Danube in Depth with Ljubljana & Zagreb

Welcome to Zagreb, the colourful and charismatic capital of Croatia. The city was founded more than 900 years ago, and its well-preserved districts range from the medieval lanes of the Upper Town to the elegant avenues of the 19th-century Lower Town. Alongside this rich cultural heritage, Zagreb is a youthful city with a buzzing café culture, sprawling parklands, quirky museums and delicious markets.

Check in to your luxurious hotel in Zagreb for a two night stay.

This morning, tour the sublimely beautiful World Heritage-listed Plitvice National Park. Wander along meandering pathways to view a series of emerald green lakes, stepped and linked by impressive waterfalls. This is one of Europe’s best known national parks and will leave you with lasting memories.

Your expert local guide will show you the highlights of the city. You’ll see landmarks including St. Mark’s Church, the sacred Stone Gate, the impressive architecture of King Tomislav Square, the serene Zrinjevac Park and Lotršcak Tower. (B)

Cross the Croatian border to the capital Ljubljana, one of the hidden gems of this region. Transfer to your luxury hotel located in the heart of Ljubljana, a perfect base for exploring the city. (B/D)

Take a guided tour of Ljubljana, the city sitting on the Ljubljanica River. Visit historic buildings like the Franciscan Church and St. Nicholas Cathedral and learn their fascinating past.

Then journey to the charming small lakeside town of Bled. Take a traditional Pletna boat to the beautiful island sitting in the middle of Lake Bled. Visit the historic Church of St. Mary on the island with its famous wishing well where you can ring the bell for good luck. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Budapest, where you will board your state-of-the-art Scenic Space-Ship for your river cruise. (B/D)

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.

Scenic 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.
• Beethoven’s favourite getaway: Travel to Brunszvik Castle, a favourite retreat of the famed composer, to admire its Neo Gothic architecture and the grand gardens. Learn about Beethoven’s life in the dedicated Memorial Museum.
• Ancestry of the kitchen cooking class: Immerse yourself in traditional Hungarian culture as you learn how to make goulash with the locals. This excursion gives a unique opportunity to experience local cuisine, hospitality and the way of life.

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. (B/L/D)

Wake up to a rolling tapestry of river life along the Danube as we cruise towards the Slovakian border. Perhaps ask your butler to bring coffee this morning to enjoy in your Scenic Sun Lounge.

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.

Scenic 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 discovering about the history of the city. You’ll also learn what everyday life was like behind the Iron Curtain and 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).

The rest of the day is at leisure to wander the city of Bratislava on your own. Alternatively, stay on board your Scenic Space-Ship and relax in the Panorama Lounge and Bar where you can sip on regional beer and wine while enjoying views of the city before we depart later tonight. (B/L/D)

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.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose from today’s Scenic Freechoice activities:

• Schönbrunn Palace: Explore Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family, an influential European family which ruled Austria from 1282 until 1918. Wander its ornately designed rooms, see impressive gardens, and hear about the royal family that lives here and their storied tales of territory expansion.
• Cycle to Klosterneuburg Monastery: Cycle to a hidden architectural gem just a few kilometres away from Vienna, the Klosterneuburg Monastery. With more than 900 years of history, the monastery is surrounded by vineyards and flourishing nature.
• 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.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore Vienna on your own or relax on board your luxurious Space-Ship.

Scenic Enrich:

• Breathe 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. Accompanied by ballet dancers and vocalists, and surrounded by world-famous art, this will be a concert that you’ll remember for a lifetime. (B/L/D)

This morning, arrive in the charming town of Krems, located in the spectacular Wachau Valley.

Scenic 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 impressive 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 flavour profile and age-old traditions of winemaking while sampling the delicious wines produced on site.
• E-biking from Krems to Dürnstein: Join your guide on a bicycle tour along the Danube to the pretty town of Dürnstein before returning to the ship. 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 whilst observing daily life in the region.

Later, arrive in Dürnstein, a small and picturesque town in the Wachau Valley. Enjoy some free time to explore this World Heritage-listed town, perched on the edge of the Danube River and. surrounded by ancient terraced vineyards.

On board this evening, join an informative talk on the production of schnapps and taste some local varieties. (B/L/D)

Today 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.

Scenic Freechoice: 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 enjoy lunch in a restaurant with local cuisine.
• 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: For something light-hearted, join a cooking class in one of the cities oldest cafes to taste the famous Linzer Torte. Hear the 400-year history of this iconic tart, 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 or perhaps explore the city’s local nightlife with many galleries and museums open after dark or wander and appreciate the glistening skyline. (B/L/D)

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.

Scenic 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.
• Paddling on the River Inn: Take in this region from a different perspective as you paddle down the River Inn past charming villages, ancient castles and historic bridges, crossing between Germany and Austria.
• 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, viewing local life 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. (B/L/D)

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.

Scenic 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 Mmedieval 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. (B/L/D)

Arrive in Nuremberg today. 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 the atrocities that took place.

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

• Walking 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 historical beer culture. More than 20,000 square metres of rock cut cellars sit beneath the historical city centre and have been used to store and brew beer. Finish your tour with a tasting of traditional brews. (B/L/D)

Your journey concludes this morning. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward travels 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. (B)