AmaMagna

March 2019

We were treated to a real surprise when we arrived early morning in Linz, Austria! AMA Waterways brought their brand new not even finished ship, the AmaMagna, into port next to us! We tied up to it were given a tour of this beautiful new ship! we just weren’t allowed to take pictures onboard, just the pics from our ship of the outside with the name.

It’s still under construction but we were able to get a feeling for the size and differences in this ship from the one we were on. We were like little kids, excited about each new area we saw. You could really see how beautiful and comfortable this ship will be. It’s twice as wide as their other ships, but will only hold 20% more passengers-so you will have even more space. This is definitely a game changer in river cruising and I am excited to see the AmaMagna when finished!

We saw this when we went to the reception area of our ship and were so excited!

Below is information from AMA Waterways website about the new ship:

COMING MAY 2019

An evolution of AmaWaterways’ award-winning European river fleet, AmaMagna is twice the width of traditional river ships with ocean-worthy amenities and the intimacy and beauty only the Danube River provides. With more personal space and more opportunities for dining and leisure, AmaWaterways’ latest innovation is the floating oasis of your dreams – redefining river cruising as we know it!

AmaMagna’s expansive breadth is a welcome bonus for discerning travelers and frequent ocean cruisers who appreciate the added luxury afforded by generous personal space. In fact, most of her accommodations are ultra-spacious suites measuring 355-710 sq. ft. and featuring full balconies, so you can stretch your legs while taking in the ever-changing scenery. AmaMagna also has sizable bathrooms, many boasting double sinks and a deluxe walk-in shower, allowing you to rejuvenate without limitations.

As a member of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the exclusive international culinary society, AmaWaterways will treat you to our trademark exquisite, locally inspired cuisine on board AmaMagna—but now there’s even more to whet your appetite. In addition to AmaMagna’s Main Restaurant and The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant—where the kitchen, usually hidden, becomes part of the entertainment—you’ll savor fresh, masterfully prepared cuisine within the new Al Fresco Restaurant, featuring retractable windows, as well as Jimmy’s, a family-style bar and restaurant named for AmaWaterways’ beloved late co-owner, Jimmy Murphy. All of this is available to you at no additional cost. So, go ahead—indulge!

From swimming in the sun-deck pool to relaxing in the whirlpool to exercising in the Zen Wellness Studio, AmaMagna offers a variety of activities to accommodate everyone’s tastes. Plus, you can participate in a new river-bound activity exclusive to AmaMagna. Board a Sundowner boat accommodating just 14 guests for an intimate excursion departing from AmaMagna’s groundbreaking Water Sports Platform. On select sailings you can participate in an exclusive Concierge Golf Program to keep up with—or even improve—your game. You can also visit the hair salon, stop in one of two spas, or get a manicure and pedicure.

Munich 2019

Germany

March 22, 2019

We were so sad to leave the AmaLea this morning. We had our last breakfast and Mimosa before heading to Munich. We were all exhausted from such a fun week.

A bunch of us took the train from Vilshofen to Munich, an easy 2 hour train ride. Should be fun with all of us.

We were happy to be traveling first class so we could relax and spread out….

Well we were wrong! The first class car wasn’t big enough for all of us and with all of our stuff it was crowded. It looked more like a paddy wagon!

But we had a fun time

We made it to the Hauptbahnhof in Munich and it was a beautiful day.

Our hotel was right in the Altstadt which makes it very convenient to get to all the major sights in Munich. I was so happy to have the bed made like I have at home, very comfy!

Instead of Goldbaren-Gummy Bears they had Schlaf Schäfchen-Sleep Sheep! So cute 🐑

There was a beer festival today and lots of fun events going on. These guys came in with the beer wagons pulled by huge horses!

The Viktualienmarkt is a great place for something to eat, markets for meat, vegetables, flowers, crafts and beer. There is a great outdoor Biergarten that is always busy.

The Marienplatz is the center of old town Munich and has the famous Glockenspiel in the tower of the Rathaus behind me.

The hand-painted blown egg ornaments are my favorite. I bought so many in Salzburg many years ago and they are on the tree every year. I wanted to buy more but wouldn’t be able to carry them.

Outdoor Biergarten in the Viktualienmarkt

The meat options in the Viktualienmarkt are amazing, lots of pork and lots of sausages. Reminds me of when we used to come here on Sunday mornings to get everything we need to make the usual hangover weekend brunch-Weisswurst with sweet mustard, a big pretzel and a big Hefeweizen beer!

Viktualienmarkts colorful and beautiful markets

The maypole in the middle of the Viktualienmarkt

The top of the Rathaus looking at the Frauenkirche, the symbol of Munich.

The Frauenkirche

Looking down at the Marienplatz

Inside the Frauenkirche

The Glockenspiel behind me

The Glockenspiel is world famous since 1908, the figurines twirl a few times a day and represent stories from Munich’s history.

We went to Steindl Trachtem to look at traditional dirndls. We had soooooo much fun trying all the different styles, colors and options.

I ended up with a beautiful light blue dirndl!

Ready for a night out in Munich!

Headed to the beer halls

Prost!!! From the Hofbrauhaus 🍺🥨

Traditional Weisswurst dinner

Lots of fun and oompah music

Lots of laughs at our table

Gute nacht München, ’til next time!

See more pics of the ship on my Facebook Album AMA Waterways Danube River Cruise:  http://tinyurl.com/yygz24fp

Passau, Germany

March 21, 2019

Passau, Germany

Such a pretty little town I woke up to this morning. There was a swan there to greet me right in front of my balcony. Passau is on the Austrian border at the confluence of the Danube, Inn and Ilz rivers which is why it is known as the Three Rivers City. There is also a 13th-century fortress overlooking the city.

Morning stroll along the river

The fortress overlooks the town

Passau is susceptible to floods due to the three rivers around it

I love the pastel colors of the buildings.

Such a beautiful church and all the art. In Passau they give directions by which church bell tower you pass since there are so many.

View from the Fortress above the town.

Feels good to be back home

The sundeck is an amazing place to relax and watch the world go by! Too bad we only had a few days to enjoy it. While the weather was nice, it is spring and some days were too chilly. The few days when it hit 60 was perfect to enjoy the deck, it’s so comfortable.

Above are the officers on the AMALea in March 2019.

See more pics of the ship on my Facebook Album AMA Waterways Danube River Cruise:  http://tinyurl.com/yygz24fp

Wachau Valley 2019

Durnstein & Grein, Austria

March 19, 2019

Dürnstein is such a beautiful little town on the Danube. It’s prominently displayed behind many river cruise ships in their promotional pictures and you would probably recognize the beautiful blue St. Peter’s Abbey.

St. Peter’s Abbey

Dürnstein is in the Wachau Valley, one of the most beautiful areas of the Danube. There are vineyards all along the water and they produce some great wines.

We had a fun and informative wine tasting with some of the local vintners. One of the most popular from the area is the Grüner Veltliner. We also tasted their Marillen Schnapps and sweet liquor.

More of the beautiful St. Peter’s Abbey

Just admiring the beautiful views from this perfect spot.

They are also known for their Marillen, similar to our Apricots but they are special and highly prized in Europe. They use them in many ways, not just for drinking but in jams, cakes and my favorite, the Marillenknödel-a sweet dumpling!

It was so nice to see the Schloss Dürnstein, one of the places we stayed when we visited on our Honeymoon. It’s a beautiful hotel with amazing views.

Spring is in bloom in Austria!

Melk Abbey stands prominently above the Wachau Valley and it its beautiful! Wish you could take pictures inside because it’s something to see!

Entering a lock, notice how far down the water is from the top.

Sitting in the lounge, see the walls of the lock right outside the window.

Water level all the way up

While we were cruising and going through the locks, they served onion tarts and Apfelshorle in the lounge. It was a very relaxing trip to Grein, our next stop today.

We arrived in Grein later in the afternoon as the sun was setting.

Greinberg Schloss is our destination tonight.

We took a nice walk through town up to the castle. The sunset was spectacular!

Look at how the cross is glowing orange with the suns rays.

The oranges are sooooo pretty I couldn’t stop taking pictures.

We arrived at the castle where the royal family (not ruling) still lives part time. The Prince is the great grandson of Queen Victoria.

I got to meet a real Prince!

We were able to see some of the public areas.

Back to the ship for dinner!

Tonight’s Menu

Excited for Salzburg tomorrow!

See more pics of the ship on my Facebook Album AMA Waterways Danube River Cruise:  http://tinyurl.com/yygz24fp

Bratislava, Slovakia

March 17, 2019

AMA Waterways River Cruise

We arrived in Bratislava which is the capital of Slovakia, a former part of Czechoslovakia. It was a chilly and sunny day to explore this little gem.

Kristin and Diane patting Cumil for luck!

The Castle up on the hill

Sunday mornings are quiet and peaceful!

The main square and theater

The American Embassy, the only one with a security wall around it!

St. Michael’s Gate is a beautiful landmark

Pretty manhole covers

Beer tasting in Bratislava

And platters of cured meats and cheeses

Definitely a fun experience!

Now for the Slovak National Dish…

Bryndzové halušky – potato dumplings with sheep cheese and roasted bacon

Sailing away from Bratislava and watching the Castle from the sundeck

Such a nice way to visit a city on a river cruise

This is the French Balcony

All the doors open in the cabin with the warm breeze in the cabin or deck

The top deck is so relaxing!

The heart is a memorial made of the barbed wire that used to be part of the Iron Curtain. This area of the Danube between Slovakia and Austria was called the Iron Gate because it was an area that was block and no one could go in or out of this “Iron Curtain” of Communism.

Part of the area where the Nazis were stationed, in that ugly building that they keep there as a remembrance of what happened.

The freedom gate is a memorial to those who were killed trying to escape

Calming and serene view from my balcony

Enjoying the sun setting on the Danube while enjoying the top de k of the AMA river cruise ship

St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Slovakia

Going through the locks was fun!

St. Patrick’s Day fun onboard in the lounge with cruise line owner Kristin Karst and Diane Horan, my AMA support-both amazing women.

Such an amazing experience to have dinner onboard with the owner of AMA Waterways Kristin Karst!

Tonight’s Menu

Confrerie de la Chaine de Rotisseurs dinner was memorable! It is a prestigious honor to be inducted into this culinary society, AMA Waterways is the only river cruise line to be part of this esteemed society.

Happy Birthday Wendy!!! 🍀

See more pics of the ship on my Facebook Album AMA Waterways Danube River Cruise:  http://tinyurl.com/yygz24fp

Budapest, Hungary

March 14-16, 2019

AMA Waterways River Cruise

I arrived in Budapest the evening before the river cruise started. I stayed at the Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge right on the river and it had spectacular views across the river to Buda.

Breakfast in the club lounge with beautiful views.

Views from my room

The Szechneyi Baths were perfect after traveling. It was a chilly and breezy high 40’s but the mineral baths were hot!

Faust Wine Cellar is in one of Budapest’s underground caves. It was cool and very atmospheric!

St. Matthias Church is up on Castle Hill.

The Hungarian Parliament is an iconic building on the Danube. It’s the picture you see whenever you hear about Budapest or river cruises.

Fisherman’s Bastion is right near the church and has great idea over the city and river.

Parliament

Shoes on the Danube is a memorial to those lost here during the Holocaust.

Sooo excited to board our river cruise today! This is our 8 day itinerary.

The beautiful AMALea by AMA Waterways

Pictures and floor plan for our balcony cabin.

She looks just as pretty in person!

Some pictures of the ship.

They are flying our flag!!

The dinner Menu our first night.

Dinner was amazing! AMA is known for its fine dining.

After dinner we went up to the sundeck and the ship sails along the Danube and all the buildings are illuminated, it’s so beautiful!

Some brave swimmers in the warm water but for me it was way too cold! It was bitterly cold and raining, almost felt like sleet but it didn’t stop us. They were coming around with glasses of schnapps to keep us warm.

The beautiful Chain Bridge

The Central Market Hall or Nagyvásárcsarnokis a great place to wander, shop and eat!

Lunch at a local cafe for some traditional Hungarian fare.

Not sure how I will eat dinner tonight! I was only able to eat about 1/3 of this massive plate.

Tonight’s Menu

Tonight we are leaving Budapest and sail towards Slovakia. While I enjoyed the few days in Budapest, I am looking forward to Bratislava.

See more pics of the ship on my Facebook Album AMA Waterways Danube River Cruise:  http://tinyurl.com/yygz24fp