Christmas & New Year

Fly from the UK to Budapest.
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, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you 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.

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.

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.

Thermal Baths: Budapest is known for its thermal waters and today you can relax in the natural hot springs at Gellert Baths. The baths are said to have medicinal properties and are warm year-round, allowing for a luxurious soak no matter what the season.

Guided hike to Buda Hill: Strap on your walking shoes and join your local guide for a beautiful hike through the Buda District of Budapest where you will learn about the history of the city while taking incredible views over Buda and Pest as well as the Danube that cuts its way through the city.
 

Tonight, you can choose to attend a Christmas mass in a local church in Budapest or stay on board and rejoice in extraordinary all-inclusive culinary experiences.

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.

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.

Thermal Baths: Budapest is known for its thermal waters and today you can relax in the natural hot springs at Gellert Baths. The baths are said to have medicinal properties and are warm year-round, allowing for a luxurious soak no matter what the season.

Guided hike to Buda Hill: Strap on your walking shoes and join your local guide for a beautiful hike through the Buda District of Budapest where you will learn about the history of the city while taking incredible views over Buda and Pest as well as the Danube that cuts its way through the city.
 

Tonight, you can choose to attend a Christmas mass in a local church in Budapest or stay on board and rejoice in extraordinary all-inclusive culinary experiences.

Wake up this morning in Vienna, Austria’s imperial capital. A city full of grandeur, it’s famous for having the world’s most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, and the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy. Also known as the City of Music, Vienna fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, among others. Sigmund Freud also lived and worked here in the late 19th century.

Freechoice:
Take your pick from today’s selection of Scenic Freechoice experiences:

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 lives here and see the impressive gardens.

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.

Central Vienna exploration: The city centre of Vienna is overflowing with history, elegance and diverse architecture. During this tour, your expert local guide will delight you with stories from the city before allowing you extended free time to explore the city as you wish.
 

Enrich
Tonight’s Scenic EnrichClassical 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.

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 Durnstein to Melk: 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. 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.

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

Melk is an Austrian town situated on the River Danube. Located west of Vienna, the town is mostly famous for its 11th Century Melk Abbey, a magnificent monastery built high above the town. Melk Abbey is the largest example of Baroque architecture in the Wachau Valley, with the valley itself awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2000. Its steep terraced vineyards mean vinters cultivate with traditional manual practices and the springtime sees this unique landscape covered in apricot tree blossoms. Strolling around the streets of Melk Old Town, visitors will find the Town Hall Square, the Main Square, the old Post Office, now a local museum, Old Abbey Tavern, and Kremser Strasse. River cruises, self-guided walking tours and cycle tours are also extremely popular around Melk, as the Wachau Valley offers unique landscape to be explored and enjoyed. Art festivals and Baroque music is celebrated each year with the Melk Baroque Days, an international festival.

Today, choose from two completely different, yet equally fascinating full day excursions. Both options require a coach journey but are well worth the drive.

Freechoice:
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, you will return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the German city of Passau.

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.

You will arrive in Regensburg today. 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.

You will arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second-largest city, after lunch. Boasting an Old Town protected by an ancient city wall, this city is dominated by one of the most significant imperial forts of the Holy Roman Empire, the 12th century Imperial Castle, which was the preferred residence of German kings.

Behind its charming façade, Nuremberg also has a turbulent history. During WWII, the city was favoured by the Nazis for party rallies. The boycotts of Jewish businesses began here, as did the laws that denied Jewish people German citizenship – known as the ‘Nuremberg Laws’. By 1945, the city was reduced to rubble, including large sections of the Imperial Castle and Old Town. Allied powers – the US, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union – held the Nuremberg Trials here between 1945 and 1946, where Nazi Germany leaders were tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Freechoice:
Make your choice from this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Walking tour of the Old Town: You will drive into Nuremberg’s city centre, passing by the city walls and courthouse before arriving at Augustinerstrasse. From here your local guide will take you on a walking tour of Nuremberg to see the Imperial Castle which overlooks the city, St. Egidien’s Church and market square.

The trials and tribulations of WWII Tour: Join your expert local guide and learn about the horrific events that occurred in Nuremberg during Germany’s Nazi regime. Start by taking a drive to the Rally Grounds and explore Memorium Nurnberger Prozesse where subsequent trials of Nazi party members took place.

Traditional Gingerbread cooking class: Nürnberger Lebkuchen was invented by medieval monks in Germany during the 13th century. Today join an experienced local chef and learn how to bake this soft, moist and nutty traditional German gingerbread yourself. Enjoy tasting this regional delight whilst learning about the region and its history. You may be surprised how different this is to today's modern-day gingerbread.

Built on seven hills, this UNESCO-listed town has surprises at every turn. Intersected by rivers and canals, enchanting Bamberg has an Old Town resplendent with cobblestoned streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. A charming Old Town Hall which occupies an island on its own, a Gothic and Romanesque-style cathedral and the Old and New Residences – an episcopal palace, a pretty ‘Little Venice’ and a 12th century castle that teeters on the highest of the seven hills – are some of the incredible places you’ll see during your guided city tour.

This morning, you will tour the Old Town, one of Europe’s largest intact city centres, featuring a range of stunning Medieval and Baroque buildings.

This evening, ring in the New Year in this magnificent town. Perhaps make your way into the historic Old Town and celebrate like the locals or stay on board and celebrate with newfound friends.

Built on seven hills, this UNESCO-listed town has surprises at every turn. Intersected by rivers and canals, enchanting Bamberg has an Old Town resplendent with cobblestoned streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. A charming Old Town Hall which occupies an island on its own, a Gothic and Romanesque-style cathedral and the Old and New Residences – an episcopal palace, a pretty ‘Little Venice’ and a 12th century castle that teeters on the highest of the seven hills – are some of the incredible places you’ll see during your guided city tour.

This morning, you will tour the Old Town, one of Europe’s largest intact city centres, featuring a range of stunning Medieval and Baroque buildings.

This evening, ring in the New Year in this magnificent town. Perhaps make your way into the historic Old Town and celebrate like the locals or stay on board and celebrate with newfound friends.

Arrive in the historic town of Wertheim, sitting on the picturesque banks of the Main and Tauber Rivers.

Explore this beautiful town before transferring to Miltenberg, where your local guide will take you on an orientation tour through the beautiful cobblestone streets lined with historic half-timbered houses.

Miltenberg is a city located in Bavaria and Southern part of Germany. Located on the banks of the river Maine the city grew from its medieval roots through Viniculture, wine trade, fishery, and general river traffic, into the established and preserved town of today. Visit the Museum Stadt Miltenberg, housed in the half timbered house called the Alte Amtskellerei (The Provost’s Office) and discover the town’s history through collections depicting culture back to the Romans. A visit to castle Miltenberg is also recommended. The castle dates back to the 11th century and is now owned by the city administration. With the castle in need of rehabilitation, the Museum Burg Miltenberg was opened to exhibit classic icons and contemporary art in a historical and significant setting. The keep of the castle, which reaches twenty seven metres high, offers picturesque views of the Main Valley below and is the perfect setting to relax and enjoy some refreshments.

This morning you will arrive in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia. The charming town centre is filled with half-timbered houses lining cobbled streets, quaint shops selling trinkets such as traditional Christmas ornaments and cuckoo clocks, as well as a smattering of wine taverns and open-air beer gardens.

On arrival take a mini train from the pier to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where some 350 musical instruments from the 18th and 19th century play themselves for your enjoyment.

This afternoon we set sail for Cologne. As we cruise the Rhine River, enjoy spectacular views of the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge.

Today you will arrive in Cologne, a city known for its liberal and laidback lifestyle, unique beer culture, auto industry and the jaw-dropping cathedral that dominates its skyline. Settled by the Romans, this major cultural centre for the Rhineland was built during the Middle Ages but was largely destroyed during WWII. The magnificent Gothic cathedral, an enormous World Heritage site that dates to 1248, was severely damaged but stood tall above the ruins of the city.

Take the time to discover Cologne on a walking tour. Wander the laneways of the historical Old Town, which is home to breweries serving up draft Kolsch beer and enjoy free time to visit the city's centrepiece and icon, Cologne Cathedral.

After lunch, set sail for our final destination, Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, masterpiece-filled galleries, tranquil scenes of boats putting along 16th century canals, narrow cobbled laneways filled with boutiques and cafes, and streets busy with cyclists criss-crossing their way about town. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, much of the UNESCO-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges.

Freechoice:

This morning, choose one of the following Scenic Freechoice experiences:

Canal cruise: Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometres of canals and today you will see some of the prettiest sights of the city from these historical waterways. This one-hour cruise takes you along the Gentleman’s Canal, where you will see The Skinny Bridge and The Prince’s Canal, which was known for its warehouses and common people. You will go past the Old Lord Mayor’s House, The Seven Bridges, Anne Frank’s House and head to the Brewer’s Canal. As the historic centre glides past, you can admire the elegant merchant’s residences, churches and warehouses dating from the Golden Age.

Flavours of Holland walking tour: Explore the Dutch capital on foot and see the city highlights while tasting some delicious local treats. Pickled herring, a favourite street food, tasty cheeses and mouth-watering Poffertjes (traditional fluffy bite-sized pancakes) are some delicacies you'll savour.

Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar: Step outside of Amsterdam to visit the village of Schermerhorn, home to authentic windmills dating back to the 16th century. Take in the idyllic views of the sweeping Dutch countryside and learn about the importance of the windmills. You will also head to Alkmaar, a charming town with historic buildings and picturesque canals, also known as ‘the city of cheese’.

Depart after a wonderful breakfast. Amsterdam is the end of your cruise but will be the start of a lifetime of wonderful memories.Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK.
 

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. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

^Massage/spa treatments at additional cost.

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Our spacious main restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Award-winning Chefs prepare buffet, while regional wines are hand picked by our sommelier.

• Á la carte menus
• Four-course dinner
• Open seating with tables from 2 to 8
• Wide range of cuisine from local specialties to a Seafood Gala evening
• Buffet and á la carte menus available daily
• In-room dining served by a butler

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Exclusive and intimate, Portobellos boasts the best vantage point at the front of the ship showcasing sumptuous regional specialities from the freshest local produce.

• Authentic Italian, French or Portuguese dining
• A maximum of 32 guests an evening
• All guests will dine here at least once during their cruise
• Five-course menu featuring regional specialties paired with local wines from the region’s best wineries
• Floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy the view as you dine

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This intimate affair is the ultimate treat for your palate.

Royal and Junior suite guests as well as Diamond Deck guests are invited, by our Executive Chef, to join Table La Rive for an evening of sumptuous dégustation.

• Exclusive for Royal and Junior suite guests on cruises of 7 nights or less, and for all Diamond deck guests on cruises of 10 nights or longer
• Six-course dégustation menu with sommelier paired wines
• Intimate dining for only 10 guests per evening

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Accompanied by our all-inclusive food and drink offering, the Riverview Terrace is the perfect spot for a little alfresco living on board our Space-Ships. Whether it’s an afternoon aperitif or a light bite, you can enjoy a range of snacks and refreshments from the comfort of the Sun Deck as sweeping views pass you by.

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The River Café provides you with a wonderful range of complimentary delicious light meals, snacks and refreshments that you can take anywhere at any time.

• Open from early in the morning until late afternoon
• Casual and flexible dining options to suit your schedule
• Offers full service and mouth-watering buffet style food
• A great meeting spot, open for all day grazing and socializing
• Gelato bar, light snacks, healthy options, tasty treats

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• Dine in the comfort of your suite enjoying the views
• Room service is available, and included throughout your cruise

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Take a ride on a Scenic E-Bike and experience the wonders of Portugal like never before. These power-assisted bicycles are perfect for seeing the sights at a pace that suits you.

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Immerse in the wonders of Europe with Scenic Tailormade, a GPS-powered discovery system, which can be downloaded from The App Store or Google Play, lets you see more of the continent both on board and on shore.

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Enjoy the freedom of customising your holiday your way with Scenic Freechoice. Choose from a wide range of truly all-inclusive experiences classified into ‘Active’, ‘Moderate’, and ‘Relaxed’ grades, and find the ones to match your pace each day.

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Enjoy wondrous moments exclusively created for you, ranging from a private concert in a grand 18th century palace in Germany or indulging in a sumptuous dinner in a local home in the Netherlands. Enjoy these exquisite handcrafted experiences that are not available to the regular traveller.

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Located at the heart of the Scenic Jasper, Opal and Amber, the Panorama Lounge & Bar is the primary bar area on board – providing an intimate and contemporary place to relax and take advantage of our extensive bar menu. This is also where you can enjoy a programme of entertainment, including performances by local musicians and cultural troupes.

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The Scenic Jasper, Opal and Amber each benefit from an open-air location at the top of each Space-Ship, where you can make the most of sunlit days on the river. Enjoy competing with new friends in the games area, sink into the comfort of a deck chair, or simply take a walk and admire the view.

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A warm welcome awaits at your reception area, which you’ll find in the central atrium on board our Space-Ships. Our crew are on hand 24 hours a day to help with whatever you need, while the area also doubles as the meeting point for the day’s shore excursions.

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The Sun Deck is where you’ll find the Wheelhouse, the command centre on board the Scenic Jasper, Opal and Amber. This is where your crew pilot the ship, and they’ll be all too happy to let you have a look behind the scenes should you be interested.

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Designed for total relaxation on the rivers of Central Europe - Scenic Jasper, Opal and Amber all feature a Vitality Pool, a luxurious, heated pool that boasts air and water jets. Whether you’re looking to unwind after an immersive excursion or want a little ‘me’ time; a dip in Vitality Pool is absolute heaven. 

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From massages to facials, you can feel pampered during your river cruise in our Wellness Area. Our beauty therapist can offer a selection of treatments, at an additional cost, to promote wellness and wellbeing, helping you to relax and unwind.

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Stay active on your travels in our Fitness Centres, available on board the Scenic Jasper, Opal and Amber. With a mix of both cardio and weight-training equipment, our on board gyms can help you work up a sweat and get ready for another wonderful day on the river.

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New to the Scenic Space-Ship fleet, our Salt Therapy Lounge utilises the healing power of salt to promote health and wellbeing, as well as a good night’s sleep. Stop by and try this innovative spa and wellness therapy for yourself.

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Our Jewel Deck Suites provide a lovely introduction to river cruising. Comfortable and luxurious with the finest in amenities.

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Located on the Sapphire deck this suite is perfect for the solo traveller. Enjoy fantastic views from your full size balcony complete with Scenic Sun Lounge. This cabin also includes an elegant bathroon with a luxurious vanity basin and shower.

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These Suites located on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space, impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area and an oversized bathroom.

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These Suites located on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space, impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area and an oversized bathroom.

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These spacious Suites, located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, have a private full-length balcony complete with a Scenic Sun Lounge and elegant en-suite bathrooms featuring a large vanity basin and shower.

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Located in prime locations at the front of the ship on both the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, they offer all the features of our private Balcony Suites with our ingenious Scenic Sun Lounge, but with even more space to relax.

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Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks these stylishly decorated suites feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive Scenic Sun Lounge and offer private bathrooms with a luxurious vanity basin and shower.

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These Suites on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space (315ft²), impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area and an oversized bathroom.