Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
You'll arrive in Prague, a city that's been standing for over 1,000 years and sits right where the Vltava River splits the old and new districts. The streets are decked out with holiday decorations and market stalls this time of year, plus there's a good chance you'll see some snow creating that festive atmosphere Prague's known for.
Landmarks Vltava River Old Town New Town 
- Day 2
Prague
Start your morning with a local guide walking through the Old Town to see the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge, which was commissioned back in 1357. After that, the afternoon is yours to wander around and soak in the architecture. The Old Town Square has its Christmas market set up, and you won't miss the city's tallest Christmas tree nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague including Old Town, Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge
- Exploration of Prague at leisure in the afternoon
Landmarks Old Town Astronomical Clock Charles Bridge Old Town Square Vltava River 
- Day 3
Prague
Today you pick what interests you most. You can learn about Communist-era history with a brewery beer tasting, visit the Theresienstadt Ghetto at Terezin Memorial, or head to Prague Castle's complex that includes St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and the charming Golden Lane.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Communist walk of Prague with beer tasting - guided walking tour of Prague's famous sites and hidden gems with local brewery visit
- Terezin Memorial - visit to the town of Terezin, former military fortress and location of the Theresienstadt Ghetto
- Prague Castle Tour - exploration of Prague Castle complex including St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Old Royal Palace Golden Lane Terezin Memorial - Day 4
Prague to Budapest
Your coach travels from Prague to Budapest where you'll board your Scenic Space-Ship cruise vessel. It's a travel day, so you'll spend most of it getting to your ship and settling in for the river portion of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coach transfer to Budapest
- Boarding the Scenic Space-Ship
- Day 5
Budapest
Budapest comes into view with its mix of Gothic to Art Nouveau architecture. The city's thermal baths and hot springs are famous, and during the holidays the Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and decorated trams add to the atmosphere. You'll choose a morning activity, then have the afternoon free to explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Budapest in depth - coach tour exploring Buda's Várkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge, and Pest's Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square
- Hospital in the Rock - underground exploration of labyrinths including WWII secret hospital and nuclear bunker
- Guided hike of Buda - walking tour through the Buda district with views of Varket Bazar, landscaped gardens, Danube River, and city architecture
Landmarks Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Danube River - Day 6
Budapest to Vienna
Your cruise heads toward Vienna with scenic views along the way. You'll arrive in Austria's capital this afternoon to find a city known for its music and art heritage. After settling in, you'll attend an exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein featuring Strauss and Mozart performed by a renowned orchestra, with Austrian Sekt served.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Private classical concert dinner at Palais Liechtenstein)
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich - exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with glass of Austrian Sekt
Optional Activities
- Free exploration of Vienna
Landmarks Palais Liechtenstein Danube River - Day 7
Vienna
A full day in Vienna means choosing between a morning activity like a museum visit, guided city tour, or palace exploration. In the afternoon, shuttles take you to the Christmas markets scattered around the city. Your ship stays docked overnight so you can return at your leisure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Kunsthistorisches Museum - superb museum housing pieces from ancient Egypt to 18th century with works by painting masters including largest collection of Pieter Bruegel the Elder
- Guided tour of Vienna - coach and walking city tour including Ringstrasse boulevard, Urania, Stadtpark, Strauss Monument, and State Opera
- Schönbrunn Palace - exploration of former summer residence of Habsburg family with ornately designed rooms, royal family history, and impressive gardens
- Excursion to Bratislava - travel to Slovakia's capital with guided tour of Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square, and Old Town Hall, exploring medieval and brutalist socialist architecture
Landmarks Kunsthistorisches Museum Ringstrasse Urania Stadtpark Strauss Monument State Opera Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie Old Town Hall - Day 8
Dürnstein
You'll dock in Krems in the Wachau Valley and pick a morning activity like exploring Göttweig Abbey, wine tasting in the valley, or e-biking along the Danube. Later, you arrive in Dürnstein, a World Heritage town perched on the river with ancient vineyard terraces surrounding it. The Christmas market lights glow in the castle courtyard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Göttweig Abbey - guided tour of 6th century founded abbey with magnificent frescoes and Baroque staircase
- Wachau Valley wine tasting - visit to local winemaker learning traditional winemaking and sampling wines produced on site
- E-biking from Krems to Dürnstein - guided e-bike tour along the Danube through charming villages and scenic vineyard landscapes with stops for views
Landmarks Krems Wachau Valley Göttweig Abbey Dürnstein Dürnstein Castle Danube River - Day 9
Passau
After a quick stop in Brandstatt, you reach Passau at the junction where three rivers meet near Austria's border. This former trading town has charming Italianate architecture and Christmas market scents of gingerbread and spice fill the air. You'll choose from activities exploring Salzburg, Český Krumlov, or local Passau highlights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Included with full day excursions), Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - guided tour exploring Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg fortress, art and music scene with lunch at local restaurant and free time
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov - journey to World Heritage Czech town exploring Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture with local guide and lunch at local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau - walking tour admiring brightly colored Christmas-decorated buildings, St Stephens Cathedral, Christmas market, and sampling Bavarian delicacies including Sengzelten
Landmarks Passau St Stephens Cathedral Brandstatt Salzburg Mozart's Birthplace Hohensalzburg Fortress Český Krumlov - Day 10
Regensburg
You arrive in Regensburg just before lunch, a 2,000-year-old city with over 900 medieval buildings as World Heritage sites. Pick between a walking tour of historic sights or a guided visit to Thurn und Taxis Castle. Five Christmas markets throughout the city offer mulled wine and Regensburger Bratwurst.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg - guided walking tour of Medieval city center to see Old Stone Bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria
- Thurn und Taxis Tour - guided tour of Thurn und Taxis Castle with free time to explore magical Christmas markets on grounds
Landmarks Old Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria Thurn und Taxis Castle Regensburg Christmas Market - Neupfarrplatz Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn and Taxis Palace - Day 11
Nuremberg
Nuremberg comes into view early afternoon, Bavaria's second largest city surrounded by ancient city walls. The Old Town has one of the world's oldest Christmas markets in a fairytale setting, and the 12th century Imperial Castle dominates overhead. Choose a morning activity like an Old Town tour, World War II history walk, or gingerbread cooking class.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of the Old Town - guided tour of Old Town passing ancient city walls, seeing Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church and market square
- World War II tour - guided tour highlighting main events during Nazi regime and important WWII sites
- Gingerbread cooking - cooking class with experienced local chef learning to bake traditional German Lebkuchen gingerbread biscuits
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Market Square Christkindlesmarkt - Day 12
Bamberg
You dock early morning in Bamberg, a World Heritage town built on seven hills. The cobblestoned Old Town has the charming Town Hall on its own island, a Gothic cathedral, and medieval buildings everywhere. You'll take a guided tour covering the old and new Residences, Little Venice, and a 12th century castle.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Old Residence New Residence Little Venice - Day 13
Würzburg
Würzburg offers lavish Baroque and Rococo architecture along the Main River in wine country, with vineyards rolling all around. You'll pick an afternoon activity, either a guided city tour with the World Heritage palace or a coach tour along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg's medieval old town and 500-year-old Christmas market.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour and Würzburg Residence - guided tour of Baroque palace with valuable paintings, tapestries and period furniture surrounded by manicured gardens, then short stroll into city for free time
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg - coach tour to Rothenburg along famed Romantic Road medieval trading route, guided tour of well-preserved medieval old town with Gothic and Renaissance City Hall and City Councillors' Tavern, then explore 500-year-old Christmas market
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Main River Old Main Bridge Rothenburg ob der Tauber City Hall Rothenburg City Councillors' Tavern - Day 14
Miltenberg
Spend this morning relaxing on board with optional spa or Salt Therapy Lounge access. You dock in Wertheim where the Main and Tauber rivers meet, then take a tour of the Christmas market. Later, a coach takes you to Miltenberg, one of Germany's best-preserved towns with pastel half-timbered houses, followed by another tour before you reboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Wertheim
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
Optional Activities
- Spa massage at onboard spa
- Salt Therapy Lounge access
- Exploration of Wertheim Christmas market
Landmarks Wertheim Miltenberg Zum Riesen Main River Tauber River - Day 15
Rüdesheim
After lunch, you disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards with half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. Wine taverns and beer gardens dot the historic center, decorated with Christmas lights. Take a mini train from the pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with about 350 self-playing instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mini train ride from pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
Optional Activities
- Exploration of wine taverns and beer gardens
- Wandering cobbled streets and visiting Christmas market
Landmarks Rüdesheim Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 16
Cologne
Your cruise travels through the Rhine Gorge this morning, a 65-kilometer stretch with about 40 hilltop castles and fortresses spanning 1,000 years. You arrive in 2,000-year-old Cologne early afternoon and take a walking tour of the restored Old Town with historic buildings and the World Heritage Cologne Cathedral surrounded by Christmas markets. Free time lets you explore before your late departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Cologne Old Town including Cologne Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Exploration of Christmas markets
- Free wandering of the city
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town Rhine River - Day 17
Amsterdam
You arrive in Amsterdam in the afternoon to find a labyrinth of narrow laneways with canals lined by 17th century buildings and holiday lights everywhere. Called the Venice of the North, its UNESCO canal system looks much as it did centuries ago. Pick a one-hour canal cruise, city walking tour with herring tasting, or a windmill and Alkmaar excursion.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise - one-hour cruise along historic waterways seeing Golden Age mansions, grand warehouses and narrow bridges
- City walking tour - exploration of maze of canals and bridges discovering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture with herring tasting
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar - visit to village of authentic 16th-century windmills then travel to charming town of Alkmaar with historic buildings and picturesque canals
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Golden Age Mansions Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 18
Amsterdam to Paris
You'll travel by high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris and check into a luxury hotel for a three-night stay in the French capital. It's a travel day, so you'll have time to settle in and get oriented to the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- High-speed train travel to Paris
- Hotel check-in
- Day 19
Paris
A guided coach tour shows you Paris' most scenic areas including the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Palais Garnier Opera, the Louvre, and Les Invalides. You'll drive along the River Seine and then have the afternoon free to explore Paris at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Paris including Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Palais Garnier Opera, Louvre, Les Invalides, and River Seine
Optional Activities
- Free afternoon exploration
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe Palais Garnier Opera Louvre Les Invalides River Seine - Day 20
Paris
Pick your own Paris experience today. Explore the winding cobblestone streets of Montmartre with its artist heritage and vineyard, or check out the immersive digital art at Atelier des Lumières featuring large projections of Van Gogh, Klimt, and Monet. The afternoon is free for your own exploring.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activity selection
Optional Activities
- Secrets of Montmartre - walking tour of historic artist district exploring winding cobblestone streets, greenspace, and vineyard producing 27 varieties of wine
- Atelier des Lumières - immersive digital art center with 360-degree visual spectacle featuring classic and contemporary masterpieces projected on walls, floors and ceilings with synchronized music
Landmarks Montmartre Vineyard of Montmartre Atelier des Lumières - Day 21
Departure
Your journey finishes this morning with a transfer via Eurostar back to Amsterdam to start a river cruise, or if your trip ends in Paris, transport to the airport for your flight home with memories of the journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
Optional Activities
- Eurostar transfer to Amsterdam for river cruise continuation
