POV: You’re Cruising Through the Gems of Southeast Europe at Christmas
Okay sooo can we talk about how school seriously gets in the way of me living my best life as a full-time travel queen?? Like, rude. I could be out here collecting passport stamps, trying wild street food, and learning cool history in real time—but nope! I’m stuck in class solving for x and pretending mitochondria is exciting. 🙄
BUT… December break? That’s my time. And this year I told my fam, “We’re going somewhere cold and Christmassy or I’m staging a holiday protest.” So what did we do? We packed our bags, flew to Europe, and boarded the AmaWaterways AmaBella for a week-long cruise down the Danube through the Gems of Southeast Europe.
Now, full disclosure: river cruises kinda have that reputation of being for the retiree crowd. And yeah… they kinda are. BUT I’m here to tell you that even though I was literally the only kid on board, I still had the best time ever. The staff was so sweet and made sure I felt included (shoutout to my juice-with-a-straw bestie Preso 💛), and there was way more to do than I expected.
So buckle up—because this cruise was full of castles, cathedrals, chimney cakes, and Christmas cheer. Let’s start at the top: Budapest, Hungary.
Budapest: Christmas Magic and Chilling History
We arrived a few days early to explore Budapest and hit the Christmas markets. This was my first time in Hungary, and I was OBSESSED with the architecture. The markets were packed and festive, but real talk—once you’ve seen a few Christmas markets in Europe, you start to notice they all sell similar stuff (wooden toys, ornaments, treats). Still fun though!
The most memorable part of Budapest for me was the Shoes on the Danube memorial. It honors Hungarian Jews who were killed during WWII by the Arrow Cross Party. They were made to take off their shoes before being shot into the river. It’s heartbreaking. But also really powerful. Standing there, looking at those metal shoes, reminded me why it’s important to learn history—so we don’t repeat it.
Fun Fact: The Danube River is the second-longest river in Europe and flows through 10 countries!
Did you know that “Budapest” is actually two cities—Buda and Pest—separated by the Danube River? Mind. Blown.
Other must-dos:
- Fisherman’s Bastion – Looks like a fairy tale castle.
- Matthias Church – Stunning inside and out.
- Great Market Hall – Perfect for souvenir shopping.
- New York Café – My mom dragged us here, and I’m glad she did. It’s INSANELY beautiful, and the food? Chef’s kiss. Pro tip: if you stay at the Anantara, you skip the line!
All Aboard the AmaBella – Gems of Southeast Europe!
The ship was decked out in full Christmas glam, which I obviously LOVED. Our stateroom was cozy but spacious, with a balcony perfect for watching the Danube go by. There was a gym, hot tub, cornhole, chess, and even a putting green! The food? Incredible. I’m a total foodie, and I never went hungry—not once.
Pécs, Hungary: Ancient Churches & Chimney Cakes
We visited the Pécs Cathedral (St. Peter & Paul Basilica), which dates back over 1,000 years! We got to explore the crypt underneath, and because of how it’s built, the acoustics are amazing—our guide even sang to demonstrate! (Yes, I wanted to belt out a show tune soooo bad.)
Educational Note: The cathedral was built during the Roman Empire and has been expanded over centuries. It’s also one of the most significant religious sites in Hungary.
At the Christmas market, I tried a chimney cake (kürtőskalács) with cinnamon sugar—SO good! Watching them spin and cook over hot coals was mesmerizing. I also found a love lock fence that reminded me of Paris. Full circle moments are the best.
Serbia: History, Science & City Vibes
Next up was Novi Sad, and we did an evening walking tour of the town. It was fine, but honestly a little underwhelming compared to the other stops. The Christmas lights were pretty, but it didn’t wow me.
Then we cruised overnight and woke up in Belgrade, Serbia—and let me just say, Serbia totally redeemed itself! This city is alive, colorful, and buzzing with energy.
We explored:
- Saint Sava Temple – One of the largest Orthodox churches in the whole world. The mosaics inside are stunning, especially the massive one of Christ Pantocrator.
- Nikola Tesla Museum – Tesla was a GENIUS. We held light bulbs and watched them glow just from energy in the air! 💡 Wanna see the Tesla magic? Watch the glow-up here.
Fun Fact: Nikola Tesla was born in what is now Croatia but was ethnically Serbian. He had over 300 patents and invented the modern alternating current (AC) system.
Then it was off to the Belgrade Fortress, which is this massive historical structure overlooking the Danube and Sava Rivers.
Did You Know? Belgrade Fortress has been destroyed and rebuilt over 100 times in history due to all the battles and empires that passed through.
That night, instead of eating on the ship, we grabbed dinner at Comunale, a trendy Italian restaurant right on the waterfront. I’m talking handmade pasta, perfect pizza, and dreamy vibes. It was packed, so definitely book a reservation if you’re going. 10/10 recommend!
Floating Through History: Golubac Fortress & The Locks
Waking up to see Golubac Fortress from our balcony was unreal. This medieval fortress looks like it came out of a fantasy novel. We climbed the towers and checked out the weapons exhibit.
Cool History: Golubac was built in the 14th century and played a key role in defending the Hungarian kingdom from Ottoman forces.
Then came the Danube locks! Okay y’all, this was wild—it’s like an elevator, but for boats! I mean, imagine the ship gliding into this giant concrete hallway that’s barely wider than a TikTok transition, and then BOOM, you start floating up. Or down. Like some kind of next-level water magic. Just like that, the ship is raised or lowered to the next level of the river. Legit felt like we were in a real-life Mario Kart shortcut scene. It was kind of nerve-wracking and totally fascinating—especially when I could literally reach out and touch the wall from our balcony!
Science Moment: Locks help ships pass between sections of a river with different elevations. It’s a super smart way to travel uphill on water!
Bulgaria: Banitsa & Bulgarian Yogurt FTW
In Ruptsi, Bulgaria, I had a once-in-a-lifetime cooking class from a local family. I learned how to make Banitsa from a sweet and hilarious woman named Ramona. It’s a warm, cheesy pastry that I’m still dreaming about
Then we learned about Bulgarian yogurt—which has a special probiotic strain called Lactobacillus bulgaricus.
Health Tip: This probiotic is only naturally found in Bulgaria and helps support digestion, boost immunity, and even improve skin health. Hello, clean girl era from the inside out! ✨🥣
And here’s the fun part: one of our hosts was actually actor Krasimir, who appeared in the Rambo movies. Casual celebrity moment!
Christmas on the River & Final Thoughts
Christmas Eve and Day were extra festive aboard the AmaBella. We played “Find the Christmas Pickle” (and yes, I won!), sang carols, and even had Santa—who may or may not have been the ship’s captain in costume. 😉
Shoutout to Preso, the crew member who made sure I always had apple juice with a straw. You’re the real MVP.
Our last stop was Romania, but that’s a story for another post! Click here to read about my time in Romania 🌟 →
Would I Recommend a River Cruise to Families?
YES. Even though river cruises are technically geared toward adults, there is so much for kids and teens to experience. The destinations are educational, the scenery is gorgeous, and the pace is super chill. Plus, you’re literally sleeping your way from one country to the next. So efficient.
Pro Tip: Bring a journal or patch collection and write down one cool fact or memory from every stop. You’ll thank yourself later!
💡 Free Tip for River Cruise Lines
Here’s something I hope cruise execs are paying attention to: river cruising is a total hidden gem for families—but right now, you’re seriously missing the mark.
There’s a growing number of kids and teens (like me!) who love travel that’s meaningful—think history that comes to life, hands-on experiences with locals, and cultural moments you can’t get in a textbook. My AmaWaterways journey through the Gems of Southeast Europe was packed with that kind of learning… but none of it was designed with families in mind.
So here’s my free tip: Start offering select sailings that include immersive, family-friendly excursions, interactive learning opportunities in each destination, and maybe even onboard cultural workshops. Not only would it elevate the guest experience—it would unlock a massive, currently untapped market.
Families are craving this kind of travel. It’s time river cruise lines catch up.
Until next adventure—stay curious, stay kind, and keep collecting those passport stamps. 💫
Xoxo,
Harper
