Europe’s rivers chart a course through great capitals, quaint villages, vineyards and castles. The Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Moselle, Seine and Douro all have stories to tell.
Scenic River Cruises brings those stories to life with sailings across the Netherlands, Austria, France, Portugal, Germany, Hungary and more.
Scenic guests in Europe sail on one of the line’s boutique vessels or custom-built Space Ships. The latter feature spacious accommodations, butler service, outdoor all-weather balconies, 24-hour room service, multiple dining venues, a swimming pool and wellness center, complimentary unlimited beverages, Wi-Fi and shore excursions, among other amenities.
In addition to its all-inclusive nature, the line is known as an innovator in the industry. With Scenic FreeChoice, guests can choose the activities —and the pace — they’re most comfortable with. And, Scenic Enrich offers handcrafted excursions, such as private concerts and exclusive dining experiences.
Here are five Scenic River Cruises that reveal the best of Europe.
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Scenic’s eight-day Gems of the Danube cruise travels from Budapest and Nuremberg. Along the way, it visits vibrant Vienna, medieval Regensburg, and historic Melk, known for its 18th-century Benedictine Abbey. Highlights include a hike up Buda Hill, for Budapest’s most extensive view of the Danube.
In Vienna, a private evening Strauss and Mozart concert awaits. Guests can also choose a tour of historic Bratislava; a visit to the opulent Schönbrunn Palace or Belvedere Museum, home to Gustav Klimt’s iconic painting, The Kiss.
The Gems of the Danube cruise ventures through Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley. And, guests can choose optional excursions to the Czech city of Cesky Krumlov or to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart.
In Portugal, the Douro River runs through the oldest demarcated wine-growing region in the world. Its terraced vineyards produce port wine, as they’ve done since the Roman era. Scenic’s 11-day Unforgettable Douro cruise travels through quaint villages, terraced landscapes, family-run quintas and hilltop wine estates.
Wine tastings, both on board and during excursions, are a central theme of the Unforgettable Douro.
Highlights of the roundtrip cruise from Porto include a visit to Quinta Avelada in Entre-os-Rios, the Douro Museum in Regua; the village of Tarouca and restored Monastery of Saint John in the Varosa Valley.
Guests will also visit the town of Lamego, known for its Baroque structures; and the Mateus Palace, known for Mateus rosé wine. An excursion to Salamanca, Spain includes a guided tour and Flamenco performance. And, the village of Provesende offers a glimpse of the Portugal of yesteryear.
In France, the Seine is synonymous with the banks of Paris. But, it flows for some 500 miles, through Paris and on to the English Channel. Along the way, it meanders past villages, castles, cathedrals and towns that inspired the world’s greatest painters.
Scenic’s 11-day Normandy and Gems of the Seine travels roundtrip from Paris. Highlights of the itinerary include walking tours of the City of Light; plus exclusive dining experiences and trips to the Palace of Versailles.
In Les Andelys, guests can hike to Richard the Lionheart’s Château Gaillard, or journey to Lyons la Forêt, one of the most beautiful villages of France. Rouen, the capital of the Normandy region is famous for its connection to Joan of Arc. While Honfleur is known for its colorful fishing boats, immortalized in Impressionist masterpieces.
Guests can also visit the historic Normandy beaches and the famous port city of Deauville. And, on the return trip, Chantilly Castle and Monet’s house at Giverny are cruise highlights.
In the Swiss Alps, a mountain stream begins its journey to the North Sea as the fabled Rhine River. The waterway travels through a storied landscape dotted with castles, vineyards, and medieval towns. On an eight-day Amsterdam to Basel cruise, guests will journey through four countries.
Beginning on the canals of Amsterdam, guests can take excursions to the acclaimed Rijksmuseum or the fishing village of Volendam. The cruise continues to the largest city on the Rhine, Cologne, home to the iconic Cologne Cathedral. The ancient town of Koblenz lies at the junction of the Rhine and the Moselle. And, medieval Cochem is home to the 1,000-year-old Reichsburg Castle.
In Rüdesheim, guests can visit the quirky Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Cabinet. While Heidelberg is home to the oldest university in Germany. The Amsterdam to Basel itinerary also ventures to Strasbourg, the capital of France’s wine-growing Alsace region. Guests can tour the canal-laced La Petite France district and historic Old Town lined with half-timbered houses. As another option, they can hike in Germany’s Black Forest, the inspiration for the Brothers Grimm.
Throughout Europe, few times of year are as special as the Christmas season. Scenic’s 15-day Christmas Markets Cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam highlights holiday traditions on the Danube, Rhine and the Main rivers. Guests can visit the bustling Christmas market in Vienna, explore the Schönbrunn Palace or see the famous Lipizzaner Stallions at the Spanish Riding School.
Additional highlights of the Christmas Markets Cruise include the “Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show” performed outside of Salzburg. In medieval Regensburg, guests can visit the Christmas markets at Thurn und Taxis Palace. The magnificent Bishop’s Residenz Palace is a highlight of Würzburg. And, another colorful Christmas market awaits in Cologne.
