Itinerary
- Day 1
Zurich to Basel
You'll fly into Zurich or take the train to Basel, then transfer to this charming Rhine River city known for its art and culture scene. By afternoon you'll board your 5-star river ship, settle into your cabin, and meet other guests at the welcome reception. It's a relaxed way to start, giving you time to get comfortable before the river journey begins.
Landmarks Rhine River - Day 2
Strasbourg
The ship docks in Kehl this afternoon, right across the border from Strasbourg. This medieval city has colorful half-timbered buildings and intricate canal networks that blend French and German influences. You can choose between a walking tour of the old town, a wine tasting in the Alsace wine region, or an e-bike ride through the area. Each option gives you a different way to experience the local character.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Strasbourg - walking tour of the city's most important sites including the cathedral, Petit France and the Grand Ile
- Alsace wine region - travel by coach through the Alsace wine region to the village of Obernai with free time, then visit a small village for wine tasting in a local cellar
- Cycle through Strasbourg - e-bike tour exploring over 500 km of bicycle trails through the city's charming suburbs, historic buildings, beautiful parklands and charming canals
Landmarks Strasbourg Cathedral Petit France Grand Ile - Day 3
Rastatt and Baden-Baden
You'll arrive in Rastatt this morning, a Baroque town that leads to Baden-Baden and the Black Forest. Pick from exploring Baden-Baden's elegant spa district and Roman baths, relaxing at the Caracalla thermal spa, or touring Schloss Favorite, an 18th-century hunting lodge with antique porcelain collections. Come evening, you'll attend a private performance and dinner at Rastatt's Baroque Palace.
Included Activities
- Evening exploration of Baroque Palace of Rastatt with private performance from accomplished musicians and a soloist
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Baden-Baden - follow in the steps of renowned Europeans who spent summers in this famed spa town, see the elegant Kurhaus built in the 1820s with casino and luxury shopping, and explore the remains of the Roman baths
- Baden-Baden spa visit - relax and rejuvenate in the thermal baths of Caracalla Spa, heated by thermal waters approximately 2,000 metres under the earth's surface
- Schloss Favorite - tour of the oldest German porcelain palace and the only one to survive intact, a former 18th-century hunting lodge and summer palace for aristocrats
Landmarks Baroque Palace of Rastatt Kurhaus Baden-Baden Caracalla Spa Schloss Favorite Black Forest - Day 4
Mannheim and Heidelberg region
Docking in Mannheim early, you'll have access to the city's distinctive 18th-century grid layout and grand squares, though most tours focus on nearby Heidelberg. Choose an orientation tour with free time in the Old Town, a guided tour that includes Heidelberg Castle and the world's largest wine barrel, or head to Bad Dürkheim to visit a family-owned vineyard and taste wines. You'll have several ways to spend your day depending on what interests you most.
Optional Activities
- Orientation tour of Heidelberg - brief walking tour of the Old Town with free time (note: walk is not too strenuous but has some stairs and uneven ground)
- Historical tour of Heidelberg - guided tour of Heidelberg including Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps, with views from the balcony and the great Heidelberg Tun, the world's largest wine barrel (note: walk is not too strenuous but has some stairs and uneven ground)
- Excursion to Bad Dürkheim - tour and wine tasting at the renowned Fitz Ritter property, a ninth-generation family-owned vineyard
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Heidelberg Tun Heidelberg Old Town Fitz Ritter Vineyard - Day 5
Rhine Gorge to Koblenz
This morning you'll cruise through the Rhine Gorge, a 65-kilometer stretch with roughly 40 hilltop castles and fortresses dotted along the banks representing a thousand years of history. You might spot the Lorelei statue. Docking in Koblenz this afternoon, you can take a walking tour of the old town, visit the medieval city of Limburg an der Lahn, or explore the Moselle Valley heading toward Cochem and Reichsburg Castle. Koblenz itself has deep Roman roots, founded over two millennia ago.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Koblenz - explore the old town's winding streets, impressive townhouses, charming squares and historic churches, and visit the famed Florinsmarkt, the former political and economic centre of the city
- Medieval Limburg - travel by coach to the charming medieval town of Limburg an der Lahn, walk the historic cobblestone streets lined with perfectly preserved half-timbered houses, visit the cathedral overlooking the city and see the Alten Lahnbrücke, the Old Bridge that straddles the Lahn River
- Cochem & Moselle Valley - travel through the beautiful Moselle Valley to the town of Cochem, take a walking tour through its pretty centre with half-timbered houses, then visit the grand Reichsburg Castle
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelei Florinsmarkt Limburg Cathedral Alten Lahnbrücke Reichsburg Castle Moselle Valley - Day 6
Cologne
You'll arrive in Cologne this morning, a 2,000-year-old city that faced serious damage during World War II but was carefully rebuilt over the decades. A walking tour takes you through the Old Town to see historic buildings and squares, plus the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral. Later you'll relax on deck as the ship heads toward Amsterdam. If you'd like, you can book optional spa services including massages or time in the salt therapy lounge.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town including the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Spa massage at Scenic Space-Ship
- Salt Therapy Lounge at Scenic Space-Ship
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 7
Amsterdam
The ship pulls into Amsterdam this morning. Often called the Venice of the North, this city has 16th-century canals, narrow cobbled streets, and cyclists everywhere. The UNESCO-listed canal system looks much like it did centuries ago, with galleries and architectural variety around every corner. You can take a one-hour canal cruise, a walking tour with Dutch culture and herring tasting, visit the Fabrique des Lumières digital art space, or ride e-bikes through the Dutch countryside. Pick what appeals to you most.
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise - one-hour cruise along Amsterdam's historic canals (over 100 kilometres total) viewing Golden Age mansions, grand warehouses and narrow bridges
- Walking tour of Amsterdam - explore the maze of canals and bridges in the city centre, covering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture, including a tasting of herring, a local delicacy
- Fabrique des Lumières - visit the largest digital art installation in the Netherlands located in a former 19th-century gas works, with pieces from renowned artists projected onto 17-metre-high walls accompanied by music
- Dutch Countryside e-bike tour - take a small ferry to the outskirts of town for a biking tour with a local guide offering information about everyday Dutch life
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System Fabrique des Lumières - Day 8
Amsterdam to London
You'll board the Eurostar from Amsterdam and travel to London on one of Europe's fastest trains. After transferring to your hotel for a 3-night stay, you can unpack and spend the afternoon exploring your surroundings at your own pace. It's a good opportunity to settle in and get your bearings before the organized activities start.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 9
London
After breakfast, you'll join a half-day guided tour seeing London's major landmarks like Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, and the Tower of London, which houses the Crown Jewels. The Tower was built as a fortress in 1070 and has served as both a palace and prison. Your tour finishes at Buckingham Palace. The afternoon is free to explore London on your own, then you'll have dinner with other guests at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant with fellow Scenic guests)
Included Activities
- Half-day guided tour of London including Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Tower of London and Buckingham Palace
- Dinner at a local restaurant with fellow guests
Landmarks Trafalgar Square Big Ben Tower of London Crown Jewels Buckingham Palace - Day 10
London
After breakfast you'll choose between two options. You can visit Kensington Palace, where Queen Victoria was born and where younger royals have lived for over 300 years, walking through the King's and Queen's State Apartments. Or you can experience a classic afternoon tea with fine teas, finger sandwiches, and pastries in a refined setting. Either way, it's a quintessentially British experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
Optional Activities
- Kensington Palace - guided tour of the birthplace of Queen Victoria and home to young royals for over 300 years, including the magnificent King's and Queen's State Apartments, with stories of those who worked at the royal palaces over 300 years ago
- Afternoon tea experience - signature London afternoon tea featuring an array of fine teas paired with delicate finger sandwiches and cakes served in a refined setting
Landmarks Kensington Palace - Day 11
Departure
After breakfast you'll transfer to the airport for your flight home. You'll carry memories of the river journey, the European cities, and the experiences you've had over the past 11 days.
- Meals
- Breakfast
