6 Great Reasons to Take a Mid-November Europe River Cruise

I frequently get asked, “When is your favorite time to take a river cruise?”

This question is often difficult to answer as each season in Europe offers different scenery and wonderful events to discover. One time of the year that doesn’t get highlighted as much as it should is mid-to-late November.

So here are Six Great Reasons to Take a River Cruise in Mid-November:

1. Cost Savings: Airfare can be 30% cheaper than in September and October and sometimes half the cost of a peak Christmas time flight.

2. Less Crowded – More Time to Relax: Towns and villages are more relaxed and guests become privy to the every-day life of the locals that make these locations so captivating.

3. Plentiful Wine Talk and Tastings: The wine harvest is usually completed and wine producers have more time to talk about — and taste — their wonderful regional wines.

AMA Waterways

4. Leisurely Christmas Shopping: The Christmas Markets in Europe start opening around mid-November offering early Christmas shopping without the crowds.

5. Stress-free Family Time: No worries about who is cooking the Thanksgiving turkey or organizing activities to keep every member of the family happy. We love to surprise our guests with colorful, seasonal decorations and special holiday menu items that create a cozy and festive feeling onboard all our ships at this time of year.

6. Great for Your Health: The fresh cool air is perfect for invigorating walks or leisurely bike rides along country paths.

AMA Waterways

Now that I have shared my “Six Great Reasons,” here are four special Wine Cruises that offer all of that …not to mention a special $750 per person cruise savings.

November 15-22nd The Romantic Danube from Vilshofen to Budapest (AmaStella): hosted by Anna Marie Dos Remedios, Co-Owner and Winemaker, Idle Hour Winery, Oakhurst CA. Special itinerary highlight — Vienna Christmas Markets visit.

November 16-23rd The Taste of Bordeaux (AmaDolce): hosted by Preston Mohr, a wine expert and wine educator, based in Paris, France, and founder of “Paris By The Glass” that offers wine tastings, gourmet walking tours, classes and vineyard day trips in France and beyond. Special itinerary highlight – Bordeaux was named “Top City in the World to Visit in 2017” by Lonely Planet and the Los Angeles Times — I can’t think of a better reason!

November 18-25th The Enchanting Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel (AmaSonata): hosted by Mike and Marti Andrews, Owners, Coyote Canyon Winery, Prosser, WA. Their vineyard grows more than 26 varieties and has received more than 200 gold medals since its founding. Special itinerary highlight — Thanksgiving dinner on board and a visit to the Christmas Markets in picturesque Riquewihr, France.

November 20-27th The Romantic Danube from Vilshofen to Budapest (AmaCerto): hosted by Black Widow and Popular Grove Wineries, boutique wine producers from the Naramata Bench wine region in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Special itinerary highlight — Thanksgiving dinner on board and visits to Christmas Markets in Vienna and Budapest.