Christmas Markets with Paris: 18 days Paris to Budapest

The glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower twinkling in the night sky, romantic couples walking hand in hand along the banks of the Seine and chic locals walking the runway that is the Champs-Élysées are just some of the images conjured when thinking about Paris.

Today is yours to explore at your own pace and marvel in this great city.

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. 

Travel by high speed train to Amsterdam, where you'll board your Scenic Space-Ship. Tonight, you'll get to toast the journey ahead at this evening's welcome reception.

Spend this morning in Amsterdam. The Netherlands’ capital is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, galleries filled with masterpieces, 16th-century canals, narrow cobbled laneways, and streets busy with cyclists. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, much of the UNESCO-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved houses and intersected by charming bridges.

Scenic Freechoice:
Choose from the following Scenic Freechoice activities:

Canal cruise: Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometres of canals. See some of the prettiest sights of the city on a one-hour cruise along these historic waterways. Admire Golden Age mansions, grand warehouses and narrow bridges.

City walking tour: Explore Amsterdam on foot, discovering the maze of canals and bridges in the city centre. Your guide will be covering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture. You also get to taste herring, a local delicacy not to be missed.

Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar: Leave the capital to visit village of Schermerhorn, home to a number of authentic 16th-century windmills. Then travel to the charming town of Alkmaar, known for its historic buildings and picturesque canals.

This afternoon, relax on board as we cruise towards the cosmopolitan city of Cologne, Germany.

Arrive in the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne early this afternoon. Cologne suffered extensive damage during World War II but was painstakingly restored over the following decades. Set out on a walking tour of the Old Town, admiring its historic buildings, beautiful squares and the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral. The city is also home to the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland. The cathedral, known locally as the Kolner Dom, is surrounded by magnificent Christmas Markets. Wander the wooden stalls where local venders sell delicious treats and decorations.

With a later departure tonight, you will have some free time to explore the city on your own and soak up more of the festive spirit.

Relax on board this morning as you cruise through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, where the landscapes could have been pulled from the pages of a fairytale. This 65-kilometre stretch of the river is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Look out for the Lorelei statue, dedicated to the tragic legend of a beautiful maiden. 

After lunch you will disembark in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards. In the historic centre you’ll find half-timbered houses lining cobbled streets, a smattering of wine taverns and open-air beer gardens. During the festive season, a glowing Christmas market takes over the main square and the buildings are strung with trinkling lights.

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.  

Relax on board this morning as you cruise towards Miltenberg. You may like to book a massage in the spaˆ or relax in the exclusive Salt Therapy Lounge, which has natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. 

This afternoon, dock in Miltenberg. Located on the banks of the River Main, this historic town is one of the best preserved in Germany, home to hundreds of pastel-coloured half-timbered houses and one of the country’s oldest inns, Zum Riesen. It will be beautifully decorated for Christmas. Take an orientation tour of the town, then transfer by coach to Wertheim, on the banks of the Main and Tauber rivers. Enjoy another guided tour before reboarding your Space-Ship.

With its lavish Baroque and Rococo architecture, you’ll be captivating by glamorous Wüzburg. This 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:
Choose from this morning’s Scenic Freechoice activities:

Guided city tour and Würzburg Residence: Visit the Würzburg Residence, a Baroque palace surrounded by manicured gardens, for a guided tour to see its many valuable paintings, tapestries and period furniture. Then take a short stroll into the city for some free time.

Romantic Road to Rothenburg: Travel by coach to Rothenburg along the famed Romantic Road, an important trading route during the Middle Ages. Take a guided tour of the well-preserved medieval old town to see the Gothic and Renaissance City Hall as well as the famous City Councillors’ Tavern. Then explore the 500-year-old Christmas Market.

This afternoon, sit back with a drink on the Sun Deck or in the privacy of your suite as you enjoy the scenery while cruising towards to city of Bamberg.

Dock in picturesque Bamberg after lunch. You could spend this morning relaxing in your spacious suite or perhaps join an informative lecture to learn more about the culture and history found along the fascinating Main River.

Built on seven hills, this World Heritage-listed town has surprises at every turn. Intersected by rivers and canals, Bamberg’s Old Town is resplendent with cobblestoned streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. Admire the charming Town Hall which occupies an island on its own, a Gothic and Romanesque-style cathedral, and the Old and New Residences – comprising an episcopal palace, a pretty ‘Little Venice’ and a 12th century castle that teeters on the highest of the seven hills. Explore its famous sites on a guided tour.

Arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria’s second-largest city, early this morning. The Old Town is protected by an ancient city wall and hosts an enchanting Christmas market, one of the oldest and most famous in the world. The 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. 

The wooden booths of ‘the little city of wood and cloth’ looked picked straight out of a fairytale as twinkling lights, holly and handmade charms adorn the fringes. Centuries old traditions and trinkets change from one Christmas market to the next, and at this Christkindlesmarkt, gingerbread, Spekulatius almond cookies, gingerbread and original Nuremberg Bratwurst have made this city world famous. The aroma of warm glühwein provides a fragrant ambiance as the scent of Christmas drifts through mesmerising Christmas stalls. In a time honoured European tradition, each town has its own unique festive mug, with custom designs becoming a collector's item in time passed by.

Scenic Freechoice:
Choose from the following Scenic Freechoice activities this afternoon:

Walking tour of the Old Town: Drive into Nuremberg’s city centre, passing by the ancient city walls, then join your local guide for a walking tour of the Old Town to see the Imperial Castle, St. Egidien’s Church and the market square.

World War II tour: Your local guide will highlight the main events that occurred in Nuremberg during the Nazi regime. Learn about this dark time in Germany's history and visit some of the most important sites.

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.

You will arrive in Regensburg after lunch today. Boasting a staggering 2,000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany’s best  preserved Mmedieval town centres, with more than 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings listed as World Heritage sites. Within its narrow laneways, the city lays claim to having the highest concentration of bars in the country. It also hosts five separate Christmas markets during the festive season in the city’s picturesque squares and at Thurn und Taxis Castle. 

Regensburg Christmas Market on Neupfarrplatz is renowned as one of the most beautiful advent markets in Germany. Regional specialties such as blueberry mulled wine from the Bavarian Forest or apple mulled wine from Upper Palatinate orchards are just as popular as the "Original Regensburger Bratwürste" or the "Regensburger" from the grill. Cosy up to warm open fireplaces at Romantic Christmas Market at Rhurn and Taxis Palace, where local delicacies are both unique and satiating, with Old Bavarian potato soup served in a loaf of bread, whilst the scent of roasted almonds create a cosy ambience.

Scenic Freechoice:
Today, Regensburg offers two Scenic Freechoice activities to choose from;

Walking tour of Regensburg: On the confluence of three rivers in Bavaria, Regensburg is known as the best-preserved Medieval city in Germany. Guests will join a walking tour with a local guide to see the Old Stone Bridge, the Church of St James, and the Porta Praetoria.

Thurn und Taxis Tour: Visit Thurn und Taxis Castle for a guided tour followed by free time to explore the magical markets Thurn und Taxis is a German noble family who can trace their history back to the 12th century.

Arrive in Passau early this morning. Set at the meeting point of three rivers and close to the border with Austria, it was an important trading point for centuries. It was also a significant town in the Holy Roman Empire and the charming Old Town was mostly built by powerful prince-bishops in an Italianate style. Its grand buildings will be strung with decorations, and the charming Christmas market will fill the air with the scent of gingerbread and spices.

Scenic Freechoice:
Take your pick from the following Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Full day excursion to Salzburg: Cross the border into Salzburg, Austria, a storybook city surrounded by alpine peaks and best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music. On a guided tour, learn about its art and music scene, visit Mozart’s birthplace, and see the vast Hohensalzburg fortress. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and some free time.

Full day excursion to Ceský Krumlov: Journey to the Czech town of Ceský Krumlov, a World Heritage site brimming with charm. Explore with your local guide, admire the well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and eat lunch in a local restaurant.

Highlights of Passau: Join your local guide on a walking tour, admiring the brightly coloured buildings that line the waterways, all decorated for Christmas. Visit St Stephens Cathedral, originally built in the year 450 but destroyed by fire in 1662 and rebuilt in the Baroque style – the Christmas market will be in the square in front. The aroma of gingerbread, mulled wine and bratwurst delight the senses as you wander the quaint alleyways filled with qualtiy woodcarvings, festive baubles and other trinkets and ornaments. Culinary delights are a feast for the senses, such as Sengzelten, a Bavarian delicacy similar to a tarte flambée. A magical festive concert is held at St Stephen’s Cathedral in the world’s largest cathedral organ from Wednesday until Saturday at noon.

Spend this morning in Durnstein, a small and picturesque town in Austria’s scenic Wachau Valley. Enjoy some free time to explore this World Heritage-listed town, perched on the edge of the Danube River and. surrounded by ancient terraced vineyards. Then cruise on to the city of Krems, where the lights of the Christmas market will begin to glow in the afternoon. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Today offers a variety of Scenic Freechoice excursions to choose from:

Göttweig Abbey: Founded in the sixth century, the abbey burned down during the 18th century and rebuilt to be one of the most magnificent in the Wachau Valley. Your local guide will show you its magnificent frescoes as well as the staircase, the largest Baroque staircase in Austria.

Wachau Valley wine tasting: The Wachau Valley is one of the prominent regions for wine production in Austria. Today you'll visit a local winemaker and learn about the age-old traditions of winemaking while sampling the delicious wines produced on site.

E-biking from Dürnstein to Krems: Join your guide on an E-bike tour along the Danube to the quaint village of Krems. Pass by charming villages and scenic vineyard landscapes. You will have time to stop along the way to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Danube.

Welcome to Vienna, the capital of Austria and a centre of art, music and culture. The city fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, and oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces, a vibrant coffee-house scene, and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.  See the world's most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, all lit up with dazzling displays of Christmas lights and decorations. You'll also enjoy the city's musical heritage in full display with the sounds of famous festive tunes and classical pieces around every corner. After all, you're in the City of Music, which fostered musical geniuses like Mozart and Beethoven. 

Join your local guide and take a coach ride from the ship to Vienna’s city centre, where you will embark on a walking tour to see highlights such as the Opera House, St Stephen's Cathedral and Belvedere Palace. The ship will be docked overnight, so this afternoon you are free to wander around the city exploring markets or relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship.

Scenic Enrich
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, you’ll 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 that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Wake this morning with Vienna on your doorstep. A city full of grandeur, Austria’s imperial capital is famous for having the world’s most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, and for the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy. Slow down and spend a full day exploring Vienna or venture further afield. In the afternoon, shuttles will be available to take you from the ship to the Christmas markets. 

Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, choose from one of these Freechoice excursions:

Kunsthistorisches Museum: Visit this superb museum houses pieces from ancient Egypt through to the 18th century. The magnificent exhibits includes the works of some of painting’s great masters, including the largest collection of pieces from Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

Schönbrunn Palace: Explore Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburg family. Wander its ornately designed rooms, hear tales about the royal family that lives here and see the impressive gardens.

Excursion to Bratislava: Travel Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital since independence in 1993. This modern multicultural metropolis has an intriguing history. The glorious Old Town and well-preserved hilltop castle contrast with its brutalist socialist architecture. Your local guide will show you see Bratislava Castle, the Hlavné Námestie, the main square and the Old Town Hall.

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

This morning you will arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary and 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. It’s 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. 

The city comes alive during the festive season, with elaborate decorations, charming Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, traditional foods and trams covered in twinkling lights. 

Scenic Freechoice:
Choose from a range of Scenic Freechoice activities on offer this morning:

Budapest in depth: Explore this magical city by coach. Starting in Buda, see the Várkert Bazár before crossing the Margaret Bridge to the Pest side to see Széchenyi Square and Elizabeth Square. End your tour with a mesmerising piano recital at the Institute for the Blind.

Hospital in the Rock: Go underground to explore the labyrinths of the Hospital in the Rock, set underneath the city's castle district. The complex was built as a secret hospital during WWII and was later converted to a nuclear bunker.

Guided hike of Buda: Strap on your walking shoes for a beautiful hike through the Buda district of the city. On your walk, see Varket Bazar and beautifully landscaped gardens, all while enjoying great views over the Danube River and the city architecture.

This afternoon is at leisure. Take the time to visit one of the Christmas markets or ride the special tram through the city.

Your journey concludes this morning. Farewell your fellow guests and Scenic crew, taking with you a lifetime of memories and Christmas cheer.

^ Costs apply 

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.