Welcome to Amsterdam. The Netherland's capital city is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, masterpiece-filled galleries, tranquil scenes of boats putting along 16th-century canals, narrow cobbled laneways filled with boutiques and cafes, and streets busy with cyclists criss-crossing their way about town. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, much of the UNESCO-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges.
Raise your glass to the marvellous cruise ahead of you at this evening's welcome reception. (D)
This morning will be spent on board your luxury Scenic Space-Ship sailing towards Utrecht. Relax on the Sun Deck as you enjoy the scenery rolling by.
At lunch time you will arrive at Utrecht, a canal lined city boasting a multitude of green space, lively streets and hidden alleyways leaving you intrigued by what is around the next corner. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Select from the following Scenic Freechoice activities and explore your way:
You will arrive in Veere this morning, one of The Netherland's prettiest villages whose historic harbour is filled with bobbing yachts. While its beginnings date to the 13th century, Veere flourished in the 16th century when it became an important port for Scottish wool. This prosperity lasted two centuries, and to this day Scottish ties are strong. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are on offer to choose from this morning:
This morning you will arrive in Belgium's second city, Antwerp. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Today offers a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from:
Spend the afternoon exploring the city of Antwerp at your own pace or return to your Space-Ship.
Located at the edge of the Veluwe nature reserve, the city of Arnhem offers a beautiful landscape surrounded by dense forest, lush green parklands and riverside promenades. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Make your choice from this afternoon's Scenic Freechoice excursions:
Your Scenic Space-Ship will be sailing towards Dusseldorf this morning.
Dusseldorf is an affluent city, which was dubbed ‘Little Paris' by Napoleon. The city is filled to the brim with museums and galleries, one of the world's most luxurious shopping streets, an old town with around 260 pubs and bars, and a harbour precinct that blends the old with new: historic quay walls, warehouses and silos neighbour striking architecturally designed buildings by the likes of Frank Gehry. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Choose from one of this today's Scenic Freechoice:
Today sail along the curvaceous path of the Moselle River past quaint half-timbered villages, vine-covered slopes and hilltop castles that are perched proudly overlooking the river.
Relax in the opulence of your suite, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of the Moselle Valley during this full day of cruising. This afternoon you will be able to indulge in a Moselle Wine Degustation to sample local varieties.
Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in the medieval town of Cochem this evening. (B/L/D)
A medieval gem resting on the banks of the Moselle River, Cochem will make you feel as if you are stepping directly into a fairy-tale. The traditional town is nestled on the riverbanks, with pastel-coloured buildings, half-timbered houses, cobbled laneways and an enchanting medieval hilltop castle surrounded by sloped vineyards.
Freechoice: Explore the charms of Cochem your way with your choice of Scenic Freechoice activity:
This afternoon you will set sail for Bernkastel. (B/L/D)
Another wonderfully preserved riverside town, Bernkastel is home to an atmospheric market square with buildings that date to the 13th century, one of the world's most famous Riesling vineyards, Bernkasteler Doctor, and the ruins of Landshut Castle sitting high above on a hill, where archaeological remains from the 4th and 5th centuries were discovered in 2012. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Decide how you will spend your day from the following Scenic Freechoice experiences:
Enrich: This evening's Scenic Enrich
Located where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, Koblenz has a melange of French and German cultures and it's one of Germany's oldest cities with a history spanning 2,000 years. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Today's Scenic Freechoice are diverse and unique, decide what suits you:
Your Space-Ship will overnight in Koblenz, offering you the opportunity to explore the city after dark.
Leaving Koblenz this morning you will cruise along the spectacular World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley towards Rüdesheim. This 65-kilometre stretch of the river is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Sailing down this section of the river is like being transported through the pages of a fairy-tale book.
The Rhine is abounded in myths and legends; folklore that has been passed on for generations, including the story of Lorelei. This enchanting female was betrayed by her sweetheart and spent her days bewitching men. As her punishment, she was sent to a nunnery, however on her way she jumped to her death in the river. Legend has her spirit casting spells on sailors who passed the rock, where a bronze statue sits today.
This afternoon you will disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Make your selection for this afternoon's Scenic Freechoice tours:
Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart late this evening, allowing you some free time to wander the enchanting laneways of Rüdesheim.
Freechoice: Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Mannheim this morning, where you'll enjoy several Scenic Freechoice options:
This afternoon your Space-Ship will set sail for Kehl. (B/L/D)
The city of Kehl is the gateway to Strasbourg, the capital city of the Alsace region, where sherbert-coloured, half-timbered houses heave together on the banks of a complex network of canals. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are available for you to choose from today:
Your Scenic Space-Ship departs later this evening, which means you have free time to wander Strasbourg at your own pace.
Located between the Rhine River and the Black Forest, Breisach is a food and wine destination that shares its border with the Alsace region. It was almost destroyed during WWII but was meticulously rebuilt with its traditional cobbled streets and pastel houses.
Freechoice: A diverse range of Scenic Freechoice experiences are on offer to choose from today:
Return to your Scenic Space-Ship and toast to your final evening on board. (B/L/D)
Board and included flight to Bordeaux where you will be transferred to the Scenic Diamond for your 10 night cruise along the waterways of the Bordeaux region. (B/D)
This morning is spent on board relaxing as you cruise into the beautiful 13th century port of Libourne. Head up to the Sun Deck to bask in the sunshine and enjoy the scenery along the Dordogne River rolling by. Or perhaps drop into Scenic Culinaire for a French cooking class.
Spend the afternoon in the nearby town of Saint-Émilion, a World Heritage-listed medieval village with world-famous wineries, beautiful architecture and historic monuments. You will enjoy a guided tour of the caves and catacombs beneath the city, including a Monolithic church built from limestone, whose 38-metre-long bell tower can be seen above ground.
This evening your Scenic Space-Ship will be docked overnight in Libourne. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Choose from one of these Scenic Freechoice activities:
This afternoon your Scenic Space-Ship will sail onwards to Fort Medoc where you will dock overnight. (B/L/D)
The name Médoc is synonymous with exceptional wines. Considered the world's leading red wine producer, Médoc has been a winemaking region since the 18th century. Today you will have the chance to explore this remarkable wine region. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Explore your way with a Scenic Freechoice excursion:
Enrich: Tonight, enjoy an exclusive Scenic Enrich experience:
This morning will be spent cruising towards Cadillac.
Founded in the 13th century, the charming, fortified city of Cadillac is centred around its magnificent château. Seventeenth century French explorer Anthony Laumet rose high in the French fur trade and in 1701 established the port of Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, which would become modern day Detroit where the American auto industry began. The Cadillac car is named in his honour. (B/L/D)
Today you have the choice between many different experiences in the region surrounding Cadillac, from its bucolic countryside to its historic castles. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: This morning explore your way with one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:Sauternes by coach: Venture into the Sauternes region with a visit to either Château Rayne Vigneau or Château La Tour Blanche (the group will be split into two). Enjoy a delicious tasting of the chateau's fine wines as you take in the stunning views of the vineyard and surrounds. Sauternes by bike: Cycle through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes to the Grand Cru Classé estate of Chateau Mayne la Merci for a tasting. Learn the history of winemaking here and the process involved in production from time of harvest, grape to wine, length of maturing and, of course, the tasting pleasure.
Freechoice: Choose from this afternoon's Scenic Freechoice activities:
This morning you will wake in the fascinating city of Bordeaux, which you can explore by foot, bike or through a cooking class. It has been an important trading port since the Middle Ages, thanks to its strategic location on the river flowing to a sea port. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: The choice is yours with this morning's Scenic Freechoice:
Back on board, your Cruise Director will organise a special treat for you, with a tasting of fresh Oysters delivered straight from the waters of Arcachon Bay.
Enrich: This evening's Scenic Enrich:
Today you'll continue your exploration of Bordeaux and its surrounding regions.
Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning's Scenic Freechoice excursions:
This afternoon you'll enjoy time at leisure on board as you sail towards Bourg. (B/L/D)
Your ultra-luxury Scenic Space-Ship will be docked in Bourg today, a picturesque town set on a rocky promontory. Built as a defensive château, it's a maze of ancient alleyways, moats and bell towers on the Dordogne. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Choose from today's Scenic Freechoice activities:
This morning you will sail towards Blaye. Most famously, this petite hamlet is home to a World Heritage-listed citadel that was constructed to protect Bordeaux city, from enemy attacks. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: This morning, choose your Scenic Freechoice activity:
This afternoon your Scenic Space-Ship will make its way back to Bordeaux for your final evening on board.
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to Bordeaux airport or train station for your onward journey.
Please note: The Gironde, Dordogne and Garonne waterways are part of a tidal river system which results in changing water levels in the region. Every effort is made to keep to the brochure itinerary however based on tides it will be amended or modified. Please refer to our terms and conditions. (B)
Scenic Space-Ships offer a truly all-inclusive luxury package. No hidden extras, just exceptional experiences. Read more
These are hand-selected activities for you to choose from and enjoy at a pace that suits you. Read more
These are experiences that offer once-in-a-lifetime multi-sensory moments that are completely inaccessible to the ordinary traveler. Read more
Scenic go above and beyond, making your trip a truly carefree, all-inclusive experience. Read more
You'll have access to a range of health and wellness amenities on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship. Read more
You’ll find Scenic Tailormade invaluable and it always knows the story of where you are. Read more
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