Embark on a 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest aboard the Scenic Jasper. Experience Europe’s enduring holiday traditions on a festive season cruise. Explore historic towns where Christmas markets, seasonal treats, and decorated squares reflect centuries of celebration. Enjoy guided walking tours through old atmospheric cities, visit renowned markets, and enjoy the winter scenery along the Rhine or Danube. Celebrate Christmas Day on board your ship, surrounded by fellow travelers and attentive service. As the year draws close, feel the excitement build and welcome the New Year in one of Europe’s iconic cities. This journey blends cultural discovery with festive cheer in a memorable holiday experience.
Highlights
Stroll Amsterdam’s canals for historic charm and festive brilliance
Admire Cologne Cathedral amid restored Gothic streets and markets
Explore Miltenberg’s timber-framed houses and Wertheim’s riverbanks
Discover Wurzburg’s Baroque beauty in Franconian wine country
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Begin your journey in the enchanting city of Amsterdam, where narrow laneways glow with festive lights, well-preserved 17th-century facades frame canals, and Christmas trees brighten historic squares. Beyond its charm, Amsterdam offers a deep connection to history, world-class art, and a vibrant seasonal spirit.
Later today, board your ship and settle comfortably into your suite. Unwind and toast the exceptional days ahead at this evening’s welcome reception.
Amsterdam is renowned for its architectural heritage. Nicknamed the Venice of the North, the city’s World Heritage-listed canal network remains largely unchanged for centuries, flanked by historic canal houses and crossed by picturesque bridges.
Freechoice
Canal cruise: Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometers of canals and today you can see some of the prettiest sights of the city from these historical waterways on this one-hour cruise.
Walking tour of Amsterdam: Explore Amsterdam on foot, discovering the maze of canals and bridges in the city center. Your guide will be covering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture. You also get to taste herring, a local delicacy not to be missed.
Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar: Step outside of Amsterdam to visit the village of Schermerhorn, home to authentic windmills dating back to the 16th century.
This afternoon, set sail towards the cosmopolitan metropolis of Cologne, Germany.
Arrive in the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne early this afternoon. Cologne suffered extensive damage during World War II but was painstakingly restored over the following decades. Set out on a walking tour of the Old Town, admiring its historic buildings, beautiful squares and the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral. Then enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own.
Tonight, you may choose to join midnight mass in town.
Day 4: Rhine Gorge
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Merry Christmas! Spend this special day admiring the spectacular scenery of the Rhine Gorge over a gourmet Christmas feast and special celebrations. Expect plenty of festive fun, frivolity and fizz.
Dock in the stunning town of Miltenberg around lunchtime. Here, your local guide will showcase the city during a walking tour through the beautiful cobblestone streets lined with historic half-timbered houses.
Afterwards, take a coach to the historic town of Wertheim, on the picturesque banks of the Main and Tauber rivers. Enjoy an orientation tour of Wertheim before reboarding your ship.
Cruise into Wurzburg this morning. This Baroque city straddles the Main River in the heart of Franconian wine country. Surrounded by undulating vineyards, Wurzburg is home to a World Heritage-listed palace, a dominating hilltop fortress, the 15th century Old Main Bridge, and three universities including Bavaria’s oldest.
Freechoice
Guided city tour: A short transfer via coach is needed to get to the center of Würzburg. Your local guide is delighted to show you their hometown as you stroll towards the historic market square where you can have time to wander.
Romantic Road to Rothenburg: From Würzburg drive by coach to Rothenburg along the Romantic Road, an important trading route during the Middle Ages. Take a guided tour in Rothenburg, famous for its well-preserved medieval old town, to see the Gothic and Renaissance City Hall as well as the famous City Councillors’ Tavern.
Cruise into Bamberg this afternoon and join a guided tour to explore the World Heritage-listed Old Town. A charming Old Town Hall which occupies an island on its own, a Gothic and Romanesque-style cathedral and the Old and New Residences – an episcopal palace, a pretty ‘Little Venice’ and a 12th century castle that teeters on the highest of the seven hills – are some of the incredible places you can see during your guided city tour.
Arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second-largest city, this morning. Boasting an Old Town protected by an ancient city wall, 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.
Freechoice
Walking tour of the Old Town: Drive into Nuremberg’s city center, where your local guide will take you on a walking tour to see the Imperial Castle which overlooks the city, St. Egidien’s Church and market square.
World War II tour: Your local guide will highlight the main events that occurred in Nuremberg during the Nazi regime. Learn about this dark time in Germany's history and visit some of the most important sites.
Gingerbread cooking: Embrace the festive spirit and join a cooking class with an experienced local chef. You can learn how to bake traditional German gingerbread biscuits, known as Lebkuchen.
Arrive in Regensburg after lunch today. Set on the confluence of three rivers in Bavaria, Regensburg is a delight to explore.
Freechoice
Regensburg walking tour: Your expert local guide will show you the old stone bridge, the Church of St James, and the Porta Praetoria all while sharing the customs and traditions of the region during the festive period.
Bavarian beer tasting: Visit a series of traditional breweries, learn about the intricacies of brewing and sample a variety of distinctive Bavarian beers.
Set on the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau has been an important trading city since medieval times, particularly for salt, commonly known as ‘white gold’. Each river is distinct in color and some days you can clearly see the green, blue and black hues where the waters meet. At the center of the Baroque city, the 13th century Italianate Old Town is packed with tight laneways tunnels and archways, including an ‘Artist’s mile’ where old buildings are occupied by artist studios, workshops and galleries.
Freechoice
Full day excursion to Salzburg: Journey via coach to Salzburg, Austria. Surrounded by alpine peaks and on the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg is best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music. During a guided tour, explore this incredible city before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.
Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov: From Passau journey via coach to the Czech town of Ceský Krumlov. This delightful World Heritage-listed town is brimming with charm. Wander this fairy-tale location with your guide and explore the historic center before a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
This evening, dock in the Austrian city of Linz. Countdown to the New Year in the city, where you can celebrate on shore as fireworks illuminate the nights sky or join the festivities on board.
Happy New Year! This morning, cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley, before choosing how you’d like to spend your day.
Freechoice
Melk Abbey: Enjoy a guided tour through the one of the world’s most monastic sites, the Benedictine Abbey. The Abbey is set overlooking the town of Melk and its highlights include the abbey church, exquisitely decorated with ceiling frescoes, and the library with manuscripts that date back to medieval times.
Cycle from Melk to Durnstein: Join your guide on a bicycle tour along the Danube to the quaint village of Dürnstein. Pass by charming villages and scenic vineyard landscapes.
Later, back on board, delight in a tasting of local delicacies from the Wachau Valley including jams, chutney and chocolate.
Welcome to Vienna, known as the City of Music, and the home of Beethoven, Mozart, Strauss and more. A city full of grandeur, Austria’s imperial capital is famous for having the world’s most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, and for the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy. Enjoy a guided tour of Vienna and discover its treasures before preparing for tonight’s exclusive Enrich event.
Enrich
Step inside the Palais Liechtenstein for a private classical concert with the timeless music of Vienna’s legendary composers.
After an overnight stay, choose how you’d like to spend your day in Vienna.
Freechoice
Schonbrunn Palace: Explore Schonbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family. Hear tales about the royal family that lives here and see the impressive gardens.
Cycle to Danube Island: Explore a different side of Vienna on a guided e-bike tour to Danube Island, where locals come to enjoy bathing, boating, cycling and relaxing on its beaches.
Excursion to Bratislava: Take a coach to Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital and a modern multicultural metropolis with an intriguing history. Take a tour with a local guide to see Bratislava Castle, the Hlavné Námestie, the main square and the Old Town Hall.
This morning arrive in Budapest, one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant cities. Divided by the Danube, with Buda on one side and Pest on the other, this city became united in 1873, when a newly built bridge connected the two. The city is an architectural treasure trove comprising styles from Gothic to Art Nouveau and everything in between.
Freechoice
Budapest in Depth: Visit both Buda and Pest, the two districts that are separated by the Danube. See the Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square.
Hospital in the Rock: Experience the labyrinths of the Hospital in the Rock, built as a secret hospital during WWII and was later converted to a nuclear bunker.
Hungarian Culinary Market Walk: Explore the Grand Central Market, a treasure trove of Hungarian flavors. Sample local specialties and hear fascinating stories about Budapest’s food culture.
Day 15: Budapest | Disembark
1 Breakfast
It’s time to farewell your fellow guests and Scenic crew, taking with you a wealth of memories and festive cheer.
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 the terms and conditions.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$16,990
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Standard Suite E
160ft2. Jewel Deck Suites provide a lovely introduction to river cruising. Comfortable and luxurious with the finest amenities.
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Standard Suite D
160ft2. Jewel Deck Suites provide a lovely introduction to river cruising. Comfortable and luxurious with the finest amenities.
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Single Balcony Suite BS
153-170ft2. Located on the Sapphire deck this suite is perfect for the solo traveler. Enjoy fantastic views from your full-size balcony complete with Scenic Sun Lounge. This cabin also includes an elegant bathroom with a luxurious vanity basin and shower.
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Balcony Suite C
205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks these stylishly decorated suites feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive Scenic Sun Lounge and offer private bathrooms with a luxurious vanity basin and shower.
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Balcony Suite BA
205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks these stylishly decorated suites feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive Scenic Sun Lounge and offer private bathrooms with a luxurious vanity basin and shower.
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Balcony Suite BB
205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks these stylishly decorated suites feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive Scenic Sun Lounge and offer private bathrooms with a luxurious vanity basin and shower.
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Deluxe Balcony Suite BD
225ft2. Located in prime locations at the front of the ship on both the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, they offer all the features of the private Balcony Suites with the ingenious Scenic Sun Lounge, but with even more space to relax.
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Junior Balcony Suite BJ
250ft2. These spacious Suites, located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, have a private full-length balcony complete with a Scenic Sun Lounge and elegant en-suite bathrooms featuring a large vanity basin and shower.
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Junior Balcony Suite B1J
250ft2. These spacious Suites, located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, have a private full-length balcony complete with a Scenic Sun Lounge and elegant en-suite bathrooms featuring a large vanity basin and shower.
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Balcony Suite A
205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks these stylishly decorated suites feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive Scenic Sun Lounge and offer private bathrooms with a luxurious vanity basin and shower.
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Balcony Suite PA
205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks these stylishly decorated suites feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive Scenic Sun Lounge and offer private bathrooms with a luxurious vanity basin and shower.
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Balcony Suite PP
205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks these stylishly decorated suites feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive Scenic Sun Lounge and offer private bathrooms with a luxurious vanity basin and shower.
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Deluxe Balcony Suite PD
225ft2. Located in prime locations at the front of the ship on both the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, they offer all the features of the private Balcony Suites with the ingenious Scenic Sun Lounge, but with even more space to relax.
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Junior Balcony Suite RJ
250ft2. These spacious Suites, located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, have a private full-length balcony complete with a Scenic Sun Lounge and elegant en-suite bathrooms featuring a large vanity basin and shower.
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Royal Balcony Suite RR
360ft2. These Suites located on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space, impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area, and an oversized bathroom.
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Royal Panorama Suite RP
475ft2. These Suites located on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space, impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area, and an oversized bathroom.
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Royal Owner's Suite RO
520ft2. including outdoor balcony. These Suites on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space (315ft²), impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area, and an oversized bathroom.
Notes
All rates are quoted in USD and represent cost per person, based on double occupancy. Please contact us for the Single Supplement Rate.
Initial deposit is $700, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Visa or Mastercard. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners
14 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Wifi
Porterage
Port taxes and charges
All tipping and gratuities
Complimentary beverages
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Select drinks including a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, champagnes and spirits are not included in the package and may be available at an additional charge
Passport or Visa fees
All travel invoice risks. We strongly recommend you to take out comprehensive travel insurance with a reputable insurance company to cover you against risks associated with your tour. Including cover for loss of luggage, medical expense, and cost and expenses incurred due to cancellations, delays, or other disruptions
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
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