7 Night Cruise sailing from Amsterdam to Basel. Travel by coach through the French countryside. A further 7 night cruising from Chalon-Sur-Saone to Arles.

Scenic Tours feature 6 ships that cruise Europe year round. The ships alternate itineraries and sailing dates, therefore please check at time of booking which ship you will be on.

Scenic Diamond
Scenic Emerald
Scenic Ruby
Scenic Sapphire
Scenic Pearl
Scenic Crystal

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Amsterdam (D)
Welcome to Amsterdam a compact city famous for its canals. Embark your luxury Scenic 'Space Ship' where you will be warmly greeted on board by our dedicated crew. Tonight enjoy a welcome reception with your fellow travellers.

Next Seven Nights: Cruising Amsterdam to Basel

Day 2: Amsterdam (FB,L,D)
Choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) a sightseeing canal cruise through the waterways of Amsterdam; or (2) a guided bicycle tour of the city where cycling is such a major form of transportation for so many of the locals; or (3) travel to North Holland's seaside village of Volendam, stopping also in Edam to sample the delicacies of its namesake. Back on board, relax and enjoy the Captain's Welcome Dinner.

Day 3: Cologne (FB,L,D)
Today choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) a guided walking tour of historic Cologne seeing such sights as the magnificent Cologne Cathedral; or (2) join your guide on your walking tour of Düsseldorf, taking in all the 'must-see' sights including the famous Altstadt. This afternoon relax on board your Scenic 'Space-Ship' as you sail this picturesque pocket of Germany on the tranquil Rhine River.

Day 4: Koblenz (FB,L,D)
Today choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE options: (1) join a guided tour of Koblenz, situated on both banks of the Rhine and at its confluence with the Moselle River; or (2) enter the breathtaking lower Moselle Valley to discover the treasures of this spectacular region including Burg Eltz, the most beautiful medieval castle in all of Germany; or (3) join the well-developed cycle-paths of Koblenz for a peddle-powered discovery of this gorgeous gem on the shores of the Rhine River. Why not sit back with a cool drink this afternoon on the sun deck of your Scenic 'Space-Ship' as we sail through the famous Rhine Gorge, with its stunning vistas of castles sitting high above steep vine covered slopes, headed for Rüdesheim. This evening, enjoy a special musical performance on board.

Day 5: Rüdesheim (FB,L,D)
All aboard the 'Winzerexpress' this morning bound for Siegfrieds Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum where we will have an Included guided tour of the many rooms of this fabulous museum complete with demonstrations before taking a cable car ride to the Niederwald Monument, perched 250 meters above the Rhine River offering stunning panoramas of the local scenery.

Day 6: Mannheim (FB,L,D)
Today choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) take a guided tour of the romantic and picturesque cityscape of Heidelberg including a visit to the historic Heidelberg Castle and baroque style Old Town; or (2) explore the river-side town of Speyer, one of Germany's oldest cities, dominated by the Speyer Cathedral before a home hosted visit for some 'coffee and conversation' with the locals; or (3) for the speedsters amongst us, visit the Hockenheim Formula 1 track including entrance to the museum and an insider tour of the circuit.

Day 7: Breisach (FB,L,D)
Today, the choice is yours, step into France or go the other way where Germany awaits. Choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) a visit to the stunning Alsace Wine Region of France is a truly memorable experience, we'll stop in the pearl of this region, Colmar, for a visit to a local winery to sample the delicious local wines in an incredibly pretty setting; or (2) step inside the setting of the fable, Hansel and Gretel, on your tour to the spectacularly beautiful Black Forest region in Germany. Delight your senses in the Vogtsbauernhof open air museum and tantalise your taste buds with a slice of delicious black forest cake. On board your luxury Scenic 'Space-Ship' this evening, enjoy an entertaining musical performance akin to the region through which we are cruising.

Day 8: Basel - Beaune - Chalon-sur-Saone (FB,D)
This morning you will disembark your Rhine River cruise in Basel and travel by coach through the French country side to Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy, for an Included guided sightseeing tour including a visit to Les Hospices de Beaune, founded in 1443 and showcasing some of France's finest examples of 15th century architecture. A short drive this afternoon will bring us to Chalon-sur-Saone where you will embark your new luxury Scenic 'Space-Ship' to continue your cruise down the Saone and Rhone Rivers.

Next Seven Nights: Cruising Chalon-sur-Saone to Arles

Day 9: Mâcon - Lyon (FB,L,D)
This morning is your opportunity to select how you'd like to explore this spectacular area of France with your choice of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) travel to the 'Golden Stone' region of Beaujolais where you will meet a local wine vintner in the village of Oignt. Sample some of his best drops before visiting a local snail farm to discover the origins of the popular French dish escargot; or (2) visit Cluny a village built around the great Benedictine Abbey, once the largest Christian building in the world until the completion of St Peter's of Rome. This afternoon set sail for Lyon.

Day 10: Lyon (FB,L,D)
Today enjoy Lyon, the gastronomic heart of France. Enjoy a guided tour before choosing an Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity; (1) explore Lyon by bike on your self-guided discovery of this UNESCO World Heritage City; or (2) the Silk Trade of the 19th century saw Lyon emerge as an important industrial centre. Discover the skill of this art on your visit to a traditional silk factory; or (3) visit the medieval village of Perouges perched atop a hill on the Rhone river plateau. This afternoon explore Lyon at your leisure.

Day 11: Vienne - Tournon (FB,L,HD)
Today in Vienne we travel by mini-train into the old Roman area of the city and enjoy an Included guided tour before setting sail down the Rhone to Tournon. Enjoy a cool drink on board your Scenic 'Space-Ship' in the open and inviting Panoramic Lounge, or venture to the warmth of the Sun Deck, and watch the splendorous scenery of the Rhone unfold as we sail slowly by its enriched shores on our leisurely cruise this afternoon. SCENIC ENRICH: A special experience awaits you this evening as you learn about everyday living on your visit to a typical French Family Homestead. Savour their hospitality as you are treated to a home-cooked meal by the family.

Day 12: Viviers - Avignon (FB,L,D)
This morning enjoy an Included walking tour of Viviers. This delightful town, nestled between hills and the Rhone, reveals ancient homes and an unusual cathedral. This afternoon relax on board as you sail into Avignon.

Day 13: Avignon (FB,L,D)
Today choose from one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE tours: (1) visit the majestic Palais-des-Papes on your guided city tour, one of the largest medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and among the most visited places in France; or (2) take an excursion to Uzcs, a town with a skyline that marks the region from afar, including a visit to Pont du Gard. This afternoon enjoy time at leisure in Avignon, the 'City of Popes'.

Day 14: Arles (FB,L,D)
Relax on board this morning as you cruise to Arles, home to some impressive Roman ruins, where you will have the choice of two Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities (1) visit the picturesque hilltop village of Les Baux, set atop a rocky outcrop crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south, including a visit to an Olive farm; or (2) visit the charming Provençal village of Saint-Remy made famous by Vincent Van Gogh, including a visit to Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery where Van Gogh was held for a year.

Day 15: Arles - Nice (FB)
After breakfast this morning farewell your fellow passengers and disembark your Scenic 'Space-Ship'.