Whether you’re looking to pop the question, celebrate a special anniversary, renew your vows or simply gaze into your loved one’s eyes on a well-deserved getaway, AmaWaterways offers some of the most romantic river cruise vacations in Europe. Here are our top five picks.
1. Romantic Danube
The romance that the Danube instills cannot be understated. There’s a certain storybook charm that runs along its banks. Stunning scenery fit for kings and queens greets you at every bend as you sail through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary on our Romantic Danube itinerary. Displaying the magnificence of Old-World Europe, the grand capitals – Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna – captivate all who visit. Vienna, in particular, is favored by couples, where you can delight in the sound of horses’ hooves clip-clopping across the cobblestone and perhaps even opt for a carriage ride through the city. Charming towns, such as Dürnstein, Austria, will forever be in your hearts.
We Recommend: Cozying up under a blanket on the Sun Deck with a glass of Hungarian Tokaj wine (or perhaps some herbal tea) during your overnight in Budapest as the Old-World architecture illuminates at night.
Best Excursion for Couples: Our Český Krumlov walking tour adds another country to your journey – the Czech Republic – and this charming mountain town is a favorite for guests who prefer exploring more intimate, off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- Impressions of the Seine & Paris
There’s a reason why Paris is known as “the City of Love.” The city's labyrinth of colorful Belle Epoque architecture on narrow streets creates the perfect ambiance for a sentimental stroll. Paris has also played a major role in inspiring classic romantic literature, such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, and helped create beautiful works of art by Monet, Van Gogh, and Édouard Manet. The romance doesn’t stop there, however. On our Impressions of the Seine & Paris itinerary, you and your loved one may also bask in the vibrant colors of Monet’s Gardens and home in the beautiful French village of Giverny, or at the Gardens d’Acquigny, boasting bridges, canals and waterfalls.
We Recommend: Choosing a departure from Le Havre to Paris. Why? You won’t want to miss the breathtaking view as you sail into Paris towards the iconic Eiffel Tower. Then, while in Paris, navigate to The Pont des Arts, a UNESCO-designated “love lock” bridge overlooking the Seine River.
Best Excursion for Couples: Stop and marvel at the wide open spaces surrounding the Château d’Etelan. The first Italian Renaissance château built in France in 1494, it is the ideal setting for a mid-afternoon picnic in the gardens.
3. Captivating Rhine
Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, and many other fairytales of legend have one thing in common: they all take place in stunning castles that spark romance between their two main characters. These magical destinations don’t just exist in fairytales, however; they are based in real locations, with several of them residing along the Rhine River. On our Captivating Rhine sailing, you will sail by glorious vineyards and fortresses in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland that bring your favorite fables to life. Plus, you can soar over enchanting Rüdesheim on a romantic gondola ride. And the sunsets in Amsterdam can’t be beat.
We Recommend: Sail this itinerary in autumn and not only will you marvel at historic fortresses enveloped in fall foliage, but you’ll also be able to toast with the region’s newest wines, during or after the harvest!
Best Excursion for Couples: Take our walking tour through the university town of Heidelberg, Germany, beneath the gaze of the rosy sandstone-faced Heidelberg Castle. During your built-in free time in town, be sure to find the Studentenkuss (Student’s Kiss) chocolate shop and share one with your beloved companion.
- Best of Holland & Belgium
Beautiful architecture, idyllic landscapes, impressive castles, and mouthwatering chocolate delicacies await you on our Best of Holland & Belgium itinerary. If by any chance you are ring shopping, our walking tour through Antwerp, the “City of Diamonds,” offers built-in free time for you to peruse cut, color, clarity and carat within the shops. As they say, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” but jewelry or not, the cobblestone squares and Neo-Renaissance architecture also make this city a lovely backdrop for your cute couple selfies.
We Recommend: Our included biking excursions offer long periods of quiet reflection between stops and gorgeous windmill-laden scenery as you pedal side by side the way the locals do through fascinating destinations like Utrecht, Dordrecht and Kinderdijk. If there’s time when the ship is docked in Veere, venture off to taste the fresh Zeeland oysters.
Best Excursion for Couples: Have fun indulging your sweet tooth and feeding one another some rich morsels during our included Belgian chocolate tasting in Brussels.
5. Iconic Christmas Markets
There’s nothing like walking arm in arm with your significant other under glistening Christmas lights that fill the night with holiday cheer. With a vast array of Christmas Markets scattered across majestic cities such as Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Vienna and Budapest, our Iconic Christmas Markets itinerary on the Danube River exudes the rich scent of cinnamon-dusted almonds, lebkuchen gingerbread and hot mulled wine that will warm your heart. Vendors of all sorts line the streets of each winter wonderland, displaying handcrafted trinkets that make a perfect impromptu gift for your other half as you wander through blinding arrays of light, such as at the Rathaus Christmas Market in Vienna.
We Recommend: Ordering the traditional apple strudel at Schönbrunn Palace’s Café Residenz while visiting this Christmas Market in Vienna. One strudel, two forks!
Best Excursion for Couples: Don’t miss the world-renowned Christmas Markets at Thurn & Taxis Palace in Regensburg, widely considered to be the most romantic in all of Germany.
Contact your travel advisor to reserve your romantic river cruise getaway and ask about our Vow Renewal Packages today!