

Your journey into wonder begins here, with a three night stay in Istanbul.
Take a cruise on the Bosphorus strait this morning, before a visit to the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome square, see the magnificent Hagia Sophia.
Freechoice: Join a cooking class, or try your hand at the ancient art of writing during a calligraphy course. Alternatively, relax and rejuvenate during your visit to the Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamami Turkish Baths.
This morning, visit Dolmabahce Palace as well as the Topkapi Palace before time to wander the evocative Grand Bazaar and an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, a special treat of traditional Turkish fare and outstanding views over the Golden Horn awaits.
Enjoy a fascinating tour of Homer’s Troy – the legendary site of the Trojan Wars. Afterwards, travel to Canakkale for a two night stay.
Travel to the Gallipoli Peninsula, the site of WWI landings by the Allied Forces, including ANZAC troops. There are over 31 cemeteries on the peninsula, now a national park, and you’ll have the chance to explore and gain a unique perspective on this moving and historically poignant location. You also have the opportunity to visit the Kabatepe Museum where you will see a range of historically significant items from the Gallipoli campaign.
Journey from Canakkale to Bulgaria and stay two nights in Nessebar.
Enjoy a tour of Nessebar. Tonight, delight in delicious local cuisine and take in a folklore show.
See a diverse range of scenery as you pass through Bulgaria to Romania’s capital, and check into your hotel in Bucharest for an overnight stay.
Freechoice: Explore Bucharest and learn about its communist past, including a visit to Ceausescu’s Spring Palace. Or, tour the Village Open Air Museum and discover ethnography exhibits depicting Romanian heritage and culture.
Later, travel to Giurgiu where you will be personally welcomed on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship.
Freechoice: Discover Silistra Fort on an active walk, or take an excursion to Varna on the Black Sea coast. Alternatively, visit a local village and school to learn about life in Bulgaria.
Freechoice: Visit Rousse, where you’ll be treated to a guided sightseeing tour. Alternatively, discover the Byzantine gem of Veliko Tarnovo and the World Heritage-listed village of Arbanassi.
Relax and admire the scenery as you cruise the spectacular Iron Gates, a narrow gorge that the Danube has carved out between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains.
Freechoice: Enjoy an in-depth tour of Belgrade, including a visit to Tito’s Memorial, or take an orientation tour of Belgrade and see the highlights before time at leisure to wander this fascinating city. Alternatively, join a bicycle ride along the Danube, or take a walk through the city with a local. Alternatively, journey to the nearby town of Sremski Karlovci.
Enrich
Visit the largest orthodox temple in the Balkans, St. Sava and enjoy a choir performance in the Temple Crypt.
Freechoice: Explore Osijek on a guided city tour, or if you’re the more active type, take a guided bike ride through Osijek’s countryside. Alternatively, join a local for a fish stew cooking class.
Later, as a special Scenic guest you’ll be invited into the home of a local family for a traditional home-cooked meal and the chance to discover what everyday life is really like in Croatia.
Today you will have the opportunity to witness a traditional Puszta horse show.
Today enjoy Budapest at your leisure; perhaps wander the streets of the Old Town for local crafts or simply relax on board.
Freechoice: Join a guided tour of Budapest, or relax and unwind at the local Thermal Baths and Spa. Alternatively, join a local guide for a tour focused on the past and present of Budapest, or experience the labyrinths of the Hospital in the Rock. Or if you’re feeling more active, take a hike to Buda Hill.
While cruising, relax in one of the on board lounges and viewing areas and enjoy the scenery as your Scenic Space-Ship sails towards Vienna.
Enrich
Breathe in the opulence and luxury of Palais Liechtenstein. Then be enthralled by an enchanting private classical evening concert featuring the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart.
Freechoice: Take a tour of the Slovakian capital Bratislava, or visit Schönbrunn Palace. Alternatively, learn about Viennese coffee culture with a local expert, or explore Vienna on a cycling tour to Danube Island.
Freechoice: Embark on a guided bike ride along the river from Dürnstein to Melk, or be guided through Melk’s 18th century Benedictine Abbey. Alternatively, visit the fairytale castle, Burg Aggstein.
Freechoice: Enjoy a guided tour of the Baroque Old Town and learn about one of its most famous residents, Mozart. Or, choose to join a walking tour focusing on sights from the movie ‘The Sound of Music’.
Enrich
Let the ‘Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’ transport you to another time and place. This exclusive performance is based on the timeless movie of the same name. Enjoy an authentic Austrian lunch before an afternoon humming along to some of the catchy classics.
Freechoice: Enjoy a walking tour of the city, or board a local ferry and sail the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey. Alternatively, cycle to the Walhalla monument, or take an active walking tour to Thurn und Taxis Palace.
Freechoice: Explore the city on foot, or visit moving WWII sites and learn about this dark era in the city’s history. Alternatively, choose to stay on board for a beer tasting.
Immerse yourself in the World Heritage-listed Old Town of Bamberg and walk the same cobbled streets as medieval traders once did.
Freechoice: Visit Würzburg’s Bishop’s Residenz Palace and sample some exquisite local wine. Alternatively, explore the famous Romantic Road, an important trade route during the Middle Ages, then take in the beautiful walled town of Rothenburg, a medieval gem overlooking the Tauber River.
Freechoice: Meet a Monk in a local monastery for a tour and insight into regional beer production, or meet a winemaker for a taste of his fine wines. Alternatively, meet a Baron and Baroness and learn about aristocratic life, or opt to visit a local Schnapps producer or a farming family and taste some of their home made products.
Immerse yourself in charming Rüdesheim and board the Winzerexpress mini-train for a guided visit of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Then enjoy a cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument.
Enrich
Delight in the medieval ambience of Marksburg Castle, which has remained virtually unchanged since the middle ages. Partake in a magnificent medieval feast, with an abundance of fine fare and free flowing local wine.
Freechoice: Take a stroll through Cologne and get up close to the twin towers of the famous cathedral. Or, explore the city’s past and present during a guided tour. Or, if you are feeling more active, join a guided cycling tour.
Freechoice: Explore the city by bicycle, or on foot during a flavours of Holland walking tour and taste some Dutch favourites, such as herring, cheese and poffertjes. Alternatively, experience an iconic canal cruise, or step outside of Amsterdam and visit the villages of Alkmaar & Schermerhorn, home to many authentic windmills dating back to the 16th century.
Depart after a wonderful farewell breakfast. Amsterdam is the end of your cruise, but it will be the start of wonderful memories.
This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above.
People didn't really dress for dinner. Men in jeans were allowed in the dining room at night for dinner. That did not happen at another Scenic Cruise we were on. Very disappointed about this. We belong to a private Country Club and men will be turned away at the entrance for this dressing in jeans. Scenic is lowering their standards by doing this. We won't travel Scenic again because of the lower dress codes. Not a top of the line company if this is allowed.
Scenic delivered an Above & Beyond Experience that we will cherish forever. The ENTIRE ship personnel was the epitome of what customer service should be!
Scenic River Cruise was fantastic. Service and food were both absolutely wonderful. Exceeded our expectations and will travel again with Scenic.
The ship was luxurious. The staff were professional and attentive. We would definitely travel with Scenic again.
Scenic River Cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest was a wonderful experience. The ship's staff and amenities afforded us a very comfortable experience. The food sometimes challenged us to try new and regional dishes, which we really enjoyed. But alternate choices were always available, as well. The other passengers were friendly and we made many new acquaintances on our trip. Best part...? All inclusive! We may have made a small tip here and there, but nothing was expected during excursions, tours, dining, bar or hospitality services. Great entertainment on various occasions.
Scenic were exceptional.They have to be the best operators of river cruises.Every aspect of the trip with them was of a very high standard.The cabins (suites) were large and very comfortable (we had the lowest level,so I can imagine what the higher levels would have been like!). All the meals served were excellent with plenty of variety and imagination.Every member of staff we encountered was helpful and smiley.The excursions were excellent with high level guiding .Overall a very good experience.and I would highly recommend them.
The tour description matched the tour exactly.
Wonderful Trip at the right price
Scenic Tours delivers a flawless river cruise experience. They truly take care of everything - all at one price. The ships are beautiful and the staff is cheerful and accommodating. The cabins are incredible feats of design that make use of every inch of space. We were gone for two weeks and never felt cramped. The food is diverse and wonderful and the excursions are very interesting and well-planned.
Scenic did a great job. It was all inclusive so we had no bill at the end, including tips. The trip was 14 days down the Danube, Main, and Rhine. The food, service, and excursions were all very good and included. The only note I would make is that you stopped at so many towns that you did not have enough time to really explore them. But overall, it was a very good trip!
The Scenic Jewel Amsterdam to Budapest cruise certainly exceeded our expectations. The Scenic Jewel staff could not have been better. We were certainly pampered the entire cruise and the staff could not do enough to insure the trip was a success. We did not have one staff person who was only average--everyone was exceptional. Our cruise director kept everything humming right along and he and the captian went above and beyond to solve a water level issue.
Scenic was more expensive than our other trips But quality was outstanding!
Vacationing has never been easier or cheaper with the help of a dedicated travel consultant from AffordableTours.com
Find your perfect trip on our website and simply request a free quote. Need to speak to a live person? Call us 7 days a week at 1-800-342-0019. No robots here!
Your personal travel consultant will reach out and be your point of contact for your entire travel experience from start to finish. Did we mention you'll be working with an award winning team? Sweet!
Because we're one of the largest sellers of travel, we're able to give you a discount on your vacation package. No one beats our prices!
Knowing you got the best deal, all that's left is for you to pack your bags and enjoy your vacation!
Scenic provided an exceptional trip via staff, meals, and experiences. Our tour guide was extraordinary and handled even the slight setback of low water with ease and grace. I would recommend them to anyone interested in river travel.