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(18 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Claudia Pascua

Las Vegas, NV
Curated Luxury Escapes to Asia, Africa & Beyond

I’m Claudia, German by birth and a global nomad at heart. Born and raised in East Germany, I have traveled to over 100 countries, gaining rich and diverse travel experiences. My top recommendations? Add Rwanda, South Korea, and Morocco to your lis...
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Illuminate Your Holidays with AMA Waterways

Christmas Market in Germany
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!

My Reviews

3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Honeymoon
Claudia was absolutely amazing to work with. We were able to get everything we wanted out of our trip and more!
By  Josh  from  Chicago, IL
Traveled to  Maldives ~ Central Asia
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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3 of 4 people found this review helpful
A Good Time Was Had By All!
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.
By  G&D  from  Brooklyn, NY
Traveled to  Thailand ~ East and Southeast Asia
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Mystery Trip to Kenya
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!
By  Mike & Josh  from  Los Angeles, CA
Traveled to  Kenya ~ Africa
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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2 of 3 people found this review helpful
A Very Special Trip
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.
By  Joe & Cathy  from  Alpharetta, Georgia
Traveled to  Greece ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Romantic Getaway
Claudia was great! She helped us navigate our engagement trip to Mexico/Cabo. We stayed at some amazing places and got some really special upgrades. A bottle of champagne was waiting for us upon checking in. So memorable! We highly recommend her.
By  Brigette  from  Santa Barbara, CA
Traveled to  Mexico
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Destination Expert:

  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Netherlands
  • France
  • Switzerland

Travel Specialist:

  • Christmas Markets
  • Celebration Travel
  • Bespoke Travel
  • Luxury Cruises
  • Luxury

Top Travel Partners:

  • AmaWaterways

Certifications/Awards:

  • ASTA New Stars Award & Scholarship Winner 2016

Languages I Speak:

  • English
  • German

Connect with Me:

Industry Affiliations:

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