Gems of Southeast Europe

November 2022

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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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 11, 2022, 7:39pm
- 🌧 18 °C
- Altitude: 299 m
- United States North Carolina Yadkin Township Chestnut Grove Goff Creek 36.29583, -80.36883436°17’45” N 80°22’8” W
Day 1
The night before
November 11, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
Peggy and I are ready to go, over a year in the planning, we are going to 4 countries we have never been too.
Traveler Have a great trip. Looking forward to your journal!!
11/11/22Reply
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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 12, 2022, 12:33pm
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 183 m
- United States North Carolina Mecklenburg County Myers Park Liberty Tree 35.19, -80.84535°11’24” N 80°50’42” W
Day 2
CLT ready for take off
November 12, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We are on-board, buckled in, ready for our 1st leg of the journey. But a couple stops before... bike riding at Freedom Park then lunch of poutine, Bavarian pretzel and local brews at Old Meck.
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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 13, 2022, 8:17pm
- 🌙 7 °C
- Altitude: 98 m
- Romania Ilfov Oraş Otopeni Sărindăreanca 44.574286, 26.0758144°34’27” N 26°4’33” E
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Day 3
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
Traveler that looks yummy!
5/30/23Reply
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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 14, 2022, 4:14pm
- ☁️ 11 °C
- Altitude: 15 m
- Romania Teleorman Municipiul Turnu Magurele Turnu Măgurele 43.711667, 24.88833343°42’42” N 24°53’18” E
Day 4
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
Traveler Can’t wait to see your journey!
11/14/22Reply
MaryGrace Schumacher it has been amazing!
11/15/22Reply
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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 15, 2022, 12:21pm
- ☁️ 11 °C
- Altitude: 363 m
- Bulgaria Oblast Veliko Tarnovo Obshtina Veliko Tŭrnovo Arbanasi 43.098333, 25.66543°5’54” N 25°39’54” E
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Day 5
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
Traveler cool looking fortifications
5/30/23Reply
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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 16, 2022, 9:18pm
- 🌧 10 °C
- Altitude: 45 m
- Romania Judeţul Mehedinţi Salcia 44.136292, 22.93099544°8’11” N 22°55’52” E
Day 6
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
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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 17, 2022, 4:00pm
- ☁️ 10 °C
- Altitude: 81 m
- Serbia Central Serbia Golubac 44.661667, 21.67833344°39’42” N 21°40’42” E
Day 7
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
Traveler Beautiful pictures!
11/17/22Reply
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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 18, 2022, 6:38am
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 73 m
- Serbia Central Serbia Stari Grad Kalemegdan 44.83, 20.46166744°49’48” N 20°27’42” E
Day 8
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
Traveler We have some Slovak plum brandy (Slivovich) at our house. We’ll invite you over for a taste! Cheers!
11/18/22Reply
Traveler that food is looking good!!
5/30/23Reply
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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 19, 2022, 8:11pm
- 🌧 7 °C
- Altitude: 92 m
- Croatia Vukovar-Sirmium Borovo Naselje Vukovar 45.399908, 18.97312945°23’60” N 18°58’23” E
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Day 9
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
Traveler this looks like some of the days we had when on the Danube!
11/19/22Reply
Traveler at least when you get swept overboard from that wind, you'll feel no pain! :)
11/19/22Reply
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MaryGrace Schumacher Gems of Southeast Europe
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- Nov 20, 2022, 3:56pm
- ☁️ 5 °C
- Altitude: 112 m
- Hungary Bács-Kiskun Érréve Baja North 46.258333, 18.91333346°15’30” N 18°54’48” E
Day 10
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
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