Market Hall Jewish Quarter Institute for the Blind Szentendre Várkert Bazár - Day 3
Budapest to Bratislava
As the ship heads toward Vienna, you'll have time to relax on the Sun Deck or try the Salt Therapy Lounge. Later, you'll dock in Bratislava's city center where you can choose between a guided walking tour of the Old Town and medieval sites, or head into local wine cellars for tastings. Both options let you experience different sides of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Bratislava - explore highlights including Hlavné Námestie main square, Old Town Hall, and learn about Iron Curtain era history
- Wines of Slovakia - wine tasting in Bratislava's cellars featuring regional wines from various Slovakian regions
Landmarks/POIs Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie Old Town Hall Bratislava Old Town - Day 4
Bratislava to Vienna
Vienna offers multiple directions through Scenic Freechoice. You could tour Schonbrunn Palace, take an e-bike ride to Danube Island, walk through the city center, or spend time at the Belvedere Museum. After lunch, the afternoon opens up for your own exploration or time aboard the ship. By evening, there's a private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein that you won't want to miss.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Classical concert dinner at Palais Liechtenstein)
Included Activities
- Exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein - performance by renowned orchestra featuring Strauss and Mozart with ballet dancers and vocalists, includes glass of Austrian Sekt
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace tour - explore ornately designed rooms, royal family history, and impressive gardens
- Cycle to Danube Island - guided e-bike tour to recreational playground with bathing, boating, cycling, and beaches
- Central Vienna with extended free time - guided tour of city centre with expert local guide and personal exploration time
- Belvedere Museum - explore Baroque landmark with greatest collection of Austrian art from Middle Ages to present, including works by Monet, van Gogh, and Beckmann
Landmarks/POIs Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island Vienna City Centre Belvedere Museum Palais Liechtenstein - Day 5
Vienna to Melk
The ship docks in Durnstein, a small town surrounded by vineyards and old stone buildings. You'll have time to wander around at your own pace before sailing through the Wachau Valley, where you'll see sloping vineyards and small villages from the deck. Later, you'll reach Melk to visit the Benedictine Abbey, which is on the UNESCO list. There's also a chance to try local specialties like apricot dumplings and schnapps from Wachau Valley producers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Wachau Valley local producer experience - sample apricot dumplings and local schnapps with regional producer on board
Optional Activities
- E-biking from Dürnstein to Melk - guided e-bike ride through Danube scenery, small villages and rolling vineyards with river view stops
- Glorious Melk Abbey guided tour - 18th-century Benedictine Abbey with 900-year-old halls, Marble Hall, library with 80,000+ books, Abbey Church with frescoes and statues
- Artstetten Castle - meet current owners of 13th-century castle, former home of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, visit family crypt and on-site museum
Landmarks/POIs Dürnstein Dürnstein Castle Wachau Valley Melk Benedictine Abbey Artstetten Castle - Day 6
Melk to Passau
Today you choose between three full-day excursions. Salzburg includes a guided tour and lunch. Cesky Krumlov, a UNESCO medieval town, comes with a local guide and lunch as well. Or you can stay on the ship for a scenic cruise through Passau, where you'll see the Old Town built on a peninsula and St. Stephens Cathedral with its famous large Catholic church organ.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - coach journey from Brandstatt, guided tour of storybook city, visit Mozart's birthplace and Hohensalzburg fortress, lunch at local restaurant, free exploration time, return to ship in Passau
- Full day excursion to Cesky Krumlov - coach journey from Brandstatt to UNESCO World Heritage medieval town, guided exploration of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture on Vltava River banks, lunch at local restaurant, free exploration time, return to ship in Passau
- Highlights of Passau - stay on board for scenic cruise to Passau, visit Old Town at confluence of Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers, explore St. Stephens Cathedral with Italian-style exterior, Baroque interior, and world's largest Catholic church organ (17,974 pipes, 233 registers)
Landmarks/POIs Salzburg Mozart's Birthplace Hohensalzburg Fortress Salzach River Cesky Krumlov Vltava River Passau Old Town St. Stephens Cathedral Danube River - Day 7
Passau to Regensburg
You'll arrive in Regensburg, a city with 2,000 years of history and one of Germany's best-preserved medieval centers featuring over 900 buildings on the UNESCO list. Freechoice activities this afternoon include a walking tour of the Old Town, a ferry ride to Weltenburg Abbey that has its own brewery, or a guided hike up to Thurn and Taxis Castle. Pick what appeals to you most.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensberg - afternoon tour of Old Town with local guide, see perfectly preserved medieval buildings overlooking the Danube
- Weltenburg Abbey - ferry through Danube Gorge to oldest monastery in Bavaria (founded ~600 AD), explore Abbey and Cloister Church, sample award-winning on-site beer brewed since 1050 (oldest monastic brewery in the world)
- Thurn and Taxis Active Walking Tour - guided walk from ship to castle with tour and free time, learn about German noble family history dating back to 12th century
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg Old Town Weltenburg Abbey Danube Gorge Thurn und Taxis Castle - Day 8
Regensburg to Nuremberg
You'll leave the Scenic Space-Ship and transfer to Nuremberg, a medieval city filled with history. The Old Town has impressive city walls and historic buildings, plus an active arts scene, markets, and good restaurants. There's plenty to see and experience once you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg Old Town Nuremberg City Walls - Day 9
Nuremberg
A local guide leads a walking tour through Nuremberg's medieval streets, covering the Imperial Castle grounds and highlights like St. Lawrence Church and the busy market square. After lunch, the afternoon is free so you can explore on your own. Consider visiting the Documentation Center to learn about WWII history, walking along the medieval city walls, or spending time in one of the local beer gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Nuremberg - explore Imperial Castle grounds, Old Town, St. Lawrence Church, and market square with expert local guide
Optional Activities
- Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds - learn about Nuremberg's WWII history
- Wander medieval city walls
- Beer gardens - explore charming local beer gardens throughout the city
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Castle St. Lawrence Church Nuremberg Market Square Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds - Day 10
Nuremberg to Departure
Your journey ends today.
