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Gems of Southeast Europe
  • MaryGrace Schumacher
  • MaryGrace Schumacher

Gems of Southeast Europe

AmaWaterways River cruise, New countries, New adventures, New wines!
All our bags are packed, boarding passes, Jerry and Mama-coon are ready Read more
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  • Trip start
    November 11, 2022
  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher
    1

    Bucharest via London

    November 13, 2022 in Romania ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    We are now in Romania, check off another EU country! It's rough on some of us with overnight flights... Peggy slept a little, watched a few movies and enjoyed another beer. I could not get comfortable. I even tried the floor as we had the bulkhead; back up against the wall, legs stretched out as far as possible... still couldn't get comfortable. Oh, well, we made it, but the London airport is hugh and we had a heck of a hike. Picked up our luggage after clearing passport control then took a stroll to the opposite side of the airport to our hotel for the night.
    Shower, glass of wine and a nice steak salad for dinner, now I'm ready for hopefully a good night sleep!    Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher

    Onboard

    November 14, 2022 in Romania ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Walk back to the airport, due to slight low water level we had a change in docks, thank goodness I booked transfers with AmaWaterways. Little longer ride from airport to cruise port but we are here. Checked in expecting our 'Swan view' room, but can't say no to an upgrade to a twin balcony! Romania on port side, Bulgaria on the other. After unpacking, we headed to the lounge for a bite to eat and a glass of wine. Peggy then went for a walk while I relaxed in the room. Then we went to the lounge for our safety meeting and welcome reception with champagne, appetizers and a beautiful rose! Met the majority of the staff and learned a little about our itinerary.
    On to a wonderful dinner with Bulgarian red wine! Now relaxing on the balcony with a glass of wine before retiring for the evening! Cheers! 🍷    Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher
    1

    Bulgaria

    November 15, 2022 in Bulgaria ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Amazing country, so much history & beautiful historical sites. We toured the Church of the Nativity with orthodox chants in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria . Next we had lunch at a local restaurant and great wine. Onto the Fortess hike (Peggy) I took the gentle walkers tour with amazing views of the town. Long bus ride to the ship because the ship moved while we were on our tour!
    Back on board we changed and head to the lounge for our daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour. On to dinner at the Chef's Table. Another amazing meal with exceptional food and wine!
    Now sitting on our balcony as we sail down the Danube to our next port of call.
    CHEERS 🥂! Here are some pictures, other have not yet uploaded because of internet access. More later!    Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher

    Full day in Bulgaria

    November 16, 2022 in Romania ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    What an amazing day. So much history, AM tour for pastry & yogurt making, the after lunch off to a local winery for a tour, tasting and purchasing! Back to the ship in time for a soak in the wonderful warm pool before our Sip and Sail with local entertainment. Dinner was more casual than the Chef's Table but just as amazing, Osso Bucco with risotto and veggies. Great wine to accompany the meal and a full glass to take back to our balcony.... cruising during the night into Serbia. The journey continues!Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher

    Serbia

    November 17, 2022 in Serbia ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Sailing on the Danube with Romania to the right and Serbia on the left. 2 locks, through the Iron Gates and onto Golubac Fortress in Serbia. Amazing sites while cruising, time to write postcards, soak in their pool aka hot tub, lovely Serbian meals and great time with fellow agents who love to travel and share with clients their experiences.Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher

    Belgrade Serbia

    November 18, 2022 in Serbia ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Never thought I would come to this part of Europe but so glad I did. I have experienced and seen things I never would have with out cruising with AmaWaterways . It is also great to have excursion options included; 3 this morning and 3 other ones after lunch onboard. And let me tell you the food is AMAzing! Did the active walking tour to visit an amazing Cathedral of St. Sava, the fortress and center of the city of Belgrade. After lunch off to a Plum Brandy tasting.... who would have thought, 1st sip was not super pleasant, but 2nd, 3rd, 4th... wonderful! And they provided some traditional tasty snacks. Longer ride back to the ship because of Friday evening traffic can be congested. Back for Sip and Sail hour, then another amazing dinner. Now sitting on our balcony with some great wine 🍷 Cheers 🥂.Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher
    1
    1

    What do you do on a cool, rainy day?

    November 19, 2022 in Croatia ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    While in Croatia?! Go wine tasting, of course. After a morning excursion in Serbia, we had lunch onboard and sailed down a little further arriving in Croatia for afternoon excursions. Ours was 2 stops to try Croatian wines; a sparkling Rose at our 1st stop and 3 very good wines at the 2nd. Rained most of the afternoon, glad we didn't take the city walking tour. I was the last onboard and now we are cruising to Hungary for our final full day.Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher

    Sunday's adventure

    November 20, 2022 in Hungary ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    There are some places along the Danube River where there is very slow or little cell service, so missed posting yesterday.
    Our last cruise excursion was to..... you guessed it, a beautiful winery!! Small group of us enjoyed learning more about the history of Hungary, personal family history of the generations of this winery. Walked through the secret door to the intersanctum of the wine cellar. 🍷
    After our ride back, last onboard, we headed up river towards Budapest. Captain's Farewell reception and dinner was another amazing meal! Sad part is saying goodbye to new friends.    Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher
    1

    Budapest day 1

    November 21, 2022 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C

    Monday, vacation maybe coming to an end, but almost 2 full days here in Budapest. One of my favorite places, glad to be sharing with my sister and new friends.
    Little delayed getting here but we were able to check right into our room and head out to the central market then the Christmas markets. Ran into Milan, our cruise director who is taking care of the Ama guests who are doing the post cruise extension to Vienna...another amazing city.
    Peggy and I walked, rode the metro and took lots of pictures. Ready for a glass of wine and warm bed.    Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher

    Budapest day 2.

    November 21, 2022 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    Full day here and we did as much as these weary bodies can handle. Booked 2 nights at the Art'otel which is right on the Buda side of the river. It has a spectacular view of the Parliament building which is amazing at night. We also got breakfast included. Some cities I don't usually get it, but glad I did here... it was great and no local bakery or morning shop near by.
    1st stop was to the Gellert thermal baths. They were amazing, indoors and out. 36° C. It felt soooo good! Dropped off our wet towels at the hotel and went back to Central Market for lunch and souvenirs! Thought we had mastered their metro, but got on the wrong tram to get to the Christmas markets, but we finally got there. Lots of pretty shops to look at.
    Back to the room to put our feet up with a glass of wine before deciding on dinner. Ended up with Chinese and it was good hot and spicy!
    Early to bed, because we have a 330am wake up call. Goodnight for now, more as the return trip unfolds.    Read more

  • MaryGrace SchumacherGems of Southeast EuropeMaryGrace Schumacher

    Heading home.

    November 23, 2022 in Hungary ⋅ 🌧 4 °C

    Our wake up call at o'dark early, repack last minute things, check out of room and received a nice take away breakfast bag. Peggy headed for one last look at the Budapest Parliament building, not as impressive as when it is all lit up at night. Transfer driver was right on time and got us to the airport safely. We are now boarded, heading to LHR then to CLT. long day ahead.Read more

    Trip end
    November 23, 2022
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