Gems of the Danube

• Day 1 Budapest

  Welcome to Hungary and its vibrant capital, Budapest. 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. This afternoon is at leisure to settle into your luxurious suite on board your all-inclusive luxury Scenic Space-Ship. Most suites have an all-weather balcony that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of river life as you cruise the Danube. Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.

• Day 2 Budapest

  The diverse city of Budapest is a cultural melting pot, renowned for its thermal baths and vibrant nightlife scene, peppered with Roman ruins, Gothic buildings, bohemian coffee houses, world-class operas, and an historical Jewish quarter where the scars of WWII can still be seen to this day.

  • Freechoice: A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are on offer to choose from this morning:
    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.
  • Budapest’s Jewish history: Discover Jewish history on a guided tour with an expert local guide and learn about the significant Jewish events from history that have shaped the culture of today. The tour includes Synagogue, cemetery, memorial park and guided tour of the Jewish Museum.
    Excursion to Szentendre: Journey to the riverside town in Pest County, Szentendre. Known for its museums, galleries and artists, this charming city will captivate you during a guided tour.
  • Guided hike to Buda Hill: Strap on your walking shoes for a beautiful hike up to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Buda Hill. See Matthias Church and walk to the Fisherman’s Bastion while enjoying great views over the Danube River and the city landscape.

  Your 5-star Space-Ship will only depart Budapest later this afternoon, allowing you some free time to explore the city on your own. Pack your swimsuit and make your way to one of Budapest’s thermal baths for a relaxing soak in the therapeutic waters, or 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. Alternatively, check out the Jewish Quarter’s famous ruin bars, which are housed in old and abandoned buildings that were left in decay after WWII.

• Day 3 Bratislava

  Today, perhaps wake to a coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler.  After breakfast relax on the Sun Deck as we sail towards Vienna or perhaps head to the exclusive Salt Therapy Lounge, which provides natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

  Slovakia’s capital since 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, still dominates the town. These charming historic sites contrast with its brutalist socialist architecture, which is evident around the city.

  Freechoice: As we dock in the city centre, this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice are just steps away.

  • Walking tour of Bratislava: Explore Bratislava with a knowledgeable local guide to see all the highlights of the city such as the Hlavné Námestie, the main square and the Old Town Hall while learning about the history of the city including what everyday life was like under the Iron Curtain era, the political boundary that divided Europe after WWII.
  • Wines of Slovakia: Slovakian’s Wines are quite young but, all over the world, wine experts are starting to praise their flavour and quality. After the fall of Communism, new viticulturers were born on the Banks of the Danube and all over this country, taking advantages of the cold weather and optimal soils. Embark on a journey through the different regions of Slovakia while tasting various wines in one of Bratislava’s cellars.
• Day 4 Vienna

  Vienna is Austria’s imperial capital – a city full of grandeur, featuring the world’s most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, and 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.   

  Freechoice:
  Explore your way with a selection from today's Scenic Freechoice activities:

  • Schonbrunn 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 lived here and see 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.
  • Central Vienna with extended Free time: The city centre of Vienna is brimming with history, elegance and diverse architecture. During this tour your expert local guide will delight you with stories from the city before allowing you free time to explore the city as you wish.
  • Belvedere Museum: Visit one of Europe’s most stunning Baroque landmarks and explore the greatest collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day, complemented by the work of international artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Max Beckmann.

  This afternoon is free to wander around Vienna, so perhaps join one of the provided shuttle to the city centre or simply relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship.

• Day 5 Dürnstein > Melk

  Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in the quaint town of Dürnstein this morning, where you have some 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 Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193. As we continue sailing the scenic Wachau Valley, you will be mesmerised by the sloping vineyards and charming villages. This afternoon, we will dock in the small and picturesque town of Melk. The city’s breathtaking UNESCO-listed Benedictine Abbey built high over the city is the most spectacular building in the region.  

  Freechoice:
  There are a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from today:

  • E-biking from Dürnstein to Melk: Embark on a guided e-bike ride to soak up the scenery along the Danube as you cycle from the quaint village of Dürnstein to Melk. You’ll pass by small villages and through rolling vineyards, stopping along the way to enjoy the river views.
  • 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, visit the decorated Marble Hall and the library, which is filled with more than 80,000 books, and be awed by the Abbey Church, which is adorned in frescoes and intricate statues.
  • Artstetten Castle: Meet the current owners of Artstetten Castle, which dates to the 13th century. It was once home to the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination sparked the beginning of WWI in 1914. See the family crypt and visit the on-site museum.

  While you indulge in the spectacular views this afternoon, it's 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.

• Day 6 Brandstatt > Passau

  Today, choose from three completely different yet equally fascinating Scenic Freechoice excursions. Full day excursion to Salzburg: This morning you will disembark your Scenic Space-Ship in Brandstatt, from where you will journey via coach to Salzburg, Austria. Surrounded by alpine 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 Hohensalzburg, Central Europe’s largest intact fortress, which sits high above the rooftops with panoramic views of the city. During a guided tour explore this incredible city before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant and some free time to explore at your leisure. You will return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the German town of Passau.

  Full day excursion to Cesky Krumlov: From Brandstatt journey via coach to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This delightful UNESCO World Heritage town is brimming with charm. Sitting on the banks of the Vltava River, Cesky Krumlov is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe with its vast array of well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Wander this fairy-tale location with your local guide and explore the historic centre before delighting in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. After some free time to explore at your leisure, you will return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the German town of Passau.

  Highlights of Passau: Stay on board this morning as you cruise to Passau. Situated at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers, Passau has been an important trading route for centuries, in particular for its trade of the 'White Gold', Salt. Visit the Old Town, situated on a narrow peninsula at the confluence of the 3 rivers and admire the brightly coloured buildings that line the waterways. Visit St. Stephens Cathedral: originally built in the year 450, the church proudly stood in Passau's 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.

• Day 7 Regensburg

  Boasting a staggering 2000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany’s best preserved medieval town centres, with more than 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings UNESCO 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 and deer, wild boar, fox and otter.  

  Freechoice: This morning, Regensburg offers up a selection of Scenic Freechoice touring activities to choose from:

  • Walking tour of Regensberg: Join your local guide for an afternoon walking tour of the Old Town of Regensburg. You’ll be in awe of the many perfectly preserved medieval buildings that have been standing sentinel over the Danube for centuries.
  • Weltenburg Abbey: Take a ferry through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey, the oldest monastery in Bavaria, founded by monks in approximately 600AD. Explore the Abbey and Cloister Church, then sample the award-winning beer produced on site, which has been produced here since the year 1050 making it the oldest monastic brewery in the world.
  • Thurn and Taxis Active Walking Tour: Join an active walking tour from the ship to Thurn und Taxis Castle, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour followed by free time. Thurn und Taxis is a German noble family who can trace their history back to the 12th century.
• Day 8 Regensburg > Munich

  After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Munich Airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking a lifetime of wonderful memories with you. Please book your flight to depart out of Munich after 12:00 PM. 

Gems of the Danube Itinerary 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.