Scenic Pearl, 12 Night Rhine Highlights with Switzerland ex Zurich to Amsterdam ex Zurich, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Rivers

Day 1
Welcome to Zurich. The largest city in Switzerland and a global financial centre, it hugs the shoreline of the spectacular Lake Zurich. Check in to your luxurious hotel for an overnight stay and the start of your Swiss journey.

Day 2
This morning, set off on a walking tour with a local guide. Zurich is one of the world’s great walking cities, with many pedestrian-only streets and historic bridges. Wander along the Bahnhofstrasse, the city’s main street lined with glamorous boutiques and international flagship stores.This afternoon arrive in Bern. Set on the River Aare, Bern is World Heritage-listed for its medieval Old Town, charming Renaissance fountains, and landmarks like the Zytglogge (Clock Tower) and Bern Cathedral. Check in to your luxury hotel for an overnight stay.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore Bern with one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:Orientation tour of Bern: Your expert Scenic Tour Director will take you on a short walk to explore this delightful city. See its many fountains, sandstone facades and narrow streets, and visit Bear Park, home to a family of bears that have lived along the river banks since 1857.Swiss chocolate tasting: Switzerland is known for its chocolate, which is considered to be some of the best in the world. Enjoy a tasting of different praline and other varieties at a local producer as you learn about chocolate production and its importance for the local economy.

Day 3
This morning, travel to Montreux. Located on the shores of picturesque Lake Geneva, it’s famous for its natural beauty, connection to legendary writers and love of jazz. Take a short orientation tour of the town to admire the lakeside promenade, cobblestone streets and historic buildings. Later, check in to your luxury hotel for a two-night stay.

Scenic Chaplin Museum: Learn about the life and work of one of the most influential early film stars, Charlie Chaplin. Experience an exclusive after-hours visit to the Chaplin Museum, set inside his former home.

Day 4
This morning, visit Chillon Castle. Set on the shore of Lake Geneva, it was first built in the 11th century and is one of the most visited medieval castles in Europe. Join a tour with a local guide and learn how this iconic castle has inspired poets and writers like Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Gustave Flaubert, Mary Shelley and Lord Byron.

Day 5
After breakfast, depart for the postcard perfect city of Lucerne. Its lovely Old Town, brightly coloured houses, covered bridges and cobalt blue lake make for the quintessential Swiss resort town. Join a walking tour to discover its highlights, including the Museggmauer and Türme (Town Walls and Towers), Hofkirche, and the Jesuit Church.This afternoon continue to Basel (Huningue) where you’ll board your Scenic Space-Ship for your all-inclusive river cruise, taking your memories of beautiful Switzerland with you.

Day 6
Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in Breisach for the day, giving you ample time to explore the region. There’s lots of reasons Breisach is a must-visit food and wine destination. Not only does it share a border with the Alsace region, it’s also located between the Rhine River and the legendary Black Forest. The town was meticulously rebuilt after World War II, complete with its traditional cobbled streets and pastel houses.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore the region on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:Guided tour of Colmar: A walking tour of the cultural centre of the Alsace shows off Colmar’s confluence of French and German architecture, lifestyle, and culture. A highlight of the tour is tasting a slice of the famed Kugelhopf cake at a local bistro.Guided tour of Freiburg with tasting: It’s location right on the edge of the Black Forest makes Freiburg a magical place to visit. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the lively medieval town and sample delicious local black forest cake. Walking tour of Breisach with wine tasting: This leisurely guided walk through Breisach’s Old Town will take in its pastel facades and cobbled lanes. Look up to see the hilltop cathedral of St. Stephansmünster before indulging in a tasting of delicious local sparkling wine.

Day 7
The capital of the Alsace wine region is a captivating blend of France and Germany. It has a Gothic cathedral and an Old Town surrounded by a river, with sherbert-coloured, half-timbered houses bordering a complex network of canals. Strasbourg proudly wears its medieval past while looking firmly towards the future and is known for its youthful energy and infectious spirit.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose from these Scenic Freechoice experiences today:Alsace wine route with tasting: Explore this culturally diverse wine-growing area and visit one of the region’s most famous wine growing villages to do a tasting at a local wine cellar before exploring the neighbouring town of Obernai.Cycling through Strasbourg: Journey by e-bike the region’s impressive bicycle trails during this active excursion. More than 500km of trails cover the city, and you will explore some of these while cycling through charming suburbs past historic buildings, beautiful parklands and sparkling canals.Walking tour of Strasbourg: Located on the border of France and Germany, Strasbourg has been influenced by both cultures. See the city’s most important sites on foot, like the cathedral, Petit France and the Grand Ile as you learn how the two nations shaped this unique city.

Scenic Private concert at the Baroque Palace of Rastatt: One of the most magnificent historic venues in the region, the Baroque Palace of Rastatt was modelled on the Palace of Versailles and hosts an evening of grandeur unlike any other. Explore the opulent palace and gardens, before sitting down to a private performance from an accomplished pianist and vocalists.

Day 8
Arrive in Mannheim today. A large metropolitan centre, Mannheim still runs along its recognisable 18th century grid pattern and is known for its grand Baroque squares, fountains and palace. Your excursions today will take you away from the city to discover more of the surrounding region.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose between these immersive Scenic Freechoice experiences this morning:Orientation tour of Heidelberg: Transfer by coach to Heidelberg for a brief walking tour of the city, including the Old Town, and then enjoy some free time. (Note: the walk is not too strenuous but there are some stairs and uneven ground).Historical tour of Heidelberg: Take a guided tour of Heidelberg, then visit Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. Admire the views from the balcony and the great Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest Wine Barrel. (Note: the walk is not too strenuous but there are some stairs and uneven ground).Excursion to Bad Dürkheim: Take in the stunning vine-covered landscapes as you drive to Bad Dürkheim and visit the famed Fritz Ritter winery. This ninth-generation family-owned vineyard offers exceptional quality wine and guests are treated to a tour and tasting. (Note: a good degree of fitness is required).

Day 9
Relax on board as you cruise through the picturesque Rhine Gorge, where the landscapes could have been pulled from the pages of a fairytale. This 65km stretch of the river is dotted with some 40 hilltop castles and fortresses that span a period of 1,000 years. Look out for the Lorelei statue, dedicated to the tragic legend of a beautiful maiden.Later, the ship docks in Koblenz, giving you the opportunity to explore one of Germany’s oldest cities. Founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago it is strategically placed where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. Guests can also see the spectacular scenery of the Moselle Valley with an excursion to Cochem and the Moselle.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose to explore your way with this morning’s Scenic Freechoice:Walking tour of Koblenz: Join your guide to explore the old town’s winding streets, impressive townhouses, charming squares and historic churches, and visit the famed Florinsmarkt, the former political and economic centre of the city.Medieval Limburg: Travel by coach to the charming medieval town of Limburg an der Lahn. Walk the historic cobblestone streets lined with perfectly preserved half-timbered houses, visit the cathedral that overlooks the city and see Alten Lahnbrücke, the Old Bridge that straddles the Lahn River.Cochem & Moselle Valley: Travel through the beautiful Moselle Valley to the town of Cochem. Take a walking tour through its charming centre, where cobbled lanes are lined with half-timbered houses, then visit the grand Reichsburg Castle.

Day 10
Arrive in the 2,000-year-old city of Cologne today. Cologne suffered extensive damage during World War II but was painstakingly restored over the following decades. Set out on a walking tour of the Old Town, enjoy a local beer, and admire its historic buildings, beautiful squares and the World Heritage-listed Cologne Cathedral.

Day 11
Spend the day in Amsterdam. The Netherlands’ capital is a unique blend of history and art. Discover a treasure trove of architectural beauty, galleries filled with masterpieces, 16th century canals, narrow cobbled laneways, and streets bustling with cyclists. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’, much of the World Heritage-listed canal system exists today as it did hundreds of years ago, lined with well-preserved houses and intersected by charming bridges.

Scenic Freechoice: Discover more of the city on one of these excursions:Excursion to Schermerhorn & Alkmaar: Windmills are an iconic feature of Dutch culture, so get out of town, enjoy the sweeping countryside landscape and explore the nearby villages of Schermerhorn, home to a number of windmills dating back to the 16th century, and Alkmaar on this excursions only available with Scenic. Walking tour of Amsterdam: Explore Amsterdam on foot, discovering the maze of canals and bridges in the city centre. Your guide will be covering history, modern lifestyle and Dutch culture. You also get to taste herring, a local delicacy not to be missed.Fabrique des Lumières: Art springs to life in this impressive digital art installation, the largest in the Netherlands. Located in a former 19th century gas works, pieces from renowned artists are projected onto the 17 metre high walls, accompanied by music to create an immersive ambience.Cycling tour: Amsterdam is known as the bicycle capital of the world. Take a small ferry to the outskirts of town for a biking tour to experience life on two wheels. Your local guide will be on hand to offer information about the everyday life of the Dutch people, many of whom are sharing your cycle path.

Day 12
Your cruise concludes this morning in Amsterdam. Enjoy one final breakfast on board, then disembark, taking with you lifelong memories of a remarkable journey.

Due to new restrictions on cruise ships at Amsterdam’s city docks, your cruise is now likely to embark and/or disembark at a port outside central Amsterdam. If your ship does not have a central Amsterdam docking, Scenic will provide a central Amsterdam meeting point and transfers to your ship as required. These changes are required by local authorities and are in line with our booking terms which allow changes to berthing or dock locations and ports where operationally necessary. You will be advised of the confirmed docking location prior to departure.

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. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Enjoy the ultimate European river cruise experience on board a luxury Scenic Space-Ship.

Scenic recently upgraded all our ships sailing the Rhine, Danube and Moselle to meet the same unrivaled standards set by our newer ships.

The upgrades include luxury suites boasting large private balconies fitted with Scenic Sun-Lounges, 32 inch Samsung HD TVs linked to Mac mini computers and complimentary internet access enhanced by an upgraded Wi-Fi system.

The two new spectacular dining areas, River Café and Table la Rive, are welcome additions, and all public areas feature new artwork, carpet, soft furnishings and designer furniture. Even the bar in the new Panorama Lounge of each ship has been upgraded and is made from sophisticated Port Laurent marble.

River cruising is a relaxed and intimate way to see the world, with smaller guest numbers on board at any one time, higher staff to guest ratios and the finest fleet of luxury river cruise ships in the world, everything is handcrafted to make your journey unique and personal.

A Scenic river cruise is truly an all-inclusive experience.

From an indulgent buffet breakfast until the moment lay your head on the pillow chosen from our carefully curated pillow menu, every moment you spend with us is one of all-inclusive luxury. Large, well-appointed suites, services of an experienced butler, and a range of on board dining options with all-inclusive beverages, all day every day. All inclusive luxury means you can put your wallet somewhere safe and have the time of your life as you explore the rivers of the world with Scenic from the exotic waterways of South East Asia, to the grand waterways of Europe.

At Scenic when we say all-inclusive river cruising, that is what you get.

Luxury is having a butler at your call, crisp white sheets, and your own private balcony to watch the sun rise and set in a different country. Luxury is having chef-prepared meals and top shelf beverages. Luxury is all-inclusive tours, events, experiences and having someone else arrange it all for you, to pick and choose as you please

And luxury certainly is not having to reach for your wallet for any of it. Welcome to the Scenic experience, where all-inclusive means exactly that. This is the essence of the Scenic experience.

Scenic Fleet: Our focus on innovation and luxury design ensures Scenic is the world leader when it comes to delivering the ultimate in river cruising on our state of the art fleet. With some of the largest suites on the river, a high staff-to-guest ratio plus incredible facilities on board, you’ll never want to leave.

Suites: We set the benchmark for the standard of suites on board, the most spacious on the river. Our balcony suites also feature innovative technology, transforming to a Sun Lounge at the touch of a button, allowing you to enjoy the luxury of extra space as well as the unfolding landscape.

Butler: We know it’s the small things that make your cruise special, and so do our butlers. From nightly turndown to laundry service included for all guests, our butlers are there to make your Scenic journey extra special. They won’t be happy unless you are.

Dining & Beverages: From casual fare to fine dining, we cater for every style on board. We source from regional suppliers so our food is both extremely fresh and in season. Our chefs draw inspiration from the countries we pass through so you’ll experience true regional cuisine. And of course there’s an extensive selection of complimentary beverages all day too.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Scenic Pearl - Jewel Deck

Scenic Pearl - Sapphire Deck

Scenic Pearl - Diamond Deck

Scenic Pearl - Sun Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Cat BB - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat PP - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat RO - Royal Owner's Suite

One bedroom suite including Scenic Sun Lounge – 48m2/520ft2. These Suites on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space (48m2/520ft2), impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area and an oversized bathroom.

Cat R - Royal Balcony Suite

These Suites on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space (300-315ft²), impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area and an oversized bathroom.

Cat RS - Royal Panorama Suite

At 325ft², this suite is the largest on the ship. At the rear of the Diamond Deck, enjoy panoramic views of the breathtaking passing scenery through floor to ceiling windows across two walls of the cabin.

Cat P - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat A - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat B - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat BS - Single Balcony Suite

Suites are fitted with a modern flat screen TV, superior air conditioning system, internet access, minibar, hairdryer, personal safe, power points suitable for Australian appliances and a state-of-the-art inroom entertainment system offering a choice of over 1000 movies on demand. Exclusive to Scenic Tours, 82% of our staterooms are Private Balcony Suites, complete with a large teak balcony furnished with outdoor chairs and a table. This unique feature gives our guests the freedom to retire to their suite with a glass of fine wine and watch Europe’s spectacular scenery pass by from the comfort and privacy of their own balcony.

Cat C - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat D - Standard Suite

15m2/160ft2. Staterooms are located on the Jewel Deck with large picture windows to ensure a great view. They have a spacious design and clever layout alongside all the usual luxurious amenities and furnishings.

Cat E - Standard Suite

15m2/160ft2. Staterooms are located on the Jewel Deck with large picture windows to ensure a great view. They have a spacious design and clever layout alongside all the usual luxurious amenities and furnishings.

Cat RA - Royal Balcony Suite

These Suites on the Diamond Deck are the ultimate in luxury with more space (300-315ft²), impeccable service, thoughtful touches, an outdoor balcony, lounge area and an oversized bathroom.

Cat RJ - Junior Balcony Suite

These spacious Suites (250ft²), located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, have a private full-length balcony and elegant en-suite bathrooms featuring a large vanity basin, bathtub with shower above.

Cat BJ - Junior Balcony Suite

These spacious Suites (250ft²), located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks, have a private full-length balcony and elegant en-suite bathrooms featuring a large vanity basin, bathtub with shower above.

Cat PA - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.

Cat BA - Balcony Suite

Including Scenic ‘Sun Lounge’ – 19m2/205ft2. Located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks they feature a full-length outdoor balcony with the exclusive ‘Sun Lounge’ system and are larger than the standard river cruise cabins on Europe’s rivers.