Gems of the Danube with Best of Bavaria

Welcome to Munich, the Bavarian capital. Upon arrival you'll be transferred from the airport to your hotel in the historic heart of Munich. This historic and luxurious hotel is located alongside the city's shopping district and pedestrian arcade. From here, it's a short walk to some of Munich's must-see attractions, such as the Cathedral Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), the Residenz Palace and the produce-rich Viktualienmarkt Square.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a panoramic tour of Munich. You'll pass by some of the city's top sights including the former Olympic site, Nymphenburg Palace, the National Theatre, Maximilianstrasse and the Parliament. After a quick stop to sample some delicious local beer, you'll stroll the Marienplatz Square and see the famous Glockenspiel.

After lunch, you'll transfer via coach to the village of Schwangau. Renowned for its top-tier air quality, relaxing atmosphere and spectacular castles, Schwangau is a remarkable gem amid the mountains. Enjoy a two-night stay. Surrounded by spectacular forest landscapes at the foot of two incredible castles, your hotel is a wonderful sanctuary in this magical region. (B/D)

After a delicious breakfast, prepare for an excursion to a truly iconic fairytale castle. Neuschwanstein was built in the 19th century for King Ludwig II and inspired by an opera by Richard Wagner. One of the most photographed buildings in the world, you'll have the opportunity to explore this magnificent castle inside and out during a guided tour. (B)

This morning you'll head to Nuremberg, Bavaria's second largest city, with a stop at Augsburg. One of the oldest cities in Germany and certainly one of the most beautiful, Augsburg is a glamorous blend of Old World architecture, magnificent fountains and watercourses and a rich musical legacy. Upon arrival enjoy an orientation tour before some free time to explore and have lunch in the city.

Afterwards, you'll continue to Nuremberg, a city steeped in history and culture that stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Bavaria. Nestled in the heart of Germany, Nuremberg is a place where medieval charm meets modern vitality. Its well-preserved medieval old town, encompassed by formidable city walls, boasts architectural treasures that transport visitors back in time. Beyond its historic facades, Nuremberg's dynamic spirit shines through in its thriving arts scene, bustling markets, and vibrant culinary culture.

On arrival in Nuremberg, take a walking tour of the medieval city with an expert local guide on hand to immerse you in the history of the city. You'll visit the Imperial Castle before making your way to Old Town, where you'll see St. Lawrence Church and the lively market square.

Stay overnight at your historic hotel which combines the elegance of a classic grand hotel with modern conveniences. (B)

Wake up in Nuremberg and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel. Afterwards, take the morning to explore the city before boarding a coach for Regensburg where your cruise begins. Toast to the occasion during an evening reception on board your state-of-the-art Scenic Space-Ship. (B/D)

Boasting a staggering 2,000-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. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Choose from a selection of Scenic Freechoice touring activities:

• 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.

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. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Decide how you will spend your day from the following Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• 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 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.
• Full day excursion to Salzburg: This morning you will disembark your Scenic Space-Ship in Passau, 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 Austrian town of Schlögen.
• Full day excursion to Cesky Krumlov: From Passau, journey via coach to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This delightful World Heritage-listed 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 and some time at leisure.

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. (B/L/D)

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 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.
• 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 the 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 we are 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 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 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.

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. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Spend the day exploring the city and take your pick from a selection of 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 lives here and see the impressive gardens.
• 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.
• 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: 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 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.

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. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: As we dock in the city centre, this morning's Scenic Freechoice excursions 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.

This afternoon we 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. (B/L/D)

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 (not available on Saturday).
• 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 of 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.

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.

Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change. (B)