Scenic Tours
1300 SCENIC (723 642)
Paris, Christmas & New Year River Cruise
(19 days, Paris - Budapest, 2012)
This 19 day tour begins in Paris, before celebrating the festive season on Europe’s waterways, exploring Christmas markets plus Amsterdam, Cologne, Vienna and Budapest.
Your 19 day Christmas and New Year tour begins with three nights in the 'city of love', Paris before travelling to 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: Paris
You will be met at the airport before being transferred* to your hotel.
Three Night Special Stay: Paris
Three Night Special Stay: Paris
Day 2: Paris
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Today join our guide on your Included sightseeing tour of all the major sights of Paris. SCENIC ENRICH Tonight we ascend the Eiffel Tower to 58 Tour Eiffel where we dine overlooking the Paris skyline.
Day 3: Paris
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Enjoy your day at leisure.
Day 4: Paris - Amsterdam
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Today we travel by coach to picturesque Amsterdam. A warm welcome awaits you from your crew as you board your luxurious Scenic Tours ‘Space-Ship’.
Next Fifteen Nights: Cruising
Next Fifteen Nights: Cruising
Day 5: Amsterdam
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Choose from one of the Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) A sightseeing canal cruise; or (2) a bicycle tour; or (3) a visit to the windmills at Zaanse Schans in Amsterdam. For the more adventurous choose our SCENIC FREE TIME: Self guided audio tour. Back on board, time to relax and enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.
Day 6: Cologne
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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 7: Rüdesheim
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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 8: European Village Life
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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 9: Würzburg
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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 10: Bamberg
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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 11: Nuremberg
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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 12: Regensburg
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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 13: Passau - Linz
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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 14: Melk - Dürnstein - Vienna
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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 15: Vienna
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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 16: Vienna
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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 17: Budapest
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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 18: Budapest
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Happy New Year!!Today enjoy time at leisure to explore the sights of this magnificent city.
Day 19: Budapest
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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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