Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam this afternoon and head straight to your ultra-luxury 5-star river ship. After settling into your suite, there's a welcome reception where you'll meet fellow travelers and get oriented before dinner.
Landmarks Amsterdam 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
Today you pick one of four freechoice activities in Amsterdam. You can cruise the historic canals, take a guided walk across bridges while learning about local herring, pedal through the Dutch countryside on an e-bike, or visit the windmill towns of Schermerhorn and Alkmaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise through Amsterdam's 100+ kilometres of canals
- Walking tour of Amsterdam with history, culture and herring tasting
- Dutch countryside e-bike tour to the outskirts of Amsterdam
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar to visit 16th-century windmills
Landmarks Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 3
Cologne
The ship arrives in Cologne this afternoon. After checking out the beautifully restored Old Town on a guided walk and seeing the World Heritage Cologne Cathedral, you'll have free time to wander around. This evening brings an exclusive gala dinner and classical concert at La Redoute in nearby Bonn.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Lavish dinner accompanied by classical music at La Redoute Recital Hall)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Cologne Old Town
- Gala Dinner and classical concert at La Redoute Recital Hall in Bonn
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town La Redoute Recital Hall - Day 4
Rüdesheim
This morning you cruise through the Rhine Gorge, where you'll spot around 40 hilltop castles and the famous Lorelei statue along the way. Later you disembark in Rüdesheim surrounded by steep vineyards. Choose between the Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum or hiking through vineyards with a cable car back to town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
Optional Activities
- Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum visit with mechanical musical instruments
- Cable car to Niederwald Monument
- Hike through Rüdesheim vineyards with cable car return
Landmarks Rhine Gorge Lorelei statue Niederwald Monument Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum - Day 5
Miltenberg
The ship cruises to Miltenberg this morning, one of Germany's best-preserved medieval towns full of colorful half-timbered houses. This afternoon you choose your own adventure: explore nearby towns and wineries, visit Gamburg Castle to meet the Baron and Baroness, take a farm tour with tastings, or try a schnapps distillery experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Wertheim tour and winery visit with orientation of Miltenberg
- Gamburg Castle guided tour and private reception with Baron and Baroness
- Miltenberg guided tour and family-owned farmstead visit with tastings
- Schnapps distillery visit with orientation of Miltenberg and transfer to Wertheim
Landmarks Miltenberg Zum Riesen Wertheim Gamburg Castle - Day 6
Würzburg
You arrive in Würzburg, a glamorous Baroque city in Franconian wine country. Either take a guided tour of the World Heritage Würzburg Residence with gardens or drive the famous Romantic Road to the medieval town of Rothenburg. Later the ship cruises toward Bamberg as you watch the scenery pass by.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour and Würzburg Residence guided tour with manicured gardens
- Romantic Road coach tour to Rothenburg with guided tour of medieval old town
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Romantic Road Rothenburg Old Main Bridge - Day 7
Bamberg
After lunch you dock in Bamberg, a World Heritage town built on seven hills with cobblestoned streets and a charming town hall on its own island. Choose a guided tour of the medieval Old Town or venture to nearby Coburg to see one of Germany's largest castles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town
- Excursion to Coburg Castle with museum featuring carriages, weapons and paintings
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Coburg Castle - Day 8
Nuremberg
Nuremberg is next, Bavaria's second-largest city dominated by a 12th-century Imperial Castle. You can explore the medieval Old Town, learn about WWII history, or walk around the castle and city walls. The ship heads to Regensburg this afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Nuremberg Old Town with Imperial Castle and St. Egidien's Church
- World War II tour highlighting Nazi regime sites and history
- Active walking tour of Nuremberg's Castle and City Walls
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Old Town Nuremberg City Wall - Day 9
Regensburg
After lunch you arrive in Regensburg, a city with 2,000 years of history and one of Germany's best-preserved medieval centers. Pick from four freechoice activities: a walking tour of landmarks, a ferry through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey with beer tasting, an active walk to Thurn und Taxis Castle, or cycling to Walhalla Memorial.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg featuring the old stone bridge, Church of St James and Porta Praetoria
- Ferry through Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey with abbey tour and award-winning beer tasting
- Active walking tour to Thurn und Taxis Castle with guided tour
- Cycling tour to Walhalla Memorial through Donau Valley scenery
Landmarks Regensburg Old Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria Weltenburg Abbey Thurn und Taxis Castle Walhalla Memorial - Day 10
Passau
You arrive early in Passau where three rivers meet near the Austrian border, known for its charming Italianate Old Town. Choose a full day trip to Salzburg with Mozart's birthplace, a full day to Czech Český Krumlov, or a local walking tour of Passau's colorful waterside buildings and St Stephens Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg, Austria with Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg fortress and lunch
- Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov, Czech Republic with local guide and lunch
- Highlights of Passau walking tour with St Stephens Cathedral
Landmarks Passau St Stephens Cathedral Salzburg Mozart's Birthplace Hohensalzburg Fortress Ceský Krumlov - Day 11
Durnstein
This morning in Durnstein, a World Heritage-listed town in Austria's Wachau Valley, you have three freechoice options: tour the magnificent 18th-century Göttweig Abbey, visit a local winery to learn traditional winemaking and taste wines, or e-bike along the Danube to the village of Krems.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Göttweig Abbey tour with magnificent frescoes and Baroque staircase
- Wachau Valley wine tasting with local winemaker
- E-biking from Durnstein to Krems along the Danube
Landmarks Durnstein Wachau Valley Göttweig Abbey Krems - Day 12
Vienna
You arrive in Vienna, Austria's capital of art, music and culture. A coach ride takes you to the city center for a walking tour of the Opera House, St Stephen's Cathedral and Belvedere Palace. The afternoon is yours to explore or relax on board. Tonight there's an exclusive classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt and performances of Strauss and Mozart.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from ship to Vienna city centre
- Walking tour of Vienna featuring Opera House, St Stephen's Cathedral and Belvedere Palace
- Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Austrian Sekt
Landmarks Vienna Opera House St Stephen's Cathedral Belvedere Palace Palais Liechtenstein - Day 13
Vienna
A full day in Vienna gives you three freechoice options: explore Schönbrunn Palace with its ornate rooms and gardens, take a guided e-bike tour to Danube Island for recreation and beach activities, or travel to Slovakia's capital Bratislava to see the castle and Old Town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace exploration with rooms and gardens
- Guided e-bike tour to Danube Island
- Excursion to Bratislava with Bratislava Castle and Old Town tour
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Danube Island Bratislava Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie - Day 14
Budapest
Budapest arrives next, one of Europe's most diverse cities split by the Danube into Buda and Pest. This morning choose from five freechoice activities: a coach tour of major sites, a walking tour exploring communist history and the 1956 revolution, underground exploration of the Hospital in the Rock WWII complex, a hike through Buda, or a culinary tour of Grand Central Market.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Budapest in depth coach tour with Várkert Bazár, Széchenyi square, Elizabeth square and piano recital at the Institute for the Blind
- Budapest's past and present walking and coach tour covering communist history and 1956 Hungarian revolution
- Hospital in the Rock underground WWII and nuclear bunker exploration
- Guided hike of Buda district with views over Danube River
- Hungarian culinary market tour with Grand Central Market tasting
Landmarks Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Institute for the Blind Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market - Day 15
Budapest
You have a full day at leisure in Budapest. It's your chance to explore the city at your own pace without any organized activities, whether that's visiting the thermal baths, checking out neighborhoods, or just wandering around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 16
Mohács
The ship arrives in Mohács, a small Hungarian town and historic site of the 16th-century Battle of Mohács. Choose a guided tour of Pécs near the Croatian border with historic sites and Turkish Baths, visit the charming Villány wine village with wine cellars, or explore the Zsolnay Ceramics Museum showcasing hand-painted porcelain from 1853.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Pécs with first telephone exchange and Turkish Bath
- Villány wine village with historic wine cellars
- Zsolnay Ceramics Museum of hand-painted ceramics
Landmarks Mohács Pécs Turkish Bath of Pasha Memi Villány Zsolnay Ceramics Museum - Day 17
Osijek
You arrive in Osijek, a Croatian town where grand Baroque buildings bear marks from past conflicts. The town is famous for paprika-rich cuisine and local sausages. Choose a guided walking tour of the Baroque Old Town and fortress, explore the Baranja wine region, or visit a local Croatian family home for lunch with authentic meals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with local Croatian family), Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Osijek with Baroque Old Town, fortress and traditional/classical music
- Baranja wine region tour with wine tasting
- Local Croatian family home visit with lunch featuring garden vegetables
Landmarks Osijek Osijek Old Town Osijek Fortress Baranja - Day 18
Belgrade
Belgrade is next, Serbia's gateway city where the Sava and Danube rivers meet, featuring both Brutalist and Art Nouveau buildings. This morning pick from three freechoice activities: a guided city tour of the Bohemian Quarter and fortress, a panoramic tour with Tito's Memorial, or cycling along the Danube. This afternoon you visit St. Sava Temple, the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans, for a crypt recital with choir performance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to St. Sava Temple with crypt recital and choir performance
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Belgrade with Bohemian Quarter and Kalemegdan Fortress
- Panoramic tour of Belgrade with Tito's Memorial
- Cycling tour along the Danube
Landmarks Kalemegdan Fortress Bohemian Quarter Tito's Memorial St. Sava Temple Skardalija Street - Day 19
Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates)
Today you cruise through the spectacular Djerdap Gorge system, also called the Iron Gates, a natural border between Serbia and Romania with four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs and a mighty rock carving. Relax in your suite, enjoy the Sun Deck or mingle with guests in the Panorama Lounge and Bar.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates)
Landmarks Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates) Decebalus Rock Carving - Day 20
Svishtov or Rousse
In the Bulgarian town Svishtov you choose between a full day excursion to Veliko Tarnovo to see old town views and monuments, then visit the leafy village of Arbanassi, or stay onboard and cruise to Rousse with a sightseeing tour and exclusive piano recital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Optional panoramic tour and sightseeing with piano recital in Rousse
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion from Svishtov to Veliko Tarnovo with Asenevtsi Brothers Monument and Arbanassi village
Landmarks Svishtov Veliko Tarnovo Asenevtsi Brothers Monument Arbanassi Rousse - Day 21
Silistra
You arrive early in Silistra, a Bulgarian town with centuries of history from late Roman times through the Turkish fortress period. Pick from three freechoice activities: a guided walk to Silistra Fort to learn about its Turkish history, visit charming Alfatar village with an ethnographic museum, or explore the ancient Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari with a Bulgarian heritage and food tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Active walk to Silistra Fort with guided tour
- Alfatar village visit with ethnographic museum and school children's choir performance
- Sveshtari Thracian Secrets tour with ancient tomb exploration
Landmarks Silistra Silistra Fort Alfatar Sveshtari Thracian Tomb - Day 22
Bucharest
You disembark and transfer to Bucharest, Romania's capital once known as the Paris of the East. An orientation coach tour shows you Union, University, Roman, Victory and Charles de Gaulle squares. Choose between touring Ceausescu's Spring Palace with 80 elegant rooms or the Village Open Air Museum showcasing authentic Romanian heritage. After that you head to your hotel and dine with fellow guests.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner with fellow guests at hotel)
Included Activities
- Orientation coach tour of Bucharest
Optional Activities
- Ceausescu's Spring Palace tour with 80 rooms and fine furnishings
- Village Open Air Museum with Romanian heritage and culture exhibits
Landmarks Union Square University Square Roman Square Victory Square Charles de Gaulle Square Ceausescu's Spring Palace Village Open Air Museum Primaverii Palace - Day 23
Bucharest to Istanbul
An included flight takes you from Bucharest to Istanbul, a city of over 15 million people and one of the world's largest. This is an exhilarating blend of cultures, cuisines, architecture and history all waiting for you to explore.
Included Activities
- Flight from Bucharest to Istanbul
Landmarks Istanbul - Day 24
Istanbul
Today you explore Istanbul's most famous landmarks around central Sultanahmet Park: the magnificent Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. You'll also visit Topkapi Palace. Walking through the city means walking through thousands of years of history wherever you go.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Hagia Sophia
- Visit to Blue Mosque
- Visit to Topkapi Palace
Landmarks Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque Topkapi Palace Sultanahmet Park - Day 25
Istanbul to Çanakkale
You leave Istanbul and travel to Çanakkale on the edge of the Dardanelle Strait. This historic gateway provides access to World War One Gallipoli battlefield and the ancient city of Troy. Your evening is at leisure exploring the waterfront promenade and experiencing modern Turkish culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks Çanakkale Dardanelle Strait - Day 26
Gallipoli
Today you visit Gallipoli, a significant place in Australian and New Zealand hearts. Your guide takes you through the national park to see WWI sites including ANZAC Cove where soldiers landed on 25 April 1915. You'll walk through 31 cemeteries and contemplate the courage at Lone Pine and the Nek in this deeply moving experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Gallipoli national park tour with ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine and the Nek
- Cemetery visits
Landmarks Gallipoli ANZAC Cove Lone Pine The Nek - Day 27
Troy
You journey to ancient Troy, shrouded in mystery and legend. For over 3,000 years Homer's Iliad was thought mythical until Troy's ruins were discovered in the late 19th century. Tour the 4,000-year-old ruins, see a giant replica of the famous Trojan Horse and learn the true story. Afterwards you return to Istanbul.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour through 4,000-year-old Troy ruins
- Visit to giant replica of the Trojan Horse
Landmarks Troy Trojan Horse - Day 28
Istanbul
This morning choose between learning Turkish cuisine secrets in a cooking class making traditional dishes or visiting the colorful Grand Bazaar with thousands of shops and tiny laneways, followed by traditional Turkish coffee with your guide. Tonight you experience a special Scenic Enrich event cruising the Bosphorus Strait, then a farewell dinner at Hamdi Restaurant with outstanding views over the Golden Horn.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Farewell dinner at Hamdi Restaurant with exceptional Turkish cuisine and views over Golden Horn)
Included Activities
- Bosphorus Strait cruise
- Farewell dinner at Hamdi Restaurant with views over Golden Horn
Optional Activities
- Turkish cooking class with traditional dishes
- Grand Bazaar visit with traditional Turkish coffee
Landmarks Grand Bazaar Bosphorus Strait Golden Horn Hamdi Restaurant - Day 29
Istanbul
Before sunrise you'll hear the traditional Muslim call to prayer ringing out, a daily reminder of the nation's faith and a particularly moving sound in the calm morning hours. After breakfast you take a final transfer to the airport to depart.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Final airport transfer
