Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest
You'll arrive in Budapest and board your luxury Scenic Space-Ship, getting settled into your suite. The welcome reception this evening gives you a chance to relax after your journey and meet fellow travelers on what's sure to be a memorable trip down the Danube.
Landmarks Danube River Buda Pest 
- Day 2
Budapest
Budapest opens up with several options to choose from. You can visit the Hospital in the Rock, a hidden WWII site, or wander through the Grand Central Market to try local Hungarian food. If you prefer outdoor activity, a guided hike through Buda offers views across the river to Pest. The choice depends on what interests you most.
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities: Budapest in Depth tour, Hospital in the Rock tour, Hungarian Culinary Market Walk, or Guided hike of Buda
Landmarks Varkert Bazaar Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market Buda District - Day 3
Budapest to Vienna
As your ship cruises toward Vienna, spend the day relaxing in the Salt Therapy Lounge or catching fresh air on the Sun Deck. Later this evening, you'll attend a private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein featuring Strauss and Mozart performances, complete with Austrian Sekt and ballet dancers.
Included Activities
- Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein - exclusive private concert with Austrian Sekt
Landmarks Danube River Palais Liechtenstein - Day 4
Vienna
Vienna's Christmas lights and festive decorations set the mood for exploring this musical city. Pick between touring Schönbrunn Palace, a guided central Vienna walk with free time, or a day trip to Bratislava to see medieval architecture and the castle. If you're interested, you can also attend a traditional Christmas Mass at a nearby church.
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities: Schönbrunn Palace exploration, Central Vienna exploration guided tour with free time, or Excursion to Bratislava with guided tour of castle and Old Town
Optional Activities
- Traditional Christmas Mass at a nearby church
Landmarks Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie Old Town Hall - Day 5
Vienna to Passau
Christmas Day unfolds aboard ship as you sail toward Passau. The Salt Therapy Lounge awaits if you want to unwind, or head to the Sun Deck to watch charming villages and scenic countryside pass by. It's a relaxed day to enjoy the journey and holiday atmosphere onboard.
Landmarks Danube River - Day 6
Passau
You have solid options for this day in Passau. Take a full-day excursion to Salzburg nestled among alpine peaks, or visit the fairytale Czech town of Český Krumlov. If you'd rather stay local, a guided walking tour through Passau's narrow lanes and historic St. Stephens Cathedral works just as well.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local restaurant lunch in Salzburg or Český Krumlov)
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities: Full day excursion to Salzburg with lunch, Full day excursion to Český Krumlov with lunch, or Highlights of Passau walking tour
Landmarks Salzburg Salzach River Český Krumlov St. Stephens Cathedral Danube River Inn River Ilz River - Day 7
Regensburg
You'll arrive in Regensburg just before lunch. This Bavarian city sits where three rivers meet and has plenty of history to explore. Either join a guided walking tour to see the old stone bridge and Church of St James, or head to traditional breweries to learn about local beer and sample some distinctive Bavarian brews.
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities: Regensburg walking tour with local guide, or Bavarian beer tasting at traditional breweries
Landmarks Stone Bridge Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 8
Nuremberg
Nuremberg appears on your schedule this afternoon. The Old Town is ringed by ancient walls with the impressive 12th-century Imperial Castle dominating the skyline. Choose between a guided Old Town walk with a local, a WWII history tour, or a festive gingerbread cooking class where you'll learn to make traditional German Lebkuchen.
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities: Walking tour of the Old Town with local guide, The trials and tribulations of WWII Tour, or Gingerbread cooking class
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church Nuremberg Market Square 
- Day 9
Bamberg
Bamberg, a World Heritage town built across seven hills, offers charming cobblestone streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. You can take a guided tour of the Old Town to see Gothic and Romanesque architecture, or venture to Coburg to visit its impressive castle with carriages, weapons, and artwork on display.
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities: Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town, or Excursion to Coburg castle
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Bamberg Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral Old Residence New Residence Little Venice Coburg Castle - Day 10
Würzburg
Würzburg's Baroque architecture sits in the middle of Franconian wine country. Tour the city with a local guide and explore the historic market square, or take a coach journey along the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, where medieval buildings, a Gothic and Renaissance City Hall, and the famous City Councillors' Tavern await.
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities: Guided city tour with free time at market square, or Romantic Road excursion to Rothenburg with guided tour
Landmarks Würzburg Palace Main River Fortress Old Main Bridge Würzburg Market Square Romantic Road Rothenburg Rothenburg City Hall City Councillors' Tavern - Day 11
Wertheim to Miltenberg
Wertheim greets you on the banks of the Main and Tauber Rivers. After an orientation tour, you'll transfer to Miltenberg for a guided walk through beautiful cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses. Later, return to your ship for a special New Year celebration planned by your Cruise Director.
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Wertheim
- Guided walking tour of Miltenberg
Landmarks Main River Tauber River Miltenberg - Day 12
Rüdesheim
Start 2028 in Rüdesheim, surrounded by steep vineyards that have produced wine for 2,000 years. Take a mini train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where roughly 350 instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries play themselves. Then walk through the charming town center with half-timbered houses and shops selling cuckoo clocks and wine.
Included Activities
- Mini train ride to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Exploration of Rüdesheim town center
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Rüdesheim - Day 13
Cologne
Cologne arrives this morning, known for its liberal lifestyle, unique beer culture, and the iconic cathedral that dominates the skyline. Join a guided walking tour through the Old Town exploring its breweries serving Kölsch beer, then visit Cologne Cathedral. Afternoon free time lets you explore at your own pace.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Cologne's Old Town
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Old Town - Day 14
Amsterdam
Amsterdam offers several ways to spend your time. Take a one-hour canal cruise to see the city's best sights, join a guided walking tour through the maze of canals and historic houses, or venture to Schermerhorn to see 16th-century windmills and the charming town of Alkmaar with its traditional markets.
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities: Canal cruise, City walking tour, or Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar
Landmarks Amsterdam Canals Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 15
Amsterdam to Paris
You'll travel by high-speed train to Paris and check into a centrally located hotel for a three-night stay. Getting settled into your accommodation gives you time to get oriented before exploring this iconic city.
- Day 16
Paris
A guided coach tour covers Paris's major highlights. You'll see the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Palais Garnier Opera, the Louvre, and Les Invalides while driving along the River Seine. Free time this afternoon lets you explore neighborhoods that interest you most.
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 Palais Garnier Opera Louvre Les Invalides River Seine - Day 17
Paris
Choose between exploring Montmartre's artistic district with its cobblestone streets historic to famous artists and a small vineyard producing 27 wine varieties, or visiting Atelier des Lumières for immersive digital art exhibitions projected on walls and ceilings. The afternoon is yours to wander independently.
Included Activities
- Scenic Freechoice activities: Secrets of Montmartre walking tour, or Atelier des Lumières digital art center visit
Landmarks Montmartre Montmartre Vineyard Atelier des Lumières - Day 18
Paris
Your journey ends this morning with a transfer to the airport for your flight home, carrying with you lasting memories from your river cruise through Central Europe and Paris.
