5 Things I Loved From My European River Cruise
Greetings, Wanderer!
I’ve been busy helping so many of you plan incredible adventures for 2025: a family trip to the Caribbean, a romantic honeymoon in Aruba, 30th birthdays in Paris and Barcelona, family vacations to Disney, London, and Moab—we’re truly all over the map! As I help make your travel dreams come true, I can’t help but reflect on some of my own recent adventures. Dan and I spent nearly two weeks exploring Hungary and Austria after Christmas! We started with a few nights in Budapest, enjoyed a 5-night river cruise with AmaWaterways, and wrapped up our trip with extra time in Vienna and Salzburg.
There were countless magical moments, but today I wanted to highlight the river cruise portion.
Here are my five favorite things about the experience (in no particular order):
Immersive Destinations – Onboard and Ashore
River cruising is all about diving deep into each destination, thanks to longer port times. But one of my favorite destinations was, surprisingly, the ship itself! Sitting in the lounge with a good book and a cup of tea as we sailed? Pure bliss.
Exceptional Excursions
AmaWaterways excels with their included excursions. Unlike some lines that offer one or two options, they had several to choose from each day, catering to gentle, typical, and active paces. With river cruising’s flexible schedules (dictated by water levels, locks, and docks), guided tours—whether city explorations, bike rides, or musical concerts—are the way to go. Each one is led by knowledgeable local guides, making the experience even more enriching.
Unique Onboard Entertainment
River cruises have smaller ships (around 160-180 people), allowing for creative onboard entertainment. We enjoyed a talk from our cruise manager, Miriam, about her childhood in Czechoslovakia while sailing through modern-day Slovakia. There were also opera singers and dancers from Bratislava and live musicians during New Year’s Eve in Vienna. Some past clients have experienced local storytellers and even cookie-making demonstrations onboard!
Delicious Dining
With all meals and beer and wine included, the dining experience was top-notch. One standout was the Chef’s Table dinner, available on all AmaWaterways ships. On our first night onboard, we reserved a spot (the only meal requiring reservations) and indulged in a beautifully presented seven-course meal with two fellow travelers.
Unpack Once
Need I say more? Traveling to multiple destinations while only unpacking once is a game-changer.
And I haven’t even gotten to the Christmas Markets yet—stay tuned for part two!
Ready to Make Some Memories?
Whether Budapest’s enchanting winter wonderland calls to you or you’d prefer to ring in the New Year somewhere warm, I can help craft your perfect getaway.
Simply start by filling out THIS form.
Cheers,
Hannah
