Welcome to Vienna, a city that oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.
Relax in your luxurious hotel for the evening or head out to explore the city at leisure.
This morning, embark on a guided tour to see the city's highlights, such as the opulent Opera House, City Hall, the Hellenic-style Parliament Building, the sprawling landscaped gardens of Stadtpark, and Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles).
This afternoon, you have free time to discover the city as you wish. Perhaps, venture out to Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family or explore one of the world-class museums that are dotted around the city, such as the Belvedere Museum, where you can explore the greatest collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. (B)
Soak up the last of your free time in Vienna in the morning before transferring to Budapest, often regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. In Hungary’s capital, you'll embark on your Danube Delta Discovery cruise, continuing your journey of wonder in ultra-luxury.
Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in Bratislava after lunch. Choose to spend your morning in your Space-Ship’s wellness centre enjoying a soothing massage^, or simply enjoy the views from the comfort of the Sun Deck.
Freechoice: This afternoon, choose one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:
This morning you’ll have free time on board, perhaps wake to a coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler or simply relax in the sunshine on the Sun Deck as you enjoy the scenery of the Danube rolling by while cruising through Slovakia and into Hungary.
Enrich: Tonight, immerse yourself in Budapest’s Imperial past by attending an exclusive private classical music concert at the majestic Gödöllõ Royal Palace, one of the favourite residences of Queen Elisabeth of Hungary. (B/L/D)
You will arrive early this morning in Budapest, the Hungarian capital and one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant cities. Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, the city was united in 1873 when a newly built bridge connected the two. Budapest is 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 dazzling nightlife scene.
This afternoon you will have free time as your luxury Space-Ship docks in Budapest overnight. Pack your swimsuit and make your way to one of Budapest’s thermal baths for a relaxing soak in the therapeutic waters. Szechenyi Baths are the largest, boasting 15 indoor baths and three vast outdoor pools. 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. (B/L/D)
You will arrive in Kalocsa this morning. This historic Hungarian town has some of the richest folk art in the world, like its beautifully decorated porcelain. It was an important agricultural centre in the 19th century and the region has retained much of its rural charm.
This afternoon your Scenic Space-Ship will sail to Mohacs, arriving later tonight. (B/L/D)
Straddling the Danube, this small Hungarian town was the site of the 16th century Battle of Mohacs, which led to the destruction of the Hungarian monarchy and the rise of Ottoman and Habsburg rule. From here, you will explore the surrounding regions.
Spend the afternoon on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship as you sail towards the Croatian border, perhaps relaxing with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar. (B/L/D)
You will wake this morning in the Croatian town of Osijek, a small city with a turbulent history. Over the past 500 years it has been part of the Ottoman, Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian empires, and in the 1990s was the epicentre of the Croatian War of Independence. Many of the grand Baroque buildings remain standing but bear the scars of the war. Osijek is famous for its food, which is heavily influenced by Hungary and features plenty of paprika, locally made sausages and river fish.
After your touring this morning, you will visit the home of a local Croatian family and have lunch with the family members. Immerse yourself in this cultural and culinary experience, and enjoy an authentic meal prepared with fresh vegetables from the host’s garden. North-eastern Croatia is the ‘bread basket’ of the country so it is only natural that the villagers take great pride in their gardens. You’ll be treated to a feast for both the palate and the eyes.
This afternoon will be spent on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship to enjoy the amenities or relax in your suite. Many suites have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of river life as you cruise the Danube. (B/L/D)
Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Serbia early this morning. Novi Sad is the country’s second largest city, a youthful place of music, art and liberal freedoms. It’s an ethnically diverse city, has a thriving contemporary art scene with several large-scale public murals and hosts vibrant festivals, all while nurturing its rich 500-year history.
Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice activities:
The capital of Serbia, Belgrade is known as the ‘Door to Central Europe’ and lies at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. This eclectic city is steeped in history, with Neolithic ruins found nearby, a fortress built by the Romans, Brutalist buildings that sit beside Art Nouveau buildings, and a bohemian vibe. One of the oldest capitals in Europe, Belgrade has been rebuilt almost 40 times.
Enrich: Tonight, we have a special treat in store for you with our Scenic Enrich event:
This morning you will be docked in the charming town of Golubac, which is home to one of Europe’s best preserved medieval fortresses. It was strategically built at the section of the Danube River that narrows to form the ‘Iron Gate’ gorge.
After your Scenic Freechoice excursions, the ship will be waiting for you downriver at the town of Donji Milanovac. This afternoon, you will cruise through the spectacular scenery of the Iron Gates. This stretch of the Danube is the natural border between Serbia and Romania and features four narrow gorges, soaring cliffs and the might rock carving of Decebalus, the former Romanian king. (B/L/D)
You will arrive early in Vidin, Bulgaria, an historic town with a medieval fortress between the borders of Bulgaria and Romania. This region boasts a fertile landscape where wine is grown.
Freechoice: Choose one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:
Leaving Vidin later this morning, you will spend today relaxing on board. Perhaps you’d like to enjoy some time in the state-of-the-art gym for an invigorating workout? Or, if you’d prefer to wind down, head to the wellness centre for a relaxing massage or spend some time in the Salt Therapy Lounge. (B/L/D)
Arrive in Silistra early this morning. This Bulgarian town has changed hands many times over the centuries; a major Turkish fortress and trade centre in the 15th century, it played a significant role in the Russo-Turkish wars of the 1870s, briefly became part of Romania after the Second Balkan War, and finally reverted to Bulgaria in 1940. The town is dotted with historic sites stretching back to late Roman times.
Return to your Scenic Space-Ship this afternoon and enjoy time at leisure. You may wish to take a turn around the walking track up on the Sun Deck to stretch your legs while enjoying the ever-changing scenery or join in one of the wellness activities on board. (B/L/D)
Start the day with a walking tour in the Romanian fishing village of Saint George, also known as Sfantu Gheorghe. Following this, you will take a cruise on a small boat through the wetlands of the Danube Delta to Mile 0, where the mighty Danube River meets the Black Sea. The vast 580,000-hectare Danube Delta is the best-preserved delta in Europe and is teeming with wildlife, including more than 300 species of birds.
Spend another wonderful afternoon on board your luxury Space-Ship; mingle with fellow guests in the Panorama Bar & Lounge, or take some time out in your spacious suite. (B/L/D)
Transfer to Bucharest this morning, stopping for lunch on the way. The capital of Romania was once called the Paris of the East, however WWII changed the face of the city with much of its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture destroyed. Now a unique mix of Art Nouveau remnants and Brutalist-era architecture sits alongside wide, tree-lined boulevards and leafy squares, hidden street art and thriving nightlife. Admire the many splendid Orthodox churches and be awed by the gargantuan Palace of Parliament.
This evening you will check into a hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner. (B/L/D)
This morning, you’ll begin your journey into Transylvania. This mountainous region of Central Romania is wrapped up in ancient myths, folklore and legendary literature. Its landscape has barely changed in more than 600 years, dotted with perfectly-preserved medieval villages and spectacular castles amid deep green forest.
Peles Castle is a Neo-Classical masterpiece built in the 1870s by the first king of Romania as a summer residence for the royal family. During your guided tour of the interior, you will see the rooms are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved wood and stained glass, and there’s a fascinating collection of artwork and artifacts. Your final destination for today is Brasov. (B)
This morning a local guide will take you on a tour of the sights of this colourful town that brings together Gothic spires, medieval watchtowers, sprawling squares and Soviet-era concrete.
Back in Brasov, finish your day with a traditional Romanian dinner accompanied by folklore tales and traditional stories. (B/D)
This morning travel to the village of Sighisoara, the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler himself. It’s also one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, with cobblestone lanes and colourful buildings that have remained largely unchanged since the 12th century.
This afternoon, it’s on to Sibiu, another medieval town with a rich Saxon history. As you admire the historic buildings during your guided tour, you might get the feeling that they are looking back at you – many of the buildings here have unique dormer windows in the roof that resemble human eyes.
Afterwards you have free time to take in the beauty of this city at your leisure. Perhaps join the locals for an al fresco coffee in the Big Square (Piata Mare) or Little Square (Piata Mica), both just metres apart in the centre of the old town or take a moment to duck inside the Holy Trinity Cathedral, a Romanian orthodox church that was built just over 100 years ago. The elaborate paintings and stained-glass windows across the ceiling will take your breath away. (B)
This morning your local guide will walk you through the highlights of Sibiu during a guided tour before you cross back over the Southern Carpathian Mountains to reach the Cozia Monastery. Built between 1386 and 1388, it’s one of the most architecturally and culturally important monasteries in Romania and many other religious complexes have been modelled after it. Sitting on the edge of the Olt River and with mountain peaks behind, it’s a breathtaking site that has long been inspiring spiritual connections.
With the villages and vistas of Transylvania behind you, you’ll make your way back to the capital Bucharest this evening. (B)
After a final breakfast in Bucharest, it’s time to farewell this fascinating part of Eastern Europe. The spectacular landscapes, medieval villages and sense of fairy tales come to life will stay with you long after your journey.
Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change. (B)
Regions