Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
You're arriving in Prague, a city that's managed to preserve so much of its medieval character over the past thousand years. The Vltava River cuts through the center, with the historic Old Town on one side and the New Town on the other. If you're visiting during the festive season, the streets fill up with Christmas decorations and market stalls, and you might even catch some snow.
Landmarks Vltava River 
- Day 2
Prague
This morning you'll have a local guide showing you Prague's Gothic highlights, starting with the Old Town and its famous Astronomical Clock that's been keeping time since 1357. Then you'll cross Charles Bridge, also dating back to the 1300s, before heading into the Old Town Square where you'll find the Christmas market and Prague's tallest Christmas tree. The afternoon is yours to wander around at your own pace.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Town with expert local guide
- Visit to Astronomical Clock
- Visit to Charles Bridge
Landmarks Old Town Square Astronomical Clock Charles Bridge 
- Day 3
Prague
You get to choose how to spend your day here. There's a walking tour focusing on Communist history with beer tasting included, or you can visit the Terezin Memorial to learn about WWII. If you prefer something different, Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and the Golden Lane are all options for your Scenic Freechoice activity.
Optional Activities
- Communist walk of Prague with beer tasting
- Terezin Memorial tour
- Prague Castle tour including St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Golden Lane Theresienstadt Ghetto (Terezin Memorial) Old Royal Palace - Day 4
Prague to Budapest
A coach takes you from Prague toward Budapest. Once you arrive, you'll board the Scenic Space-Ship river cruise vessel that'll be your home for the next portion of your journey.
- Day 5
Budapest
Budapest's architecture ranges from Gothic to Art Nouveau, and the city is known for its thermal baths fed by hot springs. During the festive season, Christmas markets pop up everywhere, ice skating rinks appear, and the trams get decorated with twinkling lights. You'll have Scenic Freechoice options available this morning, then your afternoon is free to explore the Christmas markets or hop on one of those festive trams.
Optional Activities
- Budapest in depth coach tour with Várkert Bazár, Margaret Bridge, Széchenyi Square, and Elizabeth Square
- Hospital in the Rock underground tour
- Guided hike of Buda district
Landmarks Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Danube River - Day 6
Vienna
The ship heads toward Vienna, and you'll arrive this afternoon to dock overnight. Before dinner, there's an exclusive Scenic Enrich experience at Palais Liechtenstein where you'll hear Strauss and Mozart performed by a proper orchestra, complete with Austrian Sekt and ballet dancers. You'll have the afternoon to explore Vienna's galleries, Baroque buildings, and green spaces on your own.
Included Activities
- Private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with Strauss and Mozart performances
Landmarks Palais Liechtenstein - Day 7
Vienna
Vienna is at your doorstep today for a full day of exploring. The Ringstrasse is considered one of the most beautiful avenues in Europe, and the city's imperial history is written all over it thanks to the Habsburg monarchy. This morning you'll pick a Scenic Freechoice activity, then you have free time. Later in the afternoon, shuttles take you to the Christmas markets.
Optional Activities
- Kunsthistorisches Museum visit with ancient Egyptian pieces through 18th century artworks and largest collection of Pieter Bruegel the Elder paintings
- Guided tour of Vienna by coach and on foot with Ringstrasse, Urania, Stadtpark, Strauss Monument, and State Opera
- Schönbrunn Palace exploration including ornate rooms and gardens
- Excursion to Bratislava, Slovakia with Bratislava Castle, Hlavné Námestie main square, and Old Town Hall
Landmarks Kunsthistorisches Museum Ringstrasse Urania Stadtpark Strauss Monument State Opera Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie - Day 8
Krems - Dürnstein
You dock in Krems, a town in Austria's Wachau Valley where you can choose between several activities. There's Göttweig Abbey with its baroque staircase, wine tasting at a local winemaker, or e-biking along the Danube to Dürnstein. Later you'll dock in Dürnstein, a World Heritage town surrounded by terraced vineyards, and explore its Christmas market lit up in the castle courtyard.
Optional Activities
- Göttweig Abbey tour with local guide and Baroque staircase visit
- Wachau Valley wine tasting at local winemaker
- E-biking from Krems to Dürnstein along the Danube
Landmarks Göttweig Abbey Wachau Valley Danube River Dürnstein Castle - Day 9
Brandstatt - Passau
After a quick stop in Brandstatt, you arrive in Passau near the Austria-Germany border where three rivers meet. This old trading hub has charming Italian-style buildings and Christmas markets filling the air with gingerbread and spice. You can choose from a full-day excursion to Salzburg, Český Krumlov, or a walking tour of Passau itself.
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg with guided tour, Mozart's birthplace, Hohensalzburg fortress, and lunch at local restaurant
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov World Heritage town with guided tour and local restaurant lunch
- Highlights of Passau walking tour with St Stephens Cathedral and Christmas market
Landmarks St Stephens Cathedral Salzburg Mozart's birthplace Hohensalzburg fortress Český Krumlov - Day 10
Regensburg
Regensburg comes into view just before lunch, and this city has two millennia of history packed into it. Over 900 Romanesque and Gothic buildings are World Heritage-listed here, and the Old Town is one of Germany's best-preserved medieval centers. There are five Christmas markets scattered around, with the one on Neupfarrplatz offering local specialties and original Regensburger Bratwurst. Pick your Scenic Freechoice activity to explore either the medieval old town or Thurn und Taxis Castle.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Regensburg with local guide visiting Old Stone Bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria
- Thurn und Taxis Castle guided tour with free time at Christmas markets
Landmarks Old Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria Thurn und Taxis Castle Regensburg Christmas Market on Neupfarrplatz - Day 11
Nuremberg
You arrive in Nuremberg this afternoon. This Bavarian city is surrounded by ancient walls protecting the Old Town, where one of the world's most famous Christmas markets, the Christkindlesmarkt, features wooden booths strung with lights. The 12th century Imperial Castle rises above everything. You'll find gingerbread, almond cookies, bratwurst, mulled wine, and handmade charms everywhere. Your Scenic Freechoice options are an Old Town walking tour, a World War II tour, or a gingerbread baking class.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Old Town with local guide visiting Imperial Castle, St. Egidien's Church, and market square
- World War II tour with local guide highlighting Nazi regime events and important sites
- Gingerbread cooking class with experienced local chef
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Christkindlesmarkt - Day 12
Bamberg
Bamberg appears early this morning, and it's built across seven hills which means you'll find rivers and canals cutting through its cobblestone streets at every turn. This World Heritage town has a Town Hall sitting on its own island, plus a Gothic cathedral, and both an old and new Residence including a castle on the highest hill. You'll take a guided tour hitting all the famous spots.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg
Landmarks Bamberg Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Little Venice - Day 13
Würzburg
Würzburg straddles the Main River in Franconia's wine country, surrounded by vineyards rolling across the landscape. The city features a World Heritage palace, a hilltop fortress, and the 15th century Old Main Bridge. You can choose between a guided city tour that includes the Würzburg Residence or a coach trip along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, which has a 500-year-old Christmas market and medieval old town.
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour and Würzburg Residence visit with Baroque palace, manicured gardens, paintings, tapestries, and period furniture
- Romantic Road to Rothenburg excursion by coach with guided medieval old town tour, Gothic and Renaissance City Hall, City Councillors' Tavern, and 500-year-old Christmas market
Landmarks Würzburg Residence Romantic Road Rothenburg Old Main Bridge - Day 14
Wertheim - Miltenberg
This morning you can relax on the ship and use the spa or Salt Therapy Lounge if you like. By afternoon you're docking in Wertheim where the Christmas market takes over the town center at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers. After a guided tour, a coach takes you to Miltenberg on the Main, one of Germany's best-preserved historic towns with pastel-colored half-timbered houses and the country's oldest inn, Zum Riesen. Another guided tour happens before you head back to the ship.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Wertheim
- Guided tour of Miltenberg
Optional Activities
- Spa massage
- Salt Therapy Lounge session
Landmarks Wertheim Christmas Market Zum Riesen - Day 15
Rüdesheim
After lunch you disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards. Half-timbered houses line the cobbled streets, and wine taverns and beer gardens are strung with lights. From the pier a mini train takes you up to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum where roughly 350 self-playing instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries are on display.
Included Activities
- Mini train ride from pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 16
Cologne
Spend this morning relaxing on deck while you cruise through the Rhine Gorge, where fairytale landscapes dotted with approximately 40 hilltop castles unfold around you. By early afternoon you reach Cologne, a city with 2,000 years of history that was carefully rebuilt after World War II damage. Take a walking tour through the Old Town to see historic buildings and squares, and check out the World Heritage Cologne Cathedral surrounded by Christmas markets. Because the ship leaves later tonight, you have free time to explore and soak in the festive atmosphere.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Town
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Rhine Gorge - Day 17
Amsterdam
Amsterdam appears this afternoon, a maze of narrow lanes and canals lined with 17th century buildings all twinkling with lights. Often called the Venice of the North, the UNESCO-listed canal system looks much like it did centuries ago. Your Scenic Freechoice options include a one-hour canal cruise, a city walking tour with herring tasting, or an excursion to Schermerhorn's windmills and the town of Alkmaar.
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise on Amsterdam's 100+ kilometres of canals
- City walking tour with local guide covering history, modern lifestyle, Dutch culture, and herring tasting
- Excursion to Schermerhorn and Alkmaar village with 16th-century windmills and historic town exploration
Landmarks Amsterdam Canal System Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 18
Amsterdam to Paris
A high-speed train carries you from Amsterdam to Paris where you'll spend three nights at one of Scenic's hotels.
- Day 19
Paris
This morning a guided coach tour takes you through Paris's most scenic districts. You'll see the Eiffel Tower, drive along the Champs-Élysées, pass the Arc de Triomphe, and follow the River Seine. Other highlights include the 19th century Palais Garnier Opera, the Louvre museum, and Les Invalides. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own.
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Paris including Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Palais Garnier Opera, Louvre, and Les Invalides
Landmarks Eiffel Tower Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe River Seine Palais Garnier Opera Louvre Les Invalides - Day 20
Paris
This morning you're choosing your own adventure with Scenic Freechoice options. You could head to Montmartre with its winding cobblestone streets and artistic history, plus a vineyard that produces 27 varieties of wine. Or check out the Atelier des Lumières, an immersive digital art center in a former iron foundry with 360-degree projections of works by Van Gogh, Klimt, and Monet. Spend your afternoon exploring Paris however you like.
Optional Activities
- Secrets of Montmartre walking tour with artistic heritage and Montmartre vineyard exploration
- Atelier des Lumières immersive digital art exhibition
Landmarks Montmartre Atelier des Lumières - Day 21
Paris
Your trip concludes this morning. You have the option to transfer via Eurostar back to Amsterdam to continue your river cruise, or head to the airport if your tour ends in Paris. You're leaving with plenty of memories from your European journey.
