Name: Windmills, Tulips & Belgian Delights with Amsterdam & Bruges
Brand: Scenic

Overview

A 10-night Scenic adventure awaits aboard Scenic Opal, sailing from Basel into the heart of Northern Europe and Baltic Sea. Your journey takes in 3 ports of call, including Zurich, Mannheim, and Amsterdam. The pacing of this itinerary is spot on: enough ports to feel adventurous, enough sea days to truly unwind. With prices starting from £5,479 per person, now is a great time to book your next escape to Northern Europe and Baltic Sea.

Scenic

Scenic River Cruises is one of the most luxurious cruise operators in the world.

It’s the cruise line behind the innovative and super luxurious yacht-style ship Scenic Eclipse, a ship that revolutionised the cruise industry when it launched.

That same level of luxury can be had on its fleet of river ships.

The cruise line offers an all-inclusive experience, featuring amenities like spas, terraces, panorama lounges and spacious cabins with private butlers.

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Zurich

Day 1

Basel

Basel is Switzerland’s gateway to the Rhine, combining medieval and modern charm. Its Old Town has narrow streets, Gothic spires and the impressive Basel Minster cathedral. With world-class art fairs and museums, including the Kunstmuseum and Fondation Beyeler, Basel is strong on culture. The city’s riverside promenade is lively in summer, with cafés and outdoor events.Basel is at the crossroads of Switzerland, France and Germany, making it a fascinating mix of influences, ideal for art and history lovers.

Day 2

Breisach

Breisach is set on a hilltop, overlooking the Rhine and the vineyards of the Kaiserstuhl region. The town’s St Stephen’s Cathedral, with its striking tower, is a prominent landmark visible from the river.Breisach’s compact historic centre offers quiet streets, traditional wine taverns and small museums. The surrounding rolling vineyards produce some of Germany’s best white wines.

Day 3

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is on the border of France and Germany, and its culture and architecture reflect a blend of both influences. The Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a maze of timber-framed houses, cobbled streets and canals often called “La Petite France”.The Strasbourg Cathedral, with its intricate pink sandstone façade and astronomical clock, dominates the skyline. Strasbourg also has a reputation as a European political centre, housing the European Parliament.

Day 3

Rastatt

Day 4

Mannheim

Day 5

Koblenz

Koblenz occupies a strategic position where the Moselle River meets the Rhine, known as the Deutsches Eck (German Corner). The imposing Ehrenbreitstein Fortress overlooks the city, offering expansive views of the twin rivers and surrounding hills.The old town’s pedestrian streets have baroque churches, historic town halls and riverside promenades with cafés and markets. Visitors can take a cable car linking the Rhine to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress for river and city views.

Day 6

Cologne

Cologne has roots going back to Roman times. Dominating the skyline is the Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe’s largest Gothic churches. Don’t miss a visit to see its soaring spires, intricate façades and stained-glass windows.Beyond the cathedral, Cologne’s Old Town features cobbled streets lined with colourful medieval houses, cosy beer halls and cafés where the local Kölsch beer is served. The city has a vibrant cultural scene, with museums dedicated to Roman history, modern art and chocolate.The Rhine promenade is a good option for a relaxed walk and a chance to check out the city’s bridges.

Days 7-8

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ lively capital, famous for its historic canals and art museums. Cruising into the city reveals a network of waterways lined with tall, narrow houses with ornate gables, a hallmark of Dutch Golden Age architecture. The city’s past as a busy trading city can be seen in its harbour and historic buildings.Exploring on foot or by bike, visitors can check out world-class museums such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, alongside the poignant Anne Frank House. The city’s compact centre makes it easy to wander through charming neighbourhoods like Jordaan with its boutique shops, cafés and galleries.Despite its popularity, Amsterdam maintains a relaxed vibe with leafy canals and parks offering a peaceful break from the busy centre.

Days 8-11

Paris

The French capital needs no introduction, but seeing it from the Seine offers a different perspective on the city. The river winds through the heart of Paris, its banks flanked by many of its most iconic sights, from Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay.Most cruises start or end in Paris, allowing at least a full day to explore, at your own pace or on an organised excursion. Independent exploration is easy, with the metro, bateaux-mouches and a good pair of shoes all offering ways to see the city on your terms.The Left Bank brims with literary cafés, while the Right Bank has grand boulevards and elegant arcades. And while you shouldn’t miss the city’s big hitters, from the Arc de Triomphe to the Jardin du Luxembourg, don’t hesitate to adventure beyond the headliners, whether you want to browse the shelves at English-language bookshop Shakespeare and Company, sip coffee at Les Deux Magots or take in the view from Montmartre.

Day 1

Zurich

Day 1

Basel

Day 2

Breisach

Day 3

Strasbourg

Day 3

Rastatt

Day 4

Mannheim

Day 5

Day 6

Days 7-8

Days 8-11

163

Passengers

Crew

2015

Launched

2721t

Tonnage

135m

Length

Decks

EUR

Currency

Scenic Opal

Sailing on the Rhine, Main, Danube & Moselle Rivers in Europe, Scenic Jasper, Scenic Opal and Scenic Amber are the ultra-luxury Space-Ships to grace these waters.

All Prices

Customer reviews

Reviews

6 star river cruising

10/10 from start to finish, cruise, staff, food , excursions were all excellent. Would highly recommend a scenic river cruise , yes it was expensive but definitely worth it in terms of service, quality of food etc

Scenic Scenic Jewel

Reviews

Romantic rhine

Very good cruise excellent crew great entertainment and superb food and drink

Scenic Scenic Jasper

Reviews

A wonderful river cruise

We spent ten days on the Danube, and although the water levels meant that we did not get as far as our planned destination, we had a wonderful time drifting through some stunning scenery. The service was superb, there was a tremendous range of food, and even the wines varied depending on which country we happened to be in at the time! Now that the Covid years have died down, we plan to travel with Scenic again next year.

Reviews

Reviews

Itinerary was great. Ship was lovely. Good public rooms. Had a balcony cabin but it was small. Food was first class. Staff and crew were friendly, welcoming, professional and efficient. Wonderful cruise.

Scenic Scenic Jasper

Reviews

2022-12-14 12:44:41

This was our first river cruise, having previously done a number of Sea cruises. Yes it was more expensive, but you can see where the extra money goes. From being collected at the airport to being taken back to the airport this was a wonderful cruise. The staff were all friendly, hard working and attentive with a ratio of 2 staff to 1 passenger. Each cabin had a personal butler who was available for any needs, reachable on the phone. The food was excellent, the drinks all included (not just with meals and including the mini bar), as were the gratuities and a choice of trips each day. All the trips that we did were top notch, with local knowledgeable guides. The balcony cabin was spacious and comfortable with a super size bed that you could remotely adapt to your needs. The cruise director, JJ, was always available and presented a fun presentation each evening about the next days offerings. A wonderful Enrich experience on the night in Vienna was a private concert of music, dance and opera in a lovely palatial setting. E bikes were available for personal use or some arranged trips and the scenery down the Danube was spectacular. I cannot fault the whole experience and it has left us wanting more.

Scenic Scenic Amber

Reviews

2022-12-09 15:00:25

An enjoyable trip from Marseilles to Lyon with good food and quality excursions. This was slightly marred on departure by the coach taking us to Lyon Airport actually dropping us about 800 yards away at the railway station [to avoid paying the drop-off charge at the airport?] giving us all - including elderly - a totally unnecessary hike with our luggage

Scenic Scenic Sapphire

Reviews

2022-11-10 10:19:32

Had a lovely time onboard , the staff were excellent but you could tell they were training new people up post covid. The accommodation used to be first rate but is now starting to look aged . The entertainment on the TV ie films and TV was old and the system now feels clumsy to use given todays technology . I think Apple discontinued these controls 5 years or more ago . Hardly any evening entertainment , I recall bing on this cruise line where guest performers arrived most nights on the Rhine . Given the high cost v other boats it no longer represents great value . It might cheaper more cost effective to go to Viking and pay for drinks .

Scenic Scenic Azure