Scenic Cruises Offers 16-Day Christmas and New Year Sailing

 

Scenic Tours' "Space-Ship" vessels offer larger staterooms than other vessels, and also provide extra free amenities. // (c) 2011 Scenic Tours.

Scenic Cruises is celebrating the holiday spirit with a 16-day Christmas and New Year river cruise that visits three rivers, four countries and three capital cities from Amsterdam to Budapest. The cruise departs Dec. 21, 2011 with reduced pricing starting at $5,385 per person, based on double occupancy.

The all-inclusive, air-inclusive sailing combines the Rhine, Danube and the man-made Main-Danube Canal, with port stops in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary, as well as three capital cities. Scenic Cruises is the only major river cruise line to do so on an all-inclusive basis. Guests aboard the company’s “Space-Ship” vessels enjoy larger staterooms and suites – more than 80 percent with full-size balconies – all included and optional excursions, private butler service in junior and royal suites, tour leaders, entertainment, meals in a choice of three restaurants and escorted airport transfers (including gratuities). Other highlights of the European cruise include visits to Christmas markets, majestic cathedrals, center of town ports, exclusive tours and performances and more. Prices range from $5,385 to $7,600 per person, based on double occupancy.

Beginning in the canal city of Amsterdam, guests choose between a canal cruise, bicycle tour, visits to the windmills at Zaanse Schans or a self-guided audio tour. These tour decisions take place throughout the sailing as Scenic Cruises includes multiple options at many of its stops.  In Cologne there is a tour of the Old Town, free time to take in one of Germany’s most spectacular Christmas Markets and an evening of Christmas carols. In the baroque town of Würzburg the choices include a walking tour that visits the Prince Bishop’s Residenz Palace, or a Romantic Road excursion to the 500-year old city of Rothenberg. In Bamberg guests meet with the cellar master of Zehnthasus, a private brewery established in 1533. Nuremberg offers a guided tour of the old town, including the Nuremberg Rallies site, the WWII Documentation Center and the recently opened Memorium Nuremberg Trials Museum

New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a gala dinner on board while New Year’s Day is heralded with an exclusive organ recital performed in the Benedictine Abbey in Melk. Highlights in the wine town of Dürnstein are a leisurely exploration of the city or a guided bicycle ride through the local vineyard. Two days are spent in Austria's city of Beethoven, Freud, Klimt and Mahler, where guests raise a glass of Austrian ‘Sekt’ at the Palais Lichentstein, where the private collection of Prince Hans-Adam II is displayed, followed by a private evening concert featuring the music of Strauss and Mozart. Ending the 16-day adventure is two days in Budapest, a city whose history dates back to 1AD and is cited as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities with no less than five UNESCO World Heritage sites. Tours visit Heroes’ Square, Matthias Church, Fisherman’s Bastion and the medieval town on Castle Hill.

The free airfare offered for this sailing is good from most US gateways and must be booked through Scenic Cruises. The deadline is based on space available. Air taxes are additional and start at $471 per person.

For more information, visit www.scenictours.com.