Gems of Southeast Europe

Newest first

Footprints
Photos

Trip start
November 11, 2022
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 1
Friday, November 11, 2022 at 7:39 PM
🌧 18 °C
Altitude: 299 m
United States Goff Creek 36.29583, -80.36883436°17’45” N 80°22’8” W
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.
TravelerHave a great trip. Looking forward to your journal!!
11/11/22Reply
2 likes
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 2
Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 12:33 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 183 m
United States Liberty Tree 35.19, -80.84535°11’24” N 80°50’42” W
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.
0 likes
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 3
Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 8:17 PM
🌙 7 °C
Altitude: 98 m
Romania Sărindăreanca 44.574286, 26.0758144°34’27” N 26°4’33” E
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
Traveler that looks yummy!
5/30/23Reply
1 like
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 4
Monday, November 14, 2022 at 4:14 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Romania Turnu Măgurele 43.711667, 24.88833343°42’42” N 24°53’18” E
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
TravelerCan’t wait to see your journey!
11/14/22Reply
MaryGrace Schumacherit has been amazing!
11/15/22Reply
2 likes
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 5
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 12:21 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 363 m
Bulgaria Arbanasi 43.098333, 25.66543°5’54” N 25°39’54” E
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
Traveler cool looking fortifications
5/30/23Reply
1 like
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 6
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 9:18 PM
🌧 10 °C
Altitude: 45 m
Romania Salcia 44.136292, 22.93099544°8’11” N 22°55’52” E
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
2 likes
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 7
Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 10 °C
Altitude: 81 m
Serbia Golubac 44.661667, 21.67833344°39’42” N 21°40’42” E
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
TravelerBeautiful pictures!
11/17/22Reply
2 likes
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 8
Friday, November 18, 2022 at 6:38 AM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 73 m
Serbia Kalemegdan 44.83, 20.46166744°49’48” N 20°27’42” E
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
TravelerWe have some Slovak plum brandy (Slivovich) at our house. We’ll invite you over for a taste! Cheers!
11/18/22Reply
Travelerthat food is looking good!!
5/30/23Reply
1 like
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 9
Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 8:11 PM
🌧 7 °C
Altitude: 92 m
Croatia Vukovar 45.399908, 18.97312945°23’60” N 18°58’23” E
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
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
1 like
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 10
Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 3:56 PM
☁️ 5 °C
Altitude: 112 m
Hungary Baja North 46.258333, 18.91333346°15’30” N 18°54’48” E
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
1 like
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 11
Monday, November 21, 2022 at 8:02 AM
⛅ 0 °C
Altitude: 89 m
Hungary Benta 47.321667, 18.93666747°19’18” N 18°56’12” E
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
TravelerCome home!
11/21/22Reply
Traveler I remember the market!
5/30/23Reply
1 like
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 11
Monday, November 21, 2022 at 8:11 PM
⛅ 3 °C
Altitude: 103 m
Hungary Budapest 47.503333, 19.0447°30’12” N 19°2’24” E
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
Travelerlooks like amazing spa!
5/30/23Reply
1 like
Gems of Southeast Europe MaryGrace Schumacher
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 13
Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at 7:48 AM
🌧 4 °C
Altitude: 129 m
Hungary Pesti-síkság 47.422897, 19.26474947°25’22” N 19°15’53” E
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
1 like
Trip end
November 23, 2022