Day 1 - Wednesday - May 8, 2024
Welcome to Vienna, a city that oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture, and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums. You will spend the next two nights in a luxurious hotel in Austria's grand capital. Known as the City of Music, Vienna fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, and Sigmund Freud also lived and worked here in the late 19th century. The city boasts the world's most beautiful boulevard, Ringstrasse, a legacy of the Habsburg monarchy. Relax in your luxurious hotel for the evening or head out to explore the city at leisure.
Day 2 - Thursday - May 9, 2024
This morning, embark on a guided tour to see the city's highlights, such as the opulent Opera House, City Hall, the Hellenic-style Parliament Building, the sprawling landscaped gardens of Stadtpark, and Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles).
Day 3 - Friday - May 10, 2024
Today, you'll travel to Salzburg, stopping in the city of Linz on the way. Located on the mighty Danube River, this city is known for its vibrant music and arts scene and beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary architecture and lifestyle. Linz's quaint old town and Main Square are resplendent in Baroque architecture, while its harbor doubles as an outdoor street art gallery. Join a local guide on a walking tour to discover the balance between the city's vibrant history and contemporary living. Your final stop today is Salzburg. Surrounded by soaring 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 Central Europe's largest intact fortress, Hohensalzburg, which sits high above the rooftops with panoramic views of the city.
Day 4 - Saturday - May 11, 2024
This morning, you will take a walking tour of the Baroque Old Town of Salzburg to admire its beautiful architecture and learn about some of its most famous residents, including Mozart, whose birthplace at No.9 is now one of the most visited museums in Austria. You will also visit Mirabell Gardens, which was used as a filming location in The Sound of Music, and hear about the Von Trapp family, who were the inspiration for the classic movie. This afternoon, you will drive to the Otztal Valley, via alpine valleys and the rugged hills of the Salzkammergut region. Located on a picturesque plateau in the Tyrol region of Austria, the Otztal Valley is a glorious resort region and a popular destination for skiing, hiking and mountain biking, and swimming in its thermal baths.
Day 5 - Sunday - May 12, 2024
This morning, you'll cross the border into Bavaria, Germany, where you will have the opportunity to visit one of the most iconic fairytale castles, Neuschwanstein. Built for King Ludwig II in the 19th century and inspired by an opera by acclaimed composer Richard Wagner, the castle is said to be one of the most photographed buildings in the world. Then continue to glamorous St. Moritz. Known as the birthplace of alpine winter tourism, the city has twice hosted the Winter Olympics, but before snow pursuits put it on the global map it was a coveted spa destination due to the mineral springs that bubble underneath its surface. You will spend the evening in this luxurious town, which is a spectacular sight year-round.
Day 6 - Monday - May 13, 2024
| Lugano, Switzerland, Switzerland |
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Today, board the Glacier Express for one of the world's most scenic rail journeys. Relax in your first-class seat while you soak up views of snow-capped mountains, peaceful alpine meadows, rushing mountain streams and valleys, and the impressive 65-meter-high Landwasser Viaduct, as you weave your way to Andermatt. Then, continue via motorcoach to Lugano, where you will spend the next two nights. Located on the shores of Lake Lugano and surrounded by impressive mountains, this city surprises with a unique Mediterranean flair, with its culture and language influenced by its nearest neighbor, Italy. Its historic town center is a series of winding hillside stairways and terraces resplendent with Italianate Lombardy-style architecture.
Day 7 - Tuesday - May 14, 2024
| Lugano, Switzerland, Switzerland |
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Spend the day in Lugano on a culinary excursion or set off to explore the city's surrounding peaks on today's Scenic Freechoice.
Day 8 - Wednesday - May 15, 2024
| Lugano, Switzerland, Switzerland |
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Driving along winding alpine roads with views of snow-capped mountains, cross the border into Italy towards Stresa, an elegant lakeside town that prospered during the 19th and 20th centuries when it was a playground for the wealthy and a muse for creatives such as Ernest Hemingway who based his 1929 novel A Farewell to Arms here. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel where you'll enjoy beautiful rooms overlooking the crystal blue waters of Lake Maggiore.
Day 9 - Thursday - May 16, 2024
| Isola Bella, Borromean Islands, Italy, Italy |
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This morning, take a special cruise on Lake Maggiore, a stunning waterway with Switzerland on one side and Italy on the other. Pause along the way to visit the splendid Isola Bella, 'the beautiful island', which is home to a 17th-century Baroque palace and landscaped gardens that took centuries to complete. Then continue to Zermatt for a two-night stay in a luxurious hotel. Nestled at the foot of the world's most famous mountain, the 4,478-meter Matterhorn, the village of Zermatt looks as though it has been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. When the landscape is blanketed in thick white snow, visitors flock here for exhilarating winter sports, and in summer they come to hike more than 100 trails that weave around its valleys, lakes, and ridges.
Day 10 - Friday - May 17, 2024
Zermatt is located at the north end of a hanging valley with breathtaking views of surrounding peaks. This morning, you will bear witness to some of the most spectacular views as you ascend the Swiss Alps on the historic Gornergrat Bahn. For 125 years, this cog railway has been taking passengers to 3,100 meters above sea level, with mountains and glaciers as far as the eye can see, and the magnificent Matterhorn present at every moment, a craggy triangular peak standing sentinel in the Alps. This afternoon is at leisure to explore Zermatt on your own. Wander along the Bahnhofstrasse, its main street, where you'll find everything from souvenirs to jewellery to traditional food mongers selling baked goods, cheese, and chocolate.
Day 11 - Saturday - May 18, 2024
This morning, journey via shuttle train to Tasch before boarding your motorcoach to Montreux, a lakeside gem that has attracted the creative likes of Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, and Freddie Mercury. This afternoon, you will enjoy some free time to explore the city, which is home to the renowned annual Montreux Jazz Festival, the medieval Chateau de Chillon perched on the shores of Lake Geneva, and a scenic three-kilometer promenade walk.
Day 12 - Sunday - May 19, 2024
| Chateau de Chillon, Switzerland |
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This morning, board a cruise on Lake Geneva to Chateau de Chillon, which you will explore on a guided tour. This 13th-century castle was built on a rocky island on Lake Geneva. Learn about its defense strategies and view around 300 historic items on display from furniture to weapons to armor. Afterwards, travel to Bern, stopping en route in the charming village of Gruyeres, a town that looks like it hasn't changed since the Middle Ages with its fortified castle standing atop the hill. Then visit a renowned chocolaterie where you will sample delicious Swiss chocolate.
Day 13 - Monday - May 20, 2024
Today, you will enjoy an excursion to charming Lucerne, a city nestled at the foot of the Alps and on the shore of its namesake lake. Its famous 14th-century wooden Chapel Bridge spans Lake Lucerne from the New Town to the Old Town and is home to the octagonal water tower built around 1300. Today, you'll take a guided tour of the Old Town, including the flower-adorned bridge which is decorated with 17th-century paintings that depict the history of both city and country. You'll also visit the Baroque Jesuit Church of Saint Francis Xavier and the Lion Monument, a detailed sculpture that commemorates the Swiss guards who were massacred during the French Revolution. Afterwards, you'll board a cruise on Lake Lucerne to the village of Vitznau, where you will join the oldest cog wheel train in Switzerland for a breathtaking ascent of Mount Rigi. Return to Bern for an evening at leisure.
Day 14 - Tuesday - May 21, 2024
This morning, we will make our way to our final stop, Zurich, the heart of Switzerland. Framed by alpine mountains at the confluence of Lake Zurich and the Limmat River, this scenic-rich city is known for the extraordinary quality of life it offers to its citizens. It's also Switzerland's largest city and its commercial and cultural center. On arrival, join a local guide for a walking tour. Wander through the Old Town's winding streets, visit the medieval square of Niederdorf, walk across bridges over the peaceful Limmat River, and admire the 9th-century Fraumunster Church with its renowned stained-glass windows created by legendary artist Marc Chagall.
Day 15 - Wednesday - May 22, 2024
| Basel (Saxon), Switzerland |
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Raise your glass to the marvellous cruise ahead of you at this evening's welcome reception. Your journey into wonder is about to begin.
Day 16 - Thursday - May 23, 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 17 - Friday - May 24, 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 18 - Saturday - May 25, 2024
Day 19 - Sunday - May 26, 2024
Start your morning 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 20 - Monday - May 27, 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 21 - Tuesday - May 28, 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 22 - Wednesday - May 29, 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 23 - Thursday - May 30, 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.
Day 24 - Friday - May 31, 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 25 - Saturday - Jun 1, 2024
The oldest city in the Netherland, Nijmegen has a long history that trace back to the Roman Empire. Combined with lush green parklands and beautiful landscape, Nijmegen is the perfect city to start your morning.
Day 26 - Sunday - Jun 2, 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 afternoon, 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 27 - Monday - Jun 3, 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 28 - Tuesday - Jun 4, 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 29 - Wednesday - Jun 5, 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. 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.
