The holiday spirit can be found on a river cruise to Europe’s twinkling Christmas markets. On such a river voyage, you may stroll among hundreds of Christmas market stalls in different cities, buy handcrafted gifts or holiday ornaments, and savor the tastes of traditional European food, such as sausages, baked apples or roasted almonds. And, since the weather is cool, you may warm up with a hot mulled cider, gluhwein or hot chocolate. This is definitely on our bucket list!
Many Christmas markets kick off on the Friday before Advent, which is four Sundays prior to Christmas Eve. Others end in the few days prior to Christmas, while a few continue through the first week of January. Most Christmas markets center around the tradition of an “Advent Market” that through the centuries has filled the square in front of or near the town’s cathedral or city hall. For example, Vienna’s ornate Town Hall, the neo-Gothic styled “Rathaus,” is typically decked out as a gigantic Advent Calendar.
Christmas market river cruises are becoming increasingly popular with cruisers and those who just want to see Europe in a new way. Short and long options provide flexibility for clients. For example, Avalon Waterways offers a weeklong “Christmas in the Heart of Germany” option between Prague and Frankfurt, Germany. In contrast, the line also has a more robust, 15-night “Grand Christmastime Cruise” from Zurich, Switzerland, to Vienna.
Nothing beats the thrill of immersing oneself in fairytale Old World Europe. Destinations like Vienna or Rudesheim, Germany, exude that feeling year-round with their historical architecture. But late in the year, they’re even more appealing as they’re decked out in garland and holiday lighting displays.
Travelers visiting German Christmas markets might try the cinnamon-infused gluhwein or the Stollen breads, as Germans have enjoyed for hundreds of years. In Vienna, the city’s “Christkindlmarkt” is distinguished by rows of wooden huts leading to the Town Hall; it’s a tradition that’s continued for more than seven centuries. Passengers heading to Salzburg, Austria, on a river cruise day trip might hop onboard a horse-drawn Christmas carriage, experiencing Old World Europe charm.
Most cities along the Danube, Rhine or Mosel, boast amazing holiday displays, thousands of twinkling lights, as well as holiday singers, traditional creches and decorated trees. Rudesheim fields what’s said to be Europe’s largest depiction of the Christian nativity scene.
While most Christmas market voyages are on the Danube, Rhine or Mosel, you will also discover some unique options elsewhere. Cruisers will sample traditional Normandy pancakes and cider while in Les Andelys, France, browse through a traditional Christmas market in the Medieval town of Rouen, and enjoy Paris, the City of Lights, in full holiday regalia.
Shoppers will find holiday decor and plenty of traditional crafts and ornaments. You may also find unique gifts for sale, including hand-carved puppets, jewelry, honey liquor, handblown glassware, candles, wood figures, and ornate ceramic dishes and mugs. On a Christmas Market river cruise you can shop all day for unique gifts and then just collapse in style onboard. Cruisers are served dinner onboard, they relax with drinks, and they enjoy nightly entertainment. Meanwhile, their cabin steward is cleaning their stateroom or suite and turning down the bed.
Typically, river vessels put out holiday treats and even elaborate gingerbread houses. Most decorate public areas with holiday garland and trees. Guests may also discover that even their stateroom or suite doors are decorated, or, at turn down, that they’re given holiday treats.
Holiday cruises also make a great holiday gift for a client to give to a spouse, close friend or relatives. It’s the season to go cruising!
Happy Cruising!
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