Itinerary
- Day 1
Zurich to Basel
You'll arrive in Zurich and head to Basel where you'll board your luxury river ship. A welcome reception kicks things off, giving you a chance to meet fellow passengers and get settled into your suite before departure.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome reception)
- Day 2
Breisach
Start your morning with butler service and breakfast in your suite. The ship arrives in Breisach this afternoon, and you can choose between a guided tour of Colmar's Christmas Markets or explore Freiburg and its medieval cathedral on your own schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Coffee in suite delivered by personal butler, followed by breakfast in Crystal Dining)
Included Activities
- Breakfast in Crystal Dining
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Colmar with Christmas Markets
- Guided tour of Freiburg Christmas Markets with 13th Century Cathedral visit
Landmarks Freiburg Cathedral 
- Day 3
Kehl to Strasbourg
After waking in Kehl, you'll take a guided walking tour through Strasbourg's mix of French and German architecture. The rest of your day opens up to browse Europe's largest Christmas markets, which spread throughout the charming old town.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Strasbourg
Landmarks Strasbourg Christmas Markets - Day 4
Mannheim to Heidelberg
You'll dock early in Mannheim, the 'chessboard city'. Pick between an orientation tour of Heidelberg's old town or a deeper historical exploration that includes Heidelberg Castle. If you want something different, there's an optional classical concert at Bruchsal Palace in the evening.
Optional Activities
- Orientation tour of Heidelberg with walking tour and free time
- Historical tour of Heidelberg including Heidelberg Castle visit, courtyard exploration, balcony views of Old Town, and Heidelberg Tun wine barrel
- Private classical concert at Bruchsal Palace with welcome drink
Landmarks Heidelberg Castle Bruchsal Palace - Day 5
Rüdesheim
You arrive in Rüdesheim, surrounded by steep vineyards on all sides. A mini-train takes you to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum where you'll see 350 instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries, then you have time to wander the charming town center.
Included Activities
- Mini-train ride from pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 6
Rhine Gorge to Cologne
Early this morning you'll cruise through the Rhine Gorge at dawn, passing vineyards and ancient castles. By afternoon you're in Cologne to visit the iconic cathedral and explore the Christmas Markets. There's plenty of time to soak in the festive atmosphere and grab mulled wine.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
- Walking tour of Cologne
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral Cologne Christmas Markets - Day 7
Düsseldorf
You'll dock early in Düsseldorf where the Christmas markets are in full swing with festive music and mulled wine. A guided walking tour covers the Old Town and the famous Konigsallee shopping street, then you have free time to explore on your own.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Düsseldorf with local guide
Landmarks Konigsallee - Day 8
Amsterdam
Spend your day walking through Amsterdam's network of narrow laneways and canals lined with beautifully preserved 17th-century buildings. You'll find charming cafés tucked throughout, perfect for grabbing lunch or a coffee between exploring different neighborhoods.
- Day 9
Amsterdam to Cologne
Choose how you want to experience Amsterdam's World Heritage canals: take a one-hour canal cruise, join a walking tour with herring tasting, or go on a full excursion to Schermerhorn and Alkmaar windmills. Later in the afternoon the ship departs for Cologne.
Optional Activities
- One-hour canal cruise through Amsterdam's 100+ kilometres of canals
- Walking tour of Amsterdam with history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture including herring tasting
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar with 16th century windmills
Landmarks Schermerhorn Alkmaar - Day 10
Cologne
You arrive early afternoon in Cologne, a 2,000-year-old city. After a guided walking tour of the restored Old Town and the World Heritage-listed cathedral, you'll have free time to explore independently and find your own favorite spots.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Town Cologne
- Visit to Cologne Cathedral
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 11
Rüdesheim
You disembark in Rüdesheim in the afternoon and take a mini-train to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. After seeing the impressive collection, you can explore the charming center with its half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, shops and wine taverns.
Included Activities
- Mini-train ride from pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum - Day 12
Miltenberg to Wertheim
The ship docks in Miltenberg around lunchtime. You'll walk through cobblestone streets lined with historic half-timbered houses, then transfer by coach to Wertheim on the Main and Tauber rivers for an orientation tour before heading back to the ship.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Miltenberg
- Orientation tour of Wertheim
- Day 13
Rhine Gorge
Merry Christmas! As you cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge, you'll enjoy a gourmet Christmas feast and special festive celebrations on board. It's a unique way to spend the holiday surrounded by beautiful scenery.
- Meals
- Dinner (Gourmet Christmas feast)
Included Activities
- Cruise through Rhine Gorge
- Gourmet Christmas feast
- Day 14
Bamberg
After lunch you dock in Bamberg. You can relax on board or explore the World Heritage-listed Old Town with its cobblestoned streets and medieval buildings. Choose between a guided tour of Bamberg itself or take an excursion to Coburg and its impressive castle.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Bamberg Old Town including Town Hall, Gothic and Romanesque Cathedral, Old and New Residences, and 12th century castle
- Excursion to Coburg including castle visit with museum collection of carriages, weapons, armoury and paintings
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Coburg Castle - Day 15
Nuremberg
You arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city with its ancient city wall and 12th century Imperial Castle. Choose between a walking tour of the Old Town, a WWII history tour, or something different like a festive gingerbread baking class.
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Old Town including Imperial Castle and St. Egidien's Church
- World War II tour highlighting Nazi regime events and important sites
- Gingerbread cooking class learning traditional German Lebkuchen biscuits
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church - Day 16
Regensburg
After lunch you arrive in Regensburg, set where three rivers meet in Bavaria. Either join a guided tour of the old stone bridge and Church of St James, or head to traditional breweries to sample distinctive Bavarian beers and learn local customs.
Optional Activities
- Regensburg walking tour including old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria with local customs and traditions
- Bavarian beer tasting at traditional breweries learning about brewing intricacies
Landmarks Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 17
Passau
You explore Passau, where three distinctly colored rivers converge. Spend a full day on an excursion to Salzburg or Český Krumlov, or join a walking tour locally to visit St Stephen's Cathedral and see the colorful waterside buildings.
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg, Austria including guided tour and local restaurant lunch
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic including guided tour of World Heritage town and local restaurant lunch
- Highlights of Passau walking tour including St Stephen's Cathedral visit
Landmarks St Stephen's Cathedral Salzburg Český Krumlov 
- Day 18
Wachau Valley to Melk
This morning you cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley. Choose between a guided tour of Melk Abbey, one of the world's most significant monastic sites with medieval manuscripts and ceiling frescoes, or take a bicycle tour from Melk to Dürnstein through scenic vineyards.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey (Benedictine Abbey) including abbey church with ceiling frescoes and library with medieval manuscripts
- Bicycle tour from Melk to Dürnstein along the Danube through charming villages and vineyard landscapes
Landmarks Melk Abbey Dürnstein 
- Day 19
Vienna
You arrive in Vienna, the City of Music. Choose between touring Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens, exploring Central Vienna with historical insights and free time, or taking an excursion to Bratislava. Tonight you can either countdown to the New Year onshore with fireworks or celebrate on the ship.
Optional Activities
- Schönbrunn Palace tour exploring former Habsburg summer residence and impressive gardens
- Central Vienna guided tour with expert local guide and free time
- Excursion to Bratislava, Slovakia including castle, main square and Old Town Hall tour
Landmarks Schönbrunn Palace Bratislava Castle Hlavné Námestie - Day 20
Budapest
Happy New Year! You'll relax on board as the ship cruises toward Budapest, Europe's vibrant capital split by the Danube. Enjoy butler service bringing coffee to your suite. This evening you'll experience Hungary's imperial past at an exclusive classical concert inside Gödöllő Royal Palace.
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich exclusive classical concert at Gödöllő Royal Palace
Landmarks Gödöllő Royal Palace 
- Day 21
Budapest
Explore vibrant Budapest today. You can visit both Buda and Pest districts, discover the labyrinths of Hospital in the Rock, take a culinary market walk sampling local specialties, or join a guided hike through Buda with its gardens and Danube views.
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth visiting Buda and Pest including Varkert Bazaar, Margaret Bridge crossing to Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square
- Hospital in the Rock tour exploring secret WWII hospital and nuclear bunker labyrinths
- Hungarian Culinary Market Walk exploring Grand Central Market with local specialties sampling
- Guided hike of Buda district including Varket Bazar, landscaped gardens, views over Danube and city architecture
Landmarks Varkert Bazaar Margaret Bridge Hospital in the Rock Grand Central Market - Day 22
Tour End
You'll say farewell to your fellow passengers and the Scenic crew as you depart, carrying memories and festive cheer from your journey down the Danube and Rhine rivers.
