Welcome to Prague, a stunningly preserved gem of Europe boasting over 1,000 years of captivating history. The Vltava River, the Czech Republic's longest, winds gracefully through the heart of the city, dividing Old Town's historic charm from New Town's vibrant energy.

This morning, go on a guided tour led by a knowledgeable local guide who will unveil Prague's Gothic splendor and hidden treasures. Wander through the red-roofed Old Town, a delightful labyrinth of cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, lively squares, and intricate statues. The area's compact, flat layout makes it ideal for a stroll. Be sure to visit the Old Town Hall to witness the iconic 14th-century Astronomical Clock chime, accompanied by the procession of the 12 Apostles.  
The afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Stroll along the Vltava River and take in Prague's rich history and breathtaking architecture. Your Tour Director is available to assist with recommendations and planning.

You have the morning at leisure to explore this wonderful city, rise early and stroll along the Charles Bridge without the crowds or relax, and people watch in one of the many cafes around the picturesque Old Town.

Freechoice
This afternoon, choose from one of today’s Scenic Freechoice activities:

Communist Walk of Prague: Join an expert local guide for a walking tour of Prague, take in the city’s most famous sites and hidden gems, and learn how everyday life was under Communism. During the tour, your local guide will take you to a brewery where you can taste local beers produced here for generations, like pilsner lager and wheat beer.

Prague Castle Tour: Journey to the hill overlooking the Vltava River and the city of Prague to explore the seat of Czech rulers at Prague Castle, a vast complex covering more than 70,000 square meters that is considered the largest castle complex in the world. The castle has its roots in the 9th century, though buildings dating from every period of history spread throughout the grounds. Visit St. Vitus Cathedral, the largest cathedral in the Czech Republic, as well as the Old Royal Palace, the former residence of Bohemian Royalty, and the picturesque Golden Lane, the historic street lined with colorful houses inhabited by soldiers, goldsmiths or alchemists in the past.

Terezin Memorial: Take an excursion outside of Prague to the nearby town of Terezin, a former Austrian imperial military fortress and location of the Theresienstadt Ghetto, which served as a concentration camp during World War II. Visit the Terezin Memorial sites, including the small fortress and the Ghetto Museum, to learn about the horrors committed during the Nazi occupation during World War II and pay your respects to those that lost their lives during this atrocity. (Please note that due to the amount of walking involved, this tour is only recommended for guests with good fitness.)

The remaining day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Embark on a coach journey to Regensburg, where the luxurious Scenic ship awaits for boarding.

Boasting a staggering 2,000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval town centers, with more than 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings UNESCO World Heritage-listed. Within its narrow laneways, the city claims to have the highest concentration of bars in the country.

Freechoice
Choose from a selection of Scenic Freechoice touring activities:

Walking tour of Regensburg: Join your local guide for an afternoon walking tour of the Old Town of Regensburg—Marvel at the many perfectly preserved medieval buildings that have been standing sentinel over the Danube for centuries.

Weltenburg Abbey: Take a ferry through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey, the oldest monastery in Bavaria, founded by monks in approximately 600 AD. Explore the Abbey and Cloister Church, then sample the award-winning beer produced on-site, produced here since the year 1050, making it the oldest monastic brewery in the world.

Thurn and Taxis Active Walking Tour: Join an active walking tour from the ship to Thurn und Taxis Castle, where you can enjoy a guided tour followed by free time. Thurn und Taxis is a German noble family who can trace their history back to the 12th century.

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; some days, you can 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 artist studios, workshops, and galleries occupy old buildings.

Freechoice
Decide how you can spend your day from the following Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Highlights of the Passau walking tour: Join your local guide on a walking tour, admiring the brightly colored buildings that line the waterways. Visit St. Stephens Cathedral: originally built in 450, the church proudly stood in Passau's Old Town until a devastating fire ripped through it in 1662. It was rebuilt in its current form with an Italian-style exterior complete with a Baroque stucco interior. Nowadays, it houses the world's largest Catholic church organ, boasting 17,974 pipes and 233 registers.

Full-day excursion to Salzburg: This morning, you disembark your ship in Passau, from where you journey by 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. This storybook city has a thriving art scene, music and concert halls filled with classical music, a Baroque old town where you can find Mozart's birthplace, and Hohensalzburg, Central Europe's largest intact fortress, which sits high above the rooftops with panoramic views of the city. During a guided tour, explore this incredible city before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant and having some free time to explore. Return to your ship in the Austrian town of Schlogen.

Full-day excursion to Cesky Krumlov: From Passau, journey via coach to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This delightful World Heritage-listed town is brimming with charm. Sitting on the banks of the Vltava River, Cesky Krumlov is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe with its vast array of well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Wander this fairy-tale location with your local guide and explore the historical center before delighting in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant and some time at leisure.

Your ship docks early this morning in the small, picturesque town of Melk in Austria's scenic Wachau Valley. The breathtaking UNESCO-listed Benedictine Abbey, built high over the city, is the most spectacular building in the region.

Freechoice
This morning offers a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from:

Glorious Melk Abbey: No visit to Melk would be complete without a guided tour of its magnificent 18th-century Benedictine Abbey. Wander its 900-year-old hallowed halls, visit the decorated Marble Hall and the library, filled with more than 80,000 books, and be awed by the Abbey Church, adorned in frescoes and intricate statues.

E-biking from Melk to Durnstein: Embark on a guided e-bike ride to soak up the scenery along the Danube as you cycle from Melk to the quaint village of Durnstein. Pass by small villages and through rolling vineyards, enjoying the river views.

Artstetten Castle: Meet the current owners of Artstetten Castle, which dates to the 13th century. It was once home to Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination sparked the beginning of WWI in 1914. See the family crypt and visit the on-site museum.

Sailing the Wachau Valley, be mesmerized by the sloping vineyards and charming villages. This afternoon, your ship will dock in the quaint town of Durnstein, where you have ample time to wander. Surrounded by vineyards, the town has historical buildings that date back to the 12th century, including the hilltop ruins of Durnstein Castle, where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193.

While you indulge in the spectacular views, it's also the perfect opportunity to indulge in delicious local produce from the Wachau Valley. Your Cruise Director will organize a special treat for you and invite a local producer to share some famous regional delicacies in this region. Sample some Apricot dumplings and local schnapps, among other delights, in this breathtaking location.

Wake up in Vienna this morning. Also known as the City of Music, Austria’s imperial capital fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven. This city oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture, and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.

Freechoice
Spend the day exploring the city and take your pick from a selection of Scenic Freechoice activities:

Schonbrunn Palace: Explore Schonbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family, one of the most prominent dynasties in European history, as you wander its countless ornately designed rooms, hear tales about the royal family that lives here and see the impressive gardens.

Central Vienna with extended Free time: The city center of Vienna is brimming with history, elegance, and diverse architecture. During this tour, your expert local guide will delight you with stories from the city before allowing you free time to explore the city as you wish.

Cycle to Danube Island: Explore a different side of Vienna on a guided e-bike tour to Danube Island, a recreational playground where locals come to enjoy bathing, boating, cycling, and relaxing on its beaches and open spaces.

Belvedere Museum: Visit one of Europe’s most stunning Baroque landmarks and explore the greatest collection of Austrian art dating from the Middle Ages to the present day, complemented by the work of international artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Max Beckmann.
 
This afternoon, you are free to wander around Vienna, so perhaps join one of the shuttles provided to the city center or simply relax on board your ship. This evening, join an unforgettable Scenic Enrich experience.

Enrich
Scenic Enrich Classical concert at Palais Liechtenstein: Breathe in the opulence and luxury of Palais Liechtenstein this evening as you relish an exclusive private classical concert. Enjoy a glass of fine Austrian Sekt and listen to the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart performed by a renowned orchestra. An experience only shared with your fellow Scenic guests; be seated in Vienna’s largest secular baroque hall, an ornate space where royals and nobles have sat for centuries. Accompanied by ballet dancers and vocalists and surrounded by world-famous art, this will be a concert you can remember for a lifetime.

Slovakia’s capital since independence in 1993, Bratislava, is a modern multicultural metropolis with an intriguing history. Its Old Town is glorious in medieval and Gothic architecture, and its well-preserved hilltop castle, which has a history dating back to the 9th century, still dominates the town. These charming historic sites contrast with its brutalist socialist architecture, evident around the city.

Freechoice
As you dock in the city center, this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions are just steps away:

Walking tour of Bratislava: Explore Bratislava with a knowledgeable local guide to see all the highlights of the city, such as the Hlavne Namestie, the main square, and the Old Town Hall, while learning about the history of the city, including what everyday life was like under the Iron Curtain era, the political boundary that divided Europe after WWII.

Wines of Slovakia: Slovakian wines are quite young, but wine experts worldwide praise their flavor and quality. After the fall of Communism, new viticulture was born on the Banks of the Danube and throughout this country, taking advantage of the cold weather and optimal soils. Embark on a journey through the different regions of Slovakia while tasting various wines in one of Bratislava’s cellars.

This afternoon, 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 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. It is also well known for its hot springs and thermal baths and has a vibrant nightlife scene.

Freechoice
A range of Scenic Freechoice activities are on offer to choose from this morning:

Budapest in Depth: Explore this magical city by coach. Visit Buda and Pest, the two districts separated by the Danube that make up the city. Starting on the Buda side, see the Varkert Bazar before crossing the Margaret Bridge to the Pest side, where you can see Szechenyi Square and Elizabeth Square. End your tour with a mesmerizing piano recital at the Institute for the Blind.

Budapest’s Jewish history: Discover Jewish history on a guided tour with an expert local guide and learn about the significant Jewish events from history that have shaped the culture of today. The tour includes a Synagogue, cemetery, memorial park, and a guided tour of the Jewish Museum (not available on Saturday).

Excursions to Szentendre: Journey to the riverside town of Pest County, Szentendre. Known for its museums, galleries and artists, this charming city will captivate you during a guided tour.

Guided hike of Buda Hill: Strap on your walking shoes for a beautiful hike up to the World Heritage-listed site of Buda Hill. On your walk, see Varket Bazar and beautifully landscaped gardens, all while enjoying great views over the Danube River and the city architecture.

After a hearty breakfast, transfer to Budapest Airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking a lifetime of wonderful memories.