Brook Bramley

There are so many reasons why River Cruises are a wonderful way to travel. My clients love them and after going on the first one, they often want to go on more. If you wonder why, read on! 

Rivers flow through the heart of the most beautiful cities in Europe, so on a river cruise you will see many of these historic destinations and have expert guided educational tours at every stop on your cruise. Often you visit four or more countries in a one-week river cruise journey, so the experience is rich with opportunities to explore many of the most beautiful cities in Europe. 

River cruises have fewer than 190 guests, making them an intimate luxury experience, where guests can mingle and make new friendships that last long after the cruise ends. 

Recently, I was on a river cruise on the AmaMagna which was truly one of the best vacations I have ever had! When we boarded the ship, I was wowed by the beautiful spaces onboard including the main lounge, the restaurants onboard, and our cabin which was unbelievably luxurious! We had a King bed and flat screen TV, a full sitting area which was set up with champagne and fruit when we entered, a desk with a large size Mac, his and hers closets, and double vanities in our bathroom.  

Our first evening on the cruise the crew had planned an Oktoberfest party on shore for us, complete with musicians and dancers in traditional dress, games, German beer, and pretzels. It was a fun and lively way to kick off our river cruise experience. 

Each day of our cruise included at least one tour and often we had the option to take two. We could choose between city walking tours, hiking, or biking tours. One of the best experiences for me was the hiking tour to see the vineyards of the Wachau Valley. Not only were the views stunning but I learned so much from our amazing tour guide about Reisling and Gruner Veltliner wines and wine production in this part of the world. I also loved the full day tour of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and famous for the “Sound of Music”.  In Vienna, we took a tour of this romantic and elegant city and had lots of time for photos in front of the famous St Stephen’s Cathedral. We also visited the Kunsthistorisches Art Museum and enjoyed viewing the masterpieces on display there. Our last stop was Schönbrunn Palace, one of the most famous in Europe, and once the summer home of the Habsburgs. 

Our cruise ended in Budapest, and we were all eagerly waiting to sail past Hungary’s Parliament building. This magnificent structure has been on my bucket list for ages, and it did not disappoint! On our tour of this wonderful city, we explored both the Buda (hilly) and Pest (flat) areas of the city. A tip for anyone visiting this amazing city is to take in the views from Fisherman’s Bastion - they are incredible!  

Finally, a quick word about life onboard the ship. We had amazing meals throughout our trip. Each day we had the option to have a sit-down breakfast, lunch, and dinner in one of five restaurants. Dinners were multiple courses including appetizers, salads, soups, main courses, and desserts. We found ourselves going with the Chef’s recommendations on many evenings which were fresh, regional, and always delicious. Popular favorites like steak and fish were on the menu every evening. Of course, each dish was paired with the perfect wine. And can I just say how good the bread was on board! The amazing chefs bake a variety of fresh bread daily and they are all so yummy! 

The Chef’s table is an experience you must try, and it was simply amazing! The dishes were beautifully plated and were as delicious to eat as they were to look at. There was a wine pairing with each course which amplified the dining experience to new heights! 

There is also fitness instructor onboard with workouts planned throughout the day, and they were so varied and fun that I had a hard time deciding whether to skip some tours and stay for the workouts. From yoga, to stretching, to line dancing, and other cardio and strength workouts, there was no shortage of options to stay fit onboard.

The daily Cocktail hour was a definite highlight of our cruise. It was so nice to relax and enjoy drinks and conversation with newly made friends. The live entertainment was amazing, and the music played by our resident pianist often had us dancing late into the night.

River cruises are perfect for groups with common interests, such as wine enthusiasts or garden clubs. So, if you are a member of a club, a large family, or a group of friends, there is no better vacation to take together. To make this an even more unforgettable experience, I can add a pre or post stay in any European destination on your bucket list. This certainly was a trip of a lifetime, and I was so sad for it to end. On the bright side, I will be going on more river cruises and would love to plan one for you!