Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has introduced a selection of new Scenic Freechoice shore excursions for their 2023 season of European river cruises. These ‘off the boat’ experiences are meticulously curated to cater to all interests and fitness levels, including guided walking and bike tours. From a relaxed to active pace, there’s something for everyone. Guided hiking in the Black Forest, exploring a fairy-tale castle in northern France, and taking a Scenic e-bike into the French countryside, using the Tailormade App to discover hidden gems.
A sampling of new shore excursions include:
A visit to ‘The Versailles of Holland’ in Nijmegen
The 15-day Romantic Rhine & Moselle voyage sails between Amsterdam and Basel, offering picturesque scenery and romantic experiences through Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. This extensive voyage through Central Europe now features a visit to the incredible 17th-century Het Loo Palace in Nijmegen. Built in the Dutch Baroque style, the palace was home to William III and remained a royal summer residence right up until 1962. It is famed for its symmetry and has been dubbed the ‘Versailles of Holland’.
Spotting eagles in the wetlands of Croatia
Exploring the reaches of Eastern Europe’s rivers, the nine-day Black Sea Explorer sails between Budapest and Bucharest on the historically rich Danube River. Guests can now discover the Kopacki Rit Nature Park by boat in Osijek. Home to more than 260 species of bird, of which 140 nest permanently or temporarily in the Park, the incredibly preserved wetlands host the great white egret, white stork, black stork, white-tailed eagle, and Eurasian coot.
Learning local recipes in rural France
The 11-day Spectacular South of France cruise sails roundtrip from Lyon, down the rivers of the Saône and the Rhône to the Mediterranean Sea. On this beautiful voyage through France’s southern towns and cities, guests can now experience the ‘Ancestry of the Kitchen’ excursion, with a visit to a family run olive farm, followed by a cooking class where the host divulges local recipes. Or guests can choose to visit the charming medieval hilltop village of Les Baux. Prices for this voyage start at CAD $7,395.
A bird’s eye view of the Rhine Valley and Niederwald monument
Sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest, Scenic’s 15-day Jewels of Europe voyage travels along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, porting at a selection of Europe’s most iconic cities along the way. New to this cruise, the Winzerexpress mini train in Rudesheim has been added, transporting guests to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where they learn about the more than 350 musical instruments on display, before hopping onto a cable car ride to the impressive Niederwald Monument which marks the 19th-century unification of Germany. Fares start at CAD $8,045.
Truffle hunting on the banks of the Rhône
The eight-Day Idyllic Rhône cruise voyages from Lyon to Marseille, taking in the spirit of Southern France along the way. Now for the first time, Scenic’s guests can visit the beautiful provincial town of Grignan in Viviers and take in a truffle nursery. Guests can learn how the exquisite (and expensive) funghi are produced, while being educated on their many uses. Prices for this eight-day voyage start at CAD $5,445.
All Scenic river cruises are truly all-inclusive, meaning guests can leave their wallet in a safe place and relax, knowing everything is taken care of. Flights, transfers, fine dining experiences, premium branded beverages and once in-a-lifetime immersive excursions are all included in the fare paid.
