Jewels of Europe & Beautiful Bordeaux (Start Budapest, End Bordeaux)

Explore the magical city of Budapest by coach. Visit both Buda and Pest, the two districts that are separated by the Danube that make up the city. Starting on the Buda side see the Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to the Pest side where you will see Széchenyi square and Elizabeth square. End your tour with a mesmerising piano recital at the Institute for the Blind. This afternoon is at leisure. You may like to hop on board Scenic's e-bikes to explore the city. Alternatively, make your way back to your luxury Space-Ship to relax. Set sail for Vienna later this afternoon.

You will arrive in Regensburg after lunch, so this morning offers a great opportunity to relax and rejuvenate in the Salt Therapy lounge, located on the Jewel Deck. Boasting a staggering 2,000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany’s best preserved medieval town centres, with more than 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings listed as World Heritage sites. Within its narrow laneways, the city lays claim to having the highest concentration of bars in the country. Regensburg is also fringed by the Bavarian Forest, home to hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails and deer, wild boar, fox and otter. Today, Regensburg offers up a selection of Scenic Freechoice touring activities to choose from.

You will arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second-largest city, later this morning. Boasting an Old Town protected by an ancient city wall, where the most enchanting Christmas Markets are held every year, this city is dominated by one of the most significant imperial forts of the Holy Roman Empire, the 12th century Imperial Castle, which was the preferred residence of German kings. Behind its charming façade, Nuremberg also has a turbulent history. During WWII, the city was favoured by the Nazis for party rallies, the boycotts of Jewish businesses began here, as did the laws that denied Jewish people German citizenship – known as the ‘Nuremberg Laws’. By 1945, the city was reduced to rubble, including large sections of the Imperial Castle and Old Town. Allied powers – the US, Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union – held the Nuremberg Trials here between 1945 and 1946, when Nazi Germany leaders were tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This morning you will disembark 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 cuckoo clocks, as well as a smattering of wine taverns and open-air beer gardens. Take a mini train from the pier to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where some 350 musical instruments from the 18th and 19th century play themselves for your enjoyment. Then board a return cable car that soars over the vineyards to a hilltop where the historic Neiderwald Monument stands. This 17th century statue was built to commemorate the unification of Germany. This afternoon, relax on board the Sun Deck and admire the scenic landscapes as you cruise along the spectacular World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a 65-kilometre stretch of the river that 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. Tonight, attend a lavish dinner and classical concert where live music from Beethoven and Mozart will be played in the spectacular La Redoute recital hall in Germany’s former capital, Bonn.

Amsterdam 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 World Heritage-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges. Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometres of canals and today you will see some the prettiest sights of the city from these historical waterways. This one-hour cruise takes you along the Gentleman’s Canal, where you will see The Skinny Bridge, and The Prince’s Canal, which was known for its warehouses. You will go past the Old Lord Mayor’s House, The Seven Bridges, Anne Frank’s House and head to the Brewer’s Canal. As the historic centre glides past, you can admire the elegant merchant’s residences, churches and warehouses, dating from the Golden Age. Alternatively, step outside of Amsterdam to visit the village of Schermerhorn, home to authentic windmills dating back to the 16th century. Take in the idyllic views of the sweeping Dutch countryside and learn about the importance of the windmills. You will also head to Alkmaar, a charming town with historic buildings and picturesque canals, also known as ‘the city of cheese’.

Today you’ll continue your exploration of Bordeaux and its surrounding regions. Join your local guide on a tour of Bordeaux. Discover the highlights of the city by coach and on foot, such as the magnificent Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse, which is home to the famous ‘Water Mirror.’ Along the way, you’ll learn interesting facts about the city’s history, culture and way of life. Afterwards you'll have free time to explore the streets and go shopping at your leisure. Alternatively, venture into the Sauternes region with a visit to either Château Rayne Vigneau or Château La Tour Blanche (the group will be split into two). Enjoy a delicious tasting of the chateau’s fine wines as you take in the stunning views of the vineyard and surrounds. This afternoon your Scenic Space-Ship will make its way back to Bordeaux for your final evening on board.

This morning you will wake in the fascinating city of Bordeaux, which you can explore by foot, bike or through a cooking class. The city of Bordeaux was founded by the Celts around 300BC and became part of Julius Caesar’s Roman Empire in the 1st century. It has been an important trading port since the Middle Ages, thanks to its strategic location on the river flowing to a sea port, and even acted as the seat of French government at the start of both the First and Second world wars. Join your local guide on a tour of Bordeaux. Discover the highlights of the city by coach and on foot, such as the magnificent Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse, which is home to the famous ‘Water Mirror.’ Along the way, you’ll learn interesting facts about the city’s history, culture and way of life. Afterwards you'll have free time to explore the streets and go shopping at your leisure. Alternatively, venture into the Sauternes region with a visit to either Château Rayne Vigneau or Château La Tour Blanche (the group will be split into two). Enjoy a delicious tasting of the chateau’s fine wines as you take in the stunning views of the vineyard and surrounds. This afternoon your Scenic Space-Ship will make its way back to Bordeaux for your final evening on board.

Today you’ll continue your exploration of Bordeaux and its surrounding regions. Join your local guide on a tour of Bordeaux. Discover the highlights of the city by coach and on foot, such as the magnificent Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse, which is home to the famous ‘Water Mirror.’ Along the way, you’ll learn interesting facts about the city’s history, culture and way of life. Afterwards you'll have free time to explore the streets and go shopping at your leisure. Alternatively, venture into the Sauternes region with a visit to either Château Rayne Vigneau or Château La Tour Blanche (the group will be split into two). Enjoy a delicious tasting of the chateau’s fine wines as you take in the stunning views of the vineyard and surrounds. This afternoon your Scenic Space-Ship will make its way back to Bordeaux for your final evening on board.

Your luxury Scenic Space-Ship will be docked in Bourg today, a picturesque town set on a rocky promontory. Built as a defensive château, it’s a maze of ancient alleyways, moats and bell towers on the Dordogne. This quiet village sits among many famous World Heritage-listed sites and, though it is just as charming, remains largely undiscovered by the masses. Today you have the choice between many different experiences in the region surrounding Bourg, from its bucolic countryside to its historic castles. Visit Roquetaillade Castle, a ruined castle that sits high above the Danube River, 480 metres above sea level. Take a guided tour of this remarkable piece of history, which dates to the 12th century, and enjoy coffee and cake at the castle. Alternatively, visit Château de la Roche Courbon, a historic estate that dates back over five centuries and is considered one of the oldest estates in the region. Château de la Roche Courbon was the family home of renowned French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. During a guided tour you will discover the historic rooms of the estate including the apartments of the famous painter, which still house some of his greatest works.

This morning your luxury Scenic Space-Ship will sail towards Cadillac. Perhaps you’d like to spend 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. Founded in the 13th century, the charming, fortified city of Cadillac is centred around its magnificent château. It has a unique connection to the United States and, ultimately, the car that shares its name. Seventeenth century French explorer Anthony Laumet was born in a nearby village but reinvented himself as Antoine de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac (sire of Cadillac). He rose high in the French fur trade and in 1701 established the port of Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit, which would become modern day Detroit where the American auto industry began. The Cadillac car is named in his honour.