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WILL YOU BE BORED ON A RIVER CRUISE?

Aug 19, 2020

WILL YOU BE BORED ON A RIVER CRUISE? The activities on a river cruise are plentiful and varied; you will only be limited to what you have time for. Your days can be filled with as many activities as you want or no activities at all. Sometimes it’s enough to sit by a window and watch the world go by.

How can you be bored when sharing a cup of Gluwine on your Christmas Market Cruise

Visit the Magnificent Melk Abbey on your cruise on the Danube

Many of us are guilty of falling into a dreary work week routine that has us counting down the minutes until Friday.

On an Ama Waterways river cruise, you’ll say goodbye to your standard routine and hello to outdoor activity, fine dining and relaxation. The goal for activities on a river cruise is to give you the flexibility to do as much or as littles as you want.

When you’re not touring a destination, you’ll be enjoying the many amenities offered on the ship, as well as breathtaking views from the Sun Deck. With a smaller number of passengers on board, you’ll have more time to enjoy the amenities in a more personal way.

After their river cruise, John and Debby say Ama Waterways “is a first-class operation and we felt more like honored guests than passengers.”

Interested in what a typical day may look like on your river cruise? All cruises offer the below amenities for you to take advantage of throughout the day, thus keeping boredom at bay.

Fitness Center & Classes

No matter your usual activity level, each ship offers a fitness center to help you stay active between excursions. And if the treadmill isn’t your preference, there is also a professionally trained Wellness Host offering daily classes. Start your day with a yoga session on the Sun Deck or a light stretch class, and set the tone for a relaxing day.

No need to forego your exercise program-just meet on the Sun deck

Fun in the sun!

Award-Winning Meals

No boring meals on a river cruise! You can go with your old favorites or explore regional classics.

Enjoy coffee and breakfast each morning, starting with an early bird selection in the lounge or a cooked to order breakfast in the restaurant. If you are preparing to go on an excursion, have a light lunch in the lounge or sit down to a full menu in the main restaurant. During the day you can find coffee, tea and hot chocolate in the lounge along with light snacks. Save some room for tea time each afternoon with exquisite desserts set out in the lounge.

you can't be bored while enjoying tea time onboard your river cruise

One lump or Two?

The challenge will be what to choose. You will experience exquisite meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients for dinner. Don’t forget-lunch and dinner come with both red and white wine of the region you are cruising through. Ama Waterways is especially known for its fantastic meals on board.

You can book and experience The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant for at least one evening. These multi-course meals including wines to match each course are prepared in front of you by the ship’s chef. Below is a review by someone who has experienced the marvelous experience.

No boredom here-just great company and a fantastic meal

A great night at the Chef’s Table.

“The Chef’s Table was an evening to remember! Watching the preparations throughout the evening, and then getting to enjoy them was great fun! We have actually re-created a dressing that he used on the Watermelon and Seared Goat Cheese salad!”

Salon & Spa

No vacation is complete without a bit of pampering. The spa on board offers massages throughout the day so you can relax on your own schedule. With fewer guests on board you won’t have to fight for an appointment.

Feel like going out for the evening while the is in port? Let the stylists at the salon give you a new look or simply help you look and feel your best before heading out.

Deck Pool

You may not choose a tropical cruise, but that doesn’t mean you can’t relax and enjoy the sun on the top deck! All ships have a heated pool (some with a swim-up bar for optimal enjoyment) or a jacuzzi, perfect for relaxing any tired muscles while cruising past the graceful, castle-filled countryside of Europe.

Put yourself in this picture relaxing with friends and family

Feel free to come back out when the sun goes down. As you cruise past larger cities, the views of bridges full of lights or cathedrals lit up under the stars are extraordinary.

This is the perfect atmosphere to socialize with your party and other guests. Many cruisers have truly built long-distance and lasting friendships and even return time and time again to cruise with people they met on previous sailings!

Excursions

Regardless of which cruise itinerary you choose, you’ll have a variety of excursions to choose from. Activity level varies to suit your preference for the day and bikes are available on the ship for you to take into town. There is even a tour option for “late risers” if you’d like to take advantage of your lush bed and catch a few extra zzzs.

During some stops, you may prefer a mild hike; on others, wine tasting or touring a Kölsch brew pub. Alternatively, you may wish to take on some free time with your group and explore the city. Some clients’ favorite days are strolling through the cobblestone streets of obscure cities, feeling out the local culture.

So unless you really try, you won’t be bored on whichever river cruise you decide to take.

Best in Class Service

If there is anything that could make your time on board the ship better, let the Ama Waterways team know! The only thing better than the dining experience is the service. The team truly prides itself on building relationships with each guest and creating a family-like feel for your journey.

“Service was awesome. The crew was great. Truly for us, it was the “trip of a lifetime” kind of thing…”

So, what are you waiting for? Will you be bored on a river Cruise? The ships are great, the scenery and ports are amazing, the food is delicious and the crew is focused on making this the trip of a lifetime. I don’t think boredom is an option. It’s time to book your next European vacation. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about traveling through Europe by river and get your end-to-end travel confirmed. All you need to decide is when you want to go and who you’d like to travel with!

Contact Nancy at Unique Journeys for assistance with finding just the right cruise experience. You can also find more information regarding the AMA Waterways luxury river cruise experience at https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/uniquejourneys

THE YORK FOOD FESTIVAL-YUM!

Mar 3, 2020

Indulge your foodie interests at the York Food Festival. Paull Tickner of Custom GB Tours has put together a great food tour in conjunction with the York Food Festival. This year the festival takes place from the 18th-27th of September. Not only do you get to see everything at the Festival, but it includes a half-day course at the https://www.yorkcookeryschool.com/ the city’s chocolate trail, the Malton Food Trail, English Afternoon Tea in 2 fabulous locations and a couple of optional side trips.

When you participate in Afternoon Tea, you are following in the footsteps of the Duchess of Bedford. With the invention of the kerosene lamps, families started eating dinner later. The Duchess found herself hungry in mid-afternoon and ordered a light meal to get her through to dinner. Thus, the custom of Afternoon Tea was born. It’s a delicious and relaxing way to take time out from a busy day.

If you like chocolate, raise your hand. I have both of mine raised. The City of York has led England in the production of chocolate for at least 300 years. During your tour, you can visit York’s Chocolate Story . Three chocolate-making dynasties are responsible for turning York into the UK’s home of chocolate. Those companies, which in time became household names, are Rowntree’s, Terry’s and Cravens.

York, the home of Kit Kats

Once you have immersed yourself in the history of York and chocolate, I’m sure you are ready to put your newfound knowledge to work in picking out a few (?) pieces to get you through.

I have heard it said that you can’t live on chocolate alone, so I guess it’s on to Malton and a good tour. Malton is known as the food capital of Yorkshire and it certainly lives up to its name.

If you are in need of a caffeine infusion you should head to http://www.roostcoffee.co.uk/holding/index.html . Once fortified, you can wander around Malton to peruse the butcher shop,

You need to get your favorite travelling companions together, venture “across the pond” and let Paull Tickner introduce you not only to the York Food Festival, but the sights and traditions of England.

Now is the time to contact me at Unique Journeys to assure your place at the York Cookery School and the fabulous tour Paull has waiting for you.

CRUISING THE BEAUTIFUL WINE REGION OF BORDEAUX

May 28, 2018

Cruising the wine region of Bordeaux will conjure up mental pictures of France and acres and acres of grape vines; remind you of great evenings by the fire with a glass of wine; sharing a glass of wine with dinner and friends or just relaxing after a long day.

Well, taking a river cruise to the Wine Region of Bordeaux will surpass anything you can imagine.

View of the vineyards at Chateau de la Riviere Estate and Winery

I am the first to admit that before this wine-themed cruise I knew very little about grapes, terroir and the making of wine, but I learned a great deal on this cruise even though I was having a wonderful time doing it. All of our guides were so engaging and enthusiastic, you couldn’t help but soak up some of their great knowledge. For instance, when we visited a vineyard specializing in Sauterne grapes, we learned about the “noble rot” which sounds awful, but is the fungus which produces the great sauternes from that region. I will say that several in our group walked out of there with bottles of wine to enjoy later.

Without being conscious of it, I learned that wines from Bordeaux are a mix of different types of grapes and that each year the mix is different depending on the weather and how it affects the different grape varieties. I found out that all the grapes are hand-picked and that to be an organic wine, they can’t even water the grapes. Mother Nature rules in the vineyards of Bordeaux.

Who Doesn’t Love a Farmers Market?

Cadillac Market

Almost all cities and towns in France have market days and we were lucky enough to be in Cadillac on theirs. We were able to stroll around and buy bread, fruit and cheeses direct from the people who grow and produce them. The people are so friendly and willing to answer any questions you have and the variety of goods is wonderful. I bought some great cheese and fruit to snack on later. A great way to remember Cadillac. There is nothing like spending time at a local market to get a flavor of the area

Did you know they use eggs in wine?

There is a tradition in Bordeaux of using egg whites in the wine casks to help remove sediment during the wine-making process. As you can imagine, this leaves you with lots of egg yolks. The French have solved this problem by creating caneles, which are small pastries made only with egg yolks. I applaud their ingenuity. The cruise director brought several boxes back to the ship and put them out for everyone to try. I had several caneles. Okay, I probably had more than a few.

Not all highlights of a cruise have to be about activity

Here’s a question – how many of us have free time in our everyday lives to just sit back and totally relax. Onboard a river cruise, when you are cruising between ports, you have that opportunity. You can sit in the lounge and just watch the countryside go by, perhaps enjoying a glass of wine from the bar. Maybe you are a card player; there are tables in the lounge set up for whatever card game you would like to indulge in. If you love to read, bring your own book or enjoy one from the library.

There is time for relaxation and reflection on a Bordeaux wine cruise

Early Morning fog as we sail toward another great day on our AMA Waterways wine cruise

Sitting on the sun deck is also an option if the weather cooperates. You could also enjoy that glass of wine in the hot tub or pool. I love early mornings, especially if there is a fog hanging over the river, isolating you from the rest of the world. I shot this picture while standing at the bow of the ship watching a crew member communicating with the Captain by walkie talkie as they steered us safely through this and several other bridges. Our captain was very young, but as you can see, very experienced. What an exhilarating experience to see the bridge emerge out of the fog and to sail gently through. So quiet and ethereal-it was one of the highlights of the cruise.

There are lots of possibilities, but they all have one overriding theme – this is your time to sit back, relax and let someone else steer the boat.

Now is the time to make your dreams a reality. Contact me at www.unique-journeys.com to set up an appointment to book your unforgettable river cruise

CUBA – THE EXOTIC DESTINATION CLOSE TO HOME

May 24, 2018

RAISE YOUR HAND if you have been thinking about visiting CUBA – THE EXOTIC DESTINATION CLOSE TO HOME. In February of this year, I was lucky enough to join the ranks of Americans visiting Cuba for the first time. Until recently Cuba was this exotic and mysterious neighbor we weren’t allowed to see in person. Oh, the really adventurous could go there by flying to Mexico or Canada and flying to Cuba from there. I was not among that contingent.

So this past February I walked onto the Holland America Veendam to see for myself what the real Cuba is like. We sailed into Havana early the next morning to start our 18 hour odyssey. As we stood on the deck waiting to disembark, one of the first things you think is “It looks like a normal morning in any tropical city.” Going through customs to enter the city is quite strict. Not only do they take your picture and do x-rays, but they take your temperature. If you have any fever at all, you are not allowed entrance. Once through all the entrance lines and getting your Cuban money, you go downstairs to board your designated bus for your day out.

Trip down memory lane

I chose to ride in one of the “classic” cars of my past. These cars are being maintained and used as taxis in the city. I scored a hot pink convertible and a driver who spoke some English. The first thing you notice is there are no seat belts. After they start the car, the second thing you notice is they use leaded gas, so the fumes bring back memories.

Make no mistake this is a Communist country and all around you there buildings in various states of disrepair because there simply are no resources to fix them up. That is really a sad sight. However, all the Cuban people we met, were extremely friendly and outgoing. Our guide for the day in Havana invited us to ask her any questions about the government, the country or even their religion Santaria. We took her up on that as we rode around to various sites and learned a great deal about the culture and lives of the people of Cuba.

What would a trip to Cuba be without Cigars!

After lunch we went back to the heart of Havana and walked through the three major squares and an indoor flea market. In one of the squares we went into a shop for a little retail therapy. Since all pricing is government controlled, it doesn’t matter which shop you buy from. I got the requisite cigars and rum and also picked up some Cuban coffee.

Happily toting my purchases I climbed the gangway to the ship so that I could take a shower, eat a little dinner and get ready to head out again for my night at one of the nightclubs that were available for shore excursions. I picked the show at the Hotel Nationale de Cuba since I was interested in seeing the hotel. It was the hotel of choice for lots of American gangsters and mobsters. There is an entire room with pictures dedicated the various personalities who have stayed there.

The show itself was very colorful with lots of music and dancing and costume changes. It was very interesting and I’m glad I went, even though it started at 10pm and ended just shy of midnight. We had to hurry back to the ship since it was departing at 1:30am. For me, beginning my day at 6:00am to view our arrival into Havana and getting to bed around 12:30am after a full day of touring, was exhausting, but exhilarating just the same.

AT-SEA DAY – BUT KEEPING BUSY

The next day at sea, I attended two Microsoft workshops, an America’s Test Kitchen demonstration, a BBC show and had afternoon tea. I got my exercise jogging between the different venues as they were on different decks and in the front and back of the ship. While I was taking advantage of the activities onboard, we were steaming toward Cienfuegos, our next and last stop in Cuba.

Next stop – Cienfuegos

We arrived there early on Saturday morning, which was a market day. My pick for the shore excursion here was to a graphic arts studio and a concert of all flautists. (I’ve always wanted to use that word). They are an example of the emphasis on art and creativity of all kinds in this society. All of the graphic artists at the studio and the musicians are young people with great enthusiasm for their medium of choice.

After lunch at a very modern hotel, we went back to downtown Cienfuegos for a walk through the market and a visit to a lovely theater. Once again, you could see signs of deterioration in this beautiful building and you wish you could do something to bring it back to its glory days.

Now that the door has been opened, I hope to go back and be able to see more of this exotic neighbor of ours. The more Americans that take advantage of this opportunity, the better both cultures will be. Why don’t you join me in considering a vacation to CUBA. Contact me to schedule your next adventure.