#gemsofsoutheasteurope

[frankwestpfahl]

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Belgrade, Serbia and our first major city of the cruise after Bucharest. The hustle and bustle, the traffic, and the sights. We saw the views from the fort and then slowly meandered to the church. At this time only the crypt is open but wow it's incredible. It is facinating learning about the coca cola communism of Tito, then a very brief over view of the conflict and how they are in transition as they build a democracy, education, and industry. I want to come back and explore more, it's a facinating city with unique architecture including a bombed out building form the conflict.  Then we finished the evening with Serbian dancing and music. What incredibly talented performers. This trip continues to remind me of my wonderful blessings. Everyone should see and explore this part of Europe it is a stark contrast from Western Europe for sure.  Off to our next port of Novi Sad before we visit Croatia, up next... . . . #selfie #justfrank #vacation #vacation2019 #urlaub #urlaub2019 #reise #spaß #friendship #adventure #2019 #fall #travel #fernweh #video @marty.reynoldsohana #november #thursday #amacerto #amawaterways #gemsofsoutheasteurope #serbia #belgrade  (at Belgrade, Serbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B44JHoMlPZA/?igshid=1s2zd47a9c5l1

[frankwestpfahl]

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Hello Romania! We have arrived to Bucharest not to be confused with Budapest, here in unseasonably warm Romania. The sun is shining, we took in a walking tour and learned some of the history of "the fish". As always we never allow enough time and this city and country have so much to see and do, from the mountains to the coast and of course the architecture. You have the Paris of the east mixed in with Soviet architecture and so much more. The people have been friendly and it's a day I won't soon forget. Then off to Giurgiu to board the beautiful AMACerto. It's good to be back and what a treat to have so many friendly folks remember us. We have a Verandah stateroom this time and I love the extra square footage. We have already meet incredible folks for Canada, Tucson, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Tucson and more. Tomorrow we explore Bulgaria. Farewell Romania, I can't wait to return. . . . #selfie #justfrank #vacation #vacation2019 #urlaub #urlaub2019 #reise #spaß #friendship #adventure #2019 #fall #travel #fernweh #video @marty.reynoldsohana #november #sunday #amacerto #amawaterways #gemsofsoutheasteurope #romania #bucarest #giurgiu (at Bucharest, Romania) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4srZtilfkN/?igshid=1snsii6e7b08q

[frankwestpfahl]

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Departure day, it's an early start to the day as we bid farewell to new friends and disembark the AmaCerto for a lazy day in Budapest. We strolled from the vessel along the Danube passing parliament and the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial. Still a powerful and haunting reminder of the autrocities of the past. We found our way to our home away from home for the night at the Marriott Budapest. I think this is the best Marriott I've stayed at. The views, the architecture, the design and the rooftop terrace. It's the perfect spot to explore the Christmas markets. One year ago if you had told me I'd be back to the Budapest Christmas market this year I wouldn't have believed you, but here we are again. However this year is sunny, warm and so much fun. The performers are incredible and the food. We even ran into friends from the ship. We truly did nothing but wander around and eat and just enjoy this perfect day. We found ourselves drawn to end the day back at the roof top just watching the world pass. A week goes by quickly and tomorrow we head home, with great memories and new friends. . . . #selfie #justfrank #vacation #vacation2019 #urlaub #urlaub2019 #reise #spaß #friendship #adventure #2019 #fall #travel #fernweh #video @marty.reynoldsohana #november #sunday #amacerto #amawaterways #gemsofsoutheasteurope #hungary #budapest #farewell (at Danube River, Budapest) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4_-kCUlHV7/?igshid=1th8ieihp6zit

[frankwestpfahl]

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Our final day aboard the beautiful AmaCerto. Where does a week go? Seven days, five counties, one river and so many memories. The day started with a spectacular sunrise and then off to Pecs, Hungary to see ancient Roman Ruins, a mosque turned church, incredible gardens of the bishop and strolling the beautiful streets.  After a morning in Hungarys second most popular city it was time to set sail for the final stop Budapest. We enjoyed a long, lavish lunch with friends, followed by afternoon tea, to the repeater's party and then the Farewell gala, and wrapped with a farewell feast. We exchanged info with all our new friends and took picture after picture.  The best part of a river cruise is really all the new friends you make. Thank you everyone for making this trip special and one I will never forget. Next stop Budapest.  . . #selfie #justfrank #vacation #vacation2019 #urlaub #urlaub2019 #reise #spaß #friendship #adventure #2019 #fall #travel #fernweh #video @marty.reynoldsohana #november #saturday #amacerto #amawaterways #gemsofsoutheasteurope #hungary #pecs #farewell (at Pécs, Hungary) https://www.instagram.com/p/B495r8XFNz5/?igshid=109it1tjpz4kg

[frankwestpfahl]

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One day, three stops and three countries; Serbia, Croatia, and Hungry. It is amazing when on vacation how fast a week can pass and this is no different. However today was a beautiful fall day and the cities and experiences so different. Novi Sad is a charming 18th century city designed by Maria Theresa. The church's, cafés and parks. We could have easily spent all day sitting and enjoying this amazing fall day outside.  Then when we departed the ship again in Croatia we learned about the early 90's conflict for independence. We went to an incredibly touching and thought provoking memorial to Vukovar massacre for the 221 Croatians that were torchured and mass executed after the fall of the city. So many of the victims are my age and died so young. My head can't comprehend how people can be so horrible to other humans. We wrapped up with a walking tour to see how the city was completely destroyed and occupied for the war and how they have rebuilt.  The story of the conflict varies by country and I found it interesting that in Serbia the war damage is blamed on NATO, where in Croatia it's blamed on Serbia. I'm over simplyfying a very complex conflict. It's a stark reminder that this can still happen in today's world. . . . #selfie #justfrank #vacation #vacation2019 #urlaub #urlaub2019 #reise #spaß #friendship #adventure #2019 #fall #travel #fernweh #video @marty.reynoldsohana #november #friday #amacerto #amawaterways #gemsofsoutheasteurope #serbia #croatia #hungary #novisad #ilok #vukovar (at Croatia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B46whcKlym6/?igshid=onc3qp849w48

[frankwestpfahl]

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It's the Iron Gates and a relaxing day sailing on the beautiful Danube through locks, passing a hydroelectric dam, seeing Roman ruins and rock sculptures. It was the perfect day, sleep in due to the time change from Eastern to Central European time, lavish breakfast with good friends and then hours on the sun deck, learning about Yougoslava, Romanian cooperation in the 1960s as we pass through the double lock at the power plant. Due to storms up river the captain announced after or bridge tour (very facinating by the way) that we needed to dock in Serbia and wait out the storm. To our surprise sight seeing was set up and we visited an archiological site from 10,000 years ago, showing some of the oldest houses and settlements of man kind. Soviet presentation back onboard and another great dinner with our ever growing group. Now it's time for bed as tomorrow we have an action packed day of sites in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade. What an awesome experience today. I'm so blessed and thankful for this amazing experience with friends old and new and people I love. Good night from Europe! . . . #selfie #justfrank #vacation #vacation2019 #urlaub #urlaub2019 #reise #spaß #friendship #adventure #2019 #fall #travel #fernweh #video @marty.reynoldsohana #november #wednesday #amacerto #amawaterways #gemsofsoutheasteurope #serbia #romania #lepenskivir #donjimilanovac (at Donji Milanovac) https://www.instagram.com/p/B40cq_XlTv7/?igshid=jp8gr2dpz9kc

[frankwestpfahl]

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Farewell to Bulgaria! What a beautiful and welcoming country. Like our host said tonight, "you don't come to Bulgaria for the architecture, art, or theatre, you come for the people." She is so right, the people have been warm and welcoming and after learning that a head nod means no and shake means yes, all is good. We started a leisurely morning drifting up the Danube. After breakfast, morning orientation, and lunch off to explore the most economical repressed region of the nation for some incredible natural beauty. We had five minutes at Baba Vida Fortress and then off to the highlight, Belogradchik hike with incredible rock formations and spectacular views. The weather was stunning and the experience special. Especially the overly friendly stray dogs that are looking for warm pets and treats. Then after dinner treated to a performance of traditional Bulgarian dance and song. A great day with new friends as we sail off to our next stop Serbia. As a bonus we cross time zones tonight and fall back one hour. Good night Bulgaria next stop the day after next Belgrade. . . . #selfie #justfrank #vacation #vacation2019 #urlaub #urlaub2019 #reise #spaß #friendship #adventure #2019 #fall #travel #fernweh #video @marty.reynoldsohana #november #tuesday #amacerto #amawaterways #gemsofsoutheasteurope #bulgaria #vidin #belogradchik #babafortress (at Bulgaria) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4yAIn5FK9U/?igshid=18ocnuospnx6a

[frankwestpfahl]

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Hello from Bulgaria! Today was a lot of motor coach as we departed from Rousse to Veliko Tarnovo to see forts and churches and hear a choral performance. The Fresco's from the 16th century, the fort from the Byzantine empire, the views from the top of the mountain. Bulgaria is more agricultural than anticipated. A great day and start as we explore more of this country along the Danube tomorrow from Vidin, Bulgaria. . . . #selfie #justfrank #vacation #vacation2019 #urlaub #urlaub2019 #reise #spaß #friendship #adventure #2019 #fall #travel #fernweh #video @marty.reynoldsohana #november #monday #amacerto #amawaterways #gemsofsoutheasteurope #bulgaria #rousse #velinkotarnovo #vidin (at Bulgaria) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4vIC_qlifZ/?igshid=jik93k9ezbow