Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and head straight to your luxury river ship, getting settled into your suite. After you've had time to unpack a bit, there's a welcome reception this evening where you can meet fellow travelers and the crew.
Included Activities
- Board luxury Scenic Space-Ship
- Welcome reception
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals 
- Day 2
Amsterdam
This morning you can choose between three options: take a canal cruise to see the waterways and historic landmarks, do a walking tour that includes tastings of local Dutch food, or head out to see windmills and the cheese markets in Alkmaar. Later in the afternoon, the ship departs and you'll start cruising toward Cologne.
Included Activities
- Freechoice: Canal cruise through Amsterdam's historic waterways
- Freechoice: Flavours of Holland walking tour with local treats
- Freechoice: Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar
Landmarks Gentleman's Canal The Skinny Bridge Prince's Canal Anne Frank's House Schermerhorn Alkmaar 
- Day 3
Cologne
After breakfast you'll arrive in Cologne and explore the Old Town on a guided walk. You'll visit the Cologne Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and check out the Christmas markets with local treats and decorations. The ship sets sail again during dinner.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Cologne's Old Town
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Browse Christmas Markets at Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) Cologne Old Town - Day 4
Rhine Gorge to Rüdesheim
Today you're cruising through the Rhine Gorge, a 65-kilometer section with around 40 castles perched on hilltops along the way. After lunch you'll dock in Rudesheim, which sits surrounded by steep vineyards. You can visit Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum by mini train, then walk through the town to see the Christmas markets, wine taverns, and beer gardens.
Included Activities
- Cruise through World Heritage Rhine Gorge
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
Optional Activities
- Traditional Rüdesheimer Coffee experience
Landmarks Rhine Gorge (Upper Middle Rhine Valley) Lorelei Rock Rüdesheim Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 5
Miltenberg to Wertheim
The ship continues toward Miltenberg. After lunch you'll explore this well-preserved historic town with a local guide, walking the cobblestone streets with their pastel half-timbered houses. You'll visit Zum Riesen, which is Germany's oldest inn, then head on to Wertheim, a charming town where two rivers meet.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Miltenberg
Optional Activities
- Salt Therapy Lounge (on board)
Landmarks Miltenberg Zum Riesen Wertheim River Main - Day 6
Würzburg
You arrive in Wurzburg, a Baroque city known for its Franconian wines. In the morning you can either take a guided city tour of the market square and local sights, or travel along the Romantic Road to the medieval town of Rothenburg with its Gothic and Renaissance buildings. Tonight you have the option to attend a midnight mass or join celebrations on board.
Included Activities
- Freechoice: Guided city tour of Würzburg
- Freechoice: Romantic Road to Rothenburg guided tour
Optional Activities
- Traditional Glühwein or local Franconian wine
- Midnight mass in a local church
Landmarks Würzburg Würzburg Residence (UNESCO World Heritage palace) Würzburg Fortress Old Main Bridge Rothenburg Rothenburg City Hall City Councillors' Tavern - Day 7
Würzburg to Nuremberg
On Christmas Day you'll be cruising toward Nuremberg while celebrating on board. The ship has a state-of-the-art gym and wellness center where you can get a massage or use the other facilities if you'd like.
Included Activities
- Cruise to Nuremberg
Optional Activities
- State-of-the-art gym
- Wellness centre massage
- Day 8
Nuremberg
You'll arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city. Pick from three morning activities: a walking tour of the Old Town and Imperial Castle, a WWII history tour that includes the Art Bunker museum, or a traditional gingerbread cooking class where you'll learn to make Nurnberger Lebkuchen and taste it.
Included Activities
- Freechoice: Walking tour of Nuremberg Old Town
- Freechoice: WWII Art Bunker tour
- Freechoice: Traditional Gingerbread cooking class
Landmarks Nuremberg Imperial Castle Nuremberg Old Town St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Market Square Nuremberg Courthouse WWII Art Bunker - Day 9
Regensburg
After lunch you'll arrive in Regensburg for a guided walking tour of this well-preserved medieval Bavarian city. Your local guide will take you to the old stone bridge, the Church of St James, and the Porta Praetoria while sharing information about local traditions during the holiday season.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Regensburg
- Visit to old stone bridge
- Visit to Church of St James
- Visit to Porta Praetoria
Landmarks Regensburg Old Town Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke) Church of St James (St. Jakobs Kirche) Porta Praetoria Bavarian Forest - Day 10
Full Day Freechoice
You'll disembark in Passau and have a full day to choose between two excursions. Travel to Salzburg to see Mozart's birthplace and Hohensalzburg Fortress, or go to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic to see its medieval architecture. Both options include a guided tour and lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the ship.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant (Salzburg excursion)), Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant (Ceský Krumlov excursion))
Included Activities
- Freechoice: Full day excursion to Salzburg with guided tour and lunch
- Freechoice: Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov with guided tour and lunch
Landmarks Salzburg Mozart's Birthplace Hohensalzburg Fortress Salzach River Ceský Krumlov Vltava River - Day 11
Melk
The ship docks early in Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. You can stay on board for a schnapps tasting, take a guided tour of the 18th-century Benedictine Abbey with its library of over 80,000 books, or go on a 32km guided e-bike ride through vineyards to Durnstein. Later the ship moves to Durnstein for the afternoon.
Included Activities
- Freechoice: On board Schnapps tasting
- Freechoice: Guided tour of Melk Abbey
- Freechoice: E-biking from Melk to Dürnstein
Landmarks Melk Abbey Wachau Valley Dürnstein Danube River - Day 12
Vienna
You wake up in Vienna and can explore Schonbrunn Palace gardens, cycle to Danube Island, join a central Vienna tour, or take a coach to Bratislava. This evening there's an exclusive classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Strauss and Mozart music.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast overlooking Vienna)
Included Activities
- Freechoice: Schönbrunn Palace tour
- Freechoice: E-bike cycle to Danube Island
- Freechoice: Central Vienna exploration tour
- Freechoice: Bratislava excursion (Scenic Enrich experience)
- Scenic Enrich: Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Ringstrasse Danube Island Vienna city centre Bratislava Castle Hlávne Námestie (Main Square) Bratislava Old Town Palais Liechtenstein - Day 13
Budapest
After a relaxed day of sailing, you arrive in Budapest this afternoon. The city straddles the Danube with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, connected by bridges. Tonight you can celebrate New Year's Eve at nearby bars and restaurants or join the party on board with the crew.
Optional Activities
- New Year's Eve celebration off-board in Budapest bars and restaurants
Landmarks Budapest Danube River - Day 14
Budapest
Happy New Year. After taking a leisurely morning, you can take a coach tour visiting both Buda and Pest districts with a piano recital at the Institute for the Blind, or relax in the natural hot springs at Gellert Baths. Later in the afternoon you're free to explore the Central Market Hall, Europe's largest neo-gothic market.
Included Activities
- Freechoice: Budapest in Depth coach tour with piano recital
- Freechoice: Thermal Baths at Gellert Baths
Optional Activities
- Central Market Hall exploration
Landmarks Varkert Bazaar Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Institute for the Blind Gellert Baths Central Market Hall - Day 15
Budapest to Prague
You'll travel by coach to Prague and check into a city center hotel for three nights. After you settle in, you can start walking around and getting to know the city at your own pace.
- Day 16
Prague
A local guide will take you through Prague's countless spires and Gothic buildings. You'll walk the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, see medieval buildings and bustling squares, and visit the 14th-century Astronomical Clock that chimes with a procession of the 12 Apostles. The rest of the day is yours to explore.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Prague Old Town
Landmarks Prague Old Town Old Town Hall Astronomical Clock Vltava River - Day 17
Prague
Take the morning at your own pace, maybe walking Charles Bridge early before crowds or sitting at a cafe in the Old Town. This afternoon you have three options: a walking tour about Communist history with local beer tasting, a guided Prague Castle tour of its 70,000 square meters including St. Vitus Cathedral, or an excursion to the Terezin Memorial.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local brewery with local beers (Communist Walk of Prague))
Included Activities
- Freechoice: Communist Walk of Prague with local brewery beer tasting
- Freechoice: Prague Castle guided tour
- Freechoice: Terezin Memorial excursion
Landmarks Charles Bridge Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Golden Lane Old Royal Palace Terezin Memorial Theresienstadt Ghetto Museum - Day 18
Prague
You'll leave Prague today, heading home with memories of this charismatic city.
