 |
| You'll have ample opportunity to explore the Irish Countryside during your vacation |
 |
| Dublin offers many picturesque sites along the River Liffey, including the Four Courts Building |
 |
| The Cabra Castle Hotel will be your home for 3 nights. Boasting a proud history dating back to 1760, the castle is located approximately a one hour drive from Dublin in the County of Cavan, with a variety of activities and places to visit nearby. Photo courtesy Cabra Castle Hotel |
 |
| The Cabra Castle offers accommodations in the restored castle and courtyard buildings. A typical room is depicted above, but every room is different. Guests have full access to the grounds, including the walled garden. Photo Courtesy Cabra Castle Hotel |
 |
| Don't Visit Ireland without sampling a Stout in a traditional Irish Pub |
| Online Vacation Center has been given access to exclusive pricing
aboard the World's Largest Cruise Ships... the incredible Oasis-class from Royal
Caribbean! Today, we're able to offer a last minute deal aboard the
brand-spanking-new Allure of the Seas, sailing February 27 from Ft.
Lauderdale. Senior Select rates - at least one person in each stateroom needs to be 55+ to qualify - begin at just $749 for this sailing only, a record-low rate for this new ship. If you're not lucky enough to be a Senior, inside staterooms are available from as low as $799. Want to upgrade? Try out one of the unique accommodations aboard Allure in a Boardwalk view stateroom for just $849 per person. Or, choose an oceanview stateroom for just $879 per person or a Balcony Guarantee (could be an oceanview, Central Park or Boardwalk view) for the amazing rate of just $949 per person - senior select rate. To make a great offer even better, Online Vacation Center will include up to $100 Onboard Spending Cash! Get $25 when you book an inside stateroom, $50 for Oceanview or $100 for a Balcony. The cruise departs February 27 from Ft. Lauderdale, visiting the Western Caribbean ports of Labadee, Costa Maya and Cozumel. This unpublished offer is brought to you exclusively by Online Vacation Center and will sell out quickly! Don't wait. Call today! Our Personal Vacation Managers can be reached at 1-800-329-9002! Or Click Here for details and to book online. | |
|
 |
| The shopping cart handle (aka Skywalker Nightclub) on sister ship Star Princess as she passes under the Golden Gate Bridge |
 |
| Another view of Skywalker Nightclub on sister ship Caribbean Princess. Both photos courtesy and copyright Princess Cruises. |
It was hard to tell if I was awake or dreaming or in a scene from a Harry Potter movie. Chunks of ice were floating by the Amalyra as we approached Budapest at sunrise, but the air was even colder which caused a dense fog to rise from the Danube.
We passed under a bridge and caught our breaths. As if arising from the thick mist was the dramatic silhouette of Budapest’s Parliament building. The shrouded sun rising behind the gothic dome brought to light the swirling fog and lent a mystical feel to the scene.
Thanks, Simon. As you know, not every cruise is a bikini cruise. After all, we were going to explore the Christmas Markets along the Danube River in December. You’ll never believe how many people asked me, "But won’t it be cold?" a common reaction since most people equate cruising with sun-drenched pool decks, pina coladas and reggae bands.
Following the well-worn tourist trails around the globe is perfectly fine for most of us. Calling on museums and churches is expected but there are other reasons to travel, other activities to try.
Marlene Callahan recounts her river cruise experience and takes us down a different beaten path. Ride on Marlene...
 |
| Marlene Callahan in front of AMAlyra in Vienna (aka Wien) |
Scallop Rockefeller Appetizer. As with every detail aboard the Amalyra, the theme of the great composers of the Danube region is reinforced even at the dinner table. It’s been a long time since I’ve said, “That was worth every calorie!” For seven luscious days aboard the AMAWaterways Amalyra I found myself repeating that phrase like an epicurean mantra.
 |
The unexpected sight of Walhalla makes you wonder for just a
moment where you are! It
was indeed modeled after the Parthenon in Athens and
built by Bavarian King Ludwig I.
 |
Enjoy a morning pick-me-up? Mimosas are complimentary with breakfast on AMAWaterways
Though I was traveling as a guest of AMAWaterways on a familiarization trip for travel agents, I was still responsible for paying my own onboard incidental charges, so I was shocked when I got the bill for my week aboard the Amalyra... I hadn’t spent anything really! How does that happen? As the saying goes, little things mean a lot and many items that help to pad a bill on an ocean cruise are complimentary on an AMAWaterways river cruise.
 |
| Lovely Linz shines bright on Frigid Evening |
If you’ve ever had a friend show you around their town then you know the advantages of having a personal tour guide. Such was our luck when we arrived in Linz, Austria the hometown of my former colleague, Maria, the First Purser on our ship when we were crew aboard the Renaissance CruisesTM ship R4TM in Tahiti 10 years ago.
The Christmas lights warm up Nuremberg on a cold winter's night
 |
| The bright lights of the Christmas Market contrast a gray day in Regensburg |
Our itinerary shows us in Regensburg today but the Amalyra is still in Deggendorf as the waters of the Danube, though slowly receding, are still too high to allow passage under the bridge separating us from our destination. Not to worry, however, it’s a mere one-hour bus ride to Regensburg and AMAWaterways has us on our way after lunch.
, offers 18 holiday and special occasion menus, offering nearly 100 recipes in total so you can impress your dinner guests, course after course, time after time. is the third volume in Rudi's Culinary Signature Collection of cookbooks featuring recipes from Holland America Line. 
in 2009, offering 100 more menu-based recipes and the assurance of a great meal, every time. |
| The quaint Christmas Market is dwarfed by a near-perfect evergreen in the town of Cesky Krumlov. |
Two days in Prague had been so much fun and now it was time to make our way to the Intercontinental Hotel where we would meet with the transfer to our ship in Nuremberg.
The 5-star Intercontinental is located right on the Vltava River and for guests who book their hotel & cruise package, AMAWaterways reserves those rooms that have the stunning view of the Prague Castle. We were met in the lobby by our Cruise Director, Csaba Tamas, a young Hungarian who was made for his job. At this early hour we appreciated his simple instructions and sunny disposition.We found out that due to the heavy snows in the days before our arrival the Danube River had risen 13 centimeters, about 5 inches, just enough to make it impossible for our ship to cross under the last 2 bridges on its way to Nuremberg. Therefore we would have to meet the Amalyra in Deggendorf, Germany.Aboard each bus was a local tour guide who provided great narration throughout the countryside. Making up for our missed port they made an unscheduled stop at a very special place called Cesky Krumlov. Talk about a land that time forgot! This tiny gem of a village high in the mountains of the Czech Republic is a UNESCO World Heritage site and its huge charm far exceeds its tiny footprint.
The snow covered wall marks the entrance to Cesky Krumlov We entered the city by way of a snowy path that led us under massive walls that looked like Roman aqueducts and supported the ancient castle spanning the gorge high above our heads. We crossed over the moats by way of wooden bridges and heard the story of the brightly painted Butter Tower where freshly churned butter had been stored back in medieval times.
 |
| A small inn at Cesky Krumlov. Pick your room from pictures at right; red indicates occupied, green is vacant |
In the tiny square we found their version of a Christmas Market; two stalls and a tree! We had time for lunch and chose to eat at one of the hotels that enclose the plaza. The temperature was dropping rapidly and hot chocolate warmed us for the short walk back to the bus.
The brightly-painted Butter Tower Our ride to the ship through the mountainous, unsalted roads reminded me of landing in someone’s hand crafted Christmas Village. The miniature towns and evergreen forests were perfectly flocked with snow that glistened like diamond dust in the sunshine. I was reminded of a flight home from Europe one time when we crossed the Alps. Peering out from my window seat I had been fascinated at the little villages clustered in the ravines and valleys of the highest peaks. I had yearned to visit places like that and now here I was.
 |
| Captain Rien Pols, Hotel Manager Ovidiu Nicolescu and Cruise Director Csaba Tamas welcome us aboard Amalyra |
It was already dark by the time we reached the Amalyra but the Captain and crew who stood at attention gave us the sunniest of welcomes. We took a few minutes to unpack and get comfortable before our Captain’s welcome reception.For two girls who had packed heavily for this winter escapade we found more than enough space for all our gear. The room was beautifully appointed with a desk/dressing table, 2 easy chairs & cocktail table with a candy bowl overflowing with Christmas sweets, lighted closet rod, interactive flat-screen television with free tv, music & movies on demand and free internet & Wifi! The spacious bathroom had a granite-topped vanity and a shower with 3 showerheads! How decadent for a ship! I loved it.Captain Rien Pols, from the Netherlands, presented each lady with a long-stemmed red rose as we entered the forward lounge of the Amalyra. We were introduced to the staff while we sipped champagne and admired the richly adorned room complete with no less than 3 Christmas trees.
 |
| The lounge was all decked out for the season |
The rest of the evening was enjoyed over a sumptuous 6- course gala dinner and dancing in the lounge to the resident piano player. I will devote more time to the food & entertainment aboard the Amalyra because it deserves much attention. But for now I’ll leave you with this “amuse bouche” just to whet your appetite.
 |
| A homemade cream puff served aboard Amalyra [Editor's Question: You didn't bring one back for me?] |
