Gems of the Danube

Welcome to Hungary and its vibrant capital, Budapest. Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, the city came together in 1873 when a newly built bridge connected the two. Budapest is an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between.

This afternoon is at leisure to settle into your luxurious suite on board your all-inclusive ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ship. Most suites have an all-weather balcony that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of river life as you cruise the Danube.

Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.

The diverse city of Budapest is a cultural melting pot, renowned for its thermal baths and vibrant nightlife scene. It’s peppered with Roman ruins, Gothic buildings, bohemian coffee houses, world-class operas, and an historical Jewish quarter where the scars of WWII can still be seen to this day.

Freechoice:
A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are on offer to choose from today.

Budapest in Depth: Explore this magical city by coach. Visit both Buda and Pest, the two districts separated by the Danube. 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 heritage: Discover Budapest’s Jewish community on a guided tour with an expert local guide and learn about the significant events from Jewish history that have shaped the culture of today. The tour includes a Synagogue, cemetery, memorial park and guided tour of the Jewish Museum.

Excursion to Szentendre; Journey to Szentendre, the riverside town in Pest County, for a guided tour. Known for its museums, galleries and artists, this charming city will captivate you.

Your 5-star Space-Ship will depart Budapest later this afternoon, allowing you some free time to explore the city on your own. Pack your swimsuit and make your way to one of Budapest’s thermal baths for a relaxing soak in the therapeutic waters, or perhaps explore the Central Market Hall – the largest market in the city, built in neo-gothic style for a combination of shopping and sightseeing.

Alternatively, check out the Jewish Quarter’s famous ruin bars, which are housed in old and abandoned buildings that were left in decay after WWII.

Today, wake to a coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler. After breakfast relax on the Sun Deck as we sail towards Bratislava, or perhaps head to the exclusive Salt Therapy Lounge, which provides natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Slovakia’s capital since independence in 1993, Bratislava is a modern multicultural metropolis with an intriguing history. Its Old Town is filled with glorious examples of medieval and Gothic architecture and a well-preserved hilltop castle, which dates to the 9th century. These charming historic sites contrast with the brutalist socialist architecture evident around the city.

Freechoice:
As we dock in the city centre, choose from today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:

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. As you walk, learn 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 beginning 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 wine regions of Slovakia as you enjoy a tasting in one of Bratislava’s cellars.

Vienna is Austria’s imperial capital – a city full of grandeur, featuring the world’s most beautiful boulevard, the Ringstrasse, and the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy. Also known as the City of Music, Vienna fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, among others. Sigmund Freud also lived and worked here in the late 19th century.

Freechoice: Explore your way with a selection from today's Scenic Freechoice activities:

Schönbrunn 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 lived here and marvel at its impressive gardens.

Central Vienna: 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 as you wish.

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 a shuttle to the city centre or simply relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship.  

Enrich
Tonight's Scenic Enrich:

Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein: Take 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.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in the quaint town of Dürnstein this morning, where you have some time to wander at your leisure. Surrounded by vineyards, the town features historical buildings that date back to the 12th century, including the hilltop ruins of Dürnstein Castle. It was here that Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193.

As we continue sailing the scenic Wachau Valley, find yourself enchanted by the sloping vineyards and charming villages. This afternoon, you’ll dock in the small and picturesque town of Melk. The breathtaking World Heritage-listed Benedictine Abbey overlooking the city is the most spectacular building in the region.

Freechoice:
There are a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from today:

Melk Benedictine 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 grounds, visit the decorated Marble Hall and the library, filled with more than 80,000 books, and be awed by the Abbey Church, adorned in frescoes and intricate statues.

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.

While you indulge in the spectacular views this afternoon, 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 breathtaking location.

Melk is an Austrian town situated on the River Danube. Located west of Vienna, the town is mostly famous for its 11th Century Melk Abbey, a magnificent monastery built high above the town. Melk Abbey is the largest example of Baroque architecture in the Wachau Valley, with the valley itself awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2000. Its steep terraced vineyards mean vinters cultivate with traditional manual practices and the springtime sees this unique landscape covered in apricot tree blossoms. Strolling around the streets of Melk Old Town, visitors will find the Town Hall Square, the Main Square, the old Post Office, now a local museum, Old Abbey Tavern, and Kremser Strasse. River cruises, self-guided walking tours and cycle tours are also extremely popular around Melk, as the Wachau Valley offers unique landscape to be explored and enjoyed. Art festivals and Baroque music is celebrated each year with the Melk Baroque Days, an international festival.

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

Excursion to Salzburg: Disembark your Scenic Space-Ship in Brandstatt and journey via coach to Salzburg, Austria. On the banks of the Salzach River, surrounded by alpine peaks, 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. In this Baroque old town you’ll find Mozart’s birthplace and Hohensalzburg, Central Europe’s largest intact fortress, which enjoys panoramic views of the city. Explore this incredible city on a guided tour before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant followed by free time to explore at your leisure. You’ll return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the German town of Passau.

Excursion to Cesky Krumlov: From Brandstatt, journey via coach to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This delightful 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 a vast array of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Wander this fairytale location with your local guide and explore the historic centre before enjoying a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. After some free time to explore at your leisure, return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the German town of Passau.

Highlights of Passau: Stay on board this morning as you cruise to Passau. Situated at a confluence of the Inn, Ilz and Danube rivers, Passau has been an important trading route – particularly for the ‘white gold’ of salt - for centuries. Visit the Old Town, situated on a narrow peninsula, and admire 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.

Passau is a German city located in the Southeast of Germany on the Austrian border. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Danube, Inn and Ilz. The Three Rivers City, as it’s also known, is unique for its three contrasting currents of blue, green and black. Old Town of Passau is home to towering buildings of striking architecture: the majestic fortress Veste Oberhaus, the Pilgrimage Church Mariahilf and St Stephen's Cathedral. Many of Passau’s attractions can be found in this area, including the New Bishop’s Residence, the Gothic Town Hall, as well as many churches and museums. Visitors can stroll along the riverfront promenades and romantic lanes whilst enjoying the picturesque landscape. For modern art, The Museum of Modern Art and Glass Museum Passau are recommended as they offer something a bit different. Theatre and cabaret are a popular evening pastime, with performances at the former Prince Bishopric Theatre or some lively cabaret and Jazz at the Scharfrichterhaus. Visitors will also find many traditional local Bavarian and Austrian cafes and restaurants offering a cosy atmosphere with home cooked food from local produce.

Freechoice:
This morning your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in Vilshofen. From here you can travel to Regensburg or stay in town to explore with one of the following 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.

Walking tour of Vilshofen: Discover the quaint town of Vilshofen, with its picturesque streets lined with traditional half-timbered houses and lush greenery. Explore the town’s medieval towers and charming streets, ending at the peaceful confluence of the Danube and Vils rivers.

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.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Munich 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 book your flight to depart out of Passau after 02:00 PM.

Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.