Itinerary
- Day 1
Prague
You'll arrive in Prague and start getting the lay of the land in this historic capital. The Vltava River splits the Old Town and New Town, and right now the city is decked out with Christmas decorations and market stalls everywhere. Settle in and take time to orient yourself to the medieval streets and centuries of history surrounding you.
Landmarks Vltava River 
- Day 2
Prague
This morning you'll join a local guide through Prague's Gothic sights, starting with the Old Town and its famous Astronomical Clock. You'll walk across Charles Bridge, built back in 1357, taking in the views along the way. After that, you have the afternoon free to wander on your own, hitting up the Old Town Square's Christmas market and checking out Prague's tallest Christmas tree at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Old Town, Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge
- Afternoon leisure exploration
Landmarks Old Town Astronomical Clock Charles Bridge Old Town Square Vltava River - Day 3
Prague
Today you pick your own adventure from three options. You can join a guided walk through Communist-era Prague with a local brewery beer tasting included, travel to Terezin Memorial to learn about WWII history, or tour Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, and the narrow Golden Lane with its charming old houses.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Communist walk of Prague with beer tasting - guided walking tour of Prague's famous sites and learn about everyday life under Communism, visit local brewery for beer tasting
- Terezin Memorial - visit the former military fortress and location of the Theresienstadt Ghetto
- Prague Castle Tour - explore Prague Castle complex, St. Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, and Golden Lane
Landmarks Prague Castle St. Vitus Cathedral Golden Lane Old Royal Palace Terezin Memorial - Day 4
Prague to Budapest
You'll travel by coach from Prague to Budapest. Once you arrive, you board your river cruise vessel where you'll start your journey along the Danube River. Get settled into your cabin and meet your fellow travelers as the ship prepares to depart.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Coach transfer to Budapest
- Embarkation on Scenic Space-Ship
Landmarks Danube River - Day 5
Budapest
Budapest offers several guided activities to choose from exploring the city's two districts. You might visit the Varkert Bazar and cross Margaret Bridge to see Szechenyi and Elizabeth Squares, or take a scenic hike through Buda with Danube views. In the afternoon, you'll browse Christmas markets, then decide between attending a local church Christmas Eve Mass or enjoying a festive dinner aboard your ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Celebratory Christmas Eve dinner (optional to stay on board for this meal))
Optional Activities
- Budapest in Depth - visit Buda and Pest districts separated by Danube, see Várkert Bazár, cross Margaret Bridge to Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square
- Guided hike of Buda - walking tour through Buda district with views over Danube River and city architecture, seeing Várkert Bazár and landscaped gardens
- Explore Christmas markets in Budapest
- Visit local church and attend Christmas Eve Mass
- Stay on board Scenic Space-Ship for celebratory Christmas Eve dinner
Landmarks Várkert Bazár Margaret Bridge Széchenyi Square Elizabeth Square Danube River - Day 6
Cruising Day
Spend Christmas Day cruising toward Vienna with plenty to do on board. Relax in the Salt Therapy Lounge, enjoy an aperitif on the Sun Deck, or hang out in the Panorama Lounge with other guests. You'll arrive in Vienna by evening after a peaceful day on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise on Danube River toward Vienna
- Access to Salt Therapy Lounge
- Access to Sun Deck
- Access to Panorama Lounge
Landmarks Danube River - Day 7
Vienna
Vienna's grandeur awaits with choices for your day. You can take a guided city exploration, tour Schonbrunn Palace with its ornate rooms and expansive gardens, or spend time at the Kunsthistorisches Museum discovering artistic treasures. Tonight features an exclusive private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein where you'll hear Strauss and Mozart performed in Vienna's largest secular baroque hall, with fine Austrian Sekt to enjoy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Private concert and dinner experience at Palais Liechtenstein with fine Austrian Sekt)
Included Activities
- Scenic Enrich: Private classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein with fine Austrian Sekt and performances of Strauss and Mozart music
Optional Activities
- Central Vienna exploration - guided city tour with expert local guide and free time to explore
- Schönbrunn Palace - explore former summer residence of Habsburg family with ornately designed rooms and impressive gardens
- Kunsthistorisches Museum - Vienna's premiere art museum with artistic treasures
Landmarks Ringstrasse Schönbrunn Palace Kunsthistorisches Museum Palais Liechtenstein - Day 8
Dürnstein - Melk
The ship docks in Durnstein, a charming town surrounded by vineyards with buildings dating back to the 12th century. You'll see the hilltop castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner from 1192 to 1193. Over lunch, you cruise through the scenic Wachau Valley with its sloping vineyards and villages before reaching Melk. You can either take a guided tour of Melk Abbey with its famous Marble Hall and library, or rent an e-bike and ride through vineyards and villages from Durnstein to Melk.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch while cruising through Wachau Valley), Dinner
Included Activities
- Free time to wander Dürnstein
- Cruise through Wachau Valley during lunch
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Melk Abbey - wander halls, visit decorated Marble Hall and library with 80,000 books, see Abbey Church with frescoes and statues
- E-biking from Dürnstein to Melk - guided e-bike ride along Danube through vineyards and villages with river views
Landmarks Dürnstein Castle Melk Abbey Wachau Valley - Day 9
Brandstatt - Passau
From Brandstatt, you have three full-day options to pick from. Take a coach to Salzburg nestled by alpine peaks on the Salzach River with lunch included, journey to the fairy-tale Czech town of Cesky Krumlov with guided exploration and local lunch, or walk through Passau at the meeting point of three rivers, visiting St. Stephens Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant (for full day excursion choices)), Dinner
Optional Activities
- Full day excursion to Salzburg - coach journey to Salzburg, explore the city surrounded by alpine peaks on Salzach River banks, lunch at local restaurant
- Full day excursion to Český Krumlov - coach journey to Czech town, guided walk through fairytale location and historic centre, lunch at local restaurant
- Highlights of Passau walking tour - walking tour of Passau at meeting point of Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, explore narrow laneways, visit St. Stephens Cathedral
Landmarks Salzach River Český Krumlov St. Stephens Cathedral Danube River - Day 10
Regensburg
You'll arrive in Regensburg just before lunch. This Bavarian town sits where three rivers meet, and you can either join a guided walking tour of the old stone bridge, Church of St James, and Porta Praetoria to learn about local customs and festive traditions, or visit traditional breweries to learn how beer is made and sample some distinctive Bavarian brews.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Regensburg walking tour - expert local guide shows old stone bridge, Church of St James, Porta Praetoria, shares customs and traditions of region during festive period
- Bavarian beer tasting - visit traditional breweries, learn about brewing intricacies, sample distinctive Bavarian beers
Landmarks Church of St James Porta Praetoria - Day 11
Nuremberg
The ship reaches Nuremberg in the afternoon, Bavaria's second-largest city. The Old Town is surrounded by an ancient city wall and dominated by the 12th century Imperial Castle. You can pick between a guided walking tour of the Old Town and castle, a WWII history tour learning about the Third Reich, or join a gingerbread cooking class where you'll bake traditional German Lebkuchen biscuits with a local chef.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of the Old Town - guided tour to see Imperial Castle overlooking city, St. Egidien's church, market square
- The trials and tribulations of WWII Tour - expert local guide shares history of horrific events in Nuremberg during Third Reich
- Gingerbread cooking - cooking class with experienced local chef learning to bake traditional German gingerbread biscuits (Lebkuchen)
Landmarks Imperial Castle St. Egidien's Church - Day 12
Bamberg
You arrive in Bamberg this morning and join a guided tour of the World Heritage Old Town with its charming Town Hall sitting on its own island, Gothic and Romanesque cathedral, and the Old and New Residences. You'll also see 'Little Venice' and a castle perched on one of seven hills. Tonight, ring in the New Year with a party organized by the on-board team.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of World Heritage-listed Old Town including Old Town Hall, cathedral, Old and New Residences, 'Little Venice', and 12th century castle
- New Year's Eve party on board Scenic Space-Ship
Landmarks Bamberg Old Town Hall Bamberg Cathedral - Day 13
Sailing Day
Happy New Year! Today is relaxation time as you cruise the Main River. Hit the gym if you want, catch up with friends in the River Cafe, or just relax on the Sun Deck with a drink and watch the scenery go by.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cruise on Main River
- Access to modern gym
- Access to River Cafe
- Access to Sun Deck
Landmarks Main River - Day 14
Wertheim - Miltenberg
The ship docks in Wertheim where the Main and Tauber rivers meet, and you have time to wander around on your own. Then you coach to Miltenberg where a local guide leads you through beautiful cobblestone streets lined with historic half-timbered houses.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation tour of Wertheim
- Free time to wander Wertheim
- Coach transfer to Miltenberg
- Guided walking tour of Miltenberg through cobblestone streets with historic half-timbered houses
Landmarks Main River Tauber River - Day 15
Rüdesheim
You disembark in Rudesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards with 2,000 years of wine history. Take a mini train from the pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with around 350 self-playing instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries. Explore the charming town center with half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, shops selling cuckoo clocks, and wine taverns. Later, enjoy a relaxed afternoon cruising through the Rhine Gorge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mini train ride to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
- Visit to Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum with approximately 350 self-playing musical instruments from 18th-19th centuries
- Free time to explore charming center of Rüdesheim
- Afternoon cruise through Rhine Gorge
Landmarks Siegfried's Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum Rhine Gorge - Day 16
Cologne
Cologne comes into view this morning, a city known for its laid-back lifestyle, unique beer culture, and the cathedral dominating its skyline. You'll walk through the historical Old Town's laneways where breweries serve draft Kolsch beer. Visit Cologne Cathedral, then explore the city further on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Town exploring historical laneways and breweries
- Visit Cologne Cathedral
- Free time to explore city
Landmarks Cologne Cathedral - Day 17
Amsterdam
You arrive in Amsterdam with its architectural beauty, galleries, and boats along 16th century canals. Choose between a one-hour canal cruise to see the prettiest sights from the water, a guided walking tour exploring the maze of canals, bridges, and Dutch culture, or an excursion to Schermerhorn with authentic 16th century windmills and the charming town of Alkmaar with its historic buildings and canals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Canal cruise - one-hour cruise along Amsterdam's 100+ kilometers of canals viewing pretty sights from historical waterways
- City walking tour - explore maze of canals and bridges in city center with guide covering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture
- Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar - visit village of Schermerhorn with authentic 16th century windmills, visit charming town of Alkmaar with historic buildings and picturesque canals
- Day 18
Amsterdam
Say goodbye to your fellow guests and crew, leaving with memories and festive cheer from your 18-day European river cruise through Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and along the Danube and Rhine rivers.
