Bucket List is defined as an experience or achievement that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime and a European River cruise has been on my list for many years. OK – many decades! Every Sunday when I was watching PBS and the sponsor commercials would play I would always think – that’s the trip for me. Marry that dream with a complete love of Christmas and you have a dream trip in the making – Christmas Markets on the Danube.

With travel finally resuming and 2022 being a milestone year for me (big birthday with a zero in it) I asked my self – why not? Why keep waiting? So I did it – booked the trip.

My amazing travel expert – Renee at the Travel Connection LLC helped me navigate the options and we picked AMA Waterways Iconic Christmas Market trip down the Danube.AMA Waterways Christmas Markets. Me and a different Christmas market everyday in historic and picturesque locations across Europe? Yes please – the trip I always dreamed.

Once we booked it the anticipation and countdown started. When asked what our plans were for Christmas I would share “ We are going on the adventure of a lifetime. I have always, always, always wanted to go to European Christmas markets and we will be there”. Yes three “always”. It was that exciting. My kids and I were going to travel to Europe – first time for my son – and spend 10 amazing days together experiencing the world.

Every few weeks I would scour for video’s and articles about each city we would be visiting and send links to the kids.I am not sure they ever opened the links I sent them but I know I enjoyed the planning and prep. They tolerate a Mom who gets as excited about the preparation and research as much as the trip.

And since we were traveling so far we added on a day before and after to the actual cruise. That helped getting there and not miss the cruise departure from Nuremberg (which some people did and had to catch us in the next city) and depart the ship in Budapest and not have a mad dash to the airport. Great additions for us and some extra time for adventures.

The cruise itself was everything I thought it would be and more. The attention to detail and customer service by AMA Waterways is exceptional. As we pulled up to the ship they whisked our bags away – knew who we were and had us checked in and to our rooms in minutes. We explored the ship and started meeting our fellow guests and learning from many of the other cruising masters – people who cruise a lot!

You can be as busy or not busy as you want on the trip. The excursions in each city are well planned and informative. Always a local guide who shares not only the history but often times the back story. Don’t want to do an excursion? That’s ok – you can take a walk. Or stay on the ship. Or take a nap. There is no pressure and it’s easy to change your mind and do something else. I loved that flexibility and option with AMA. Since all excursions are included you can change without penalty and jump in if you didn’t sign up before.

And the Cruise Manger – the amazing Martina (follow her on Instagram: martina_amawaterways) would help you do something else if you wanted.

My kids are 24 and 21 and they had a great time. There were only 2 other families with kids their age on the ship so it’s a bit of an older crowd – but that didn’t stop them. They made as many friends and had as many great conversations as I did with everyone.

We loved every stop because it was new to us but at the end we voted our favorite cities as Vienna and Budapest. We would go back to both for just a visit if we could and spend a few days. Definitely whetted our appetite for more European travels. There were so many amazing experiences but some of my favorite memories are:

• Seeing a children’s choir practice for Christmas eve service in Budapest.
• Walking into our first cathedral in Nuremberg and all 3 of us in awe at the wonder and splendor and majesty.
• Walking in a snow covered market decorated for the holidays and realizing it’s been going on for centuries.
• Meeting the artists who made the items I brought home.
• Sailing into Budapest and seeing the iconic Parliament building from the top of the ship.
• Watching the ships go through the locks
• Seeing the love for travel and adventure ignited in my Son.

I think this is what a bucket list trip is supposed to be like – more than you expected and something that constantly brings smiles to you face with your memories.

While the world dynamics restricted our travel for many years – it’s open again. If your thinking about it – make it happen. Take the trip…Make the plan…Just go.

We did and are going back for the Rhine River in 2024! But this time in May so not as many coats to carry.

Enjoy the adventure!

Top 10 things recommendations – what every blog needs

• Walk around every market – they each have their own personality and you will discover some unique treasures by local artists.
• If you see and like it – buy it. It will most likely not be at the next market.
• Make sure you have space to pack your purchases and they are protected. I took an extra duffle bag for purchases and bought these wine angels on Amazon to wrap breakable rather than a roll of bubble wrap. All the Gluwein mugs made it home safely. Wine Angels - Amazon
• Bring a shopping bag from home. Most of the vendors do not have bags and you it make carrying your purchases easier.
• Join a facebook group. I loved reading about others experience and advice. Almost every question I had was asked and answered. There are several out there – some just about river cruising and others specific to AMA Waterways.
• Do your research – get to know the cities you will be visiting and then let it go! Enjoy the adventure and don’t worry about all those notes you took.
• The AMA Waterways app was great. The Daily Cruiser was posted and there and CHOCK full of information. It was the way we planned our day and found out everything that was going on. Also loved being able to send pictures to friends from the app and they add said it was so much fun getting the updates.
• It’s a long flight from USA – so glad we went in a day early and stayed one day later. Gave us a chance to catch our breath and do some personal exploring and adventures.
• Go to the lounge after dinner and when you have free time. It was really nice to meet and enjoy good music and/or entertainment in the lounge after dinner. And when we were cruising the lounge was the best place for amazing views of the countryside. Everyone was very friendly and loved getting to know them without electronics! Don’t stay in your room – go hang out with others.
• Enjoy the adventures – the lights and sounds of the season are truly magical.
• Work with a travel agent who specializes in River Cruises, like Renee of The Travel Connection.