Page 10 - AAA Now! – AAA Central Penn – May/June 2021

TRAVEL
Romantic Danube
River Cruising
Celebrate Europe’s Enchanting Christmas Markets
By Judie Karhan
For centuries, the Danube River has inspired poets, musicians and artists. Today, this celebrated waterway is still wonderfully enchanting. A cruise along this picturesque river is best experienced aboard AmaWaterways’ intimate
and luxurious AmaBella, which can easily slip into the most intriguing European ports – whether it be a charming village or cosmopolitan city; explore to your heart’s content.
AAA Central Penn’s previous Board Chair, Roger Moyer, invites you to join him on a journey aboard the AmaBella December 4-12, 2021 to experience the sights of the Danube and Christmas markets of Europe during a magical time of the year, when streets are transformed into winter wonderlands brightened with festive lights and holiday cheer.
Board the AmaBella in Munich, Germany, and venture first to Passau, Germany. During the season of Advent, beautiful Passau dresses in her Bavarian holiday splendor, which you will discover on your walking tour through the city and at its Christmas market at St. Stephen’s Square, also home to its magnificent cathedral. The Passau market is full of unique crafts, including Bavarian-style houses and glass ornaments.
In Linz, Austria, known for its Christmas creches and Linzer torte, take a walking tour through the old city center and by the Mozart House, or a guided bike tour along the Danube River. Alternatively, enjoy a full day in Salzburg with a walking
tour in the historic center, famous for its religious history and Baroque architecture, and especially as birthplace of Mozart. While in Salzburg, be sure to visit the Christmas markets, which are renowned for local crafts and holiday presents.
Weissenkirchen, Austria, welcomes you with the opportunity to take a walking tour in the quaint town of Durnstein and visit the Benedictine Abbey of Melk. For a more active adventure, bike along the Danube River or hike up to formidable Durnstein Fortress where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was once held captive, and enjoy incredible views of the river and the village below.
The adventure continues with a two-night stay in Vienna, Austria, City of Waltzes. In this Baroque city of romance
and elegance you may choose to join a tour showcasing its regal splendors, including the majestic Opera House and the former Imperial Palace of the Habsburgs, before concluding in Vienna’s historic city center. Spend the afternoon at the charming Schonbrunn Christmas markets. From Vienna, you can also enjoy a Bratislava city tour, which includes a visit to Bratislava’s Christmas market. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may choose to take an invigorating castle hike from Vienna to Bratislava Castle to see the treelined Hviezdosiav Square, the narrow House of the Good Shepherd, Michael’s Gate and the Old Town Hall. In the evening, explore Vienna’s festive Christmas markets.
Thought by many to be one of the world’s most attractive cities, Budapest comprises the two towns of Buda and Pest bisected by the Danube River. Seven of the most beautiful bridges to be found anywhere span the Danube. Visit Vorosmarty Square, the oldest, richest and the most spectacular of all the Christmas markets in Budapest.
If you would like to extend your European vacation, please join AAA Central Penn on a special pre-cruise tour in Prague, the “City of a Hundred Spires.” Contact your AAA travel agent for details and to make reservations for this outstanding “Christmas Markets on the Danube” itinerary.
BOARD CHAIR’S TRIP
10 I MAY/JUNE 2021
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