Last month, Stephen Batjiaka from AMA Waterways and myself teamed up to talk about our European river cruises. 

Thank you to everyone who tuned in for these special virtual events. Steve and I discussed what to expect on these vacations and shared highlights from our own experiences of life on board. In case you missed it, here are the key takeaways from our presentation. 

River cruises with AmaWaterways

​“Oceans take you to countries, rivers take you through them” 
- Jimmy Murphy, co-founder of AmaWaterways

That’s the essence of a river cruise with AmaWaterways! These culturally immersive trips take you into the heart of Europe, where you can experience architecture, heritage, gastronomy, and local life. 

When you venture off from the Rhine River to drive inland to the Alsace Wine region of France, you will discover the charm of Medieval Chateaux and Renaissance houses along this easy route.  The countryside was beautiful even when the weather is rainy.  Once off the highway, you encounter narrow streets with the Vosges Mountains as the backdrop.  These quaint towns are filled with vineyards, beautiful churches, and many old buildings.  One bridge we drove through was so narrow that the bus only had inches on each side to navigate, glad I was not driving.
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This November is a time for gratitude and being thankful for all that we have in our lives, especially after the last nine months of 2020.  With Thanksgiving next week, I wanted to share with you all that I am thankful for in my life and I hope you have time to reflect on the things you are grateful for in your life. 

My Daughters -  I am thankful for the time given to my daughters and me this year to spend together.  We could slow down and have quality time together that we may not have been giving in a normal year.  I know that I look at the future past the pandemic and hope that this time together will be a regular event and not just in 2020.  

My Parents -  I am thankful that my parents have stayed safe during this pandemic.  I know it has been hard for them not to see myself, their granddaughters, and their friends as often as they would have in a typical year, but their staying healthy and safe is more important than gathering together.  
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Although the holidays will be different this year, we still celebrate the occasion. And, fortunately, domestic travel remains a possibility for those of us who need a change of scene. This year, discover the spirit of Christmas right here in our northern states. 
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A note about winter sports

Good news for skiers! Despite the pandemic, our ski season is poised to go ahead this year. However, resorts are slated to operate at 50% capacity this season, and lift passes must be purchased in advance. So it’s important to book early if you do intend to hit the slopes - whether that’s for a day or a week-long stay. 

Next week, AmaWaterways and I will team up on a live chat about how you can experience Europe's Christmas markets via a magical river cruise. These festive trips weave you on a journey through the winter wonderland on the banks of the Rhine and Danube Rivers. 
 
If you have been fortunate to visit Europe in the lead-up to Christmas before, you will know how enchanting a time this is across the continent. And these festive Christmas markets that add a special type of celebration to the season of goodwill.
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