You will be met by your Scenic Tours representative who will personally greet you and arrange your transfer* to your luxury Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ in the Swiss town of Basel. Tonight enjoy a welcome reception with your fellow travellers. (Please ensure flights arrive before midday.)
Next Fourteen Nights: Cruising
Straddling the Rhine and sitting in the northernmost corner of Switzerland, Basel’s old town remains the heart of the city with its maze of fine streets and squares. Discover on your Included guided tour the Marktplatz, with its daily fresh food markets and the striking Rathaus, Basel’s City Hall. This evening join your Captain in the Crystal Dining Room for a welcome dinner.
A truly magical experience awaits you today as you journey to the majestic Black Forest for a full day excursion. SCENIC ENRICH Start the day with a baking demonstration of the world famous Black Forest cake, including a tasting and coffee at the open air museum of Vogtsbauernhof in the heart of the Black Forest. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before a visit to the World’s largest Cuckoo clock and Germany’s highest waterfalls.
A taste of France awaits you as you cruise to “the crossroads of Europe”, Strasbourg. SCENIC FREE CHOICE offers the following Included tours: (1) A walking tour of Strasbourg to explore the lovely canals and half-timbered houses, including La Petite France; or (2) An excursion to the French Alsace Wine Region, including a cellar tasting in the French countryside of Barr.
Choose from one of the following SCENIC FREE CHOICE: (1) A guided tour to the university town of Heidelberg; or (2) Visit a real German home for Kaffeeklatsch, an informal social gathering for “coffee and conversation” where you can gain a real insight in to how the locals live. Afterwards enjoy time to explore Mannheim.
Arrive in Rüdesheim and board the ‘Winzerexpress’ mini train for an Included guided visit of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. This afternoon cruise through the spectacular Rhine Gorge, with its stunning vistas of castles perched above the steep vine-covered slopes. As you set sail learn about the legend of the Lorelei and fall under the spell of the magical Rhine Valley.
Journey today to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Luxembourg is one of three capital cities to house administrative offices for the European Union. Join your guide on an Included walking tour highlighting Luxembourg's well preserved old town. Tonight your ship overnights in Bernkastel.
This morning your ship docks in Bernkastel where you will coach to one of Germany’s oldest cities, Trier. Stroll through history to sites dating back to the Roman times, such as St. Peter’s Cathedral. After lunch on board your ship, join your local guide as you discover Bernkastel, with its famous medieval market square and reputation for great wine.
A medieval gem resting on the banks of the Moselle river, Cochem will make you feel as if you are stepping directly off the ship and into a fairy tale. On your Included guided tour visit Reichsburg Castle, soaring above the township.
Today stop in the lively Dutch city of Nijmegen and take a guided walking tour. Nijmegen is considered to be the oldest city in the Netherlands. Perhaps treat yourself to a spot of shopping or simply explore the streets at your leisure.
Be amazed by the array of colours and the multitude of displays at this once in every 10 year event – Floriade 2012. Each exhibition has been designed with creative innovation to entice every sense as you explore some of the world’s most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees, fruit and vegetables. As you wander the 5 themed areas, savour a number of delicious delicacies from both local and International cuisine.
This morning we cruise into Antwerp, a compact seaport city buzzing with world class shopping in fashion houses and galleries. Our tour takes us to Middleburg for an excursion to the Delta Works, an engineering feat consisting of a complex series of dams, purposely built to protect the population on the Delta plain from treacherous floods. Learn about the Delta project followed by a guided visit through the Storm Surge Barrier. This afternoon your Included sightseeing tour of Antwerp takes you to heritage listed monuments, city hall and the Cathedral of Our Lady.
Disembark your Scenic ‘Space-Ship’ in Ghent. This morning visit “The Venice of the North” Bruges. On your included sightseeing tour, be amazed by this fascinating little city with its pretty canals and intimate cobbled stone streets. Remove: Travel this afternoon to Middleburg for an excursion to the Delta Works, an engineering feat consisting of a complex series of dams, purposely built to protect the population on the Delta plain from treacherous floods. On your Included tour learn about the Delta project followed by a guided visit through the Storm Surge Barrier.
This morning choose from the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE: (1) A guided tour of Anne Frank House and city tour; or (2) A guided bike tour; or (3) A sightseeing canal cruise.
After breakfast this morning it is time to farewell your fellow passengers and disembark the cruise. Your Scenic Tours representative will transfer* you to the airport.
*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.
Brochure: IS/ERC/GBP1213
Tour code: AMBA.2