Discover Europe’s Charms On Our Top 5 River Cruises

One of the best parts of river cruising is the chance to discover multiple destinations and an infinite wealth of wonders in one relaxing journey. With Scenic, your journey will be one of truly all-inclusive luxury, combining an exceptional array of included on shore excursions and experiences, delectable dining opportunities, and the luxuriously spacious surrounds of our Scenic Space-Ships.

If you’re in need of some inspiration to help choose your next unforgettable journey, here are the top five river cruises that Scenic guests love time and time again. We’ve shared wondrous travel moments with our guests for 34 years, so you can rest assured that your river cruise with Scenic will be a journey to cherish for a lifetime. You can book and travel in complete confidence, enjoying peace-of-mind that your booking is secured by the major travel governing bodies (ABTA, ATOL and CLIA) and your wellbeing is in safe hands.

With an unrivalled list of inclusions, fantastic current offers, additional savings courtesy of our Early Payment Discount, and a free Deposit Payment Protection cover on all river cruises, there’s never been a better time to book. Departure dates are selling fast for our most popular five river cruises on our 2021 season, so don’t miss the chance to join like minded travellers to discover the Scenic Difference next year.

 

From Nuremberg to Budapest, our Gems of the Danube river cruise is our best-selling river cruise for those new to cruising. This 8-day itinerary encompasses an enchanting assortment of classical landmarks and hidden gems along the Danube River.

 

Start your journey in true Bavarian fashion with a beer tasting in Nuremberg, before exploring the city of Salzburg on a guided tour. Let the birthplace of Mozart and the backdrop of The Sound of Music film inspire you with its luscious scenery and quaint buildings. When you arrive in Melk, the 18th century Benedictine Abbey will ignite your imagination with magical fairytales and bygone stories of monastic life. 

 

There is no better way to immerse yourself in the classical music culture of Vienna than by joining us at a private concert in the stunning Palais Liechtenstein. With the elegant vignettes of Strauss and Mozart still ringing in your ears, Budapest will be the crowning gem to end your river cruise. As part of Scenic Freechoice, you can join a guided hike to Buda Hill for breathtaking views over the Hungarian capital city.

 

Anyone who doesn’t believe in the power of romance has never followed the beautiful route of the Rhine River. Our Rhine Highlights river cruise brings together some of the most picturesque stretches of Europe with an array of authentic cultural experiences.

 

The 8-day river cruise will introduce you to Amsterdam’s kaleidoscope of art and gastronomic delights. Choose from a selection of Scenic Freechoice excursions, including a guided cycling tour of the capital city or a day trip to Edam, home of the famed Dutch cheese. Cologne will surprise you with its Gothic Cathedral, Roman influences, and most famous namesake – Eau de Cologne perfumery.

 

As the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet, sample local fine wines in the historic German city of Koblenz, before attending an exclusive concert in an enchanting Baroque palace with Scenic Enrich. The Roman ruins of the spa town of Baden-Baden and the fairytale setting of the Black Forest offer the idyllic ending  to this romantic river cruise.

 

The perfect choice for travellers wishing to uncover the major highlights of the continent, our Jewels of Europe river cruise weaves an iconic route along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. The 15-day itinerary travels between Amsterdam and Budapest, showcasing a rich mix of architecture, natural beauty and age-old history along the way.

 

In the Netherlands, the authentic Dutch windmills of Schermerhorn, which date back to the 16th century, are sure to charm you. These heritage structures offer a complete contrast to the magnificent medieval Marksburg Castle, set on a hilltop overlooking the Rhine River in rural Germany. As part of Scenic Enrich, you are invited to a private banquet at the castle, letting you dine on medieval fare and wine amid the atmospheric surrounds. 

 

Music lovers can delight in two very special additional Scenic Enrich experiences as part of this river cruise. Relive the beautiful scenes from The Sound of Music in Salzburg, during a spectacular ‘Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’ performance, accompanied by a delicious Austrian lunch. You will feel as though you’ve stepped right onto the film set with the much-loved Maria von Trapp. In Vienna, an exclusive classical concert at the majestic Palais Liechtenstein will create memories to cherish for a lifetime. There is no grander setting in which to hear the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart.

 

No where else in Europe captures a love and appreciation of wine quite like Portugal. The Douro River acts as the romantic backdrop of our Unforgettable Douro river cruise, on a round trip of Porto, the home of port wine. The 11-day itinerary includes a captivating plethora of wine, food and cultural experiences to ignite all of your senses.

 

Sail on our specially designed Scenic Azure Space-Ship, delighting in a colourful horizon of rolling vineyards, mosaic-adorned buildings, and centuries-old landmarks from the comfort of your very own private in-suite balcony. An excursion to the Douro Museum in Régua will shine a light on the culture and history of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed wine growing region. Savour the wines of this part of the Douro during a guided tour of Mateaus Palace, famed for its rosé wine.

 

With Scenic Enrich, a guided tour of the remarkable village of Provesende is sure to be one of the main highlights of your journey. Displaying the Portugal of yesteryear, you’ll be shown round the village’s quaint streets by a local resident, visiting a family-run bakery, a local church for special recital, and the restored manor house of Morgadio da Calçada for wine tastings. End your journey in Porto, with an awe-inspiring excursion to São Francisco Church. This Scenic Enrich tour allows you to soak up the heart and soul of Portuguese music with a private concert in these spectacular golden surroundings. A port wine tasting in the esteemed Vila Nova de Gaia will be the perfect way to toast to your trip.

 

Satisfy your inner gourmand on our brand new Culinary Cruise. Our Tastes of Southern France river cruise lets you savour the very best fine dining and gastronomy experiences, alongside our ever-popular included sightseeing excursions.

 

Carefully crafted by our Journey Designers, the 11-day itinerary is a sensory journey, featuring interactive cooking masterclasses, wine tastings, private dinners, guided city tours and more. Meet a local truffle farmer for a truffle hunting and tasting experience in Tournus, or choose to visit an organic goat cheese farm. Those with a sweet tooth won’t want to miss the chance to wander the Valrhona Cité du Chocolat museum in Tain L’Hermitage after-hours for an exclusive interactive chocolate workshop. 

 

In historic Avignon, ‘Shop with a Chef’ at a local food market, handpicking flavoursome local produce to later create a delectable French dish at our board Scenic Culinaire cooking school. A classical concert at the beautiful Palais des Papes offers a fabulous Scenic Enrich ending to your time in Avignon. The French gastronomy capital, Lyon, welcomes an abundance of delicious experiences, including a private lunch at a traditional Bouchon restaurant. Bon appetit!

 

Ready to book your truly all-inclusive journey through Europe? Don’t miss the chance to join us on one of these best-selling river cruises next year, travelling in complete luxury with peace-of-mind that everything is taken care of for you. Discover our complete 2021 collection and current offers online or request your free brochure.