14 Night Jewels of Europe Cruise from Budapest

Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Budapest, the capital of Hungary and one of Europe's oldest and prettiest cities. This afternoon, board your all-inclusive luxury Scenic Space-Ship and settle into your suite, many of which have a window that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views of ever-changing landscapes and life along the riverbanks. Relax and raise your glass to the days ahead at this evening's welcome reception.

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. Your Scenic Space-Ship departs for Vienna later this afternoon, so make the most of your free time exploring this magical city.

Today, perhaps wake to a coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler. Be sure to download the Scenic Tailormade app so you can listen to river commentary and gain insight into the charming villages and sites you're passing by while sailing to Vienna. Austria's imperial capital oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture, and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.

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, 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.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock early this morning in the quaint town of Durnstein. Surrounded by vineyards, the city 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. Enjoy some free time exploring this captivating town before cruising towards Melk. This afternoon while docked in the port of Melk, your cruise director will organize a special treat for you with a delicious tasting of local produce famous in this region - sample some apricot dumplings and local schnapps among other regional delights. Tonight, as you sit down to a delicious dinner, your Scenic Space-Ship will set sail towards your next destination.

You will arrive in Regensburg after lunch today. Boasting a staggering 2,000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany's best-preserved medieval town centres, 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.

You will arrive in Nuremberg, Bavaria's second-largest city, after lunch. Boasting an Old Town protected by an ancient city wall, where the most enchanting Christmas markets are held every year, 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. Behind its charming facade, Nuremberg also has a turbulent history. During WWII, the city was favored by the Nazis for party rallies. The boycotts of Jewish businesses began here, as did the laws that denied Jewish people German citizenship - known as the 'Nuremberg Laws'. By 1945, the city was reduced to rubble, including large sections of the Imperial Castle and Old Town. Allied powers - the US, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union - held the Nuremberg Trials here between 1945 and 1946, where Nazi Germany leaders were tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Built on seven hills, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed town has surprises at every turn. Intersected by rivers and canals, enchanting Bamberg has an Old Town resplendent with cobblestoned streets and well-preserved medieval buildings. A charming Old Town Hall which occupies an island on its own, a Gothic and Romanesque-style cathedral, and the Old and New Residences - each 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 during your guided city tour. This morning, you will tour the Old Town, one of Europe's largest intact city centers, featuring a range of stunning Medieval and Baroque buildings. After lunch, your Space-Ship sets sail towards Wurzburg, the perfect opportunity to enjoy your time in the wellness center with a soothing massage.

After a leisurely morning onboard your Space-Ship, you will arrive in Wurzburg. This Baroque city straddles the Main River in the heart of Franconian wine country. Surrounded by undulating vineyards, Wurzburg is home to a UNESCO World Heritage-listed palace, a dominating hilltop fortress, the 15th-century Old Main Bridge, and three universities, including Bavaria's oldest.

This morning, you will arrive in the historic town of Wertheim, sitting on the picturesque banks of the Main and Tauber Rivers. After touring, you will embark your luxury Space-Ship in Miltenberg and set sail for Rudesheim. Enjoy some of the all-inclusive onboard entertainment this evening as you sail through the night.

After lunch, you will disembark in Rudesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia. The charming town center is filled with half-timbered houses lining cobbled streets, quaint shops selling trinkets such as traditional Christmas ornaments and cuckoo clocks, as well as a smattering of wine taverns and open-air beer gardens. Take a mini train from the pier to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum, where some 350 musical instruments from the 18th and 19th centuries play themselves for your enjoyment. Then spend the rest of the afternoon wandering the charming streets lined with thriving bars, cafes and, of course, Christmas markets. Your Scenic Space-Ship departs late this evening, so you can take the time to explore this lively city at your pace. Perhaps indulge in a traditional Rudesheim coffee, a strong coffee mixed with flambeed brandy and covered with a delicious thick whipped cream. The perfect way to stay warm during the chilly winter months.

After a leisurely morning of sailing, you will arrive in Cologne, a city known for its liberal and laidback lifestyle, unique beer culture, auto industry, and the jaw-dropping cathedral that dominates its skyline. Settled by the Romans, this major cultural center for the Rhineland was built during the Middle Ages but was largely destroyed during WWII. The magnificent Gothic cathedral, an enormous UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates to 1248, was badly damaged but stood tall above the ruins of the city. Take the time to 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 centerpiece and icon, Cologne Cathedral. The Kolner Dom, as it is known locally, is also the location for magnificent Christmas markets and after your guided tour there is plenty of time to wander the wooden stalls where local venders sell delicious treats and decorations. Don't forget to look out for the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland. Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart just before dinner, allowing you plenty of time to be immersed in the tastes and scents of Christmas, hot chestnuts, freshly baked gingerbread, and mulled wine on offer in this lovely town.

Amsterdam is a treasure trove of architectural beauty, masterpiece-filled galleries, tranquil scenes of boats putting along 16th-century canals, narrow cobbled laneways filled with boutiques and cafes, and streets busy with cyclists criss-crossing their way about town. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, much of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved canal houses and intersected by charming bridges.

Disembark in Amsterdam this morning after a farewell breakfast, taking with you a lifetime of memories. 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.; Note: Massage/spa treatments at additional cost.