Welcome to Germany and the historic city of Nuremberg, where your cruise commences. Celebrate the start of your adventure with an evening reception aboard Scenic Jasper.

Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, boasts the impressive 12th-century Imperial Castle, a major stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire and a favored residence of German kings. The Old Town, encircled by an ancient city wall, comes alive each year with its enchanting Christmas Markets.

Please book your flight to arrive in Nuremberg prior to 03:00 PM.

Beneath its charming exterior, Nuremberg has a complex past. During WWII, the city was a favored site for Nazi party rallies, the inception of Jewish business boycotts, and the establishment of the infamous 'Nuremberg Laws' stripping Jewish people of German citizenship. By 1945, much of the city, including large sections of the Imperial Castle and Old Town, lay in ruins. From 1945 to 1946, the Allied powers – the US, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union – conducted the Nuremberg Trials here, where Nazi leaders faced prosecution for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Freechoice: This morning, select one of the following Scenic Freechoice activities:

Walking tour of the Old Town: Discover this medieval city on foot with your local guide. Traverse the grounds of the Imperial Castle and explore the Old Town, including St. Lawrence Church and the bustling market square.

The Trials and Tribulations of WWII: Dive into WWII history with a visit to the Rally Grounds and Courtroom 600. When Courtroom 600 is unavailable, tour the WWII Art Bunker. These sites offer a somber reminder of the Nazi regime's impact and the subsequent war crimes trials.

Rock-cut cellars and beer tasting: Venture underground to Nuremberg’s rock-cut cellars for a distinctive beer-tasting experience. Wander through the labyrinthine corridors and cellars beneath the city, learning about Nuremberg's centuries-old beer production while sampling some of the local brews.

This afternoon, your Scenic Space-Ship sets sail towards Regensburg. Unwind in your suite, many of which feature a window that transforms into a Scenic Sun Lounge, offering panoramic views of river life. Discover the marvels of water locks and observe the Captain's expertise in navigating them.

This morning will be spent on board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship. Wake up to a pre-ordered coffee delivered by your butler and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Crystal Dining. After breakfast relax on the Sun Deck as you sail on the Main-Danube canal or perhaps head to the exclusive Salt Therapy Lounge, which provides natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties.

Boasting a staggering 2000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval town centers, 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 kilometers of hiking trails and deer, wild boar, fox, and otter.

Freechoice:
This afternoon, 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 600 AD. 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.

Cycling to Walhalla: Join a guided bike tour through the wonderful scenery of the Donau Valley. You will ride for approximately 60 minutes along the riverside and through the countryside to Walhalla. Reached by 358 steps, this memorial is considered the most important of all works commissioned by King Ludwig l of Bavaria, a Parthenon-like structure built to commemorate distinguished people in German history. 

Regensburg's Jewish heritage: Discover Regensburg’s Jewish heritage – the city was the first documented Jewish community in Germany. Learn about the rich culture that has evolved throughout the centuries and the devastation caused by the Nazi regime.

Freechoice:
Today, choose from two completely different yet equally fascinating full-day Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Full-day excursion to Salzburg: This morning you will disembark your Scenic Space-Ship in Passau, from where you will travel 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 Austrian city of Linz.

Full-day excursion to Cesky Krumlov: From Passau, travel 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 location with your local guide and explore the historic center before delighting in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock early this morning in the small and picturesque town of Melk, 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 offers a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from:

Glorious Melk Abbey: No visit to Melk would be complete without a guided tour of 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 with frescoes and intricate statues.

E-biking from Melk to Dürnstein: Embark on a guided e-bike ride to soak 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 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination sparked the beginning of WWI in 1914. See the family crypt and visit the on-site museum.

Sailing the Wachau Valley, you will be mesmerized by the sloping vineyards and charming villages. This afternoon you'll be docked in the quaint town of Durnstein, 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 Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193.

While you indulge in the spectacular views, it's also the perfect opportunity to indulge in some delicious local produce from the Wachau Valley. Your Cruise Director will organize 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 breathtaking location.

You will wake up in Vienna this morning. Also known as the City of Music, Austria’s imperial capital 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:
Spend the day exploring the city and take your pick from a selection of Scenic Freechoice activities:

Schonbrunn Palace: Explore Schonbrunn 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 see the impressive gardens.

Excursion to Bratislava: Take a coach to Bratislava, 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, and still dominates 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.

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.

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 shuttles to the city centre or simply relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship. This evening, join an unforgettable Scenic Enrich experience.
 
Enrich
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 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.    

This afternoon you will arrive in Budapest, one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant cities. 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:
A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are on offer to choose from this afternoon:

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 (not available on Saturday): 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 a Synagogue, cemetery, memorial park, and a guided tour of the Jewish Museum.

Ancestry of the Kitchen – Goulash cooking class: Traditional recipes have long been passed down through generations. Today you’ll be let in on the secrets of a family recipe as you learn how to make traditional Hungarian Goulash.

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 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.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Budapest Airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking a lifetime of wonderful memories with you.