Scenic Tours
1300 SCENIC (723 642)
Christmas & New Year River Cruise
(16 days, Amsterdam - Budapest, 2012)
This 16 day luxury river cruise celebrates the festive season on Europe’s beautiful waterways, exploring Christmas markets plus Amsterdam, Cologne, Vienna and Budapest.
Your 16 day Christmas and New Year river cruise begins in Amsterdam where you will board a luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ and begin sailing towards Germany for the cosmopolitan city of Cologne where you will have plenty of time to wander around the diverse range of Christmas markets. Continuing your journey through the spectacular Rhine Gorge and into Rüdesheim, you will visit Europe’s largest nativity scene and the city’s 120 Christmas stalls representing 12 different countries, all showcasing their own customs and traditions. You will also experience a ride on the Winzerexpress mini train to visit the famous Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
From Rüdesheim you will travel through both Wertheim and Würzburg before arriving in the medieval Bavarian city of Bamberg to celebrate a magical Christmas Day. Your tour continues through Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau and Dürnstein en route to the beautiful Austrian capital, Vienna, for an enchanting private Viennese evening concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart. Finally, your cruise will travel through Budapest, where you will see in the New Year in one of Eastern Europe’s most ancient cities.
Day 1: Amsterdam
(D)
Welcome to Amsterdam, a fascinating and compact city of picturesque canals. A Scenic Tours representative will personally greet you and arrange your transfer* to your luxury Scenic Tours ‘Space-Ship’ where you will be warmly invited on-board by our dedicated crew. Tonight enjoy a welcome reception with your fellow travellers.
Next Fifteen Nights: Cruising
Next Fifteen Nights: Cruising
Day 2: Amsterdam
(FB,L,D)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours Choose from one of the following (1) A sightseeing canal cruise (2) A bicycle tour; or (3) A visit to the windmills of Zaanse Schans and the Dutch town of Edam. Back on board, there’s time to relax and enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.
Day 3: Cologne
(FB,L,D)
Join your guide on your Included tour of Cologne and explore the Old Town with its beautiful squares and historical monuments. Enjoy free time to explore with the locals, the diverse range of Christmas markets, all offering their own unique and distinct feel. Cologne Cathedral market is home to the largest Christmas Tree in Rhineland.
Day 4: Rüdesheim
(FB,L,D)
This morning cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge before arriving in the ornate village of Rüdesheim, home to Europe’s largest Nativity scene, this afternoon board the ‘Winzerexpress’ mini train for an Included guided visit of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
Day 5: European Village Life
(FB,L,D)
SCENIC ENRICH Today you will be taken off the beaten track as an invited guest to experience Village life just for a day – exclusive to Scenic Tours.
Day 6: Würzburg
(FB,L,D)
Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) a guided walking tour of Würzburg and the magnificent Prince Bishop’s Residenz Palace; or (2) a Romantic Road excursion to Rothenburg, considered the best preserved medieval city in Europe.
Day 7: Bamberg
(FB,L,D)
Today enjoy a guided city tour before having time at leisure to celebrate with new found friends on board your cruise or wander through the medieval streets of Bamberg and rejoice in the Christmas Spirit with the locals. Christmas Eve in Germany is a special night celebrated with those dear to them. Relish in the spirit of this magical night as your cruise director leads you and your new found friends in a choir of Christmas Carols before celebrating your Christmas Eve Dinner.
Day 8: Nuremberg
(FB,L,D)
Merry Christmas! Today see the infamous WWII sites followed by a self-guided tour of the Documentation Centre. This afternoon you will have time to explore Nuremberg at leisure before relaxing on board as you cruise to your next destination.
Day 9: Regensburg
(FB,L,D)
Regensburg is one of Germany’s finest preserved cities and you’ll appreciate the beauty on an Included guided walking tour. Witness the beautiful white and gold Old Chapel before walking over the stone bridge across the Danube for a view of the cityscape. Included is a visit to the world’s oldest sausage kitchen.
Day 10: Passau - Linz
(FB,L,D)
Your Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE today gives you a choice of three countries: (1) A guided tour of Passau; or (2) Visit Salzburg; or (3) Visit Cesky Krumlov.
Day 11: Melk - Dürnstein - Vienna
(FB,L,D)
This morning visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey in Melk. SCENIC ENRICH Inside the Abbey an organ recital has been arranged especially for you. Spend the rest of the day exploring the quaint little town of Dürnstein. This evening we arrive in Vienna.
Day 12: Vienna
(FB,L,D)
To get acquainted with this beautiful city, enjoy an Included tour of the famous sights including the Ringstrasse and the Hofburg Palace. Afterwards enjoy time at leisure. Tonight SCENIC ENRICH highlights include a glass of Austrian ‘Sekt’ at the majestic Palais Liechtenstein. Then an enchanting private Viennese evening concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart.
Day 13: Vienna
(FB, L, D)
Today offers three Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options to choose from: (1) A fabulous guided tour of Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer palace of the Hapsburgs; or (2) An excursion to the Slovakian capital of Bratislava; or (3) Witness the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions refining and perfecting their skills during their routine morning exercise program or a guided tour of the oldest Classical Dressage riding school in the world (not available all departure dates).
Day 14: Budapest
(FB,L,D)
This afternoon we arrive into Budapest, one of Eastern Europe’s most ancient cities, where you will join your local guide on a sightseeing tour. On your Included tour visit the Heroes’ Square, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion and the medieval town on Castle Hill. Enjoy your New Year’s Eve celebrations this evening with a gala dinner on-board.
Day 15: Budapest
(FB,L,D)
Happy New Year!!Today enjoy time at leisure to explore the sights of this magnificent city.
Day 16: Budapest
(FB)
After breakfast this morning it is time to farewell your fellow passengers and disembark the cruise. Our Scenic Tours Representative will take* you to the airport.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
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