It’s never too early to start counting down the days until Christmas – or plan a holiday getaway. Christmas in July reminders are a great opportunity to think about how you want to celebrate or travel to get into the spirit of the season. And for me, Christmas market river cruises may be the very best way.
First, you get the benefits of river cruising: unpacking once and sailing into the hearts of these European villages, towns, and cities, and having all the details taken care of: being dropped off at the markets without having to find parking! And enjoying seasonal festivities and cuisine on board. Even the Grinch would convert to Christmas on a Christmas market river cruise!
But which Christmas market river cruise?
The Christmas Market River Cruise Conundrum
There are two major Christmas market river cruise itineraries that almost all river cruise lines operate, so you have a wide range of cruising styles and price points.
The Rhine and the Danube are the two major cruising rivers, and they are also in the heart of where many of our most beloved Christmas traditions were born, with Christmas markets in different styles. Sometimes you even visit 2 a day!
Rhine Christmas Market River Cruises
Rhine River cruise itineraries wind their way from Amsterdam in the north, through western Germany, touching France, and ending in Basel, Switzerland.
Ports of call include major urban centers and their Christmas markets, from the vast market surrounding the imposing Cologne cathedral, to charming medieval village markets like Freiburg in the Black Forest (above), where I bought a bouquet including Christmas pine and amaryllis to take back to my balcony stateroom aboard the Viking Sigyn.
What makes this itinerary unique?
The inclusion of France. Strasbourg is the ‘Christmas Capital of France’ and its market is renowned. If you love all things French, you’ll get a little taste of Noël here (the entire town is decked out in elegant French style for the holidays, even the luxury stores, like the one below!).
Mulled wine that’s white Alsatian wine with citrus (which I prefer to red wine that’s sweetened and spiced) and French-German twists, like chocolate pretzel-beignets – irresistible!
And Switzerland. Chocolate, fondu, après-ski… The Swiss do comfort and winters like you imagine them!
Don’t forget: the castles. The Middle Rhine has the highest concentration of castles anywhere in the world.40 castles in 40 miles. A UNESCO site and one of the most romantic scenic sailings in the world, best seen from the river to see these medieval marvels on both banks. They’re even more romantic cupping a mug of spiked hot chocolate, bundled up on the top deck of our Viking longship (top photo).
Danube Christmas Market River Cruises
The middle section of the Danube runs between Passau, in the south-east corner of Germany, through Austria, touching Slovakia, and ending in Budapest, Hungary. At any time of the year, it’s a celebration of Central European culture and history. At Christmas, local food, beverages, arts, crafts, and traditions you won’t experience at any other time come to life.
What makes this itinerary unique?
One of the things I loved most about our Scenic Christmas market river cruise on the Danube was the inclusion of the nighttime, artisan Christmas market in the castle grounds in Regensburg, dubbed the ‘Most Romantic Christmas Market’. With fires and torches illuminating the castle walls, and craftspeople smoking fish, baking sweets, hammering metal before your eyes.
Not to mention the side excursion to Salzburg, Austria, home to the heartwarming classic film that’s become a Christmas-season favorite: The Sound of Music. The Salzburg Christmas market is also one of the most authentic in Austria.
Plus the magic of fairytale, wedding-cake architecture, and horse-drawn carriages in Vienna in the winter, and comfort food like Chicken Paprikash in Budapest, Hungary. Hot tip: get the ingredients like authentic Hungarian paprika to take home as souvenirs or gifts to keep your heart warm through the entire winter season!
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Story and images by Lynn Elmhirst, cruise/ travel journalist and expert.
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