smithsonian journeys danube river cruise

A Smithsonian magazine special report

Smithsonian Journeys Travel Quarterly: The Danube

Traveling to the Danube? Here’s What You Should Read, Watch and Download

Know before you go

Sasha Ingber

A Habsburg court composer describes his competitive relationship with Mozart in Miloš Forman’s Amadeus (1984).   

Converting to Christianity doesn’t spare a Hungarian-Jewish family pain in István Szabó’s drama Sunshine (1999). A writer investigates a friend’s death in Carol Reed’s film noir The Third Man (1949). 

A French woman and American man meet on a train, then wander Vienna’s streets in Richard Linklater’s Before Sunrise (1995). A museum guard befriends a Canadian woman in Jem Cohen’s Museum Hours (2012). 

An arranged marriage in Serbia goes comically awry in Emir Kusturica’s Black Cat, White Cat (1998), and a Romany teen uses telekinetic abilities in another Kusturica film, Time of the Gypsies (1988). 

In Nae Caranfil’s Closer to the Moon (2013), based on real events in communist-era Romania, five friends plot to rob the national bank. 

The Ister (2004), an avant-garde documentary by David Barison and Daniel Ross, brings into relief the life of philosopher Martin Heidegger, warts and all, while the film travels the Danube upstream to its source.

Michael and Rita Schlamberger’s Donau: Lebensader Europas (2012), a documentary TV series, features stunning wildlife cinematography.

Street scene. Arad, Romania, 2016. Photo by Ciprian Hord/@ciprianhord for @everydayromania #everydayeverywhere #romania #ciprianhord #outofthephone A photo posted by everydayromania (@everydayromania) on Jan 21, 2016 at 11:43am PST

Romanian photographers capture beauty and whimsy in  @everydayromania .

Maximilian Reiss ( @maxolut ) and a photographer named Wolfgang ( @famiglia_vienna ) seek out Vienna’s urban art.

Kurt K. ( @curtiscovers ) photographs the Viennese in motion.

Belvedere Museum Vienna and Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna offer interactive information about their collections.

The Vienna Project memorializes victims of National Socialism by mapping “memory spaces” with tours and oral history videos (select English). 

Pocket Guide has themed audio tours, such as “Budapest’s Silicon Valley” and “Communist Bucharest.”

Belgrade Talking “augments reality” by superimposing information on city landmarks seen through your smartphone camera—sans roaming charges. 

Blogs & Websites

The Danube River Project is an artistic and scientific compendium of audio, video, and photos taken at water level to show what lies above and below.

Vienna Unwrapped suggests attractions, tours, shopping, and hotels to fill any itinerary.

Metropole , a website and print magazine, offers a local take on Viennese art, books, and pressing regional issues.

Vienna Würstelstand or “sausage stand,” chronicles the city’s best—you guessed it—sausage stands, along with other gastronomic and aesthetic ventures.

Still in Belgrade features dining, lodging, and tour recommendations, as well as museum exhibits and social events. Gallery 12 Hub attracts experimental performance artists from Belgrade and beyond.

The Balkanist provides a sharp analysis of politics and culture, covering the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

The Vienna State Opera streams live performances online. (Subscriptions are about $19 per month.) 

Be Budapest offers recommendations for sightseers, museumgoers, and food lovers. Baths Budapest catalogues an array of thermal springs and baths.

Dance & Music

George Balanchine’s ballet Vienna Waltzes  (excerpt) pays homage to the once banned dance.

The world-renowned choral group Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares sings traditional and contemporary Bulgarian folk.

Prolific musician Šaban Bajramović earns his moniker in the Gypsy King of Serbia  CD (2002). 

Last but not least, Johann Strauss’s choral waltz, “ The Blue Danube ,” composed to uplift Vienna after Austria’s military defeat by Prussia, still resonates today.

In The Danube: A Journey Upriver from the Black Sea to the Black Forest , Nick Thorpe travels its full 1,770 miles, taking in the landscape, history, and people. Patrick Leigh Fermor’s Between the Woods and the Water recounts his yearlong walk in 1934 from the Great Hungarian Plain to the Iron Gates, revealing ways of life long vanished. 

Rebecca West writes of the Balkans with eloquence and prescience in her 1941 classic Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: A Journey through Yugoslavia . In The Memoirs of Elias Canetti trilogy, the Bulgarian-born Nobel laureate shares his memories of Mitteleuropa. 

Stefan Zweig’s The World of Yesterday , translated by Anthea Bell, hauntingly describes life and loss in Vienna from the turn of the century to the rise of Nazism. Simon Winder gives a humorous yet erudite account of Europe’s longest ruling family in Danubia: A Personal History of Habsburg Europe . 

Anne-Marie O’Connor’s The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt’s Masterpiece, “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer,” investigates the theft of the Viennese Jewish elite’s art collections during the Anschluss. Edmund de Waal’s The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance traces his family’s tragic losses. 

Having endured a concentration camp and communism before leaving Romania, Norman Manea goes home in The Hooligan’s Return . Isabel Fonseca’s Bury Me Standing: The Gypsies and Their Journey sheds light on a mysterious, often misunderstood nomadic group.

Robert Musil’s novel, The Man Without Qualities , follows a cerebral ex-soldier in Vienna before World War I. Sándor Márai’s Embers centers on a broken friendship between boyhood friends, now old men, who meet for dinner in a Hungarian castle. 

Gabriele Fahr-Becker’s Wiener Werkstätte contains beautiful illustrations of Vienna’s iconic furniture and crafts company.

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Sasha Ingber | | READ MORE

Sasha Ingber is associate editor for the Smithsonian Journeys Travel Quarterly. She is a frequent contributor to National Geographic and has also written for The Atlantic , The Washington Post Magazine and NPR .

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Smithsonian Journeys brings the world’s cultures and natural sciences alive in experiential travel to their guests. The company was inspired by the Smithsonian mission, the “increase and diffusion of knowledge” and Smithsonian Journeys brings forth that idea through travel. If you are a curious traveler Smithsonian Journeys caters to you with memorable, immersive and transformative global itineraries. Plus, your participation benefits the work of the Smithsonian, helping to make the world a better place by celebrating and preserving the beauty, history and cultures of the world.

Smithsonian journeys offers more than 350 annual departures on all seven continents of the world. with more than 50 years of exceptional service, special access, and personalized touch, smithsonian journeys experts and travel directors find the ideal ships and most distinctive hotels for their trips that fully reflect the culture of the destination. there is a unique educational emphasis on a smithsonian journey experience to engage the traveler in learning, enrichment and expert perspectives of the destination and culture you are exploring., with smithsonian journeys you can cruise the rivers of the world including the yangtze river of china, the amazon river of peru, the waterways of holland and belgium, the rhone & saone rivers of provence, france, the elbe river through eastern germany and the czech republic, the mississippi, columbia, snake and hudson rivers and great lakes of north america, the rhine, main and danube through the heart of europe, and the wine region of the douro river valley in portugal. with so many choices in river cruising by smithsonian journeys, it is the perfect opportunity to combine the knowledge seeker in yourself with the pleasure and comfort of a river cruise., your smithsonian journeys river cruise awaits, are you ready to start planning your smithsonian journeys river cruise vacation your way a river cruise artist at river cruise your way is ready to be your vacation concierge. contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date..

This Cruise Is The Perfect Way To Take In All The Beauty Of Budapest

When we think of impressive, iconic waterways, we tend to think of the Amazon, the Nile, and the Ganges. For whatever reason, while Europe does feature notable rivers, they don't seem to carry the reverence as other global waterways. However, if there's one European river that deserves to be in the higher echelons of celebrated waterways, it's the Danube River.

According to Smithsonian Journeys , the Danube weaves through 10 Eastern European countries and some of the most beautiful cities in the world. Traveling on the Danube, you can visit Prague, Vienna, Belgrade, and Bratislava. However, the highlight of the Danube may be found on the banks of Budapest.

The Danube River splits Budapest into its "Buda" side and "Pest" side, each with its own unique character and historical sites. By taking a river cruise on the Danube through the middle of Budapest, you'll have unmatched views of some of the city's most iconic landmarks.

Cruise past Budapest's most impressive landmarks

Taking a river cruise down the Danube is one of the best methods to view Budapest, especially if you're limited on time. However, even if you've spent days sightseeing in the city, the Danube provides unique vantage points of some of Budapest's most iconic places.

On a cruise through Budapest, you'll likely pass the Hungarian House of Parliament, Buda Castle, Marguerite Island, the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, and the Fisherman's Bastion, according to Ullyses Travel . A highlight of the trip includes passing the neo-gothic Hungarian House of Parliament building, which is located on the banks of the Danube.

According to Visit Hungary, the House of Parliament is the third-largest parliament building in the world, and the building's iconic, stylish edifice took 17 years to complete. From the Danube, seeing the edifice in its grandeur and detail, while taking in the building's sheer size, is a memorable highlight for many Budapest visitors.

Take a night cruise for an enchanting experience

One of the cooler aspects of taking a cruise down the Danube is choosing what type of cruise you'd like to experience. A basic Danube cruise from Budapest consists of one welcome beverage to enjoy over a one-hour sightseeing cruise. However, according to Budapest.org , there are plenty of other custom Danube cruises available.

You can choose to take a Hungarian wine-tasting cruise, a party cruise, or a romantic dinner cruise. For those who'd like to visit the landmarks (instead of only passing them), you can opt for a hop-on hop-off river cruise, which run during the day. 

However, with experience as a guide, the sunset and night cruises on the Danube are truly something special. While seeing Buda Castle, the House of Parliament, and the Danube bridges during the day is pretty awesome, these Budapest landmarks illuminated at night showcases the city's architectural beauty and historical charm. Like other celebrated rivers in the world, the Danube in Budapest takes its passengers into something downright enchanting. 

All About the Ponant Smithsonian Journeys Cruises (as of August 2022)

By AussieBoyTX , August 8, 2022 in Ponant

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AussieBoyTX

Now that we’ve completed our first Ponant Smithsonian Journeys cruise, we can share our thoughts on the Smithsonian Journeys experience:

The tl;dr is that the experience is very good and probably worth the premium price if you are excited about the speakers, like to be around Americans, or want some hand-holding for your first Ponant cruise. Otherwise, Ponant usually offers a similar cruise without the Smithsonian experience for a lower price.

The Ponant Smithsonian Journeys cruises are a partnership (not a charter like e.g. Tauck, A&K, Backroads, et al ) that offers cruises targeted towards an English-speaking audience and differentiating itself through experiences that provide a deeper understanding of the places explored . As of now, those differentiated experiences are mostly through the Smithsonian Journeys speakers. The excursions offered on this Smithsonian cruise appear to be the same as those offered on regular Ponant cruises on a similar itinerary.

Our Reaction to the Differences in the Smithsonian Journeys Experience:

• Transfers to / from ship — because of the missed / cancelled flight risk, we never arrive on the day of the cruise and will not use this benefit.  
• All Excursions Included — I suppose they are worth $100-150 each ($600-$900 per week). We took an excursion each day more-or-less because we felt they were paid for. Generally, we would take one or two of the excursions offered by the ship and would organize something on our own for the other days. This remains our preference and on the Smithsonian Journeys cruise we did, we would have purchased only one, maybe two of the six days. As on a regular Ponant cruise, the excursions would benefit from a more detailed presentation with some intelligence on why or why not one would want to select any specific excursion.  
• The Smithsonian Journeys speakers — the speakers are renowned, have experience in the area visited and are very interesting. You also have the possibility of joining each of them at a small table over dinner, or at pre-dinner cocktails. If you’re a particular fan of one of the speakers, this is an opportunity to get tremendous access. To be honest, we were very pleased with the expedition leader and naturalists on the one Expedition cruise we’ve done and don’t need better / more speakers on Expedition cruises. On regular Ponant cruises, where the speakers are great in French, but “also speak English,” we’d enjoy an upgrade but don’t require the full Smithsonian experience.  
• The Tour Director — our Tour Director described herself as a “fixer” and offered to serve as liaison between passengers and crew in the event of any need. She did quite a bit more than that, was very visible, very helpful and appeared to have resolved some passenger issues. She was a native English speaker and likely was more approachable for someone uncomfortable dealing directly with the French crew. We’ve never had an issue that the Cruise Director or Hotel Manager couldn’t resolve for us, but we certainly agree that the Tour Director added value.  
• The Ponant Experience — at least as far as dining, shipboard activities and entertainment go, the Smithsonian experience was very similar to the regular Ponant experience (we were concerned these would be modified and were very pleased they were not). All announcements and presentations are in English and almost all passengers are Americans, changing the shipboard community part of the experience substantially. Aside from the Americans on our cruise, there were two or three German couples, a Spanish family with a cute 14 month-old and inexplicably a French couple.

As far as pricing goes, from a brief survey, as of August 2022, the Smithsonian cruises appear to have a slight price premium over regular cruises:

Here are two on Le Lyrial with 12 days & 10 nights including transfers from Buenos Aires:

• Regular cruise w/ 15% Ponant Discount starts at $11,910 (un-discounted is $13,610)
• Smithsonian cruise w/ 10% Ponant Discount starts at $13,270

And here’s another Caribbean cruise on Le Dumont-d’Urville with 8 nights in Feb/Mar 2023 (both cruises are also offering No Single Supplement):

• Regular cruise w/ 25% Ponant Discount  starts at $3,840
• Smithsonian cruise w/ 20% Ponant Discount starts at $5,160 (excursions are offered on six days and are included)

In summary, this is a low-risk way for English-speakers to experience Ponant, in the company of other (mostly) Americans, and with the Tour Director to ensure things go smoothly. As for us, it’s not that we won’t go on another Smithsonian Journeys cruise — and it’s not about the money — but we aren’t ones that get really excited about the celebrity speakers and included excursions. And, you know, we miss the French guests.

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Share on other sites, schnapperin.

Feels like it’s an American market offering compared to the NatGeo cruises only marketed outside of the US

have you looked into booking one of those via an European or Australian agent? 

• 2 weeks later...

highplanesdrifters

Thanks so much. Very helpful!

• 5 months later...

Thanks for directing me to your Smithsonian  review.   Very informative as usual. 

Since we intentionally chose not to take the Smithsonian to get a more authentic introduction to Ponant I think we made the right decision.   We often prefer doing things on our own.

One thing I'm not yet clear on is how you arrange things on your own with the limited information Ponant has supplied so far.   Most of the time they only say we will arrive in the Morning or afternoon without any times.    Do you plan a side trip on your own in advance or do you wait until you are in port?

On the Great Lake cruise some of the ports are so small we will probably do the ships tours -  at this time they only say will be over $250 pp. 

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Explore the Magnificent Danube on a Multigenerational, Activity-Filled Journey

From baroque splendor to chocolate and wine tasting, travel deeper through germany, austria, and hungary.

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AmaMagna cruising the Danube

AmaWaterways

Once the border between great empires, the Danube River cuts a majestic path through the heart of Europe. The region’s natural beauty and engaging history combine to create a dreamy setting for various activities. Imagine biking along riverbanks surrounded by rolling hills or meandering along the cobblestoned streets of red-roofed villages. Plus, you’ll revel in countless opportunities for an exhilarating hike up to a lush vineyard or historic fortress with stunning views of the valley below.

With the seven-night “Magna on the Danube” itinerary, which stops in four countries (with an optional excursion to the Czech Republic), AmaWaterways curates the ideal balance of legendary cities and charming towns to appeal to many different interests. Also, the availability of spacious suites with full balconies, connecting staterooms, and triple and quadruple accommodations aboard AmaMagna make the vessel well-suited for families and multigenerational groups.

There are also excursions for every age and fitness level. Some might choose a heart-thumping hike or bike ride, while others prefer a leisurely stroll among architectural treasures. In the evening, all can reconvene around the dinner table to share stories and dishes crafted by expert chefs. Guests of every age are guaranteed to disembark from this river cruise ship with cherished memories and a stronger appreciation for the history and culture of this fascinating region of Europe.

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Day 1 Embarkation in Vilshofen, Germany

Passau, Germany

Day 2 Passau, Germany

Linz, Austria

Day 3 Linz, Austria

Melk, Austria

Day 4 Melk, Austria

The Hofsburg, Vienna

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Day 5 Vienna, Austria

Bratislava Castle

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Day 6 Bratislava, Slovakia

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Day 7 Budapest, Hungary

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Coursing through Germany, Austria, Hungary and seven other countries all the way to the Black Sea, the Danube is the soul of Central Europe. Join us along these culture-rich banks, whose scenic vineyards, ancient monasteries and elegant cities have inspired travelers for centuries.

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Highlights of danube river cruises.

A Danube River cruise unveils Europe’s rich and dramatic history. Glittering cultural capitals, lush vineyards, magnificent monasteries and endless scenic splendor line the river’s banks. Here are some sample highlights you will see with Viking:

• Enchanting Passau, set where three rivers meet
• Lush vineyards of the Wachau Valley
• The baroque splendor of Melk Abbey
• Vienna’s elegant architecture
• The splendid Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig
• Scenic beauty of the picturesque Danube Bend
• Budapest’s stunning Chain Bridge and Parliament Building
• Soaring cliffs of the scenic Iron Gate
• Romania’s rural culture and rich folklore
• Belgrade’s impressive Kalemegdan Fortress

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Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.

Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx

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• 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
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• Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
• Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
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Discover the Danube in Depth

Uncover Europe's iconic cities, rich history and magnificent World Heritage-listed architecture.

Danube in Depth

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Danube in Depth 10-Day River Cruise

Book now for 2024 with our limited time offer, subject to availability until sold out.

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Iconic Cities

Unmask the fascinating city of Budapest or visit the home of classical music, Vienna, a city that inspired Beethoven and Mozart and sample their delicious coffee and cakes. Delve into the trouble history of Nuremburg, which played a pivotal role in World War II as you visit the Nazi Party rally grounds, and Courtroom 600 where members were trialled for war crimes. Admire Český Krumlov's perfectly preserved architecture dating back to the 13th century, with a fairytale like old town dotted with micro-breweries and traditional restaurants.

2024 Limited Time Danube in Depth Offers

9 nights for the price of 7 From only $420 per person, per day.

From $4,195 per person* When you book and pay 10 months prior to departure.

A memorable discovery of the Danube

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Your guide to Europe river cruising

These itineraries are an indication only and may vary. Please read carefully before booking. All offers are subject to availability, strictly limited and may be withdrawn at any time. Offers strictly limited and subject to availability. Full payment is due 10 months prior to travel or if booking within 10 months full payment is due within 7 days. Once sold out or if full payment is not received the full fare will apply.

Please read carefully before booking.

2025 Europe River Cruising Early Access Offer General Terms & Conditions Fly Economy Class from $995 per person - offer available on select France, Portugal, Rhine, Main & Danube cruises and departure dates, applicable to all suites.

2025 Europe River Cruising# Saving applicable: when you book Economy Class flights included offer, or do not have flights included. Not applicable to Business Class included offer. 2025 fares at 2024 prices are based on the cruise fare and excluded port taxes and charges.

Early Access Offers: Early Access offers are for new bookings only and to receive these offers, in addition to the non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per person, due within 7 days of booking, full payment is due 10 months prior to departure. Offer available until 31 January 2024, unless withdrawn earlier. Strictly limited suites available on set departures and subject to availability.

Flight Offers: All Flight offers are based on departures from Australia and are subject to availability. Offers are with an airline and in a particular class of our choice. If that airline and/or class is not available a surcharge may apply. flights must be booked by Scenic. All airfare deals are subject to availability and scheduled for travel to meet the brochured Journey departure dates. Any requests outside of the Journey dates may incur seasonal surcharges as enforced by the airline. Saving applicable when you book Economy Class flights included offer, or do not have flights included. Not applicable to Business Class included offer.

Upgrade to Business Class from $4,500pp: Business class from $4,500 per person offer is available for guests on the Diamond and Sapphire decks on selected Rhine, Main, Danube and France cruises of 11 days or longer, excluding the Single Balcony Suite (Category BS) and is strictly limited until sold out, subject to availability and scheduled for travel to meet the brochured Journey departure dates. Offer is not combinable with any other offers and not applicable to Portugal cruises.

Economy flights to Europe Included: Economy Class flights Included offer is up to the airfare value of up to $2,500 per person and is available on selected Rhine, Main & Danube, France and Portugal River cruises of 10 days or longer and is subject to availability and not combinable with other offers, excluding Earlybird discount. If the required airfare is greater than $2,500, air surcharges will apply.

Fly Economy Class from $995 per person: Fly Economy Class from $995 per person offer is up to the airfare value of up to $2,500 per person, based on wholesale airfares in Economy Class with an airline of Scenic’s choosing and are available on selected Rhine, Main & Danube cruises of 8 days and is subject to availability and not combinable with other offers, excluding Earlybird. If the required airfare is greater than $2,500, air surcharges will apply.

Earlybird Savings Offers Saving of $800 per person is applicable for selected Rhine, Main & Danube and France cruises of 11 days or longer (excluding Portugal). Saving of $500 per person is applicable for selected Rhine, Main & Danube cruises of 10 days and Portugal cruises of 11 days. Saving of $400 per person is applicable for selected Rhine, Main, Danube and France cruises of 8 days. Offers are available until sold out or withdrawn. Strictly limited suites available on set departures and is subject to availability.

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All offers are strictly limited on selected suite types on all departures after July 2024 listed in 2024/25 brochure, subject to availability and until sold out. Offers cannot be combined with any other offer and may be withdrawn at any time. Offers are valid for new bookings only. Super Earlybird offers are available on all suites and are for new bookings only. Full payment is due 10 months prior to departure for Super Earlybird offers to apply. If the booking is within 10 months of departure, if the Super Earlybird is available, full payment is due within 7 days from booking. Once sold out or if full payment is not received the standard fare will apply.

Scenic Select Savings - Danube in Depth. Offers strictly limited and subject to availability. Full payment is due 10 months prior to travel or if booking within 10 months full payment is due within 7 days. Once sold out or if full payment is not received the full fare will apply. Offer available on select cruises and departure dates. Pricing based on the journey date GHNB111024.1. All prices listed are in AUD, per person, twin share and include taxes and charges. ^ All beverages are included except for a very small number of fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits.

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Scenic unveils 2025 Europe River Cruising and Land Journeys brochure

Post date: Mar 28 2024

Date: Mar 28 2024

By: Travelweek

VANCOUVER — Hot off the press is Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours’ 2025 ultra-luxury Europe River Cruising and Land Journeys brochure.

Featuring 23 itineraries across seven rivers and three land journeys, the brochure highlights a wide array of offerings, including new Scenic Freechoice excursions and the new port of Krems, Austria.

Featured itineraries include the 15-Day Jewels of Europe River cruise , recommended for first-time river cruisers, and the 10-Day Danube in Depth River cruise , which gives guests ample time to explore the wonders of the Danube. There’s also the 11-Day Beautiful Bordeaux River cruise , an immersive cruise in the Bordeaux region, and the 11-Day Unforgettable Douro , which showcases the Iberian Peninsula’s local culture.  

New Scenic Freechoice included experiences include:

•   Gottweig Abbey  (Krems, Austria): While on the ‘Jewels of Europe,’ ‘Danube in Depth,’ ‘Christmas Markets,’ ‘Christmas & New Year’ journeys, guests can explore the 6th-century renovated Gottweig Abbey, home to Austria’s largest Baroque Staircase and stunning frescoes.
• Craft Beer and Chocolate Pairing (Antwerp, Belgium): While on the ‘Romantic Rhine & Moselle’ journey, guests can immerse themselves in Belgian flavours with craft beer and chocolate pairings.
• Dusseldorf’s Altbier (Düsseldorf, Germany): While on the ‘Romantic Rhine & Moselle’ journey, guests can explore Dusseldorf’s rich beer history with visits to renowned microbreweries and tastings of Altbier, a classic top-fermented brew.
• E-bike cycle to Klosterneuburg Monastery (Vienna, Austria): While on the ‘Danube in Depth’ journey, guests can cycle through vineyards to Klosterneuburg Monastery near Vienna, enjoying Danube views and the scenic route to this architectural treasure. 

The new port of Krems will feature prominently in 2025 as a must-see destination. Nestled along the Danube River in Austria, it has been introduced on the ‘Jewels of Europe,’ ‘Danube in Depth,’ ‘Christmas Markets’ and ‘Christmas and New Year’ itineraries. Guests can explore its rich history, medieval fortifications and renowned wineries on included Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Scenic in Budapest

To entice clients to book 2025 sailings now, Scenic is offering several early booking promotions. The ‘Best Available Offer’ includes free airfare and savings of up to $3,000 per couple on selected river cruises of 15 days or more, based on suite category, or savings from $2,600 to $5,300 per couple on selected river cruises of 8-11 days, based on journey, duration and suite category. Free or reduced airfare offers are also available. A ‘Launch Bonus’ offer includes complimentary private door-to-door chauffeur transfers when booking by April 20, 2024.

For more information about promotional offers go to www.scenic.ca/offers/2025-europe-river-cruises .

To view the new brochure go to www.scenic.ca/brochures#River%20Cruising .

Tags: Lead Story, Scenic