Day 1 - Saturday - Jul 13, 2024
Welcome to Switzerland and the city of Zurich, the largest in the country and one of the most livable in the world. Here, residents cycle along wide streets, relax in leafy parks, and dine under the stars in open-air restaurants. It's known as a global financial center, but there's also one of Europe's most eclectic cultural scenes, world-class contemporary art, and a fascinating history. Check into your historic hotel in Zurich for an overnight stay.
Day 2 - Sunday - Jul 14, 2024
Set off on foot this morning for a walking tour with a local guide. Zurich is one of the world's great walking cities, with a flat center, many pedestrian-only streets, and historic bridges. Wander along the Bahnhofstrasse, the city's main street that's lined with glamorous boutiques and international flagship stores. Straddling both sides of the Limmat River, Zurich's Old Town is a pleasant jumble of tiny laneways, cobbled squares, and medieval buildings. Don't miss St. Peter's Church, where the original 9th-century foundations are still visible beneath the chancel and the iconic twin towers of the Grossmunster church. Then, travel through the impossibly pretty town of Lucerne. Perched on the edge of the spectacular Lake Lucerne, you'll find exquisite medieval architecture, a 685-year-old wooden footbridge (the oldest in Europe), and glimpses of the majestic Alps in the distance. Arriving in Bern check into your luxurious hotel for some well-deserved rest.
Day 3 - Monday - Jul 15, 2024
It's back on the road this morning for your first taste of the Swiss Alps in the village of Gstaad. A favorite with the international jet set, Gstaad is renowned as a ski resort in winter and an outdoor adventure playground in summer. The first thing you'll see is the magnificent Gstaad Palace hotel, which looks like a fairytale castle perched above the tiny village. Stroll through the chic shopping district and admire the jaw-dropping views. Wind your way back down to the lakeside town of Montreux. It sits on the edge of Lake Geneva, one of the largest lakes in Western Europe that is shared between Switzerland and France. Montreux is known as the Swiss Riviera for its stunning scenery, charming waterfront, perfect climate, and chic lifestyle. Check into your hotel for a two-night stay. It's just a few steps from the shore of the lake, and offers elegant rooms, fine Swiss cuisine, and an indulgent spa.
Day 4 - Tuesday - Jul 16, 2024
Why not take the opportunity to wake early and walk along a section of the path that runs around the shore of Lake Geneva. There are beautiful views over the calm water, with boats bobbing at anchor and mountains in the distance. You can join the path right out the front of the hotel. You'll be thankful you made time for some exercise, because today you're going to dive into the gooey cheese culture of Montreux.
Day 5 - Wednesday - Jul 17, 2024
| Basel (Saxon), Switzerland |
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Transfer today to Basel where you will be greeted by your friendly crew and welcomed onboard your Scenic Space-Ship.
Day 6 - Thursday - Jul 18, 2024
Located between the Rhine River and the Black Forest, Breisach is a food and wine destination that shares its border with the Alsace region. It was almost destroyed during WWII but was meticulously rebuilt with its traditional cobbled streets and pastel houses. This morning, you will arrive at Breisach for a day of exploration.
Day 7 - Friday - Jul 19, 2024
The city of Kehl is the gateway to Strasbourg, the capital city of the Alsace region, where sherbert-colored, half-timbered houses heave together on the banks of a complex network of canals. On its central island, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Grande Ile, Petite France - named so for the 15th-century hospital that was built here for patients suffering from syphilis, the 'French disease' - was a medieval tanners' quarter. Its meandering cobbled laneways are lined with a medley of buildings with shuttered windows and bright flowerboxes. Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart for Mannheim this afternoon.
Day 8 - Saturday - Jul 20, 2024
Day 9 - Sunday - Jul 21, 2024
This morning you will arrive in Rudesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia. The charming town center 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. Leaving Rudesheim, you will cruise along the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. This 65-kilometer stretch of the river is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Sailing down this section of the river is like being transported through the pages of a fairy-tale book. The Rhine is abounded in myths and legends; folklore that has been passed on for generations, including the story of Lorelei. This enchanting female was betrayed by her sweetheart and spent her days bewitching men. As her punishment, she was sent to a nunnery, however on her way she jumped to her death in the river. Legend has her spirit casting spells on sailors who passed the rock, where a bronze statue sits today.
Day 10 - Monday - Jul 22, 2024
A medieval gem resting on the banks of the Moselle River, Cochem will make you feel as if you are stepping directly into a fairy-tale. The traditional town is nestled on the riverbanks, with pastel-colored buildings, half-timbered houses, cobbled laneways, and an enchanting medieval hilltop castle surrounded by sloped vineyards. Spend the afternoon at leisure in this beautiful location before setting sail for Bernkastel after dinner.
Day 11 - Tuesday - Jul 23, 2024
Another wonderfully preserved riverside town, Bernkastel is home to an atmospheric market square with buildings that date to the 13th century, one of the world's most famous Riesling vineyards, Bernkasteler Doctor, and the ruins of Landshut Castle sitting high above on a hill, where archeological remains from the 4th and 5th centuries were discovered in 2012.
Day 12 - Wednesday - Jul 24, 2024
| Cruising the Moselle River |
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Today, sail along the curvaceous path of the Moselle River past quaint half-timbered villages, vine-covered slopes, and hilltop castles that are perched proudly overlooking the river. Relax in the opulence of your suite, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of the Moselle Valley during this full day of cruising. This afternoon, you will be able to indulge in a Moselle Wine Degustation to sample local varieties.
Day 13 - Thursday - Jul 25, 2024
Located where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, Koblenz is a melange of French and German cultures and one of Germany's oldest cities with a history spanning 2,000 years. Koblenz is surrounded by vineyards, forest, and mountain ranges and is also known as the gateway to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a picturesque section of the mighty river that is protected by UNESCO. Your Space-Ship will overnight in Koblenz, offering you the opportunity to explore the city after dark.
Day 14 - Friday - Jul 26, 2024
Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive Dusseldorf this morning. Perhaps arrange for coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Crystal Dining. Dusseldorf is an affluent city, which was dubbed 'Little Paris' by Napoleon. The city is filled to the brim with museums and galleries, one of the world's most luxurious shopping streets, an old town with around 260 pubs and bars, and a harbor precinct that blends the old with new: historic quay walls, warehouses, and silos neighbor striking architecturally designed buildings by the likes of Frank Gehry.
Day 15 - Saturday - Jul 27, 2024
Located at the edge of the Veluwe nature reserve, the city of Arnhem offers a beautiful landscape surrounded by dense forest, lush green parklands, and riverside promenades. Coupled with its long and rich history, Arnhem is the perfect location to spend the morning.
Day 16 - Sunday - Jul 28, 2024
This morning, you will arrive in Belgium's second city, Antwerp. Full of historical and cultural contrasts, Antwerp has a melange of architectural wonders, a medieval center with cobbled streets and Gothic buildings, many that were severely bombed during WWII, blended with architecture. It's also the diamond capital of the world, with 70 percent of the world's diamonds traded there. Your Scenic Space-Ship departs later this evening, which means you have free time to wander Antwerp at your own pace. Alternatively, return to your Space-Ship and take the time to unwind in the exclusive Salt Therapy Lounge, which provides natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties.
Day 17 - Monday - Jul 29, 2024
You will arrive in Veere this morning, one of the Netherlands' prettiest villages whose historic harbor is filled with bobbing yachts. While its beginnings date to the 13th century, Veere flourished in the 16th century when it became an important port for Scottish wool. This prosperity lasted two centuries, and to this day Scottish ties are strong.
Day 18 - Tuesday - Jul 30, 2024
This morning, you will arrive at Utrecht, a canal-lined city boasting a multitude of green space, lively streets, and hidden alleyways leaving you intrigued by what is around the next corner. This afternoon, relax on the Sun Deck as you enjoy the scenery rolling by while cruising towards your final destination, Amsterdam.
Day 19 - Wednesday - Jul 31, 2024
Your cruise will finish in Amsterdam. The capital city of the Netherlands 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 World Heritage-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges. Please book your flight to depart out of Amsterdam after 11 AM. 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.
