Iconic Danube

Welcome to Passau, where your cruise begins. Toast to the occasion during an evening reception on board your state-of-the-art Scenic Space-Ship.  Set on the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau has been an important trading city since medieval times, particularly for salt, which was 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.   Please book your flight to arrive into Munich prior to 02:00 PM.

Today you will explore the Baroque city of Passau, a 13th century Italianate Old Town packed with tight laneways tunnels and archways. The city is also home to an ‘Artist’s Mile’ where old buildings are occupied by artist studios, workshops and galleries.   Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice activities: Highlights of Passau walking tour: 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. Cross border cycling: Travel further afield on a guided e-bike ride along the Inn River, past charming villages, historic castles and bridges, and cross the border from Germany to Austria. This afternoon your Scenic Space-Ship will cruise along the Danube to Linz. Relax in your suite, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing uninterrupted views of the rolling tapestry of river life as you cruise the Danube.

Wake in the city of Linz, known for its vibrant music and arts scene, beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary architecture, and relaxed lifestyle. The city’s quaint old town and Main Square are resplendent in Baroque architecture, while its harbour doubles as an outdoor street art gallery and the cutting-edge Ars Electronica Center is known as the ‘museum of the future’.   Freechoice: This morning, choose to explore your way with Scenic Freechoice: Explore Linz by foot: Join a local guide on a walking tour to discover the balance between the city’s vibrant history and contemporary living. Straddling the River Danube, Linz was founded as a Roman city that connected vital trading routes to Poland, Bohemia and Italy. During this guided tour you will see some of the main attractions including the restored Castle of Linz and Saint Martins Church and the Main Square with its towering Holy Trinity column. Mauthausen WWII Concentration Camp: Venture out of the city to Mauthausen’s former concentration camp that held more than 190,000 people between 1938 and 1945, during the reign of the National Socialist party. Learn about the conditions and treatment that the prisoners lived under during this sombre tour. The site remains as a memorial to the inmates that were held in the camp over these years with the goal of keeping their memory alive so these types of atrocities dont happen again. Hike to Postlingberg Church: Join a local guide for an active hike to Postlingberg Church, perched high on a hill overlooking the city of Linz. Take in the views of the town from above before entering the impressive place of worship, which was built in 1748.

This morning your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in Melk, a small and picturesque town located in Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley. The city’s breathtaking UNESCO-listed Benedictine Abbey built high over the city is the most spectacular building in the region.   Freechoice: This morning’s Scenic Freechoice options: Glorious Melk Abbey: No visit to Melk would be complete without a guided tour to its magnificent 18th-century Benedictine Abbey. Wander its 900-year-old hallowed halls and manicured gardens, visit the decorated Marble Hall and the library, filled with more than 80,000 books, and be awed by the Abbey Church adorned in frescoes and intricate statues. E-biking from Melk to Durnstein: Embark on a guided 35-kilometre e-bike ride, soaking up the scenery along the Danube as you cycle from Melk to the quaint village of Dürnstein. You’ll pass by small villages and through rolling vineyards, stopping along the way to enjoy the river views. Artstetten Castle: Meet the current owners of Artstetten Castle, which dates to the 13th century. It was once home to the Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Duchess Sophie of Hohenberg, whose assassination sparked the beginning of WWI in 1914. See the family crypt and visit the on-site museum.   This afternoon your ship is docked in the quaint town of Dürnstein, where you have ample free time to wander at your leisure. Surrounded by vineyards, the town 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.   While you indulge in the spectacular views this afternoon, its also the perfect opportunity to indulge in some delicious local produce from the Wachau Valley. Your Cruise Director will organise a special treat for you and invite a local producer on board to share some regional delicacies that are famous in this region. Sample some Apricot dumplings and local schnapps among other delights in this breath-taking location.

We arrive in Vienna early this morning, Austria’s imperial capital. Also known as the City of Music, Vienna fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, among others. This 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.   Freechoice: Explore Vienna on one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions: Guided City Tour of Vienna: 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 in Vienna, so this afternoon and evening are free to wander around the city or to relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship. Schonbrunn Palace: Join your local guide on an exploration of Schönbrunn palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family. A guided exploration through the imperial apartments takes you on a journey through the centuries. Discover the countless rooms of great beauty created by famous artists and craftsmen from many different epochs and learn the tales of the royal family that lived inside these walls. After the guided tour, you will see the impressive gardens before returning to the ship. 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. The 18-kilometre cycling route comprises mainly flat paths.   Enrich This evening, join an unforgettable Scenic Enrich experience. 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 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.

Spend the morning on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship as you cruise towards the Slovakian capital, Bratislava. Sit on the Sun Deck with a coffee in hand and enjoy the scenery of riverside villages or take the opportunity to visit the wellness centre for a soothing massage. Slovakia’s capital since independence in 1993, Bratislava is a modern multicultural metropolis with an intriguing history. Its Old Town is glorious, with medieval and Gothic architecture, and its well-preserved hilltop castle, which has history dating back to the 9th century, still dominates the town. These charming historic sites contrast with its brutalist socialist architecture, which is evident around the city.   Freechoice: There are a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from today: Coffee & Cake at Kormuth Bakeri: Immerse yourself in modern Slovak life with a visit one of the city’s most famous and historic coffee houses, where you’ll enjoy coffee and cake with friendly locals. Delight in the history of the building, which is decorated in Renaissance-style paintings and frescoes. Bratislava City Tour: Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in the heart of the city and it is just a short walk to the Old Town. A city of contrasts, Bratislava features a mixture of medieval, Gothic and Baroque architecture. With your local guide you will see the highlights of this beautiful city such as Bratislava Castle, the Hlavné Námestie, the main square and the Old Town Hall.

This morning you will arrive in Budapest, one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant capitals. 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.   Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice activities: 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. End your tour with a mesmerising piano recital at the Institute for the Blind. City 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. Guided hike to Buda Hill: Strap on your walking shoes for a beautiful hike up to the World Heritage-listed site of Buda Hill. On your walk, see Varket Bazar and beautifully landscaped gardens, all while enjoying great views over the Danube River and the city architecture. Jewish Heritage Tour: Discover Jewish history on a tour with an expert local guide, learning about the significant events from history that have shaped the culture of today. The tour includes the Synagogue, cemetery, memorial park and a guided tour of the Jewish Museum. This afternoon you will have free time as your luxury Space-Ship docks in Budapest overnight. Pack your swimsuit and make your way to one of Budapest’s thermal baths for a relaxing soak in the therapeutic waters. Szechenyi Baths are the largest, boasting 15 indoor baths and three vast outdoor pools. Or check out the Jewish Quarter’s famous ruin bars, which are housed in old and abandoned buildings that were left in decay after WWII.

Your journey ends in beautiful Budapest. Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.  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.