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 invite guests to explore historical places, sample culinary delicacies, and take in the local cultures and wildlife. New bookings made by March 31, 2023 will feature savings of up to $1,500 per cabin and paying in full within 72 hours of booking opens a menu of savings choices: free or two-for-one airfare, depending on itinerary length. Alternatively, guests can get a free or two-for-one multi-day land extension; or up to an additional $2,000 per couple savings on sailings of eight days or longer. 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 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.” Prices for this 15-day voyage start at $7,895 per person double.
Spotting eagles in the wetlands of Croatia: Exploring the reaches of Eastern Europe’s rivers, this 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 well preserved wetlands host the great white egret, white stork, black stork, white-tailed eagle and Eurasian coot. Prices for this nine-day voyage start from $4,995 per person double.
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. On this 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. Alternatively, guests can choose to visit the medieval hilltop village of Les Baux. Prices for this voyage start at $7,045 per person double.
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, stopping 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 $7,795 per person double.
Truffle hunting on the banks of the Rhone: The eight-day Idyllic Rhone cruise sails 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 $5,295 per person double.
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.