Samantha Brown Sails the Danube aboard the AmaMagna

Years ago, when the Travel Channel’s programming was all about traveling, I became a Samantha Brown fan.  I booked hotels and activities based on her recommendations and was never disappointed.  So when I saw that she had been asked by AmaWaterways to be godmother of the new AmaMagna, I took notice!

Samantha Brown will actually sail aboard the AmaMagna on the Romantic Danube departing July 14, 2019 from Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary. The Danube journeys through the very heart of Europe stopping at some of the world’s most elegant, and influential cities. Multiple capitals including Budapest, Vienna, and Bratislava makes this an extraordinary itinerary for both first-time river cruisers as well as seasoned cruisers.

Cunard’s "Event Cruises"

A theme cruise can be a bit tacky (I shudder at the thought of an Elvis cruise filled with a ship of hip-gyrating impersonators of the “king”) or it can be tasteful (maybe a week dedicated to outer space that doesn’t involve dressing up like r2d2). For the latter experience look no further than Cunard’s unique event cruises.

Here’s a small sample of what Cunard has planned for 2019 and 2020:

Big Band Ball voyages:  Saxophones, trumpets, trombones…music that calls for you to dance the night away. This is the cruise to strut your stuff!

Been There Done That…Athens, Greece

I have a Mediterranean cruise booked for the fall that will once again leave from Piraeus, the port city located within the urban area of Athens, Greece. I’ve been to Athens several times before, staying anywhere from a day to several, pre-cruise.  I’m at the point where I’m searching for some new things to see…places that don’t make the original “bucket list.” Here’s what I’ve found and plan to add to my itinerary.

Lake Vouliagmeni (Sunken Lake): Located just outside the city center, this is a small fresh water lake fed by underground currents seeping through Mount Hymettus. The lake is mineral rich; potassium, calcium, iodine, natrium…minerals known for the relief they give to hurting bones and muscles, eczema, headaches, arthritis and other ailments.  In addition, schools of small fish will approach swimmers and feed off of their dead cells, a practice that may seem a bit gross or weird, however there are many spas in the city that will charge for such a treatment!  Because of the year-round comfortable water temperature as well as the surrounding amenities (beach chairs, changing rooms, restaurants) Lake Vouliagmeni is thought of as a year-round spa visited by both locals and tourists.