North Sea to the Black Sea with Turkey (Start Amsterdam, End Istanbul, 2025)

Your journey begins in the picturesque city of Amsterdam, a labyrinth of narrow laneways and canals lined with beautifully preserved 17th-century buildings and charming cafés. In the afternoon, board your all-inclusive luxury Scenic Space-Ship and settle into your suite. Balcony suites feature windows that convert into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you to enjoy fresh air and uninterrupted views of the ever-changing landscapes and life along the riverbanks. Relax and raise your glass to the days ahead at this evening’s welcome reception.

The ship will dock in Bamberg after lunch. Choose to spend your morning in your Space-Ship’s wellness centre enjoying a soothing massage, or perhaps join an informative lecture to learn more about the culture and history found along the fascinating Main River. Stay in Bamberg or choose to explore further afield with this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice tours: a Bamberg Old Town Tour or an excursion to Coburg.

You will arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second-largest city, early this morning. Behind its charming façade, Nuremberg also has a turbulent history. Make your choice from this today’s Scenic Freechoice experiences: a walking tour of the Old Town, a tour focusing on the horrific events that occurred in Nuremberg during Germany’s Nazi regime, or an active walking tour exploring the cobblestone streets surrounding the Imperial castle.

You will arrive in Regensburg after lunch today. 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. Today, Regensburg offers up a selection of Scenic Freechoice touring activities to choose from: a walking tour of Regensburg, an excursion to Weltenburg Abbey, or a Thurn and Taxis Active Walking Tour.

This morning will continue cruising towards Miltenberg. Located on the banks of the River Main, this historic town is one of the best preserved in Germany. Choose from the following Scenic Freechoice tours: a transfer by coach to the nearby town of Wertheim am Main for an orientation tour and a visit to a local winery, a transfer to the town of Gamburg for a guided tour of Gamburg Castle, a tour of Miltenberg before visiting a local farm, or an orientation tour and free time in Miltenberg followed by a visit to a local Schnapps distiller. After touring, you will embark your luxury Space-Ship in Wertheim am Main and set sail for Würzburg.

Budapest is often considered to be the most beautiful city in Europe and you have a full day at leisure to see why. This city is an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between. It is also well known for its hot springs and thermal baths and has a vibrant nightlife scene.

Today you are bound for Gallipoli, a site that holds a special place in the heart of Australians and New Zealanders. As the first major battle for ANZAC troops in the First World War, it was a brutal introduction to global conflict for the new nations. The Gallipoli peninsula where the eight-month campaign took place is now a national park and your guide will take you through the most significant sites. A visit to Gallipoli is a moving experience that will stay with you long after you leave.

This morning you’ll be venturing to a place that is shrouded in mystery and legend, the ancient city of Troy. For more than 3,000 years, the tales of Troy and the Trojan War were thought to be mythical, made most famous by Greek poet Homer’s epic work, the Iliad. But in the late 19th century, the ruins of Troy were discovered in modern day Turkey and centuries of history were instantly rewritten. Take a tour through the 4,000-year-old ruins, see a giant replica of the famous Trojan Horse and learn the true story behind this illustrious city. Then we make our way back to the mighty city of Istanbul.

Choose from today’s Scenic Freechoice experience: learn the secrets of Turkish cuisine in a cooking class where you’ll be taught to make delicious traditional dishes, or visit the colourful and chaotic Grand Bazaar, a vast undercover market made up of thousands of shops along wide plazas and tiny laneways. Traders have been coming here to sell their wares since the 15th century and it’s still the place to buy ceramics, carpets, glassware, jewellery and textiles. Peruse the stalls and afterwards join your local guide for a traditional Turkish coffee from a local vendor.

Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Strait, with one half of the city in Europe and the other in Asia. This strategic waterway has played a major role in world trade for centuries and is still one of the most important global shipping routes. This evening, you’ll take a scenic cruise along the strait, winding between ferries, barges and fishing boats, and passing famous monuments and historic minarets on shore before returning to shore where a special treat awaits for your farewell dinner at the Hamdi Restaurant with its outstanding views over the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus. You’ll dine on exceptional Turkish cuisine and raise a glass to an unforgettable journey.

Today, we leave Bucharest behind and visit the city of Istanbul. Home to more than 15 million people, it’s the largest city in Turkey and one of the largest in the world. Istanbul will inspire all your senses, an exhilarating blend of cultures, cuisines, architecture, history and style.

Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Strait, with one half of the city in Europe and the other in Asia. This strategic waterway has played a major role in world trade for centuries and is still one of the most important global shipping routes. This evening, you’ll take a scenic cruise along the strait, winding between ferries, barges and fishing boats, and passing famous monuments and historic minarets on shore before returning to shore where a special treat awaits for your farewell dinner at the Hamdi Restaurant with its outstanding views over the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus. You’ll dine on exceptional Turkish cuisine and raise a glass to an unforgettable journey.

This morning, farewell your Scenic Space-Ship and transfer to Bucharest. The capital of Romania was once called the ‘Paris of the East’, however WWII changed the face of the city with much of its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture destroyed. Now a unique mix of Art Nouveau remnants and Brutalist-era architecture sit alongside wide, tree lined boulevards and leafy squares. Upon arrival, take an orientation tour of the city by coach, from the south of Bucharest to Primaverii Palace stopping to see its squares, including Union Square, University Square, Roman Square, Victory Square and Charles de Gaulle Square.

Before you farewell Istanbul, take a moment this morning to listen out for the call to prayer before the sun rises. The traditional Muslim call rings out over the city five times a day and is a reminder of the nation’s strong ties to its faith. In the relative calm and silence of the morning, it’s a particularly moving sound. After breakfast, you’ll take a final transfer to the airport.

Before you farewell Istanbul, take a moment this morning to listen out for the call to prayer before the sun rises. The traditional Muslim call rings out over the city five times a day and is a reminder of the nation’s strong ties to its faith. In the relative calm and silence of the morning, it’s a particularly moving sound. After breakfast, you’ll take a final transfer to the airport.