Enlarged View

We have included a selection of ways to travel to Amsterdam - these are all included at no supplement: fly from your choice of 13 UK regional airports with KLM; travel with British Airways from London Heathrow or London Gatwick. Alternatively travel Standard Premier aboard Eurostar from St.Pancras International to Brussels and on to Amsterdam by first class rail. Welcome to Amsterdam, a fascinating and compact city of picturesque canals. A Scenic Tours Representative will transfer* you to your luxury Scenic Tours ‘Space-Ship’. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Reception with your fellow travellers.
Next Fourteen Nights: Cruising

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Choose one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) a sightseeing canal cruise through the waterways of Amsterdam (2) a guided bicycle tour of the city where cycling is such a major form of transportation for so many of the locals (3) travel to North Holland’s seaside village of Volendam, stopping also in Edam to sample the delicacies of its namesake. Back on board, relax and enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Dinner.

Today choose one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) a guided walking tour of historic Cologne, seeing such sights as the magnificent Cologne Cathedral (2) join your guide on your walking tour of Düsseldorf, taking in all the ‘must-see’ sights including the famous Altstadt. This afternoon relax on board your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ as you sail this picturesque pocket of Germany on the tranquil Rhine River.

Today choose one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) join a guided tour of Koblenz, situated on both banks of the Rhine and at its confluence with the Moselle River (2) enter the breathtaking lower Moselle Valley to discover the treasures of this spectacular region including Burg Eltz, the most beautiful medieval castle in all of Germany (3) join the well-developed cycle-paths of  Koblenz for a pedal-powered discovery of this gorgeous gem on the shores of the Rhine River. Why not sit back with a cool drink this afternoon on the Roof Garden Terrace of your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ as we sail through the famous Rhine Gorge, with its stunning vistas of castles sitting high above steep vine covered slopes, headed for Rüdesheim. This evening, enjoy a special musical performance on board.

All aboard the ‘Winzerexpress’ this morning bound for Siegfrieds Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum where we will have an included guided tour of the many rooms of this fabulous museum complete with demonstrations before taking a cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument, perched 250 meters above the Rhine River offering stunning panoramas of the local scenery.

Today choose one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) take a guided tour of the romantic and picturesque cityscape of Heidelberg including a visit to the historic Heidelberg Castle and Baroque style Old Town (2) explore the river-side town of Speyer, one of Germany’s oldest cities, dominated by the Speyer Cathedral before a home hosted visit for some ‘coffee and conversation’ with the locals (3) for the speedsters amongst us, visit the Hockenheim Formula 1 track including entrance to the museum and an insider tour of the circuit.

Today, the choice is yours, step into France or go the other way where Germany awaits. Choose one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) a visit to the stunning Alsace wine region of France is a truly memorable experience, you’ll stop in the pearl of this region, Colmar, for a visit to a local winery to sample the delicious local wines in an incredibly pretty setting (2) step inside the setting of the fable, Hansel and Gretel, on your tour to the spectacularly beautiful Black Forest region in Germany. Delight your senses in the Vogtsbauernhof open air museum and tantalise your taste buds with a slice of delicious Black Forest Gâteau. On board your luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ this evening, enjoy an entertaining musical performance akin to the region through which we are cruising.

This morning you will disembark your Rhine River cruise in Basel and travel by coach through the French country side to Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy, for an included guided sightseeing tour including a visit to Les Hospices de Beaune, founded in 1443 and showcasing some of France’s finest examples of 15th century architecture. A short drive this afternoon will bring us to Chalon-sur-Saône where you will embark your new luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ to continue your cruise down the Saône and Rhône Rivers^.

This morning enjoy the spectacular scenery as you cruise to Mâcon where you will have the opportunity to choose one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) travel to the ‘Golden Stone’ region of Beaujolais where you will meet a local wine vintner in the village of Oignt. Sample some of his best drops before visiting a local snail farm to discover the origins of the popular French dish escargot (2) visit Cluny, a village built around the great Benedictine Abbey, once the largest Christian building in the world until the completion of St Peter’s of Rome. This afternoon set sail for Lyon.

Today enjoy Lyon, the gastronomic heart of France. Enjoy a guided tour before choosing from one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities (1) explore Lyon by bike on your self-guided discovery of this UNESCO World Heritage City (2) the Silk Trade of the 19th century saw Lyon emerge as an important industrial centre. Discover the skill of this art on your visit to a traditional silk factory (3) visit the medieval village of Pérouges perched atop a hill on the Rhône river plateau. This afternoon explore Lyon at your leisure.

Today in Vienne we travel by mini-train into the old Roman area of the city and enjoy an included guided tour before setting sail down the Rhône to Tournon. Enjoy a cool drink on board your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ in the open and inviting Panoramic Lounge, or venture to the warmth of the Roof Garden Terrace, and watch the splendorous scenery of the Rhône unfold as we sail slowly by its enriched shores on our leisurely cruise this afternoon. SCENIC ENRICH: A special experience awaits you this evening as you learn about everyday living on your visit to a typical French Family Home. Savour their hospitality as you are treated to a home-cooked meal by the family.

This morning enjoy an included walking tour of Viviers. This delightful town, nestled between hills and the Rhône, reveals ancient homes and an unusual cathedral. This afternoon relax on board as you sail into Avignon.

Today choose one of the following included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours (1) visit the majestic Palais des Papes on your guided city tour, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and among the most visited places in France (2) take an excursion to Uzès, a town with a skyline that marks the region from afar, including a visit to Pont du Gard. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure in Avignon, the ‘City of Popes’.

Relax on board this morning as you cruise to Arles, home to some impressive Roman ruins, where you will have the choice of two included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities (1) visit the picturesque hilltop village of Les Baux, set atop a rocky outcrop crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south, including a visit to an olive farm (2) visit the charming Provençal village of Saint-Rémy made famous by Vincent Van Gogh, including a visit to Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery where Van Gogh was held for a year.

After breakfast, transfer* to Marseille airport for your flight home: fly to your choice of 13 UK regional airports via Paris with Air France or travel with British Airways to London Gatwick. Alternatively, travel first class rail to Lille and then Standard Premier aboard Eurostar to St.Pancras International.Please note: a change of ship is required on day 8 when you will transfer by coach from the Rhine the Rhône