Scenic Opal, North Sea to Black Sea 2021 ex Bucharest to Amsterdam – 17 Oct 2021

21 Night Cruise sailing from Giurgiu to Amsterdam aboard Scenic Opal. Hotel stays pre-cruise in Bucharest.

Day 1 – Bucharest
Welcome to Romania’s capital, Bucharest, where you will check into your centrally located hotel.

Day 2 – Bucharest > Giurgiu
Freechoice
Explore Bucharest and learn about its communist past, including a visit to Ceausescu’s Spring Palace. Or tour the Village Open Air Museum and discover ethnography exhibits depicting Romanian heritage and culture.

Later, travel to Giurgiu where you will be personally welcomed by your friendly dedicated staff on board your luxury Scenic Space-Ship.

Day 3 – Silistra
Freechoice
Discover Silistra Fort during an active walking tour, or take an excursion to Varna on the Black Sea coast. Alternatively, visit a local village and primary school to learn about life in Bulgaria.

Day 4 – Rousse
Freechoice
Visit Rousse, where you’ll be treated to a guided sightseeing tour. Alternatively, discover the Byzantine gem of Veliko Tarnovo and the World Heritage-listed village of Arbanassi.

Day 5 – Iron Gates
Relax and admire the scenery as you cruise the spectacular Iron Gates, a narrow gorge that the Danube has carved out between the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. It’s a spectacular setting for a cruise and also the natural border between Serbia and Romania.

Day 6 – Belgrade
Freechoice
Enjoy an in-depth tour of one of Europe’s oldest capitals, Belgrade, including a visit to Tito’s Memorial, or take an orientation tour of Belgrade and see the highlights before time at leisure to wander this fascinating city. Alternatively, choose a guided bicycle ride along the Danube, or for some true insight into everyday life, take a walk through the city with a student. Or, journey to Sremski Karlovci, where you can wander the town with our experts and marvel at the beautiful Baroque elements.

Enrich
Visit the largest orthodox temple in the Balkans, St. Sava and enjoy a choir performance in the Temple Crypt.

Day 7 – Osijek
Freechoice
Explore Osijek on a guided city tour, or if you’re the more active type, you can opt to take a blissful guided bike ride through Osijek’s countryside.

As a special Scenic guest, you’ll be invited into the home of a local family for a traditional home-cooked meal and the chance to discover what everyday life is really like in Croatia. With great food and wonderful company, this will be a magnificent meal and a rare opportunity to meet people who understand the local way of life intimately.

Day 8 – Kalocsa
Located on the Great Hungarian Plain, Kalocsa is one of the oldest towns in Hungary. Today you will have the opportunity to witness a traditional Puszta horse show. Be greeted by the horsemen of the Puszta region where this type of activity has been practised for centuries.

Day 9 – Budapest
Today enjoy Budapest at your leisure; perhaps wander the streets of the old town for local crafts or simply relax on board.

Day 10 – Budapest
Freechoice
Make the most of Budapest with a guided tour, or relax and unwind at the local Thermal Baths and Spa. Alternatively, take a hike to Buda Hill or experience the labyrinths of the Hospital in the Rock.

Day 11 – Vienna
As you cruise the mighty Danube, relax in one of the lounges and viewing areas and enjoy the scenery as your Scenic Space-Ship sails towards Vienna.

Enrich
Breathe in the opulence and luxury of Palais Liechtenstein. Then be enthralled by an enchanting private classical evening concert featuring the timeless music of Strauss and Mozart. With a special dedication to Beethoven as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth.

Day 12 – Vienna
Freechoice
Take a tour of Bratislava or Schönbrunn Palace. Alternatively, learn about Viennese coffee culture with a local expert, or explore Vienna on a cycling tour.

Day 13 – Dürnstein > Melk
Freechoice
Embark on a guided bike ride along the river from Dürnstein to Melk, or be guided through Melk’s magnificent 18th century Benedictine Abbey. Alternatively, visit the fairytale castle Burg Aggstein and learn about its impressive history while enjoying the views over the Danube.

Day 14 – Passau > Salzburg
Enrich
Let the ‘Best of The Sound of Music and Salzburg Show’ transport you to another time and place. This exclusive performance is based on the timeless movie of the same name. Enjoy an authentic Austrian lunch before an afternoon of humming along to some of the catchy classics.

Day 15 – Regensburg
Freechoice
Enjoy a walking tour of the city or board a local ferry and sail the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey. Or you could cycle to the Walhalla monument, or take an active walking tour to Thurn und Taxis Palace.

Day 16 – Nuremberg
Freechoice
Explore the city on foot or visit moving WWII sites, or stay on board for a beer tasting.

Day 17 – Bamberg
Immerse yourself in the World Heritage-listed Old Town of Bamberg and walk the same cobbled streets as medieval traders once did.

Day 18 – Würzburg
Freechoice
Visit the Bishop’s Residenz Palace and sample some exquisite local wine. Alternatively, explore the famous Romantic Road, an important trade route during the Middle Ages, then take in the beautiful walled town of Rothenburg, a medieval gem overlooking the Tauber River.

Day 19 – Miltenberg
Today is your opportunity to meet the locals of this quaint German town.

Freechoice
Visit a local monastery for a tour and insight into regional beer production or meet a winemaker and join him for a taste of his fine wines. Alternatively, meet a Baron and Baroness and learn about modern royal life as they guide you through their castle, or opt to visit a local Schnapps producer and taste many of the flavours available. You also have the opportunity to meet a local farming family and taste some of their home made produce.

Day 20 – Rüdesheim > Rhine Gorge > Marksburg Castle
Immerse yourself in charming Rüdesheim and board the Winzerexpress mini-train for a guided visit of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum. Then, enjoy a cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument.
Enrich

Delight in the ambience at Marksburg Castle and enjoy a magnificent medieval feast.

Day 21 – Cologne
Freechoice
Take a stroll through Cologne and get up close to the twin towers of the famous cathedral or learn of the city’s strong Jewish history. Alternatively, cycle to the charming village of Zons or visit Bonn, and learn about Ludwig Van Beethoven’s connection with this city.

Day 22 – Amsterdam
Freechoice
Explore the city by bicycle or by foot. Alternatively, experience an iconic canal cruise or enjoy a slice of quintessential Holland at Zaanse Schans.

Day 23 – Amsterdam
Depart after breakfast, taking wonderful memories with you.