Welcome to Amsterdam. The Netherlands' capital city is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, masterpiece-filled galleries, tranquil scenes of boats putting along 16th-century canals, narrow cobbled laneways filled with boutiques and cafes, and streets busy with cyclists criss-crossing their way about town. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, much of the UNESCO-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges.
A warm welcome awaits you from the crew of your Scenic Space-Ship. Raise your glass to the marvellous cruise ahead of you at this evening's welcome reception.
Please book your flight to arrive into Amsterdam prior to 06:00 PM. (D)
You'll arrive in Dordrecht, one of The Netherlands' oldest cities, this morning. Once an important trade city for wood, grain and wine, it's made up of an historical city centre with buildings dating to the Middle Ages, as well as merchant houses and warehouses along the harbour. From here, you will explore surrounding cities and villages. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Explore your way with one of todays' Scenic Freechoice activities:
Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart Dordrecht after dinner so you have ample time to explore the lovely town of Dordrecht at leisure this afternoon.
You will arrive in Veere this morning, one of The Netherlands' prettiest villages whose historic harbour is filled with bobbing yachts. While its beginnings date to the 13th century, Veere flourished in the 16th century when it became an important port for Scottish wool. This prosperity lasted two centuries and to this day the Scottish ties remain strong. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Choose from one of this morning's Scenic Freechoice excursions:
Back on board this afternoon, you may wish to join in the oyster tasting. The cold conditions of the North Sea make it a perfect location for top quality, fresh oysters. Your cruise director will have some of these mouth-watering gastronomic treats for you to sample.
This morning you will arrive in Belgium's second city, Antwerp. Full of historical and cultural contrasts, Antwerp has a melange of architectural wonders, a medieval centre with cobbled streets and Gothic buildings, many that were severely bombed during WWII, blended with modern architecture. It's also the diamond capital of the world, with 70 per cent of the world's diamonds traded there. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Select from these Scenic Freechoice excursions this morning:
It's all aboard your Scenic Space-Ship this afternoon as you cruise towards the Dutch city of Arnhem, perhaps enjoy a regional beer or wine in the Panoramic Bar & Lounge.
Arrive in Arnhem, a city made famous by the Battle of Arnhem, a bold but failed attempt to outflank German forces in north-west Europe during WWII. It resulted in thousands of British and Polish troops being killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Much of the city and its river bridges were destroyed by the battle and subsequent bombings, but Arnhem has been rebuilt and is now an attractive and picturesque city. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are on offer to choose from this morning:
The wonderful town of Hoorn was a prosperous trading centre from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. Its main harbour, Binnenhaven, houses beautiful traditional warehouses, while there are many historical buildings and monuments throughout town including a defence tower used in the 16th and 17th centuries, and a well-preserved city gate first built in 1578. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Explore the region with one of today's selection of Scenic Freechoice activities:
This afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure as you cruise towards Amsterdam. You may wish to spend time in the wellness centre, relaxing with a massage, or head to the exclusive Salt Therapy Lounge, which has natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
Enrich: Tonight's Scenic Enrich:
Wake this morning in Amsterdam and enjoy an excursion with your fellow guests to Keukenhof Gardens to see the most magnificent display of tulips.
Transfer via coach to Keukenhof Gardens, where you'll witness a display of more than seven million tulips in bloom. There are around 800 varieties of tulips carefully arranged here in beautiful patterns and colours, making it one of the most magical public gardens in the world
Return to Amsterdam this afternoon for free time to explore this city steeped in history, art and quirky culture. You could fill an afternoon wandering the labyrinth of narrow laneways and canals that are lined with beautifully preserved 17th century buildings. Or visit the Rijksmuseum to see masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh; take a poignant walk-through Anne Frank's House; or hop aboard a scenic cruise along some of the 100 kilometres of canals, passing elegant merchant's residences, churches and warehouses that date from the Golden Age. (B/L/D)
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Amsterdam. (B/L/D)
This morning will be spent on board your luxury Scenic Space-Ship sailing towards Utrecht. Relax on the Sun Deck as you enjoy the scenery rolling by.
At lunch time you will arrive at Utrecht, a canal lined city boasting a multitude of green space, lively streets and hidden alleyways leaving you intrigued by what is around the next corner. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Select from the following Scenic Freechoice activities and explore your way:
You will arrive in Veere this morning, one of The Netherland's prettiest villages whose historic harbour is filled with bobbing yachts. While its beginnings date to the 13th century, Veere flourished in the 16th century when it became an important port for Scottish wool. This prosperity lasted two centuries, and to this day Scottish ties are strong. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are on offer to choose from this morning:
This morning you will arrive in Belgium's second city, Antwerp. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Today offers a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from:
Spend the afternoon exploring the city of Antwerp at your own pace or return to your Space-Ship.
Located at the edge of the Veluwe nature reserve, the city of Arnhem offers a beautiful landscape surrounded by dense forest, lush green parklands and riverside promenades. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Make your choice from this afternoon's Scenic Freechoice excursions:
Your Scenic Space-Ship will be sailing towards Dusseldorf this morning.
Dusseldorf is an affluent city, which was dubbed ‘Little Paris' by Napoleon. The city is filled to the brim with museums and galleries, one of the world's most luxurious shopping streets, an old town with around 260 pubs and bars, and a harbour precinct that blends the old with new: historic quay walls, warehouses and silos neighbour striking architecturally designed buildings by the likes of Frank Gehry. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Choose from one of this today's Scenic Freechoice:
Today sail along the curvaceous path of the Moselle River past quaint half-timbered villages, vine-covered slopes and hilltop castles that are perched proudly overlooking the river.
Relax in the opulence of your suite, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of the Moselle Valley during this full day of cruising. This afternoon you will be able to indulge in a Moselle Wine Degustation to sample local varieties.
Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in the medieval town of Cochem this evening. (B/L/D)
A medieval gem resting on the banks of the Moselle River, Cochem will make you feel as if you are stepping directly into a fairy-tale. The traditional town is nestled on the riverbanks, with pastel-coloured buildings, half-timbered houses, cobbled laneways and an enchanting medieval hilltop castle surrounded by sloped vineyards.
Freechoice: Explore the charms of Cochem your way with your choice of Scenic Freechoice activity:
This afternoon you will set sail for Bernkastel. (B/L/D)
Another wonderfully preserved riverside town, Bernkastel is home to an atmospheric market square with buildings that date to the 13th century, one of the world's most famous Riesling vineyards, Bernkasteler Doctor, and the ruins of Landshut Castle sitting high above on a hill, where archaeological remains from the 4th and 5th centuries were discovered in 2012. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Decide how you will spend your day from the following Scenic Freechoice experiences:
Enrich: This evening's Scenic Enrich
Located where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, Koblenz has a melange of French and German cultures and it's one of Germany's oldest cities with a history spanning 2,000 years. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Today's Scenic Freechoice are diverse and unique, decide what suits you:
Your Space-Ship will overnight in Koblenz, offering you the opportunity to explore the city after dark.
Leaving Koblenz this morning you will cruise along the spectacular World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley towards Rüdesheim. This 65-kilometre stretch of the river is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Sailing down this section of the river is like being transported through the pages of a fairy-tale book.
The Rhine is abounded in myths and legends; folklore that has been passed on for generations, including the story of Lorelei. This enchanting female was betrayed by her sweetheart and spent her days bewitching men. As her punishment, she was sent to a nunnery, however on her way she jumped to her death in the river. Legend has her spirit casting spells on sailors who passed the rock, where a bronze statue sits today.
This afternoon you will disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: Make your selection for this afternoon's Scenic Freechoice tours:
Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart late this evening, allowing you some free time to wander the enchanting laneways of Rüdesheim.
Freechoice: Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Mannheim this morning, where you'll enjoy several Scenic Freechoice options:
This afternoon your Space-Ship will set sail for Kehl. (B/L/D)
The city of Kehl is the gateway to Strasbourg, the capital city of the Alsace region, where sherbert-coloured, half-timbered houses heave together on the banks of a complex network of canals. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are available for you to choose from today:
Your Scenic Space-Ship departs later this evening, which means you have free time to wander Strasbourg at your own pace.
Located between the Rhine River and the Black Forest, Breisach is a food and wine destination that shares its border with the Alsace region. It was almost destroyed during WWII but was meticulously rebuilt with its traditional cobbled streets and pastel houses. (B/L/D)
Freechoice: A diverse range of Scenic Freechoice experiences are on offer to choose from today:
Return to your Scenic Space-Ship and toast to your final evening on board.
After a delicious breakfast, prepare to head home. Your Scenic Representative will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. It may be the end of your cruise, but it's the beginning of a lifetime of fond memories.
Please book your flight to depart out of Zurich after 11:30 AM.
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.
Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change. (B)
Scenic Space-Ships offer a truly all-inclusive luxury package. No hidden extras, just exceptional experiences. Read more
These are hand-selected activities for you to choose from and enjoy at a pace that suits you. Read more
These are experiences that offer once-in-a-lifetime multi-sensory moments that are completely inaccessible to the ordinary traveller. Read more
Scenic go above and beyond, making your trip a truly carefree, all-inclusive experience. Read more
You'll have access to a range of health and wellness amenities on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship. Read more
You’ll find Scenic Tailormade invaluable and it always knows the story of where you are. Read more
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