10 Night Gems of the Danube with Prague Cruise and Land Tour from Prague

Welcome to Prague, one of Europe's best-preserved and most beautiful cities, with a rich and fascinating history stretching back more than 1,000 years. The Vltava River, the longest in the Czech Republic, runs through the center of Prague with the historic Old Town on one bank and New Town on the other.

Pull back the curtains of your hotel room this morning and you'll see why Prague is known as the City of 100 Spires. More accurately, it should be called the City of 1,000 Spires as a seemingly endless landscape of Baroque belfries, Gothic church spires, and 19th-century clocktowers. You'll take a guided tour this morning, led by an expert local guide who will reveal the city's secrets in all their Gothic glory. The red-roofed Old Town is a charming maze of cobblestone laneways, medieval buildings, bustling squares, and elaborate statues. It's compact and almost completely flat, making it perfect for exploring on foot. Don't miss the Old Town Hall where you can hear the 14th-century Astronomical Clock chime, accompanied by a procession of the 12 Apostles. The rest of the day is at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll through this magnificent city, situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia. Prague is rich in history and home to some of the world's most striking architectural wonders. Your tour director is on hand to help you plan.

The remaining day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Journey by coach to the fascinating Bavarian city of Nuremberg, which dates back to the 11th century. Your cruise begins here, and you'll get to toast the occasion at this evening's welcome reception.

The Christmas markets of Nuremberg are some of the most popular in Germany and date back to the Middle Ages. The largest, Christkindlesmarkt, dominates the main square overlooked by the imposing Frauenkirche, and is made up of over 180 wooden stalls. Discover an abundance of decorated ornaments, traditional German trinkets, and a wide selection of delicious festive treats. Your Scenic Space-Ship will set sail this afternoon towards the city of Regensburg. Relax in your suite, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of river life as you cruise the waterway. Learn about the true engineering wonders of water locks and the skills of our captain taking you through them.

This morning will be spent onboard your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship. Perhaps wake up to a pre-ordered coffee delivered by your personal butler and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Crystal Dining. Download the Scenic Tailormade app to listen to river commentary and gain insight to the places you're passing as we sail on the Main-Danube Canal or opt for relaxing on the Sun Deck. Boasting a staggering 2,000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany's best-preserved medieval town centers, with more than 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Within its narrow laneways, the city lays claim to having the highest concentration of bars in the country. Regensburg is also fringed by the Bavarian Forest, home to hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and deer, wild boar, fox, and otter. Set on the confluence of three rivers in Bavaria, Regensburg is a delight to explore on a 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. Your tour will end at the lively Christmas markets, where you will have free time to delight in the festive atmosphere.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock early this morning in the small and picturesque town of Melk, located in Austria's scenic Wachau Valley. The city's breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage-listed Benedictine abbey built high over the city is the most spectacular building in the region. Sailing the Wachau Valley, you will be mesmerized by the sloping vineyards and charming villages. This afternoon, we are docked in the quaint town of Durnstein, 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 Durnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193. While you indulge in the spectacular views this afternoon, it's also the perfect opportunity to indulge in some delicious local produce from the Wachau Valley. Your cruise director will organize a special treat for you and invite a local producer onboard to share some regional delicacies that are famous in this region. Sample some apricot dumplings and local schnapps among other delights in this breath-taking location.

A city full of grandeur, Vienna comes alive during the festive season. A visit to the Austrian imperial capital during this time of the year will create some unique, magical moments. See the world's most beautiful boulevard, Ringstrasse, 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. This afternoon is free to wander around Vienna, so perhaps join one of the provided shuttles to the city center and make the most of your time strolling through the many Christmas markets or simply relax onboard your Scenic Space-Ship.

This afternoon we arrive in 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. At Christmas time, it comes alive with twinkling lights strewn around the city, wooden huts popping up in magnificent locations, and seductive scents filling the air with festive spices.

After a hearty breakfast, you'll be transferred to Budapest Airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking a lifetime of wonderful 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.