Europe's Heartland (Start Paris, End Amsterdam)

Welcome to Paris, the City of Lights. Upon arrival, transfer to your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship where your friendly crew await to welcome you on board. Spend the day exploring the French capital, home to some of the world's most famous monuments, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe. Discover iconic public spaces like the elegant tree-lined Champs-Elysee and the urban oasis Jardin des Tuileries. Whether it's your first or fiftieth time in this romantic city, there is always something new to discover. Relax in your luxurious suite or enjoy a beverage on the Sun Deck as you prepare for the journey ahead.

Start your day cruising towards the picturesque town of Les Andelys, set on one of the prettiest bends of the Seine. Explore the imposing ruins of King Richard the Lionheart's castle, Château Gaillard, and stroll alongside the river, admiring the striking limestone cliffs. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions, including a hike to Château Gaillard, a cycling tour, or an excursion to Lyons la Forêt, one of the most beautiful villages in France. Discover the half-timbered houses dating to the 17th and 18th century and visit Le Pressoir d'or to learn how local cider is produced.

Arrive in Rouen, the vibrant capital of the Normandy region. With a fascinating history of Roman and Viking settlement, it's also known as the town where Richard the Lionheart was crowned Duke of Normandy and Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions, including a city tour, a guided tour with Rollo the Viking, or a fascinating lecture about WWI. In the evening, a local pâtissier will come on board with a selection of their finest desserts for your dining pleasure.

Today, you'll have the opportunity to join an excursion to the Somme Battlefields or take a walking tour from the ship to Rouen's Fine Art Museum. The Somme Battlefields tour will take you to the location of the infamous Battle of the Somme, which claimed the lives of more than 150,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth. Alternatively, join an active walking tour to the Museum of Fine Arts to see the extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and objects from every genre of art, ranging from the 15th century to today.

Today, learn about the D-Day Landings, where tens of thousands of allied troops came ashore to free north-western Europe from Nazi occupation. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities, including excursions to the Normandy Beaches, Omaha Beach, the British Normandy Memorial, or the Juno Beach Centre. Alternatively, join a guided tour of Bayeux, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Bayeux Tapestry, an 11th-century embroidered cloth that tells the story of the conquest of England by the Duke of Normandy.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Caudebec-En-Caux this morning. This small town is set on a curve of the Seine and the riverfront is lined with handsome homes, stately gardens and crumbling stone walls. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities, including an excursion to Bolbec and Normand Farm, a cycling tour to Villequier, or a visit to the exquisite Château de La Roche Guyon. This evening, enjoy a drink and a splendid classical concert at the château.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Vernon, an historic border town between the Duchy of Normandy and the Kingdom of France. Today it's a great base to explore nearby Giverny, known for its most famous resident, artist Claude Monet. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities, including a visit to Monet's House and Garden, a self-guided cycling tour, or an exclusive Scenic Enrich experience at Château de La Roche Guyon, where you'll enjoy a drink and a splendid classical concert.

Arrive in Conflans-Saint-Honore, a medieval town located at the confluence of the River Seine and Oise. From here, you can explore some of the outer regions of Paris. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities, including a visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise, the place where Vincent Van Gogh painted his final masterpieces, or a trip to the exquisite Château Vaux-le-Vicomte. This afternoon, your Scenic Space-Ship will cruise back to Paris. Relax with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar, or head to the state-of-the-art gym for an invigorating workout.

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. This morning you will arrive at Breisach for a day of exploration. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities, including wine tasting at Kaiserstuhl, an excursion to Colmar, or a journey into the Black Forest to the open-air museum of Vogtsbauernhof.

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. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities, including a guided walking tour of Strasbourg, a canal cruise, or an excursion to the charming medieval town of Mittelbergheim.

Start your morning in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia. The charming town centre is filled with half-timbered houses lining cobbled streets, quaint shops selling trinkets such as traditional Christmas ornaments and cuckoo clocks, as well as a smattering of wine taverns and open-air beer gardens. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities, including a visit to Siegfried's Musikkabinett Museum or a hike and cable car ride.

Arrive in Koblenz, a city located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities, including a guided walking tour of Koblenz, a visit to Marksburg Castle, or a trip to the charming medieval town of Limburg an der Lahn.

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. Choose from a variety of Scenic Freechoice activities, including a walking tour of Bernkastel, an excursion to Trier, or a wine tasting along the Moselle.