River Cruise on the Danube
(16 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Patrick McGill
Jamestown, NC
Europe and United Kingdom Travel Specialist
Welcome! I'm Patrick McGill, your dedicated travel expert specializing in custom-crafted journeys across Europe and the United Kingdom. My unwavering passion for exploration and deep appreciation for the rich and diverse cultures of these magnific...
Welcome! I'm Patrick McGill, your dedicated travel expert specializing in custom-crafted journeys across Europe and the United Kingdom. My unwavering passion for exploration and deep appreciation for the rich and diverse cultures of these magnificent destinations ensure that your travel dreams become reality.
My Mission:
My mission is to craft bespoke journeys that allow discerning adventurers to truly connect with the heart and soul of Europe. I believe travel is a transformative experience, and my role is to unlock the hidden wonders that ignite the passion and curiosity of each individual traveler.
My Vision:
I strive to be best known for curating life-enriching explorations across the UK and the Continent. By seamlessly blending guided experiences with independent discovery, I aspire to deliver unforgettable memories that foster lasting bonds between you and your immersive experiences in the historic, scenic, artistic and cultural aspects of Europe.
My Values:
- Personalization: I see each traveler as a unique individual, and meticulously tailor every element of the journey to align with their distinct interests, desires, and aspirations. No two trips are identical.
- Discovery: Travel is an opportunity to venture beyond the obvious, to learn new things and broaden our perspective.
- Connection: My role is to facilitate profound encounters - whether with places, people, or one's inner self - that cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world.
- Integrity: Honesty, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to excellence guide every interaction, ensuring my clients can entrust me with crafting their most cherished travel memories.
- Passion: I approach my work with an unwavering enthusiasm, driven by a genuine love for travel and a desire to share its transformative power with each and every guest.
My Services:
- Tailored Itineraries: Each journey is expertly designed to suit your unique interests and desires. I invest time in understanding what inspires you, ensuring your travel itinerary is a true reflection of your aspirations—from tranquil countryside escapes to vibrant city adventures.
- Cultural Immersion Experiences: I provide access to hidden gems, rare historical sites, and unique cultural activities. There's nothing quite like a cooking class in Tuscany or a private tour of a Scottish castle to enhance your appreciation of a destination's history and traditions.
- Personal Connections and Insights: I focus on Europe and the United Kingdom because of my extensive time living, working and traveling through this part of the world, and I am happy to share my experiences with you.
- Seamless Travel Planning: From the moment you dream of departure to the day you return home, I manage every facet of your travel experience. This includes bookings, transportation, and accommodation, ensuring your journey is as smooth and carefree as possible. Your peace of mind is my top priority.
- Supportive Travel Partner: My commitment doesn't end the moment you book your trip. I see to it that you have ongoing support while you are traveling.
A Unique Perspective on European Travel:
Traveling to Europe is not merely about "getting away"— it's about "getting in touch" with the world and the people around us. Connecting with different cultures helps us better understand ourselves and enriches our lives. This is the true essence of European travel: making meaningful connections that leave a lasting impact.
The Where and Why will determine the "How":
I believe that what you want to experience will have a large impact on how you travel. So whether your travel plans include a river cruise, ocean cruise, escorted tour, or a custom independent travel, I will create the itinerary that best meets your needs and desires.
Let’s Make Your Travel Dreams a Reality:
My goal is to help you make meaningful connections and ensure your European adventure is everything you've imagined and more. Let’s create priceless memories and enrich your life through extraordinary travel experiences.
Can Be Reached At
1-336-681-2970
On the Danube in the Wachau Valley
In March 2023, I had the opportunity to take a river cruise on the Danube River on AmaWaterways AmaMagna. This trip was a lot of "firsts" for me. It was my first time on a river cruise. It was my first time in Hungary. And it was my first visit to Vienna.
The trip was excellent, with one exception: A strike at the Munich Airport forced me to cut the trip short by two days. As a result, I did not have the opportunity to see Linz, Austria or Passau and Vilshofen, Germany. But, these things happen, and I think further reinforces the need to work with a Travel Agent.
Our voyage started in Budapest, Hungary. There is so much to see and do there, it was fortunate that I had a couple of extra days to explore the city. The city spans the Danube River, with one side being "Buda", and the other side being "Pest". The Buda side is hilly, and the Pest side is flat. But both sides are very walkable.
On one day I explored the Pest side, visiting the thermal baths, walking through the Jewish Quarter, visiting the town market, the Parliament Building and St. Steven's Cathedral. Near Parliament, there is a very poignant display of shoes along the Danube, memorializing the citizens of Budapest who were executed by Nazi partisans in 1943. Their bodies were thrown in the river, but the victims were made to remove their shoes first because leather was a valuable commodity.
On the second day in Budapest, I explored the Buda side, ascending to the Hungarian Palace. There are options available to be transported to the top instead of walking up the hill. The palace is impressive, and gives you excellent panoramic views of the city.
Leaving Budapest, we traveled by night to Bratislava. While leaving Budapest, I was able to get an excellent sunset photo on the river.
The next day in Bratislava we were able to take advantage of several different tours of the city, one of which was a walk up to the Castle. The capital of Slovakia, Bratislava has a lot of history to explore. They also have several quirky statues which give the city a kind of whimsical side to it.
Leaving Bratislava, we moved on to Austria and the Wachau Valley. We stopped first at a little town called Krems. From there we had the options of a bike tour or to visit the town of Dürnstein. There you can visit the castle ruins, made famous for the place where Richard the Lionhearted was held captive and ransomed back to the English. During the day, the cruise ship moved on, so that we could experience the valley in daylight, before stopping in Melk to visit the Abbey. That night, we enjoyed a wine festival in a local winery.
The next day was the day I was waiting for the most: Vienna. Even after having lived and worked in Europe, I was never able to make it to Vienna. It was every bit the experience I expected. In the morning, we got a tour of the city, including the gardens and the Hapsburg Palace. In the afternoon we visited Schönbrunn Palace. And in the evening we were treated to a Vienna concert of Strauss and Mozart music.
The next day we arrived in Linz, and unfortunately this is where I had to leave the cruise. It was disappointing because this was the day we were going to take a day trip to Salzburg. Until next time...
My stateroom was one of the smaller rooms on the ship, but it still had a balcony, and was well appointed. The AmaMagna is also unique in that it has four restaurants, a large exercise room, and a laundry that the guests can use. AmaWaterways is focused on wellness, and with such a large upper deck, there are both a pool and a whirlpool, room for yoga and exercise classes and even a pickleball court. The AmaMagna is twice the size of most other river cruise ships, but has only 20% more passengers. The ship's crew was professional, personable, courteous and always helpful.
For an excellent experience, I wholly recommend this itinerary.