Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle 2024 Itinerary Paris to Zürich Viking®
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The cruise fare includes all gratuities, private shore excursions, meals, unlimited drinks including premium spirits, and basic Wi-Fi, plus airport and train transfers. The midpoint of the cruise will bring you to the decision to visit either Ghent, which is one of the oldest cities in Belgium, or Bruges, known for its medieval architecture and beautiful canals. The cruise also visits Antwerp, where you can explore the various Christmas markets that are spread throughout the city. Your trip ends in Brussels, with a whole day to explore the cute squares and charming markets and try local fare.
Travel In Good Company
When it comes to river competitions, the Danube is probably the biggest “rival” of the Rhine when it comes to European Christmas market cruises. Often Rhine Christmas market cruises even start in Switzerland and make their way to Alsace, France, Germany, and finally, Amsterdam. This guide gives you an introduction to the best European Christmas market cruises for this season. But generally, prices on most lines run about $500 or $600 per person a night for an upper-deck cabin with a balcony. See the Christmas nativity at Volksgarten and explore the market stalls of the Main Square. Immerse in the fairytale atmosphere of Vienna’s markets and shop for unique gifts.
A Portrait of India
No matter which locations you visit, you can savor the aromas of hot chestnuts and mulled wine as you take in all that Salzburg has to offer. There are plenty of perks to visiting Europe during the holidays, from charming seasonal decorations to great skiing. But Christmas markets, found in small towns and large cities across the continent, are one of the best ways to soak up the festive atmosphere.
Nuremberg Christmas markets
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Be sure to try a sugar-coated chimney cake, a traditional Hungarian pastry, or a warm honey cookie with a glass of mulled wine. On day one, take time to explore the city on your own after dropping your luggage off at the ship. Then on day two in the city, enjoy all the chocolate you can with a tour and chocolate tasting, plus a visit to the Christmas market. On day three, you'll need to decide whether to visit Ghent or Bruges, both of which have beautiful architecture and a Christmas market and offer opportunities to try local food. These river cruises only run seasonally while the markets are open, so they tend to book up quickly with passengers ranging from older adults to all types of families looking for a winter holiday filled with festive fun. This 7-night cruise from Nuremberg to Amsterdam sets sail starting as early as September.
CRUISE FROM : Amsterdam to Basel
Most Rhine River cruise itineraries make a stop in Cologne no matter what time of year. You'll have your pick of river cruise lines, as nearly any that traverse the Rhine stop here. Nuremberg is a tour stop on many Danube River cruises and some itineraries that include the Rhine River. Instead, tours depart from the nearest port on the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal nearby. The city is famous for Schuco tin cars and Fleishmann train sets, and its holiday market is a great place to find nostalgic toys.
Danube Christmas Delights
Vienna is easily the best Christmas market in Europe for anyone who loves classical music and Christmas carols given the full choral treatment. Austria's capital is famous as the former home of Strauss, Beethoven and Mozart and during the holiday season international choirs stage free performances at the Christmas market held beside Vienna City Hall. It's one of the largest markets in Europe and also features a large skating rink. This 14-night cruise takes travelers through five different countries, through medieval towns and to Europe's countryside. A resident tour director is on-hand to guide guests through a tour of Munich's old town and its Christmas market, the Christmas market in Austria's Domplatz, and a private linzer torte baking class in Linz.
Linz, Austria
As a sustainable travel enthusiast from Luxembourg, I am the happiest while doing outdoorsy stuff like hiking, cycling, or sailing. As European I have experienced the best Christmas markets in German-speaking countries. Another advantage of taking a Christmas cruise from Southampton, UK is that you are only a few nights away from warmer islands such as Madeira, Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
I recommend at least 7 days in order to absorb the enchanting Christmas vibes of that time in Europe. Germany is generally known as being the hub of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. The Germans truly have a passion for Christmas markets and put tons of effort into their decorations, entertainment, and food during the festive season.
Best European Christmas Market Cruises in 2023
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Cruising Europe’s rivers is an increasingly popular way to explore quaint towns and historic cities in countries such as France and Germany, especially in summer. Already a classic river cruise destination, the Hungarian capital Budapest -- divided into Buda and Pest by the Danube River -- is particularly beautiful during the Christmas market season. The two largest Christmas markets take place on the Pest side, and both could double as a foodie tour of Hungary with the amount of local eats on offer.
The American Queen Steamboat Company offers a Christmas-market itinerary with a nine-day cruise from Memphis to New Orleans. This eight-day river cruise through four different countries is geared towards travelers aged 18 to 35. To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.
Without any exaggeration, Christmas markets are one of the main social events in Germany. Just imagine how a comfortable river cruise ship will take you from one Christmas Market to another. All you need to worry about is “What hot wine (Glühwein) or German sausage will I try next? Some cruisers are content just browsing through them and enjoying the merry atmosphere.
Taking place on the cobblestone Vorosmarty Square, this handcrafts-only market is a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts. With over 150 vendor stalls, Vienna’s Christkindlmarkt takes place in front of its 19th-century town hall. Most European Christmas markets are open from the last week of November through December 22.
As we talk about people coming out of COVID wanting to have more family time and making up for lost time,” says Azure Blue Vacations’ Schreiner, who’s taking a group of 12 on a Danube cruise at Christmastime this year. “In Austria we went to a church [in Oberndorf] and listened to an organ concert and they did ‘Silent Night.’ I thought, ‘Oh my god, this is where Silent Night was written! ’ ” says Kathie Elowitt, 78, of Hidden Hills, California, of her Uniworld cruise on the Danube between Budapest and Passau, Germany. As the name suggests, this cruise takes you through Austria, Germany, and Hungary to some of the most iconic Christmas markets on the Danube.
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