River Cruise Itinerary

1. Day 1
   Budapest

   Thu, Nov 28, 2024

   Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Budapest, the capital of Hungary and one of Europe’s oldest and prettiest cities.

   This afternoon, board your all-inclusive luxury Scenic Space-Ship and settle into your suite where you will unpack once. Balcony suites have windows that convert into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you fresh air and uninterrupted views of ever-changing landscapes and life along the riverbanks. Relax and raise your glass to the days ahead at this evening’s welcome reception.

   Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.

   
   Meals: Dinner
2. Day 2
   Budapest

   Fri, Nov 29, 2024

   Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, this city became united in 1873, when a newly built bridge connected the two. The city is an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between. At Christmas time, it comes alive with twinkling lights strewn around the city, wooden huts popping up in magnificent locations and seductive scents filling the air with festive spices.
    

   Freechoice:
   A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are on offer to choose from this morning:
   
   Budapest in Depth: Explore this magical city by coach. Visit both Buda and Pest, the two districts that are separated by the Danube that make up the city. Starting on the Buda side see the Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to the Pest side where you will see Széchenyi square and Elizabeth square. After your tour you will have ample free time to explore the Christmas Markets of the city. Walk through the stalls that flank St Stephens Basilica and delight in the festive atmosphere with the sights and scents of the markets on full display.
   
   Guided hike to Buda Hill: Strap on your walking shoes for a beautiful hike up to the World Heritage-listed site of Buda Hill. On your walk, see Varket Bazar and beautifully landscaped gardens, all while enjoying great views over the Danube River and the city architecture.

   Your Scenic Space-Ship departs for Vienna later this afternoon so make the most of your free time in this magical city.

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3. Day 3
   Vienna

   Sat, Nov 30, 2024

   Today, perhaps wake to a pre-ordered coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler. Take in the charming villages and sites you’re passing by while sailing to Vienna. Austria’s imperial capital oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.
    

   Enrich
   Tonight's Scenic Enrich:
   
   Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein: Breathe in the opulence and luxury of Palais Liechtenstein this evening as you relish an exclusive private classical concert. Enjoy a glass of fine Austrian Sekt and listen to the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart performed by a renowned Orchestra. An experience only shared with your fellow Scenic guests, you’ll be seated in Vienna’s largest secular baroque hall, an ornate space where royals and nobles have sat for centuries. Accompanied by ballet dancers and vocalists and surrounded by world-famous art, this will be a concert that you’ll remember for a lifetime. 

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4. Day 4
   Vienna

   Sun, Dec 01, 2024

   A city full of grandeur, Vienna comes alive during the festive season. A visit to the Austrian imperial capital during this time of the year will create some unique, magical moments.

   See the world's most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, lit up with dazzling displays of Christmas lights and decorations. You'll also enjoy the city's musical heritage in full display with the sounds of famous festive tunes and classical pieces around every corner. After all, you're in the City of Music, which fostered musical geniuses like Mozart and Beethoven.

   Freechoice:
   Explore your way with today’s selection of Scenic Freechoice activities:
   
   Schonbrunn Palace: Explore Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family, one of the most prominent dynasties in European history. As you wander its countless ornately designed rooms, hear tales about the royal family that lived here and see the impressive gardens. After your guided tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the Christmas Markets that are held annually at the palace. Take the chance to delight in the festive culinary offerings or look around for the many stalls offering traditional and homemade gifts.
   
   Cycle to Danube Island: Explore a different side of Vienna on a guided e-bike tour to Danube Island, a recreational playground where locals come to enjoy bathing, boating, cycling and relaxing on its beaches and open spaces.
   
   Belvedere Museum: Visit one of Europe’s most stunning Baroque landmarks and explore the greatest collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day, complemented by the work of international artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Max Beckmann.

   This afternoon is free to wander around Vienna, so perhaps join one of the provided shuttles to the city centre and make the most of your time strolling through the many Christmas markets or simply relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship.

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5. Day 5
   Dürnstein > Melk

   Mon, Dec 02, 2024

   Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock early this morning in the quaint town of Dürnstein. Surrounded by vineyards, the city has historical buildings that date back to the 12th century, including the hilltop ruins of Dürnstein Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193. Enjoy some free time exploring this captivating town before cruising towards Melk.
    

   Freechoice:
   Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions today:
   
   E-biking from Melk to Durnstein: Embark on a 32km guided e-bike ride to soak up the scenery along the Danube as you cycle to the quaint village of Melk, located in Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley. You’ll be impressed by the breathtaking UNESCO-listed Benedictine Abbey, built high over the city, the most spectacular building in the region. This tour will pass by many small villages and beautiful rolling vineyards, stopping along the way to enjoy the river views.
   
   Glorious Melk Abbey: Your visit to Melk will only be complete with a guided tour to the magnificent 18th century Benedictine Abbey. Wander its 900-year-old hallowed halls, visit the decorated Marble Hall and the library, which is filled with more than 80,000 books, and be awed by the Abbey Church, which is adorned in frescoes and intricate statues.
   
   Schnapps tasting: Transfer to the nearby town of Weissenkirchen where you will learn about how Schnapps is produced, including the distilling process in a local distillery. Discover the number of flavours available and get to sample some types of delicious schnapps during a tasting. 

   While you indulge in the spectacular views this afternoon, it's also the perfect opportunity to indulge in some delicious local produce from the Wachau Valley. Your Cruise Director will organise a special treat for you and invite a local producer on board to share some regional delicacies that are famous in this region. Sample some Apricot dumplings and local schnapps among other delights in this breath-taking location. 

   As you sit down to a delicious dinner, your Scenic Space-Ship will set sail towards your next destination.

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
6. Day 6
   Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov

   Tue, Dec 03, 2024

   Freechoice:
   Today, choose from two completely different, yet equally fascinating full day Scenic Freechoice excursions:
   
   Full day excursion to Salzburg: This morning you will disembark your Scenic Space-Ship in Brandstatt, from where you will journey via coach to Salzburg, Austria. Surrounded by alpine peaks and on the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg is best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music. This storybook city has a thriving art scene, music and concert halls filled with classical music, a Baroque old town where you’ll find Mozart’s birthplace, and Hohensalzburg, Central Europe’s largest intact fortress, which sits high above the rooftops with panoramic views of the city. During a guided tour, explore this incredible city before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. After some free time to explore the thriving Christmas markets that grace the city - some of the oldest advent markets in the world -, you will return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the town of Vilshofen.
   
   Full day excursion to Cesky Krumlov: From Brandstatt, journey via coach to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This delightful UNESCO World Heritage town is brimming with charm. Sitting on the banks of the Vltava River, Cesky Krumlov is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe with its vast array of well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Wander this fairy-tale location with your local guide and explore the historic centre before delighting in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Your local guide will be on hand to offer expertise on the best way to spend your free time, such as at the Christmas Markets in the Old Town square. This afternoon you will return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the town of Vilshofen.

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
7. Day 7
   Regensburg

   Wed, Dec 04, 2024

   Boasting a staggering 2,000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany’s best preserved medieval town centres, with more than 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Within its narrow laneways, the city lays claim to having the highest concentration of bars in the country. Regensburg is also fringed by the Bavarian Forest, home to hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails and deer, wild boar, fox and otter.  

   Set on the confluence of three rivers in Bavaria, Regensburg is a delight to explore on a walking tour. Your expert local guide will show you the old stone bridge, the Church of St James, and the Porta Praetoria all while sharing the customs and traditions of the region during the festive period. 

   
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
8. Day 8
   Nuremberg > Prague

   Thu, Dec 05, 2024

   Today travel by coach to Prague, one of the truly magical cities of Europe. Complete your journey with a three night stay at one of our luxurious city central hotels.

   
   Meals: Breakfast
9. Day 9
   Prague

   Fri, Dec 06, 2024

   Pull back the curtains of your hotel room this morning and you’ll see why Prague is known as the city of 100 Spires. More accurately, it should be called the city of 1,000 spires as a seemingly endless landscape of Baroque belfries, Gothic church spires and 19th-century clocktowers.  

   You’ll take a guided tour this morning, led by an expert local guide who will reveal the city’s secrets in all their Gothic glory. The red-roofed Old Town is a charming maze of cobblestone laneways, medieval buildings, bustling squares and elaborate statues. It’s compact and almost completely flat, making it perfect for exploring on foot. Don’t miss the Old Town Hall where you can hear the 14th-century Astronomical Clock chime, accompanied by a procession of the 12 Apostles.  

   The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll through this magnificent city, situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia. Prague is rich in history and home to some of the world’s most striking architectural wonders. Your Tour Director is on hand to help you plan. 

   
   Meals: Breakfast
10. Day 10
    Prague

    Sat, Dec 07, 2024

    You have the morning at leisure to explore this wonderful city, perhaps rise early and take a stroll along the Charles Bridge, without the crowds or relax and people watch in one of the many cafes around the picturesque Old Town. 

    Freechoice:
    This afternoon choose from one of today’s Scenic Freechoice activities:
    
    Prague Beer tasting walk: Join an expert local guide for a walking tour of Prague, taking in the city’s most famous sites and hidden gems. Prague is home to hundreds of small breweries, and you’ll have time to taste local beers that have been brewed here for generations, like pilsner larger and wheat beer.
    
    Prague Castle tour: Journey to the hill overlooking the Vltava River and the city of Prague to explore the seat of Czech rulers at Prague Castle, a vast complex covering more than 70,000 square metres that’s considered the largest castle complex in the world. The castle has its roots in the 9th century, though there are buildings dating from every period of history spread throughout the grounds. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the Czech Republic as well as the Old Royal Palace the former residence of Bohemian Royalty and the picturesque Golden Lane, the historic street lined with colourful houses, inhabited by soldiers, goldsmiths or alchemists in the past.
    
    Terezin Memorial: Take an excursion outside of Prague to the nearby town of Terezin, a former Austrian imperial military fortress and location of the Theresienstadt Ghetto, which served as a concentration camp during World War II. Visit the Terezin Memorial sites including the small fortress and the Ghetto Museum to learn about the horrors committed during the Nazi occupation during World War II and pay your respects to those that lost their lives during this atrocity. Please note due to the amount of walking involved, this tour is only recommended for guest with a good degree of fitness.

    The remaining day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

    
    Meals: Breakfast
11. Day 11
    Prague

    Sun, Dec 08, 2024

    Today it’s time to farewell Prague, taking with you many fond memories of this charismatic city.

    
    Meals: Breakfast

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