Christmas Wonderland with Paris

Welcome to Paris, the City of Light. There are icons at every turn in the French capital, from the chic boutiques of the Champs Elysees to the meandering riverbank of the Seine and the bustling crossroads of the Arc de Triomphe, with the intricate metalwork of the Eiffel Tower always in view above. Paris is a city that almost defies description; stroll the historic streets and you’ll soon see why it has inspired generations of artists, musicians, filmmakers and fashionistas.  Check in to your luxurious hotel, located in the bustling 9th Arrondissement, also known as the Opera district. It’s known for its wide boulevards; many theatres, including the opulent Palais Garnier opera house; and grand Belle Epoque department stores like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. 

It’s your first morning in Paris, so why not start the day with a pain au chocolat and a café au lait? Paris is a city that has been immortalised in endless movies, TV shows, books and paintings, so even if you’re a first-time visitor you will feel like you already know it. Its elegant streets, grand buildings, shady parks, stylish cafes and even more stylish residents, you’ll quickly be swept up in the joie de vivre.    Freechoice: Today’s Scenic Freechoice: Panoramic city tour: Marvel at the city’s most famous sites on this interesting and engaging tour, taking in the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe and more. You’ll learn what makes Paris so magical and why it’s one of the world’s most visited cities. Explore Bohemian Paris: The Montmartre district of Paris is known for its Bohemian spirit, home to artists, writers and rumours of debauchery. Explore this fascinating quarter and discover a hidden winery tucked away in the streets behind Sacre-Coeur.   This afternoon, discover the part of Paris that most inspires you. Perhaps you would like to visit one of the legendary art galleries, like The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay or Centre Pomidou. Splash some cash at the flagship boutiques of the world’s best designer labels or hunt out a treasure at one of the city’s vintage stores and flea markets. Then there’s the food; you could spend the whole afternoon (and more) at the patisseries, boulangeries, fromageries and bistros that line every street. Then pick up some supplies and retreat to one of the many elegant parks for a classic Parisian picnic. 

Today is yours to enjoy, with a full day to explore Paris.  Discover some of the city’s most famous districts, like the charming Latin Quarter, the modern La Défense, the Neoclassical Place Vendôme or the fashionable Le Marais. Visit one of the excellent museums, like the Musée des Arts et Métiers, the world’s oldest science museum dating back to 1794, or the Musée Carnavalet, which charts the history of Paris from the Gauls to the 20th century. You could plan a literary tour of the city, taking in the favourite writing spots of Victor Hugo, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway and Simone de Beauvoir. And of course there are endless options for shopping, art galleries, historic sites or eating and drinking.  Or you might like to do as the French do and embrace the ‘art of doing nothing’. The French word flâneur means to wander aimlessly through a city with no destination in mind. It’s a relaxed way to soak in the sights and mingle with the locals, stopping for coffee or a glass of wine when you feel like it or perhaps browsing in an appealing bookstore or gallery. It’s one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a day and gives you a real feel for life in Paris. 

Travel by high speed train to Amsterdam, where youll board your Scenic Space-Ship. Tonight, youll get to toast the journey ahead at this evenings welcome reception.

Amsterdam is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, masterpiece-filled galleries, tranquil scenes of boats putting along canals, cobbled alleyways 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 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.   Freechoice: Today, enhance your time in Amsterdam with your choice one of the following Scenic Freechoice experiences: Canal cruise: Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometres of canals. These historical waterways offer some of the best views the city has to offer, and you’ll experience them on this one-hour cruise. Drift along the Gentleman’s Canal, where you’ll see the famed Skinny Bridge, and The Prince’s Canal, renowned for its vibrant cultural scene. You’ll pass local landmarks such as the Old Lord Mayor’s House, The Seven Bridges and Anne Frank’s House before heading to the Brewer’s Canal. As the historic city centre glides past, admire the elegant merchant’s residences, churches and warehouses dating from the Dutch Golden Age. Walking tour of Amsterdam: Explore Amsterdam on foot, discovering the maze of canals and bridges in the city centre. Your expert local guide will take you through history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture. The tour also includes a herring tasting, a must-try local delicacy. 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. Afterwards, you’ll head to Alkmaar, a charming town filled with historic buildings and picturesque canals. This afternoon, you’ll return to your Scenic Space-Ship and set sail through the Netherlands and across the border to Germany.  

Celebrate this very special Christmas Day with newfound friends on board your Scenic Space-Ship as you cruise towards Rüdesheim, a picturesque town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia.  You may wish to relax with a massage^ in the wellness centre or take advantage of the state-of-the-art gym. 

Immerse yourself in the charming town of Rüdesheim and board the Winzerexpress 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.  

After a relaxing morning of sailing, you’ll arrive in Miltenberg. Located on the banks of the River Main, this historic town is one of the best preserved in Germany. Miltenberg is home to hundreds of pastel-coloured half-timbered houses and one of Germany’s oldest inns, Zum Riesen. Enjoy an orientation tour with an expert local guide before transferring by coach to Wertheim, which sits on the picturesque banks of the Main and Tauber rivers.

This morning you will cruise into Würzburg. This Baroque city straddles the Main River in the heart of Franconian wine country. Surrounded by undulating vineyards, Würzburg is home to a World Heritage-listed palace, a dominating hilltop fortress, the 15th century Old Main Bridge, and three universities including Bavaria’s oldest. Freechoice: Elevate your time in Würzburg with your choice of the following Scenic Freechoice activities. Walking tour of Würzburg: Join your local guide on a delightful walking tour through Würzburg. Set along the picturesque Main River, the city has a unique flair and diverse history. See the vineyards that line the riverbank, the two towers of St. Killian Church and the Marienburg Fortress that holds pride of place overlooking the city. Warm your body and spirit with a glass of traditional gluhwein or local Franconian wine at the market square. Romantic Road to Rothenburg: Drive by coach to Rothenburg along the so-called Romantic Road, an important trading route during the Middle Ages. Your guide will regale you with the history and legends of the towns and villages you pass, some of which are more than 1,000 years old. Take a guided tour in Rothenburg, famous for its well-preserved medieval old town, to see the Gothic and Renaissance City Hall as well as the famous City Councillors’ Tavern.

The ship will dock in Bamberg after lunch. Choose to spend your morning in your Space-Ship’s wellness centre enjoying a soothing massage^, or perhaps join an informative lecture to learn more about the culture and history found along the fascinating Main River.   Built on seven hills, the World Heritage-listed town of Bamberg has surprises at every turn. Intersected by rivers and canals, there’s an Old Town resplendent with cobblestoned streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. A charming Old Town Hall 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 sites you’ll see during your guided city tour.

You’ll arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second-largest city, this morning. 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 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 Nuremberg Laws’ that denied Jewish people German citizenship. 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: Enhance your visit to Nuremberg with your choice of today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions: Walking tour of Nuremberg Old Town: 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 the market square. The trials and tribulations of WWII: 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 as you learn about the region and its history. You may be surprised how different this is to todays modern-day gingerbread.

You will arrive in Regensburg after lunch today. One of Germany’s best preserved medieval town centres, more than 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings are World Heritage-listed. 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 as well as 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.  Tonight, you’ll ring in the New Year. Take an easy stroll into the city to celebrate like a local or stay on board your Scenic Space-Ship and enjoy the festivities with newfound friends. 

This morning you’ll arrive in Passau, one of the notable stops on your journey along the famed Route of Emperors and Kings. Set on the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau has been an important trading city since medieval times, particularly for salt, commonly known as ‘white gold’. Each river is distinct in colour and some days you can clearly see the green, blue and black hues where the waters meet. At the centre of the Baroque city, the 13th century Italianate Old Town is packed with tight laneways tunnels and archways, including an ‘Artist’s mile’ where old buildings are occupied by artist studios, workshops and galleries.  Join your local guide on a walking tour, admiring the brightly coloured buildings that line the waterways. Visit St. Stephens Cathedral: originally built in the year 450, the church proudly stood in Passaus Old Town until a devastating fire ripped through it in 1662. It was rebuilt in its current form with an Italian-style exterior complete with a Baroque stucco interior, and nowadays houses the world’s largest Catholic church organ, which boasts 17,974 pipes and 233 registers.    

Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in the small and picturesque town of Dürnstein , located in Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley. Enjoy some free time to explore the charming town at your leisure before you set sail to Krems.  Freechoice: Make the most of your time by taking your pick from a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions: Göttweig Abbey: Visit the renovated Göttweig Abbey. Founded in the 6th Century, the abbey was burned down during the 18th Century and rebuilt to be one of the most magnificent in the Wachau Valley. Your local guide will take you through various room where you will see the magnificent frescoes that decorate the Abbey as well as its Baroque staircase, the largest in Austria. E-biking from Durnstein to Krems: Join your guide on a bicycle tour along the Danube to the quaint village of Krems. Pass by charming villages and scenic vineyard landscapes. You will have time to stop along the way to enjoy breathtaking views of the Danube. Wachau Valley wine tasting: The Wachau Valley is one of the prominent regions for wine growing in Austria. Visit a local winemaker and learn about this long tradition while sampling the wine they produce.

Wake this morning in the beautiful city of Vienna. Also known as the City of Music, Austria’s imperial capital fostered the musical talents of Mozart and Beethoven among others. The city oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.   Today join your local guide and take a coach ride from the ship to Vienna’s city centre, where you will embark on a walking tour to see highlights such as the Opera House, St. Stephens Cathedral and Belvedere Palace.  The ship will be docked overnight, so this afternoon you’re free to wander around the city or relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship.  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 for centuries enjoyed musical performances. Accompanied by ballet dancers and vocalists and surrounded by world-famous art, this will be a concert that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Freechoice: Spend the day exploring the city or elevate your stay with your choice from today’s selection of Scenic Freechoice experiences: Schönbrunn 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 admire 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. Excursion to Bratislava: Take a coach to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital since its independence in 1993. Bratislava is a modern multicultural metropolis with an intriguing history. Its Old Town is glorious in medieval and Gothic architecture and its well-preserved hilltop castle, which has history dating back to the 9th century, towers over the town. These charming historic sites contrast with its brutalist socialist architecture, which is evident around the city. Take a tour with a local guide to see Bratislava Castle, the Hlavné Námestie, the main square and the Old Town Hall.

Freechoice: Today you’ll arrive in Budapest, one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant cities. Explore this fabulous city with a range of Scenic Freechoice activities to choose from: Budapest in Depth: Explore this magical city by coach. Visit both Buda and Pest, the two districts that make up the city, but are separated by the Danube. Starting on the Buda side see the Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to the Pest side where you will see Széchenyi and Elizabeth squares. End your tour with a mesmerising piano recital at the Institute for the Blind. Panoramic Tour and Hospital in the Rock: Start your coach tour with a visit to Gellert Hill for magnificent views across the city, followed by a tour of Budapest. See the Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church before visiting the Hospital in the Rock – a former top-secret nuclear bunker and emergency hospital. Thermal Baths: Budapest is known for its thermal waters and today you can relax in the natural hot springs at Gellert Baths. This is the perfect opportunity to unwind and recharge. The baths are said to have medicinal properties and are warm year-round, allowing for a luxurious soak no matter what the season. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps set out to explore the Central Market Hall – the largest market in the city, built in neo-gothic style for a combination of shopping and sightseeing.

Depart after a delicious breakfast. Bid farewell to your newfound friends and take with you a lifetime of wonderful 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. Please refer to our terms and conditions.  ^Massage/spa treatments at additional cost.  Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.