GEMS OF THE DANUBE WITH DEBBIE TRAVIS & TOMMY SMYTHE

Discover the historical wonders of Europe on a 8 day cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg. Enjoy ultimate luxury on a truly all-inclusive 5 star Scenic Space-Ship.

MEET DEBBIE TRAVIS

Winning four Geminis for her television shows and appearing on many of the major network talk shows has propelled Debbie into the top ranks of successful entrepreneurs. The author of 11 books, mostly on design and decorating, her latest national bestseller is JOY Life Lessons From a Tuscan Villa, published in December 2021. She also has a new home furnishings collection launched at Giant Tiger in spring 2022, and her DT branded wines are available at www.LCBO.com. Her most recent project is La Dolce Debbie, a six-part 30-minute series that documents her heartwarming and often hilarious story of restoring a 13th-century ruin in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Now a luxury boutique hotel, Villa Reniella is where Debbie hosts retreats, classic car rallies and corporate events, sharing the wonders of Tuscany.

MEET TOMMY SMYTHE

Tommy’s contagious enthusiasm and fun-loving approach to decor and renovating have made him an international design world favorite.  A career spanning more than 18 years has left no stone unturned in getting the message of good, practical, and beautiful design to his many followers through television, print media, social media and popular speaking engagements.  Known for his warm and personal mixture of fine art, vintage, antique and modern furnishings pulled together with a cutting edge colour sense, Tommy never lets it all feel too serious.

May 9 to May 16, 2024 | 8 Day Cruise > Budapest to Nuremberg

This journey offers an abundance of cultural, historical, and culinary pursuits. Home to a remarkable array of European capitals and wonderful attractions, the Danube is the second-largest waterway in Europe and one of the most popular amongst cruisers. In true Bavarian fashion, guests can taste local beers in rock-cut cellars under the city of Nuremberg; hop aboard an e-bike for a self-guided cycle around the medieval city of Regensburg; learn how to craft regional delicacies by taking part in a traditional cooking class; and hike up Buda Hill. Guests will also enjoy a Scenic Enrich exclusive event – a classical evening concert in Vienna’s luxuriously opulent Palais Liechtenstein.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Scenic to co-host this once in a lifetime river cruise on Europe’s historic Danube. For those who have enjoyed joining us on our Instagram ‘lives’ for inspiration and warm chatter, this trip provides a unique opportunity to join in the conversation and explore design, wellness, historic architecture and delicious food and drink. We can’t wait to share it all with you!”

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

EXCLUSIVE HIGHLIGHTS:

  • See the iconic sites of Budapest including Buda Hill, the Parliament Building and Heroes Square
  • Over a glass of Austria ‘sekt’ at the majestic Palais Liechtenstein, enjoy a private classical Viennese concert
  • Taste the regional specialties of the Wachau Valley with a local producer on board your Scenic Space-Ship
  • Sample locally brewed beer in Nuremberg’s underground Rock Cut Beer Cellars
  • Tailor your journey with a variety of Scenic Freechoice including Active, Your way excursions, Moments, Masters & Music activities and Interactive Encounters
ALWAYS INCLUDED:
  • 5-Star Scenic Space-Ships with up to 163 guests
  • Your choice of spacious Standard Suite, or a Balcony Suite with an innovative Scenic Sun Lounge
  • 1 Scenic Enrich experience with an enchanting private classical evening concert at Palais Liechtenstein – Exclusive to Scenic
  • Personalise your trip with 18 included Scenic Freechoice activities
  • Enjoy a choice of up to five on board dining experiences, from casual to fine dining
  • 20 meals – 7 breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L) and 7 dinners (D)
  • Complimentary premium beverages all day, every day* – not just at meal times
  • Butler service for every suite
  • Complimentary full mini-bar restocked daily
  • Innovative Salt Therapy Lounge and fitness area
  • Scenic Tailormade App for river commentary and independent exploration
  • The freedom of our e-bikes – electrically assisted bicycles
  • Scenic Cruise Director to guide and assist & expert local guides
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout your cruise
  • Return airport transfers^
  • All tipping and gratuities on board and on shore

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Budapest

Welcome to Hungary and its vibrant capital, Budapest. 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.

This afternoon is at leisure to settle into your luxurious suite on board your all-inclusive luxury Scenic Space-Ship. Most suites have an all-weather balcony that converts into a Scenic Sun Lounge, allowing you uninterrupted views to watch a rolling tapestry of river life as you cruise the Danube.

At this evening’s welcome reception, award winning hosts Debbie Travis and Tommy Smythe will be introduced.

Please book your flight to arrive into Budapest prior to 05:00 PM.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 – Budapest

The diverse city of Budapest is a cultural melting pot, renowned for its thermal baths and vibrant nightlife scene, peppered with Roman ruins, Gothic buildings, bohemian coffee houses, world-class operas, and an historical Jewish quarter where the scars of WWII can still be seen to this day.

Day 3 – Vienna

Today, perhaps wake to a coffee delivered to your suite by your personal butler. Be sure to download the Scenic Tailormade App to listen to river commentary and gain insight to the villages and sites you’re passing as you relax on board while sailing to the Austrian capital, Vienna.

Vienna oozes charm with magnificent Baroque buildings, ample green spaces from parks to vineyards, a vibrant coffee-house culture and masterpiece-filled galleries and museums.
 
Exclusive for Debbie Travis & Tommy Smythe Guests: Enjoy an onboard morning presentation by multi award-winning designer, TV host and author Debbie Travis. Day of event is subject to change.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Vienna

Vienna is Austria’s imperial capital – a city full of grandeur, featuring the world’s most beautiful boulevard, The Ringstrasse, and the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy. Also known as the City of Music, Vienna fostered the musical geniuses Mozart and Beethoven, among others. Sigmund Freud also lived and worked here in the late 19th century.   

This afternoon is free to wander around Vienna, so perhaps join one of the provided shuttles to the city centre or simply relax on board your Scenic Space-Ship.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Dürnstein > Melk

Your Scenic Space-Ship will dock in the quaint town of Dürnstein this morning, where you have some time to wander at your leisure. Surrounded by vineyards, the town has historical buildings that date back to the 12th century, including the hilltop ruins of Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionheart was famously imprisoned between 1192 and 1193.

As we continue sailing the scenic Wachau Valley, you will be mesmerised by the sloping vineyards and charming villages. This afternoon, we will dock in the small and picturesque town of Melk. The city’s breathtaking UNESCO-listed Benedictine Abbey built high over the city is the most spectacular building in the region.  

While you indulge in the spectacular views this afternoon, it’s also the perfect opportunity to indulge in some delicious local produce from the Wachau Valley. Your Cruise Director will organise a special treat for you and invite a local producer on board to share some regional delicacies that are famous in this region. Sample some Apricot dumplings and local schnapps among other delights in this breath-taking location.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov

Freechoice
Today, choose from two completely different yet equally fascinating full day Scenic Freechoice excursions.

Full day excursion to Salzburg: This morning you will disembark your Scenic Space-Ship in Brandstatt, from where you will journey via coach to Salzburg, Austria. Surrounded by alpine peaks and on the banks of the Salzach River, Salzburg is best known as the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music. This storybook city has a thriving art scene, music and concert halls filled with classical music, a Baroque old town where you’ll find Mozart’s birthplace, and Hohensalzburg, Central Europe’s largest intact fortress, which sits high above the rooftops with panoramic views of the city. During a guided tour explore this incredible city before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant and some free time to explore at your leisure. You will return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the German town of Vilshofen.

Full day excursion to Cesky Krumlov: From Brandstatt journey via coach to the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov. This delightful UNESCO World Heritage town is brimming with charm. Sitting on the banks of the Vltava River, Cesky Krumlov is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe with its vast array of well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Wander this fairy-tale location with your local guide and explore the historic centre before delighting in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. After some free time to explore at your leisure, you will return to your Scenic Space-Ship in the German town of Vilshofen.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 – Regensburg

Freechoice
Boasting a staggering 2000-year history, Regensburg has one of Germany’s best preserved medieval town centres, with more than 900 of its Romanesque and Gothic buildings UNESCO World Heritage listed. 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 kilometres of hiking trails and deer, wild boar, fox and otter.

Freechoice

This morning, Regensburg offers up a selection of Scenic Freechoice touring activities to choose from:

Walking tour of Regensberg: Join your local guide for an afternoon walking tour of the Old Town of Regensburg. You’ll be in awe of the many perfectly preserved medieval buildings that have been standing sentinel over the Danube for centuries.

Weltenburg Abbey: Take a ferry through the Danube Gorge to Weltenburg Abbey, the oldest monastery in Bavaria, founded by monks in approximately 600AD. Explore the Abbey and Cloister Church, then sample the award-winning beer produced on site, which has been produced here since the year 1050 making it the oldest monastic brewery in the world.

Cycling to Walhalla: Join a guided bike tour through the wonderful scenery of the Donau Valley. You will ride for approximately 60 minutes along the riverside and through countryside to Walhalla. Reached by 358 steps, this memorial is considered the most important of all works commissioned by King Ludwig l of Bavaria, a Parthenon-like structure built to commemorate distinguished people in German history.

Regensburg’s Jewish heritage: Discover Regensburg’s Jewish heritage – the city was the first documented Jewish community in Germany. Learn about the rich culture that has evolved throughout the centuries and the devastation caused by the Nazi regime.

After your Scenic Freechoice, you will return to the ship by coach in the town of Kelheim.

In the afternoon enjoy a “Joint Conversation with Debbie & Tommy”, with plenty of chance to snap a photo to keep as a memory of your special trip. Day of event is subject to change.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Nuremberg

This morning you will arrive in Bavaria’s second-largest city, Nuremberg.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Nuremberg Airport for your onward or homebound flight, taking a lifetime of wonderful memories with you.

Please book your flight to depart out of Nuremberg after 12:00 PM.

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. 

Meals Included: Breakfast

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

This is a special one time only tour and is very popular so space will fill up quickly. If this itinerary interests you but the dates do not work – Scenic has tons of incredible itineraries available year round on Europes magnificent rivers. If you would like to join us or need more information for this tour or another date, please fill out the form with your contact info and one of our agents will reach out to answer your questions or confirm your space and take deposit if you’re interested in booking!