AmaWaterways is the Real Deal!

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AmaWaterways is the Real Deal!

Holland and Belgium River Cruise…

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go on a European river cruise?  I had a preconceived notion thinking this was an old person’s vacation.  Although river cruises do attract older people and accommodate those who may have mobility issues, this is definitely not an elderly cruise!  I can tell you that this was one of the most fascinating vacations I have ever been on.  The AmaStella was our vessel, or ship, and is basically like a floating hotel.  Your room is always in the same location on board so no need to pack your bags and change rooms every few days.  AmaWaterways offers a variety of cruise itineraries that will keep you interested time and time again.   Right now they are celebrating 20 years in business with some amazing prices!

We flew out a day before the cruise and did a little sightseeing in Amsterdam.  I highly recommend doing this to get acclimated to the time change.  We took a canal cruise which was interesting, but not recommended if you have jet lag!  The warm sun made my eyelids heavy and I am sure I missed a thing or two!

Saturday morning we took the Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour which took us through the Jewish Quarter. Our guide, Roza, did a great job telling us about what it was like in Amsterdam during WWII.  

One stop was at the Auschwitz Monument.  The monument is made of broken mirrors signifying that 'heaven is no longer unbroken since Auschwitz.'

The last stop of the tour was in front of the Frank house where Anne and her family survived for 761 days!  Unfortunately we did not get to go in the house, but seeing the outside of the house in person as well as renderings of the inside makes it even more remarkable that they survived there for so long.

Our first stop on the AmaStella was in Utrecht, Amsterdam.  In the morning we visited Floriada, the international horticultural exhibition.  Castle De Haar, the largest castle in the Netherlands, was where we spent the afternoon. 

Castle De Haar was once the private residence of the Van Zuylen family, whose descendants still stay here yearly. The castle also frequently hosted members of the international jet-set with their lavish lifestyle; from Coco Chanel to Roger Moore, they too left their mark on the plush rooms of the most beautiful spot in Utrecht.

Lastly, we had dinner at the chef’s table aboard the beautiful AmaWaterways, AmaStella! A wonderful experience with several passengers in a private dining room.  This is available for all guests at least one night on the cruise. Delicious!

It's a good trip when you can't remember what day of the week it is while on vacation! On Tuesday, June 28th we were in Ghent, Belgium!  A beautiful and quaint city with so much to offer!  Our day started by visiting the St. Bavo Cathedral and the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The Ghent Altarpiece, or ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers, completed in 1432, is recognized worldwide as a great work of art, and one of the most influential paintings ever made. Hubert van Eyck painted part of the Ghent Altarpiece that includes the Mystic Lamb, but was never able to finish it. His younger brother Jan, completed this masterpiece a few years after Hubert’s death.

This church was originally named Saint John the Baptist in 942.  The diocese of Ghent was founded in 1559 and the church became St Bavo's Cathedral.

After this, we had free time to explore.  We ate waffle fries, bought and tasted some chocolate, visited the smallest bar in Ghent (which used to be a jail) and then off to visit the Gravenstein Castle.  The moated castle was built by Count Phillip of Alsace in 1180.  I am so impressed with how well these castles have stood the test of time.  When I think about how long ago they were built with no modern way of constructing such a large building, it really is amazing!

One of our days was spent at the Battle of the Bulge site.  What rich history is here in Belgium!  The perspective of this museum is one of great appreciation of the United States and what they did to save their country during World War II.  Our tour guide was a walking encyclopedia!  He had so much knowledge of World War II and how each country became involved.

The photos below are from the museum, the actual battle field where foxholes still exist, a memorial to the 101st Airborne Division, memorials to honor General Patton and General McAuliffe.  The people of Belgium are incredibly grateful to the United States and paid to have these memorials in their country.

Our day in Antwerp was spent participating in a walking tour of the city and ending our time with a Belgium beer tour!  We saw the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady, Steen’s Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain.  This particular city paid homage to the Virgin Mary.  Citizens from long ago would place a statue of the Virgin Mary on a light post so they would not have to pay taxes!  Some statues were elaborate and some very simple, but all placed for the same reason.  We ended our day with a beer tour tasting local beers.  Some were good, others not so much!  After all that beer, I finally found my Belgium waffle!  It was delicious!

The last day was in a small beautiful harbor town called Dordrecht.  I was in awe of this beautiful community.  We walked the city streets learning all about the rich history and sightseeing the amazing homes and businesses.  Dordrecht is Holland’s oldest city, being founded in 1220.  The last tour of the day was visiting the iconic windmills in Kinderdijk.  This small town is known for having the largest concentration of windmills dating back to the 18th century.  The first windmill still exists today!  What I found so interesting is that the windmills are used to pump water back to the sea to keep the town from flooding.  We climbed inside a windmill to see how it works and received some interesting information from a “miller” who is someone who operates the windmill.  

 

If you are now inspired to find an AmaWaterways river cruise that fits your interests, please contact me at laura@vincentvacations.com or 918-645-9524.  


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Back by popular demand! Download our FREE ULTIMATE Guide to AmaWaterways. We are an AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist Agency, ready to create your perfect itinerary! Our over 120 page page guide to river cruising through Europe, Asia & Africa. The latest on ships, new destinations and itineraries. More information about their award winning fleet, RHINE CASTLES & SWISS ALPS, VINEYARDS OF THE RHINE & MOSELLE, ESSENCE OF BURGUNDY & PROVENCE, AFRICA SAFARIS & WILDLIFE CRUISE

Jessica Pratt

AmaWaterways is the Real Deal!

Edmond, OK Travel Agent Near Me

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Ever since my husband and I got married in Mexico, we made a promise to ourselves to plan romantic getaways and adults only vacations every year, even after we had kids. Our favorite destinations so far are Italy, the Hawaiian Islands, Sandals Resorts - specifically in Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua  - and our unforgettable Alaskan Cruise. And my newest obsession - River Cruising - a game changer for seeing Europe! I’m passionate about helping other couples plan time away from everyday responsibilities and take time to rest, relax and reconnect. We are committed to continuing to travel, just...  Read More >>>

An expert destination wedding travel agent near me with five star luxury travel packages with a luxury travel company, Vincent Vacations.


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Scenic Luxury Cruises & Emerald Cruise Line Specialist
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Emerald Cruise Line Specialist

My clients who are seeking an effortless, all-inclusive experience love Scenic Luxury Cruises. With 5-star service and immersive excursions, their spacious suites, gourmet dining, and exclusive cultural experiences make every adventure unforgettable. Whether sailing through Europe’s rivers or exploring remote ocean destinations, Scenic is the perfect blend of luxury and adventure.
Jessica Pratt, Scenic Luxury Cruises Specialist
Jessica Pratt, Emerald Cruise Line Specialist

AmaWaterWays Certified Advisor
AmaWaterWays Certified Advisor

I'm thrilled to be an AmaWaterways Certified Specialist to offer clients a luxury river cruise line known for its immersive cultural experiences, exceptional service, and elegantly designed ships. Sailing through Europe, Africa, and Asia, AmaWaterways all-inclusive river cruises let travelers experience fine dining, guided excursions, and wellness programs. Their focus on small-ship intimacy and personalized service makes for an unforgettable journey along some of the world's most scenic waterways. Jessica Pratt - AmaWaterWays River Cruise Specialist

Viking Cruises Certified Expert
Viking Cruises Certified Expert

Viking Cruise lines is consistently rated #1 in River Cruises, Ocean Cruises and Expedition cruises year after year. I love helping clients create the most amazing experiences they've had on water through Viking.

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Hawaii Anniversary Trip - Stress Free
Hawaii Anniversary Trip - Stress Free

Until now, I have never used a travel agent. I may never go back to planning things myself....EVER. Jessica Pratt, Hawaii expert, could not describe her any more perfectly. She has been so incredible. From our very first call she was intent on making sure she understood us as clients in order to build the perfect anniversary trip! She thinks of EVERYTHING. I have had zero worries and we cannot wait to be in Hawaii to celebrate our 25th anniversary.


-J & J

Honeymoon & Anniversary Expert
Honeymoon & Anniversary Expert

If you're looking for a knowledgeable, friendly, and dedicated travel agent, it’s Jessica Pratt! She has helped us plan some of the most incredible trips, including our honeymoon in Italy, an anniversary getaway to Hawaii, and now our upcoming adventure to St. Lucia. Every time, she has gone above and beyond to make the planning process seamless and stress-free. We can't wait to book our next trip with her!
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Hawaii Expert. Europe made easy - Flawless Vacation Planning
Hawaii Expert. Europe made easy - Flawless Vacation Planning

We really appreciate Jessica Pratt and all her knowledge for recent trips she planned for us. She is a Hawaiian EXPERT. Our Maui trip was perfect. She found the perfect place for us to stay along with the many activities we were able to experience. Our recent trip to Maine was great too! We were able to experience this beautiful state and Jessica created a wonderful itinerary of places we may not have found on our own. We are getting so excited as she is planning our dream vacation to Germany and Italy. We have never been to Europe before and she is turning our overwhelm into excitement and confidence and making it is easy. We are so confident as she is guiding and planning this upcoming trip. Jessica is easy to work with and get a hold of, she is the best!


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