Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and head straight to your luxury river ship. After settling into your suite, there's a welcome reception this evening where you can meet fellow travelers and raise a glass to kick off your journey.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception dinner)
Included Activities
- Board all-inclusive luxury Scenic Space-Ship
- Welcome reception
- Day 2
Amsterdam
This morning you have three options for exploring Amsterdam's canal system. Pick a one-hour canal cruise to see the waterways, a walking tour with bridges and local culture plus herring tasting, or head to Schermerhorn to visit 16th century windmills. Later in the afternoon, the ship sets sail toward Cologne, Germany.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice: Canal cruise (one-hour)
- Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Amsterdam
- Scenic Freechoice: Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar
- Set sail to Cologne
Landmarks/POIs Amsterdam Canal System Schermerhorn Windmills - Day 3
Cologne
You'll reach 2,000-year-old Cologne this afternoon. A walking tour takes you through the Old Town where you can see historic buildings, squares, and the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral. After that, you have free time to wander around the city on your own and check out whatever catches your interest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town
- Viewing of Cologne Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore the city
Landmarks/POIs Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town - Day 4
Rüdesheim
The ship docks in Rüdesheim, a town surrounded by steep vineyards. You'll take a mini train from the pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum where over 350 musical instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries are on display. Afterwards, you can walk through the town center with its half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, shops, and wine taverns.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mini train transfer from pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Exploration of Rüdesheim town centre
Landmarks/POIs Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Rüdesheim - Day 5
Miltenberg to Wertheim
By lunchtime you're in Miltenberg. A local guide shows you the historic half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets during a walking tour. Then you'll take a coach to Wertheim on the Main and Tauber rivers, get an orientation tour, and head back to the ship before evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Miltenberg
- Coach transfer to Wertheim
- Orientation tour of Wertheim
Landmarks/POIs Miltenberg Wertheim - Day 6
Rhine Gorge
Merry Christmas! You'll spend the day on the ship sailing through the Rhine Gorge. There's a gourmet Christmas feast and special holiday festivities happening on board, making this a memorable way to celebrate the season while taking in the scenery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Gourmet Christmas feast), Dinner (Gourmet Christmas feast)
Included Activities
- Rhine Gorge scenic cruise
- Gourmet Christmas feast
- Christmas day celebrations
Landmarks/POIs Rhine Gorge - Day 7
Bamberg
After lunch you dock in Bamberg. This morning you can relax in your suite or spend time on the Sun Deck watching the Main River. This afternoon, choose between a guided tour of the World Heritage Old Town with medieval and Baroque buildings, or take an excursion to Coburg to visit an impressive castle with museum collections.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town
- Scenic Freechoice: Excursion to Coburg
Optional Activities
- Relax in suite
- Enjoy Main River views from Sun Deck
Landmarks/POIs Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Town Hall Coburg Castle - Day 8
Nuremberg
You arrive in Nuremberg this morning. The Old Town is surrounded by an ancient city wall and features the 12th century Imperial Castle. You can pick a walking tour of the Old Town, a World War II history tour, or join a festive gingerbread cooking class with a local chef.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Nuremberg Old Town
- Scenic Freechoice: World War II tour
- Scenic Freechoice: Gingerbread cooking class
Landmarks/POIs Nuremberg Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Market Square - Day 9
Regensburg
After arriving in Regensburg this afternoon, you're in a city where three Bavarian rivers meet. Choose between a walking tour exploring the old stone bridge, Church of St James, and learning about regional customs, or go to traditional breweries for a Bavarian beer tasting where you'll learn about brewing techniques and sample local beers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice: Regensburg walking tour
- Scenic Freechoice: Bavarian beer tasting
Landmarks/POIs Regensburg Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 10
Passau
The ship docks in Passau, a medieval trading city where the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers meet with distinctly colored waters. The Baroque Old Town has tight laneways and an 'Artist's mile' with studios. You can take a full day excursion to Salzburg for Mozart's birthplace, visit Czech Český Krumlov's World Heritage center, or do a walking tour of Passau seeing St Stephens Cathedral and colorful waterside buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local restaurant lunch (included in Salzburg and Ceský Krumlov excursions)), Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice: Full day excursion to Salzburg
- Scenic Freechoice: Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov
- Scenic Freechoice: Highlights of Passau walking tour
Landmarks/POIs St Stephens Cathedral Salzburg Ceský Krumlov - Day 11
Wachau Valley to Melk/Dürnstein
This morning you cruise through the Wachau Valley. Choose between a guided tour through Melk Abbey with its decorated church and medieval manuscripts, or take a scenic bicycle tour from Melk along the Danube to Dürnstein, passing through charming villages and vineyard landscapes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Wachau Valley
- Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Melk Abbey
- Scenic Freechoice: Cycle from Melk to Dürnstein
Landmarks/POIs Wachau Valley Melk Abbey Dürnstein - Day 12
Vienna
You've reached Vienna, the City of Music and home to Beethoven, Mozart and Strauss. Austria's imperial capital is known for the Ringstrasse boulevard and Habsburg legacy. You can explore on your own, visit Schönbrunn Palace with its gardens, take a Central Vienna tour with a guide, or head to Bratislava, Slovakia for the day. Tonight there are New Year countdown celebrations happening on shore or on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (New Year's Eve celebration dinner)
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice: Schönbrunn Palace
- Scenic Freechoice: Central Vienna tour
- Scenic Freechoice: Excursion to Bratislava
- New Year's Eve celebration
Optional Activities
- Explore Vienna independently
Landmarks/POIs Schönbrunn Palace Ringstrasse Bratislava Castle Bratislava Main Square Bratislava Old Town - Day 13
Budapest
Happy New Year! This morning you can relax and request coffee in your suite while the ship cruises toward Budapest. Tonight you'll attend an exclusive classical concert inside Gödöllő Royal Palace, the world's second largest Baroque palace and a favorite residence of Queen Elisabeth.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner included with classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace)
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich: Exclusive classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace
Optional Activities
- Relax on board with coffee in suite
Landmarks/POIs Gödöllő Royal Palace - Day 14
Budapest
Budapest offers several ways to explore this European city. Take a Budapest in Depth tour visiting both Buda and Pest districts, explore the Hospital in the Rock built as a secret WWII hospital and nuclear bunker, join a Hungarian Culinary Market Walk through the Grand Central Market sampling local food, or do a guided hike through Buda district for views of the Danube River and city architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice: Budapest in Depth tour
- Scenic Freechoice: Hospital in the Rock experience
- Scenic Freechoice: Hungarian Culinary Market Walk
- Scenic Freechoice: Guided hike of Buda
Landmarks/POIs Varkert Bazaar Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market - Day 15
Farewell
It's time to say goodbye to your fellow guests and the ship's crew today. You'll head home with wonderful memories and festive cheer from your Christmas and New Year river cruise.
- Meals
- Breakfast
