• Amanda Notarfonzo
July 2024

AMA Waterways

Melodies of the Danube
I'll be traveling from Budapest, Hungary to Vilshofen, Germany
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  • Trip start
    July 21, 2024

    Travel Documents

    June 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    I just received travel documents for my upcoming Danube River cruise, how exciting. My excursions are booked and now it's time to start thinking about ordering my foreign currency.

    Don't forget to take a look at your passport to verify its validity, you can't assume. Thats not the type of surprise you want before you leave for your trip.Read more

  • 20 Days To Go

    July 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    I downloaded the AMA Waterways app and am starting to think about what to pack. The temps are ranging from the high 70's to low 80's in Passau to the mid 80's to low 90's in Budapest. When do you start packing for a trip??

    http://myamacruiseapp.amawaterways.com/trip/vie…
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  • 6 Days To Go

    July 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Be sure you download any apps you may need before your trip starts. I have downloaded the Delta app, Allianz Travel Insurance and, AMA Waterways. The AMA apps tells you more about the destinations you'll be visiting even restaurant recommendations!Read more

  • Detroit ✔️

    July 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    I arrived at the Greensboro Airport early expecting some minor chaos due to the Microsoft outage on Friday that affected more than 15K flights. Unlike some of my fellow travel companions who were departing from various cities within the US, so far my flights are running as scheduled. You know what they say though...."it ain't over until it's over" but 🤞🏼 this momentum will continue.

    I upgraded to a preferred seat with Delta which puts me closer to the front but also gave me onboard WiFi, "upgraded" entertainment and provides snacks and beverages. Shortly before my flight I received an email from Delta advising me that onboard WiFi will not be available on my flight to Amsterdam due to "technical difficulties" which I guess is not a surprise. 🤷‍♀️

    Here are a few friendly reminders when traveling: Always leave room for error. Always check the status of your flight before headed to the airport. And MOST important, always pack your patience and expect that anything can happen. Next stop Amsterdam (with no WiFi) but my only priority is getting there safe.

    For all those traveling "May the odds be forever in your favor"!
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  • First Full Day on the Danube

    July 23, 2024 in Hungary ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Arrived into Budapest approximately 530 PM and boarded the Ama Verde just in time to share a glass of champagne with my fellow cruisers. Dinner did not disappoint! I only wish I took pictures of the amazing braised ribs, the plating was beautiful and they were delicious.

    After a good nights sleep I was ready for my first full day. I choose the more active morning excursion walking 4.5 miles. We ventured up to the Castle Hill district on the Buda side. It contains some of Budapest’s most important medieval monuments and museums and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Below it is a 28km-long network of caves formed by thermal springs.

    We went inside the beautiful Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion and viewed the Parliament building. Something I will never forget is seeing The Shoes of Jews on the banks of the Danube. They are a memorial and a monument to the Hungarian Jews who, in the winter of 1944-1945, were shot on the banks of the Danube River by the members of the Arrow Cross Party.

    After a quick rest back at the ship and a light lunch I headed out for my second excursion of the day, now to visit the Pest side of the city. Here we saw Heroe's Square, the major squares in Budapest, Hungary, noted for its iconic Millennium Monument with statues featuring the Seven chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders, as well as the Memorial Stone of Heroes, often erroneously referred as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

    We say goodbye to Budapest this evening starting our journey down the Danube enjoying magnificent views of the illuminated city.
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  • Bratislava

    July 24, 2024 in Slovakia ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    We weren't scheduled to arrive into Bratislava until this afternoon which gave me the opportunity to take advantage of the wellness programs offered on board. I started my day on the Sun Deck with a 30-minute resistance band training followed by a 30-minute morning stretch. What an incredible way to start the day, all while cruising the coastline and filling me with gratitude.

    The AmaVerde cruised through the lock of Gabcikovo, the largest one this week, which was truly a unique experience.

    The morning was also filled with talks in the lounge to learn about the areas we will be visiting and remember I am "working" so time was carved out to hear more about what sets Ama apart from their competitors.

    This afternoons Included excursion was the Tastes of Slovakia. We learned the history of Bratislava all while savoring some local craft beers paired with typical Slovakian snacks including Slovak cheese and meats.

    Our evening ended with a special meal at the Chefs Table. This meal is held at the back of the ship and becomes part of the entertainment. I had the opportunity to watch the chef prepare a special multi-course meal right in front of us. The menu is unique, making this a truly distinct gastronomic experience. We indulged in delectable dishes served with unlimited fine wines, hand-selected just for this dinner, it was fabulous!
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  • Vienna

    July 25, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Today's adventure was exploring Vienna by bicycle, 11 miles to be exact. 🚲 What a cool way to explore the city although you do have to be very aware of your surroundings due to the local bicyclist, pedestrians, cars, scooters, and tram system.

    We rode along the Danube canal filled with bars, restaurants, community gardens, and some amazing graffiti. This included excursion stopped in Stadtpark, a city park in the middle of this bustling city. Stadtpark is also the home of Kursalon, a music hall, and the statue of Johann Strauss II. Of course, Vienna is the home of classical music Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence.

    Our bike tour allowed us to spend some time at the Imperial Palace. We were able to see the stables of the Lipizzaner horses.

    There is no finer place to attend a classical concert than the classical Music Capital of the World. This unforgettable experience was a mixture of the most popular compositions by Viennas most faved composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart & Johann Strauss II presented by local musicians. No pictures or videos were allowed, a wonderful reminder to just BE in the moment.
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  • Durnstein, Austria

    July 26, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    The charming town of Durnstein is one of the most popular towns in the Wachau Valley. The Wachau Valley is known for its rolling hills, vineyards and fortresses. I was fortunate enough to start my day with a walking tour of Durnstein, my favorite port thus far. Durnstein is the 2nd smallest city in Austria with only 75 inhabitants. With its cobblestone streets and beautiful buildings, it was easy to fall in love with this city.

    Our tour included a wine tasting at Bohmer Winery, a local vineyard located in the heart of the Wachau Valley. We tasted three different wines and learned about their family and the history of this winery. Needless to say, I am taking three bottles home with me!
    http://www.weingut-boehmer.at/

    We couldn't leave Durnstein without trying the Wachau apricots. Reasons for the special quality of the EU-protected Wachau apricot include the unique climate, the soil and in particular the combination of different climates. The high temperature difference between day and night temperatures, especially during the ripening phase, also has a direct influence upon the flavour, smell and body of the fruit. Our tasting included apricot Schnapps, the most delicious apricot marmalade and even apricot gummy hearts.

    A short drive back to the ship to continue our way down the Danube.
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  • Grein, Austria

    July 26, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    We were welcomed back to the ship with a cold towel and traditional Wachau specialties Kaiserspritzer (White wine with soda & a dash of elderflower syrup) and homemade Onion Tart. We then sailed a few hours from Durnstein to Grein which provided breathtaking views. I feel so fortunate to be able to experience AMA Waterways and explore these beautiful areas of Central Europe.

    We arrived into the charming village of Grein with its 3K inhabitants, steeped in history and dominated by the Castle of Grein. Unfortunately we were unable to tour the Castle of Grein due to a private event. A friendly reminder that you have to remain flexible when traveling, things like this are outside of the vendors control and they must pivot.

    A short walking tour was arranged and we leaned about the devastating floods that occurred. In August 2002, a week of intense rainfall produced flooding across a large portion of Europe. The flood was of a magnitude expected to occur roughly once a century.

    The tour brought us to Stadttheatre Grein. There are many old monasteries, castles and ruins, but the town theatre of Grein is absolutely unique and a sight of European significance. It was built into the former granary of the town hall by the citizens of Grein in 1791. It is regarded as the oldest town theatre of Austria that is still in its original condition and it can be visited every day of the week. There are still regular performances in the theatre.

    Our tour ended at St Giles Church. Built as a late Gothic building and the alter built is a baroque structure. Magnificent pulpit with the four church fathers, donated by the lady of the castle Anna von Dietrichstein in 1679.
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  • Linz with Salzburg Excursion

    July 27, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    We traveled approximately 1.45 hours from Linz to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. The views on this journey were just breathtaking. We began our walking tour through Mirabel Gardens. Elegant landscaping, pathways & floral displays on lush grounds fronting the Mirabell Palace. Alsó where a couple of scenes from the Sound of Music were filmed

    We continued through the historic center famous for its religious history and baroque architecture. This is a highly ornate and elaborate style of architecture, art and design that flourished in Europe in the 17th and first half of the 18th century.

    We crossed the Lock Bridge to Old Market Square passing by Cafe Tomaselli, claimed to be the oldest cafe in Austria and frequented by Mozart himself. Our guide then brought us to Getreidegasse, Salzburg's most famous shopping street, the location of numerous traditional businesses, clothing stores and souvenir shops.

    Our tour concluded in Mozart Square leaving us with time on our own. My cabin mate and I strolled through the market sampling a few delicacies, admiring the beautifully dressed windows and then venturing up the Mönchsberg lift located in the Museum of Modern Art. Here were treated to magical views of Salzburgs Old Town and the Fortress. Apparently 2 hours of free time
    in Salzburg isn't enough because I didn't get to half of the places that were on my mental list that I made while walking with our guide.

    We made our way back to Linz by way of the scenic lakeside town of Mondsee famous as the site of the wedding church from the Sound of Music. Honestly, I would've rather skipped this to have more time in Salzburg but the town was quite lovely.

    When traveling, the only way to get exactly what you want is to hire a private guide or do it yourself. Group tours make it so easy, you don't to think about a thing. I would have also liked to have included a food tour but now I know for when I go back. I'm planning on watching the Sound of Music as soon as I get home!
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  • Passau to Vilshofen, Germany

    July 28, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Woke up in Passau, Germany with our first bit of rain this whole trip. I needed a good excuse to take it slow and the rain worked in my favor. I had originally signed up for a castle hike but opted for a late morning stroll into town. Most things were closed due to it being a Sunday but I did manage to find a shop and grab a Christmas ornament, something I always purchase when traveling.

    I returned to the ship to have the sun return with me. I headed to the sun deck to enjoy my last few hours sailing the Danube and taking in the amazing scenery. This really is a beautiful area of our world and so unlike what we see in our every day lives.

    The AMA Verde arrived in Vilshofen and after a short walk into town we prepared for tonight's activity, Oktoberfest! We were greeted by the towns royalty and celebrated the Bavarian way with local music, dance and beer.

    A 6 AM transfer to the airport meant it was an early night. Our group said our goodbyes after 1 last dinner. I met some amazing people and had some amazing experiences.
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    Trip end
    July 29, 2024