Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
Your trip starts in Budapest this afternoon when you board the Scenic Space-Ship. Get settled into your suite and head to the welcome reception where you'll raise a glass with fellow travelers. The ship is all-inclusive, so everything's covered from here on out.
Landmarks/POIs Danube River 
- Day 2
Budapest
Budapest offers several options depending on what interests you. Take a guided coach tour of the city, go underground to the Hospital in the Rock, or hike through Buda if you prefer something more active. After lunch, spend your afternoon checking out Christmas markets or riding the special tram around the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Budapest in depth - Guided coach tour of Buda and Pest
- Hospital in the Rock - Underground tour of WWII hospital and nuclear bunker
- Guided hike of Buda - Walking tour through gardens with Danube views
Optional Activities
- Visit Christmas markets
- Ride special tram through the city
Landmarks/POIs Varkert Bazar Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock - Day 3
Budapest to Vienna
The ship cruises toward Vienna while you enjoy Danube views from your suite. Once you arrive in Austria's capital this afternoon, you'll have free time to walk around and see the sights. Later, head to Palais Liechtenstein for a private classical concert with Austrian Sekt and an orchestra performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein - with glass of Austrian Sekt, performances of Strauss and Mozart, ballet dancers and vocalists
Optional Activities
- Explore Vienna independently
Landmarks/POIs Palais Liechtenstein - Day 4
Vienna
Vienna gives you a full day to explore. Visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum, take a guided city tour, see Schönbrunn Palace, or take an excursion to nearby Bratislava. In the afternoon, shuttles can bring you to Christmas markets if you want more holiday shopping before heading back to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Kunsthistorisches Museum - Visit superb museum with pieces from ancient Egypt to 18th century
- Guided tour of Vienna - Coach and walking tour of Ringstrasse, Urania, Stadtpark, Strauss Monument, and State Opera
- Schönbrunn Palace - Explore former Habsburg summer residence with ornate rooms and gardens
- Excursion to Bratislava - Visit Slovakia's capital with guided tour of Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie and Old Town Hall
Optional Activities
- Visit Christmas markets via available shuttles
Landmarks/POIs Kunsthistorisches Museum Ringstrasse Urania Stadtpark Strauss Monument State Opera Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie - Day 5
Krems and Dürnstein
The ship docks in Krems in Austria's Wachau Valley. Choose between exploring Göttweig Abbey, visiting a local winemaker for tastings, or e-biking along the Danube to Dürnstein. Later, explore the World Heritage town of Dürnstein and browse its Christmas market before returning to the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Göttweig Abbey - Guided tour of 6th century abbey with Baroque staircase and frescoes
- Wachau Valley wine tasting - Visit local winemaker and sample Austrian wines
- E-biking from Krems to Dürnstein - Guided e-bike tour along Danube with scenic vineyard views
Optional Activities
- Explore Dürnstein independently
- Browse Dürnstein Christmas market
Landmarks/POIs Göttweig Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein Castle - Day 6
Passau
Arrive in Passau, a historic trading town where three rivers meet. You can take a full day excursion to Salzburg, visit Czech Český Krumlov, or stay in Passau for a walking tour that includes St Stephens Cathedral and the Christmas markets. Something works for every type of traveler here.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - Guided tour with Mozart's birthplace and Hohensalzburg fortress, lunch at local restaurant
- Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov - Guided tour of World Heritage town with Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, lunch at local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau - Guided walking tour with St Stephens Cathedral and Christmas market exploration
Landmarks/POIs St Stephens Cathedral Hohensalzburg Fortress Mozart's Birthplace Ceský Krumlov - Day 7
Regensburg
Pull into Regensburg just before lunch. This 2,000-year-old Medieval town has five Christmas markets scattered throughout. Take a guided walking tour of the Old Stone Bridge and historic sites, or visit Thurn und Taxis Castle to see its magical Christmas markets and grounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg - Guided tour of Medieval city including Old Stone Bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria
- Thurn und Taxis Tour - Guided tour of castle followed by free time at markets
Optional Activities
- Browse Regensburg Christmas markets on Neupfarrplatz
- Explore Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace
Landmarks/POIs Old Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria Thurn und Taxis Castle Neupfarrplatz - Day 8
Nuremberg
Arrive in Nuremberg this afternoon and head into Bavaria's second-largest city. The Christkindlesmarkt is one of the world's oldest Christmas markets and it's quite something. Choose a guided walking tour of the Old Town, a World War II tour, or try a gingerbread cooking class for something different.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of the Old Town - Guided tour including Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church, and market square
- World War II tour - Guided tour of key Nazi regime sites in Nuremberg
- Gingerbread cooking class - Learn to bake traditional German Lebkuchen from local chef
Optional Activities
- Browse Christkindlesmarkt Christmas market
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Christkindlesmarkt - Day 9
Bamberg
Dock in Bamberg early in the morning. This World Heritage town spreads across seven hills with cobblestoned streets and medieval buildings. A guided tour takes you through the charming island Town Hall, the Gothic cathedral, and the historic Residences that define the skyline.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg - Explore Medieval town including Town Hall, cathedral, and Residences
Landmarks/POIs Bamberg Old Town - Day 10
Würzburg
Cruise to Würzburg, a beautiful Baroque and Rococo city in Franconia's wine country surrounded by vineyards. Visit the World Heritage Würzburg Residence with a guided tour, or travel the Romantic Road to medieval Rothenburg which has a 500-year-old Christmas market you won't want to miss.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided city tour and Würzburg Residence - Visit Baroque palace with gardens, paintings, tapestries and period furniture, then explore city
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg - Coach journey along historic trade route with guided tour of medieval Old Town and 500-year-old Christmas market
Landmarks/POIs Würzburg Residence Rothenburg Gothic and Renaissance City Hall City Councillors' Tavern - Day 11
Wertheim and Miltenberg
This morning, relax onboard or book a spa massage and visit the Salt Therapy Lounge if you need to unwind. Afternoon brings a dock in Wertheim for a guided Christmas market tour, then you'll coach to Miltenberg for another guided tour before returning to the ship for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Wertheim - Christmas market exploration
- Guided tour of Miltenberg - Historic town with half-timbered houses and Zum Riesen inn
Optional Activities
- Spa massage onboard
- Salt Therapy Lounge visit
Landmarks/POIs Wertheim Miltenberg Zum Riesen - Day 12
Rüdesheim
Disembark in Rüdesheim after lunch, surrounded by steep vineyards. Explore the historic center with its half-timbered houses and wine taverns. Take a mini train up to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum which holds over 350 self-playing instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Tour of 350 self-playing instruments from 18th and 19th century
Optional Activities
- Explore Rüdesheim Christmas market
- Visit wine taverns and beer gardens
Landmarks/POIs Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 13
Rhine Gorge and Cologne
Cruise through the Rhine Gorge and spot 40 hilltop castles that span 1,000 years of history. Arrive in Cologne this afternoon and walk through the Old Town to see the World Heritage Cologne Cathedral. Browse the Christmas markets and enjoy extra free time before the ship departs later than usual.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Cologne Old Town - Including World Heritage Cologne Cathedral and historic buildings
Optional Activities
- Explore Cologne Christmas markets independently
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge Cologne Cathedral - Day 14
Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam this afternoon, a UNESCO-listed city filled with canals, historic bridges, and beautiful 17th century buildings. Take a canal cruise, join a guided walking tour with herring tasting, or venture out to Schermerhorn windmills and the charming town of Alkmaar nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canal cruise - One-hour cruise seeing Golden Age mansions, warehouses and bridges
- City walking tour - Guided exploration of canals, bridges, history, Dutch culture and herring tasting
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar - Visit 16th-century windmills and historic town
Optional Activities
- Explore Amsterdam independently
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal System Schermerhorn Alkmaar 
- Day 15
Tour Conclusion
Your journey wraps up this morning. Say farewell to your fellow travelers and the Scenic crew, and head home with memories from a full week on the Danube during the Christmas season.
- Meals
- Breakfast
