Illuminate Your Holidays with AMA Waterways
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Claudia Pascua
Laguna Niguel, CA Travel Agent· 12 Years of Experience
A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
I am not currently accepting leads as I am currently out on parental leave, taking time to bond with my first child. I will be away from work until Monday, March 2nd.
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5.0
(20)
100% Recommended
Claudia was absolutely amazing to work with. We were able to get everything we wanted out of our trip and more! Read More >
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, SwitzerlandInterests:
Christmas Markets, Celebration Travel, Bespoke Travel, Luxury Cruises, LuxurySuppliers:
AmaWaterwaysAbout Me
Christmas Market in Germany
Why not celebrate the festive season by exploring Europe’s scenic rivers, storied cities, and vibrant markets on an AMA Waterways Christmas Cruise?
Born and raised in Germany, European Christmas Markets are part of my DNA and if you want to see the best spots during your winter getaway an AMA Cruise is simply the best way.
TIP: Remember that most markets shut down right before Christmas. Of course I can still plan a fun pre or post-cruise extension for you to make the most of your magical winter getaway!
Here’s a look at the best cities and places you'll visit on one of my favorite itineraries from Vilshofen to Basel:
Setting Sail from Vilshofen: Bavaria’s Festivities
Start in the quaint Bavarian town of Vilshofen. Discover historic streets, the St. Johannes Church, and the Vilshofen Advent Market, where you can sample local gingerbread and Glühwein.
Passau - The City of Three Rivers
Passau is renowned for its picturesque setting and vibrant Christmas scene.
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral: Home to the world’s largest cathedral organ, with mesmerizing Christmas concerts.
- Passau Christmas Market: Located in front of the cathedral, filled with handcrafted ornaments, local delicacies, and warm Glühwein.
- Old Town Exploration: Cobblestone streets adorned with festive lights, offering Gothic and Baroque architecture.
Vienna - Imperial Splendor
Vienna exudes grandeur, especially during the holidays with its iconic squares and palaces.
- Rathausplatz Christmas Market: One of Europe’s most famous markets, set in front of Vienna’s City Hall.
- Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market: Combines imperial grandeur with festive charm and seasonal treats.
- Vienna Opera House: Attend a holiday performance or admire the stunning architecture and festive lights.
Bratislava - Slovakia’s Holiday Heart
Slovakia's capital offers medieval charm and modern cheer.
- Bratislava Castle: Panoramic views of the city and Danube River.
- Hviezdoslavovo Square Market: Traditional treats like lokše and medovina, plus local crafts.
- Old Town Walking Tour: Discover the history and beauty of Bratislava’s Old Town, illuminated with holiday splendor.
Budapest - A Tale of Two Cities
Budapest offers a uniquely beautiful and festive holiday experience, split by the Danube into Buda and Pest.
- Advent Feast at the Basilica: Stunning Christmas market in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, ice rink, and light projections.
- Széchenyi Thermal Bath: Warm up in historic thermal baths, especially enchanting in winter.
- Parliament Building: Gothic Revival masterpiece, brilliantly illuminated.
Linz - Austria’s Cultural Tapestry
Linz blends traditional holiday charm with contemporary festivities.
- Christkindlmarkt am Hauptplatz: Market in Linz’s main square with artistic displays and festive stalls.
- Landhaus Courtyard: Intimate market focusing on regional cuisine and crafts.
- Linz Castle: Explore the region’s diverse history and artifacts.
Cologne - Heart of the Rhine
Cologne is famous for its grand cathedral and vibrant Christmas markets.
- Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market: Market set against the UNESCO-listed cathedral.
- Old Town District: Historic streets filled with holiday cheer.
- Chocolate Museum: Discover the history of chocolate-making and enjoy a hot cocoa.
Rüdesheim - A Festive Fairytale
Rüdesheim, with its half-timbered houses and scenic vineyards, offers picturesque holiday celebrations.
- Christmas Market of the Nations: Market with holiday traditions from around the world.
- Drosselgasse: Famous lane illuminated with festive lights, leading to wine taverns.
- Siegfried’s Mechanical Music Cabinet: Quirky museum filled with mechanical musical instruments.
Strasbourg - The Capital of Christmas
Strasbourg’s holiday spirit is unrivaled, with its stunning market and beautifully decorated streets.
- Christkindelsmärik: France’s oldest Christmas market with crafts, fine foods, and holiday displays.
- Cathedral de Notre Dame: Gothic architecture and holiday concerts inside the historic cathedral.
- La Petite France: Charming district adorned with festive decorations.
Basel - Swiss Holiday Magic
Basel, known for Swiss Christmas traditions, offers a rich holiday experience.
- Basel Christmas Market: Market stretching across Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz.
- Museum Tinguely: Museum dedicated to Swiss painter and sculptor Jean Tinguely.
- Old Town Walk: Basel’s medieval charm enhanced by the warm glow of holiday decorations.
An AMA Waterways Christmas Cruise isn’t just a trip; it’s an escape into the heart of European holiday traditions. From the storybook charm of Rüdesheim to the grand wonders of Vienna, each city offers unique festive flair. Coupled with exceptional onboard experiences, this cruise promises cherished memories and holiday cheer.
I look forward to planning your special Christmas Market Cruise for you!
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Germany, Austria, Netherlands, France, SwitzerlandInterests:
Christmas Markets, Celebration Travel, Bespoke Travel, Luxury Cruises, LuxurySuppliers:
AmaWaterwaysREVIEWS
Rating: 5.0
20 reviews
100% Recommended
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Showing 20 reviews
Honeymoon
Reviewed By Josh - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Maldives ~ Central Asia
Claudia was absolutely amazing to work with. We were able to get everything we wanted out of our trip and more!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
A Good Time Was Had By All!
Reviewed By G&D - Brooklyn, NY | Traveled to Thailand ~ East and Southeast Asia
Claudia met our every need planning the 30th anniversary trip for my husband and me. She introduced herself and asked just the right questions to get a feel of the type of travelers we are. During the planning phase she kept us fully informed of pricing and dates. When done, Claudia had put together the perfect trip. All we had to do was show up at the airport. During our travels, every aspect was arranged with spot on detail that met our every expectation. Claudia saw to it that we felt pampered and celebrated for our occasion. As far as the lodging, the places Claudia booked for us were perfectly matched to our needs and desires. We could not have asked for anything more. To say that we would highly recommend Claudia is way less than we wish to say. Her passion for what she does completely came through and in the end, she booked a most memorable trip making it one of our most favorite lifetime adventures thus far.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Fantastic trip to Thailand
Reviewed By Peg and Ellen - Naples, Florida | Traveled to Thailand ~ East and Southeast Asia
We couldn’t have been happier with the amazing trip Claudia arranged for us to travel through Thailand for 3 weeks. She listened to our desire to have a balance of activity and relaxation, and to experience authentic Thai accommodations that were absolutely stunning. Claudia was always available for any questions or last minute changes both before and during our trip. We were amazed that, without exception, every single time we either had to fly , or be driven somewhere, or take a boat , or be driven to a boat to be met by a driver at the other end - no matter what manner of transport we had to take - someone was at the location waiting for us. It was seamless and we had zero stress about getting from place to place. We highly recommend Claudia to take care of your holiday plans.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
5 of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Mystery Trip to Kenya
Reviewed By Mike & Josh - Los Angeles, CA | Traveled to Kenya ~ Africa
Claudia planned an amazing mystery trip for us to East Africa. I highly recommend trying it - we could not decide where to go, having traveled extensively in the past we just passed the baton to Claudia and she worked her magic. We gave her a few guidelines, place we've already visited, a budget and she did an amazing job. She even included the most wonderful experiences and welcome gifts in each hotel along the way - thank you!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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A Very Special Trip
Reviewed By Joe & Cathy - Alpharetta, Georgia | Traveled to Greece ~ Europe
We are senior citizens who haven’t been out of the country in decades and were leery about arranging a trip ourselves to Greece before meeting a prearranged tour group in Israel. A friend of ours recommended Travel Leaders 365 and we were paired with Claudia Pascua. Right from the start she listened to our aspirations and concerns and asked questions that we didn’t even think of. She did an amazing job for us in Greece which included tours, hotels, transfers and airline tickets. Little did we know that the day before we were to fly to Greece, Israel declared war ending our tour of Israel. No matter how many times we spoke to Claudia she was always professional, kind, and gave us different options while her air team worked on getting us a ticket back home. As a result of her expertise, our trip was very special. We highly recommend Claudia and the company and plan to use them in the future.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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My Places
When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.
Client Testimonials
Incredibly helpful
"My partner and I have worked with Claudia now for several years on long trips to Europe (one of them for 12 months). She is very knowledgeable, easy to work with, and most of all thorough with her assistance. As we continue to travel, we will always enlist the help of Claudia. Highly recommend." C&J
Cliff & Jeff, Santa Rosa, CA
Amazing India Trip
"Claudia is awesome to work with! She takes the time to understand what her clients want in their travel experience and ensures those expectations are not just met but exceeded. Claudia is so knowledgeable which allows her to plan the perfect trip. Claudia has planned two once-in-a-lifetime trips for us and each one was perfect from start to finish. Can’t wait for her to help with our next adventure!" A&M
Alex & Mike, Ojai, CA
Best in the West
“I have never worked with a more friendly, thorough, delightful travel agent until we connected with Claudia. She has amazing knowledge, has lived in Europe, comes up with extras to make everything you need before departing comfortable, for stress free traveling ANYWHERE!”
Pam + Greg - Napa, CA
Solo Adventure in Bali
"Claudia helped me get together my travel documents, choose locations, and find gorgeous hotels with added amenities... It was the adventure of a lifetime and I owe much of it to this extraordinary woman!"
Blaire - Los Angeles, CA
Relaxing Tahiti Getaway
"We stayed at a wonderful hotel in Tahiti and it was an amazing experience... Claudia was easy to work with and helped us get the best possible amenities with the least amount of work so that we could RELAX."
Brigette + Venessa - Santa Barbara, CA
Honeymoon in Finland
“Claudia has a true passion for travel and curating dream vacations. She was able to tame my imagination and turn it Into a feasible and AMAZING honeymoon of a lifetime. 1000 characters are not enough to rave about her! Thank you Claudia for making our dream honeymoon into a reality.”
Putri + Luc - Costa Mesa, CA
Mystery Engagement Trip to Morocco
"The location was absolutely perfect from the lodging to the location of our engagement. The care you both took from where we stayed to the guides to the drivers was right on point. Knowing that we were in good hands at all times was comforting."
Bliss & Kat - Portland, OR
Last-minute Trip to Germany
“Amazing! Thankfully Claudia agreed to take on planning our Mother-Daughter trip at the last minute and put together a fantastic experience that we could only dream of. She's attentive to every little detail, going above and beyond to make sure we had the best experience, and kept in touch to confirm everything was to our liking and standards (of course it was!).”
Lauren + Cherish - Santa Barbara, CA
A Year in Europe!
"My partner and I were going to travel to Europe for a full year, and take our small dog with us... This is a trip of a lifetime and I can say Claudia only enhanced it with her hard work and follow through. We cannot say enough good things about her!"
Jeff + Cliff (and Kody) - Santa Barbara, CA