Danube River Cruise Highlights

We’ve recently returned home from our week on the Danube river with AmaWaterways. Our sailing started with a warm welcome from the incredible staff in Vilshofen, Germany where we were greeted with an AmaWaterways exclusive Oktoberfest. From there we set sail aboard the AmaMagna and experienced the tastes and sights of Europe before concluding our sailing in Budapest. Discover our sailing below and remember that Time to Travel Tours is here to help you return to the river!

Arrival: Vilshofen, Germany

Explored the beautiful town of Vilshofen, Germany before boarding the ultra-luxurious AmaMagna. Greeted with a welcome gift in our room and an incredible prime rib dinner. In the evening, we were treated to an AmaWaterways exclusive Bavarian Oktoberfest celebration complete with music, beer and pretzels.

Days 2 + 3: Passau, Germany and Austria

All excursions are included on an AmaWaterways sailing! We took full advantage of the bike tour options during our explorations around Germany and Austria. In Passau, Germany we rode to Wernstein on a guided bike tour. The next day we biked along the city’s famed “Cultural Mile” and the Danube. The afternoon was spepnt visiting the charming Czech mountain town of Český Krumlov and the Greinburg Castle, the oldest residential castle in Austria. Finished our day with a delicious meal at the Chef’s Table. Visit our dining blog post for more food highlights.

Days 4 + 5: Austria

Days spent discovering the towns of Austria: Melk, Spitz and Vienna. We visited the 900-year-old Melk Abbey situated high atop the granite cliffs of the Danube. We continued our exploring by bike with a cycle through Spitz to Emmersorf and back to Spitz. Our biking efforts were rewarded with an exclusive wine event in the evening where we enjoyed some of the region’s famous wines. Day 5 was spent exploring the city of Vienna. The visit included a guided tour of the Imperial apartments, the carriage museum and the equally impressive gardens.

Day 6: Bratislava, Slovakia

Host to the crowning ceremonies of 11 Hungarian kings and queens between 1536 and 1830, Bratislava certainly has earned the title “Coronation City of Kings,” as we discovered on our tour. We opted to experience Bratislava with “Tastes of Slovakia” tour. Local favorite foods and beer filled our day!

Days 7 + 8: Budapest, Hungary

Started our morning in Budapest sailing through the scenic Danube Bend where we saw some of Hungary’s oldest settlements, including Esztergom, Visegrád and Szentendre. Budapest offers an unmatched combination of culture and tradition.

Exploring Heidelberg on an AmaWaterways Rhine Cruise

Exploring the wonders of Heidelberg on an AmaWaterways Rhine Cruise

Starting off your visit is the Castle of Heidelberg, which is considered one of Germany's favorite visits for its charm and romance. Explore the red sandstone ruins, the world's largest wine barrel and spectacular views over the Neckar Valley and green forests...

Many poets and artists drew their inspiration from Heidelberg including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, J.M.W. Turner, Victor Hugo and Mark Twain. Even though much of the castle is in ruins. Mark Twain came to this picturesque university town straddling the River Neckar in 1878. Although he thought the German language ''awful'' he fell in love with the place, calling it ''the last possibility of the beautiful.''

Heidelberg Castle was actually built in several stages with the earliest structure erected in the beginning of the 13th century. Then expanded into two castles less than a century later. Further expansion continued in the following years until the armies of French King Louis XIV burned and blasted them to the ground 400 years later.

The castle is now home to the German Apothecary (Pharmacy) Museum, Palace Gardens, a Goethe memorial tablet and two restaurants. . Romance is alive here throughout the year – but certain months you can even elect to get married on the grounds.

After years of debate to restore the castle it was decided the Friedrichsbau (which was the one structure not completely destroyed) would receive restoration.  Along with the Friedrichsbau, visitors are always drawn to the Ottheinrich Building in the Palace. Elaborate sculptures on the façade still stand, memorializing figures from antiquity and Roman rule, German rulers, and even Elector Otthenreich himself. 

Your list needs to include visiting the Great Vat, aka the Heidleberg Tun. This vat is the world's largest wine barrel which can hold over 58,000 gallons. Equaling approximately 290,000 bottles of wine. Built in 1751, the giant wooden barrel was the third such titanic wine holder to be constructed in the area but is the only one to remain. While it may seem as though it was designed to be a novelty, the tun served a much more mundane purpose. In the era when it was created, public taxes were paid in goods and for an area that excelled in wine-making that meant a lot of government vino. To hold all of the donated drinks, giant casks were created and all of the tributes were collected into quite an unusual  cuvee. 

Today the barrel continues to draw crowds. Things have changed over the years and the tun caters to its tourist visitors more than to its bureaucratic past, with a dance floor built on top and offerings of daily wine tastings. Even with the modern changes, the decorative grandeur still looks like something out of a pirate’s fantasy.

After your castle tour step into the Renaissance era of Old Heidelberg.  Which Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1797 described as "The city in its setting and entire surroundings may be said to have something ideal."  Much of the city`s charm lies in its architecture: baroque churches and fountains, pastel houses from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and details like madonnas in niches, statues, and gilded clock faces. Unlike many German cities, Heidelberg was spared from bombing during World War II. Some say the Allies preserved it, intending to make it their headquarters after the war. Others insist it's good fortune had something to do with Gen. Dwight Eisenhower`s German roots. In any case, it did become (and still remains) the headquarters of the European High Command.

AmaWaterways local guides will introduce you to this beautiful city. Free time follows your castle tour and we recommend strolling the cobblestone streets, visiting quaint shops and enjoying a German themed lunch in one of the many restaurants scattered throughout the city.  It's a day filled with cherished memories, not only shared later in the day onboard during your Sip and Sail but in story-telling once back home reminiscing of your cruise adventure. 

3 Reasons to Not Work with a Travel Agent

A common question on the topic of travel agency is something along the lines, “Oh, is that still a thing?” I get it. With the world of Google and online bookings, it can be easy to go the route of solo travel booking. I recently decided to blaze the travel trail without a travel agent. The experience taught me three reasons why someone should not work with a travel agent.

1. IF YOU ENJOY BEING ON HOLD FOREVER. I had a number of issues surface during the vacation planning phase. The process required I get on the phone to sort things out. I was bounced between different departments and different companies, each one trying to deflect responsibility. If you enjoy the hold music and repeating the same conversation for days in a row without having a go to point person on your side, travel without an agent is right for you.

2. THOSE OF US WHO ENJOY WASTING MONEY. Online searching presents us with an endless and overwhelming level of travel options. Each one promising the “best deal”, “last minute special” and “the price that can’t be beat!”. I quickly learned that the industry is not actually out there to save me money. Surprisingly, they want to take my money. The process included spending money on unexpected costs and small print fees. All of which would have been caught and addressed by a travel agent. 

3. THE ADRENALINE RUSH OF FEELING STRANDED. If you love the rush that comes over you when travel details don’t go as planned, travel without an agent is the route for you. After working out the issues on the front end and spending unnecessary money, I assumed we were in the clear. I did not expect to show up to our hotel and be given the wrong room without the promised amenities. Without someone to call on the homefront, I was left to unsuccessfully work out the details in the hotel lobby after a red-eye flight. If the adrenaline rush of travel upsets is up your alley, travel without an agent is right for you.

The greatest gift Time to Travel Tours provides clients is the role of travel advocate. You have an expert in the field, willing to go to bat on your behalf. We value a long-term relationship with you over a one time sale. And, we can be the one and only phone call you have to make in the travel planning process.

Premium Economy vs. Economy Plus

Booking an airline ticket used be pretty simple. Today you have likely noticed the many options to choose from. Different prices, different colored seats, some cost $50 to upgrade, others cost $150. It can be confusing and overwhelming. We’ve referenced the blog from Stefanie Waldek, “What’s the Difference Between Premium Economy and Economy Plus” as a helpful resource for your next flight. And as always, Time to Travel Tours is here and ready to help in the travel planning.

Economy Plus

Also known as: United’s Economy Plus, Delta’s Comfort +, American’s Main Cabin Extra, and JetBlue’s Even More Space. Whatever it’s called, the economy plus seat is actually part of the economy cabin. But what sets these seats apart from the rest is a few extra inches of legroom, priority boarding, a better location at the front of the cabin, free alcoholic beverages, and free meal service, depending on your specific airline.

WHEN IT’S WORTH IT. If you have status with an airline, you might be eligible for a complimentary space-available upgrade from regular economy to economy plus. If the upgrade is free—and you don’t get a middle seat—it’s almost always worth it. If you do travel with frequent flyer status, consider the exit row seat over economy plus - it still tends to have more leg room.

If you travel without status, it will cost you. For taller travelers, you will likely really appreciate the extra legroom. However, if you don’t feel too cramped in regular economy, it might not be worth the price tag for flights under four hours. For long-haul flights, however, the upgrade is likely worth it if you have the means—the extra legroom goes a long way when you’re sitting for six hours or more, and it’s not that much more money in the grand scheme of airfare.

Premium Economy

My husband and I recently flew premium economy on Air New Zealand. It set a new travel bar for the long-haul flights. We were really impressed by the seat size, seat recline and menu options (different from economy) Premium economy is actually a standalone cabin that sits right between business and economy, both physically and in terms of amenities and services. Here are some other names for premium economy:

• Aeroflot: Comfort

• Alitalia: Classica Plus

• British Airways: World Traveller Plus

• Delta: Premium Select

• JAL: Sky Premium

• United: Premium Plus

• Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia: Premium

Some of the top-rated premium economy options can be found on Singapore, Delta, Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific.

A potential downside to premium economy is the cost—fares are oftentimes double that of economy. (Though, keep in mind that business can be six to ten times more expensive than economy, and sometimes even more.) Depending on the time of year and ticket demand, premium economy tickets can be surprisingly inexpensive. Check in with Time to Travel Tours before booking your next ticket!

The Bottom Line

Economy plus and premium economy are entirely different classes with vastly different price points and significantly different amenities. Economy plus is a slightly upgraded economy experience, while premium economy is its own cabin with elevated service on international flights. As airlines love to throw different names on their seats, be sure to check which class you’re actually getting before booking.

Credit Card Protection vs. Travel Protection

“Does my credit card protection provide enough travel-related protection?” You are not alone in asking this question. It can be a tough question to answer. Time to Travel Tours is quick to recommend all travelers take time to research how credit card protection compares to the offered travel protection.

Here are some questions to guide your research:

• Do I have trip cancellation insurance with my credit card? If I need to cancel or interrupt my trip, what covered reasons are eligible?

• Do I have enough coverage for my trip?

• Can I cancel if my traveling companion or family member gets sick?

• Is emergency medical/dental and evacuation included as primary coverage with no deductibles?

• Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?

• If my luggage is lost, stolen or damaged, can I be reimbursed?

• Can I be reimbursed for essential personal items that I must purchase if my luggage arrives late at my destination?

• If my flight is delayed overnight, can additional expenses like hotel stays, meals and taxi fares be reimbursed?
  

Time to Travel Tours is here and ready to answer any travel protection questions!