I may have said I'm not a Cruiser....but some things change!
- Amanda Swaggert
- Jan 9
- 2 min read
Let me start by saying my husband is a superhero for letting me go on two cruises in two months. The first was an amazing wine cruise with five of my girlfriends on AmaWaterways, visiting the Bordeaux region of France—and WOW! We explored six cities and tasted massive amounts of wine! The wine estates and châteaus were incredible, and the history was even more impressive. Our cruise had two fabulous wine hosts from a California vineyard who perfectly paired wines with the amazing food served on board. Between relaxing in the hot tub under the stars, some fun dance parties, the world’s best bartender, and fabulous sightseeing, the trip was an absolute blast! Link to the cruise itinerary here.
Trip number two was a mother-daughter Viking Christmas market cruise on the Danube through Germany, Austria, and Hungary. I knew it was going to be fantastic, but it exceeded all my expectations. The European Christmas markets blew my mind! With all the glühwein, holiday lights, castles, and shopping, there was nothing not to love. I can’t wait to bring back Nick and Anna someday. We visited five cities, went through 16 canal locks, and sailing into Budapest with its incredible panoramic views was one of the highlights. Vienna was another standout, with its rich history tied to the Habsburgs, Sisi, and the Spanish Riding School's Lipizzaners. It was never on my bucket list, but it’s definitely a city I’ll return to. Link to the cruise itinerary here.
Highlights of river cruising
-European Christmas Markets are MAGICAL
-French cheese, wine and glühwein
-Waking up in a new and exciting city everyday
-Meeting fun people who share in the mutual joy of traveling
As we get older, the way we define adventure starts to shift. When we’re younger, it’s all about throwing on a backpack, grabbing a cheap flight, and figuring it all out as we go—exploring Europe one winding road or hidden gem at a time, maybe with a rental car and a map that’s barely holding together. But over time, our idea of a good adventure changes. These days, a river cruise sounds just as exciting: gliding through Europe’s most beautiful cities and towns without the hassle of packing and unpacking every day. It’s still about discovery, but now it’s mixed with a bit of luxury and ease—great food, stunning views, and the chance to really soak it all in. Adventure doesn’t go away; it just becomes a little more comfortable.
Next on my cruise bucket list-
Who's coming?? :)
Are you river cruise curious? Let's chat. There are some great cruises that feature golfing, biking, pickleball, music, and culinary excellence.
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