Iconic Danube with Prague

Welcome to Hungary and its vibrant capital, Budapest. 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. The city 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 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. (D)

The diverse city of Budapest is a cultural melting pot, renowned for its thermal baths and vibrant nightlife scene, 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 this morning:

• Budapest in Depth: Explore this magical city by coach. Visit both Buda and Pest, the two districts that are separated by the Danube that make up the city. 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 history: Discover Jewish history on a tour with an expert local guide and learn about the significant events that have shaped the culture of today. The tour includes Synagogue, cemetery, memorial park and guided tour of the Jewish Museum.
• City Tour and Hospital in the Rock: Start your coach tour with a visit to Gellert Hill for magnificent views across the city, followed by a tour of Budapest. See the Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church before visiting the Hospital in the Rock – a former top-secret nuclear bunker and emergency hospital.
• Guided hike to Buda Hill: Strap on your walking shoes for a beautiful hike up to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Buda Hill. See Matthias Church and walk to the Fisherman’s Bastion while enjoying great views over the Danube River and the city landscape.

Your 5-star Space-Ship will depart Budapest late this evening, allowing you 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 set out to 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. (B/L/D)

Today, perhaps wake to a coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler. Be sure to download the Scenic Tailormade App to listen to river commentary and gain insight into the villages and sites you’re passing as you relax on board while cruising to Bratislava.

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 and its well-preserved hilltop castle, which has history dating back to the 9th century, still dominates the town. These charming historic sites contrast with its brutalist socialist architecture, which is evident around the city.

Freechoice: Docking in the city centre, this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice excursions are just steps away:

• 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 while learning 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.
• Coffee & Cake at Kormuth Bakeri: Immerse yourself in modern Slovak life with a visit one of the city’s most famous and historic coffee houses, where you’ll enjoy coffee and cake with friendly locals. Delight in the history of the building, which is decorated in Renaissance-style paintings and frescoes. (B/L/D)

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: Spend the day exploring the city and take your pick from a selection of 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, you’ll hear tales about the royal family that lives here and see the impressive gardens.
• City Tour of Vienna: Take a coach ride from the ship to the city centre where guests will have a walking tour taking in highlights such as the Opera House, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Belvedere Palace. Your tour will end with ample free time for you to explore at your leisure.
• Cycle to Danube Island: Explore a different side of Vienna on a guided e-bike tour to Danube Island, a recreational playground where locals come to enjoy bathing, boating, cycling and relaxing on its beaches and open spaces.

This afternoon is free to wander around Vienna, so perhaps join one of the provided shuttles to the city centre or simply relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship.

Enrich: This evening, join an unforgettable Scenic Enrich experience.

• Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein: 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. 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. (B/L/D)

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 has historical buildings that date back to the 12th century, including the hilltop ruins of Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193.

As you continue sailing the scenic Wachau Valley, be mesmerised by the sloping vineyards and charming villages. This afternoon, the ship will dock in the small and picturesque town of Melk. The breathtaking UNESCO-listed Benedictine Abbey built high over the city is the most spectacular building in the region.

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

• E-biking from Dürnstein to Melk: Embark on a guided e-bike ride to soak up the scenery along the Danube as you cycle from the quaint village of Dürnstein to Melk. You'll pass by small villages and through rolling vineyards, stopping along the way to enjoy the river views.
• Glorious Melk 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 halls, visit the decorated Marble Hall and the library, which is filled with more than 80,000 books, and be awed by the Abbey Church, which is 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. (B/L/D)

Wake up this morning with your Space-Ship docked in the heart of Linz. This city is known for its vibrant music and arts scene, beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary architecture, and attractive 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.
• 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 conditions and treatment that the prisoners lived under during this sombre tour.
• Hike to Postlingberg: Perched high on a hill overlooking the city of Linz you will find Postlingberg Church. Join your local guide for an active hike up to the church where you will have the chance to take in the views of the town from above before entering the historic place of worship.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will set sail this late this evening so you have the afternoon at leisure to explore this wonderful city. (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, which was 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.

Freechoice: Decide how you will spend your afternoon from the following Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Highlights of Passau walking tour: 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, 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.
• 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. (B/L/D)

Today travel to Prague, enjoy a three night stay at one of our luxurious city centre hotels. (B)

Pull back the curtains of your hotel room this morning and you’ll see why Prague is known as the city of 100 Spires. More accurately, it should be called the city of 1,000 spires as a seemingly endless landscape of Baroque belfries, Gothic church spires and 19th-century clocktowers.

You’ll take a guided tour this morning, led by an expert local guide who will reveal the city’s secrets in all their Gothic glory. The red-roofed Old Town is a charming maze of cobblestone laneways, medieval buildings, bustling squares and elaborate statues. It’s compact and almost completely flat, making it perfect for exploring on foot. Don’t miss the Old Town Hall where you can hear the 14th-century Astronomical Clock chime, accompanied by a procession of the 12 Apostles.

The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll through this magnificent city, situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia. Prague is rich in history and home to some of the world’s most striking architectural wonders. Your Tour Director is on hand to help you plan. (B)

Freechoice: This morning choose from one of today’s Scenic Freechoice activities:

• Prague Beer tasting walk: Join an expert local guide for a walking tour of Prague, taking in the city’s most famous sites and hidden gems. Prague is home to hundreds of small breweries, and you’ll have time to taste local beers that have been brewed here for generations, like pilsner larger and wheat beer.
• Prague Castle tour: Journey to the hill overlooking the Vltava River and the city of Prague to explore the seat of Czech rulers at Prague Castle, a vast complex covering more than 70,000 square metres that’s considered the largest castle complex in the world. The castle has its roots in the 9th century, though there are buildings dating from every period of history spread throughout the grounds. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the Czech Republic as well as the Old Royal Palace the former residence of Bohemian Royalty and the picturesque Golden Lane, the historic street lined with colourful houses, inhabited by soldiers, goldsmiths or alchemists in the past.
• Terezin Memorial: Take an excursion outside of Prague to the nearby town of Terezin, a former Austrian imperial military fortress and location of the Theresienstadt Ghetto, which served as a concentration camp during World War II. Visit the Terezin Memorial sites including the small fortress and the Ghetto Museum to learn about the horrors committed during the Nazi occupation during World War II and pay your respects to those that lost their lives during this atrocity. Please note due to the amount of walking involved, this tour is only recommended for guest with a good degree of fitness.

The remaining day is yours to enjoy at leisure. (B)

Today it’s time to farewell Prague, taking with you many fond memories of this charismatic city.

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)