River Cruise on the Danube
Patrick McGill
High Point, NC
Europe and United Kingdom Travel Specialist
I am your travel expert travel agent specializing in memorable journeys through Europe and the United Kingdom. I have an unwavering passion for exploration and a deep appreciation for these magnificent destinations' diverse cultures and rich histo...
I am your travel expert travel agent specializing in memorable journeys through Europe and the United Kingdom. I have an unwavering passion for exploration and a deep appreciation for these magnificent destinations' diverse cultures and rich histories.
My perspective on European Travel is this: When you travel to Europe, it's more than just "getting away", it's about "getting in touch" - with the world we live in and the people in it. And by connecting with our world, we connect with ourselves.
I am here to help you make that connection.
My love for travel began when I first went to Germany on a 3-year military assignment. It continued in my business career, working for international companies. Over a lifetime, I have lived, worked and traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.
Whether you dream of strolling through the picturesque streets of Paris, marveling at the ancient wonders of Rome, or discovering the mystical landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, I have done all of these and more.
I understand that every traveler has their own vision of the perfect European getaway. My concept to travel is that when we travel, we make connections with the places we visit. And when we experience the places we visit, we enrich ourselves.
Whether you seek a trip focused on art, history, cuisine, ancestry, or just a stroll through historic towns and beautiful landscapes, I will work closely with you to understand your desires, preferences, and budget. With my in-depth knowledge of the region's vibrant culture, art, architecture, and cuisine, I will craft an itinerary allowing you to create lifelong memories and cherished moments.
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.