CRUISE DOWN THE ROMANTIC DANUBE ON AMAWATERWAYS FOR THE ULTIMATE IN VACATION EXPERIENCES

It’s February and it is definitely time to plan your 2019 vacation.

If you haven’t thought about taking a river cruise to some beautiful destination in the world, think again. You can do as little or as much as you would like once you step into your luxurious home for the week (or longer). Sip a glass of wine as you watch incredible landscapes roll by before you, enjoy gourmet meals, hike up 1,000 stairs to a castle wall, bike on river paths through quaint towns and vineyards, and tour ancient city centers.

Unpack once and let the cruise itinerary lead you to destinations and experiences you would be hard pressed to organize and tour on your own within a given time period.

Enjoy a PHOTO TOUR of our experiences aboard AmaWaterway’s luxurious AmaCerto during an unforgettable cruise down the romantic Danube that brought us from Germany to Hungary, with scenic stops at places of outstanding beauty and rich history along the way.

Experience one of the world's largest thermal spas--a few miles from Munich's 5-star international airport

Munich International Airport, Europe's only 5 Star airport!

The next time you travel to Munich's 5-Star airport (which is a destination in itself!), consider a visit to the Therme Erding--just 10 miles from the airport--to banish your jetleg and revive your body and spirit in healing mineral water. The 13th Century city of Erding is also a delight to explore, as is the beautiful Bavarian countryside.

Munich is just a short (23 mile) train ride away, so you can actually have the best of both worlds during your visit.

Discover more about this destination on my USAToday 10Best link

Don't Leave Bavaria without Visiting Passau on the Danube: USATODAY 10BEST Photo Gallery

The ancient city of Passau, located at the confluence of three rivers (one of which is the Danube), is a delightful visitor destination. Read about its many charms as part of our photo essay on USATODAY 10Best.com

For more images of beautiful Passau by travel photographers Joanne and Tony DiBona, check out our PASSAU GERMANY PHOTO GALLERY

From Paris to Prague on an Award-Winning Viking River Cruise

Viking River Cruises was recently named Best River Cruise Line in the 10Best Readers' Choice Awards – and for a very good reason. The "Cities of Light" tour from Paris to Prague, down the Moselle and Rhine rivers and past some of Germany's most famous and historic cities and towns, is the consummate travel experience. The numerous city and cultural tour excursions, led by informative local guides, as well as the on-board amenities are top-notch. 

USATODAY 10Best.com Slide Gallery

Log onto our VIKING RIVER CRUISE photo show to see a daily gallery of photos highlighting each glorious day of our adventure.

Fairy Tale Destinations Within an Hour's Drive from Frankfurt

Frankfurt, Germany is a bustling metropolis in the heart of Europe and a global financial and trade hub. The city is an interesting visitor destination in its own right, but most travelers don't realize how many historical and charming towns are within an hour's drive from the city center.

Explore a photo essay that was published recently on USA TODAY/10Best describing this awesome adventure.

It's hard to imagine the history and German "Gemütlichkeit" that is so readily accessible from the hip and vibrant "big city" of Frankfurt. Stroll through Medieval villages, raise a glass of Riesling in the famous town of Rüdesheim on the Rhine, immerse yourself in history in the cities of Aschaffenburg and Darmstadt, luxuriate in the mineral spas of Bad Homburg, and enjoy a unique wine tasting experience in Hochheim. There's a wealth of experiences awaiting the visitor to the Frankfurt Rhine Main region of Germany.

Interested in seeing some stunning photos of this entire adventure? Please log on to my Germany photo gallery page.

Bavaria--Heaven on Earth in Southern Germany

10Best.com published a two-part series I produced on Bavaria, Germany. Bavaria is one of the most picturesque vacation destinations in the world, and hopefully this photo show will inspire travelers to visit this safe, friendly, and infinitely beautiful part of the world.

Marienplatz, Munich Bavaria Germany   © Joanne DiBona

Bavaria Slide Show, Part 1

Bavaria Slide Show, Part 2