Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
Your adventure starts in Amsterdam, where you'll find narrow laneways, canals lined with 17th century buildings, and a festive Christmas atmosphere throughout the city. You'll board your all-inclusive luxury Scenic Space-Ship in the afternoon, get settled into your suite, and join the welcome reception this evening.
Included Activities
- Welcome reception on board
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal System - Day 2
Amsterdam
You have three Scenic Freechoice options for exploring Amsterdam's World Heritage canal system and well-preserved 17th century architecture. Choose between a one-hour canal cruise, a walking tour discovering canals and bridges with local herring tasting, or an excursion to Schermerhorn to see authentic 16th century windmills. After your chosen activity, the ship sets sail toward Cologne in the afternoon.
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise - one-hour cruise to see Amsterdam's 100+ kilometers of canals and historic waterways
- Walking tour of Amsterdam - guided tour exploring maze of canals, bridges, history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture, including local herring tasting
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar - visit village of Schermerhorn to see authentic 16th century windmills
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal System Schermerhorn Windmills - Day 3
Cologne
You'll arrive in Cologne early this afternoon, a city with 2,000 years of history. Join a walking tour through the Old Town to see historic buildings, beautiful squares, and the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral. After the tour, you have free time to explore the city on your own.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town including Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town - Day 4
Rüdesheim
Disembark in Rüdesheim, a charming town surrounded by steep vineyards where wine cultivation goes back 2,000 years. You'll take a mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum to see 350 antique instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries. Then you can explore the charming center with half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, boutique shops selling cuckoo clocks, and wine taverns.
Included Activities
- Mini train ride to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
Landmarks/POIs Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Rüdesheim - Day 5
Wertheim
The ship docks in Miltenberg around lunchtime for a guided walking tour through cobblestone streets lined with historic half-timbered houses. From there, you'll travel by coach to Wertheim, a historic town on the picturesque banks of the Main and Tauber rivers, where you'll get an orientation tour before heading back to the ship.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Miltenberg
- Orientation tour of Wertheim
Landmarks/POIs Miltenberg Wertheim - Day 6
Rhine Gorge
Merry Christmas! This special day you'll spend cruising through the spectacular scenery of the Rhine Gorge while enjoying a gourmet Christmas feast and special festive celebrations aboard your ship.
- Meals
- Dinner (Gourmet Christmas feast)
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
- Gourmet Christmas feast
- Festive celebrations on board
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge - Day 7
Bamberg
You'll dock in Bamberg after lunch. This morning you can relax in your suite or enjoy Main River views from the Sun deck. Bamberg is a World Heritage-listed town built on seven hills with cobblestoned streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. You can choose between a guided tour of the Old Town to see the Town Hall, Gothic cathedral, and historic residences, or an excursion to Coburg to visit its impressive castle and museum.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town - explore World Heritage-listed medieval and Baroque architecture including the Town Hall, Gothic and Romanesque cathedral, and Old and New Residences
- Excursion to Coburg - coach journey to visit Coburg Castle, one of Germany's largest and best-preserved forts with museum featuring carriages, weapons, armory and paintings
Landmarks/POIs Bamberg Old Town Coburg Castle - Day 8
Nuremberg
You arrive in Nuremberg this morning, Bavaria's second-largest city dominated by the impressive 12th century Imperial Castle. The Old Town is protected by an ancient city wall. You have three options: a guided walking tour seeing the Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church and market square; a World War II tour exploring Nazi regime history; or a gingerbread cooking class with a local chef learning how to bake traditional German Lebkuchen.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Nuremberg Old Town - guided tour to see Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church and market square
- World War II tour - guided tour exploring Nazi regime history and significant sites in Nuremberg
- Gingerbread cooking class - learn to bake traditional German Lebkuchen gingerbread biscuits from an experienced local chef
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Old Town - Day 9
Regensburg
You arrive in Regensburg after lunch, a delightful city in Bavaria set at the confluence of three rivers. You can choose between a guided walking tour with an expert local guide showcasing the old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria while learning about regional festive customs, or a Bavarian beer tasting tour visiting traditional breweries to learn about brewing and sample distinctive Bavarian beers.
Optional Activities
- Regensburg walking tour - guided tour featuring old stone bridge, Church of St James, Porta Praetoria and local customs and traditions during festive period
- Bavarian beer tasting - visit traditional breweries to learn about brewing and sample distinctive Bavarian beers
Landmarks/POIs Stone Bridge of Regensburg Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 10
Passau
You'll explore Passau, an important medieval trading city at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, known for salt trading. The rivers have distinct colors—green, blue and black—where waters meet. The Baroque Old Town features tight laneways, tunnels and archways including an 'Artist's mile' with studios and galleries. You can choose a full day excursion to Salzburg, a full day to Czech town Cesky Krumlov, or a walking tour of Passau's highlights including St Stephens Cathedral.
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - coach journey to Austria to explore Mozart's hometown and The Sound of Music sites with guided tour and local restaurant lunch
- Full day excursion to Cesky Krumlov - coach journey to World Heritage-listed Czech town with guided exploration of historic centre and local restaurant lunch
- Highlights of Passau walking tour - guided tour of brightly colored buildings along waterways and St Stephens Cathedral (originally built in 450, destroyed by fire in 1662, rebuilt in Baroque style)
Landmarks/POIs St Stephens Cathedral, Passau Passau - Day 11
Wachau Valley
This morning you'll cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley. You can choose between a guided tour through Melk Abbey, one of the world's most magnificent monastic sites overlooking the town, or a bicycle tour from Melk to the quaint village of Dürnstein along the Danube passing charming villages and scenic vineyard landscapes.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey - explore one of the world's most monastic sites featuring abbey church with ceiling frescoes and library with medieval manuscripts
- Bicycle tour from Melk to Dürnstein - guided cycling along the Danube to quaint village, passing charming villages and scenic vineyard landscapes
Landmarks/POIs Melk Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein - Day 12
Vienna
You arrive in Vienna, the City of Music and imperial capital of Austria, famous for the Ringstrasse boulevard and the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy. You can choose from exploring Schönbrunn Palace with its impressive gardens, a Central Vienna tour with an expert local guide, or an excursion to Bratislava, Slovakia's capital. This evening you'll celebrate New Year with fireworks either on shore or aboard your ship.
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace - explore former summer residence of Habsburg family with tales about royal history and impressive gardens
- Central Vienna tour - guided tour with expert local guide exploring city history and elegance with free exploration time
- Excursion to Bratislava - travel to Slovakia's capital to see Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square and Old Town with guided tour
Landmarks/POIs Schönbrunn Palace The Ringstrasse Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie - Day 13
Budapest
Happy New Year! You'll relax on board this morning as you cruise toward Budapest, enjoying coffee in your suite while viewing beautiful scenery. Budapest is Europe's most diverse and vibrant city, divided by the Danube with Buda and Pest united by bridge in 1873, featuring Gothic to Art Nouveau styles. Tonight you'll attend an exclusive classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace, the world's second largest Baroque palace and favorite residence of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary.
Included Activities
- Classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace
Landmarks/POIs Gödöllő Royal Palace Budapest - Day 14
Budapest
You can explore Budapest, one of Europe's oldest and prettiest cities, with four Scenic Freechoice options. Choose Budapest in Depth visiting both Buda and Pest, Hospital in the Rock exploring secret WWII hospital and nuclear bunker, a Hungarian Culinary Market Walk at Grand Central Market sampling local specialties, or a guided hike through Buda district seeing Varket Bazar, gardens and Danube views.
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth - visit both Buda and Pest districts with Varkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge, Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square
- Hospital in the Rock - explore labyrinths of secret WWII hospital later converted to nuclear bunker
- Hungarian Culinary Market Walk - explore Grand Central Market sampling local specialties and learning Budapest food culture stories
- Guided hike of Buda - hike through Buda district seeing Varket Bazar, landscaped gardens with views over Danube River and city architecture
Landmarks/POIs Varkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market - Day 15
Budapest to Prague
You'll journey by coach from Budapest to Prague and check in at your city center hotel for a three-night stay.
- Day 16
Prague
You'll join your expert local guide to explore Prague's Gothic glory including the Old Town, the famous Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge commissioned in 1357 by Charles IV. This afternoon you can stroll this magnificent city at your leisure. Prague is situated on the banks of the River Vltava in central Bohemia and is rich in history with some of the world's most striking architectural wonders.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague Old Town
- Visit to Astronomical Clock
- Visit to Charles Bridge
Landmarks/POIs Prague Old Town Prague Astronomical Clock Charles Bridge - Day 17
Prague
You have three Scenic Freechoice options: a Communist walk of Prague exploring famous sites and hidden gems including local brewery beer tasting, a journey to Terezin, former military fortress and Theresienstadt Ghetto location to learn about Nazi occupation horrors, or a Prague Castle tour exploring one of the world's largest castle complexes including St. Vitus Cathedral and the picturesque Golden Lane.
Optional Activities
- Communist walk of Prague with beer tasting - guided tour of Prague's famous sites and hidden gems learning about everyday life under Communism with local brewery beer tasting
- Terezin Memorial - visit former military fortress and Theresienstadt Ghetto location to learn about horrors committed during Nazi occupation
- Prague Castle Tour - explore one of world's largest castle complexes including St. Vitus Cathedral (grandest cathedral in Czech Republic), Old Royal Palace (former residence of Bohemian Royalty) and picturesque Golden Lane
Landmarks/POIs Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Golden Lane, Prague Castle Terezin - Day 18
Departure
You'll depart after breakfast, taking many wonderful memories with you from this journey along Europe's rivers and through historic cities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
