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.
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.
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 2025
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 you to join our incredible cruise on the Douro with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
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!"
One of Austria’s most famous holiday desserts, vanillekipferl, are a well-loved treat among the countries of the Danube River, including Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Stop by one of Europe’s festive Christmas Markets to taste this delightful local delicacy on our Christmas Markets on the Danube, Magna on the Danube (Christmas), or Iconic Christmas Markets itineraries.
A Declaration of Victory
The vanillekipferl cookie was created around 400 years ago in Vienna, Austria in celebration of a victory over the Ottoman Turks. Locals took inspiration from the crescent moon found on the Turkish banner. These were not the only moon-shaped treat to come from Austria’s warring history with the Turks. Believe it or not, the croissant was an Austrian invention before it made its way to France!
A Debate of Origins
Although this dessert can undeniably be attributed to Austria, it has long been a part of the German Christmas tradition. In fact, vanillekipferl have become so linked with Germany that they are now considered a specialty of the Bavarian town Nördlingden, located approximately 70 miles from our port in Nuremberg, Germany.
Finding Vanillekipferl
While these melt-in-your-mouth almond crescent cookies are traditionally a Christmas specialty, you can pop into any Viennese café at any time of the year to enjoy one of these biscuits with a hot cup of coffee. The Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna is a guest favorite for finding some of the tastiest vanillekipferl. At Christmastime, you can find these delicious treats in any Christmas Market while sailing with us on the Danube River throughout Austria or Germany. Get a “sneak taste” by trying out our recipe!
Ingredients
» 1 cup soft butter
» 1 pinch of salt
» 2 tbsp vanilla sugar
» 1 egg yolk
» 2 1/2 cups plain flour, sifted
» 1/2 cup ground almonds
» 2 tbsp powdered sugar
Preparation
Mix the butter, salt, vanilla sugar and egg yolk in a bowl using a hand mixer. Add ground almonds and flour and knead into a dough, then divide into quarters.
Form four rolls, cover with cling wrap and cool for an hour. On a floured surface, cut the rolls into slices and form crescents. Put cookies on a greased or parchment-lined sheet.
Bake at 320° F for 12-15 minutes. Carefully remove and dip each cookie in powdered sugar while still warm. Cool completely on a rack.
Makes 25-30 cookies.
Taste these delicious Christmas cookies on our Christmas Markets on the Danube, Magna on the Danube (Christmas) and Iconic Christmas Markets itineraries in 2024 and beyond!