Scenic has released its 2021 European luxury river cruise collection.

New for 2021 are visits to WWI sites in Ypres and Passchendaele and two culinary itineraries highlighting French gastronomic delights with the Tastes of Southern France on the Rhône and the Flavours of Bordeaux itinerary cruising the Garonne.

The new culinary cruises include an onboard dinner prepared by Michelin star chef Didier Goiffon and a cooking class at three-star Michelin chef Georges Blanc’s restaurant.

The brand has unveiled a four-night sailing from Vienna to Budapest along the Danube river.

The itinerary concludes with an exclusive classical concert at Budapest’s Godollo Palace

Prices for the four-night Tastes of Imperial Europe itinerary start from £1,570 per person based on 25 April 2021 departure.

Guests booking before 31 July 2020 will save £1,200 per couple, have complimentary private door-to-door chauffeur transfers, and access to Scenic’s new deposit protection plan, which enables them to change their travel dates or itinerary up to 90 days before departure.

An additional early payment discount of £125 per person is also available on 2021 bookings paid in full by 31 October 2020.

Scenic Group UK managing director, Colin Downing, commented:

“We’re seeing our loyalty members and new customers look to the future with high engagement levels on our digital marketing and upward trends in bookings. Our Book with Confidence program offers flexibility and peace of mind combined with certainty, reassuring those ready to plan their Europe river cruise next year.

“While the world may have changed, we are confident consumers will increasingly look to smaller ship experiences like those on Scenic’s Space-Ships.

“There is also a clear trend towards true personalisation and once-in-a-lifetime moments, which is why we continue to enhance our ScenicFreechoice and exclusive Enrich experiences.

“Our entire fleet of Scenic Space-Ships are perfectly suited for exploring the historic waterways of Europe.

“The innovative Scenic Sun Lounges in our spacious suites, up to five dining venues and a holistic range of well-being options, including the first on board Salt Therapy Lounge, provide a luxurious new perspective as European landscapes float by.

“Our global management team is also working closely with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and government health agencies around the world to continue to provide each and every guest with the uttermost confidence while on board with us.

“The cruising industry is used to adapting to change and here at Scenic we are agile enough to continue to ensure any new guidelines introduced are met, and our guest experience stays at the heart of everything we do, as we all navigate this unprecedented time.”

The Scenic Group has cancelled its summer schedule, suspending operations for land tours, river and ocean cruises up to 31 August 2020.

For more information, visit scenic.co.uk.