Welcome to France and the ancient city of Lyon. Upon arrival, transfer to Scenic Sapphire, where your friendly crew await to welcome you on board.
Spend the afternoon exploring your Scenic Space-Ship. Relax in your luxurious suite or take a beverage to the Sun Deck and admire the magnificent views across the city of Lyon. (D)
Spend a leisurely morning on board as you cruise towards Chalon-Sur- Saône. Perhaps ask your butler to bring coffee to your suite so you can sip from your Scenic Sun Lounge as the riverside scenery slips by.
An idyllic base for exploring the Burgundy wine region, Chalon-sur-Saône is a charming town with half-timbered houses and a magnificent Gothic cathedral. It’s just south of Beaune, often referred to as the epicentre for oenophiles.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with a choice from these Scenic Freechoice experiences:
Wake early this morning to admire the tranquil river scenery from your private balcony as the ship cruises towards Tournus. This riverside town was founded by the Romans and its grand abbey is a splendid example of Romanesque architecture.
Scenic Freechoice: Make your selection from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice experiences:
This afternoon, all guests will enjoy a cooperage demonstration, showcasing the ancient craft of barrel making. Learn the secrets of this artisan skill and the importance of the barrels and lumber to wine and spirit making.
Your ship will depart for Tournon later this afternoon. (B/L/D)
Arrive in the pretty town of Tournon early this morning. This hillside village is known for its terraced vineyards, enchanting castle dating back to the 10th century and quaint cobblestoned streets.
Scenic Freechoice: Spend this morning at your preferred pace with one of the following Scenic Freechoice experiences:
This afternoon you will have some free time to explore the town on your own. Later, meet your fellow guests for an aperitif on the terrace of Tournon Castle and admire the sweeping views over the Rhône River and surrounding terraced vineyards. (B/L/D)
Dock in the ancient city of Avignon after lunch. Known as the City of the Popes, Avignon is rich in history and astounding medieval architecture. At the same time, it also has a youthful energy and a buzzing arts scene. Circled by fortified walls, the former papal capital is home to the World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace), one of the largest surviving Gothic palaces in Europe, and the remaining four arches of the famous Pont d’Avignon bridge, which was once the only way to cross the Rhône between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea.
Scenic Freechoice: Take your pick from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice:
Scenic Enrich:
Spend a full day in Avignon, soaking up more of its charms. It is known as the gateway to Provence, a region blanketed in vineyards and lavender fields, rolling hills and historic villages. Today you will have the chance to explore more of this captivating part of southern France.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice options:
The southernmost point of your journey, Arles is in the Provence region and close to the Mediterranean coast. Founded around 56BC by Julius Caesar, the city has a rich Roman heritage and is thought to have the largest number of Roman ruins outside the Eternal City itself. The ruins of ancient monuments, theatres, baths and administrative buildings are strewn along the river’s left bank. It was also the home of Vincent Van Gogh in 1888 and he drew inspiration from the landscape for many of his paintings and drawings.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore the city with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice:
This afternoon is free to explore Arles at your own pace or return to your Scenic Space-Ship and join an on board painting class. Vincent Van Gogh once said “the whole future of art is to be found in the South of France”. Learn about the artistic heritage of this region while painting a masterpiece of your own. (B/L/D)
This morning you will arrive in Viviers, often described as an open-air museum thanks to its rich medieval heritage and architecture. The town was founded in the fifth century, and as you walk down the narrow, zig-zagging lanes, you will feel as though little has changed in the past 1,600 years. At its peak in the Middle Ages, Viviers was home to 30,000 people; today less than 4,000 people live here, happily secluded in their own world.
Scenic Freechoice: The choice is yours with this morning's Scenic Freechoice:
Scenic Freechoice: This afternoon, explore with one of the following Scenic Freechoice:
Enjoy a relaxed day on board as you cruise back towards Lyon, admiring the beautiful vistas of the Rhone River. Bask on the Sun Deck, soothe your muscles in the Salt Therapy Lounge or sharpen your skills with a French cookery lesson in Scenic Culinaire.
Scenic Enrich:
Greet the day in Lyon. You may like to arrange for your butler to deliver a coffee to your suite and enjoy it in your private Scenic Sun Lounge before venturing out for the day. Sitting at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon was founded by the Romans in 43BC. Since the mid-1500s it has been a financial and industrial powerhouse and today is recognised as France’s culinary capital. The city is home to more than 4,000 restaurants – including 20 that hold Michelin stars – and eating well is a way of life.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore Lyon with this morning’s range of Scenic Freechoice:
Today board your included flight and transfer to your Scenic Space-Ship for your cruise along the romantic Rhine. (B/D)
Arrive early this morning in Dordrecht. One of the oldest cities in Holland, it dates back to the 11th century. Dordrecht was once an important merchant city, drawing its wealth from wood, grain and wine. More than 1,000 historic monuments can be found in its historic centre, many of which have been reborn as restaurants, museums and theatres.
Scenic Freechoice: Choose one of the following excursions this morning:
Dock this morning in Bruinisse, a mussel fishing village set on an ocean estuary. Known simply as ‘Bru’ it’s a popular holiday destination for its beaches, rich heritage and delectable seafood. It’s also the gateway to the 13th century town of Veere, considered one of the prettiest in the Netherlands.
Scenic Freechoice: Choose from a range of excursions this morning:
Crossing the border this morning, you’ll dock in Antwerp, Belgium’s second city and one of the world’s most important seaports. Despite being bombed extensively during World War II, it retains its medieval heart, cobbled lanes, riverside fortress and impressive cathedral. Today, Antwerp is considered one of the most vibrant cities in Europe, famed for its stylish fashion, entertainment and culinary scenes.
Scenic Freechoice: These interesting Freechoice excursions are available today:
Arrive in Arnhem after lunch. Located at the edge of the Veluwe Nature Reserve, the city offers a beautiful landscape surrounded by dense forest, lush green parklands and riverside promenades. Arnhem also played an important role in World War II and the campaign ultimately helped bring about the end of the conflict.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way this afternoon with one of these excursions:
Welcome to Germany and the city of Düsseldorf, known for its art scene and fashion industry. This affluent city was dubbed ‘Little Paris’ by Napoleon and is filled with museums, galleries and luxurious shops. Its charming old town is home to around 260 pubs and bars, and the harbour precinct blends the old with new: historic quay walls, warehouses and silos rub shoulders with striking architecturally designed buildings by the likes of Frank Gehry.
Scenic Freechoice: Choose from one of today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:
Today is a highlight of your journey. Enjoy a full day on board your luxurious Space-Ship as it cruises through the spectacular Moselle Valley. The steep banks are lined with postcard-perfect villages, terraced vineyards, historic half-timbered houses and hilltop castles. Open the windows to your private Scenic Sun Lounge and admire the uninterrupted vistas as you cruise gently through the valley. You can also use this day to relax in the Salt Therapy Lounge or book in for a spa treatment (at an extra cost). Arrive in Cochem this evening. (B/L/D)
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-coloured buildings, half-timbered houses, cobbled laneways and an enchanting medieval hilltop castle surrounded by sloped vineyards.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore Cochem your way this morning with your choice of one of these excursions:
Depart for Bernkastel this afternoon. (B/L/D)
Another wonderfully preserved riverside town, Bernkastel is home to an atmospheric market square with buildings that date to the 13th century and the ruins of Landshut Castle sitting high above on a hill, where archaeological remains from the fourth and fifth centuries were uncovered in 2012. It also sits at the heart of the Moselle Valley wine region and one of the world’s most famous Riesling vineyards, Bernkasteler Doctor, is just on the edge of town.
Scenic Freechoice: Discover Bernkastel your way on one of these excursions:
Scenic Enrich:
One of Germany’s oldest cities, Koblenz was founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago and is brimming with history. It sits where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet and promises a melange of French and German cultures. Koblenz is filled with parks and flowers, and is the gateway to both the romantic Rhine Valley and the beautiful Moselle Valley.
Scenic Freechoice: Choose to explore your way with today’s Scenic Freechoice:
Your Space-Ship will overnight in Koblenz, offering you the opportunity to explore the city after dark. (B/L/D)
Relax on board this morning as you cruise through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, where the landscapes could have been pulled from the pages of a fairytale. This 65-kilometre stretch of the river is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Look out for the Lorelei statue, dedicated to the tragic legend of a beautiful maiden. This afternoon, disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for more than two millennia.
Scenic Freechoice: Make your selection from this afternoon's Scenic Freechoice tours:
Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart late this evening, allowing you some free time to wander the enchanting laneways of Rüdesheim. (B/L/D)
Arrive in Mannheim this morning. A large metropolitan centre, Mannheim still runs along its recognisable 18th-century grid pattern and is known for its grand Baroque squares, fountains and palace. Your Freechoice excursions today will take you away from the city to discover more of the surrounding region.
Scenic Freechoice: Choose between these immersive Freechoice experiences this morning:
This afternoon your Space-Ship will depart for Strasbourg. (B/L/D)
Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace wine region, where sherbert-coloured, half-timbered houses heave together on the banks of a complex network of canals. It’s a captivating blend of France and Germany, of a medieval past and an innovative future. Strasbourg has an infectious, youthful energy and you’ll regularly see the locals enjoying spontaneous soccer games and pop-up wine bars.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore the city and its surrounds on one of these Freechoice tours:
Located between the Rhine River and the legendary Black Forest, Breisach is a food and wine destination that shares its border with the Alsace region. It was almost destroyed during World War II but was meticulously rebuilt with its traditional cobbled streets and pastel houses restored to their former glory.
Scenic Freechoice: Explore the region with your choice of one of these Freechoice excursions:
Return to your Scenic Space-Ship and toast to your final evening on board. (B/L/D)
Your cruise concludes this morning in Basel. Enjoy one final breakfast on board, then disembark and transfer to Zurich Airport, taking with you lifelong memories of a remarkable journey across a continent.
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. (B)
Scenic Space-Ships offer a truly all-inclusive luxury package. No hidden extras, just exceptional experiences. Read more
These are hand-selected activities for you to choose from and enjoy at a pace that suits you. Read more
These are experiences that offer once-in-a-lifetime multi-sensory moments that are completely inaccessible to the ordinary traveler. Read more
Scenic go above and beyond, making your trip a truly carefree, all-inclusive experience. Read more
You'll have access to a range of health and wellness amenities on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship. Read more
You’ll find Scenic Tailormade invaluable and it always knows the story of where you are. Read more
There are currently no departures available on this cruise. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
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