Day 1
Welcome to Bordeaux, where your crew are ready to receive you on board the luxurious Scenic Diamond.

The moniker 'Sleeping Beauty' or La Belle Endormie was given to Bordeaux when industry was moved to the outskirts and the city was all but abandoned. In the late 20th century, the city was revived and restored to its former glory. The city centre was pedestrianised, limestone was revealed under blackened facades, and Bordeaux was listed as a World Heritage Site with more than 300 structures declared historical monuments. It’s now one of the most desirable places in France to live and visit.

Day 2
This morning is spent on board relaxing as you cruise into the beautiful 13th century port of Libourne.

Spend the afternoon in the nearby town of Saint-Émilion, a World Heritage-listed medieval village with world-famous wineries, beautiful architecture and historic monuments. It’s also the birthplace of macarons.

This evening your Scenic Space-Ship will be docked overnight in Libourne, a 13th-century city located at the confluence of the Dordogne and Isle rivers.

Day 3
Today you’ll have the opportunity to explore Libourne and its surrounding wine-growing region.

Scenic Freechoice: Walking tour of Libourne: Join your local guide for a walking tour of Libourne, the fortified harbour town with a rich history linked to the trade of wool, wine, salt and wood.Wines and vineyards of Saint-Emilion: Journey to the countryside of Saint Emilion for a wine tasting at one of the region’s most renowned château. Explore the property before tasting some of the estate exceptional wines.Excursion to sturgeon farm: Learn about caviar production during a visit to a local sturgeon farm, with tasting.Artisanal flour mill: Tour the machinery at a beautifully restored 19th century water mill on the Isle River and join a bread-making workshop.

This afternoon, relax on board as you sail towards Blaye. Toast the passing scenery with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar or spend time in the rejuvenating Salt Therapy Lounge.

Day 4
This morning you will arrive in Blaye. Most famously, this petite hamlet is home to a World Heritage-listed citadel that was constructed to protect the city of Bordeaux from enemy attacks.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore with the following Scenic Freechoice activities.Walking tour of Blaye: Stroll through the charming city of Blaye with a local guide, a World Heritage-listed monument that overlooks the Gironde Estuary.Active walking tour of Blaye: Tour the fascinating citadel of Blaye on an active walking tour with a local guide. Gain an understanding of the defence system created by the famous architect Sébastien Vauban.

Scenic Set in spectacular surrounds in the Médoc countryside, Château d'Agassac is truly enchanting. Dating back to the 13th century the Château is one of the oldest winemaking establishments in the region and is the venue for your unforgettable evening concert. Wander through the château and its gardens and soak in the ambiance of this magnificent property before a string quartet performs classical masterpieces for your enjoyment.

Day 5
Wake up this morning in Fort Médoc, located between Bordeaux and Pointe de Grave, at the northern end of the Médoc winegrowing region. This appellation grows some of the world’s most famous and expensive wines, particularly cabernet sauvignon.

Scenic Freechoice: Médoc wine tasting by coach: Travel by coach through this scenic region to a local winery and enjoy a tasting.Médoc wine tasting by bicycle: Discover the spectacular Médoc countryside by e-bike today and sample the region’s finest at one of the prestigious estates.Back on board, enjoy lunch as you cruise to Bourg, a picturesque town set on a rocky promontory. This quiet village sits among many famous World Heritage-listed sites and, though it is just as charming, remains largely undiscovered by the masses.

Scenic Freechoice: Bourg with Carriages Museum: Situated inside the grounds of Bourg Castle, visit the Carriages Museum with a local guide.Guided cycling along the Captain’s Road: Join an active cycling tour along the Captain’s Road, a winding coastal road offers spectacular views, and is lined with old captains homesteads with floral gardens, small fishermen huts and of course some vineyards.Visit a local estate: Enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the Gironde while tasting Côtes de Bourg wines at a local winery.

This evening your ship will continue its journey towards Cadillac, stopping overnight in Bordeaux before sailing onward.

Day 6
Departing Bordeaux early, your Scenic Space-Ship will cruise along the Garonne River to Cadillac. Founded in the 13th century, this charming, fortified city is centred around its magnificent château.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore with the following Scenic Freechoice activities.Sauternes by coach: Explore Sauternes by coach and enjoy a tasting of a chateaux fine wines.Sauternes by bike: Cycle through the rolling vineyards of Sauternes on an e-bike, whilst sampling local wines as you learn the fine art of grape harvesting and wine production.Walking tour of Cadillac: Discover the medieval township of Cadillac with its narrow streets and its marketplace on a walking tour, followed by a visit to the chateau in the heart of the village.

Day 7
Waking this morning in Bordeaux, you will have several options to explore this incredible city. Founded by the Celts around 300BC and became part of Julius Caesar’s Roman Empire in the 1st century. It has been an important trading port since the Middle Ages.

Scenic Freechoice: Guided tour of Bordeaux: Join your local guide on a tour of Bordeaux. Discover the highlights of the city, such as the magnificent Gothic cathedral and Place de la Bourse.Cycling tour of Bordeaux: Pedal through historic Bordeaux on a guided cycling tour. Sample delicious treats such as the traditional canelé, a custard cake.Shop with a chef: Join Scenic’s chef at a local food market to source the freshest local produce, before returning to the on board cooking school, Scenic Culinaire to learn the art of French fare.

This afternoon is at your leisure to wander the streets of Bordeaux. Spend your final hours in France wandering along the waterfront past 18th century buildings, make a beeline for the city’s Golden Triangle district for beautiful architecture and shopping, or visit La Cite du Vin, an interactive and sensory wine museum.

Day 8
Board an included flight from Bordeaux to Porto where you will be welcomed on board by the friendly crew of the Scenic Azure.

Day 9
Wake in the city of Porto, a 2,000-year-old city that lent its name to the nation of Portugal. And while it is awash in history, it has a youthful vibe. Porto showcases sensory delights, streets are lined with restaurants showcasing local delicacies and historical buildings are decorated with intricate colourful tiles.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore the region with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:Guided tour of Porto: Discover the rich culture and history of Porto on this guided tour, which includes a visit to the iconic Palácio da Bolsa.Active tour of Porto including cable car: Travel from Porto to Gaia (or Vila Nova de Gaia) where you’ll take a cable car ride to the Dom Luis bridge, which crosses the Douro River. Walk across the bridge towards Porto Cathedral, São Bento railway station, and the bustling street of Rua das Flores.

Decorative blue tiles are synonymous with Portugal and this afternoon you will learn about their history while creating a masterpiece of your own during a tile painting workshop.

Day 10
Your first port of call along the Douro is the quaint village of Entre-os-Rios. From here, you will set out to explore the verdant Douro Valley, with options to enjoy a hike, sample local wines, or visit a city known as the ‘cradle of Portugal’.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose from one of today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:Paiva Walkways: Explore nature at its finest on an active hike along the Paiva River.Quinta da Aveleda: Explore the fairytale-like property of Quinta Aveleda, a renowned wine producer set on an impressive estate.Excursion to Guimarães: Visit the well-preserved World Heritage-listed city and explore the palace, which dates to the 15th century, and is home to a historic collection of tapestries, furniture, weapons and more.

Relax on board this afternoon as you cruise to Regua, the largest of the riverside towns. This region is famous for producing Port wine, with rolling vineyards on the terraced hillsides and wineries dating to the 18th century. This afternoon enjoy a visit to the excellent Douro Museum.

Day 11
Scenic Freechoice: Choose how you wish to spend the morning with the following Scenic Freechoice excursions:Visit Varosa Valley, Tarouca & Ucanha, only with Scenic: Discover the captivating Varosa Valley and visit the charming village of São João de Tarouca where you'll explore the restored Monastery of Saint John of Tarouca. (St John is closed on Monday’s and will be replaced with a visit to Vila Real). Walk the fortified bridge of Ucanha, Portugal’s first toll bridge spanning the Varosa River which was built during the 14th and 15th centuries.Quinta visit with olive tasting: Visit a Quinta and learn about the production of olive oil at this family run Quinta that has been handed down for 11 generations.Back on board refuel with a delicious lunch before exploring the region further with a selection from the following Scenic Freechoice activities.Excursion to Lamego: Take a coach to the town of Lamego, nestled among terraced vineyards that were the first to produce world-famous port wine. The city prospered in the 18th century and is a fascinating place to wander, with its many fine Baroque structures. Start your tour at the stunning Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies, standing gracefully overlooking the town. The front of the Sanctuary is lined by a zigzagged staircase decorated in traditional blue and white tiled mosaics leading down to the town centre. If you are feeling active walk down the staircase or journey down via coach before some tasting some local produce at a nearby Bodega before enjoying some free time to explore the town.Mateus Palace: Transfer by coach to Mateus Palace, considered one of the best examples of Baroque civil architecture in Portugal.Port Wine Blending Class: Visit Quinta de Pacheca and take a hands-on workshop on the Port blending process.

Day 12
Take things slowly today as you enjoy a relaxed cruise through the spectacular Vinhateiro wine growing region. Terraced vineyards line the sides of the Douro Valley, dotted with traditional red-roofed farmhouses and tiny villages. Vinhateiro was the first demarcated wine region in the world, established in 1756, and the whole area is World Heritage listed. Arrive in Vega de Terrón this evening.

Day 13
Wake this morning in the city of Vega de Terrón, located on the border of Portugal and Spain and at the confluence of the Douro and Águeda rivers. This small town remains beautifully unspoiled, with quiet streets, lush landscapes and welcoming locals. It’s a popular gateway to the university town of Salamanca, which you will have the opportunity to explore today.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:Salamanca Full Day Excursion: Salamanca is home to two cathedrals, one dating back to the 12th century and the other to the 16th century, which you will see on today’s guided tour. You will also visit a market to taste local delicacies and you’ll have free time to explore and enjoy lunch at your leisure.Visit the village of Freixo de Espada à Cinta: A town with a curious name that translates to ‘ash tree girded with sword’. Legend has it the Dinis King of Portugal founded the town in the 14th century, then tied his sword to an ash tree before having a rest, hence the unusual name. The town is also the only place in Portugal where handcrafted silk is still processed entirely by hand, and on this guided tour you will visit the local silk museum to gain a better understanding of this local tradition before visiting a local Quinta (estate) for some tasting of regional produce. After this excursion you will return to the ship for lunch.

Day 14
Wake in the village of Pocinho, established as the terminus of the Douro Railway in 1887, a great location to explore more of the Douro Valley.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:Côa Valley Museum: Transfer by coach to the Côa Valley Museum, the largest open-air Paleolithic rock art site in the world. Opened in 2010, this museum is one of the largest in Portugal and is a contemporary building designed to blend into the landscape. The museum is a great introduction to the region’s paleolithic rock art sites through artefacts and digital technology; on your visit you’ll enjoy a pre-historic workshop.Village life in the Côa Valley: Visit the small village of Freixo Numão, a traditional village that has been lived in for centuries. Learn about local life before visiting Casa Painova estate, see the family home and enjoy a demonstration on how sugared almonds are produced. Learn how these nuts are harvested and used in desserts and pastries. Enjoy a tasting of almonds and local products.

This afternoon, relax as you cruise towards Pinhão.

Day 15
Wake this morning in Pinhão, set on one of the prettiest parts of the Douro River. This small village is surrounded by terraced vineyards and produces exceptional Port wine.

This morning, transfer to the charming village of Provesende, located on a plateau with spectacular views of the region’s fertile rolling landscape. Wander through the village and visit the church, discover the old bakery, witness traditional handicraft being made, and look inside the historic manor house, Morgadio da Calçada, where you’ll enjoy a tasting of delicious bola.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose one of this afternoon’s Scenic Freechoice activities:Kayaking along the Pinhão River: Explore this beautiful region as you glide past impressive landscapes via kayak on the Pinhão River, a tributary of the Douro.Quinta vineyard hike: Take a guided hike through the breathtaking vineyards of Quinta da Roêda in the Douro Valley.Quinta tasting: Visit Quinta da Roêda estate for a tasting of the region’s most famous export. On a guided walking tour, you’ll learn the secrets of the vineyard.

Day 16
Enjoy time at leisure as you continue to sail along the spectacular Douro River. Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive back in Porto this afternoon, where you’ll experience an exclusive classical concert tonight.

Scenic Classical concert in São Francisco Church: From the ship, take a short walk (with some stairs) to São Francisco Church, which is one of the most iconic sites in Porto. Built in the 13th century, the Gothic church has an alter decorated with intricately carved wood swathed in gold. In these magnificent surrounds, enjoy a performance of classical music.

Day 17
Wake in Porto, ready for a day of unique experiences, whether that be a ride on a traditional boat, playing a round of golf or sampling wine in one of the most famous cellars in the city.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with one of today’s Scenic Freechoice activities: Excursion to Aveiro with a cruise: Enjoy a guided walking tour of Aveiro, a city famed for its canals, and cruise the waterways in a brightly coloured moliceiros flat-bottomed boat, that are unique to the city. Round of golf: Play 6 holes at the Quinta do Fojo Golf club, one of Porto's most popular courses. Wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia: Travel to Vila Nova de Gaia to visit one of Porto’s most famous cellars, Cockburn’s Port. Enjoy a guided visit and a tasting.

This afternoon you will have free time in Porto to explore the city at your own leisure. Return to your Scenic Space-Ship this evening for a farewell dinner.

Before dinner on board take an illumination cruise through Porto, passing the beautiful city including the six bridges that span the Douro.

Day 18
Your cruise concludes this morning in Porto. Disembark and take with you lifelong memories of a remarkable journey across Portugal.

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.

Please note: The Gironde, Dordogne and Garonne waterways are part of a tidal river system which results in changing water levels in the region. Every effort is made to keep to the brochure itinerary however based on tides it will be amended or modified. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Enjoy the ultimate France river cruise experience on board a luxury Scenic Space-Ship. Scenic recently upgraded Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond to meet the same unrivaled standards set by our newest ships on the European waterways.

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.

Scenic Sapphire and Scenic Diamond feature the finest of interiors and amenities including a vitality pool, fitness centre and spa complete with an innovative Salt Therapy Lounge. Our Royal Owner's Suite boasts a luxurious 47 square metres and will surpass all expectations.

Another highlight of these ships is Scenic Culinaire, a bespoke cooking area where guests are able to participate in a series of cooking demonstrations.

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.