Christmas & New Year with Paris: 18 days Budapest to Paris

Your journey begins in the picturesque city of 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.

This afternoon, board your all-inclusive luxury Scenic Space-Ship and settle into your suite. Relax and raise your glass to the days ahead at this evening’s welcome reception.

Get a different perspective of Budapest with a variety of fascinating activities to choose from today.  

Scenic 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 flavours. Sample local specialties and hear fascinating stories about Budapest’s food culture.

Today perhaps wake to a coffee delivered to your suite by your butler as you cruise the majestic Danube River towards Vienna, the Austrian capital. Perhaps recline in the Salt Therapy Lounge, enjoy an aperitif on the Sun Deck or make new friends in Panorama Lounge, before arriving in the evening.  

Merry Christmas! Spend this special day admiring the spectacular scenery of Vienna, a city full of festive grandeur. Discover the world’s most beautiful boulevard, the Ringstrasse, and the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy. Today, choose how you’d like to explore. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Central Vienna exploration: The city centre 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 as you wish.

Schönbrunn Palace: Explore Schönbrunn 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 lived here and marvel at its impressive gardens.

Kunsthistorisches Museum: Discover a wealth of artistic treasures in Vienna’s premiere art museum.

This morning your Space-Ship will dock in the quaint town of Dürnstein, where you have ample free time to wander at your leisure. Surrounded by vineyards, the town has historical buildings that date back to the 12th century, including the hilltop ruins of Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193.

Over lunch, cruise through the Wachau Valley where you will be mesmerised by the sloping vineyards and charming villages, before arriving in Melk. This small town is dominated by its dramatic, World Heritage-listed Benedictine Abbey, which towers above it from a rocky outcrop.

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

Guided tour of Melk Abbey: Wander the halls of this grand 18th-century abbey, visit the decorated Marble Hall and the library, which is filled with more than 80,000 books, and be awed by the Abbey Church, adorned in frescoes and intricate statues.

E-biking from Dürnstein to Melk: Embark on a guided e-bike ride to soak up the scenery along the Danube as you cycle from the quaint village of Dürnstein to Melk. You’ll pass by small villages and through rolling vineyards, stopping along the way to enjoy the river views.

Today, choose from two completely different yet equally fascinating full day Scenic Freechoice excursions, or relax with a walking tour.

Scenic Freechoice:
Full day excursion to Salzburg: Journey via coach to Salzburg, Austria. Surrounded by alpine peaks and on the banks of the Salzach River, explore before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov: From Brandstatt journey to the Czech town of Ceský Krumlov. Wander this fairytale location with your guide and explore the historic centre before lunch at a local restaurant.

Highlights of Passau walking tour: Located at the meeting point of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers, Passau has been an important trading route for centuries. Wander through narrow laneways before visiting St. Stephens Cathedral.

You will arrive in Regensburg just before lunch today. Set on the confluence of three rivers in Bavaria, Regensburg is a delight to explore.

Scenic 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.

You will arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second-largest city, this afternoon. 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.

Scenic Freechoice:
Walking tour of the Old Town: You will drive into Nuremberg’s city centre, 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.

The trials and tribulations of WWII Tour: Join your expert local guide and learn about the horrific events that occurred in Nuremberg during the Third Reich.

Gingerbread cooking: Embrace the festive spirit and join a cooking class with an experienced local chef. You will learn how to bake traditional German gingerbread biscuits, known as Lebkuchen.

Cruise into Bamberg this morning 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’ll see.

Cruise into Würzburg this morning. This Baroque city straddles the Main River in the heart of Franconian wine country. Surrounded by undulating vineyards, Würzburg 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.

Scenic Freechoice:
Guided city tour: A short transfer via coach is needed to get to the centre of Würzburg. Your local guide is delighted to show you their hometown as you stroll towards the historic market square where you will have time to wander.

Romantic Road to Rothenburg: From Würzburg drive by coach to Rothenburg along the so-called 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.

Tonight, watch fireworks light up the nights sky as you ring in the new year in Würzburg.

Happy New Year! After an early morning departure from Würzburg, enjoy a day cruising the spectacular Rhine River and enjoying time to relax on board. Hit the modern gym, catch up with friends in River Cafe or simply kick back on the Sun Deck with a drink and watch the world pass by.

This morning you will disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for 2,000 years.

Take a mini train from the pier to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where some 350 musical instruments from the 18th and 19th century play themselves for your enjoyment. Afterwards, explore the charming centre of Rudesheim, filled with half-timbered houses lining cobbled streets, quaint shops selling trinkets such as cuckoo clocks, as well as a smattering of wine taverns.

Scenic Enrich
This evening enjoy an exclusive Enrich event at Schloss Johannisberg.

Schloss Johannisberg, located in Germany's Rheingau region, is a historic winery dating back to the 12th century, it is one of the oldest vineyards dedicated to Riesling, having produced the varietal exclusively since 1720. Today, Schloss Johannisberg is celebrated for its rich heritage, beautiful architecture, and high-quality Riesling wines.

Tonight, be treated to a wonderful concert in the historic Metternich Hall at Schloss Johannisberg - a grand, elegant venue within the historic estate, named after the Austrian statesman Prince Klemens von Metternich, who owned the castle in the 19th century.

You will arrive in Cologne this morning. This is a city known for its liberal and laidback lifestyle, a unique beer culture, thriving auto industry and cathedral that dominates its skyline.

Discover Cologne on a walking tour. Wander the laneways of the historical Old Town, which is home to breweries serving up draft Kolsch beer and enjoy free time to visit the city's centrepiece and icon, Cologne Cathedral. You will have further free time afterwards to explore the city on your own.

Amsterdam is a treasure trove of urban beauty. Look around and you’ll find architectural marvels, masterpiece-filled galleries, boats putting along 16th century canals, narrow cobbled laneways filled with boutiques and cafes and streets busy with cyclists. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, the World Heritage-listed waterways are lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges.

Scenic Freechoice:
Canal cruise: Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometres of canals, with some of the prettiest sights of the city visible from these historical waterways on this one-hour cruise.

City walking tour: Explore Amsterdam on foot today, discovering the maze of canals and bridges in the city centre. Your guide will cover history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture.

Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar: Visit the village of Schermerhorn, home to authentic windmills dating back to the 16th century. You will also head to Alkmaar, a charming town with historic buildings and picturesque canals.

Travel by high-speed train to Paris and spend three nights at one of our centrally located hotels.

This morning, join a guided coach tour of the city, exploring its most scenic districts and iconic sights including the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. Drive along the banks of the beautiful River Seine and see such highlights as the Palais Garnier Opera, built in the 19th century; the Louvre, one of the world’s largest and most impressive art museums; and Les Invalides, a complex of ornate military buildings. 

Enjoy some free time this afternoon. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Today you can choose from the following Scenic Freechoice excursions:

Secrets of Montmartre: Step back in time as you trapse the winding cobblestone streets of the district that has been home to many famous artists for centuries and once you see the beauty of this district you will understand why. See some of the quirky characteristics of the district including the greenspace in the middle of the city, the vineyard of Montmartre that produces some 27 varieties of wine.

Atelier des Lumières: Atelier des Lumières is a captivating digital art center in Paris, renowned for its immersive exhibitions that blend art and technology. Located in a former iron foundry, it offers visitors an enchanting experience where classic and contemporary artworks are brought to life through large-scale digital projections and synchronized music. Masterpieces by artists like Van Gogh, Klimt, and Monet are projected onto walls, floors, and ceilings, creating a 360-degree visual spectacle that immerses viewers in the art itself. NOTE: Exhibition changes every year, and 2026 will only be published in January 2026. The venue combines culture, innovation, and accessibility, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers and those seeking a modern twist on traditional exhibitions.

This afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. 

Your journey concludes this morning. Transfer via Eurostar to Amsterdam to start your river cruise. Or if your journey concludes in Paris, transfer to the airport for your flight home taking lasting memories with you.  

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 our terms and conditions.