Welcome to Germany and the ancient city of Nuremberg, the second largest centre in Bavaria, where your Danube journey begins.

This afternoon, board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship and settle into your spacious suite. Join your fellow guests for a welcome reception and toast to the start of an exciting journey. You will remain docked in Nuremberg overnight, so you can also set out to explore the city after dark if you wish.

Awake in Nuremberg today. The Old Town is protected by an ancient city wall and the city is dominated by one of the most significant imperial forts of the Holy Roman Empire, the 12th century Imperial Castle, which was the preferred residence of German kings.

Behind its charming façade, Nuremberg also has a turbulent history. During WWII, the city was favoured by the Nazis for party rallies and many of the anti-Jewish laws began here. By 1945, the city was reduced to rubble, including large sections of the Imperial Castle and Old Town. After the war, Nazi leaders were tried here for their war crimes.

Freechoice:
Make your choice from today’s Scenic Freechoice experiences:

Guided tour of Nuremberg Old Town: Drive into Nuremberg’s city centre, passing by the ancient city walls, then join your local guide for a walking tour of the Old Town to see the Imperial Castle, St. Egidien’s Church and the market square.

World War II tour: Your local guide will highlight the main events that occurred in Nuremberg during the Nazi regime. Learn about this dark time in Germany's history and visit some of the most important sites.

Rock cut beer cellar: Go underground to discover Nuremberg’s unique beer culture. More than 20,000 square metres of rock cut cellars sit beneath the Imperial Castle and have been used to store and brew beer. Finish your tour with a tasting of traditional brews.

This afternoon you will cruise towards Regensburg.

You will arrive in Regensburg after lunch today. 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 listed as World Heritage sites.  Within its narrow laneways, the city lays claim to having the highest concentration of bars in the country.

Freechoice:
Today, Regensburg offers a selection of Scenic Freechoice activities to choose from:

Walking tour of Regensburg: On the confluence of three rivers in Bavaria, Regensburg is known as the best-preserved medieval city in Germany. Guests will join a walking tour with a local guide to see the old stone bridge, the Church of St James, and the Porta Praetoria.

Traditional sausage making class: Join an expert from a local family-owned butcher for a hands-on lesson in the art of making traditional white breakfast sausages. Learn the recipe, how to measure the ingredients and fill the casing, and the importance of fresh herbs.

Bavarian beer tasting: Learn about intricacies of beer making and the region's rich brewing heritage. Visit a traditional brewery to taste a variety of distinctive Bavarian brews.

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. With a late departure, you’ll have time to explore the city after dark. 

Freechoice:
Plan your day with the following Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Highlights of Passau: 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 but destroyed by fire in 1662 and rebuilt in the Baroque style.

Cross border cycling: Travel further afield on a guided e-bike ride along the Inn River, during which you will cross the border from Germany to Austria. Cycle through charming towns and admire the spectacular views of the region.

Passau photography safari: Bring your camera to capture the beauty of Passau. Your expert guide will take you to some of the city’s best vantage points, such as picturesque streets, the Old Town Hall and the point where the three rivers meet.

Wake up in Austria this morning, where your Space-Ship will dock in the heart of Linz. This city is known for its vibrant music and arts scene and beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary architecture and lifestyle. The city’s quaint old town and Main Square are resplendent in Baroque architecture; while its harbour doubles as an outdoor street art gallery. 

Freechoice:
This morning, choose to explore your way with Scenic Freechoice:

Explore Linz by foot: Join a local guide on a walking tour to discover the balance between the city’s vibrant history and contemporary living.

Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov: Journey to the Czech town of Ceský Krumlov, a World Heritage site brimming with charm. Explore with your local guide, admire the well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and eat lunch in a local restaurant.

Mauthausen WWII Concentration Camp: Venture out of the city to Mauthausen’s former concentration camp that housed more than 190,000 people between 1938 and 1945, during the reign of the National Socialist party. Learn about the terrible conditions that the prisoners lived under during this sombre tour.

Linzer Torte tasting: With a history dating back 400 years, the Linzer Torte is an icon of the city. Enjoy a tasting of this famous sweet, baked using handmade short crust pastry, red currant jam and almonds.

This afternoon and evening are at leisure. If you’re feeling adventurous, lace up your walking shoes to hike to Postlingberg Church, perched high above the city.

Spend this morning in Dürnstein, a small and picturesque town in Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley. Enjoy some free time to explore this World Heritage-listed town, sitting on the edge of the Danube River and surrounded by ancient, terraced vineyards. 

Freechoice:
Today offers a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from:

Göttweig Abbey: Founded in the sixth century, the abbey burned down during the 18th century and rebuilt to be one of the most magnificent in the Wachau Valley. Your local guide will show you its magnificent frescoes as well as the staircase, the largest Baroque staircase in Austria.

Wachau Valley wine tasting: The Wachau Valley is one of the prominent regions for wine growing in Austria. Today you'll visit a local winemaker and learn about the age-old traditions of winemaking while sampling the delicious wines produced on site.

E-biking from Dürnstein to Krems: Join your guide on a bicycle tour along the Danube to the quaint village of Krems. Pass by charming villages and scenic vineyard landscapes. You will have time to stop along the way to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Danube, or perhaps take in the daily life of locals.

This afternoon, your Scenic Space-Ship will cruise this picturesque stretch of river to Krems. You can choose to explore this quaint town by yourself or join an informative talk on the production of schnapps and taste some local varieties.

Welcome to Vienna, the capital of Austria and a centre of art, music and culture. The city fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, and oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces, a vibrant coffee-house scene, and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.

Freechoice:
Choose from today’s Scenic Freechoice activities:

Schönbrunn Palace: Explore Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family. Wander its ornately designed rooms, hear tales about the royal family that lived here and see the impressive gardens.

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.

Central Vienna: 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.

Enrich
Take in the wonderful architecture of Arsenal Military Museum, while enjoying a glass of fine Austrian Sekt. Then be enthralled by an enchanting private Viennese evening concert featuring the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart.

Set off early from Vienna for a relaxed cruise down the Danube to dock in the heart of the Slovakian capital around midday. Slovakia’s capital since independence in 1993, Bratislava is a modern multicultural metropolis with an intriguing history. Its Old Town is glorious with medieval and Gothic architecture. Its well-preserved hilltop castle, which dates back to the ninth century, still dominates the town. These charming historic sites contrast with its brutalist socialist architecture, which is evident around the city.

Freechoice:
Discover more of the city with one of these Freechoice excursions:

Walking tour of Bratislava: Join a knowledgeable local guide to see the highlights of the city, including the Hlavné Námestie (main square) and the Old Town Hall while learning about the history of the city. You’ll also learn what everyday life was like behind the Iron Curtain and also taste some local delicacies.

Coffee & cake at Kormuth Bakerai: Experience Bratislava’s famed coffee house culture. Your local guide will tell you the history of the café which is said to date back to the 16th century while you admire the spectacular architecture, frescoed ceilings and, of course, the magnificent home-made cakes with recipes from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Ancestry of the kitchen cooking class: One of the best ways to get to know a culture is through its cuisine and during this hands-on workshop you will do just that, as you learn how to prepare traditional Slovak Bryndzové Halušky (potato dumplings with cheese).

This morning you will arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary and 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. It’s 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.

Freechoice:
Choose from a range of Scenic Freechoice activities on offer this morning:

Budapest in depth: Explore this magical city by coach. Starting in Buda, see the Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to the Pest side to see Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square. End your tour with a mesmerising piano recital at the Institute for the Blind.

National Opera House: Get a captivating glimpse into the stunning architecture and rich history of the Hungarian State Opera. Admire the opulent interiors and learn about its significance to Hungarian culture.

Ancestry of the kitchen cooking class: Immerse yourself in traditional Hungarian culture as you learn how to make goulash with the locals. This excursion is a favourite amongst guests as it gives a unique opportunity to experience local cuisine, hospitality and the way of life.

This afternoon is at leisure and your ship will remain docked in Budapest overnight, so you can venture out on your own to discover some of its legendary nightlife.

Your journey concludes this morning. After one final breakfast on board, depart with a lifetime of memories. 

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.