Already booked? Learn why you should transfer your trip to a travel agent
AmaWaterways is the Real Deal!

Want the latest travel news, deals and more? Sign-up for my newsletter!


Share: 

AmaWaterways is the Real Deal!

Holland and Belgium River Cruise…

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go on a European river cruise?  I had a preconceived notion thinking this was an old person’s vacation.  Although river cruises do attract older people and accommodate those who may have mobility issues, this is definitely not an elderly cruise!  I can tell you that this was one of the most fascinating vacations I have ever been on.  The AmaStella was our vessel, or ship, and is basically like a floating hotel.  Your room is always in the same location on board so no need to pack your bags and change rooms every few days.  AmaWaterways offers a variety of cruise itineraries that will keep you interested time and time again.   Right now they are celebrating 20 years in business with some amazing prices!

We flew out a day before the cruise and did a little sightseeing in Amsterdam.  I highly recommend doing this to get acclimated to the time change.  We took a canal cruise which was interesting, but not recommended if you have jet lag!  The warm sun made my eyelids heavy and I am sure I missed a thing or two!

Saturday morning we took the Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour which took us through the Jewish Quarter. Our guide, Roza, did a great job telling us about what it was like in Amsterdam during WWII.  

One stop was at the Auschwitz Monument.  The monument is made of broken mirrors signifying that 'heaven is no longer unbroken since Auschwitz.'

The last stop of the tour was in front of the Frank house where Anne and her family survived for 761 days!  Unfortunately we did not get to go in the house, but seeing the outside of the house in person as well as renderings of the inside makes it even more remarkable that they survived there for so long.

Our first stop on the AmaStella was in Utrecht, Amsterdam.  In the morning we visited Floriada, the international horticultural exhibition.  Castle De Haar, the largest castle in the Netherlands, was where we spent the afternoon. 

Castle De Haar was once the private residence of the Van Zuylen family, whose descendants still stay here yearly. The castle also frequently hosted members of the international jet-set with their lavish lifestyle; from Coco Chanel to Roger Moore, they too left their mark on the plush rooms of the most beautiful spot in Utrecht.

Lastly, we had dinner at the chef’s table aboard the beautiful AmaWaterways, AmaStella! A wonderful experience with several passengers in a private dining room.  This is available for all guests at least one night on the cruise. Delicious!

It's a good trip when you can't remember what day of the week it is while on vacation! On Tuesday, June 28th we were in Ghent, Belgium!  A beautiful and quaint city with so much to offer!  Our day started by visiting the St. Bavo Cathedral and the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The Ghent Altarpiece, or ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers, completed in 1432, is recognized worldwide as a great work of art, and one of the most influential paintings ever made. Hubert van Eyck painted part of the Ghent Altarpiece that includes the Mystic Lamb, but was never able to finish it. His younger brother Jan, completed this masterpiece a few years after Hubert’s death.

This church was originally named Saint John the Baptist in 942.  The diocese of Ghent was founded in 1559 and the church became St Bavo's Cathedral.

After this, we had free time to explore.  We ate waffle fries, bought and tasted some chocolate, visited the smallest bar in Ghent (which used to be a jail) and then off to visit the Gravenstein Castle.  The moated castle was built by Count Phillip of Alsace in 1180.  I am so impressed with how well these castles have stood the test of time.  When I think about how long ago they were built with no modern way of constructing such a large building, it really is amazing!

One of our days was spent at the Battle of the Bulge site.  What rich history is here in Belgium!  The perspective of this museum is one of great appreciation of the United States and what they did to save their country during World War II.  Our tour guide was a walking encyclopedia!  He had so much knowledge of World War II and how each country became involved.

The photos below are from the museum, the actual battle field where foxholes still exist, a memorial to the 101st Airborne Division, memorials to honor General Patton and General McAuliffe.  The people of Belgium are incredibly grateful to the United States and paid to have these memorials in their country.

Our day in Antwerp was spent participating in a walking tour of the city and ending our time with a Belgium beer tour!  We saw the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady, Steen’s Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain.  This particular city paid homage to the Virgin Mary.  Citizens from long ago would place a statue of the Virgin Mary on a light post so they would not have to pay taxes!  Some statues were elaborate and some very simple, but all placed for the same reason.  We ended our day with a beer tour tasting local beers.  Some were good, others not so much!  After all that beer, I finally found my Belgium waffle!  It was delicious!

The last day was in a small beautiful harbor town called Dordrecht.  I was in awe of this beautiful community.  We walked the city streets learning all about the rich history and sightseeing the amazing homes and businesses.  Dordrecht is Holland’s oldest city, being founded in 1220.  The last tour of the day was visiting the iconic windmills in Kinderdijk.  This small town is known for having the largest concentration of windmills dating back to the 18th century.  The first windmill still exists today!  What I found so interesting is that the windmills are used to pump water back to the sea to keep the town from flooding.  We climbed inside a windmill to see how it works and received some interesting information from a “miller” who is someone who operates the windmill.  

 

If you are now inspired to find an AmaWaterways river cruise that fits your interests, please contact me at [email protected] or 918-645-9524.  


Matching Cruise Offers

7-night Magic of Colombia Cruise
AmaWaterways
7-night Magic of Colombia Cruise

Barranquilla/Cartagena
Departure June 13, 2026
Ship AmaMagdalena
Length 7 Nights
7-night Magic Of Colombia With 3-nights Panama Post Cruise Cruise/Land Package
AmaWaterways
7-night Magic Of Colombia With 3-nights Panama Post Cruise Cruise/Land Package

Barranquilla/Panama City
Departure June 13, 2026
Ship AmaMagdalena
Length 10 Nights
14-night Magnificent Europe Cruise
AmaWaterways
14-night Magnificent Europe Cruise

Budapest/Amsterdam
Departure June 13, 2026
Ship AmaStella
Length 14 Nights
7-night Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles With 3-nights Lake Como Pre-Cruise Cruise/Land Package
AmaWaterways
7-night Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles With 3-nights Lake Como Pre-Cruise Cruise/Land Package

Lake Como/Amsterdam
Departure June 13, 2026
Ship AmaVenita
Length 10 Nights
14-night Magnificent Europe Cruise
AmaWaterways
14-night Magnificent Europe Cruise

Amsterdam/Budapest
Departure June 13, 2026
Ship AmaLea
Length 14 Nights

Can't find your perfect cruise? See all the cruises to find the perfect vacation!

See ALL Cruise Deals & Offers

Get in touch with Gretchen Ode

*Captcha:



Get your <span style='color:#4e63d7;font-size:23px;'><b>FREE</b></span> AmaWaterways Guide Our FREE Guide
Get your FREE AmaWaterways Guide
Download Now

Back by popular demand! Download our FREE ULTIMATE Guide to AmaWaterways. We are an AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist Agency, ready to create your perfect itinerary! Our over 120 page page guide to river cruising through Europe, Asia & Africa. The latest on ships, new destinations and itineraries. More information about their award winning fleet, RHINE CASTLES & SWISS ALPS, VINEYARDS OF THE RHINE & MOSELLE, ESSENCE OF BURGUNDY & PROVENCE, AFRICA SAFARIS & WILDLIFE CRUISE

Gretchen Ode

AmaWaterways is the Real Deal!

California Travel Agent Near Me

Share :

Hello travelers! I'm Gretchen Ode - proud mom of two, Marine veteran's wife, Chicago native, and passionate travel advisor bringing global adventures to life from my home base in beautiful San Jose, California. Serving San Jose and the greater Bay Area , I combine my personal travel experiences with professional expertise to create unforgettable journeys for families, couples, and adventure-seekers. My approach to travel planning is deeply personalized – I believe every vacation should be as unique as the travelers themselves. My Approach As your dedicated travel advisor, I transf...  Read More >>>

An expert destination wedding travel agent near me with five star luxury travel packages with a luxury travel company, Vincent Vacations.


Want the latest travel news, deals and more? Sign-up for my newsletter!



Want to stay in the loop? Follow Gretchen Ode on all the socials!

Facebook Group
Join my group on Facebook! See latest deals and travel adventures. Join me as I travel around the world! I share great tips and tricks, videos to show my travels and to information about what it's like to be a travel agent with Vincent Vacations! Come check me out!
LinkedIn - Vincent Vacations Travel Agency
Network with me - Please connect and follow me on LinkedIn! See my travel posts and join me as I travel around the world! I share new posts to highlight my travels and my travel adventures with Vincent Vacations!
Pinterest
Follow me on Pinterest and see my pins! See my travel related pics, boards, pins, focusing on travel inspiration, latest deals and travel adventures. What it's like to be a travel agent with Vincent Vacations! Come check me out!

My Areas of Expertise

Learn more about destinations, interests, and supplier partners for online travel agent Gretchen Ode.

Destinations

Interests

  • Adult Only
  • All Inclusive
  • Babymoons
  • Bachelor Parties
  • Bachelorette Parties Girlfriend Getaways
  • See All >>

Supplier Partners

  • Abercrombie & Kent
  • Accor Hotels
  • Air New Zealand
  • Amtrak Vacations
  • Atlantis Bahamas
  • See All >>

37 Certificates & Awards

Hawai`i Destination Specialist
Hawai'i Destination Specialist

Hyatt Inclusive Collection Confidant
Hyatt Inclusive Collection Confidant

Hyatt Inclusive Collection Europe Overview
Hyatt Inclusive Collection Europe Overview

10 Reviews & Success stories

Family Beachfront Vacation
Family Beachfront Vacation


Let me share with you all my experience with booking our summer vacation through Gretchen - Called Gretchen to help me brainstorm. I said I want to go somewhere warm, and this year we want to drive. I suggest a cruise and she advised that wouldn't be a good idea for what I had in mind. I gave her my budget and left it in her hands. A few days later, she sent me three options in FLORIDA! I told her which beach front condo of the options she sent that I wanted to book and that was it. She filled everything out for me, handled all of the payments, and the best part was when we got there I didn't have to deal with property management AT ALL. I never spoke to them even ONCE.






We didn't have to worry about anything. We got there significantly early, told Gretchen if we could get early access let us know, but if not no biggie. We went to the beach to play. 45 minutes later Gretchen texts me the entry code, cleaners are gone and the place is ours for the week!!






We didn't really need a lot of assistance but I appreciated that she made is VERY clear through texts and emails the day of arrival to absolutely never hesitate to reach out if we needed anything, providing wonderful peace of mind!




She is well traveled herself and knowledgeable about lots destinations. She will be honest with you if she thinks it isn't a good fit for you / your family.





-Jackie Y.

7-day Taste of Ireland Tour
7-day Taste of Ireland Tour

Anyone considering a trip and wanting someone to handle all the details, reach out to Gretchen Ode with Vincent Vacations. We highly recommend her - She is the absolute best! We had an amazing time and met so many fun people.  Ireland is so beautiful! Thanks again for handling all the details and making sure everything went smoothly on our trip.  We really appreciate it!
-Bonnie S.

California Trip
California Trip

I can’t thank Gretchen enough for the incredible help she gave us in planning our recent trip to La Jolla, CA. I reached out to her last minute, completely overwhelmed by the endless hotel options and unsure where to even begin. Within no time, Gretchen stepped in with her trademark calm, professionalism, and deep knowledge of California — and turned the whole experience around for us.


She quickly found us the perfect hotel in a fantastic part of La Jolla. My son loves the San Diego Padres and we were visiting for a game, and this was a great location to be near the city but also away from the hustle and bustle.


What really stood out was how effortlessly Gretchen handled everything. Her recommendations were spot-on, and she made sure every detail was taken care of. It was such a relief to have someone with her expertise and local insight guiding us, especially when we were crunched for time.



If you're planning a trip — especially to California — and want someone who truly knows the area and genuinely cares about creating a great experience, Gretchen is the one to call. We’re so grateful and already looking forward to planning the next getaway with her help!


-Amanda G.

4 Reviews

Latest Blog posts

Experience VIP Treatment in Jamaica and Punta Cana5/28
2025
Experience VIP Treatment in Jamaica and Punta Cana

When it comes to starting your vacation off with a bang, nothing beats the convenience and luxury of...

How to Make Fijian Pumpkin Curry: A Taste of the Islands5/15
2025
How to Make Fijian Pumpkin Curry: A Taste of the Islands

If you’ve ever visited Fiji, you know that the local food is a flavorful and vibrant mix of tropical...

The Unexpected Surprises of Vacation and How a Travel Agent Can Help5/14
2025
The Unexpected Surprises of Vacation and How a Travel Agent Can Help

Vacations are meant to be a time to unwind, explore new places, and escape the daily grind. But, as ...

Photo Albums

Italy
Italy

Visiting Italy is like stepping into a living masterpiece, with its rich history, stunning landscapes, and world-renowned cuisine. From the ancient ruins of Rome and the Renaissance art in Florence to the romantic canals of Venice, every corner offers something unique. Explore charming hilltop towns in Tuscany, indulge in delicious pizza and pasta, and enjoy vibrant street life in cities like Milan and Naples. Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, foodie, or nature enthusiast, Italy promises an unforgettable experience filled with beauty, culture, and passion.



Start Your Next Trip With Vincent Vacations Today!

In business for over 10 years, we are your #1 source for travel!

See more