AmaWaterways wine cruises add a unique epicurean dimension to a variety of itineraries at no additional cost. Join one of these wine cruises with a special wine host and be treated to a menu of exclusive wine and culinary experiences designed to delve deeper into the wonderful flavors and tastes of Europe.
European cities transform into majestic winter wonderlands for the holiday season – and we invite you to experience all their splendor with us. In addition to our variety of daily excursions, you will also have the opportunity to visit festive Christmas Markets in select destinations and participate in nostalgic traditions.
Maximize your Christmas experience by embarking at the height of the holiday market season with daily or near-daily visits to Christmas Markets.
Get "just a taste" of the holidays in mid-November or late December with visits to one or two Christmas Markets during your river cruise.
We are pleased to offer guests the opportunity to experience Floriade in 2022 while sailing along the Rhine River and Dutch and Belgian Waterways between April 14 and October 9. Right outside Amsterdam, this rare experience calls for its visitors to “explore, touch and change” as part of their journey into Floriade – which is set to feature stunning gardens, innovative sustainable gardening exhibits, live entertainment, talk shows, souvenirs and food stalls.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Rhône with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Explore the rich history of classical music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2024.
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through four countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
Join Chef Joanne Weir, award-winning cookbook author, restaurant owner and host of PBS television series “Plates & Places” as she hosts a special 7-night Flavors of Burgundy river cruise.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Danube with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2025
Explore the rich history of classical and folkloric music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey.
Countries Visited: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through five countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights.
Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the iconic Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. Discover Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at some of the leading championship courses on the continent.
AmaWaterways’ Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Magna on the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna.
Hello! "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. Each month, I love to share with you my thoughts, personal stories, travel tips and latest news on the people and places that help turn every mile of our guests' river cruise experience into one of their most cherished memories!"
The architect was a legend, a rockstar among the French court – so much so that he is often referred to simply as ‘Vauban.’ While the iconic Vauban (1633-1707) built over a hundred citadels, his own personal favorite is that of the Blaye Citadel.
Located along the right bank of the Gironde River, just downstream of Bordeaux, the ancient town of Blaye was of strategic importance, dating back to Roman rule. A castle was built here as early as 625 AD as the town was attacked numerous times during the Middle Ages. Artillery fortifications may have first been installed during the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598), a time of civil infighting between Catholics and Protestants.
In 1685, Vauban was sent to Blaye to update the citadel even further, building one of the strongest fortresses along the French Coast. Born in 1663 in the city that now claims his name, Saint-Léger-Vauban (previously known as Saint-Léger-de-Foucheret), France’s foremost military engineer of his time was both engineer and soldier. At age 17, Vauban enlisted with Le Grand Condé in the war of the Fronde. Later, despite being held captive, he became devoted to the monarchy, his once-enemy. He began engineering new designs while still a soldier and was soon known for his designs as much as (or even more than) his ability to strategically break through them. His ideas were the dominant model in sieges for almost 100 years, inspiring engineers even to this day.
Vauban wrote in his memoirs that Blaye was his favorite design. The fortress effectively closed the river to enemy ships. Most of the walls follow the Gironde’s jagged shoreline, allowing most guns to face directly out over the river. A few others were positioned so they could fire up or down the water as well. These fortifications were called to action for ten days during the Napoleon Wars in 1814, when the British attacked. Napoleon’s abdication ended the conflict – but Vauban’s designs held their own over 100 years of their construction.
The imposing citadel has four large arrow-headed bastions, three demi-lunes and a deep ditch. Port Royale is the main entrance, which is found on the east side – visitors can walk through or even drive through. Sometimes, you may even spot a horse-drawn carriage! Be sure to walk around the walls for captivating views of the town and the Gironde estuary below. The Clock Tower (Tour de l’orlonge) and portrait of Vauban (found in the convent) are also must-sees.
Visit the Citadel of Blaye on our Taste of Bordeaux itinerary.