Day 1 - Tuesday - Apr 16, 2024
Welcome to Bucharest. The capital of Romania was once called the Paris of the East; however, WWII changed the face of the city with much of its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture destroyed. Now it is a unique mix of Art Nouveau remnants and Brutalist-era architecture, along with wide, tree-lined boulevards and leafy squares, hidden street art and thriving nightlife, splendid Orthodox churches, and a gargantuan Palace of Parliament. This evening, you'll stay in a luxurious city hotel.
Day 2 - Wednesday - Apr 17, 2024
Today, you'll explore the city of Bucharest, with a guided tour of the city by motorcoach. Travel from the south of Bucharest to Primaverii Palace, stopping to see its squares, including Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square, and Charles de Gaulle Square. This afternoon, you will be transferred to Giurgiu, where you will be welcomed onboard your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship.
Day 3 - Thursday - Apr 18, 2024
Arrive in Silistra early this morning, a Bulgarian town that played a significant role in the Russo-Turkish wars. Relax in the sunshine on the Sun Deck this afternoon as you enjoy the scenery of the Danube rolling by. Download the Scenic Tailormade app to listen to river commentary and gain insight to the villages and sites you're passing.
Day 4 - Friday - Apr 19, 2024
This morning, you'll arrive in Rousse (or Ruse), which has been described as 'Little Vienna'. This afternoon, relax onboard as you continue to sail along the Danube. Mingle with other guests as you sit back with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar and soak up the scenery.
Day 5 - Saturday - Apr 20, 2024
Today, you will cruise through the spectacular scenery of the Iron Gates, a narrow gorge carved out between the Carpathian and Balkan mountains. This stretch of the Danube is the natural border between Serbia and Romania and features four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs, and the mighty rock carving of Decebalus, the former Romanian king. Spend some time relaxing in 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 river life as you cruise the Danube. Or perhaps you'd prefer to sweat it out in the state-of-the-art gym or take time out in the wellness center.
Day 6 - Sunday - Apr 21, 2024
Arrive in the capital of Serbia this morning. Belgrade is known as the 'Door to Central Europe' and lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. This eclectic city is steeped in history, with Neolithic ruins found nearby, a fortress built by the Romans, Brutalist buildings that sit beside Art Nouveau buildings, and a bohemian vibe. One of the oldest capitals in Europe, Belgrade has been rebuilt almost 40 times. This afternoon is free at leisure to explore Belgrade further. Soak up the bohemian culture with a wander along cobblestoned Skadarlija Street, a district once frequented by writers and artists and other creative souls, now home to traditional restaurants, local stores, and galleries.
Day 7 - Monday - Apr 22, 2024
Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive this morning in the Croatian town of Osijek, a small city with a turbulent history. Osijek was at the epicenter of the 1990s war, and its scars are still evident on its buildings today. After your touring this morning, all guests will visit the home of a typical Croatian family and have lunch with the family members. Immerse yourself in this cultural and culinary experience, and enjoy an authentic meal prepared with fresh vegetables from the host's garden. North-eastern Croatia is the 'bread basket' of the country, so it is only natural that the villagers take great pride in their gardens, from which ingredients are used to make a feast for both the palate and the eyes.
Day 8 - Tuesday - Apr 23, 2024
This morning, you'll have free time onboard as you sail towards Kalocsa, one of the oldest towns in Hungary. This historic town has some of the richest folk art in the world and was an important agricultural center in the 19th century.
Day 9 - Wednesday - Apr 24, 2024
Budapest is often considered to be the most beautiful city in Europe and you have a full day at leisure to see why.
Day 10 - Thursday - Apr 25, 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. It is also well known for its hot springs and thermal baths and has a vibrant nightlife scene. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps you may like to hop on board Scenic's e-bikes (electronically assisted bicycles) to explore the city on two wheels or find one of the city's famous ruin bars - housed in abandoned buildings - to enjoy an afternoon drink. Alternatively, make your way back to your luxury Space-Ship to relax in the Panorama Lounge & Bar. You will set sail for Vienna later this afternoon.
Day 11 - Friday - Apr 26, 2024
Today, perhaps wake to a coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler. Be sure to download the Scenic Tailormade app to listen to river commentary and gain insight into the villages and sites you're passing as you relax onboard while cruising to the Austrian capital. Vienna oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture, and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.
Day 12 - Saturday - Apr 27, 2024
Wake this morning with Vienna on your doorstep. A city full of grandeur, Austria's imperial capital is famous for having the world's most beautiful boulevard, Ringstrasse, and for 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.
Day 13 - Sunday - Apr 28, 2024
Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock early this morning in the quaint town of Durnstein. Surrounded by vineyards, the city has historical buildings that date back to the 12th century, including the hilltop ruins of Durnstein Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193. Enjoy some free time exploring this charming town before cruising towards Melk. After your tour, you will return to the luxury of your Space-Ship.
Day 14 - Monday - Apr 29, 2024
Day 15 - Tuesday - Apr 30, 2024
You will arrive in Regensburg after lunch, so this morning offers a great opportunity to relax and rejuvenate in the Salt Therapy lounge, located on the Jewel Deck. Boasting a staggering 2,000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany's best-preserved medieval town centers, 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 kilometers of hiking trails and deer, wild boar, fox, and otter.
Day 16 - Wednesday - May 1, 2024
You will arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, early this morning. Boasting an Old Town protected by an ancient city wall, where the most enchanting Christmas markets are held every year, 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 facade, Nuremberg also has a turbulent history. During WWII, the city was favored 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, when Nazi Germany leaders were tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity. This afternoon, you will sail towards Bamberg. Sip on a specialty tea or coffee in the Panorama Lounge & Bar or join a lecture to gain insight into the history and culture along the river.
Day 17 - Thursday - May 2, 2024
Built on seven hills, this UNESCO World Heritage-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 - comprising 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. Back onboard your Space-Ship, you may wish to spend time in the wellness center with a soothing massage.
Day 18 - Friday - May 3, 2024
After a leisurely morning onboard your Space-Ship, you will arrive in Wurzburg. This Baroque city straddles the Main River in the heart of Franconian wine country. Surrounded by undulating vineyards, Wurzburg is home to a UNESCO World Heritage-listed palace, a dominating hilltop fortress, the 15th-century Old Main Bridge, and three universities, including Bavaria's oldest.
Day 19 - Saturday - May 4, 2024
This morning, you will arrive in the historic town of Wertheim, sitting on the picturesque banks of the Main and Tauber rivers. After touring, you will embark your luxury Space-Ship in Miltenberg and set sail for Rudesheim. Enjoy some of the all-inclusive onboard entertainment this evening as you sail through the night.
Day 20 - Sunday - May 5, 2024
This morning, you will disembark 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 cuckoo clocks, as well as a smattering of wine taverns and open-air beer gardens. This afternoon, relax onboard the Sun Deck and admire the scenic landscapes as you cruise along the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a 65-kilometer stretch of the river that 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 21 - Monday - May 6, 2024
You will arrive in Cologne today, a city known for its liberal and laidback lifestyle, its unique beer culture, auto industry, and the jaw-dropping cathedral that dominates its skyline. Settled by the Romans, this major cultural center for the Rhineland was built during the Middle Ages but was largely destroyed during WWII. The magnificent Gothic cathedral, an enormous UNESCO World Heritage-listed site that dates to 1248, was badly damaged but stood tall above the ruins of the city.
Day 22 - Tuesday - May 7, 2024
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 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.
Day 23 - Wednesday - May 8, 2024
Disembark in Amsterdam after a farewell breakfast this morning, taking with you a lifetime of 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.; Note: Massage/spa treatments at additional cost.
