DAY 1 – BUDAPEST
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.
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY 2 – BUDAPEST
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 Past & Present: This walking and coach tour will give insight on Budapest’s communist past and life today as part of the European Union, including the 1956 Hungarian revolution and the significant Jewish events that have shaped modern culture.
Ancestry of the Kitchen – Goulash cooking class: Traditional recipes have long been passed down through generations. Today you’ll be let in on the secrets of a family recipe as you learn how to make traditional Hungarian Goulash.
Your five-star Space-Ship doesn’t depart Budapest until later this evening, allowing you to explore Budapest 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. Or check out the Jewish Quarter’s famous ruin bars, which are housed in old and abandoned buildings that were left in decay after WWII.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 – BRATISLAVA
Spend the morning on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship. Wake up to a rolling tapestry of river life along the Danube as we sail towards the Slovakian capital, Bratislava. Download the Scenic Tailormade App to listen to river commentary and gain insight to the villages and sites you’re passing as you relax on the Sun Deck.
Slovakia’s capital since independence in 1993, Bratislava is a modern multicultural metropolis with an intriguing history. Its Old Town is glorious in 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
As we dock in the city centre, this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice 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.
Ancestry of the Kitchen – Bryndzové Halušky – pillowy potato dumplings cooking class: Learn about the local customs and culture through taste with this cooking class, where you will make traditional Slovak dumplings using grated potato.
This rest of the day is at leisure to wander the city of Bratislava on your own. Or return to 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 Bratislava before we set sail later tonight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 – VIENNA
We arrive early in Vienna this morning. Also known as the City of Music, Austria’s imperial capital fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, among others. The city oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.
Freechoice
Spend the day exploring the city by taking your pick from a selection of Scenic Freechoice activities:
Guided city tour & Schonbrunn 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 family tales and see the impressive gardens before taking a coach ride to the city centre for a guided walking tour. You’ll see the Opera House, St Stephen’s Cathedral and Belvedere Palace.
Viennese Wine Stories: Journey outside of Vienna’s city centre to its acclaimed wine region, which has been cultivating vines since the 12th century. Hear about Vienna’s long tradition of wine production and sample some of the famous drops.
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.
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 one of the provided shuttles to the city centre or simply relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship.
Enrich
In the early evening, join this 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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 – DURNSTEIN – MELK
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 we continue sailing the Wachau Valley, you will be mesmerised by the sloping vineyards and charming villages.
This afternoon we will dock in the small and picturesque town of Melk, located in Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley. The city’s 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:
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 to 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.
While you indulge in the spectacular views, 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 this afternoon 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 breath-taking location.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ship, Durnstein, Austria
DAY 6 – LINZ
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 Cesky Krumlov: Journey via coach to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This delightful UNESCO 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 its vast array of well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Wander this fairy-tale location with your local guide and explore the historic centre before delighting in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and some time at leisure to explore.
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.
Linzertorte Baking Class
For something light-hearted, join a cooking class to make your very own Linzer Torte. Learn about 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, strap on your walking shoes to hike to Postlingberg Church, perched high above the city. Then re-board your Scenic Space-Ship where you may wish to relax in the exclusive Salt Therapy Lounge, which provides natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
